Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of proposed Mutation Operator of Genetic Algorithm under Scheduling Problem

The present paper proposed the new mutation operator. The Efficiency of the genetic algorithm is directly or indirectly depends upon it operators and its parameter setting. Mutation operator is the one the important operator which diversify the population. Here we proposed new mutation operator i.e selective swap mutation (SSM) operator. We are tacking processor scheduling problem to analyze the performance of the operator. The scheduling is considered as NP hard problem. The efficiency and performance of the proposed algorithm will be analyzed through the simulation based study.
Acrylamide and its metabolite glycidamide can affect antioxidant defenses and steroidogenesis in Leydig and Sertoli cells

Abstract Acrylamide, which is commonly used in various industries, may also form in food products cooked in high temperatures. Glycidamide, the ultimate genotoxic metabolite of acrylamide, is generated within cells through CYP4502E1-mediated epoxidation. Recent studies have shown that acrylamide and/or glycidamide may cause infertility by disrupting spermatogenesis, decreasing germ cell production and sperm fertilization ability due to their toxic effects on the male reproductive system. This study aimed to determine some direct effects of acrylamide and glycidamide on antioxidant defenses and on steroidogenic enzymes of Leydig and Sertoli cells. For this purpose, mouse Leydig and Sertoli cells were exposed to acrylamide (0.01 or 1 mmol/L) or to glycidamide (0.001 or 0.5 mmol/L) for 24 h. Following the exposure, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase), cellular antioxidant levels (glutathione) and steroidogenic enzyme activities (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were calculated. It was shown that acrylamide and glycidamide may cause inhibition of antioxidant and steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig and Sertoli cells. In conclusion, acrylamide and glycidamide may alter testicular function, thereby disrupting male reproduction.
NMR-based metabolomics reveals effect of Ganoderma boninense infection on oil palm leaf at 30 days post-infection

Basal stem rot is the major disease in oil palm industry that caused by a fungal named Ganoderma boninense (G. boninense) species. Infected palms are symptomless at the early stage of this disease which imposes difficulties in detecting the disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to obtain the 1 H NMR metabolomic profiling of both non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf at 30 days post-infection (dpi). This combination has provided a rapid approach in investigating the changes in the compound variations of non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf. Non-infected and G. boninense infected oil palm leaf at 30 dpi was extracted using aqueous methanol (methanol: water, 80: 20 v/v). The crude extracts obtained were analyzed by 1 H NMR-based metabolomics approach. Analysis of metabolomics data from 1 H NMR was conducted by multivariate data analysis of principal component analysis (PCA). Significant differences were found between the two groups. Compared to the non-infected leaf, the G. boninense infected leaf had higher relative abundance of choline, asparagine, alanine, succinic acid, gallic acid, epicatechin, trimethylamine, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetyltyrosine, β-sitosterol, 2,3-butanediol, lactic acid, caffeic acid, phydroxybenzoic acid, α-tocopherol, β-cryptoxanthin and kaempferol. The non-infected leaf showed higher level of sucrose, xylose, α-glucose, S-sulfocysteine and indole-3-acetic acid. NMR-based metabolomics applied in this study reveals that G. boninense alters a manifold of primary and secondary compounds in oil palm leaf.
Does the Type of Dive Mask Matter to a Shark?

Eye contact with a shark is a crucial element during an interaction with a diver. Different mask frames change the size of a diver’s available field of vision, and so make a person’s eyes unequally visible from different angles, particularly when comparing mirrored to regular glass. This study examined whether it matters to a shark if it can see a diver’s eyes when getting closer. The test-subjects changed masks in a random, timed routine, while the relative distance, the absolute distance between a shark and diver expressed in a fraction of the shark’s body length, between approaching shark and human was tallied. Sharks came significantly closer (p = 0.0139) when a diver’s eyes could not be detected, showing that they orient themselves and approach based on the human’s eyes. Given that human comprehension of sharks is rudimentary, every possible benefit, even a minimal one like choosing the most optimal mask, is recommended whenever approaching sharks are likely to be encountered.
ARE WE PREPARED ENOUGH? A CASE STUDY OF CHALLENGES IN ONLINE LEARNING IN A PRIVATE HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTION DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAKS

Online learning is a learning methodology implemented during the recent COVID-19 outbreaks. Lecturers and students need to use appropriate online platformsarising from the Movement Control Order (MCO) restrictions with effect from March 18, 2020, in Malaysia. In essence, the MCO prohibits Malaysians from attending to or organizing mass events or public gatherings, and where public and private educational institutions are concerned, they are not allowed to conduct any classesin situ. The only possible continuation of classes is via online learning. This case study had two research objectives: 1) Whatwere the challenges faced by educators when implementing online learning? and 2) How to overcome these challenges faced by educators in online learning? This study had applied the qualitative approach method, where researchers had distributed surveys, through a google platform, to a total of 20 educators. The results showed six (6) major challenges faced by educators in online learning, these being 1) students were less focused on online learning; 2) the platform/medium of learning was not satisfactory; 3) students left behind learning tools such as books and laptops in residential colleges; 4) students' internet access was less satisfactory to the extent that the lectures had to be extended from the actual time allocated; 5) educators' unstable internet access which disrupted the momentum of teaching; and 6) students did not attend the online courses. There were four (4) means to overcome these challenges 1) institutions to provide more comprehensive and e-learning platforms for online learning; 2) internet access for educators and students should be good to ensure smooth and uninterrupted online classes; 3) providing workshops or training programs on management of online classes for educators; and 4) for courses involving mathematical computation, in addition to a more suitable platform for teaching, the student population per group to be small in size to accommodate 10 educators while teaching. The results of this study shall benefit the management of private higher learning institutions and educators involved in online learning.
Neural distinctiveness declines with age in auditory cortex and is associated with auditory GABA levels

Neural activation patterns in the ventral visual cortex in response to different categories of visual stimuli (e.g., faces vs. houses) are less selective, or distinctive, in older adults than in younger adults, a phenomenon known as age-related neural dedifferentiation. Previous work in animals suggests that age-related reductions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), may play a role in this age-related decline in neural distinctiveness. In this study, we investigated whether neural dedifferentiation extends to auditory cortex and whether individual differences in GABA are associated with individual differences in neural distinctiveness in humans. 20 healthy young adults (ages 18-29) and 23 healthy older adults (over 65) completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, during which neural activity was estimated while they listened to foreign speech and music. GABA levels in the auditory, ventrovisual and sensorimotor cortex were estimated in the same individuals in a separate magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scan. Relative to the younger adults, the older adults exhibited both (1) less distinct activation patterns for music vs. speech stimuli and (2) lower GABA levels in the auditory cortex. Also, individual differences in auditory GABA levels (but not ventrovisual or sensorimotor GABA levels) predicted individual differences in neural distinctiveness in the auditory cortex in the older adults. These results demonstrate that age-related neural dedifferentiation extends to the auditory cortex and suggest that declining GABA levels may play a role in neural dedifferentiation in older adults. Significance Statement Prior work has revealed age-related neural dedifferentiation in the visual cortex. GABA levels also decline with age in several parts of the human cortex. Here, we report that these two age-related changes are linked; neural dedifferentiation is associated with lower GABA levels in older adults. We also show that age-related neural dedifferentiation extends to auditory cortex, suggesting that it may be a general feature of the aging brain. These findings provide novel insights into the neurochemical basis of age-related neural dedifferentiation in humans and also offer a potential new avenue for investigating age-related declines in central auditory processing.
Economic modelling – Beyond isolation and construction. The case of Austrian Business Cycle Theory as presented by Roger Garrison

The paper explores the nature of economic models. It is claimed that accounting for it along the isolationism-constructivism line is untenable. A more integrated approach is needed, based on the pragmatist philosophical tradition, focussing rather on the modelling process than on the narrower notion of the model. This argument is backed by a case study: analysis of the Austrian Business Cycle Theory (ABCT) as presented by Roger Garrison, which, as is argued, does not fully fit either the isolationist or the constructivist account of models. It is primarily shown by revealing the fact that learning about the world by using ABCT is not of deductive nature. Therefore, even in the presence of such a strong realistic methodology as the one in the Austrian economics, models used by its adherents are not necessarily perfect isolations. At the same time, this realistic methodology is not in line with the constructivist approach in model-building. The paper should be understood as an exercise in philosophy of economics, namely as an attempt at better understanding of various aspects of economics (here it is models and specifically ABCT) by taking the perspective offered by philosophy of science.
It Does Matter If You Win or Lose, and How You Play the (Video) Game

Most violent video game (VVG) research focuses on aggressive behaviors as the primary outcome variable of interest. Using pro-social behavior as the dependent variable, this study explores factors beyond VVG content as a contributing factor to player outcomes. Participants were randomly assigned to play VVG or non-VVG content with viewing screens obstructed by large pieces of paper to increase difficulty, or unobstructed. Screen condition accounted for 34.5% of the variance in pro-social behavior of helping to retrieve spilled pens. Players in obstructed viewing conditions experienced more in-game losses and engaged in significantly less helping behavior. Fewer pens were retrieved by participants in obstructed viewing conditions while playing either a VVG or non-VVG. The present study cautions against generalized assumptions that VVG content is a primary determinant of behavior and underscores the role of important contextual factors like failure and achievement loss to consider in future studies of this nature.
Pemetaan Pelaku Usaha Mikro Dan Kecil Di Kecamatan Cicurug Kabupaten Sukabumi

This study aims to map the potential of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and describe the success of businesses in the area of assistance of the GNI Foundation in the villages of Nanggerang and Pasawahan Village, Sukabumi. This research is a quantitative descriptive study supported by qualitative data using mixed methods research. The research was carried out in two villages that were deliberately selected and became the area of assistance for the Indonesian Gugah Nurani Foundation (GNI), namely Nanggerang Village (Cibilik, Gintung, Nanggerang1, Nanggerang2) and Pasawahan Village (Pasawahan, Cibuntu, Selaawi, Sindang Palay) Cicurug District, Sukabumi Regency. Based on the survey results, the number of MSEs in the 2 (two) villages 171 businesses with potential in agriculture for Nanggerang village and food processing fields in Pesawahan village. Potential business opportunities in the villages of Nanggerang and Pasawahan villages at this time are the business of agricultural cultivation and food processing. This agricultural cultivation means businesses related to agricultural production such as organic vegetables or healthy vegetables, cultivation of healthy catfish (biofloc technology), healthy chicken cultivation, cultivation of sheep, goats and cows. Market-based agricultural business or market needs. The types of businesses mentioned above have broad market potential with clear target targets. The processed food business in question is a business managed by groups or individuals with local raw materials such as cassava and its derivatives, coconuts and derivatives, and processed fish products. The business success of MSEs in Nanggerang and Pasawahan villages is indicated by the business being run by its own business (86%), business duration of more than 10 years (33%) with a turnover of 1-10 million per month (47%) and contribution to income family more than 75% (37%).
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people in Menz Gera Midir District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Menz Gera Midir (Ethiopia) to document medicinal plants and related indigenous knowledge of local people. Data were collected from 72 (12 of them key) informants using semi-structured interview, group discussion and guided field walk. Priority ranking, paired comparison and direct matrix ranking were used in data analysis. A total of 155 medicinal plant species, 104 (67.1%) from natural vegetation and 51 (32.9%) from home gardens were collected. From the total species, 115 were reported to cure only human diseases, 10 species for livestock ailments and 30 for both. Asteraceae contributed 16 species and ranked first followed by Lamiaceae with 12 species. Frequently used plant parts were leaves (43.9%) and roots (31%). The recurrent mode of preparation was pounding (27.9%) followed by powdering (16%) and mostly administrated through oral drinking (33%) and dermal cream (15.7%). Paired comparison revealed that Cucurbita pepo was the most preferred species to treat headache. However, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata was reported as the most multipurpose plant species. Priority ranking indicated that Lupinus albus was the rarest medicinal plant in the study area. The medicinal plant resources of the area were threatened by agricultural expansion, charcoal making, firewood collection and overgrazing. Key words: Ethnobotany, indigenous knowledge, medicinal plants, Menz Gera Midir.
The Moderating Effect of Brand Trust on The Relationship Between Customer Brand Engagement and Brand Loyalty: A Conceptual Review

Brand loyalty has become a primary goal for a company in today’s business environment due to intense market competition. Therefore, companies need to engage with customers, as this may result in brand loyalty. Drawing from Dick and Basu customer loyalty model, this paper propose a conceptual framework on customer brand engagement, customer loyalty and brand trust. In addition, brand trust has received extensive attention and widely recognised as an essential variable that affects human relationships at all levels. Although the relationship between brand trust and brand loyalty has been widely discussed, however, how brand trust develops remains uncertain. Therefore, trust as a moderating variable trust is introduced in the conceptual framework to determine if there exist positive behavioural outcomes.
Fruit Load Limits Root Growth, Summer Vegetative Shoot Development, and Flowering in Alternate-bearing ‘Nadorcott’ Mandarin Trees

A BSTRACT . The objectives of this study were to improve the understanding of the mechanism of alternate bearing and the role of carbohydrates in ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin ( Citrus reticulata ) trees. Selected phenological responses were measured in natural heavy- (‘‘on’’) and low-fruiting (‘‘off’’) ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin trees grown under commercial South African production conditions. The relationships with seasonal leaf and root carbohydrate concentrations were evaluated at the shoot-, branch- and tree level over two seasons. Fruit load [ R 2 = ( L )0.80 and R 2 = ( L )0.73 in seasons 1 and 2, respectively; ( P < 0.01)] and the number of newly developed vegetative shoots [ R 2 = 0.81 and R 2 = 0.78 in seasons 1 and 2, respectively; ( P < 0.01)] were the most important determinants of return bloom. Sprouting of a higher number of new vegetative shoots from ‘‘off’’ trees compared with ‘‘on’’ trees (‘‘off’’ = 863 and 1439 vs. ‘‘on’’ = 306 and 766) was not related to leaf carbohydrate concentration. Root sugar concentration peaked during full bloom and higher root growth activity was observed before a higher number of new vegetative shoots developing in ‘‘off’’ trees during summer. The root sugar concentration early in the season was ’’ 3-fold lower, and root and shoot growth were absent, or lower in ‘‘on’’ trees compared with ‘‘off’’ trees. These results concur with previous research and conﬁrm that fruit load in ‘‘on’’ trees inhibits summer vegetative shoot development, which manifests in poor ﬂowering and an ‘‘off’’ year. This study shows that fruit are the major carbohydrate sink and probably disturb the balance between vegetative shoot development and root growth by limiting carbohydrate allocation to roots.
Job Crafting, Psychological Capital and Work Engagement: An Empirical Evidence of a Sustainable High-Performance GLC

Malaysian government linked companies (GLCs) are expected to not only sustain their performance but also to contribute more on the long term business and societal value. Thus, in moving towards this direction, organization needs employees that are energetic and have strong positive connection to their job. The aims of this study are to determine job and individual related factors that influence an individual work engagement. Specifically, this study aims at determining the (1) relationship between job crafting and work engagement; (2) relationship between psychological capital and work engagement. Data were collected from 201 executives level employees of a high performance GLC in Malaysia. The findings revealed that employees need to have self efficacy and optimism in order to be engaged in their work. Additionally, social job resources such as feedback and support is also found to be crucial to create high work engagement workforce. This study is significant to the top management, human resource practitioners, managers and supervisors in understanding job and individual factors that would lead to work engagement. This input is also beneficial in designing jobs and creating programs that would lead to high work engagement among employees
Effect of cycling shoe cleat position on biomechanical and physiological responses during cycling and subsequent running parts of a simulated Sprint triathlon: a pilot study

Proper cleat adjustment improves cycling performance and prevents knee injuries. Recommendations have included positioning the first metatarsal head above the pedal spindle or slightly forward, but mid-foot cleat positions could be more appropriate in triathlons at constant load for their impact on the subsequent running performance. We evaluated the impact of antero-posterior cleat position on biomechanical and physiological variables during the cycling and running parts of a simulated Sprint triathlon. Seven participants performed two 32-min cycling tests including 8 sets of 3 min 30 s intervals performed at just below the power output at the first ventilatory threshold interspersed with 30 s sprints at > 100% of the maximal aerobic power. The cycling exercises were immediately followed by a maximal running performance of 20 min. The tests were performed with a 5-mm backward (BCP) and a 5-mm forward (FCP) first metatarsal cleat position. The BCP decreased the energetic cost during running (5.9%; p = 0.04; effect size [ES] = 0.92) despite no significant performance change in the cycling or the subsequent running tests. Moreover, the BCP resulted in a lower soleus recruitment during sub-maximal intensity (7.0%; p < 0.05; ES = 1.23) and of the gastrocnemius medialis (25.0%; ES = 1.00; p < 0.05) and tibialis anterior (11.9%; ES = 1.51) during the subsequent running. However, we observed much higher recruitment of the soleus (8.8%; ES = 1.36), vastus lateralis (10.1%; ES = 1.37), biceps femoris (12.0%; ES = 1.45), tibialis anterior (16.4%; ES = 3.35), and overall lower limb (11%; ES = 0.92) during sprints with the BCP. Therefore, the BCP could be more suitable in triathlons by being more economical for subsequent running despite the greater muscle activity during the cycling sprints, which form an important part of the cycling portion of Sprint triathlons.
Potential anti-diabetic property of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Saba senegalensis Pichon (apocynaceae) in mice

This study made it possible to demonstrate that Saba senegalensis has hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglyvemic effects in mice. The aqueous extract of Saba senegalensis from 75 to 250 mg / Kg bw causes a dose-dependent hypoglycemia ranging from 4.84 to 34.62% (p <0.010.05), in normoglycemic mice, 60 minutes after treatment. The Glucose-Induced Hyperglycemia Orally (OPGH) test showed that in the presence of Saba senegalensis aqueous extract at a concentration between 75 and 250mg/Kg bw, the glucose-induced hyperglycemic peak (3g/Kg bw) is reduced from 26.49 to 71.77% (p < 0.01-0.05), 30 minutes after treatment. Oral administration of the aqueous extract of this plant in doses up to 5000 mg / Kg bw resulted in no deaths in mice during two weeks of observation.
Resilience and perceived self-efficacy in life skills from early to late adolescence

ABSTRACT The present study aimed at verifying the relation between factors of resilience and perceived self-efficacy in life skills, considering a sample of 302 Italian early, middle, and late adolescents, recruited from State Junior and High Schools of the Eastern Sicily, Italy. We used the Perceived Self-efficacy in Life Skills Scales (PSES_PE/NE: Empathic Self-efficacy Scale; PSES_PS: Problem-solving Self-efficacy Scale) and the Resiliency Attitudes and Skills Profile (Italian-RASP) composed of five factors (sense of humour, competence, adaptability, engagement, and control). Results demonstrated that the factors of resilience were strongly (adaptability and engagement) and moderately (sense of humour and competence) related to perceived self-efficacy in the analysed domains; consequently, adolescents who perceived themselves as highly efficient in empathy and in problem-solving were more resilient than those who perceived themselves as lowly efficient in the same domains. Future research should investigate these relations in other life skills expressed by children and adults.