Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain optimization with additional study time: potential brain differences between high- and low-performance college students

This study investigates potential differences in brain function among high-, average-, and low-performance college students using electroencephalography (EEG). We hypothesize that the increased academic engagement of high-performance students will lead to discernible EEG variations due to the brain’s structural plasticity. 61 third-year college students from identical majors were divided into high-performance (n = 20), average-performance (n = 21), and low-performance (n = 20) groups based on their academic achievements. We conducted three EEG experiments: resting state, Sternberg working memory task, and Raven progressive matrix task. Comprehensive analyses of the EEG data from the three experiments focused on power spectral density (PSD) and functional connectivity, with coherence (COH) employed as our primary metric for the latter. The results showed that in all experiments, there were no differences in working memory ability and IQ scores among the groups, and there were no significant differences in the power spectral densities of the delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta, and gamma bands among the groups. Notably, on the Raven test, compared to their high-performing peers, low-performing students showed enhanced functional connectivity in the alpha 1 (8–9 Hz) band that connects the frontal and occipital lobes. We explored three potential explanations for this phenomenon: fatigue, anxiety, and greater cognitive effort required for problem-solving due to inefficient self-regulation and increased susceptibility to distraction. In essence, these insights not only deepen our understanding of the neural basis that anchors academic ability, but also hold promise in guiding interventions that address students’ diverse academic needs.
Reply to Discussion on ‘The sole of an ophiolite: the Ordovician Bay of Islands Complex, Newfoundland’ Journal, 170, 2013, pp. 715–722

Zagorevski & van Staal (2014) question our model (Dewey & Casey 2013) in which we invoked forearc suprasubduction zone (SSZ) spreading to form the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex (BOIC) as part of the Notre Dame arc of the Appalachian–Caledonian Orogen. We interpret the formation of the BOIC to have occurred by spreading proximal to a ridge–trench–trench (R–TR–TR) triple junction. Our model explains (1) the formation of the BOIC within 15–20 myr of obduction, (2) the associated subcretion of the metamorphic sole shortly after formation during subduction of the ocean lithosphere bordering Laurentia, (3) subsequent oblique ophiolite encroachment to the Laurentian passive margin above a west-facing subduction zone as part of the Notre Dame forearc–arc system, and (4) the final obduction with the high-angle palaeo-ridge geometry relative to the Laurentian margin, with the emplacement initiated in the Late Arenig (Dapingian) during the Taconic Orogeny. We respond to the statements and questions posed by Zagorevski and van Staal that contest our model, which we further clarify and develop. Zagorevski and van Staal conclude, mistakenly, that we stated that the formation of the c . 489–484 Ma BOIC was associated with ‘intra-oceanic subduction initiation’ by the conversion of a ‘ridge–transform boundary’ in the Early Ordovician. They imply that we proposed a typical mid-ocean ‘intra-oceanic’ spreading centre environment for the origin of the BOIC that is linked to subduction initiation on a transform. On the contrary, in our fig. 1, p. 716, we proposed that the BOIC formed by sea-floor spreading adjacent to a pre-existing older lithosphere (Karson & Dewey 1978; Casey & Dewey 1984; Cawood & Suhr 1992; Kurth-Velz et al . 2004), represented by the earlier Middle–Late Cambrian Coastal Complex (CC) and Lush’s Bight (LB) oceanic tract, that we interpret as SSZ forearc. The CC–LB …
Altered plasma metabolites and inflammatory networks in HIV-1 infected patients with different immunological responses after long-term antiretroviral therapy

Background Chronic metabolic changes relevant to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and in response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remain undetermined. Moreover, links between metabolic dysfunction caused by HIV and immunological inflammation in long-term treated individuals have been poorly studied. Methods Untargeted metabolomics and inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed in 47 HIV-infected individuals including 22 immunological responders (IRs) and 25 non-responders (INRs) before and after ART. The IRs and INRs were matched by age, gender, baseline viral load, and baseline CD4+T cell counts. Another 25 age-matched uninfected healthy individuals were also included as controls. Results Among the 770 plasma compounds detected in the current study, significant changes were identified in lipids, nucleotides, and biogenic amino acids between HIV-infected patients and healthy controls. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Random Forest (RF) model suggested that levels of selected metabolites could differentiate HIV-infected patients clearly from healthy controls. However, the metabolite profiles identified in our patients were similar, and only three metabolites, maltotetraose, N, N-dimethyl-5-aminovalerate, and decadienedioic acid (C10:2-DC), were different between IRs and INRs following long-term ART. The pathway enrichment analysis results revealed that disturbances in pyrimidine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and purine metabolism after HIV infection and these changes did not recover to normal levels in healthy controls even with suppressive ART. Correlation analysis of the metabolism-immune network indicated that interleukin (IL)-10, D-dimer, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and TNF-RII were positively correlated with most of the significantly changed lipid and amino acid metabolites but negatively correlated with metabolites in nucleotide metabolism. Conclusions Significant changes in many metabolites were observed in HIV-infected individuals before and after ART regardless of their immunological recovery status. The disturbed metabolic profiles of lipids and nucleotides in HIV infection did not recover to normal levels even after long-term ART. These changes are correlated with modified cytokines and biomarkers of chronic non-AIDS events, warranting tryout of interventions other than ART.
MEDIATING EFFECT OF MOTIVATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEAR OF FAILURE AND LEARNING OUTCOME OF GRADE 8 STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY

The study was conducted to determine the mediating effect of motivation on the relationship between fear of failure and learning outcome of Grade 8 students in Chemistry. It utilized the quantitative, non-experimental method, specifically the descriptive and correlational designs. The respondents were the 250 Grade 8 students in the five public secondary schools in Monkayo, Davao de Oro enrolled in S.Y. 2020-2021. A stratified random sampling technique was used to identify the respondents. Two sets of adapted survey questionnaires and a unified summative test in Chemistry were used as research instruments. The statistical tools used were mean, Pearson r, and Sobel z Test. Findings of the study showed that fear of failure is highly evident among students (M=3.51; DS=0.93). Students’ motivation is also highly evident (M=3.77; DS=0.71). However, the learning outcome in Chemistry is very low (M=35.59; DS=1076). Correlational analysis revealed that the relationship between fear of failure and learning outcome in Chemistry (r = 0.055; p = 0.383) and motivation and learning outcome (r = -0.031; p = 0.622) is not statistically significant. On the other hand, fear of failure and motivation (r = 0.306; p=0.000) has a weak, positive, and statistically significant relationship. Thus, mediation analysis was not performed in the study due to the failure of other variables to establish a relationship. Findings are indicative that Chemistry teachers may conduct a needs analysis to identify the least learned competencies of students in Chemistry. They may also develop diverse and well-rounded classroom or school activities that will address students’ fear of failure, and enhance their motivation towards learning Chemistry.
Integrating disciplines for petroleum system analysis – from seismic interpretation to stratigraphic and basin modelling

This special issue focuses on the integration of different disciplines, ranging from seismic sequence stratigraphy and seismic interpretation to stratigraphic and basin modelling. Integration has been a recurring topic for several decades in the industry, but it is a topic that requires constant attention to bring to new levels of maturity in the workplace. The question is why – especially since the industry has widely acknowledged that the integration of disciplines is vital. Looking at possible factors, integration is often difficult due to lack of knowledge of the other disciplines, a perennial need for well-documented examples, and obstacles to communication. With this special issue of Petroleum Geoscience , and the EAGE Research Workshop in September 2006 from which these articles derive, we are contributing to discipline integration by communicating results of real-life case studies. Improving communication and exchanging results generated by these different disciplines will enable us to achieve a better overall understanding of the geological setting in basins. For example, basin modellers are aware that their models can be improved by additional information, such as porosity values, lithology variation within formations (Hantschel 2006), fluid migration pathways (Ligtenberg & Thomsen 2003) and detailed structural data, available from application of sequence stratigraphy, stratigraphic modelling, interpretation and inversion of seismic data (Klarner et al . 2008). Similarly, sequence stratigraphers should be able to derive useful additional information from seismic data and could be assisted by information from stratigraphic and basin modelling. However, such integration of different methods is often hampered due to unstructured communication between the different disciplines involved and insufficient case studies to establish best practice. The current practice of building reservoir models often patches together separate models for the different data, which can lead to inconsistent results without truly balancing scales, resolution and coverage. For example, to achieve integration, what …
Tertiary education institutions in Africa: Cloudy with a chance of GISc education in some countries

The world is facing many global challenges: climate change, food security, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance after disasters, to name a few. For Africa with its many natural resources, fast increasing population and accelerating economic development, the need for spatial planning and management is vital. Geographic information science (GISc) knowledge and skills are required to facilitate this spatial planning and management, but does Africa have the required tertiary GISc education capacity? In this article, we present and analyse the results of a survey of just over 600 websites of African tertiary education institutions. We searched for modules and degree programmes in geographic information systems (GIS), GISc, surveying, geomatics and remote sensing. To our knowledge, a similar study has not been undertaken. The findings show a number of concerning trends on the continent. GISc is presented at very few tertiary education institutions, and where it is presented, it is often integrated as a module in a degree programme of a related discipline, such as environmental science or geology. There are degree programmes that specialise in GISc, surveying or geomatics, but we could not find any that specialise in remote sensing. The findings also show that the situation with GISc education at tertiary institutions in Africa is ‘cloudy’ because dysfunctional websites make it difficult to find information.
Canopy influences of five range plant species on the redistribution of chemical forms of iron in a calcareous soil

Iron (Fe) deficiency is common in calcareous soils of southern Iran. Chemical forms of Fe in a calcareous soil were studied in the beneath and the interspace soils of five common range plant species. Results showed that electrical conductivity (EC) and organic matter (OM) content was significantly higher in the soil beneath canopies as compared to interspace soil. The reverse was true for pH of the soil except in case of Salvia compressa. Among different forms of Fe, soluble and exchangeable Fe (SolEx-Fe) form was higher in the soil beneath canopy of all plant species as compared to interspaces. Similar results were recorded for Fe bound to organic materials (Om-Fe) but only in the case of Convolvulus argyracanthus, Echinops glanduloso-punctatus, and Centaurea intricata. In the soil beneath Convolvulus argyracanthus and Centaurea intricata canopies Fe bound to manganese (Mn) oxides (Mnox-Fe) was significantly higher but the amount of residual Fe (Res-Fe) was lower compared to the interspace soil. A reverse trend was, however, observed in the case of Teucrium polium, demonstrating differential distribution of Fe forms at the two locations. The summation of reactive Fe forms [SolEx-Fe, Fe bound to carbonates (Car-Fe), and Om-Fe] known as readily or potentially available Fe was higher in the soil under canopies than in interspace soils. It is assumed that the higher contents of OM and lower values of pH enhanced Fe availability in the soil under plant canopies in comparison with interspace soil.
Nuevo Material Postcraneano de Saurosuchus galilei Reig (Archosauria: Crurotarsi) del Triásico Superior del Centro-Oeste de Argentina

Abstract. NEW POSTCRANIAL MATERIAL OF SAUROSUCHUS GALILEI REIG (ARCHOSAURIA: CRUROTARSI) FROM THE LATE TRIASSIC OF CENTRAL-WESTERN ARGENTINA. Saurosuchus galilei Reig is a “rauisuchid” from the Ischigualasto Formation (late Carnian, Late Triassic) located in central-western Argentina. This paper is the first detailed description of the proatlas-atlas-axis complex of this taxon, of a complete and articulated vertebral column, and of both scapulae. Overall morphology of the proatlas-atlas-axis complex is similar to that of other “rauisuchids”. This complex and the post-axial cervical vertebrae show the typical traits of an animal with a short and strong neck. The cervical vertebrae are anteroposteriorly compressed and dorsoventrally elongated. Vertebral laminae, interlaminar depressions, and lateral depressions on the centra are present in the cervical and dorsal vertebrae, as in other “rauisuchids”. The presacral series bears ventrally keeled centra and large transversal expansions of the distal ends of the neural spines. The caudal series shows axially compressed centra with a longitudinal ventral groove. The scapulae are very robust and have a brief expansion and a slightly curved scapular blade. The remarkable diversity of “rauisuchids” in general, makes a detailed analysis necessary in order to approach morphofunctional and phylogenetic problems; this new material is expected to contribute towards the solution of these problems.
Wind erosion prediction over the Australian continent

Wind erosion is a complicated process influenced by weather patterns, soil conditions, and vegetation cover. In this work we present an integrated wind erosion assessment and prediction system which couples a wind erosion scheme with an atmospheric prediction model and a Geographic Information System database. The system is applied to the February 1996 dust storms over the Australian continent, and the predictions are in good agreement with meteorological records and satellite images. It is found that over the 1 week period from February 6 to 12, 1996, the total dust emission from the Australian continent was around 6 million tons. As demonstrated in this study, the system can be used to identify areas and periods under wind erosion threat and to identify the responsible environmental factors. For atmospheric studies the integrated system provides a possibility of quantifying the sources of dust particles which in turn play an important role in atmospheric radiative processes.
Prevalence of Reproductive Health Issues among US Female Law Enforcement Officers

Reproductive health is a considerable concern among US female law enforcement officers (LEOs). Miscarriage and preterm birth rates are significantly higher in women firefighters than published US averages. Since law enforcement and firefighting share occupational conditions and practices, adverse birth outcomes were hypothesized to be greater in female law enforcement officers (LEOs) than the US averages. Occupational hazards may place pregnant LEOs at a higher risk for complicated pregnancies and adverse birth outcomes. This study quantified pregnancy outcomes in female LEOs using a cross-sectional survey and compared them to US averages and large prospective studies. The participants (N = 162, 72.2% aged 31–49, 85.2% Caucasian) averaged 2.5 ± 1.4 pregnancies. Stress (59.1%) and shiftwork (59.8%) were the most common reported exposures. Miscarriage and preterm birth rates were 19.1% and 16.4%, respectively. Miscarriages were significantly greater among participants compared to prospective studies [χ2 (1, N = 911,971) = 20.51, p < 0.001]. Female LEOs of childbearing age should receive education about potential reproductive health hazards and take precautions against them. Moreover, policymakers, human resources, and healthcare providers should understand how law enforcement work might affect maternal health.
Late Jurassic Oceanic Crust and Upper Cretaceous Caribbean Plateau Picritic Basalts Exposed in the Duarte Igneous Complex, Hispaniola: A Discussion

Lapierre et al. (1999) have reported new chemical data on the composition of the Duarte complex and two Ar/Ar ages on amphiboles, from which they conclude that at least part of the Duarte complex is part of the Caribbean-Columbian-Cretaceous Igneous Province (CCCIP) of Kerr et al. (1997). They also conclude that emplacement of the central Hispaniolan ophiolite (CHO) took place in the Late Cretaceous. We would like to highlight some aspects of the regional geology at odds with Lapierre et al.’s conclusions and offer an alternative interpretation of their results. We argue that the age of the Duarte complex is Late Jurassic—or, at youngest, Early Cretaceous—and that Lapierre et al.’s 86–87-Ma ages are the result of the thermal effects associated with granitoid intrusion and do not represent primary igneous crystallization of the Duarte complex.
Caractéristiques structurales et écologiques des phytocénoses forestières de la forêt classée d’itchèdè (département du plateau, sud-est bénin)

Notre etude phytosociologique a ete menee dans la foret classee d’Itchede (6°59’-7°00’N et 2°37’-2°38’ E). Elle a pour objectif de mieux connaitre la foret pour un meilleur suivi de sa dynamique en vue d’asseoir a terme, une base fiable de son amenagement et de sa gestion durable. Nous avons utilise l’approche synusiale integree pour identifier et caracteriser les communautes vegetales. La topographie et les sols ont ete etudies a travers la mesure des pentes, l’appreciation de la texture tactile a travers des profils texturaux effectues sur 50 cm de profondeur, la description de profils pedologiques completee par des analyses d’echantillons de sol au laboratoire. L’etude des parametres dendrometriques et sylvicoles s’est faite a l’interieur de placettes circulaires couvrant chacune 0,0314 ha pour les plantations forestieres et 0,0615 ha pour la foret naturelle. Les resultats ont revele la presence de six phytocenoses dont quatre phytocenoses non pionnieres de sous-bois. Les caracteristiques dendrometriques des phytocenoses permettent de deduire que la foret naturelle d’Itchede est une formation secondaire assez degradee mais relativement riche en sujets de grands diametres en comparaison avec les autres forets du Benin. Mots-cles : phytosociologie synusiale, phytocenoses, stations forestieres, Itchede, Benin The main purpose of the phytosociological study in Itchede forest reserve (6°59’ to 7°00’ N and 2°37’ to 2°38’ E) was to contribute to the sustainable management of the forest. Phytosociological survey was done using the synusial approach. Soils and topography were studied through textural profiles appreciation in the first 50 cm of the soil, pedological profiles description and laboratory analysis. Dendrometric and sivicultural parameters were studied inside circular plots of 0.0314 ha for plantations and 0.0615 ha for natural forest. The study revealed the existence of six plant-communities including four non pioneer plant-communities were identified and described. Based on dendrometric parameters of the natural forest, we assume that Itchede forest reserve is a secondary degraded forest but somewhat rich in trees with high diameters in comparison with other natural forest in Benin.
Soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks along a seasonal wetland (dambo) transect in central Zimbabwe

Ecosystems of central and southern Africa are occupied by some of the largest seasonal wetlands commonly called dambos. Dambos are likely to store huge stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) because of their saturated conditions. However, most available literature report average SOC concentrations while ignoring pedological and hydrological variations. The objectives of the study were to quantify effects of catena position and hydrology on SOC and nitrogen stocks along a dambo transect in Chiota, Zimbabwe. Soil organic carbon stocks varied significantly with catena and were 7.3, 9.5, 30.4, 12.9 and 7.2 Mg ha−1 for upland, margin, middle slope (midslope), lower slope and bottom, respectively, for the 0–40 cm depth. Corresponding nitrogen stocks were 0.6, 0.8, 2.1, 1.1 and 0.7 Mg ha−1 for upland, margin, midslope, lower slope and bottom, respectively. The dry-season water table was 8, 1.5, 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5 m, whereas the wet-season water table was 6, 0.5, 0, 0 and 0.9 m below the surface for the upland, margin, midslope, lower slope and bottom, respectively. Biomass stand was highest in the midslope and least in the bottom. It was concluded that SOC and nitrogen stocks varied significantly with catena and this was attributed to differences in wetness.