Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Variability in the Growth of Danthonia caespitosa Gaud. Populations at Different Temperatures

Five populations of the indigenous perennial grass Danthonia caespitosa Gaud. were selected from widely separated sites along a north-south transect in south-eastern Australia. The sites, spanning the latitudinal range (31° to 42° S.) for the species, extended from a hot semiarid environment in the north to a cool and moist temperate environment in the south. Two experiments, to assess the extent of intraspecific variability in response to different tempera- ture regimes, were conducted in naturally lit temperature-controlled glasshouses in the Ceres phyto- tron. All populations had a similar temperature optimum for growth of between 20.7 and 267°C (mean daily temperature), typical for temperate species. Rates of tillering, rates of leaf appearance, and leaf blade lengths and widths differed among populations and showed considerable phenotypic plasticity with respect to temperature. At all temperatures the growth rate of populations generally declined with increasing latitude of origin. A detailed analysis of growth rates showed that differences between populations in final weight could largely be accounted for by variability in mean relative growth rates. Northern populations in general had a higher net assimilation rate and leaf weight ratio than southern populations. The adaptive significance of these physiological and morphological differences between populations is discussed in relation to habitat characteristics and the distributional range of the species. It is concluded that along the latitudinal and climatic gradient there has been no significant change in temperature optima for growth but there has been natural selection resulting in higher growth rates of northern populations.
Determination of Boza's Organic Acid Composition as it is Affected by Raw Material and Fermentation

In the current study boza, a low-alcohol-content beverage, is produced from rice, maize, millet and wheat flours by spontaneous fermentation at 24 ± 1°C for 24 h. During the fermentation and storage period, changes in total titritable acidity, pH, alcohol and organic acid profiles, and sensory properties were determined. The major organic acids were found as oxalic, lactic, pyruvic, and acetic acids. Even though the ratings of sensory parameters were not within wide limits, they were significantly affected by storage time. Maize boza scored higher due to the similarity in its colour and flavour to that sold in the market.
Worked Example Videos for Blended Learning in Undergraduate Engineering

Blended learning is becoming increasingly prevalent in engineering education due to its flexibility and enhanced learning outcomes, however it can face challenges in maintaining student engagement and satisfaction. This study investigates the impact of worked example videos (WEVs) as a blended learning approach within undergraduate engineering, addressing a gap in the literature around their impact as a self-directed study tool in large semester-long courses. WEVs were evaluated using a mixed methods approach incorporating viewership data and surveys. Approximately 90% of students used active learning when interacting with the WEVs, with many taking advantage of video controls to tailor and self-pace their learning. Students agreed WEVs improved their content knowledge and perceived this would improve their grades. Thus WEVs are capable of empowering learning and enabling deeper content engagement, making them a highly effective approach for embedding blended learning in the undergraduate engineering context.
Morphological characterization of lineages within the calcified tropical seaweed genus Halimeda (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta)

Halimeda Lamouroux constitutes a genus of calcified and segmented green seaweeds within the Bryopsidales. Molecular phylogenetic assessments have uncovered five principal monophyletic lineages within the genus. In the present study we define these lineages morphologically. We gathered morphological data from specimens used in the molecular analyses as well as from collections having a similar morphology and originating from the same geographical region. Starting from the lineages and their morphological synapomorphies, we define and illustrate five natural sections within Halimeda. All or most medullary siphons traversing the nodes between segments fuse into a single unit in specimens of lineage 1 (section Rhipsalis), and segments at the thallus base fuse with one another. Medullary siphons of specimens in lineage 2 (section Micronesicae) traverse the node without fusing. Medullary siphons of specimens in lineage 3 (section Halimeda) divide frequently below the nodes and become entangled among one another. The segments of specimens in this lineage possess a continuous uncorticated band along the distal perimeter instead of three or more pits as encountered in segments of specimens in all other lineages. Members of lineage 4 (section Pseudo-opuntia) possess club-shaped subperipheral utricles in their cortical region. Medullary siphons of specimens in lineage 5 (section Opuntia) fuse over only a short distance at the nodes and retain their identity. Apart from these synapomorphies, the lineages can be delimited further by a characteristic combination of symplesiomorphies and homoplasies. In addition we examined the morphology of H. bikinensis Taylor, a species not included in the molecular analyses, and discuss its ambiguous position in our sectional system.
Bait shyness in possums induced by sublethal doses of cyanide paste bait

Cyanide paste covered in a flour-based lure is commonly used to control populations of the Australian brushtail possum, New Zealand's foremost vertebrate pest. When possums were given sublethal amounts of a standard paste bait, most ate it initially, but 75% refused it 7 days later, having become bait-shy. Most possums were able to discriminate between the toxic paste and the harmless flour-based lure. A less concentrated formof the paste was less effective in killing possums, in contrast toearlier data on the lethality of cyanide. A lower sublethal dose led to a weaker and less persistent bait shyness. Further refinement is therefore required to obtain the optimum concentration that balances reduced shyness and maximum kill. Surviving possums were offered cyanide paste again after 90 and 300 days and only 13 and 17% respectively succumbed, indicating a longlived shyness, as has previously been demonstrated after sublethal poisoning with 1080 baits. The shyness did not generalize towards 1080 paste or pellet baits, or cholecalciferol gel baits. Sustained control of possums is therefore unlikely to be achieved by repeated use of cyanide paste, but changing to other types of toxic bait should provide more effective long-term control.
Comparison of two barley yellow-dwarf viruses in glasshouse and field experiments.

Comparisons were made of the host ranges, interactions in infected plants, and effects on yields of cereals of two isolates of barley yellow-dwarf virus, one avirulent, RV, obtained from Rothamsted farm (Watson & Mulligan, 1956) and the other virulent, KV, obtained from Kent. They resembled each other and the American yellow-dwarf viruses in their ability to infect wild grasses but differences were found when the infection tests were made using inbred lines of the same grass species. KV infected one variety each of rice, rye and maize, and caused symptoms in each. When plants were first infected with RV and later, when symptoms had fully developed, with KV, they suffered the same loss of yield from KV as did plants infected for the same length of time with KV alone. Therefore plants infected with RV were not protected against infection with KV. Similarly, aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi L.), fed first on sources of RV and then on KV, transmitted mainly KV so there was no evidence of protection in the insect vectors. Effects on yield of cereals were related to the time of appearance and intensity of symptoms. The effect of RV was not only less than that of KV but was also more variable.
Los patelogastrópodos intermareales de Chile y Perú

En este estudio se entrega un sistema de clasificacion que refleja las relaciones de parentesco, inferidas a partir del analisis de la region 16S de ADN mitocondrial, de los patelogastropodos que habitan en la zona intermareal a lo largo de la costa rocosa de Chile y Peru. Ademas, se incluye el analisis comparativo de estos patelogastropodos en relacion con la estructura, la morfologia y los patrones de color de la concha, los dientes de la radula y la anatomia corporal. Adicionalmente, se entrega informacion respecto de la distribucion y ecologia para todos los miembros de este grupo. Los resultados muestran que la fauna Lottiidae de Chile y Peru consiste en al menos nueve especies de patelogastropodos intermareales. Esto es, ocho especies de patelogastropodos agrupadas dentro del clado monofiletico Scurria (S. variabilis, S. zebrina, S. viridula, S. plana, S. scurra, S. araucana, S. ceciliana y una especie no determinada) y un "taxon problematico" asignado preliminarmente dentro del genero Lottia (Lottia orbignyi). El grupo esta presente entre los 5o S y 54o S, registrandose en los niveles intermareales superior, medio e inferior, desde zonas expuestas a protegidas del oleaje. A nivel intraespecifico, los resultados nos permiten proponer la sinonimia de S. parasitica con S. variabilis, y de S. ceciliana con S. boehmita. Segun esto, S. variabilis presentaria al menos tres ecofenotipos: (1) en sustratos rocosos a lo largo de todo su rango geografico, (2) sobre las conchas de Fissurella crassa y F. limbata principalmente en Chile centro-sur y (3) sobre las placas del chiton Enoplochiton niger en el norte de Chile y sur del Peru. Por su parte, S. ceciliana es una especie de patelogastropodo que presenta un patron morfologico y de coloracion de la concha altamente variable. En general, la alta variabilidad del patron de color y morfologia de la concha situa a estos patelogastropodos entre los mas complejos y diversos del mundo. Mas aun, esta variabilidad y flexibilidad pueden ser responsables de las confusiones taxonomicas que han rodeado a este conjunto faunistico
‘Nabewa nabedayo!’: Foreign faculty members’ perceived need to learn the students’ L1

ABSTRACT This paper is part of an ongoing research project that examines translanguaging practice in predominantly monolingual social domains, and it reports on the views and practices of non-Japanese English teachers’ translanguaging in Japanese higher education. Fifteen faculty members from four universities were interviewed about their perspectives on translanguaging and their reasons for supporting or rejecting the practice. Additionally, the participants were asked about their views on the necessity of acquiring proficiency in the learners’ mother tongue (L1). A thematic analysis of the interview data indicated that translanguaging is prevalently and purposefully implemented for pedagogical and sociocultural purposes in and out of the classroom. Affective benefits were also identified that underline foreign teachers’ desire to establish close rapport with their students. All participants agreed on the necessity of foreign teachers being proficient in the students’ L1, including because proficiency increases cultural literacy. The lack of cultural literacy likely necessitates repeated requests for elaboration of culture-laden lexis such as ‘nabe’, to which frustrated students with limited proficiency could only counter, ‘Nabewa nabedayo! ’ [Nabe is nabe! ]. The findings suggest the need to develop theorised translanguaging pedagogies that can help teachers make strategic language choices for optimal learning outcomes.
Comparative Characteristics of Osteofixators in Treatment of Dogs with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common pathologies of the knee joint in dogs. It leads to greater knee flexion and subluxation of the tibia throughout the gait cycle, as well as to excessive internal rotation of the tibia during the standing phase. There are many works in domestic and foreign literature on the criteria for choosing the place of osteotomy and the angle of rotation of the osteotomized segment. However, information on the comparative assessment of fixation devices is not provided enough and there is no reliable information on the advantages and disadvantages of blocked compression and dynamic compression plates for osteofixation when performing rotary osteotomy. The process of remodeling of the proximal part of the tibia is completed in subgroup B2 by 45 days. In subgroup A2, in 50% of cases, and in subgroup B2 in 83.3% of cases, the 1st degree of lameness was noted 45 days after surgery. 60 days after surgery, no significant differences between the subgroups were found. The use of proximal tibia metaepiphysis in rotary osteotomy for dogs of medium and giant breeds of Synthes LCP clover leaf allows optimal osteofixation and stabilization of bone fragments, as well as reduction of rehabilitation time.
Acute Capsaicin Analog Supplementation Improves 400 M and 3000 M Running Time-Trial Performance.

Objectives Performance in running-based sport depends on the ability to perform repetitive high intensity muscle contractions. Previous studies have shown that capsaicin analog (CAP) (i.e. Capsiate) supplementation may improve this performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of CAP supplementation on short (400 m) and middle distance (3000 m) running time-trial performance, maximum heart rate (HR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods Twelve physically active men completed four randomized, double-blind trials: CAP condition (12 mg) or a placebo condition. Forty-five minutes after supplementation, the participants performed a 400- or 3000-meter running time trial. Time (in seconds) was recorded. HR was analyzed at rest and immediately post-exercise, and RPE was collected immediately after exercise. Results For both the 400 m time-trial (CAP = 66.4 + 4.2 sec vs Placebo = 67.1 + 4.8 sec, p = 0.046) and the 3000 m time-trial (CAP = 893.9 ± 46.8 sec vs Placebo = 915.2 ± 67.6 sec, p = 0.015), the time in seconds was significantly less in the CAP compared to placebo conditions. There were no statistically significant differences for HR and RPE in any condition. Conclusion In summary, acute CAP supplementation improved 400 m and 3000 m running time-trial performance in a distance-dependent way but without modifying the HR and RPE.
Online Teaching Skills and Competencies.

This paper sheds light on the skills and competencies required for teaching online courses in higher education. The paper started with an overview of the issues related to online learning and teaching. Reviewing and analyzing literature in this topic were performed to confine skills and competencies that instructors need to effectively teach in online learning environments. These skills and competencies are classified into six categories: (a) pedagogical skills, (b) content skills, (c) design skills, (d) technological skills, (e) management and institutional skills, and (f) social and communication skills.
Sex differences in flow cytometry–based platelet reactivity in stable outpatients suspected of myocardial ischemia

Antiplatelet therapy is the mainstay of secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Studies suggest that women do not obtain equal therapeutic benefit from antiplatelet therapy compared with men. The link between sex differences in platelet biology and response to antiplatelet therapies is unclear. We therefore investigated the role of sex differences in platelet reactivity in a cohort of outpatients with chest pain, in response to treatment with antiplatelet agents.
Notes On the Behavior of Euprymna Scolopes (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae)

18 individuals of the sepiolid Euprymna scolopes were collected in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii. They were observed in the laboratory for a brief period. They were found to be non-gregarious and primarily nocturnal. It was possible to study feeding and defensive behavior. The species seems to prefer shrimps as prey. It is often cryptic. Among the adaptations for crypsis are color changes to match backgrounds (substrates), sand burrowing, and the cementing of sand grains to the back of an individual itself. The grains presumably are held in place by adhesive secretions of the skin. The captive animals also produced patterns which were conspicuous rather than cryptic. They were highly visible, occasionally intricate, combinations of light and dark. Some of them were distinctive. A single copulation was peculiar in certain respects (the spatial positions of the performers), but reminiscent of true cuttlefishes of the genus Sepia in other respects (color displays of both male and female). The phylogenetic implications of these observations are far from clear. On the behavioral evidence, Euprymna could be either a squid-like cuttlefish or a cuttlefish-like squid. It does not show any particular resemblance to Idiosepius, another supposed relative of Sepia.
Physical Properties of Thermally Modified Juvenile and Mature Wood of Hevea brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae)

Exposing timber to temperatures approaching 200 °C causes thermal modification and changes its characteristics. This study evaluates the effect of various levels of thermal treatment on the physical properties of juvenile and mature wood from rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Boards taken from 53-year-old rubber trees were thermally modified at up to 220 °C. Thermal treatment caused decreases on the oven-dried density, equilibrium moisture content, and swellings on juvenile and mature woods of H. brasiliensis. Influence of thermal modification at 180200 °C in juvenile wood was lower than in mature wood, whereas the treatment at 220 °C caused a greater variation in properties of juvenile wood. The thermally modified wood is a suitable product for use in environments with high levels of relative humidity.
Genetic stability of microspore-derived doubled haploids of barley: a cytological, biochemical, and molecular study

Populations of doubled haploids were produced by culturing microspores from spring barley cv. Tweed, cv. Tyne, and cv. Natasha, on media containing either sucrose or maltose as the only carbohydrate. The populations were analysed for evidence of genetic instability at the karyotype, protein, and DNA levels. The results show very little evidence of induced genetic change. The level of instability is insignificant when compared with that which is observed following meiotic recombination. The stability of microspore-derived lines may be attributed to the embryogenic mode of regeneration, which occurs at a high frequency on a maltose-containing medium. The results are discussed in relation to the exploitation of doubled haploids in barley breeding.Key words: barley, microspore, doubled haploid, stability, karyotype, isozymes, restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Mass loss in breeding blue tits : the role of energetic stress

1. The hypothesis that mass reduction in breeding passerines results from energetic stress was evaluated using data on body mass changes in female blue tits Parus caeruleus. 2. In accordance with both the adaptive adjustment and the physiological stress hypotheses, females with experimentally enlarged broods lost more mass than females rearing reduced or control broods. However, the ability to allocate energy to self-maintenance (as measured by the regrowth rate of a tail feather removed during incubation) was negatively correlated with the amount of lost body mass. 3. In one of the study years, loss of body mass was more pronounced among small females, suggesting that larger females are better able to cope with poor food conditions during breeding. 4. In a poor-weather year, 30% of the females deserted their clutches, compared with 8% in a good year. Females that deserted their clutches before hatching were significantly lighter during incubation than non-deserters, indicating that good body condition is important for successful reproduction. 5. In one year young females lost more mass than older females and therefore the ability to maintain adequate body condition in the face of energetic stress appears to be age-dependent. 6. Taken together, these results suggest that mass loss in breeding blue tits is, to some degree, attributable to energetic stress, although we have not ruled out the possibility that flight cost reductions may help explain the phenomenon.
Electricity Consumption Forecast Model Using Household Income: Case Study in Tanzania

When considering the electrification of a particular region in developing country, the electricity consumption in that region must be estimated. In sub-Saharan Africa, which is one of the areas with the lowest electrification rates in the world, the villages of minority groups are scattered over a vast area of land, so electrification using distributed generators is being actively studied. Specifically, constructing a microgrid or introducing a solar system to each household is being considered. In this case, the electricity consumption of each area needs to be estimated, then a system with enough capacity could be introduced. In this study, we propose a household income electricity consumption model to estimate the electricity consumption of a specific area. We first estimate the electricity consumption of each household based on income and the electricity consumption of a specific area can be derived by adding up them in that area. Through a case study in Tanzania, electricity consumption derived using this model was compared with electricity consumption published by TANESCO, and the validity of the model was verified. We forecasted the electricity consumption in each region using the household income electricity consumption model, and the average forecast accuracy was 74%. The accuracy was 87% when the electricity consumption in Tanzania mainland was forecasted by adding the predicted values.
A sparsity preserving genetic algorithm for extracting diverse functional 3D designs from deep generative neural networks

Generative neural networks (GNNs) have successfully used human-created designs to generate novel 3D models that combine concepts from disparate known solutions, which is an important aspect of design exploration. GNNs automatically learn a parameterization (or latent space) of a design space, as opposed to alternative methods that manually define a parameterization. However, GNNs are typically not evaluated using an explicit notion of physical performance, which is a critical capability needed for design. This work bridges this gap by proposing a method to extract a set of functional designs from the latent space of a point cloud generating GNN, without sacrificing the aforementioned aspects of a GNN that are appealing for design exploration. We introduce a sparsity preserving cost function and initialization strategy for a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize over the latent space of a point cloud generating autoencoder GNN. We examine two test cases, an example of generating ellipsoid point clouds subject to a simple performance criterion and a more complex example of extracting 3D designs with a low coefficient of drag. Our experiments show that the modified GA results in a diverse set of functionally superior designs while maintaining similarity to human-generated designs in the training data set.