Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hedging as an Indicator of Disciplinary Variation in Pakistani Academic Discourse: A Corpus Based Study

Hedging, considered as a pragmatic phenomenon, is used for interpersonal communication. Most of the recent studies on academic discourse have focused the interpersonal aspect of hedging with a view of analyzing this strategy in relation to the communicative. situation and to explore its impact on the relationship between writer and reader. Hedging is a device by which “the author reduces the strength of what he is writing” (Zuck & Zuck, 1985:172), thus hedging is seen, functioning as an interpersonal politeness strategy to avoid disagreement “modify the writer’s responsibility for the truthfulness of an utterance” (Varttala, 2001: 14) and to signal a tentative or cautious assessment of the truth of the referential information” (Krismore & Kopple, 1988: 185). Different studies have signaled an array of linguistic devices which can be typically used as hedges. The main categories include for example: auxiliaries and semi auxiliaries, adverbs and adverbials, full verbs, impersonal expressions, agentless passives, modal verbs and the list has been broadened to prosodic and kinesics hedges. Modality, as a type of hedging, is one such device used to signal authors’ presence in academic writing to create an atmosphere of interaction between writer and reader, “a resource for taking up different positioning” (SimonVandenbergen & Aijmer 2007: 42) and a way to represent writer’s view point to the truth of the proposition. Modality generates space for negotiation between writer and reader and Abstract: Hedging is a pragmatic phenomenon which is practiced to signal interpersonal communication. In academic discourse, hedges are used to signal writers’ presence in a text. This article explores the use of hedges particularly with reference to epistemic and deontic modality markers—important and frequently used types of hedges-in Pakistani research dissertations belonging to three major disciplines: Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities. The material is based on a special purpose corpus of Pakistani academic writing developed with 235 M.phil and PhD research theses. To find out the frequencies of modal verbs AntConc 3.5. 6 was used. All the frequencies were listed and every 50th example was analysed using the theoretical distinction between epistemic and deontic modality outlined by Biber et al. (1999). Statistical analysis of the data reveals, that disciplinary affiliation has a considerable influence on the proportion of epistemic and deontic modality.
Respiratory dose of inhaled ultrafine particles in healthy adults

Ultrafine particles (less than 0.10 μm in diameter) are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and possess unique physicochemical characteristics that may pose a potential health risk. To help elucidate the potential health risk, we measured respiratory dose of ultrafine particles (0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 μm in diameter) in healthy young adults using a novel serial bolus–delivery method. Under normal breathing conditions (i.e. tidal volume of 500 ml and respiratory flow rate of 250 ml s−1), bolus aerosols were delivered sequentially to a lung depth ranging from 50–500 ml in 50 ml increments and deposition was measured for each of ten equal–volume compartments. Results show that regional deposition varies widely along the depth of the lung regardless of the particle sizes used. Peak deposition was found in the lung regions situated between 150 and 200 ml from the mouth. Sites of peak deposition shifted proximally with a decrease in particle size. Deposition dose per unit surface area was largest in the proximal lung regions and decreased rapidly with an increase in lung depth. Peak surface dose was 5–7 times greater than the average lung dose. The results indicate that local enhancement of dose occurs in normal lungs, and such a dose enhancement may play an important role in the potential health effects of ultrafine aerosols.
Evaluation of Anti-Coccidial Activity of Different Extraction Products of Allium sativum (Garlic) in Broilers

The present study was performed with objective to evaluate the anti-coccidial effect of three different forms of Allium sativum (garlic) in broiler birds. A total of 90 broiler chicks (day-old) were divided into nine equal groups. The mixed Eimeria species obtained from gut samples (E. tenella and E. necatrix) collected from different commercial poultry shops in Tolinton Market Lahore, Pakistan. These guts were checked in Parasitology laboratory in Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The positive cases were separated for extraction, sporulation and identification of oocyst(s). The oocysts counts per gram of droppings were determined by McMaster technique on day 0, 3, 7 and 10 of treatment. Each bird was challenged with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria at 17th day of age. Three different forms of Allium sativum (garlic) including aqueous extract, methanol extract and powder form at dose rate 2 and 4 gm/kg body weight were used in challenged birds In all the forms and doses of the Allium sativum the oocyst per gram count was decreased but the best result was obtained with aqueous form at dose rate of 4gm/kg BW from day 7 to 10. The present study concluded that Allium sativum (garlic) can be used as natural anti-coccidial component to ameliorate the side effects and resistance of commercial anticoccidials in practice.
Propagation of cortical activity via open-loop intrathalamic architectures: a computational analysis

Propagation of signals across the cerebral cortex is a core component of many cognitive processes and is generally thought to be mediated by direct intracortical connectivity. The thalamus, by contrast, is considered to be devoid of internal connections and organized as a collection of parallel inputs to the cortex. Here, we provide evidence that “open-loop” intrathalamic connections involving the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) can support propagation of oscillatory activity across the cortex. Recent studies support the existence of open-loop thalamo-reticulo-thalamic (TC-TRN-TC) synaptic motifs in addition to traditional closed-loop architectures. We hypothesized that open-loop structural modules, when connected in series, might underlie thalamic and, therefore cortical, signal propagation. Using a supercomputing platform to simulate thousands of permutations of a thalamo-reticular-cortical network and allowing select synapses to vary both by class and individually, we evaluated the relative capacities of closed- and open-loop TC-TRN-TC synaptic configurations to support both propagation and oscillation. We observed that 1) signal propagation was best supported in networks possessing strong open-loop TC-TRN-TC connectivity; 2) intrareticular synapses were neither primary substrates of propagation nor oscillation; and 3) heterogeneous synaptic networks supported more robust propagation of oscillation than their homogeneous counterparts. These findings suggest that open-loop heterogeneous intrathalamic architectures complement direct intracortical connectivity to facilitate cortical signal propagation. Significance Statement Interactions between the dorsal thalamus and thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) are speculated to contribute to phenomena such as arousal, attention, sleep, and seizures. Despite the importance of the TRN, the synaptic microarchitectures forming the basis for dorsal thalamus-TRN interactions are not fully understood. The computational neural model we present incorporates “open-loop” thalamo-reticular-thalamic (TC-TRN-TC) synaptic motifs, which have been experimentally observed. We elucidate how open-loop motifs possess the capacity to shape the propagative properties of signals intrinsic to the thalamus and evaluate the wave dynamics they support relative to closed-loop TC-TRN-TC pathways and intrareticular synaptic connections. Our model also generates predictions regarding how different spatial distributions of reticulothalamic and intrareticular synapses affect these signaling properties.
Optimalization and regeneration of in vitro seedling of Shallot variety Lembah Palu in providing good quality seedling

This research aimed to determine suitable bulb size and proper concentration of benzylamino purine (BAP) to produce vigor plantlets. The research was arranged as factorial completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor was bulb diameter with three levels (0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 ± 0.05 cm). The second factor wasBAP concentration with three levels (2, 4 and 6 mg/L). All treatments were replicated 4 times, thus there were 36 experimental units. Each unit consisted of 3 explants, so there were 108 samples. The results showed that largest bulb of 1.2 cm ± 0.05 in diameter and addition of BAP 4 mg/L to Murashige Skoog basal medium were excellent for producing vigour planlets. There were interactions between the two treatments on number of leaves and root paremeters.
Sodium and Saturated Fat Levels in Meat Products in the Netherlands: An Evaluation Based on Label Information

Aim: To collate and analyse label information on nutrients for meat products (used as sandwich fillings) in the Netherlands, using a standardised methodology established by the Global Food Monitoring Group. The objective was to compare levels of saturated fat (in g/100 grams) and sodium (in mg/100 grams) from 2011-2015 and to evaluate reformulation targets for sodium and saturated fat levels that were due to be met by January 1, 2015. Study Design: Data collection study. Original Research Article Janssen et al.; EJNFS, 8(4): 300-323, 2018; Article no.EJNFS. 2018.056 301 Place and Duration: Data collection in two supermarkets in the Netherlands for one month. Methodology: Data were collected by photographing the Nutrition Information Panels (NIPs), front-of-pack communications (Guideline Daily Amounts, health logos) and other back-of-pack information from product labels of processed foods in-store using smartphone technology. Photos were uploaded to a central database where data were entered and checked and cleaned manually. Levels of sodium and saturated fat were calculated and compared with data available from reformulation monitoring reports and with the reformulation targets of the meat sector. Results: Data were collected for 911 processed meat products, with data available for 863 meat products after data cleaning, and 86% (n=745) displaying a NIP. Sodium levels in 2015 were similar compared to concentrations observed in previous years for all subcategories of meat products. For saturated fat, combined heated meat products' saturated fat content was 8 g/100g (SD=3) based on label information in 2015 compared with 10 g/100g (SD=3) based on the label and chemical analyses information of 2014: P<0.001. The percentages of products (2015) which complied with the reformulation targets ranged per product category from 14%-93% for sodium levels and 25%-88% for saturated fat levels. Only a small percentage of meats displayed a health logo (2%) or Guideline Daily Amounts (15%) on the label. Conclusion: Based on the comparison we observed no progress with sodium reductions and little progress with saturated fat reductions in the Netherlands between 2011 and 2015 in processed meat products. In light of the Netherlands’ reformulation covenant of 2014, focus on nutrient levels of meat products could contribute to help meet the national commitment to reduce sodium and saturated fat levels. This method of evaluation could also be used for other product categories to monitor progress and to ultimately decrease the burden of nutrition-associated diseases in the country.
Modeling neural tuning in human ventral temporal cortex predicts the perception of visual ambiguity

We have an amazing ability to categorize objects in the world around us with millisecond precision. Nevertheless, how cortical regions in human ventral temporal cortex (VTC), which is critical for categorization, support this behavioral ability, is presently unknown. Here, we used a model-based approach to examine the relationship between neural tuning and behavioral tuning using morphed silhouettes of faces and hands, which are animate categories processed in cortically adjacent regions in VTC of humans and non-human primates. Surprisingly, our results reveal that the combination of neural tuning from regions selective for different domains more accurately explains behavioral categorization than neural tuning from just one region selective for either domain. Furthermore, we built a generalizable model that predicts a person’s behavioral tuning after being trained on neural tuning from other people. These findings support a new theoretical idea: cortical regions from different domain-specific networks work together to achieve accurate perceptual categorization.
Male and female pups of the highly sexually dimorphic northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) differ slightly in body size

In mammals, males generally are larger than females, though such sexual-size differences have been documented primarily in adults and are relatively poorly known in early life. We studied sexual-size differences in pups of the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris (Gill, 1866)), which in adulthood is one of the most sexually dimorphic mammals. We studied body size at birth and weaning, at Islas San Benito, Mexico, at the southernmost limit of the species’ breeding range. Males were 10% heavier and 2% longer than females at birth. Sexes did not differ significantly in either measure of body size at weaning, although males were slightly heavier (4%) and longer (1%) than females. Neither growth rate nor suckling duration differed between the sexes. In previous studies in California, USA, pups at weaning were heavier than in our study, and males were heavier than females. These differences may reflect ecological, temporal, or life-history differences across populations. The modest difference in sexual-size dimorphism early in life in this species compared with the great difference in adulthood likely reflects multiple selective forces, including constraints on neonatal size set by body size of females, and the weakness of sexual selection at that stage of life.
Influence of Cover Crop Mixtures on Soil Health and Weed Control in Cotton Production Systems

2 Acknowledgments . 4 List of Tables . 6 List of Figures . 9 List of Abbreviations . 10 I. Literature Review . 11 II. Evaluation of Cover Crop Mixtures for Improving Soil Health in Ultisols . 29 Introduction . 30 Materials and Methods . 31 Results and Discussion . 35 Conclusions . 44 Tables and Figures . 46 III. Impact of Herbicide, Cover Crop Placement, and High Residue Cover Crop Mixtures on Weed Control in Cotton . 56 Introduction . 57 Materials and Methods . 59 Results and Discussion . 62 Conclusions . 70 Tables and Figures . 72 References . 86
Diel periodicity of a terrestrial arthropod community: diversity, composition, and body size

1. Activity patterns of arthropods lead to consistent changes in community composition in many ecosystems, but this daily turnover in community membership is poorly characterised. This study used passive collection methods of ground and air active arthropods, feeding guild assignment, and body size measurements to characterise changes in a terrestrial arthropod community between consecutive 4‐h time intervals.
Wood by-Product as Storage Material for Post-Harvest Management of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at Breaker Stage

The study evaluated the effect of wood by-product on the storability of fresh breaker tomato. The samples (Kerewa variety) were harvested, cooled by aeration and divided into three lots (B0=control; B1=1: 1, tomato: wood by-product; B2=1: 2, tomato: wood by-product). They were kept in uniformly sized paper carton (170 mm×120 mm×140 mm) on the shelf for 28 days. The organoleptic properties of the stored tomatoes were assessed on 5-point hedonic scale, as well as the physicochemical properties (moisture, pH, acidity, and soluble solids), carotenoids, vitamin C content and mineral analysis. Result showed that; B1 and B2 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than control in colour, appearance and overall acceptability while no significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between B1 and the control in firmness and odour. Weight or moisture loss (%) and decay incidence were higher in control than both B1 and B2. Moisture content (MC) reduced significantly (p<0.05) in sample B2 while no significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in control and B1 after 28 days storage. The pH of B1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower than B2 and the control but the β-carotene and vitamin C of B1 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than B2 and control. Wood by-product had shown some potentials for post-harvest handling of fresh breaker tomato most especially when used at ratio 1: 1 (w/w %).
A Review and Current Update on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy of Breast Cancer

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the standard staging technique in the surgical treatment of breast cancer, replacing the older method of dissecting lymph nodes of the axilla. Several advantages like lowering of the morbidities that accompany the technique and being less invasive have given rise to a promising effect on life aspects of patients suffering from this morbidity. The procedure has evolved over the last few decades, but further studies are still needed to make improvements. Several aspects of the evolution of SLNB, such as the incorporation of the management in early cancer, the technique of lymphatic mapping, the accuracy of the technique, and its utility and evaluation in clinical response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are discussed in this review.
Looking for therapeutic antibodies in next-generation sequencing repositories

Recently it has become possible to query the great diversity of natural antibody repertoires using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). These methods are capable of producing millions of sequences in a single experiment. Here we compare Clinical Stage Therapeutic antibodies to the ∼1b sequences from 60 independent sequencing studies in the Observed Antibody Space Database. Of the 242 post Phase I antibodies, we find 16 with sequence identity matches of 95% or better for both heavy and light chains. There are also 54 perfect matches to therapeutic CDR-H3 regions in the NGS outputs, suggesting a nontrivial amount of convergence between naturally observed sequences and those developed artificially. This has potential implications for both the discovery of antibody therapeutics and the legal protection of commercial antibodies.
Investigation on thermal performance enhancement of self-rotating twisted tapes in a double-pipe heat exchanger

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Barriers to the completion of a home-based rehabilitation program in patients awaiting lung resection surgery for lung cancer: a prospective observational multicenter study

Our aims were to identify the determinants associated with the non-completion of H-RP and the factors associated with 30-days postoperative events for patients awaiting thoracic surgery for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Patients with proven or suspected NSCLC were involved prior to surgery in an H-RP containing four components : i) a minimum of three ergocycle sessions/week; ii) one physiotherapy session/week; iii) initiation of smoking cessation; iv)nutritional support. The H-RP was defined "completed" when the four components were performed. Results: Out of 50 patients included, 42 were finally operated (80% men, median age 69(IQR 25%-75% 60-74) years; 64% COPD; 29% type-2 diabetes). 20 patients (48%) completed 100% of the program. In univariate analysis, BMI>26.5 kg/m2, diabetes, polymedication (≥ 5 drugs), living alone and a long delay in starting H-RP were associated with the risk of non-completion. In multivariate analysis, polymedication (OR=12.2 95% CI: 2.0;74.2), living alone (single vs couple OR=21.5 95%CI: 1.4;324.4) and a long delay in starting H-RP (OR=6.24 95%CI: 1.1;36.6) were independantly associated with the risk of non-completion. H-RP non completion, diabetes, polymedication, social precariousness and female gender were associated with events at 30 days. Conclusion: Facing multiples morbidities and living alone increases the risk of not completing H-RP.
The dependence of synchrony on timescale and geography in freshwater plankton

Spatial synchrony is defined by related fluctuations through time in population abundances measured at different locations. The degree of relatedness typically declines with increasing distance between sampling locations. Standard approaches for assessing synchrony assume isotropy in space and uniformity across timescales of analysis, but it is now known that spatial variability and timescale structure in population dynamics are common features. We tested for spatial and timescale structure in the patterns of synchrony of freshwater plankton in Kentucky Lake, U.S.A. We also evaluated whether different mechanisms may drive synchrony and its spatial structure on different timescales. Using wavelet techniques and matrix regression, we analyzed phytoplankton biomass and abundances of seven zooplankton taxa at 16 locations sampled from 1990 to 2015. We found that zooplankton abundances and phytoplankton biomass exhibited synchrony at multiple timescales. Timescale structure in the potential mechanisms of synchrony was revealed primarily through networks of relationships among zooplankton taxa, which differed by timescale. We found substantial interspecific variability in geographic structures of synchrony and their causes: all mechanisms we considered strongly explained geographic structure in synchrony for at least one species, while Euclidean distance between sampling locations was generally less well supported than more mechanistic explanations. Geographic structure in synchrony and its underlying mechanisms also depended on timescale for a minority of the taxa tested. Overall, our results show substantial and complex but interpretable variation in structures of synchrony across three variables: space, timescale, and taxon. It seems likely these aspects of synchrony are important general features of freshwater systems.
Notes on Gunnera (Gunneraceae) in Brazil and Uruguay

Nomenclatural notes on the species of Gunnera that occur in Brazil and Uruguay are presented. More specifically, I designate a lectotype for the name G. herteri, the only species in Gunnera subg. Ostenigunnera, selected from among the collections of MVM, where Cornelius Osten’s personal herbarium is conserved. I also designate a lectotype for the name G. brasiliensis, a legitimate heterotypic synonym of G. manicata, which has been considered by some authors as an illegitimate, superfluous name. Furthermore, I provide an identification key to Gunnera in Brazil and Uruguay.