Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Programs and Regulators Underlying Age-Dependent and Dark-Induced Senescence in Medicago truncatula

In forage crops, age-dependent and stress-induced senescence reduces forage yield and quality. Therefore, delaying leaf senescence may be a way to improve forage yield and quality as well as plant resilience to stresses. Here, we used RNA-sequencing to determine the molecular bases of age-dependent and dark-induced leaf senescence in Medicago truncatula. We identified 6845 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in M3 leaves associated with age-dependent leaf senescence. An even larger number (14219) of DEGs were associated with dark-induced senescence. Upregulated genes identified during age-dependent and dark-induced senescence were over-represented in oxidation–reduction processes and amino acid, carboxylic acid and chlorophyll catabolic processes. Dark-specific upregulated genes also over-represented autophagy, senescence and cell death. Mitochondrial functions were strongly inhibited by dark-treatment while these remained active during age-dependent senescence. Additionally, 391 DE transcription factors (TFs) belonging to various TF families were identified, including a core set of 74 TFs during age-dependent senescence while 759 DE TFs including a core set of 338 TFs were identified during dark-induced senescence. The heterologous expression of several senescence-induced TFs belonging to NAC, WKRY, bZIP, MYB and HD-zip TF families promoted senescence in tobacco leaves. This study revealed the dynamics of transcriptomic responses to age- and dark-induced senescence in M. truncatula and identified senescence-associated TFs that are attractive targets for future work to control senescence in forage legumes.
Self-Assembly of Alkylamido Isophthalic Acids toward the Design of a Supergelator: Phase-Selective Gelation and Dye Adsorption

A new series of 5-alkylamido isophthalic acid (ISA) derivatives with varying single and twin alkyl chain lengths were designed and synthesized as potential supramolecular organogelators. 5-alkylamido ISAs with linear or branched alkyl tail-groups of different lengths were effective gelators for low polarity solvents. In particular, among the presented series, a derivative with a branched, 24 carbon atom tail-group behaves as a “supergelator” with up to twenty organic solvents forming gels that are highly stable over time. The gelation behavior was analyzed using Hansen solubility parameters, and the thermal stability and viscoelastic properties of select gels were characterized. Microscopy, spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and computer modeling studies were consistent with a hierarchical self-assembly process involving the formation of cyclic H-bonded hexamers via the ISA carboxylic acid groups, which stack into elementary fibers stabilized by H-bonding of the amide linker groups and π–π stacking of the aromatic groups. These new nanomaterials exhibited potential for the phase-selective gelation of oil from oil–water mixtures and dye uptake from contaminated water. The work expands upon the design and synthesis of supramolecular self-assembled nanomaterials and their application in water purification/remediation.
Impact of Undergraduate Students’ Library Use on Their Learning beyond GPA: Mixed-Methods Approach

The research aims to identify the primary reason for students’ library use, to explore how they characterize academic success, and to further examine the impact of library usage on student learning outcomes beyond GPA, through a mixed-methods approach. By surveying and interviewing 27 undergraduate students during 2019–2020, the findings revealed that almost every participant strongly believed that their use of library space was positively associated with their GPA, independent of how often they would use the library. While many participants defined academic success as getting a good grade, some identified academic success as developing application skills and obtaining new knowledge.
Confronting Islamophobia and its consequences in East London in a context of increased surveillance and stigmatisation

Islamophobia is an issue faced by Muslims across Europe. In the UK, there is a growing acceptance that the government’s counter-terrorism policy, Prevent, has led to increased discrimination. Current research is split on whether discrimination among Muslims is leading to disengagement and a retreat from public life or whether this has inspired a feeling of responsibility to participate more actively and engage in politics or alternative forms of political resistance. This paper presents the results from the London case study of a larger comparative project which seeks to assess the political consequences of the experience of discrimination by evaluating the individual and collective responses of Muslims in terms of political participation and representation. Based on qualitative research including semi-structured interviews and participant observation in Tower Hamlets (East London), we show how Muslim individuals, including civil society actors, have responded to Islamophobia, and the discrimination associated with it, in a context of increased surveillance after the introduction of the ‘Prevent Duty’ in 2015. We focus on individual responses to confronting discrimination and stigmatisation and include a case study of an initiative by the campaigning group Citizens UK which sought to explore the potential for collective responses and wider coalitions against discrimination faced by Muslims. We investigate the emerging strategies that are being adopted as a reaction to discrimination and examine the extent to which responses constitute a means of ‘fighting back’ through political participation and engagement and whether this new climate has fostered either mobilisation or demobilisation. Our findings indicate that individual forms of resistance are more prominent than mass mobilisation and some evidence of Muslims retreating from political engagement.
Efficacy of ablation and sclerotherapy for the management of ovarian endometrioma: A narrative review

Ovarian cystectomy is the preferred technique for the surgical management of ovarian endometrioma. However, other techniques such as ablation or sclerotherapy are also commonly used. The aim of this review is to summarize information regarding the efficacy of ablation and sclerotherapy compared to cystectomy in terms of ovarian reserve, the recurrence rate, and the pregnancy rate. Several studies comparing ablation versus cystectomy or sclerotherapy versus cystectomy in terms of the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) decrement, endometrioma recurrence, or the pregnancy rate were identified and summarized. Both ablation and cystectomy have a negative impact on ovarian reserve, but ablation results in a smaller serum AMH decrement than cystectomy. Nonetheless, the recurrence rate is higher after ablation than after cystectomy. More studies are needed to demonstrate whether the pregnancy rate is different according to whether patients undergo ablation or cystectomy. The evidence remains inconclusive regarding whether sclerotherapy is better than cystectomy in terms of ovarian reserve. The recurrence rates appear to be similar between sclerotherapy and cystectomy. There is not yet concrete evidence that sclerotherapy helps to improve the pregnancy rate via in vitro fertilization in comparison to cystectomy or no sclerotherapy.
Scalable Malware Detection System Using Distributed Deep Learning

Abstract The number of complex and novel malware attacks is increasing exponentially in the cyberworld. Malware detection systems are facing new challenges due to the volume, velocity, and complexity of malware. The current malware detection system relies on a time-consuming, resource-intensive, and knowledge-intensive classification approach. Most of the existing malware detection system is ineffective in detecting novel malware attacks. A deep learning approach can be used to build a malware detection system that can effectively detect novel malware attacks without much human intervention. The current circumstance necessitates not just a malware system with excellent accuracy, but also one that can serve a large volume of demand in near real-time. A scalable malware detection system capable of detecting complex attacks is the need of time. This article discusses a scalable and distributed deep learning approach for malware detection using convolutional neural network and bidirectional long short-term memory (CNN-BiLSTM). The deep learning approach has been used to make the system learn and make predictive decisions without human intervention. The performance of the deep learning approach depends on various parameters and training data sets. Hence, different combinations of deep learning algorithms have been used to design and test the models to achieve the desired result. The experimental results show that the double layer of CNN and BiLSTM has better performance than single-layer CNN.
Optimal Solution for Model Predictive Current Control of Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on Trigonometrical Substitution

This paper proposes an analytic solution of the optimal voltage vector for model predictive current control, in order to achieve the excellent dynamic and steady-state current performance of surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (SMPMSM). The voltage vector in the stationary reference frame is firstly defined by its phase and amplitude. Through coordinate transformation and the predictive model of SMPMSM drive system, the cost function related with the voltage vector is established. Then it can be transformed into two different forms which are only relevant to the phase or amplitude of voltage vector by trigonometrical substitution. Next, the analytic solution of optimal voltage vector with continuous phase and amplitude is easy to derive by the two different forms of cost function with extremum. The optimal voltage vector is finally synthesized by three-vector method, and the experiments under various operating conditions are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluation of the Neutralizing Antibodies Response against 14 SARS-CoV-2 Variants in BNT162b2 Vaccinated Naïve and COVID-19 Positive Healthcare Workers from a Northern Italian Hospital

SARS-CoV-2 still represents a global health burden, causing more than six million deaths worldwide. Moreover, the emergence of new variants has posed new issues in terms of vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the neutralizing antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 variants in different cohorts of vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. Four-fold diluted sera from SARS-CoV-2 naïve and recovered subjects vaccinated with two or three doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine were challenged against 14 SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titer was measured. Results were compared with those obtained from unvaccinated COVID-19 recovered patients. Overall, a better SARS-CoV-2 NT Abs response was observed in recovered vaccinated subjects after three doses of the vaccine when compared to unvaccinated patients and vaccinated subjects with only two doses. Additionally, the lowest level of response was observed against the Omicron variant. In conclusion, third doses of BNT162b2 vaccine seems to elicit a sustained response against the large majority of variants.
KESULITAN DAN SOLUSI DALAM MENULIS SKRIPSI BAHASA INGGRIS (Sebuah Investigasi Berdasarkan Perspektif Mahasiswa dan Dosen di Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas Pekalongan)

This research aims to analyze the English Education students’ of Universitas Pekalongan problems in writing final project in English. The causes are viewed from students’ and the lecturers perspective as the advisor and also what are supposed to do to help the student minimize the problems in writing final project. This study used descriptive qualitative method that fully describe the problems as well as solutions in writing final projects. The deep analysis has been done from the student’s and the lecturer’s perspectives. After conducting a survey by doing some interviews and distributing questionnaires, we found that there are so many factors that affects the studnts’ difficulties in finishing their final projects.
Some Practical Aspects of Compressor Blade Vibration

The object of this paper is to set down an overall picture of the practical aspects of compressor blade vibration. In doing so it is inevitable that a certain content is effectively a repeat of other people's contributions to the subject. The authors make no apology for this and offer the paper as a "state of the art" as practised at Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd. In bringing together the many relevant issues of this problem, it is hoped that a useful presentation is obtained. There is little hesitation in indicating the most obvious and important practical aspect of blade vibration as that of the inherent danger of blade failure and it is known that the axial flow compressor is susceptible to complete failure caused by the fatigue of one blade. The multi-stage axial flow compressor is a highly complex aerodynamic machine with, its early and late stages required to operate over wide ranges of incidence and Mach number conditions. To some extent, of course, use of variable geometry can reduce this to less taxing proportions. The aerodynamic environment of front stages has broad boundaries somewhat wider than those relating to rear stages, while middle blade rows generally operate under sensibly constant conditions. This diminishing “severity” of operation, front, rear to middle stage blading is not unrelated to the incidence of blade vibration problems which shows a similar pattern.
The relative age effect and gender difference on fundamental motor skills in preschool children aged 4–5 years

Abstract The main objective of this study was to examine the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) and analyze the effect of gender on Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) of preschool children aged 4–5 years old. A total of 298 healthy preschool childrenwere evaluated. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) was used to evaluate preschoolers’ FMS. The data showed the main effects on the semester of birth factor in locomotor skills (LM) and total test score (TTS) (p < 0.05), but not in object control skills (OC; p > 0.05). There were also significant main effects on the gender factor in LM and TTS (p < 0.05), but not in OC (p > 0.05). RAE is present in FMS in preschool children, with those born in the first semester outperforming those born in the second semester in LM and TTS. With respect to gender, the scores obtained by girls are higher in LM and TTS.
How teacher behaviour shapes foreign language learners’ enjoyment, anxiety and attitudes/motivation: A mixed modelling longitudinal investigation

The current study investigates how foreign language enjoyment (FLE), foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) and attitude/motivation (AM) of 360 learners of English, German, French and Spanish in a Kuwaiti university was shaped over the course of one semester by three teacher behaviours: frequency of using the foreign language (FL) in class, predictability and frequency of joking. Linear mixed modelling revealed a positive relationship between the three teacher behaviours and FLE as well as AM, but no significant relationship emerged with FLCA. Multiple comparison analyses showed that levels of FLE dropped significantly among students whose teacher joked very infrequently and infrequently. It thus seems that the absence of teacher jokes had a delayed cumulative effect on FLE. No interaction effects were found with time for FLCA and for AM. We conclude that teacher behaviours affect both AM and FLE, and that frequency of joking actually shapes FLE over time.
Sound change, paradigmatic relations, and analogy produce suppletion in Catalan verbs

The development of stem-final /g/ in several parts of Catalan verb paradigms via sound change and analogy has created suppletion in a large number of verbs. In this paper I present evidence against viewing these developments as teleological or driven by factors of markedness or naturalness. I also argue that appeal to morphomes must be tempered by the recognition of the highly variable nature of the patterns displayed by the verbs in question and contextualized in mechanisms that do not merely model change but explain how speakers create change.
Modified Firefly Optimization for IIR System Identification

Because of the nonlinear and recursive nature of the physical systems, system identification is a challenging and complex optimization problem. Infinite impulse response (IIR) and nonlinear adaptive systems are widely used in modeling real-world systems. IIR models due to their reduced number of parameters and better performance are preferred over finite impulse response (FIR) systems. In the past few decades, meta-heuristic optimization algorithms have been an active area of research for solving complex optimization problems. In the present paper a modified version of a recently introduced population-based firefly algorithm (MFA) is used to develop the learning rule for identification of three benchmark IIR and nonlinear plants. MFA's performance is compared with standard firefly algorithm (FA), GA and three versions of PSO. The results demonstrate that MFA is superior in identifying dynamical systems.
Effect of Weed Interference Period on Yield of Transplanted Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum M.) in Guder West Shewa-Oromia, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons (2013 and 2014) to estimate effect of weed interference period on transplanted tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) in Guder West Shewa, Ethiopia. The experiment consisted of 14 treatments laid out in RCBD with three replications. From the total weed species, 81.81% were broadleaved weeds whereas 9.09 and 9.1% were sedges and grass weeds, respectively. During 2014 cropping season of the total weed flora, 83.3% were broad leaved weeds, 8.33 and 8.33% were sedges and grass weeds, respectively. Two years pooled data revealed that, density, weed dry biomass, tomato yield and relative yield loss were observed in all the two years. The lowest weed density was recorded in plot kept weed free, plot harvest (0.0 and 0.0 m-2) whereas the highest was recorded in no-weeded up to harvest (146.51, 161.33 m-2) in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Similarly, lowest (0.0, 0.0 gm-2) dry weight of weeds was recorded in weed free, whereas the highest was recorded in no-weeded up to harvest (1127.2, 1093.2 gm-2) in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The highest yield (32.04, 29.57 tons ha-1) was recorded in weed free plot which is not statistically significant with weed free up to 90 days after transplanting (DAT) (28.336, 31.511 tons ha-1) and no-weeded up to 15 DAT (29.894, 27.484 tons ha-1), whereas the lowest (4.00, 2.59 tons ha-1) was recorded from no-weeded up to harvest, respectively. Uninterrupted weed growth caused a reduction of (87.5, 90.8%), in tomato yield as compared to complete weed free in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Key words: Weed interference period, tomato yield, weed growth, yield loss.
Ecosystem Services in Southern Africa: Current and Emerging Trends—A Bibliometric Review

The assessment of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for Africa’s sustainability and progress. Healthy ecosystems benefit humans in various forms; however, continuous anthropogenic activities have led to rapid alterations in their compositions, structures and functions worldwide. Due to the lack of understanding on the role of ES assessment in southern Africa, many ES assessment practices and methodologies have been widely debated Thus, a bibliometric analysis of ESs in southern Africa was conducted for the period of 1996–2021, to present the key features of ES assessment practices and methodologies and reveal evolutionary trends in this field. The results showed that in southern Africa, not many ES assessment studies have been published; however, South Africa was the most productive country in terms of author collaboration and publication output. Other leading countries in this field include the UK, USA, Germany and Australia. The most productive institutions in southern Africa are located in South Africa, and are the University of Cape Town, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Rhodes University, the University of KwaZulu Natal, and the University of Stellenbosch. The five funding institutions that are most active in supporting ES assessment in southern Africa are European. The main publishers of the research are either American or European and include the highly influential publishers Elsevier, Wiley, MDPI, Springer Nature and Resilience Alliance. VOS Viewer was employed as a visual analysis tool and CiteSpace as a graphic analysis tool to conduct the bibliometric analysis. A key conclusion is that most authors use qualitative methods to assess people’s livelihoods and wellbeing as they relate to provisional and cultural services, while remotely sensed imagery is used as a key tool to assess the spatial extent of provisional and regulating services. Research recommendations include promoting a transdisciplinary approach in ES assessment in southern Africa.
Soy-Derived Equol Induces Antioxidant Activity in Zebrafish in an Nrf2-Independent Manner

Antioxidant effects of soy-derived isoflavones are predicted to be mediated by the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Recently, we constructed an assay system to evaluate the antioxidant effects of dietary phytochemicals in zebrafish and revealed a relationship between these effects and the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. In this study, we used this system to examine the antioxidant effects of seven isoflavones. Among those seven, equol showed strong antioxidant effects when arsenite was used as an oxidative stressor. The antioxidant effect of equol was also shown in Nrf2-mutant zebrafish nfe2l2afh318, suggesting that this effect was not mediated by the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. To elucidate this unidentified mechanism, the gene expression profiles of equol-treated larvae were analyzed using RNA-seq and qRT-PCR, while no noticeable changes were detected in the expression of genes related to antioxidant effects, except weak induction of Nrf2 target genes. Because nfe2l2afh318 is an amino acid-substitution mutant (Arg485Lue), we considered that the antioxidant effect of equol in this mutant might be due to residual Nrf2 activity. To examine this possibility, we generated an Nrf2-knockout zebrafish nfe2l2ait321 using CRISPR-Cas9 and analyzed the antioxidant effect of equol. As a result, equol showed strong antioxidant effects even in Nrf2-knockout larvae, suggesting that equol indeed upregulates antioxidant activity in zebrafish in an Nrf2-independent manner.