Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivated behavior in intimate relationships: Comparing the predictive value of motivational variables

Motivational variables are considered fundamental factors influencing the occurrence of behavior. The current study compared different types of motivational variables (implicit and explicit motive dispositions, motivation as states and as aggregated person-level variables) in their ability to predict communal and agentic behavior reports in intimate relationships. 510 individuals completed measures of dispositional communion and agency motives and participated in a dyadic experience sampling study with five assessments per day across four weeks. They reported on their momentary communal and agentic motivation, as well as on their own and their partner’s behaviors. All examined types of motivational variables predicted certain behavior reports on the between-person or within-person level and had incremental effects beyond the other motivational variables in at least one motive domain. Directly replicating and conceptually extending prior research, the effects of motivational states and their aggregates were consistently found across behavioral outcomes, across self- and partner-reports and across the motive domains of communion and agency. Using the example of motivational states, the general value of assessing within-person variables for psychological phenomena in ESM-designs is discussed.
Novel childhood experience suggests eccentricity drives organization of human visual cortex

The functional organization of human high-level visual cortex, such as face and place-selective regions, is strikingly consistent across individuals. A fundamental, unanswered question in neuroscience is what dimensions of visual information constrain the development and topography of this shared brain organization? To answer this question, we scanned with fMRI a unique group of adults who, as children, engaged in extensive experience with a novel stimulus— Pokémon —that varied along critical dimensions (foveal bias, rectilinearity, size, animacy) from other ecological categories such as faces and places. We find that experienced adults not only demonstrate distinct and consistent distributed cortical responses to Pokémon, but their activations suggest that it is the experienced retinal eccentricity during childhood that predicts the locus of distributed responses to Pokémon in adulthood. These data advance our understanding about how childhood experience and functional constraints shape the functional organization of the human brain.
Oi! Sjå på den! – Funn av naturelement som utgangspunkt for utforskande naturfaglege samtalar mellom barn (5-6 år) og pedagogar

The study examines what characterizes situations that facilitate young children´s participation in exploratory scientific dialogues in outdoor education. By using action cameras mounted to the chest of three children (5-6 years) and two pedagogues during an outdoor session, recordings of 106 scientific dialogues are identified and analyzed in terms of categories describing the communicative project (the purpose) of the dialogues. These categories are: exploring, informing/presenting, and calling for attention. Children´s findings of nature elements initiated 60% of the scientific dialogues between children and pedagogues. Children´s utterances as “Look at this! ” are often starting points for these dialogues. It is showed how pedagogues can extend the dialogue by using follow-up questions and encouraging children in applying their senses when exploring their findings. The study also indicates that visiting an area that offers rich possibilities of experiences and findings of nature elements, could enhance the children´s participation in exploratory scientific dialogues.
Calcretes and travertines from the Palaeocene Itaboraí Basin as evidence of the early evolution of the Southeastern Brazil Continental Rift

The Itaboraí Basin, located in Rio de Janeiro state, is the smallest segment of the Southeastern Brazil Continental Rift, and the first to open, during the Palaeocene. Numerous studies focused on its fossiliferous content, but few systematically approached its depositional and diagenetic processes and products. A detailed description of the basal sedimentary deposits that remained after nearly fifty years of exploitation for cement production allowed an interpretation of the initial tectono‐sedimentary conditions responsible for the formation of the Basin. The macroscopic and petrographic description of outcrops and well core samples of the calcretes and travertines that correspond to the initial basin infill was integrated with stable isotope geochemistry. The calcretes were separated into different facies (powdery, nodular, massive, platy, laminated and brecciated), and classified according to morphogenetic stages. Their main microscopic features include nodules, contraction cracks, vadose pisoliths, rhizocretions, infiltrated clays, corroded grains, expanded micas and clay aggregates with bimasepic–plasmic microfabric. The travertines exhibit diverse forms of abiotic calcite crystal aggregates (plumose, lamellar to prismatic‐radial, spherulitic) and a minor proportion of microbial microcrystalline precipitates (bacterial shrubs). Tectonically active periods, characterized by intense fault movements associated with humid climate, promoted hydrothermal activity, formation of travertines and modification of the alluvial deposits and calcrete facies by ascending fluids. During periods of tectonic stability under arid to semi‐arid climate, the exposed alluvial and hydrothermal deposits were influenced by pedogenetic processes. Sulphide‐rich carbonate hydrothermal breccias occur in the main fault zone at the southern border. The characterization of extremely active pedogenetic and hydrothermal processes during opening and early evolution of the Itaboraí Basin is essential to the understanding of the initial evolution of the Southeastern Brazil Continental Rift. Additionally, some isotopic and petrographic similarities of the Itaboraí carbonates with the vast South Atlantic Aptian Pre‐Salt lacustrine deposits may offer an interesting contribution to the understanding of that important petroleum province.
ANN-based dynamic modulus models of asphalt mixtures with similar input variables as Hirsch and Witczak models

ABSTRACT Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and Gb*-based regression models were used for the prediction of the dynamic modulus (|E*|) of South Carolina’s hot mix asphalt mixtures (HMAs) the majority of which contained recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Models’ training and testing were done using a database that contained 1656 |E*| values from 93 HMA mixtures. Gb*-based models included the Hirsch, revised Hirsch, Bari-Witczak, revised Bari-Witczak, Al-Khateeb 1, Al-Khateeb 2, NCHRP 1-40D, and the simplified global models. The results showed that Gb*-based regression models had a significant bias in prediction; Coupling VMA and Gb* had the most influence on |E*|; four-layer ANNs generally had a better performance than three-layer ANNs on using Hirsch model’s related inputs; ANN 3-15-15-1 and ANN 8-15-15-1 (developed with similar input variables as the Hirsch and Witczak regression models respectively) showed very high performance of R 2 > 0.994 on testing. Therefore, ANNs could be considered to capture the influence of the binders’ rheological properties, mixture’s volumetric properties, and RAP on |E*| of HMA mixtures far better than regression-based models.
Review of Opportunities and Challenges of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services among Rural Farm Households in Nigeria during Pandemics

There is urgent need for increased institutional investment in ameliorating the adverse effects of pandemics among rural households. These effects are multi-faceted with governmental and other concerned agencies ignoring the socio-economic outcomes among rural households. The number of confirmed cases of Covid 19 patients in Nigeria rose from an index case on 27 th February to 30,476 by 10th July 2020. About 82 Million Nigerians live in poverty. With a score of 27.9, Nigeria is ranked 93 rd out of 117 countries on the 2019 Global Hunger Index. The objective of this review is Review Article Izuogu et al.; AJAHR, 6(3): 1-12, 2020; Article no.AJAHR. 59005 2 to access the opportunities and challenges of agricultural extension and advisory services among rural farm households in Nigeria during pandemics. Data for the study were sourced from the World Health Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization, National Centre for Disease Control and other scientific documents. The identified impact of pandemics among rural households included increase in vulnerability, shortage of farm labor and worsening healthcare system etc. Dissemination of information in real time, encouraging healthy agricultural production system, providing market linkage for rural farmers, and effective interface with government were the major opportunities for rural advisory services. Extension must overcome the challenges of low utilization of modern technology by rural households, increasing housing deficit and poor infrastructural development in rural communities. The review recommends that more efforts should be targeted at ensuring that while the extension system is provided with all they need for optimal provision of services; policymakers are to develop more interest for rural development.
Towards adipose tissue-derived stromal cells-based therapy for diabetic retinopathy

In this thesis, we investigated the impact of hyperglycemia on adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASC) as a prelude to their use in the future therapeutic treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Ultrastructure analyses of co-cultured ASC-endothelial cells featured the pericytic role of ASC in the maintenance of the vascular architecture under normal and high glucose conditions. The ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis partially influenced the pericytic functions of ASC. Injected ASC into an angiogenic mouse models, were detected at pericytic positions on newly formed vessels. Our recommendation is to preculturing of ASC under ‘chronic’ hyperglycemia, before injecting into a hyperglycemic environment to reduce their expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic genes. ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-Cme) delivered from ASC cultured in chronically HG, protected bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC) from hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis and inflammatory activation. This effect on BREC was evoked by the ROS-neutralizing capacity of ASC-Cme in culture that was associated with a reduced NF-κB activation which showed as a downmodulation of HG-upregulated pro-inflammatory genes in BREC. Towards using ASC for treatment of DR, we present a new hypothermic storing technique of cells in their own culture medium to well-maintain and transport the prepared cells to their clinical destination. The new pharmacologic compound, (6-hydroxyl-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl)(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl) methanone (SUL-109) shields ASC during cell preservation from hypothermic cell death without influencing their multi-potency capacity and proliferation through maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting the activation of mitochondrial complexes I and IV, consequently sustaining ATP production and preventing the overproduction of ROS under hypothermic conditions.
A not so undesirable status? Widowhood options and widows’ living conditions in post-emancipation rural Estonia

ABSTRACT Widowhood has been a strongly gendered experience, and elderly widows, in particular, have traditionally been seen as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. This article observes remarriage behaviour and widows’ living conditions in the Russian Baltic province of Livland in the post-emancipation era. Detailed findings are presented for one community in the parish of Paistu and two communities in the parish of Helme. The article combines cross-sectional and longitudinal population data with community court records. The article aims to show that if the economic situation of the widowed people improved in the post-emancipation era, older widows (>40) increasingly used possible alternatives to remarriage. The area of investigation was characterised by low propensity to remarry (less than 20%) and the likelihood of remarriage among the landless diminished over the course of the nineteenth century, but among landholding peasants, the decline became more pronounced in the second half of the century. The vast majority of the farmer widows and over half of the landless widows lived with their children, unmarried or married. The upkeep of the elderly was arranged through intergenerational cohabitation both among the farmers and the landless. Court records indicate that farmers’ widows were properly provided for and, if the children happened to be reluctant, the court compelled them to fulfil their legal obligations to their mother or stepmother. The average number of years spent in widowhood was 19 years and approximately 60% of all women widowed between 1834 and 1885 lived longer than 65 years.
How Should Performance Signals Affect Contracts?

The informativeness principle states that a contract should depend on informative signals. This paper studies how it should do so. Signals indicating that the output distribution has shifted to the left (e.g., weak industry performance) reduce the threshold for the manager to be paid; those indicating that output is a precise measure of effort (e.g., low volatility) decrease high thresholds and increase low thresholds. Surprisingly, “good” signals of performance need not reduce the threshold. Applying our model to performance-based vesting, we show that performance measures should affect the strike price, rather than the number of vesting options, contrary to practice.
The Response of Cupriavidus Metallidurans CH34 to Cadmium Involves a Decrease in Intracellular Levels of C-Di-GMP Probably Mediated by a Novel Metal Regulated Phosphodiesterase That Inhibits the Biofilm Lifestyle

Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal for biological systems. Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 is a model strain for heavy metal resistance and bioremediation. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the c-di-GMP pathway in the C. metallidurans CH34 response to cadmium in both planktonic and biofilm cells. Increasing cadmium concentrations correlates with an inhibition of biofilm formation and EPS production in C. metallidurans cells. Planktonic and biofilm cells showed similar tolerance to cadmium. During exposure to cadmium an acute decrease of c-di-GMP levels in planktonic and biofilm cells was observed. Transcription analysis by RT-qPCR showed that cadmium induced in planktonic cells and strongly induced in biofilm cells the expression of the urf2 gene and the mercuric reductase encoding merA gene, which belong to the Tn501/Tn21 mer operon. After exposure to cadmium the cadA gene involved in cadmium resistance was equally upregulated in both lifestyles. Bioinformatic analysis and null mutant complementation assays indicated that the protein encoded by the urf2 gene is a functional phosphodiesterase involved in the c-di-GMP metabolism. We propose to rename the urf2 gene as mrp gene for metal regulated phosphodiesterase. An increase of the second messenger c-di-GMP content by the heterologous expression of the constitutively active diguanylate cyclase PleD* correlated with an increase in biofilm formation and cadmium susceptibility. These results indicate that the response to cadmium in C. metallidurans CH34 involves a decrease in c-di-GMP content that inhibits the biofilm lifestyle.
Employability skills of real estate graduates in Nigeria: a skill gap analysis

The global shift in the traditional skills required of real estate graduates has led to an increased demand for employees who have the required skills and competencies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate employment considerations of real estate firms and analyse employers’ skill expectations and the observed skills possessed by the graduate employees. This study also analysed the self-assessed soft skill levels of the graduate employees, thereby establishing the skill gap. ,Data were sought from real estate employers in the two dominant real estate markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja, and real estate graduate employees who have had a minimum of six months working experience in real estate firms. Data collected were analysed using statistical techniques such as frequency, percentages, mean, correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, paired-samples t-test and independent samples t-test. ,The findings of this study revealed that employers’ soft skills expectations were high with skills such as responsibility, administrative, listening, communication, business negotiation and work ethics. Based on employers' observed skills, there were significant skill gaps with respect to soft skills such as responsibility, business negotiation, logical thinking, marketing and dispute resolution. An analysis of the core skills reveals employers' preference for technical competencies in valuation, agency, property management, marketing, report writing and landlord and tenant laws. However, graduate employees possessed significant skill gaps with regards to technical skills such as valuation, property investment analysis, feasibility and viability appraisal, market research methods and facility management. ,An understanding of the skill gaps will provide useful feedback to professional bodies, regulatory boards, institutions of higher learning, faculty members and other stakeholders regarding deficient skill areas, especially for curriculum review, development and training in the real estate sector. ,There is a paucity of information about employers' skill preferences and the skill gaps in the real estate sector.
The Effects of Milk Composition and Treatment on the Growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria. Piima koostise ja töötlemise mõju piimhappebakterite kasvule

87 KOKKUVÕTE . 88 CURRICULUM VITAE . 89 ELULOOKIRJELDUS . 91 PUBLICATION I . 93 PUBLICATION II . 103 PUBLICATION III . 111 PUBLICATION IV . 125
Interrelationship between cotton parameters and soil chemical properties in Central Brazil

Classical geostatistical techniques and Geostatistics are important tools to correlate, linearly and spatially, vegetal productivity with the soil properties. Spatial and Pearson correlations between the attributes of the cotton plant and the soil properties were used in Campo Novo do Parecis, State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in 2015 to determine the variability of plant productivity and soil chemical properties in the Savannah of Mato Grosso. A geostatistical grid was established for collection of data of the soil and plant, with 100 sampling points, in a plot with cotton crop. Soil was classified a Typic Tropustox. The variability expressed by the coefficient of variation was predominantly low to moderate for all soil chemical properties and productive variables of cotton. The absence of spatial dependence for soil chemical properties, except pH, indicated that spatial variations should be considered for soil sampling design. Kriging maps for the productive attributes of cotton showed that they have similar spatial distribution patterns in the crop. The productive attributes of the crop with direct relationship on the productivity of seed cotton were the number of reproductive branches and the boll mass, both linear and spatial.
The Impact of Curiosity on Teacher–Student Relationships

The goals of this study were (a) to assess the unique contributions of curiosity and demographics to the teacher–student relationship and (b) to identify the most common barriers teachers experience when attempting to build positive relationships with students. A sample of 518 public school teachers from across the United States completed an online survey. The results show that curiosity and grade level predict teacher–student relationships. Students’ negative behavior, time constraints, large class sizes, family issues, and truancy were among the most common barriers to positive teacher–student relationships. The discussion includes theoretical and practical implications for educators and school leaders.
ECONOMIC AND SCALE EFFICIENCY OF BROILER PRODUCTION IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA NIGERIA: A DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS APPROACH

This study examined economic and scale efficiency of broiler production in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 120 broiler farmers through a multistage sampling technique with the aid of structured questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Data were analysed through the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis and simple descriptive statistics. Result of the analysis revealed that the mean technical efficiency under the CRS and VRS were 0.83 and 0.88 respectively while about 3.33% and 14.17% achieved full technical efficiency under the CRS and VRS respectively. The mean allocative, economic and scale efficiency were 0.91, 0.76 and 0.94 respectively while 0.83%, 0.83% and 6.67% achieved full allocative , economic and scale efficiency respectively. The percentage of farmers that operated under the CRS, IRS and DRS were 6.67%, 85.83 and 7.5% respectively. We observed that all inputs were used above their cost minimizing quantities with feed being the highest (44.15%) followed by labour (28.98%) and then Day-old chicks (14.83%). The OLS regression results revealed that education and extension contact were negatively related to both technical and economic efficiency while household size and farming experience were positively related to them. We recommend that considerable efforts should be given to the recruitment of extension agents and training of farmers to improve their efficiency.
Current methods of non-invasive fetal heart rate surveillance

Introduction: As accurate fetal evaluation during labor is essential, there is a continuous need for better noninvasive ways of monitoring. Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is an essential tool towards effective fetal assessment during labor, with the invasive Intrapartum ST Segment Analyses (STAN) system an early favorite. There are very few non-invasive EFM devices worldwide, with only two having Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Methodology: This state of the science review focuses on the most recent available scientific data regarding the role of non-invasive EFM and its effect on perinatal outcomes. Results: The Monica AN24 system, FDA approved and comparable to an external Doppler CTG, is independent of maternal BMI. The Mind child Meridian monitor, the second EFM device with FDA approval, is comparable to STAN, but with up to 32 electrodes for improved accuracy it can be difficult for medical professionals to master. The Nemo System, new to the market, was found to be highly acceptable as a 24-hour monitoring device by pregnant women in a single inaugural pilot study. Discussion: Non-invasive monitoring technology is making progress but there are still issues with signal acquisition and quality that stem from the newfound mobility of the monitored pregnant women. The two FDA approved devices are promising with a few caveats and there are also new devices that aim to improve on the shortcomings of the leaders with promising advances in signal acquisition and processing via additional electrodes and setups.