Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
British national identity and life satisfaction in ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom

ABSTRACT This study examines British national identification in survey data from 226 Indians, Pakistanis, Black Caribbeans and Black Africans. Black participants reported stronger ethnic identification and more frequent ethnic discrimination; and Pakistanis reported higher religiosity and more frequent religious discrimination, but stronger British national identification. Uncertainty about the meaning and accessibility of British national identity and perceived ethnic discrimination were associated with decreased British national identification. British national identification was in turn positively associated with life satisfaction. Uncertainty about the meaning and significance of Britishness challenges its value to overall identity maintenance, making it less accessible to ethnic minorities.
Characterization of vertebrate host immune responses to the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum (Acari: ixodidae)

Successful infestation of BALB/c mice with nymphal Amblyomma americanum made it possible to study host responses to A. americanum feeding. Proliferative and cytokine responses of murine splenocytes were compared between groups of A. americanum-infested and uninfested mice. Splenocyte proliferation in response to the B cell mitogen LPS was suppressed by more than 60% in infested mice, but their response to the T cell mitogen Con A was not affected. Cytokine levels in infested animals were clearly polarized towards a Type 2 response. Type 1 cytokine production was suppressed by as much as 59% (IFNγ) and 87% (IL-2) in infested mice. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) production by splenocytes of infested mice was suppressed on days 4 and 7 postinfestation, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by lymphocytes from the spleen and lymph nodes of infested mice was suppressed on all days measured. In contrast, on days 7, 10, and 14 post-infestation, infested mice produced 4 to 124-fold more than the control levels of the Type 2 cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Systemic (spleen) and local (draining lymph nodes) responses were similar for all cytokines except IFNγ. Immunoglobulin antibody subtype ratios were also polarized to Type 2. Adherent cell production of the cytokines IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 was also measured and found to be not significantly different between infested and control mice. Introduction Hematophagous arthropods are known to affect their mammalian hosts’ physiological responses to blood feeding in a variety of ways. The pharmacological effects of tick infestation on vasodilation, platelet activity, and clotting responses have been described for several important tick vectors, as have the immunological effects on
Morphological and Kinetic Embryological Criteria and Correlation withAneuploidy Rates: How Might they Be Used to Choose the Best IVF Embryofor Transfer?

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that embryos reaching a certain developmental stage at a fixed time point (indicative of growth rate) and those of better morphology are more likely to be euploid than those reaching an earlier stage at the same point and those with poorer morphology. To test the hypothesis that quality of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) independently predict ploidy status. 5 specific age groups were tested Design: Observational research study, retrospective analysis Setting: Clinical IVF laboratory, comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) outsourced to specialist laboratory Patients: Those undergoing IVF with Comprehensive Chromosome Testing (CCS) by array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH). Interventions: All embryos grown to day 5 and 6. Those that formed advanced blastocysts were biopsied and cells were analyzed using aCGH Main Outcome Measures: developmental stage reached by a fixed time point and morphology of whole embryos and quality of ICM and TE; correlation to rates of aneuploidy for all chromosomes. Results: In addition to confirming a maternal age effect, evidence suggested that embryos reaching a more advanced stage of development on day 5 were more likely to be chromosomally normal than those not reaching the same stage until day 6. The poorer quality embryos were more likely to be aneuploid in the most age groups but this effect was seen more markedly in the trophectoderm (TE) than the inner cell mass. Conclusions: When comparing aneuploidy to growth rate, a complex pattern emerges in that, in the whole data set, it is the slower growing embryos that appear to be more likely to be aneuploid (but only in the younger and older age groups). By isolating the slower growing cohort (those not ready to biopsy until day 6) however, it seems that the relatively faster ones that continue to grow to day 6 are more likely to be aneuploid. Moreover, TE quality appears to be an important consideration for choosing embryos in all age groups.
“I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL” – PREDICTING EMOTIONS FROM SENSORS FOR ASSISTED PEDELEC EXPERIENCES IN SMART CITIES

Emotions are one of the manner humans use to indicate how they feel about a particular event, place or things. To date there is no consensus about the correlation of measured data to an unambiguously defined emotional state. The selection of parameters, their weight and range, which derive at an emotion, are not clearly defined. Especially, if measurements took place outdoors and during a physical activity. This work is based on previous work and focuses on the parameters and methods to classify measured data to an emotional state. We took a closer look to the values, defined ranges for parameters and performed further pre-processing steps. Furthermore, we revised the assignment of an emotion, analyzed the parameter weights and their correlation. Moreover, we compared our previous approach with further Machine Learning (ML) methods. The results are in line with previous work, however, indicate the need for more and heterogeneous data to endorse the outcome. Further results from the parameter analysis suggest an importance of the skin conductance level (SCL) depending on the method used.
Use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in rapid identification of Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria pseudobassiana

Species of the genus Beauveria are entomopathogenic fungi used in biological control to protect against insect pests. Identification of species is based on observation of morphological, phylogenetic and genetic differences. Currently, MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization- Time of Flight) mass spectrometry is often used in microbial diagnostic but identification of Beauveria species has not been tested before. The aim of this work was the possibilities of this method and to compare it with genetic analysis. Twenty strains of B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana isolated from insect cadavers, mycoinsecticides and soil samples were used. Sequences of ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region were used for genetic identification of strains. Sequences and results from protein analysis of isolates were compared with the reference strains of B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. Results of MALDI Biotyper softvare identification were correct for all strains. Identification was reliable with high log score (>2.1) for most of strains. Score value less than 1 was observed only in a single case - strain GHA isolated from mycoinsecticide Botanigard.The result of both analyses was also dendrogram (phylogenetic tree) which showed high degree of result consistence. MALDI-TOF identification of fungi from Beauveria genus is usable for fast and reliable identification of entomopathogenic fungi isolates acquired from environment and results can be utilized in conservation biocontrol strategies in agriculture and forest ecosystems.
Staphylococcus aureus ST228 and ST239 as models for expression studies of diverse markers during osteoblast infection and persistence

The ability of S. aureus to infect bone and osteoblasts is correlated with its incredible virulence armamentarium that can mediate the invasion/internalization process, cytotoxicity, membrane damage, and intracellular persistence. We comparatively analyzed the interaction, persistence, and modulation of expression of selected genes and cell viability in an ex vivo model using human MG‐63 osteoblasts of two previously studied and well‐characterized S. aureus clinical strains belonging to the ST239‐SCCmecIII‐t037 and ST228‐SCCmecI‐t041 clones at 3 h and 24 h post‐infection (p.i). S. aureus ATCC12598 ST30‐t076 was used as a control strain. Using imaging flow cytometry (IFC), we found that these strains invaded and persisted in MG‐63 osteoblasts to different extents. The invasion was evaluated at 3 h p.i and persistence at 24 h p.i. , in particular: ATCC12598 internalized in 70% and persisted in 50% of MG‐63 cells; ST239‐SCCmecIII internalized in 50% and persisted in 45% of MG‐63 cells; and ST228‐SCCmecI internalized in 30% and persisted in 20% of MG‐63 cells. During the infection period, ST239‐III exerted significant cytotoxic activity resulting from overexpression of hla and psmA and increased expression of the genes involved in adhesion, probably due to the release and re‐entry of bacteria inside MG‐63 cells at 24 h p.i. The lower invasiveness of ST228‐I was also associated with non‐cytotoxic activity inside osteoblasts. This clone was unable to activate sufficient cellular reaction and succumbed inside MG‐63 cells. Our findings support the idea of considering new strategies, based on a translational approach—eukaryotic host–pathogen interaction (EHPI)—and to be applied on a large scale, to predict S. aureus /osteoblast interaction and treat bone infections. Such strategies rely on the study of the genetic and biochemical basis of both pathogen and host.
Portraying Mental Illness in Video Games

This exploratory study examines three video games as case studies for how video games may portray mental illness through interactive, non-narrative design features. The analysis not only reports findings but also offers an evaluation for how video games might improve in how they depict mental illness. The games studied are What Remains of Edith Finch, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, and Doki Doki Literature Club. The analysis identifies how these games use audiovisual styles, control systems, game goals, and procedurality to portray mental illness. A report of the discovered themes precedes a discussion of innovations and weaknesses of those depictions of mental illness.
The Effect of Board Structure on Firm Disclosure and Behavior: A Case Study of Korea and a Comparison of Research Designs

Most studies of how corporate governance affects firm behavior provide evidence on association, not causation. How likely are these results to be causal? We provide evidence on that question. We begin with an unusually “clean” natural experiment in Korea. Under 1999 Korean legal reforms, large firms (assets over 2 trillion won, about US$2 billion) faced a major, exogenous shock to their board structures, with no similar shock to smaller firms. We first exploit this shock using the strongest available design, which combines difference-in-difference (DiD) and regression discontinuity (RD) methods -- we estimate annual “leads-and-lags” DiD coefficients on a subsample limited to a bandwidth around the RD threshold, for a variety of governance, financial, and accounting outcomes. The shock significantly predicts change in only one outcome measure (a “Disclosure Subindex”). We then compare these results to those from weaker research designs -- both “classic” panel data designs (pooled OLS, firm random effects, firm fixed effects, and first differences), applied to a “Korean Corporate Governance Index, KCGI”), and simpler causal designs exploiting the 1999 shock (DiD alone; RD in the post-shock period, and instrumental variables (IV), also in the post-shock period. With panel methods, KCGI predicts higher Tobin’s q, lower investment, slower growth, lower absolute abnormal accruals, and more extensive MD&A disclosure. However, only the Tobin’s q results survive with simpler causal methods, and those fall away with the “leads and lags plus RD” design. We thus provides case study evidence that classic panel methods can provide a weak guide to causation, and simpler causal methods can also be non-robust.
Oxidative Damage and Reproductive Toxicity Associated with Antouka Super® in Male Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica): The Protective Effects of Hydroethanolic Leaves Extract of Persea americana

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective role of hydroethanolic leaves extract of The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective role of Hydroethanolic leaves Persea americana (HEPA) against reproductive toxicity induced by Antouka Super ® (AS) in male Research The Dschang between and May 2016. Forty (40) immature male Japanese quails (28 days old), were divided into five groups of 8 birds each and subjected to the following treatments: Group 1, birds receiving 10 ml/kg b.w of distilled water (negative control group (CO-); Group 2, birds receiving 75 mg of AS/kg (positive control group (CO+). while groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered 50, 100 and 200 mg/ kg b.w of HEPA respectively together with AS at 75 mg/kg. All the test solutions were orally administered once a day for 60 days using an endogastric canule. Dissection of the vas deferent was performed to obtain spermatozoa. The protective effects of HEPA on the organ weights, serum hormones, oxidative stress biomarkers, sperm characteristics and histology changes in the testes were evaluated. Results revealed that exposure to AS significantly (p<0.05) decreased reproductive organ weights (testes, epididymis and vas deferens); the levels of testicular proteins and of serum hormones (LH, FSH and Testosterone). This insecticide also significantly (p<0.05) decreased sperm characteristics (mobility, viability and density) and fertility indices (percentage of fertile eggs, hatching rate and chick survival rate after hatching), and increased the sperm abnormalities (minor and major) and the embryonic and post-embryonic mortality rate. In addition, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the testes of AS treated quails. While the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with the values recorded in the negative control group birds. Histopathological examination of the testes of AS treated quails revealed testicular lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules and incomplete spermatogenesis. Administration of HEPA to treated birds alleviates the reproductive toxicity and testicular oxidative damage induced by AS. Thus, exposure of male Japanese quails to AS induce oxidative stress and impairment on the reproductive parameters. These effects can be mitigated by the administration of HEPA.
Tescheniceras gen. nov. (Ammonoidea) and the definition of the Valanginian/Hauterivian boundary in Butkov Quarry (Central Western Carpathians, Slovakia)

Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous successions of the Manin Unit of the Central Western Carpathians are exposed in Butkov Quarry in the Middle Vah Region, Slovakia. A significant part of the macrofauna belonging to neocomitid ammonites, formerly classified under the genus Teschenites Thieuloy, 1971, occurs in deposits spanning the Valanginian/Hauterivian boundary. The original definition of Teschenites was accompanied by uncertainties in the taxonomic and stratigraphic position of its original type species, i.e., Hoplites neocomiensiformis Uhlig, 1902. The present contribution focuses on and provides a possible taxonomic solution by establishing the new genus Tescheniceras . In Butkov Quarry, the new genus includes five species. Tescheniceras flucticulum (Thieuloy, 1977), the type species, is the most abundant. Tescheniceras callidiscum (Thieuloy, 1971), the subzonal species for the uppermost Valanginian (Thieuloy 1971b), occurs only sporadically. Because Acanthodiscus radiatus (Bruguiere, 1789), the index species for the basal Hauterivian ( radiatus Zone) in the international ammonite zonation, does not occur in the locality, the basal Hauterivian is indicated by the first appearance of the genus Spitidiscus Kilian, 1910.
Effect of pretreatment on physicochemical, microbiological, and aflatoxin quality of solar sliced dried ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome

Abstract Pretreatment of fruit and vegetables is necessary to reduce microbial proliferation and to preserve color of the produce. The effect of drying and pretreatment with potassium metabisulfite (KMBS) of concentrations 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, and 1.0% and blanching at 100°C and 50°C using a tent‐like concrete solar (CSD) dryer as compared to open‐sun drying (OSD) of yellow ginger rhizomes was investigated using routine methods. The total color change and residual sulfur dioxide (SO2) were analyzed. KMBS reduced the yeast and mould load significantly from 3.6 × 104 ± 1.4 × 103 CFU/g in 0.0% (control) to <10 CFU/g in 1.0% KMBS and 100°C blanched fresh samples. Drying of the fresh samples for 5 days increased the yeast and mould load of all the treatments to as high as 1.15 × 105 ± 2.12 × 104 CFU/g for the 1.0% KMBS. Overall, the CSD had fewer microbial loads than the OSD but it was not significant. Aflatoxins and Salmonella sp. were not detected in any of the samples. The sulfur dioxide residue (SO2) for KMBS pretreated samples increased as the concentration of KMBS increased with the CSD retaining slightly higher amount than the OSD. The total color change index increased with increase in KMBS, and drying further increased the total color change index. On the whole, the blanched samples had the least color change among the pretreatments with 100°C CSD showing the least change among the dried samples.
The Immunomodulatory Potential of Cereal Grains

Inflammation is a normal response to tissue injury or infection and many chronic diseases are characterised to some extent by the presence of low-grade inflammation. Considerable interest exists in reducing chronic disease risk or managing illnesses through health-promoting dietary ingredients. Cereals are a source of macronutrients, minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients and are also known to contain a range of biologically active substances such as arabinoxylans, β-glucans, cellulose, lignans, lignin, sterols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, alkylresorcinols, phenolic acids and microelements. Cereal grains displaying anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity may have an important role to play in alleviating some of the primary symptoms of inflammation. This paper reviews some of the recent research conducted on cereal grains in relation to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.
Grain and Nutritional Quality Traits of Southwestern U.S. Blue Maize Landraces

Anthocyanin-rich Southwestern blue maize (Zea mays L.) landraces are receiving interest as functional foods, and commercial production is increasing. We determined variation in kernel color, anthocyanin content, texture, and selected compositional traits of representative varieties. In 2013, eight varieties were grown at four locations in New Mexico. Total kernel anthocyanin content (TAC) and component pigments were measured with spectrophotometry and HPLC, respectively. Oil, protein, starch, and kernel density were determined using NIR spectroscopy and amino acid concentrations using wet chemistry. An average of 49.6 mg/100 g of TAC with a range of 17.6–65.1 mg/100 g was observed. Cyanidin and pelargonidin were major components, and peonidin and succinyl 3-glucoside were minor components. Low levels of disuccinyl glucoside were detected. Blue kernels were higher in anthocyanin than purple or red kernels. Floury kernels displayed the highest protein and oil contents and the lowest starch content and kerne.
Japanese nightingales (uguisu) and the ‘margins’ of learning: rethinking the futurity of university education in the post-pandemic epoch

ABSTRACT In this short invitational essay, I discuss how a series of accidental incidents during the pandemic facilitated my reflection on the implications of COVID-19 for teaching and learning at universities. It recognizes the global health crisis as a catalytic moment to rethink the ‘business as usual’ of university education and develop renewed appreciation of what is taken for granted about it. The essay is deliberately personal and situated to show the highly localized manifestation of the global pandemic, out of which lessons for higher education are developed for global audiences.
Subthreshold Erosion of an Organic Polymer Induced by Multiple Shots of an X-Ray Free-Electron Laser

Solids irradiated by energetic photons can be eroded in two modes, depending on the radiation intensity. High average, low-peak power sources, e.g., synchrotron radiation and high-order harmonics, induce desorption of the material at a low etch rate. In contrast, high-peak-power radiation from extreme ultraviolet and x-ray lasers usually causes a massive removal of the material even by a single shot. In this contribution, an eﬀective material erosion is reported in PMMA exposed to multiple accumulated pulses generated by the free-electron x-ray-laser Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS, tuned at a photon energy of 830 eV in this study, operated in Menlo Park at Stanford, CA, USA) at a ﬂuence below the single-pulse ablation threshold. The eﬀect is caused by polymer-chain scissions initiated by single photons carrying enough energy to break the C—C bounds. High eﬃciency of the erosion is supposed to occur due to a correlation of the single-photon eﬀects. The subthreshold damage exhibits a nonlinear dose dependence resulting from a competition between chain scissions and cross-linking processes. The cross-linking is proven by Raman spectroscopy of the irradiated polymer. Two theoretical models of the x-ray free-electron-laser-induced erosion are suggested, which provide an excellent agreement with the experimental results.
Effect of biofertilizers, vermicompost, Azotobacter and biophosphate on the growth, nutrient uptake and essential oil content of Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.)

Biofertilizer application in medicinal plant production is important in sustain-able agriculture. The aim of this application is to remove or reduce the chemical input and to increase the quality and sustain the yield. The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of biofertilizers on the growth factors, nutrient uptake, and essential oil content in Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica). This research was undertaken during two growing seasons in 2009 and 2010 at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Experimental factors were vermicompost (V) at three levels (0, 15 and 30% pot volume), Azotobacter at two levels (treated and untreated) and biophosphate at two levels (treated and untreated). The results showed that the highest concentration of nitrogen (2.27%), phosphorus (0.22%) and potassium (2.51%), and the greatest shoot fresh weight (44.26 g), shoot dry weight (11.52 g), plant height (49.25 cm), seed weight per plant (4.02 g) and essential oil content (0.74%) were obtained by applying vermicompost at 30% of the pot volume. Biophosphate also had a significant effect on phosphorus concentration in the shoot of Dragonhead, and the highest concentrations of phosphorus (0.22%) were obtained with the application of biophosphate. There were positive and synergistic interactions between factors, for example between vermicompost and biophosphate on P concentration.