Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ventral–Dorsal Subregions in the Posterior Cingulate Cortex Represent Pay and Interest, Two Key Attributes of Job Value

Abstract Career choices affect not only our financial status but also our future well-being. When making these choices, individuals evaluate their willingness to obtain a job (i.e., job values), primarily driven by simulation of future pay and interest. Despite the importance of these decisions, their underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examined the neural representation of pay and interest. Forty students were presented with 80 job names and asked to evaluate their job values while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Following fMRI, participants rated the jobs in terms of pay and interest. The fMRI data revealed that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) was associated with job value representation, and the ventral and dorsal regions of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) were associated with pay and interest representations, respectively. These findings suggest that the neural computations underlying job valuation conform to a multi-attribute decision-making framework, with overall value signals represented in the vmPFC and the attribute values (i.e., pay and interest) represented in specific regions outside the vmPFC, in the PCC. Furthermore, anatomically distinct representations of pay and interest in the PCC may reflect the differing roles of the two subregions in future simulations.
Machine Learning for Creativity: Using Similarity Networks to Design Better Crowdfunding Projects

A fundamental tension exists in creativity between novelty and similarity. This research exploits this tension to help creators craft successful projects in crowdfunding. To do so, the authors apply the concept of combinatorial creativity, analyzing each new project in connection to prior similar projects. By using machine learning techniques (Word2vec and Word Mover’s Distance), they measure the degrees of similarity between crowdfunding projects on Kickstarter. They analyze how this similarity pattern relates to a project’s funding performance and find that (1) the prior level of success of similar projects strongly predicts a new project’s funding performance, (2) the funding performance increases with a balance between being novel and imitative, (3) the optimal funding goal is close to the funds raised by prior similar projects, and (4) the funding performance increases with a balance between atypical and conventional imitation. The authors use these findings to generate actionable recommendations for project creators and crowdfunding platforms.
The contribution of pathogenic soil microbes to ring formation in an iconic Australian arid grass, Triodia basedowii (Poaceae)

Ring-forming species of spinifex grasses (Triodia spp.) are a dominant feature across much of Australia’s arid and semi-arid zone. Researchers have long been curious about the mechanisms underpinning their striking growth form. However, none of the factors investigated to date provide a convincing explanation for ring formation. Here, we asked whether an accumulation of pathogenic soil microbes might impede seedling emergence and subsequent growth in the centre of Triodia basedowii rings. We collected soil from inside and outside naturally occurring spinifex rings and compared plants grown in soil with live microbes to plants grown in sterilised soil. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found that emergence of T. basedowii seedlings was lower in live soil from inside the rings than in live soil from outside the rings. Further, seedling emergence in soil from inside the rings increased significantly in response to soil sterilisation. We found no significant difference in growth between sterile and live soils. However, this might be due to a lack of power caused by high rates of seedling mortality in all treatments. Overall, our study provides evidence for the role of soil pathogens in shaping this iconic Australian grass.
2D MoS2 Encapsulated Silicon Nanopillar Array with High-Performance Light Trapping Obtained by Direct CVD Process

Weak absorption remains a vital factor that limits the application of two-dimensional (2D) materials due to the atomic thickness of those materials. In this work, a direct chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was applied to achieve 2D MoS2 encapsulation onto the silicon nanopillar array substrate (NPAS). Single-layer 2D MoS2 monocrystal sheets were obtained, and the percentage of the encapsulated surface of NPAS was up to 80%. The reflection and transmittance of incident light of our 2D MoS2-encapsulated silicon substrate within visible to shortwave infrared were significantly reduced compared with the counterpart planar silicon substrate, leading to effective light trapping in NPAS. The proposed method provides a method of conformal deposition upon NPAS that combines the advantages of both 2D MoS2 and its substrate. Furthermore, the method is feasible and low-cost, providing a promising process for high-performance optoelectronic device development.
INCIDENTAL ACQUISITION OF MULTIWORD EXPRESSIONS THROUGH AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS

Abstract There has been limited research on the efficacy of captioned second language (L2) television in facilitating the incidental acquisition of multiword expressions (MWEs). The present study aims to fill this gap. Additionally, this study examines the role of typographic enhancement and repetition. One-hundred and twenty-two L2 learners were assigned to one of six conditions that differed in terms of caption condition (no captions, normal captions, enhanced captions) and the number of times they watched the same video (once, twice). The participants took a cued MWE form recall test before watching the video, immediately and 2 weeks after watching it. A content comprehension test was also administered. Compared to single viewing, repetition resulted in better content comprehension as well as better acquisition of MWEs. Both caption types positively influenced MWE recall relative to watching the video without captions, but typographic enhancement reduced the benefits of captions for content comprehension.
Influence of the Size of Potato Microtubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) on the Yield of Plants under Semi-Axenic Conditions

The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a vegetable that ranks fifth in the world for human consumption. Its importance is growing more and more in the Senegalese diet. However, the potato production in Senegal does not meet the needs of the market, which maintains dependence on the outside for the supply of quality seeds. In addition, these imported seeds do not often have phytosanitary qualities required for local production in the Sahelian zone. The in vitro production of microtubers, used as seed, has been shown to be one of the most efficient means for propagation of basic material. To overcome the constraints linked to the supply and availability of potato seeds, with high germination capacity, the impact of the microtuber size on the yield of the plants under semi-controlled conditions was examined. The pre-germinated microtubers were produced in vitro from vitroplants of 3 different varieties (Aida, Atlas, Odessa) adapted to the edaphic-climatic conditions of Senegal. The effects of the seed sizes of microtubers, greater than 4 mm, sown under semi-controlled conditions, on the yield of the plants, result in an increase in the ratio, in the vegetative development of the plants, but also in the number and size of the minitubers harvested. The yield of the plants also depends on the variety. It can therefore be envisaged to produce local potato seeds from microtubers and minitubers.
Public support for the European solidarity deal in EU debtor states: the case of Greece

ABSTRACT This paper defines the solution to the European Sovereign Debt Crisis as a European solidarity deal and analyzes it from the perspective of citizens in an EU debtor state. To be more precise, we test the conditions under which citizens living in an indebted state support their country’s part of the solidarity deal, namely the introduction of austerity measures to overcome the crisis. Using Greece in the peak of its drama as a case in point, we find that the belief in the necessity of the deal due to pessimistic economic evaluations, citizens’ support for their country’s EU membership as well as economic right-wing positions were clear determinants for citizens’ vote in favor of the introduction of austerity measures, otherwise known to be highly unpopular.
Effects of Activated Carbon Surface Chemistry and Pore Structure on the Absorption of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether and Trichloroethene from Natural Water

QUINLIVAN, PATRICIA ANN. Effects of Activated Carbon Surface Chemistry and Pore Structure on the Adsorption of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether and Trichloroethene from Natural Water. (Under the direction of Detlef R.U. Knappe.) Activated carbon adsorption is the best available treatment technology for the control of many objectionable trace organic compounds. Activated carbons are frequently characterized by the iodine number and BET surface area, but these parameters do not correlate well with trace organic compound removal from natural water. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop activated carbon selection criteria that assure the effective removal of trace organic contaminants from natural water and to base the selection criteria on the adsorbent’s pore structure and surface chemistry. To systematically evaluate pore structure and surface chemistry effects, a matrix of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with three activation levels and four surface chemistry levels was studied. To evaluate whether adsorption trends established for ACFs were also valid for granular activated carbon (GAC), ACF results were compared with those obtained for three commercially available GACs. Adsorption capacities were determined for natural organic matter (NOM), for relatively hydrophilic methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and relatively hydrophobic trichloroethene (TCE) in organic-free water, and for MTBE and TCE in the presence of NOM. NOM isotherms showed that DOC adsorption occurred primarily in pores with diameters in the 11 to 500 Å range and that electrostatic interactions between NOM and the carbon surface played a role in NOM adsorption. According to both single-solute isotherms and micropollutant isotherms in the presence of NOM, hydrophobic adsorbents more effectively removed TCE and MTBE than hydrophilic adsorbents. Effective adsorbents for drinking water treatment should therefore contain little oxygen and nitrogen whose presence increases the polarity of the adsorbent surface. Based on the elemental composition of the low-ash carbons evaluated in this study, activated carbons should have oxygen and nitrogen contents that sum to no more than 2 to 3 mmol/g to assure sufficient hydrophobicity. In addition, both singlesolute isotherms and isotherms in the presence of NOM indicated that adsorbents should exhibit a large pore volume in micropores with widths that are about 1.5 times larger than the kinetic diameter of the target adsorbate. Furthermore, based on the micropollutant isotherms in the presence of NOM, an effective adsorbent should possess a micropore size distribution that extends to widths that are approximately twice the kinetic diameter of the target adsorbate to prevent pore blockage or restriction as a result of NOM adsorption. EFFECTS OF ACTIVATED CARBON SURFACE CHEMISTRY AND PORE STRUCTURE ON THE ADSORPTION OF METHYL TERTIARY-BUTYL ETHER AND TRICHLOROETHENE FROM NATURAL WATER
Social Media Addiction and the Association with Self-Esteem among Adolescents in Rural Areas of Indonesia

The use of social media has increased significantly in recent years, particularly among adolescents and this has triggered an upsurge in research into the connection between social media and self-esteem. However, there has been little attention paid to the association between social media and self-esteem in adolescents in rural areas, an oversight this study will address – focusing on adolescents in rural areas of Indonesia. This descriptive correlational study was conducted in 2018 at two senior high school in rural area of Bandung, West Java. Disproportion stratified random sampling was used to select the sample. Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form Questionnaires (SMAS-SF) and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale were used to collect the data. Pearson Product Moment correlation was performed to test the relationship between social media addiction and self-esteem. A total of 340 students joined our study, of which 59.7% were female. About 57.6% of the respondents felt discomfort when they had to reduce time spent using social media and 77.6% were addicted to using social media. 57.1% of the respondents have low self-esteem. There was a moderate positive relationship between addiction to social media and self-esteem among adolescents in rural area (r=0.418, p<0.05). This study suggest that social media addiction was correlated with self-esteem, for future studies could be considering gender difference to have better insight. Healthcare professional needs to design an intervention utilize social media to promote self-esteem among adolescents.
Mechanical pruning and soil organic amendments in vineyards of Syrah: effects on grape composition

Aim: The interaction of mechanized pruning systems and soil organic amendment can increase vine productivity. However, since the increase in productivity may affect grape composition, this study aimed to understand the effects of the interaction between these two practices.Methods and materials: Two field trials were implemented in Shiraz vineyards in two different wine regions. Mechanical hedge pruning was compared with hand spur pruning and four different organic amendments were tested: biochar, municipal solid waste compost, cattle manure and sewage sludge.Results: Mechanical pruning reduced the total soluble solids (TSS) and pH of the grapes, but had no effects on the other variables. Organic amendments also reduced TSS, especially sewage sludge, and tended to reduce total anthocyanins and total phenols. The effect of the interaction between both factors on grape composition was never significant. A negative relationship between yield and TSS was observed, while titratable acidity had no relationship with yield. Total anthocyanins were also negatively related to yield. A positive relation between TSS and total anthocyanins was also observed.Conclusions: The results show that the combination of mechanical pruning and soil organic amendment is a powerful tool for increasing productivity, but it has some effects on grape composition.Significance and impact of study: The reduction in some fruit composition variables showed that, while mechanical pruning does not significantly affect grape composition, the choice of type and amount of organic amendment will depend on the destination of the grapes.
Reproductive biology of the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean

Abstract There are limited data regarding the reproductive biology of the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) in Ecuadorian waters, which limits the development of appropriate management measures of its populations. A total of 1664 S. lewini specimens were recorded in Manta, Ecuador in 2003–2009. Specimens were caught by local commercial fisheries and measured between 50–310 cm total length (TL). Females were more frequently caught, with a sex ratio of 1M:1.8F. The median size at maturity was 178.1 cm TL for males and 219.4 cm TL for females, which was larger compared with other localities. Gravid females, which measured 246–298 cm TL, contained 16–22 embryos. Embryos, which were observed from October–July, measured between 11.1–54.6 cm TL and the available data agreed with a gestation period of 10–11 months that starts in September and ends in June/July. Size at birth was 47–55 cm TL. Sampling data indicated that most fishing activity occurred in nearshore and around seamounts in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean, with much of the landed catch comprising immature individuals. This study documents the reproductive biology of S. lewini in the central-eastern Pacific Ocean and provides additional information to improve management and conservation measures for this species.
What does corporate social advocacy signal? Evidence from boycott participation decisions

This paper explores how a firm's public stand on a social-political issue can be a salient signal of the firm's values, identity and reputation. In particular, it investigates how boycott participation–conceptualized as a cue of a corporation's stand on important social-political issues–may affect the stock market valuation of that corporation, as well as how corporations legitimise their stand on the issues. ,The authors employ a mixed-methods design that uses both qualitative techniques (content analysis) and quantitative methods (event study methodology) to examine a sample of US firms who participated in a boycott campaign that sought to call attention to issues of hate speech, misinformation and discriminatory content on social media platform Facebook. ,Findings from the qualitative content analysis of company statements show that firms legitimise their stand on, and participation in, the boycott by expressing altruistic values and suggesting to stakeholders that their stand aligns not only with organizational values/convictions but also with the greater social good. Importantly, the event study results show that firms who publicly announced their intention to participate in the boycott, on average, earn a statistically significant positive abnormal stock return of 2.68% in the four days immediately after their announcements. ,Findings relate to a specific case of a boycott campaign. Also, the sample size is limited and restricted to US stocks. The signalling value of corporate social advocacy actions may vary across countries due to institutional and cultural differences. Market reaction may also be different for issues that are more charged than the ones examined in this study. Therefore, future research might investigate other markets, use larger sample sizes and consider a broader range of social-political issues. ,The presence of significant stock price changes for firms that publicly announced their decision to side with activists on the issue of hate propaganda and misinformation offers potentially valuable insights on the timing of trades for investors and arbitrageurs. Insights from the study also provide a practical resource that can be used to inform organizations' decision-making about such issues. ,Taking the lead to push on social-political issues, such as hate propaganda, discrimination, among others, and communicating their stands in a way that speaks to their values and identity, could be rewarding for companies. ,This study provides novel evidence on the impact that corporate stances on important social-political issues can have on stock market valuation of firms and therefore extends the existing related research which until now has focused on the impact on consumer purchasing intent and brand loyalty.
Testing Biodegradable Films as Alternatives to Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhancing the Yield and Economic Benefits of Processed Tomato in Xinjiang Region

The extensive application of plastic-film mulching (PFM) has brought a series of environmental pollution due to the lack of awareness of plastic-film rational use and absence of plastic residues recycling in China. In addition, the use of degradable film instead of common polyethylene plastic film (PE film) can effectively alleviate this situation. The substitution of PE film with biodegradable film in the agricultural production of processed tomato in Xinjiang region was investigated in this study. Using bare soil as the control, we compared the effects of PE film and biodegradable film mulching on crop growth, yield, and economic benefits in processed tomato. The results indicated that: (1) Biodegradable film with a thickness of about 8 μm can meet the mechanical operation requirements, and the effect of biodegradable film mulching was completely consistent with that of PE film; (2) Four kinds of biodegradable film can meet the requirements of processed tomato growth and development, although slightly different from PE film in increasing temperature and water retention; (3) Plastic-film planting can ensure a net profit of 1.14–1.64 ten thousand CNY per hectare under the current production conditions and mode of Xinjiang region, and biodegradable film planting was observed to be essentially equal to those of PE film; (4) Nearly 50%–70% of the biodegradable film was ruptured and degraded during processed tomato harvesting, which avoided the occurrence of the winch of the plastic-film winding harvester and improves the efficiency and commodity rate of the processed tomato harvest operation. As the biodegradable film mulching causes no residual pollution, it is accepted to be an alternative to plastic-film mulching for agricultural applications and supports the sustainable development of agroecosystems in Xinjiang region.
POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BRADYKININ 2 RECEPTOR GENOTYPING IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Bradykinin (BK), a vasoactive peptide, is considered to exert the renoprotective and cardioprotective effects. Furthermore, most of its effects are mediated by the activation of BK type 2 receptor (B2R), whose level of expression is influenced by insertion/deletion (+9/-9) gene polymorphism. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of B2R +9/-9 gene polymorphism on kidney function and blood pressure in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) within the first post-transplantation year. Secondary, the study analyzed the correlation between hypertensive status and graft function, with respect to the B2R +9/-9 gene polymorphism. The pharmacogenetic study included 95 KTRs with clinical and biochemical parameters evaluated in three time-points (3, 6, 12 month). The graft function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), while systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MAP) were used as parameters for the evaluation of blood pressure control. The carriers of -9/-9 genotype had more stable graft function compared to both, heterozygotes and homozygous for +9 allele, not only in the early (up to 6 months) but as well in the late post-transplantation period (beyond 6 months). Also, the -9/-9 genotype carriers showed a tendency to significantly decrease MAP, SBP, and DBP in the observed period, whereby only in this patient group the significant association between hypertensive status and graft function was demonstrated. In conclusion, genotyping of B2R +9/-9 gene polymorphism alongside with biochemical and clinical parameters may identify patients with respect to the risk of more prompt decline of graft function. Acta Medica Medianae 2021;60(1):19-27.