Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regenerative—The New Sustainable?

Over time, sustainability paradigms have evolved from meeting human needs throughout time to improving human wellbeing and the viability of ecological systems. Regenerative sustainability (RS), the next wave of sustainability, includes and transcends these goals, aiming for thriving living systems in which whole-system health and wellbeing increase continually. A key difference between sustainability paradigms is the thinking underlying them, with regenerative sustainability based on a holistic worldview and paradigm, integrating recent understandings from science and practice, different ways of knowing, and inner and outer dimensions of sustainability necessary for systemic transformation. RS, practiced through regenerative development and design for over 50 years, aligns human consciousness and actions with living systems principles. When this alignment occurs, sustainable development goals are elevated to become regenerative development goals, with living systems principles and characteristics guiding the development of regenerative indicators and strategies made specific to a place through transformational co-creative processes. We should aim for regenerative sustainability because it offers holistic approaches based on how thriving living systems function, addresses the root causes of (un)sustainability, and is inherently more inspiring and motivational. Advancing regenerative sustainability will require fundamental shifts supported by more awareness and education, theoretical and practical development, leadership, empowering communities, and integrating spirituality.
‘Personality in its Natural Habitat’ Revisited: A Pooled, Multi–sample Examination of the Relationships between the Big Five Personality Traits and Daily Behaviour and Language Use

Past research using the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR), an observational ambulatory assessment method for the real–world measurement of daily behaviour, has identified several behavioural manifestations of the Big Five domains in a small college sample (N = 96). With the use of a larger and more diverse sample of pooled data from N = 462 participants from a total of four community samples who wore the EAR from 2 to 6 days, the primary purpose of the present study was to obtain more precise and generalizable effect estimates of the Big Five–behaviour relationships and to re–examine the degree to which these relationships are gender specific. In an extension of the original article, the secondary purpose of the present study was to examine if the Big Five–behaviour relationships differed across two facets of each Big Five domain. Overall, while several of the behavioural manifestations of the Big Five were generally consistent with the trait definitions (replicating some findings from the original article), we found little evidence of gender differences (not replicating a basic finding from the original article). Unique to the present study, the Big Five–behaviour relationships were not always comparable across the two facets of each Big Five domain. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Hyperglycemia-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

Glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction plays a fundamental role in the development of diabetic vascular complications and glycemic control (the foundation of diabetes care) provides limited protection against the cardiovascular complications. Therefore, iden- tification of novel drug targets and treatment approaches for diabetes complications represent a key direction of current pharmaceutical research. The “unifying theory” of hyperglycemia-induced endothelial cell injury organizes the events of cellular dysfunction in a linear cascade and identifies mitochondrial superoxide generation as the trig - gering event of the injury. Exposure to high glucose concentration for long periods or repeated glycemic swings may induce changes in metabolic substrate availability and lead to mitochondrial hyperpolarization. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential induce superoxide production by the electron transport chain and result in oxidative stress. Mitochondrial superoxide is also responsible for the induction of other sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cells, including advanced glycation end prod - ucts (AGEs) and the NADPH oxidase. Mitochondria also show morphological changes and impaired assembly of the respiratory complexes occurs, which results in cellular energy failure, cell senescence and vascular dysfunction. Current intervention strategies aim to inhibit the mitochondrial ROS production and novel therapeutic approaches are expected to provide valuable tools in diabetes therapy in the upcoming years.
Benzyl adenine is more effective than potassium silicate on decreasing the detrimental effects of heat stress in pepper (Capsicum annum cv. PS301)

ABSTRACT- Heat stress causes flower and fruit abscission in pepper. This study was conducted in the greenhouses of Isfahan University of Technology to evaluate the effect of foliar application of Benzyl adenine (BA) and potassium silicate (K2SiO3) under heat stress condition on bell pepper. Two factorial experiments based on completely randomized design with four concentrations of BA (0, 0.06, 0.6 and 6 ppm) and the second with two levels of K2SiO3 (0 and 5 Mm) both in two temperature treatments (25±2 (optimum) 35±2 (high temperature)) with six replicates were conducted. The results of the study indicated that the use of BA (especially 6 ppm) promoted growth parameters and increased proline, phenol and antioxidant content. Also, application of BA 6 ppm improved cell membrane stability assessed via decreasing electrolyte leakage (EL) and also reduced flower abscission in bell pepper. BA at 6 ppm increased plant height, shoot and root dry weight, proline and total phenol, root fresh weight, potassium (K) concentration and decreased flower abscission. Antioxidant content increased with heat stress in all BA levels. Results of the study indicated that fresh and dry weight of root and K concentration increased with 5 mM K2SiO3. Moreover, root fresh weight and K concentration and antioxidant content increased in 5 mM K2SiO3 under heat stress.
Marine phytoplankton in subtropical coastal waters showing lower thermal sensitivity than microzooplankton

Temperature sensitivity of plankton in terms of activation energy (Ea, eV) in the Arrhenius equation is critical for predicting how marine productivity and carbon export will respond to ocean warming. In this study, we quantified the temperature responses of phytoplankton growth rate and microzooplankton grazing rate by conducting short‐term temperature modulation experiments on natural communities at two subtropical sites with contrasting nutrient conditions. Our results showed that the activation energy of phytoplankton growth rate (Ea = 0.36 eV, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28–0.44 eV) at each station was less than that of microzooplankton grazing rate (Ea = 0.53 eV, 95% CI = 0.47–0.59 eV), indicating an increasing grazing pressure on phytoplankton under warming conditions. Although the difference is consistent with that reported in previous studies, it is very likely to arise from another reason, i.e., differential proximities of the optimal temperature (Topt in nonlinear temperature responses of rates) of phytoplankton and microzooplankton to the environmental temperature, as we found that the environmental temperature is closer to the optimal temperature of phytoplankton growth than to that of microzooplankton grazing in this subtropical environment. Our results suggest that nonlinear temperature responses of plankton should be considered when evaluating and predicting the effects of ocean warming on ecosystem productivity and food web dynamics, especially in subtropical and tropical waters.
A simple new approach to variable selection in regression, with application to genetic fine-mapping

We introduce a simple new approach to variable selection in linear regression, and to quantifying uncertainty in selected variables. The approach is based on a new model – the “Sum of Single Effects” (SuSiE) model – which comes from writing the sparse vector of regression coefficients as a sum of “single-effect” vectors, each with one non-zero element. We also introduce a corresponding new fitting procedure – Iterative Bayesian Step-wise Selection (IBSS) – which is a Bayesian analogue of traditional stepwise selection methods. IBSS shares the computational simplicity and speed of traditional stepwise methods, but instead of selecting a single variable at each step, IBSS computes a distribution on variables that captures uncertainty in which variable to select. We show that the IBSS algorithm computes a variational approximation to the posterior distribution under the SuSiE model. Further, this approximate posterior distribution naturally leads to a convenient, novel, way to summarize uncertainty in variable selection, and provides a Credible Set for each selected variable. Our methods are particularly well suited to settings where variables are highly correlated and true effects are very sparse, both of which are characteristics of genetic fine-mapping applications. We demonstrate through numerical experiments that our methods outperform existing methods for this task, and illustrate the methods by fine-mapping genetic variants that influence alternative splicing in human cell-lines. We also discuss both the potential and the challenges for applying these methods to generic variable selection problems.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Moshajia idiofora Siddiqi, 1982 (Dorylaimida: Qudsianematidae), with new insights into the phylogeny of the enigmatic Lordellonematinae

Seven populations of Moshajia idiofora, six from India and one from Japan, are characterised, including morphological description, morphometrics, LM and SEM observations, and molecular (18S rDNA gene sequence) analysis. These populations are compared to previous records of the species as well as its closest species. Two of these species, M. cultristyla and M. qasimi, are regarded as junior synonyms of M. idiofora. SEM pictures provide new details of the lip region form. Molecular data indicate that M. idiofora belongs to a morphologically heterogeneous clade whose components share the absence of a distinctly developed pars refringens vaginae and raise a serious doubt about the traditional position of Lordellonematinae representatives in the Dorylaimina system.
Structural Behavior of Large-Scale I-Beams with Combined Textile and CFRP Reinforcement

With the innovative composite material carbon-reinforced concrete, thin-walled, high-performance components can be realized. A combination of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars and non-metallic textile grids is advantageous as it exploits the full potential of the high-performance materials to reduce dead loads, increases durability, and extends lifespan. For new components with such mixed reinforcement, applicable design concepts and engineering rules are necessary to accurately determine the structural and deformation behavior. To validate models and detailing rules previously developed, three large carbon reinforced concrete I-beams were designed and tested to failure with a realistic line load. CFRP bars served as principal bending reinforcement, whereas shear and flange reinforcement consisted of textile grids. Results showed that existing models for bending using variation of strain distribution as well as non-linear finite-element analysis predicted the flexural behavior of structural components with mixed reinforcement in ultimate limit state (ULS) appropriately. Yet, calculation of shear capacity requires further studies to determine textile reinforcement contribution and estimate reduction for concrete strength in reinforced compression struts. For serviceability limit state (SLS), three methods for determination of deflection delivered good results. In future, a rethinking is required with regard to the ductility and robustness of CFRP-reinforced concrete components. In this respect, pronounced cracking as well as the large ultimate strain and deflection compensate for the lacking yield capacity of the reinforcement.
In vitro antibacterial potential of acetone leaf extract of Otostegia integrifolia Benth against human selected bacterial pathogens

Otostegia integrifolia Benth (O. integrifolia) is the endogenous medicinal plant of Ethiopia mostly used for the treatment of Stomach ache, tonsillitis, hypertension, malaria, ascariasis, and lung diseases. The current study was focused on phytochemical analysis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of O. integrifolia Benth leave extracts against selected human bacterial pathogen by the agar well diffusion and microtube broth dilution method. Plant leaves were extracted with less polar to high polar solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, and ethanol. Phytochemical investigation was carried out for the identification of secondary metabolites responsible for antibacterial activity. In vitro antibacterial potential of O.integrifolia Benth leaf organic extracts against human pathogenic gram-negative (E. coli, K. pneumonia, V. cholera) and positive bacteria (B.subtilis, E. faecalis, S.aureus) were assessed by agar well diffusion, and bacterial inhibitory concentration of effective plant extracts was determined by 96 well plate broth dilution assay. Among all the tested organic leaf extracts, the acetone leaf extract of O.integrifolia Benth exhibited a promising broad spectrum of in vitro antibacterial activity against all tested multiple drug-resistant bacteria pathogens with significant MIC values of K.pneumoniae (2.144µg/ml), V. cholera (2.025µg), B.substilis (2.604 µg), and S.aureus (3.028 µg), respectively. The significant antibacterial activity of acetone leaf extracts of O. integrifolia Benth was due to the existence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The current studies demonstrated that the broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of acetone leaf extracts of O.integrifolia Benth might be helpful for the isolation of novel potent antibacterial agents against infectious bacterial pathogens without any side effects.
The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Strategies, Opioids, and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) Among Patients Attending a Free Clinic

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of opioids and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among uninsured free clinic patients. A self-administered paper survey was collected to describe the use of opioids, complementary, and alternative medicine, and other pain relievers from 877 free clinic patients from January to April 2018. The US born English speakers are more likely to use CAM, nonprescription pain relievers, and prescription opioids, and to be more knowledgeable about opioids compared to non-US born English speakers and Spanish speakers. The main source of opioids for free clinic patients is a health care facility other than a free clinic as well as friends. Although nonprescription pain relievers are commonly used among free clinic patients, CAM is less common to use for pain control. More health education programs are needed to increase the knowledge of opioid risks among free clinic patients as well as other underserved population.
Spatial variability in the somatic growth of pikeperch
 Sander lucioperca
 , an invasive piscivorous fish

Introduced fishes can develop invasive populations that impact native species and ecosystems. Understanding the population ecology of introduced species in their extended ranges and how this compares to their native ranges is therefore important for informing their management. Here, the age and somatic growth rates of the piscivorous freshwater fish pikeperch Sander lucioperca were analysed across their invasive and native ranges to determine their spatial patterns and drivers. Analyses were initially completed in their invaded range in central and western England. Populations varied spatially in their growth rates; they were slowest for a population in a narrow and shallow canal, and fastest in a large, impounded lowland river. A meta-analysis of parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model then revealed that across their native and invasive ranges, their theoretical ultimate lengths (L∞) and growth coefficients (K) were significantly related to latitude, but not longitude. Their relationships with latitude were non-linear, with higher values of L∞ and lower values of K being evident towards their northerly and southerly range limits. Faster growth rates were evident in the middle of their range (45 to 55 °N), suggesting temperatures here were most optimal for growth, but were in a trade-off with reduced ultimate lengths. These spatial patterns suggest that whilst introduced S. lucioperca can colonise new waters across a wide area, the expression of their life history traits will vary spatially, with potential implications for how invasive populations establish and integrate into native fish communities.
Automatic Extraction of Open Water Using Imagery of Landsat Series

Open surface freshwater is an important resource for terrestrial ecosystems. However, climate change, seasonal precipitation cycling, and anthropogenic activities add high variability to its availability. Thus, timely and accurate mapping of open surface water is necessary. In this study, a methodology based on the concept of spatial autocorrelation was developed for automatic water extraction from Landsat series images using Taihu Lake in south-eastern China as an example. The results show that this method has great potential to extract continuous open surface water automatically, even when the water surface is covered by floating vegetation or algal blooms. The results also indicate that the second shortwave-infrared band (SWIR2) band performs best for water extraction when water is turbid or covered by surficial vegetation. Near-infrared band (NIR), first shortwave-infrared band (SWIR1), and SWIR2 have consistent extraction success when the water surface is not covered by vegetation. Low filter image processing greatly overestimated extracted water bodies, and cloud and image salt and pepper issues have a large impact on water extraction using the methods developed in this study.
Electricity awareness and consumer demand for information

With the envisioned growth in the residential electricity demand and increased share of intermittent renewables in the supply mix, consumers will need to be better informed about their electricity consumption and to play an active role in managing their electricity use. However, consumer inattention and lack of information are ubiquitous, especially in household energy-related settings. Thus, by using a novel survey and actual monthly electricity consumption data, this study set out to measure the level of awareness about electricity bills, prices, and costs among some Finnish households – as captured by the answers to six questions – and to investigate whether higher levels of ‘electricity awareness’ are associated with electricity savings. In addition, this study analyzes the willingness to receive extra information about energy consumption and savings and how it differs between ‘electricity aware’ and ‘electricity unaware’ respondents. The results indicate low levels of ‘electricity awareness’ among the respondents of the survey. Compared to the respondents with little knowledge about electricity bills, prices, and costs, the respondents with higher levels of ‘electricity awareness’ tend to consume less electricity. Higher levels of awareness about electricity use and consumption might “materialize” inconspicuous consumption patterns, as opposed to more general facts about the largely invisible environmental consequences of everyday practices. More than two-thirds of the total number of respondents would like to receive additional information about energy consumption and how to save energy. However, there exists a significant portion of ‘electricity unaware’ respondents who are not only unwilling to receive such information but are also unaware of their own knowledge deficits. To maximize the impact of any information strategy, decision-makers should attempt to engage with this type of consumer; by becoming more aware of their knowledge deficits, people might become more receptive to information that can benefit them.
Growth performance of Synodontis nigrita raised on different dietary crude protein levels

Synodontis nigrita is an important indigenous species with aquaculture potential. However, this is yet to be achieved due to scanty information on its nutrient requirements. This study investigated the effects of different dietary crude protein levels on growth performance and haematological parameters of S. nigrita. Six hundred S. nigrita (mean weight 10.14 ± 0.04g) were stocked at 50 fish per treatment in four treatments and replicated thrice in concrete tanks. Fish were fed varying levels of experimental diets: 30%, 35%, 40% and 45% crude protein levels. Growth parameters such as weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) and haematological parameters of the fish samples: haemoglobin concentration (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC) and white blood cell count (WBC) were determined after the feeding trial. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS), Version 11, 2001 and Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), Version 8, 2001. Duncan’s multiple rage test was used to compare the differences among means. The WG of fish fed 40% and 45% protein levels (5.73±0.06g and 6.37 ± 0.13g) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those fed 30% and 35% protein levels. The SGR of 40% (0.54) and 45% (0.59) protein levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) than fish fed 30% and 35% protein levels. The FCR of fish fed 45% protein level was lower (10.84) compared to other fish fed 30%, 35% and 40% protein levels. The PER of fish fed 30%,35%,40% and 45% protein levels were not significantly different. Haematological data of fish fed 40% and 45% protein levels, Hb(7.06±0.18 and 7.84±0.59g/dl) and RBC(2.68±0.28 and 2.93±0.04106/mm3) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in fish fed 30% and 35% protein levels. S. nigrita requires high dietary protein level for its successful aquaculture.
TECHNICAL, INFORMATION AND INNOVATION RISKS OF INDUSTRY 4.0 IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES – CASE OF SLOVAKIA AND POLAND

The implementation of Industry 4.0 concept brings many risks mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The objective of the study is a diagnosis and comparison of the perception of selected risk issues connected with Industry 4.0 implementation in Slovak and Polish SMEs, which have knowledge or experience with cluster cooperation. This category of SMEs is specific due to the fact, that not all of the SMEs have experience with cluster cooperation or know this form of doing business. For this purpose, the questionnaire survey of 787 respondents was conducted, focused on the risks of Industry 4.0 that are the most important for SMEs included in three categories: technical readiness, risks of innovation and risks of information. The statistical analysis of the survey results with the application of software STATISTICA and Social Science Statistics calculator leads to the conclusion that, except for the kind of risk of “New products and services”, all the observed risks are perceived as higher by Slovak SMEs than by Polish SMEs. The novelty of this research and its contribution to the body of knowledge lies in identification and evaluation of most important risks for specific group of SMEs related to Industry 4.0 implementation compared in two countries. The results of this research provide useful information for the practical fine-tuning of the policy aimed at transfer to Industry 4.0 in specific field – cluster cooperation, depending on the size of the enterprise.