Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The wasp venom antimicrobial peptide polybia‐CP and its synthetic derivatives display antiplasmodial and anticancer properties

Abstract The wasp venom‐derived antimicrobial peptide polybia‐CP has been previously shown to exhibit potent antimicrobial activity, but it is also highly toxic. Previously, using a physicochemical‐guided peptide design strategy, we reversed its toxicity while preserving and even enhancing its antibacterial properties. Here, we report on several additional unanticipated biological properties of polybia‐CP and derivatives, namely their ability to target Plasmodium sporozoites and cancer cells. We leverage a physicochemical‐guided approach to identify features that operate as functional hotspots making these peptides viable antiplasmodial and anticancer agents. Helical content and net positive charge are identified as key structural and physicochemical determinants for antiplasmodial activity. In addition to helicity and net charge, hydrophobicity‐related properties of polybia‐CP and derivatives were found to be equally critical to target cancer cells. We demonstrate that by tuning these physicochemical parameters, it is possible to design synthetic peptides with enhanced submicromolar antiplasmodial potency and micromolar anticancer activity. This study reveals novel and previously undescribed functions for Polybia‐CP and analogs. Additionally, we demonstrate that a physicochemical‐guided rational design strategy can be used for identifying functional hotspots in peptide molecules and for tuning structure–function to generate novel and potent new‐to‐nature therapies.
Predicting Police Officer Seat Belt Use: Evidence-Based Solutions to Improve Officer Driving Safety

One of the hidden dangers of police work is self-imposed—the failure to wear seat belts. Unfortunately, little evidence exists concerning the factors that account for why officers do not wear their seat belts. This study used a sample of 450 police officers to develop and test a framework for understanding the predictors of seat belt use. We found several factors that were associated with the frequency of officer seat belt use: the perceived likelihood of supervisors enforcing seat belt and other driving policies, organizational justice, having a departmental colleague previously struck by a vehicle, law enforcement experience, risky driving attitudes, number of prior on-duty collisions, being a patrol officer versus supervisor, and perceived risk of being involved in a vehicle collision. We discuss the practical implications of these findings as they apply to efforts aimed at improving officer driving safety and subsequent reduction in related injuries and deaths.
Role of Glomus mosseae and Paecilomyces lilacinus in the management of root knot nematode on tomato

The root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was controlled more effectively when P. lilacinus and G. mosseae were applied together in a pot experiment than either was applied alone. Inoculation of tomato plant with G. mosseae did not markedly increase the growth of plant infected with M. incognita. Inoculation of plant with G. mosseae and P. lilacinus together or alone resulted in a similar shoot and plant height. The highest root development was achieved when mycorrhizal plant were inoculated with P. lilacinus to combat root knot nematode. Inoculation of tomato plant with P. lilacinus suppressed galls/root system and eggs/egg masses, compared to seedling inoculated with M. incognita alone. The mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by inoculation of P. lilacinus.
Using a microanalysis intervention to examine shifts in musicians’ self-regulated learning

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of using a self-directed practice diary on conservatory pianists’ self-regulated learning tendencies. We sought to determine whether the implementation of a self-directed practice diary based on the three-phase model of self-regulated learning would lead students to gradually demonstrate more self-regulated learning tendencies across a semester of practicing, and if the type and quality of their self-regulated learning tendencies varied as a function of performance ability. A marked and consistent improvement in metacognitive monitoring skills was observed across the semester for all seven participants. Variations between lower and higher ability students were most pronounced in the Forethought stage, with higher ability pianists reporting fewer goals and strategies and higher self-motivational beliefs than their lower ability counterparts. In the Performance phase, higher ability students invested more effort in help seeking and structuring their practice environment, and lower ability students reported more self-instruction. In the Self-Reflection phase, higher ability pianists reported being more focused in the practice session. Suggestions for further refinement of the technique to improve musicians’ ability to master their learning and achieve their personal best are provided.
Improvements in Electronic Job Alerts and the Labour Market Experience of Unemployed Workers: Evidence from the Connecting Canadians with Available Jobs Initiative

Abstract:En 2013, le gouvernement canadien perfectionnait son service de communication électronique d’alertesemploi par courriel, informant les demandeurs d’emploi des offres affichées sur un site d’emplois. Parmi les améliorations apportées figuraient des efforts publicitaires supplémentaires pour promouvoir le service et l’augmentation de la fréquence et de la portée des avis adressés aux abonnés. Les auteures étudient des données relatives aux travailleurs ayant perdu leur emploi avant ou après l’intervention et constatent que les abonnements au service d’alertes-emploi ont augmenté après l’intervention. L’importance de cette observation tient au fait que les auteures notent, au surplus, que les abonnés au service d’alertes-emploi consacrent hebdomadairement davantage d’heures à la recherche d’emploi que les non-abonnés, et qu’ils sont davantage susceptibles d’obtenir un emploi permanent après avoir occupé un emploi contractuel. Les auteures relèvent peu d’éléments qui permettraient de conclure à de quelconques améliorations des répercussions des abonnements sur les résultats de la recherche d’emploi après le perfectionnement du service. Selon les données recueillies, il semblerait que les répercussions limitées de cette intervention puissent être attribuées au fait que les abonnés ne se sont pas prévalus des diverses améliorations réalisées. Abstract:In 2013, the Canadian government introduced improvements to its electronic Job Alerts notification service that emails job seekers about job openings posted on an online job board. The improvements included additional advertisements of the service and increases in the frequency and scope of notifications sent to subscribers. Using data on workers who lost their jobs either before or after the intervention, we find that subscription to Job Alerts increased after the intervention. This finding is significant because we also find that, compared with non-subscribers, subscribers to Job Alerts spent more hours searching per week and were more likely to secure a permanent job after holding a contract job. We find little evidence of any improvements in the effects of subscription on job search outcomes after the enhancements. Our evidence suggests that the limited effects of this intervention might be due to subscribers’ failure to make use of the various enhancements.
Public goods, public services and by‐product mutualism in an ant–fern symbiosis

Mutualism can evolve when organisms make novel connections that happen to benefit all parties. When such connections involve a host that provides a public good for multiple visitor species, selection for reciprocal cooperation is only likely if the host has the power to preferentially increase the fitness of those visitors that provide a better quality service. In contrast, when interactions form between multiple visitors and a host that lacks the power to partition the public good, we predict that interactions are likely to persist only as by-product mutualisms, in which symbiosis benefits both host and visitor, but in which neither partner makes costly investments. Focusing on the symbiosis between ants and litter trapping epiphytes in the canopy of lowland dipterocarp rain forest in Borneo, we show that at least 71 ant species share the public good of housing within the root-mass of epiphytic bird's nest ferns (Asplenium spp.). Ferns supporting a higher biomass of ants experienced less herbivory, and experimental exclusions of ants from fronds confirmed that this is caused by the ants protecting the ferns from herbivores. These results establish that there are clear by-product benefits for both parties of housing for ants and protection for ferns. If these benefits were to drive selection for reciprocal cooperation, we would expect larger ferns to support ant colonies that were larger or colonies that produce more reproductive individuals. This was not the case. Larger ferns instead supported more ant colonies, indicating that the housing provided by the fern is a public good that is not restricted to better cooperating ant species. Mutualism via novel connections is thus unlikely to evolve between a host and multiple partners, even if there are clear by-product benefits to all parties, unless the host can direct benefits to cooperators.
Wpływ terminów i metod okulizacji na wzrost okulantów wiśni odmiany 'Łutówka' [The effect of the time and the budding method on the growth of young cherry trees cv. 'Łutówka']

The studies concerning the effect of the time and the methods of budding on the growth of young cherry trees were conducted in the years at Felin Experimental Farm of Lublin Agricultural University. The objects of investigations were the young cherry trees obtained as a result of budding of mahaleb cherry ( Prunus mahaleb L.) and sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) seedlings in the way by the chip budding-15 th July and T-graft-15 th July and 1 st September. The used methods and the times of budding insignificantly affected the growth of young cherry trees cv. «Łutowka» in a nursery. There was showed that quality features of the trees were dependet on stock used type. Cherry trees obtained on mahaleb cherry were thicker, higher and better branched than on sweet cherry.
Chance fluctuations and the survival of small salmon stocks

In this paper, we use a Markovian approach to demonstrate that stocks with modest growth potential at low abundance can be driven quite rapidly to extinction. Under relatively benign conditions, stock survival rates may be high, but even a modest increase to the amount of chance variation in recruitment can reduce survival rates dramatically. Survival rates also depend on the form of the stock-recruitment curve, including depensation that takes hold only at extremely low abundances. Fortunately, small amounts of straying among adjacent populations can push the survival rate substantially toward the value for a combined, homogeneous unit. Our analysis also suggests modifications to existing approaches of establishing minimum target levels for spawning densities and the near impossibility of reliably estimating extinction rates.
After 100 years: a detailed view of an eumalacostracan crustacean from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Lagerstätte with raptorial appendages unique to Euarthropoda

The Solnhofen Konservat‐Lagerstätte yields a great number of remarkably preserved fossils of eumalacostracan crustaceans that help us understand the early radiation of several groups with modern representatives. One fossil from there, Francocaris grimmi Broili, 1917 is a small shrimp‐like crustacean originally described about 100 years ago as a mysidacean crustacean (opossum shrimps and relatives) from latest Kimmeridgian – early Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) of the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestones of Southern Germany. New material with exceptionally preserved specimens, allied with modern imaging techniques (mostly composite fluorescence microscopy), allows us to provide a detailed re‐description of this species. The most striking feature of Francocaris grimmi is an extremely elongated thoracopod 7 with its distal elements forming a spiny sub‐chela. This character supports a sister group relationship of Francocaris grimmi with Eucopiidae, an ingroup of Lophogastrida, pelagic peracaridans common in marine environments throughout the world. We also discuss other supposed fossil representatives of Lophogastrida, identifying all of them as problematic at best. The structure of the sub‐chela in F. grimmi indicates an original use in raptorial behaviour. Francocaris grimmi appears to be unique in possessing such a far posterior sub‐chelate appendage as a major raptorial structure. In most representatives of Euarthropoda in which sub‐chelate appendages occur and are used for food intake, they are usually closer to the mouth. □ Euarthropoda, eumalacostracan crustacean, Lophogastrida, raptorial, Solnhofen Lagerstätte, Upper Jurassic.
The Impact of Business Intelligence Adoption on Organizational Performance Among Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Business Intelligence (BI) ideally provides organizations that embrace them with immerse impact. Very few researches have empirically assessed these claims. There are limited studies of its impacts on organizational performance in the context of higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries. The study aims to develop a conceptual framework for the impacts of BI adoption on organizational performance among higher education institutions. A conceptual framework was developed using the Kaplan and Norton’s balanced scorecard (BSC).
Peopling of Japan as Revealed by Genotyping of Urinary JC Virus DNA

It has been shown that the typing of urinary JC polyomavirus (JCV) DNA offers a novel means of tracing human migrations. We used this approach to elucidate the colonization of the Japanese Archipelago. Approximately 1, 000 JCV DNA-positive urine samples were collected throughout the Japanese Archipelago, and used to amplify a 610-base-pair JCV DNA region (IG region). We determined about 100 IG sequences, from which a phylogenetic tree was constructed to classify them into distinct genotypes. The rest of the amplified fragments were classified into genotypes on the basis of the results of a restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Two major (CY and MY) and three minor JCV genotypes (SC, B1-a, and EU) were identified. There was marked variation in the frequency of these JCV genotypes among the sites of sample collection. For example, MY was more frequently detected in northeastern areas and CY was predominant in southwestern areas. The possibility that the detection of EU in Japan is a result of recent Caucasian immigration was excluded by a phylogenetic comparison of Japanese and European EU isolates. These findings suggest that not only two major groups carrying CY or MY but also three minor groups carrying SC, B1-a or EU migrated to the Japanese Archipelago and that all contributed to founding modern Japan.
COMPOSITION PROPERTIES, PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SHELF LIFE OF WHOLE MILK AFTER THERMAL AND THERMO‐SONICATION TREATMENTS

ABSTRACT Raw whole milk (RM) was pasteurized with heat-pasteurized milk (TT) and thermo-sonication (US) treatments. Batch pasteurization was used for TT and 36, 72, 108 and 120 µm of the ultrasound wave intensity (24 kHz, 400 W); in addition, the heat conditions were applied together for US. Apparent protein content of US milk decreased; butter fat content was increased by US treatment. Proximal analysis showed the presence of added water in US milk and a decrease of nonfat solids, whereas pH was decreased for US milk, lactic acid was increased and density was decreased from RM to US; also, the color of US milk was whiter. The tested parameters for the TT samples were often intermediate between RM and US samples. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) among all treatments. After 16 days, US samples (4C) did not show mesophilic growth higher than 2 log; pH, acidity and color remained constant. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Thermo-sonication (US) is an available method that can improve some sensorial and quality milk characteristics such as color and appearance, while at the same time, ultrasound pasteurizes the product. Minor changes in nutritional properties of milk (i.e., protein content) have been reported after US, with the advantage of extending the shelf life of the product for more than 16 days at 4C without the use of intensive heat treatments. This is a potential technology for use in research and development of new and current products in the dairy industry.
Salinity and temperature effects on germination, emergence and seedling growth of globe artichoke

Deux experiences ont ete realisees. Dans la premiere effectuee en laboratoire, l'influence de 4 niveaux de salinite du milieu de germination (0, -0,3, -0,6 et -0,9 MPa), de 2 temperatures de germination (20 ± 0,5 °C et 30 ± 0,5 °C), et de 2 cultivars ('Romanesco' et '4055'F 1 ) sur la germination des graines a ete etudiee. Dans la seconde experience, realisee avec des pots places en plein air, les effets de 3 niveaux de salinite de l'eau d'irrigation [-0,04 MPa (eau de source), -0,5 MPa et -1,0 MPa] sur l'emergence et l'accroissement des plantules, ont ete etudies. Le pourcentage et la vitesse de germination diminuent avec le potentiel osmotique du milieu de germination, mais avec une intensite moins grande a la temperature de 20 °C qu'a celle de 30 °C. Le seuil du potentiel osmotique pour lequel la germination a ete reduite de 50 % est de -1,60 MPa (pour la cv. Romanesco) et de -1,75 MPa (pour la cv. 4055 F 1 ), avec une temperature de germination de 20 °C ; en revanche, avec une temperature de 30 °C, le seuil du potentiel osmotique est augmentee de facon significative a -0,84 MPa et -1,00 MPa respectivement, pour les deux cultivars. Le pourcentage d'emergence des plantes, est passe de 96 % avec l'utilisation de l'eau de source a 48 % avec l'utilisation d'eau avec un potentiel osmotique de -0,5 MPa, et a 0 % avec un potentiel de -1,0 MPa. Plus de 50 % des plantules irriguees avec des eaux salines (potentiel osmotique de -0,5 MPa) sont mortes 4 a 5 jours apres l'emergence.
Why innovative firms do not rely on universities as innovation sources

The science and technology (S&T) binomial is often considered in the literature as an innovation system per se. Different theoretical frameworks, such as the 'national innovation systems', 'regional innovation systems' and the 'triple helix', were put forward in order to conceptualising the role of a diversity of agents in innovation processes underpinning knowledge-driven economies. More recently, the conceptual framework of smart specialisation has reinforced the importance of innovation and its diffusion in the entrepreneurial sector. Universities are still deemed as having a potentially pivotal role to play, not only in knowledge production but also in innovation delivery. The goal of this research is to discuss the importance of universities as sources of knowledge for innovative activities in Portugal. A panel comprising three waves of the CIS was built to estimate a hurdle model, the discussion of the estimation results attempt to provide some policy recommendations on the role of universities in knowledge production and diffusion and its connection to innovative firms.
Perceptions and Proposals of University of Jordan Faculty Members towards Using Massive Open Online Courses in the Educational Process

This study aims at investigating the perceptions of the faculty members of the University of Jordan towards the use of The Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in the educational process and their suggestions to improve them, the study followed the descriptive / analytical approach. The sample consisted of (115) teachers from the faculty members of the University of Jordan, who were chosen intentionally during the second semester 2018/2017. A key tool was developed that was validated and consisted of (70 items). The results showed that the use of MOOCs courses was moderate and positively affect the support of the educational process. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences attributed to the teaching experience, gender and academic rank variables. While the results showed that there are statistically significant differences to the degree of the use of the faculty members of the University of Jordan MOOCs courses in the educational process according to the collage variable. Results related to the second area of proposals for improving the use of MOOCs courses were also high. In the light of the results of the study, the researcher recommended, based on the answers of faculty members, the need to reconsider the importance of using electronic MOOCs courses in the educational process, And spreading a culture of awareness of the importance of using electronic environments in the educational process, to provide tangible financial and technical support for the production and design of MOOCs courses in cooperation with faculty members and the use of experts.
The Influence of Light Quality on Initiation of Egg Laying by Hens

Abstract Female chicks of an egg-laying strain were irradiated (.6 μE photons/m2/sec) from day-old to termination of the experiment at 672 days of age with narrow-band blue (B), green (G), or red (R) fluorescent light, or with white light from cool white (C) or sunlight-simulating (V) fluorescent tubes or from tungsten (T) incandescent lamps. The effect on initiation of egg laying by juvenile hens and on renewal of laying after molting was studied. There was no significant effect of light source on average days to first egg for initiating egg production. After molting, it took an average of 45, 28, and 16 days for hens in the B, G, and R groups, respectively, to begin to lay after light stimulation. The C group started to lay again after 32 days as compared to 19 and 21 days for the T and V groups. The relative weights of the abdominal fat of maturing hens under the monochromatic treatments were in inverse ratio to wavelength. There was no difference between the wide-spectrum sources. At a given level of photon irradiation, light quality was not a factor in the initiation of egg production but influenced renewal of egg laying following molting in the domestic hen. Light quality may also be involved in fat metabolism prior to maturity.
Future Aspirations of Young Women With Disabilities: An Examination of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Young women with disabilities face multiple barriers that limit their career pathways. Little research has been conducted to examine how cognitive constructs of career self-efficacy and outcome expectations contribute to their future aspirations. This study examined direct relationships between career self-efficacy and outcome expectations on future aspirations, mediating effects of autonomy and self-realization on these relationships, and moderating effects of mental health on these links for young women with disabilities. Although existing research on social cognitive career theory has focused on career self-efficacy, results from this study indicated that outcome expectations might have an even stronger influence on future aspirations. Mental health barriers negatively impact future aspirations of the study’s sample. Limitations and implications for research and practice were discussed.