Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Threshold Setting on Neurofeedback Training

This study aimed to confirm the effect of threshold setting on the performance of neurofeedback training. The experimental conditions used to confirm the effect of the different threshold settings on the degree of electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in the initial training conditions were unfamiliar to neurofeedback. Rewards were presented in low , medium , and high frequency groups according to the different threshold settings. The sensory-motor rhythm (SMR; 12–15 Hz) neurofeedback protocol was performed for all groups. We looked at whether the posttraining brain wave increases were significant in each group compared to the brain waves during training. The SMR protocol was performed in a single session and consisted of four blocks totaling 10 minutes. EEG data was collected before training as a baseline, during training, and posttraining. The results of the group analysis showed that the mean SMR value of the posterior EEG in the high frequency group was significantly higher than the SMR value in the first EEG block. The threshold settings affected learning in neurofeedback training. It was found that initially setting the threshold value for easy compensation was more effective than the setting for hard compensation.
Intracontinental plant invader shows matching genetic and chemical profiles and might benefit from high defence variation within populations

Whereas many studies have revealed mechanisms driving plant invasions between continents, research on intracontinental range expanders is scarce. Therefore, we studied genetic, chemical and ecological traits of a range‐expanding Brassicaceae, assuming that high genetic diversity should maintain chemical variation, which potentially benefits the invasion success. Moreover, we expected that within‐individual defence diversity plays an essential role in biotic interactions. We compared Bunias orientalis L. plants from 16 populations of native, invasive or exotic non‐invasive origin. The genetic structure was investigated by analysing the plastid DNA and amplified fragment length polymorphisms. For characterisation of the leaf chemistry, metabolic fingerprinting and profiling of glucosinolates as defence compounds were performed. The plant defence potential was tested using the generalist herbivore Mamestra brassicae. We found two major genetic lineages, which were mirrored in distinct chemical fingerprints of the plants. Genetic differentiation patterns point to a multiple introduction history of B. orientalis underlying the range expansion. Moreover, the genetic distance between individuals was correlated with the distance in chemical features. Genetic diversity tended to be reduced in potential leading edge (exotic) populations and was positively associated with quantitative metabolic diversity. Concentrations of indole glucosinolates were elevated in non‐native populations, and high glucosinolate diversity was associated with low herbivore survival. Synthesis. This study suggests that the invasion success of this species may be facilitated by high chemical variation within populations. Moreover, high defence diversity within individuals of a population might be the main factor reducing herbivory and can be more important than the total concentration of defences. The combination of genetic and chemical analyses combined with bioassays revealed to be a powerful tool to study the differentiation between native and non‐native populations and should be applied more often to explore intraspecific divergence.
Investigation of Process Parameters Influence on Municipal Solid Waste Gasification with CO2 Capture via Process Simulation Approach

Integration of gasification with CO2 capture using CaO sorbent is proposed as an alternative treatment to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into energy. Aspen Plus process simulator was employed to study the process. Two models were built to represent the non-sorbent and the sorbent-enabled MSW gasification. The model validation against available experimental data shows high accuracy of the simulation result. The effect of CO2 capture using CaO sorbent on the syngas composition and lower heating value (LHV) was observed by comparing the two models, and sensitivity analysis was performed on both models. Several process parameters affecting the syngas composition and LHV were investigated, including CaO/MSW ratio, temperature, equivalence ratio, and steam/MSW ratio. The addition of CaO sorbent for CO2 capture was found to successfully reduce the CO2 content in the syngas, increase the H2 composition, and improve the syngas LHV at the temperature below 750 oC. The maximum H2 composition of 56.67% was obtained from the sorbent-enabled gasification. It was found that increasing equivalence ratio leads to a higher H2 concentration and syngas LHV. Raising steam/MSW ratio also increases the H2 production, but also reduces the LHV of the syngas. Observation of the temperature effect found the highest H2 production at 650 oC for both non-sorbent and sorbent-enabled gasification.
Utilization and metabolism of ammonium citrate in growing pigs fed diets deficient in non-essential amino acid-nitrogen

Utilization and metabolism of ammonium citrate in growing pigs fed diets deficient in non-essential amino acid-nitrogen Wilfredo D. Mansilla Advisors: University of Guelph, 2017 Dr. C. F. M. de Lange Dr. J. P. Cant With reductions in crude protein (CP) levels and higher supplementation of crystalline essential amino acids (EAA) in swine diets, the supply of non-essential amino acids (NEAA), or nitrogen (N) required for the synthesis of NEAA, is also reduced increasing the ratio between EAA-N and total N in the diet. When diets are deficient in NEAA-N, non-protein N (NPN) could supply additional N required for the endogenous synthesis of NEAA. The main objective of the present thesis was to assess the efficiency of ammonia for providing extra N when diets are deficient in NEAA-N. Secondary objectives were to determine the effects of ammonia supplementation on the amino acid (AA) profile of retained protein as an indicator of AA requirements and quantification of ammonia absorption and metabolism in the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver. Added ammonia to a NEAA-N deficient diet increased body weight (BW) gain and N retention and rendered similar efficiencies as supplemented Glu and a mix of NEAA indicating that the capacity for NEAA synthesis was not limiting. Moreover, ammonia did not modify (P > 0.05) the AA profile of retained protein compared to the NEAA mix implying that feeding ammonia, and consequently increasing the endogenous synthesis of NEAA, does not alter utilization of EAA for protein deposition, maintaining estimated requirements for EAA in growing pigs. When added in the diets, ammonia was rapidly absorbed by the PDV with the peak of absorption within 15 min after feed intake. Recovery of ammonia in the portal vein only accounted for 53% of added ammonia without increasing urea net flux, implying ammonia utilization in the PDV. Across splanchnic organs, appearance of Ala, Glu and citrulline (Cit) increased with ammonia supplementation. The results demonstrate that dietary ammonia is an efficient N source when diets are deficient in NEAA-N, and that the capacity for de novo synthesis of NEAA is not limiting under these circumtances. The latter should be considered when estimating minimal inclusion levels of NEAA in the diet.
Body size, inbreeding, and family interactions in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides

x 1 General Introduction 1 1.1 Body size 2 1.2 Inbreeding 3 1.3 Study System: Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides 6 1.3. 1 Family interactions in N. vespilloides 6 1.3. 2 Body size in N. vespilloides 8 1.3. 3 Inbreeding in N. vespilloides 10
Quantitative Detection of the Partially Purified Endotoxin Extracted from the Locally Isolated Salmonella typhimurium A3

A total of 95 stool samples were collected from pediatric patients suffering from diarrhea in order to isolate bacteria belonging to Salmonella typhimurium species. After performing microscopic examination, cultural characterization, biochemical and Api 20E identifications, only 9 isolates showed positive Salmonella typhimurium. Following the separation of endotoxin from each isolate the biological activity of endotoxin was estimated by using E-TOXATE kit (Limulus amebocyte lysate test) and the isolate Salmonella typhimurium A3 showed the lowest concentration that gave positive result (0.5 μg/ml). Partial purification of endotoxin using sepharose Cl-6B gel chromatography for A3 endotoxin was applied and after purification two peaks were obtained. Chemical characterization involving the estimation of carbohydrate and protein contents showed that the first peak contained the higher carbohydrate contents (38.6%) and lower protein contents (1.15%) as compared with the second peak which showed carbohydrate and protein contents 13.2 and 5.75% respectively. In addition, the first peak showed maximum activity of (≥0.1μg/ml), the second peak and the crude endotoxin showed 2.5 and 0.5μg/ml respectively.
Association of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles with red blood cell auto-immunization in the Chinese population

Red blood cell (RBC) auto-immunization poses a clinical dilemma, because the formation of RBC autoantibodies in certain patients is a significant causative factor for autoimmune hemolytic anemia. To clarify whether specific HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are associated with the response to RBC auto-immunization, we conducted a case-controlled retrospective study. The case group included 117 patients with autoantibodies potentially harmful to RBC after transfusion at the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center, and the controls were 1.6 million healthy subjects whose data are stored in the China Marrow Donor Program database. In the case group, the frequencies of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 allele were determined by PCR-rSSO Luminex high-resolution technology. HLA-DRB1*13 allele expression was not detected in the 75 autoantibody positive patients with antiC3d production (adjusted P=0.0383), whereas the presence of HLA-DRB1*14 allele showed a positive correlation with the autoantibody positive group with anti-C3d production (odds ratio = 2.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.29-3.84, adjusted P=0.0383). The HLA-DQB1*02 allele was more frequent in patients with both RBC autoantibodies and alloantibodies. There was no significant association between a positive antiglobulin test result and the presence of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles. In summary, we found that HLA-DRB1*13 may serve as a protective factor, whereas HLA-DRB1*14 appears to be a risk factor for the production of autoantibodies positive with anti-C3d in RBC auto-immunization. To our knowledge, this is the first study to propose HLA-DRB1*13 as a protective factor in auto-immunization.
Social studies in early childhood education and care: A scoping review focusing on diversity

Currently, little research exists on social studies within the context of Norwegian early childhood education and care, and how early childhood teachers work to familiarise children with social studies contexts . This article is a scoping literature review offering a preliminary research agenda. Its aim is to explore the ways in which the early childhood teacher can work to ensure young learners’ social studies education with a specific focus on cultural diversity and subsequent educational challenges. The research question guiding the article asks: How does previous educational research show that early childhood teachers can use social studies to address diversity with and amongst children? The analysis uncovers 4 scopes of research across 26 international and national studies. Previous research has contributed with knowledge in the areas of cultural diversity, anti-discrimination, human rights, and community and society as a means to familiarise children with diversity and related matters. Each scope addresses the knowledge status and opportunities for future research within each area. Based on the analysis, the author discusses the critical educational challenge of a paradox in familiarising children with diversity, where the early childhood teacher risks conveying biased information and stereotypical views, and highlighting cultures in discriminatory ways.
Sovereign debt crisis and capital structure decisions of firms in GIPSI countries

This quantitative study examines the reasons for changes in the leverage levels of the firms in GIPSI countries (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy), following the development of the sovereign debt crisis that began in 2009. This research belongs to the empirical literature studying the effects on firm leverage of reduced bank credit supply caused by that crisis. For all the sample firms and for each firm typology, that is, unlisted, listed, unlisted family, unlisted nonfamily, listed family and listed nonfamily, and for the entire period being analysed, the sample means of the debt-to-assets ratio in each year were calculated. The results show that owing to the lack of bank credit, unlisted firms reduced their leverage, whereas listed companies generally maintained their indebtedness, thanks to their access to financial markets. In spite of their orientation to socio-emotional wealth and its protection, unlisted family firms could not decrease their debt-to-assets ratio significantly less than unlisted nonfamily firms, due to the restriction of capital offered by banks. In contrast, the inclination toward the consolidation of socio-emotional wealth possibly enabled listed family firms to take advantage of the scarcity in bank capital to increase their leverage via bond issues, while listed nonfamily firms reduced the proportion of debt they employed, as the perpetuation of the business for future generations is not an issue for them. Key words: Sovereign debt, capital structure, socio-emotional wealth, family and nonfamily firms, listed and unlisted firms.
The Privatized State

Many governmental functions today — from the management of prisons and welfare offices to warfare and financial regulation — are outsourced to private entities. Education and health care are funded in part through private philanthropy rather than taxation. Can a privatized government rule legitimately? This book argues that it cannot. It argues that privatization constitutes a regression to a precivil condition — what philosophers centuries ago called “a state of nature. ” Developing a compelling case for the democratic state and its administrative apparatus, the book shows how privatization reproduces the very same defects that Enlightenment thinkers attributed to the precivil condition, and which only properly constituted political institutions can overcome — defects such as provisional justice, undue dependence, and unfreedom. The book advocates for constitutional limits on privatization and a more democratic system of public administration, and lays out the central responsibilities of private actors in contexts where governance is already extensively privatized. Charting a way forward, it presents a new conceptual account of political representation and novel philosophical theories of democratic authority and legitimate lawmaking. The book shows how privatization undermines the very reason political institutions exist in the first place, and advocates for a new way of administering public affairs that is more democratic and just.
Evaluation of Lignins of Trunk and Roots from Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck: A Large Available Brazilian Biomass

Citrus biomass is a source of biobased products and presents extensive chemical diversity. Among the structural macromolecules, lignins have been used in resins, bioplastics, and nanoencapsulation. Brazil has a large source of lignins, which are orange trees removed from groves that need to be renewed. However, the knowledge about these lignins is limited and little explored. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the lignins from Citrus sinensis and to provide information on the interesting use of orange trees as a source of macromolecules. The lignins were isolated from the trunk, central and secondary roots from the orange tree by Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)-methods. The lignin contents for the extractive-free samples were 19.8 ± 0.19, 21.9 ± 0.36, and 19.5 ± 0.41% (m/m) in the trunk, central and secondary roots, respectively. Infrared (IR) and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed typical bands and chemical shifts to syringyl and guaiacyl units. These results are consistent with the features of lignins previously reported for orange tree branches and hardwood roots. The greatest amount of lignin in the orange tree was found in the central root. The lignins extractive-free by TAPPI-T264 cm-97 presented low solubility in organic solvents, due to their compaction and folding, which was confirmed by C NMR in the solid-state, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Selection of a highly productive strain of Pholiota adiposa

Comparative studies on mushroom strains from various localities are one of the best ways to screen for strains with improved yield and quality. The current study was conducted to evaluate the mycelial growth rate, primordial initiation time, biological efficiency, and nutritional components of four domesticated and one cultivar (Control) strain of Pholiota adiposa. Strain JZB2116005 exhibited the highest mycelial growth rate (2.56 ± 0.03 mm/d), whereas the control strain JZB2116001 was lowest (2.34 ± 0.01 mm/d). The mycelial colonization time and primordial initiation time of different strains were not consistent with the mycelial growth rates. It took approximately 8–9 days and 11–12 days longer for control strain JZB2116001 to colonize the whole bags and to form primordial, than strain JZB2116005. The highest biological efficiency (67.88 ± 1.33%) was observed in strain JZB2116005 while the control strain JZB2116001 was worst (41.35 ± 1.72%). Fruiting bodies of strain JZB2116005 showed better morphological traits and higher chemical contents as compared with the control strain JZB2116001. Therefore, from a commercial point of view, it was necessary to replace strain JZB2116001 with strain JZB2116005 in production.
Small Between-Year Variations in Nest Predation Rates are Not Related With Between-Year Differences in Predator Identity

ABSTRACT Nest predation is one of the most important causes of nest failure in breeding birds and can vary extensively between sites and years. Different mechanisms governing predation rates may dominate in different years and this annual variation should therefore be evaluated directly. Here we document year-to-year variation in nest predation rates in two ecosystems (forest and salt meadows) within the mid-boreal forest zone to evaluate whether annual variation in nest predation rates are linked with annual variation in predator identity or the ratio between predator types. Year-to-year variation in predation rates was low in all experiments (non-significant differences in experiments 1 and 2), with a significant decrease only from 2005 (0.90%) to 2008 (0.70%), 2009 (0.65%) and 2010 (0.72%) in experiment 3. In addition, random intercept estimates indicated that two sites from experiment 1 showed higher predation rates in year 2 than in year 1. None of these differences were related with differences in apparent predator community structure or predator identity. This suggests that low between-year variation in nest predation rates may be common in areas where the predator communities are stable, and the existing variation cannot be explained by variation in predator identity alone.
The picture exchange communication system and adults lacking functional communication: A research review

ABSTRACT PECS training for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities has been extensively evaluated. In contrast, there is a dearth of literature on outcomes of PECS training for adults lacking functional communication skills. A literature search produced five empirical studies involving PECS training with 18 adults. The participants involved presented with a wider range of intellectual and physical challenges than those typically found in child-related research. Where noted, severity of diagnoses ranged from mild to profound and included participants with single, dual and triple diagnoses, the majority with dual diagnoses. Each of the studies shows results in line with child-related research. While the amount of research is limited, the outcomes of these few studies are profound in their implications for adults with a variety of intellectual disabilities and physical challenges. Implications for both children and adults are considered.
Positive effects of Penconazole on growth of Brassica napus under drought stress

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of drought on some physiological and biochemical parameters and to assess the inducing effects of Penconazole (PEN) on drought tolerance in two cultivars (RGS003 as a drought tolerant and Sarigol as a drought sensitive) of canola. Plants were treated with various PEG concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15%) without or with PEN (15 mg l−1). Decrease in fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) in Sarigol under drought was higher than that of RGS003. Surprisingly, PEN reversed prominently the negative effects of drought on FW and DW in RGS003. Concomitantly, PEN treatment decreased malondialdehyde content in RGS003 under drought. Moreover, higher content of proline in RGS003 under all drought levels could be considered as a factor for drought tolerance of this cultivar. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were induced by PEN in both cultivars under drought. Inducing effects of PEN on phenylalanine ammonia lyase and thyrosine ammonia lyase activities decreased by increasing of drought levels in both cultivars. In summary, PEN alleviated the negative effects of drought in RGS003 cultivar by inducing activities of SOD, CAT and PPO and proline content comparing to Sarigol.
Feral populations of Brassica oleracea along Atlantic coasts in western Europe

Abstract There has been growing emphasis on the role that crop wild relatives might play in supporting highly selected agriculturally valuable species in the face of climate change. In species that were domesticated many thousands of years ago, distinguishing wild populations from escaped feral forms can be challenging, but reintroducing variation from either source could supplement current cultivated forms. For economically important cabbages (Brassicaceae: Brassica oleracea), “wild” populations occur throughout Europe but little is known about their genetic variation or potential as resources for breeding more resilient crop varieties. The main aim of this study was to characterize the population structure of geographically isolated wild cabbage populations along the coasts of the UK and Spain, including the Atlantic range edges. Double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing was used to sample individual cabbage genomes, assess the similarity of plants from 20 populations, and explore environment–genotype associations across varying climatic conditions. Interestingly, there were no indications of isolation by distance; several geographically close populations were genetically more distinct from each other than to distant populations. Furthermore, several distant populations shared genetic ancestry, which could indicate that they were established by escapees of similar source cultivars. However, there were signals of local adaptation to different environments, including a possible relationship between genetic diversity and soil pH. Overall, these results highlight wild cabbages in the Atlantic region as an important genetic resource worthy of further research into their relationship with existing crop varieties.