Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids occurrence in wheat and rye grains produced in Croatia

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) are mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi of the genus Claviceps, among which Claviceps purpurea is the most widespread in Europe. This species has been found in many economically important cereal grains, such as rye, wheat, triticale, barley, millet and oats. The distribution of EAs contamination has a sporadic incidence with many factors involved in its occurrence, greatly varying between fungal strains, geographic regions, host plants and regional/local weather conditions, at the same time emphasizing that cool, damp weather favours ergot by enhancing the germination of sclerotia. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of ergot sclerotia and EAs in wheat and rye grain samples (n = 64) taken during the year 2021 from Croatian cereal producers located in the Central and Eastern parts of Croatia. In two of the rye samples the presence of ergot sclerotia was detected in the amount of 259 mg/kg and 536 mg/kg, whereas none of the wheat samples tested positive for ergot sclerotia. A higher contamination with EAs was determined in the rye samples (18% contaminated, max 167.4 µg/kg), while a lower frequency of contamination, with only one positive sample (1.9 %), was determined in wheat (68.5 µg/kg). The results pointed to a low-level of EAs contamination of wheat and rye cultivated by Croatian producers during the whole investigative period. However, although a low percentage of the positive tested rye samples with EAs was determined, the content of ergot sclerotia in two of the samples was higher than is allowed by legislation for foodstuffs. Because the levels of these mycotoxins and ergot sclerotia content can vary depending on a number of factors, further research of them is required over a longer period of time and under different cereal cultivation and processing conditions.
Reliability and Validity of the Malaysian English Version of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (M-English DC/TMD)

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of Graded Chronic Pain Scale 2.0 (GCPS 2.0) and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20) of the Malaysian English version of Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (M-English DC/TMD). GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 underwent psychometric analysis involving content, face, criterion, and construct (exploratory factor analysis (EFA), convergent, discriminant, known group) validity including internal and test-retest reliability on 208 samples. The construct validity was assessed against 14 hypotheses and non-parametric statistics were used to assess the data. The GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 had high internal consistencies (α = 0.85 and 0.96) with an intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. The content validity index for GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 were 0.87 and 0.95, respectively. The EFA of GCPS 2.0 identified one factor whereas three factors were identified for JFLS-20. Both instruments had moderate to strong positive correlation with other instruments when assessing for concurrent (r = 0.75–0.80, p < 0.01) and convergent (r = 0.58–0.70, p < 0.01) validity, while moderate to high negative correlation (r = −0.86–−0.68, p < 0.01) against the global self-rating oral health items. Based on the study, GCPS 2.0 and JFLS-20 of the M-English DC/TMD proven to be reliable and valid for use in the Malaysian population with TMD.
Study of the Interfacial Transition Zone Characteristics of Geopolymer and Conventional Concretes

The properties and performance of geopolymer at different length scales have been intensively studied, but only limited studies on geopolymer have investigated the zone located between paste and aggregates, which is called the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The microstructure of ITZ and its nanomechanical properties in geopolymer concrete are examined in this study. Fly ash-based geopolymer has great potential to be an alternative to traditional concrete. To this end, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanoindentation tests were performed to investigate the microstructural characteristics and nanomechanical properties of the ITZ, and the results were compared with the ITZ of traditional concrete. Results show that traditional concrete demonstrated a weak ITZ with pores and microcracks, while the geopolymer concrete microstructure did not present weak ITZs in the vicinity of aggregates. More pores and crack were observed in the ITZ in traditional concrete. Further, a considerable amount of fly ash particles, that appear to be unreacted or partially reacted in the matrix phase, was observed. Based on the nanoindentation results, 58% of the microstructure is composed of unreacted or partially reacted fly ash particles. The results of nano- and microscale tests will enhance the understanding of how concrete behaves and performs at large scales.
Analysis of subject competition and innovative training——based on national university "The Freescale Cup" intelligent car competition

Innovation is an important standard to measure the university students' abilities,therefor,subject competition is an effective way to improve university students' quality.We analysis the important role of the subject competition for the students,pointe out the problems,and propose some solution ideas.These ideas are based on the Southwest Petroleum University "The Freescale Cup" Intelligent Car Competition.
Software-Defined DDPM Modulators for D/A Conversion by General-Purpose Microcontrollers

The software implementation of Dyadic Digital Pulse Modulators (DDPMs) for Digital to Analog (D/A) conversion is addressed in this paper. In particular, an enhanced software DDPM implementation is proposed and compared with a plain, iterative software transposition of the basic DDPM hardware architecture. Experimental results on an 8-bit software-defined DDPM D/A converter implemented on a Texas Instrument c2000 microcontroller platform validate the approach, revealing for the novel optimized software DDPM a 6X maximum sample rate compared to the simple iterative implementation on the same microcontroller and at the same system clock frequency. Based on measurements, an 8-bit DDPM DAC featuring the proposed optimized implementation operates at 7.8kS/s with a maximum INL of 1.64LSB, a maximum DNL of 1.79LSB, an SFDR of 47.02dB and a SNDR of 45.27dB, corresponding to 7.23 ENOB, demonstrating the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed approach to implement a low cost, software-defined D/A converters in microcontroller-based embedded systems.
Online Teaching Barriers, Motivations, and Stress of In-Service Teachers: Renewed Challenges and Opportunities with Future Perspectives

COVID-19 has caused drastic changes to almost all aspects of daily life, with education being the center of these changes and concerns. In particular, teaching approaches have been rapidly reoriented to online versions. Although there is a growing body of literature exploring the views of education during this crisis, a critical need exists to document challenges confronting educators in online teaching. In this paper, we explore the online teaching barriers and motivations of 55 in-service teachers in the Philippines, and how these variables contributed to their perceptions of stress regarding online teaching immediately after the pandemic started. Results demonstrated that respondents’ perceptions of interest in online teaching significantly reduced their perceptions of stress regarding online teaching. However, barriers to online teaching, online communication self-efficacy, and the utility value of online teaching perceived by respondents positively predicted their perceptions of stress regarding online teaching. Furthermore, this paper discusses the future perspectives of online teaching transformation based on expectancy value and self-efficacy theories. Especially, the findings of this paper provide a first look at the stress mechanisms of in-service teachers and initial information regarding stress reduction and professional development of in-service teachers in online teaching.
Reproductive traits of the European hake, Merluccius merluccius (L. 1758), in the Adriatic Sea

Within this paper, reproduction traits of the Adriatic population European hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), were investigated. Specimens of the target species were monthly collected (N=1173) during 2019 along the eastern Adriatic Sea with commercial bottom trawlers. Overall, European hake total body length varied between 15.5 and 49.5 cm (mean±SD=27.5±5.0 cm) and domination of females was noted in larger length classes (TL>31.0 cm). The sexual ratio of all specimens was m/f=0.64; male prevalence was established over the year, except during the spawning peaks (December, June) when the sex ratio was in favour of the females. According to European hake’s maturity stages, gonad weights, gonadosomatic indexes and histological analysis of the gonad tissues, this species in Adriatic spawn twice in one year; the spawning period was from December to February, while second smaller signs of spawning were observed at the beginning of the summer, in June. 50% of the European hake male and female specimens sexually matured at 20.7 cm and 22.4 cm of total length, respectively.
Controversy over the decline of arthropods: a matter of temporal baseline?

Recently, a number of studies have reported somewhat contradictory patterns of temporal trends in arthropod abundance, from decline to increase. Arthropods often exhibit non-monotonous variation in abundance over time, making it important to account for temporal coverage in interpretation of abundance trends, which is often overlooked in statistical analysis. Combining four recently analysed datasets that led to contrasting outcomes, we first show that temporal abundance variations of arthropods are non-monotonous. Using simulations, we show non-monotony is likely to bias estimated linear abundance trends. Finally, analysing empirical data, we show that heterogeneity in estimated abundance trends is significantly related to the variation in temporal baseline of analysed time series. Once differences in baseline years, habitats and continents are accounted for, we do not find any statistical difference in estimated linear abundance trends among the four datasets. We also show that short time series produce more stochastic abundance trends than long series, making the dearth of old and long-term time series a strong limitation in the assessment of temporal trends in arthropod abundance. The lack of time series with a baseline year before global change acceleration is likely to lead to an underestimation of global change effects on biodiversity.
Farmers’ Attitudes towards Irrigating Crops with Reclaimed Water in the Framework of a Circular Economy

In a global situation where water constraints are a daily concern and expected to worsen in the upcoming years, finding new water alternatives to guarantee its supply is of critical importance. Against this background, reclaimed water has proved to be a sustainable alternative that recycles wastewater from a circular economy approach, thus enhancing water availability for key sectors such as agriculture. In such a context where public policies should encourage the implementation of this sustainable resource that helps reduce climate change by allowing wastewater reuse, there is too often a lack of knowledge of farmers’ perceptions, thus resulting in them being ineffective. In this sense, studying and analyzing agriculturalists’ perceptions is of interest for the development of appropriate policies that truly foster reclaimed water use in agriculture and enhance its shift from waste to resource. For this research 231 farmers, both long-time users of reclaimed water and non-users, were surveyed to find common and differing attitudes and perceptions. Results show how once farmers start irrigating their crops with this alternative resource there is a marked improvement in their opinion. The high price is the most widespread barrier, which can be tempered with public subsidies that absorb part of this cost. The insights obtained from this research may be of interest to other regions, especially for those in arid and semi-arid climates where water scarcity is a critical problem and sustainability a growing concern.
Design Meets Neuroscience: A Preliminary Review of Design Research Using Neuroscience Tools

The past decade has witnessed a burgeoning interest in the intersection of neuroscience and design. Recent advancements in tools for measuring brain activity enable design researchers to investigate how brain function supports mental processes, complementing self–report and behavioral measures in exploring design cognition. With the aim of providing a preliminary understanding of how design researchers have approached neuroscience to date, we examined (1) previously explored neural research topics, (2) available tools and their contributions and limitations, and (3) the challenges of conducting design research using neuroscience tools. We start with a brief overview of major neuroscience tools measuring brain activation including electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), near–infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and positron emission tomography (PET). We then present a review of design research specifically on neural processes involved in design thinking and creativity. Consistencies of brain activity across studies are identified. Distinct patterns of brain activation associated with specific comparisons (e.g., design thinking vs. problem–solving) observed in previous studies are also summarized. An introductory review of design research using neuroscience tools on design evaluation and aesthetics is then provided. In addition to the promises of the fast–growing interdisciplinary collaboration of design and neuroscience, we outline technical, practical, and experimental difficulties caused by the limits of neuroscience tools for design research studies.
Tuberculosis notification: Facilitators and barriers among private practitioners in Trichy, South India

Context: The framework for tuberculosis (TB) notification is one of the components of the World Health Organization's End TB strategy. Notification is essential for estimating the true burden of TB and its control in community which is currently lacking in the private health sector. Aims: The objectives are to identify awareness, willingness, barriers, and preferred methods of TB notification among private practitioners (PPs) in Trichy, South India. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 doctors working in the private sector and having at least 1 year of clinical experience using nonprobability sampling. A semi-structured, pretested questionnaire was used to obtain details about the general profile, awareness, and willingness regarding TB notification, as well as factors that facilitate and hinder it. Results: Among PPs, 90.7% referred TB cases/suspects to other health facilities and 71.7% were aware that TB notification is mandatory. Only 52.6% and 38.2% were ready to provide the patients' Aadhaar number and bank account details respectively during notification. The most common barriers for notification were: not being aware about the notification procedure (50.7%), lack of time (32.2%), process being tedious (29.6%) and difficulties in getting information from patients (25.7%). Mobile SMS/App/call (74.3%) were preferred by PPs over notification through online (32.2%) and government health staff (26.3%). Conclusions: Although three-fourth of the practitioners were aware and willing to notify TB, more than half of them were not aware about the notification procedure. Improving the awareness on the techniques for notification could motivate PPs to notify TB.
Effect of Progranulin on Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells after Oxygen/Glucose Deprivation

We previously demonstrated that sivelestat, a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor, attenuates the cleavage of progranulin (PGRN) and ischemia-induced cell injury in the brain. To obtain further insight into the role of PGRN, in the present study we evaluated the direct effects of sivelestat and recombinant PGRN (rPGRN) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in cultures of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PC) under the ischemic condition in vitro. We demonstrated that oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell proliferation of NS/PC was increased by rPGRN treatment. In addition, this increase was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β (Ser9) after OGD. But none of these responses occurred by treatment with sivelestat. Therefore, activation of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway could well be involved in this proliferative effect of rPGRN. Although OGD and reoxygenation-induced changes in the differentiation of NS/PC into neurons or astrocytes was not affected by treatment with rPGRN or sivelestat, it is noteworthy that rPGRN enhanced neurite outgrowth of β3-tubulin-positive neurons that had differentiated from the NS/PC. These findings suggest that enhancement of proliferation of endogenous NS/PC and neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons from NS/PC by PGRN could be useful for a new therapeutic approach for cerebral ischemia.
Enhanced and Asymmetric Melting Beneath the Southern Mariana Back‐Arc Spreading Center Under the Influence of Pacific Plate Subduction

The back‐arc spreading at the southern Mariana is categorized as slow, but surface morphological and geophysical features of the spreading centers suggest that the spreading process is associated with enhanced melting in the upper mantle, due to water being derived from the subducted Pacific slab. A marine magnetotelluric experiment was performed along a transect across a segment at 13°N to reveal the key processes of melting, dehydration, and dynamics in the upper mantle, and their relationships to the surface characteristics. Our inversion model of electrical resistivity shows (a) a conductive body at 10–20 km depth beneath the spreading axis, and (b) another conductive area expanding asymmetrically under and around the conductive body. Away from the spreading center, there is (c) a resistive area thickening up to ∼40 km on the remnant arc side, and (d) another resistive area with a constant thickness of ∼150 km on the trench side. Implications of these model features are (a) a melt body beneath the spreading axis; (b) a hydrous mantle above the subducted slab and asymmetric passive decompression melting in the mantle wedge; (c) a residual mantle off from the spreading axis; and (d) a cold mantle wedge tip and the subducted Pacific mantle. The structure markedly contrasts with that in the central Mariana Trough at 18°N, suggesting that the horizontal distance between the location of the spreading center and the root of the buoyant upwelling above the subducted slab is a key parameter that controls the mantle dynamics beneath the back‐arc spreading.
Haematological and Demographic Study in Children Infected with Enterobiasis in Al Diwaniyah Province, Iraq

Enterobius vermicularis infection is considered as one of the important causes of anaemia and malnutrition among children. This topic has recently received an increased amount of attention. The objective of this study is to evaluate the demographical, anthropometrical, nutritional, and haematological status of E. vermicularis infection among children. This study was conducted in Al Diwaniyah province, south of Iraq, for the period of October 2020 to the end of January 2021. The study included 122 children from both genders (males, n= 61, and females, n=61) and their ages ranged between 1 and 14 years. Nutritional status, body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, and weight- for- age Z score were evaluated for some participants. In addition, samples of cellophane tape and blood were collected from all participants. The cellophane tape samples were examined microscopically for E. vermicularis detection, whereas blood samples were processed to evaluate several parameters, which were hemoglobin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, and vitamin B12. The results revealed a high infection rate (73.77%) among the studied population. The results also showed a significant correlation between gender and the occurrence of E. vermicularis infection. Males showed a higher risk of enterobiasis than females. While no association was noticed between each of age, nutritional status, and enterobiasis. Also, a significant correlation was recorded between E. vermicularis positive status and anaemia. The results showed that each of BMI, weight- for- age Z score, haemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin had significantly lower values among those who were positive for E. vermicularis. Finally, the level of vitamin B12 was insignificantly decreased in children with enteroniasis. These findings indicate that more hematological changes are expected to occur in children with enterobiasis. Therefore, further consideration and investigation would be required on this topic in Iraq.
Examining School Psychologists’ Attitudes Toward Standardized Assessment Tools

Despite a call for evidence-based practice in school psychology, limited research on the topic of evidence-based assessment exists. To begin to address this gap in the research, a modified version of Jenson–Doss and Hawley’s (2010) Attitudes Toward Standardized Assessment (ASA) scale was administered to 371 U.S. school psychologists. Examination of the modified ASA’s factor structure suggested that a bifactor model with a single overall domain and three sub-domains was the most parsimonious. Indices of dimensionality indicated that the overall score may be the best indicator of school psychologist’s perceptions of standardized assessment. Additionally, school psychologists’ reported favorable attitudes of standardized assessment compared to clinical judgment alone. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Training‐induced improvements in knee extensor force accuracy are associated with reduced vastus lateralis motor unit firing variability

Background Muscle force output during sustained submaximal isometric contractions fluctuates around an average value and is known to be influenced by variation in motor unit (MU) firing rates. MU firing rate variability seemingly reduces following exercise training interventions, however, much less is known with respect to peripheral MU properties. We therefore investigated whether targeted force accuracy training could lead to improved muscle functional capacity and control, in addition to determining any alterations of individual MU features. Methods Ten healthy participants (7 females, 3 males, 27±6 years, 170±8 cm, 69±16kg) underwent a 4-week supervised, unilateral, force accuracy training intervention. The coefficient of variation for force (FORCECoV) and sinusoidal wave force tracking accuracy (FORCESinu) were determined at 25% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) pre- and post-training. Intramuscular electromyography was utilised to record individual MU potentials from the vastus lateralis (VL) muscles at 25% MVC during sustained contractions, pre- and post-training. Results Knee extensor muscle strength remained unchanged following training, with no improvements in unilateral leg-balance. FORCECoV and FORCESinu significantly improved in only the trained knee extensors by ~13% (p=0.01) and ~30% (p<0.0001) respectively. MU firing rate variability significantly reduced in the trained VL by ~16% (n=8; p=0.001), with no further alterations to MU firing rate or neuromuscular junction transmission instability. Conclusion Our results suggest muscle force control and tracking accuracy is a trainable characteristic in the knee extensors, which is likely explained by the reduction in MU firing rate variability apparent in the trained limb only.