Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Within-subject consistency of paired associative stimulation as assessed by linear mixed models

Objective Paired associative stimulation (PAS) is a TMS paradigm used to induce long-term potentiation in the human cortex. Little is known about the within-subject consistency of PAS-induced effects. We determined PAS-induced effects and their consistency in healthy volunteers between two PAS sessions. Additionally, we assessed the benefit of applying linear mixed models (LMMs) to PAS data. Methods Thirty-eight healthy volunteers underwent two identical PAS sessions with a >1 week interval. During each session, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were assessed once before PAS induction and 3 times after at 30 min intervals. Results We did not detect any significant potentiation of MEP size after PAS induction. However, MEP size during PAS induction showed significant potentiation over time in both sessions (LR(1) = 13.36, p<0.001). Nevertheless, there was poor within-subject consistency of PAS-induced effects both during (ICC=0.15) and after induction (ICC=0.03-0.08). Additionally, statistical model selection procedures demonstrate that LMMs are more appropriate than conventional longitudinal models for estimating PAS-induced effects (LR(34) = 214.73, p < 0.001). Conclusion PAS-induced effects are more pronounced during than after induction, have a low within-subject consistency in any phase of the measurement, and are best estimated with LMMs. The implication of our study is that PAS is an inappropriate method to assess the evolution of brain plasticity over time periods longer than the PAS measurement itself.
Stress and overweight/obesity among nursing students

Objective analyze associations between demographic, academic, health, stress, overweight and obesity characteristics among nursing students. Method this is a cross-sectional study with 95 students from a private university in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A demographic, academic and health characterization questionnaire and the Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students (ASNS) scale were applied. Anthropometric measures were taken and descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. Results female students predominated in this study, mean age: 25.6±5.87 years. Weight gain was observed in 52.6% of the students, with the ‘Professional training’ session reporting high (29.5%) and very high (36.8%) levels of stress. None of the stress scale sessions was associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion overweight and obesity were associated with male participants, high blood pressure, weight gain since the beginning of the course, altered waist circumference, no physical activity, eating more in stressful situations, and consumption of unhealthy foods.
Users' brand page participation: a new construct to measure participation on social networking sites

The increasing development of brand presence on social networking sites (SNS) requires new practices for monitoring the results of brands' efforts. The current research proposes that users' exposure to brand-related content by means of participating on brand pages is a key measure to be monitored. This proposition builds on previous studies which relate positive business consequences with users' exposure to brand communications. Despite the relevance of capturing users' participation on brand pages, so far very limited effort has been made to propose a construct for measuring it. Thus, three studies were implemented and a new construct was proposed and validated for internal consistency, unidimensionality and nomological validity.
A Computational Model of the Escape Response Latency in the Giant Fiber System of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The giant fiber system (GFS) is a multi-component neuronal pathway mediating rapid escape response in the adult fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster, usually in the face of a threatening visual stimulus. Two branches of the circuit promote the response by stimulating an escape jump followed by flight initiation. A recent work demonstrated an age-associated decline in the speed of signal propagation through the circuit, measured as the stimulus-to-muscle depolarization response latency. The decline is likely due to the diminishing number of inter-neuronal gap junctions in the GFS of ageing flies. In this work, we presented a realistic conductance-based, computational model of the GFS that recapitulates the experimental results and identifies some of the critical anatomical and physiological components governing the circuit’s response latency. According to our model, anatomical properties of the GFS neurons have a stronger impact on the transmission than neuronal membrane conductance densities. The model provides testable predictions for the effect of experimental interventions on the circuit’s performance in young and ageing flies.
Special Considerations and Reporting among Crime Victims in Lagos: A Qualitative Study

It is commonly assumed that victims’ reporting decision making is contingent upon some special normative and contextual considerations. This study examines the effects of these special considerations on crime reporting practices among victims in Lagos, Nigeria, using the qualitative method. The findings indicate that some special considerations anchored on cultural indices of stigmatization, stereotypes, taboos, tenderness of age, and gender are critical to victims’ decision-making choices for reporting in the study area. Consequently, it is suggested that government should use public enlightenment to make rational than normative thoughts steer reporting among victims for public safety in Lagos, Nigeria.
Seed Fecundity, Persistence, and Germination Biology of Prairie Groundcherry (Physalis hederifolia) in Australia

Abstract Prairie groundcherry [Physalis hederifolia (A. Gray) var. fendleri (A. Gray) Cronquist] is an invasive perennial weed with the potential to become a significant summer weed across 409 million hectares in Australia. Current management practices do not provide effective control of established populations. A better understanding of the seed biology is needed to effectively manage this weed. A series of field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine plant fecundity, soil seedbank longevity, and the factors that affect seed germination. Physalis hederifolia has the capacity to produce 66 to 86 berries plant − 1, 51 to 74 seeds berry − 1, and approximately 4,500 seeds plant − 1, with the seeds potentially able to persist in the soil seedbank for 20 yr if buried in an intact dry berry pod. The bare-seed component of the soil seedbank can be virtually exhausted within 3 yr if cultivation is minimized to avoid burial of seed. Optimal temperature for germination is diurnal fluctuations of 15 C within the temperature range of 10 and 30 C. Increasing osmotic stress levels reduced the germination under all temperature regimes, with less than 6% germination occurring at −0.96 MPa. Physalis hederifolia seed germination was not significantly affected by substrate pH 4 to 10 or salt levels less than 160 mM, while the germination was significantly reduced at NaCl concentrations above 160 mM. These results suggest that P. hederifolia can adapt to a range of substrate conditions. Stopping seed set, avoiding grazing plants with viable seeds, and minimizing seed burial in the soil are some effective strategies to control this weed.
A framework for classifying mathematical justification tasks

The large corpus of research on mathematical reasoning and justification in the mathematics education literature has yielded a wide range of tasks that require a mathematical argument to be established. This paper presents the DIVINE framework that classifies justification tasks by their nature and purpose as well as the expected element to be provided in the justifications. The framework is then used as a theoretical basis for appraising justifications produced by mathematics teachers.
Generation mean analysis for grain yield and its components in popcorn

Abstract Knowledge about genetic composition of a character helps plant breeders to plan their breeding programs. Grain yield and related traits are very important in maize breeding programs. In our experiment four each of parents, F1s, F2s, BC1s and BC2s were evaluated at Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabak, Nowshehra and Agriculture University Peshawar. The experimental material at both locations were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. In all crosses dominance gene action was found to be important in the inheritance of ear diameter, ear length, percent shelling and grain yield. Additive genetic effects were found negative and non-significant in all four crosses for percent shelling. Duplicate type of non-allelic interactions was observed for shelling percentage in all crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in cross, PS-1 × BD-1 and PS-2 × BD-1 for ear length. For grain yield both complementary and duplicate type of epistasis were observed. Additive genetic effects werefound significant with positive and negative magnitude in two crosses each. It is concluded that crosses, where dominant gene action was found predominant, should be effectively utilized in hybrid maize programs for improved grain yield and related traits.
Etude de l'association et de la dynamique de filaments nucléoprotéiques Rad51-ADN individuels dans les pinces magnétiques

Dans cette these, nous avons etudie plusieurs aspects des interactions entre l’ADN et la proteine Rad51 humaine, qui est l’acteur cle du processus de recombinaison homologue eucaryote (echange de brins de sequences homologues entre deux molecules d’ADN). Cette proteine polymerise pour former des filaments nucleoproteiques helicoidaux au sein desquels, dans leur conformation « canonique », l’ADN est suretire et sous-enroule. La technique de pinces magnetiques utilisee permet de manipuler un filament individuel en exercant une force et une contrainte de surenroulement aux extremites de la molecule d’ADN, tout en mesurant son extension bout a bout. Nous avons etudie l’influence de la concentration de la proteine en solution sur la cinetique de formation d’un filament ; nos resultats revelent que l’elongation du filament procede par un mecanisme de nucleations multiples dont l’etape cinetiquement limitante est la formation d’un oligomere Rad51 impliquant 5 ou 6 monomeres. Nous avons egalement mis au point un protocole permettant d’observer l’echange de brins au sein d’un filament piege dans les pinces. Par ailleurs, nous nous sommes interesses a la dynamique des filaments Rad51-ADN double brin en presence d’une contrainte de torsion. La modification de la reponse force-extension du filament induite par une torsion positive ne peut s’expliquer par un modele d’elasticite de torsion tel que celui utilise pour l’ADN double brin seul ; nous proposons un modele dans lequel, sous un couple de torsion positif, le filament Rad51-ADN subit une transition reversible entre la forme « canonique » et une seconde conformation dans laquelle l’ADN n’est que faiblement etire et sous-enroule
Comparative biogeography within and among four species of lizards in western North American deserts (Crotaphytidae: Crotaphytus bicinctores, C collaris, Gambelia wislizeni; Phrynosomatidae: Sceloporus magister)

Evidence of deep geographic structure in many taxonomic lineages throughout the arid regions of western North America suggests potential for recovering episodes of vicariant isolation and divergence through comparative biogeographic approaches. Vicariance biogeography predicts that suites of co-occurring taxa should demonstrate similar geographic pattems of generic divergence resulting from simultaneous isolation of formerly contiguous regional populations. Previous molecular phylogeographic work on small, non-volant desert taxa tended to focus on one or two species, often with limited distributions. Different methods o f sampling and analyses confound general statements about the presence of regional endemic biotas. Assessment of general biogeographic pattems in biotas therefore requires sampling co-occurring species across the same genetic markers. This dissertation addresses the historical biogeography and molecular population structure of four widespread desert lizards (Crotaphytidae: Crotaphytus bicinctores, C. collaris, Gambelia wislizeni and Phrynosomatidae: Sceloporus magister). Each species manifests evidence of a complex hierarchical phylogeographic structure of recent distributional fluctuations nested within deep phylogeographic disjunctions correlated with physiographic features postulated to have generated vicariant events. Comparison of interspecific pattems of isolation and divergence across taxa suggests four regions of endemism: EASTERN (roughly congruent with the Chihuahuan desert and parts of the Great Plains), CENTRAL (primarily the Sonoran Desert, but also containing parts of the eastem Colorado Plateau), WESTERN (Mojave and Great Basin deserts, and also including the Owens Valley and parts of the western Colorado Plateau) and PENINSULAR
Using Recombinant Inbred Lines to Monitor Changes in the Race Structure of Phytophthora capsici in Chile Pepper in New Mexico

Jiang, L. , Sanogo, S. , and Bosland, P. W. 2015. Using recombinant inbred lines to monitor changes in the race structure of Phytophthora capsici in chile pepper in New Mexico. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-RS-15-0034. Since 2008, 11 races of Phytophthora capsici have been identified in New Mexico based on their reactions to a set of host differentials, the New Mexico Recombinant Inbred Lines (NMRILs) developed by the Chile Pepper Breeding Program at New Mexico State University. The objective of this study was to appraise the current race structure of 13 isolates of P. capsici newly collected from chile pepper fields in New Mexico. Of the 13 isolates, 12 were identified as new races. Race 25 (isolate PWB175) was the most virulent isolate, and showed virulence that was higher than that of race 1 (PWB24), which is widely used as a highly virulent race for resistance testing of chile peppers in the United States, and was considered as a potential risk for chile pepper production in New Mexico. Of the 17 NMRILs tested, only 7 were needed for the identification of the 12 new races. The NMRILs are genetically stable including their disease reactions, and hence, are invaluable as P. capsici race differentials. A resistance index that ranges from 0 to 1 with 1 being resistant to all isolates was developed in this study. Among all the NMRILs evaluated, one NMRIL (NMRIL-R) had a low resistance index of 0.17, demonstrating its susceptibility to most of the isolates, while other NMRILs (A, B, F, O, and Z) showed medium to high levels of resistance to the P. capsici evaluated with the range of resistance index from 0.75 to 0.89. The NMRILs with a high resistance index can be a good source of resistance for chile pepper breeding programs. The results of this study prove that multiple races of P. capsici can exist in a single production field and plant breeders must be cognizant to breed for more than one race in a given production location.
Antifungal Effect of Selected Essential Oils on Malassezia pachydermatis Growth

Abstract The antifungal activities of 14 selected essential oils (at the concentrations of 0.5 %, 5 %, and 30 %) against the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis (18 isolates and one reference strain) were investigated. The isolates of M. pachydermatis were obtained from swabs of external ear canals of healthy dogs using sterile swabs. The determination of the efficacy was based on a modified disc diffusion method (CLSI M44-A2). The best antifungal efficacy (100 %) was shown by clove, cinnamon and oregano at the concentration of 30 %; less significant efficacy was shown at the concentration of 5 % (38 %, 33 % and 5 %, respectively). Satureja inhibited the growth of Malassezia (efficacy of 16 %) only at the concentration of 30 %. Bergamot, lavender, juniper, cedar, sage, tea-tree, grapefruit, pine, chamomile and yarrow essential oils were not able to form inhibition zones as defined in the methodology used (greater or equal to 15 mm) in all concentrations used. Therefore, according to the interpretation criterion, they were considered ineffective. In all cases, the concentration of 0.5 % was not effective against the growth of Malassezia yeasts.
Biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity) of the aqueous extracts and essential oil of Ammoides verticillata (Nounkha)

The phytochemical review conducted on the aerial part Ammoides verticillata has revealed the presence of six chemical families: flavonoids, tannins; gallic tannins, anthocyanins and the coumarins, cateichic tannins. The aqueous extract of the Ammoides verticillata could bring back the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) to the yellow-colored diphenylpicrylhydrazine with an IC50 of 0.020 mg.mL-1. It is gifted with antioxidant activity, however it was less effective than vitamin C (0.001 mL-1). The essential oil of the Ammoides verticillata has presented a strong antimicrobial activity against Gram negatif germs targets of original clinical action: E. coli (ESBL) (37 mm), E. coli (39.5 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.5 mm) and especially with the yeast: Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (47 mm) and Saccharomyces cerevisie ATCC (42 mm), which are highly sensitive to the oil inhibitory action. However, the oil has presented a low activity against the bacteria P. aeruginosa (12.5 mm).
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF NZW AND V-LINE WEANLING RABBITS PRODUCED FROM LOW-PRODUCER RABBIT DOES ADMINISTERED WITH HERBANA UNDER HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS

This experiment aimed to investigate the impact of Herbana administration on low-producer rabbit does during the last two weeks of pregnancy and the first two weeks after kindling on the growth performance and some physiological responses of their weanling rabbit kids. Forty-eight, 4 weeks old, female weanling NZW and V-line rabbit kids were equally divided into three experimental groups (16 kids each, 8 NZW+ 8 V-line). In the first group (Gr1-control), weanling rabbit kids produced from low-producer rabbit does (2-3 weanling kids/doe/parity), while those in the second group (Gr2) were produced from normal rabbit does (4-5 weanling kids/doe/parity). In the third group (Gr3), weanling kids were produced from does daily treated with 1.0g /doe of the Herbana. The achieved results showed significant breed differences in body weight (BW; P≤0.001) at different ages as well as in the daily feed intake (DFI) during 4-6 and 8-10 weeks of age. The means of feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly affected only at 4-6 weeks of age. Exposing female weanling NZW rabbits to heat stress significantly (P<0.05) decreased total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb) and tri-iodothyronine hormone concentration (T3), while the mean of triglycerides (TG) significantly (P<0.05) increased than those of the V-line. Similarly, the means of rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR) and ear temperature (ET) for V-line kids were significantly (P≤0.01) increased than those in NZW. Referring to Herbana administration, the means of BW, DFI, TP, Alb, T3 and thyroxin (T4) hormones increased significantly (P≤0.05) in the treated group, while the means of glucose (Glu), TG and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly decreased than those in the control group (Gr1). Similarly, the means of RT, RR, skin temperature (ST) and ET for rabbits in Gr3 were significantly (P≤0.01) decreased than those in the control group (Gr1). In general, it could be concluded that the DWG and DFI and physiological responses of NZW and V-line rabbits produced from low-producer rabbit does administered with Herbana significantly improved under heat stress conditions prevalent in Upper Egypt.
The Effect of Using Poetry in Psychological Counseling on the Empathy and Emotional Awareness Levels of University Students

The purpose of this research is to reveal the impact using poetry in psychological counseling on the university students’ level of empathy and emotional awareness. In this study, quasi-experimental design was used where only on the experimental group took part in. The experimental group consisted of 12 applicant students who wish to participate in the study on a voluntary basis in Cukurova University Counseling Unit. "Scale of Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships (SDIR) Empathy Subscale" and "SDIR Emotional Awareness Subscale" as pretest and posttest was applied to the experimental group. In addition, “Psychological Counseling Evaluation Form”, developed by researchers in order to get feedback from members is used. The experimental group was made eight sessions of using poetry in psychological counseling. As a result, the quantitative findings showed that using poetry in psychological counseling has no significant effect on the dimensions of empathy and emotional awareness of university students. However “Psychological Counseling Evaluation Form” which is applied to the data obtained with the results reached in the qualitative findings. The qualitative research findings, has led to the conclusion that using poetry in psychological counseling has a positive effect on the level of empathy and emotional awareness of university students.
Drosophila melanogaster infected with Wolbachia strain wMelCS prefer cooler temperatures

Temperature plays a fundamental role in the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacteria that infects about 40% of arthropod species, which can affect host behaviour and reproduction. Yet, the effect of Wolbachia on host thermoregulatory behaviour is largely unknown, despite its use in disease vector control programs in thermally variable environments. Here, we used a thermal gradient to test whether Drosophila melanogaster infected with Wolbachia strain wMelCS exhibit different temperature preferences (Tp) to uninfected flies. We found that Wolbachia-infected flies preferred a cooler mean temperature (Tp = 25.06±0.25°C) than uninfected flies (Tp = 25.78±0.24°C). This finding suggests that Wolbachia-infected hosts might seek out cooler microclimates to reduce exposure to and lessen the consequences of high temperatures. This finding has generated hypotheses that will be fruitful in areas of research for exploring the mechanisms by which the change in Tp occurs in this complex and significant host-pathogen-environment interaction.
Views on Effective Leadership from Insiders and Outsiders

What African managers consider effective leadership may not be the same as what is seen as effective by expatriates. As part of the LEAD project, insights from local African leaders (insiders) and expatriate leaders (outsiders) were researched. We found that there were very few differences and mostly commonalities between insider (locals) and outsider (expatriates) leaders interviewed. Some commonalities included: using an authoritarian leadership style, sharing a clear vision, and understanding and respecting the culture, norms and taboos of the people, and the business environment to gain acceptance. In this article, insights to culturally-appropriate effective leadership are provided. Implications include incorporating best leadership practices from other parts of the world into African organizations.