Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formulation and evaluation of hand sanitizer gel containing infused of binahong leaf (Anredera cordifolia) as antibacterial preparation

Hand sanitizer gel is one of the alternative methods for hand hygiene when soap and water are not available. Binahong leaf ( Anredera cordifolia ) is a natural herb that has phenolic, flavonoids, saponins, and the steroid-terpenoids compound, which is potentially used as the active ingredient in the hand sanitizer gel. The primary purpose of this research was to determine the antibacterial potential and physicochemical properties of a hand-sanitizer gel containing binahong leaves’ infusion against Staphylococcus aureus. The efficacy of this formulation was tested against a bacterial strain using the disc diffusion method and determined by measuring the inhibition zone of each preparation. The testing of physicochemical properties includes the organoleptic test, pH, viscosity, and gel spreadability. The physicochemical characteristics of the gel showed excellent properties for all formulas. The antibacterial test showed that hand sanitizer gel containing an infusion of binahong’s leaves has an inhibition zone (6.02 mm; 6.24 mm; 6.55 mm), almost close to a positive control (9.15 mm). In conclusion, the formulated hand sanitizer gel possesses the antibacterial potential to inhibit S. aureus .
Insights into the impacts of three current environmental problems on Amphibians

Abstract Global warming, light pollution and noise are common human-induced environmental problems that are escalating at a high rate. Their consequences on wildlife have mostly been overlooked, with the exception of a few species with respect to climate change. The problems often occur simultaneously and exert their negative effects together at the same time. In other words, their impacts are combined. Studies have never focused on more than one problem, and so, such combined effects have never been understood properly. The review addresses this lacuna in the case of amphibians, which are a highly vulnerable group. It divides the overall impacts of the problems into seven categories (behaviour, health, movement, distribution, phenology, development and reproductive success) and then assesses their combined impact through statistical analyses. It revealed that amphibian calling is the most vulnerable aspect to the combined impacts. This could provide important input for conservation of amphibians.
Send-receive communication asymmetry in brain networks: Inferring directionality of neural signalling from undirected structural connectomes

Caio Seguin1,∗ Adeel Razi, and Andrew Zalesky Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences, and Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom Department of Electronic Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia (Dated: March 10, 2019)
Review of infective dose, routes of transmission and outcome of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-COV-2: comparison with other respiratory viruses

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is pandemic. Prevention and control strategies require an improved understanding of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics. We did a rapid review of the literature on SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics with a focus on infective dose. We sought comparisons of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. We examined laboratory animal and human studies. The literature on infective dose, transmission and routes of exposure was limited specially in humans, and varying endpoints were used for measurement of infection. Despite variability in animal studies, there was some evidence that increased dose at exposure correlated with higher viral load clinically, and severe symptoms. Higher viral load measures did not reflect coronavirus disease 2019 severity. Aerosol transmission seemed to raise the risk of more severe respiratory complications in animals. An accurate quantitative estimate of the infective dose of SARS-CoV-2 in humans is not currently feasible and needs further research. Our review suggests that it is small, perhaps about 100 particles. Further work is also required on the relationship between routes of transmission, infective dose, co-infection and outcomes.
Effects of Alkalization on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Biologically Degummed Okra Bast and Corn Husk Fibers

ABSTRACT In this study, biologically degummed okra bast and corn husk fibers were subjected to alkalization processes. Alkalization treatments resulted in decrease of linear density of the biologically degummed fibers. Increment in alkali concentration resulted in an initial increase then a successive decrease in all tensile indicators: initial modulus, breaking tenacity and breaking elongation. 3 g/L NaOH-treated fibers showed the best tensile characteristics for both okra bast and corn husk fibers. The IR spectra analysis suggested elimination of extracellulosic materials upon alkaline treatment. The ranges for properties of the produced okra bast and corn husk fibers can be summarized in consecutive order as linear density of 9.7–12.3 and 20.0–24.3 tex; initial modulus between 1257-1897 and 156.4–354.6 cN/tex; breaking tenacity range in 28.0–46.8 and 6.37–15.2 cN/tex; and elongation in the range 2.0–2.5% and 8.7–19.9%. The properties of obtained okra bast fibers are found to be superior to corn husk fibers and comparable to that of conventional bast fibers.
Frequency‐Dependent P Wave Anisotropy Due to Wave‐Induced Fluid Flow and Elastic Scattering in a Fluid‐Saturated Porous Medium With Aligned Fractures

Seismic anisotropy is an important attribute for fracture detection and characterization. If fracture size is comparable to the wavelength or fluid diffusion length, the P wave anisotropy is frequency dependent. By solving the Biot's equations of dynamic poroelasticity and using the Foldy approximation, we investigate the frequency‐dependent P wave anisotropy in a fluid‐saturated porous rock with a set of aligned penny‐shaped fractures. This approach includes the effects of both wave‐induced fluid flow (WIFF) and elastic scattering on P wave anisotropy. The results show that the velocity and attenuation anisotropy in the WIFF and elastic scattering regimes have quite different features and are affected by various factors. In particular, the background permeability and fluid viscosity primarily affect the frequency‐dependent anisotropy caused by WIFF. The fracture geometry (radius and thickness) and fracture density have significant effects on both WIFF and elastic scattering‐induced frequency‐dependent anisotropy. The fluid bulk modulus also affects the frequency‐dependent anisotropy. With the vanishing fluid bulk modulus, the frequency dependency vanishes in the WIFF regime but is the largest in the elastic scattering regime. Predictions of the model agree with previous models in all known limiting cases. Comparison with experimental data shows that WIFF and elastic scattering are important causes for frequency‐dependent P wave anisotropy, and our model is capable to account for these effects.
Talking with the right-wing: Pernicious polarization in Brazil and the philosophy of Paulo Freire

The last decade has witnessed the development of pernicious polarization in Brazil, partly due to the emergence of right-wing organizations promoting a conservative, populist-nationalist and neoliberal agenda. Despite the attention that this process has received, the viewpoints of individuals who identify themselves as part of the right-wing have been overlooked. This article aims to address this gap, drawing on twenty-one semi-structured interviews with members of right-wing organization Movimento Brasil Livre. By analyzing the interviews through the philosophy of Paulo Freire, we show how these individuals propose a narrative of oppression that echoes in form but not substance Freire’s ideas of conscientization and liberation. We also suggest that a Freirean approach opens new ways to discuss and potentially unlock pernicious polarization, incorporating a significant distinction between sectarians and radicals, with the former unreceptive to criticism and discussion, and the latter defending their positions but open to dialogue and listening.
Genomic Analysis of Rotavirus Species A Isolated from Swine, Amazon Region, Brazil

Several viral agents can cause diarrhea in developing pigs, among which are rotaviruses (RVs). RVs are the leading cause of serious diarrhea dehydration in children and animals worldwide, including piglets in the preand postweaning stages (Lanata et al., 2013; Chang, Kim, Saif, 2012). RVs belong to the Reoviridae family, and possess a genome composed of approximately 18,500 bp, consisting of 11 double-stranded RNA segments inserted into the viral core, which encodes six structural proteins (VP1-VP4, VP6 and VP7) and six non-structural proteins (NSP1 -NSP5 / 6) (Vlasova, Amimo, Saif, 2017). RVs are classified into nine groups/species (RVA-RVI), and more recently a new species (RVJ) has been proposed based on the antigenic properties of the VP6 protein International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 11 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Soldiers to Scientists: Military Service, Gender, and STEM Degree Earning

The authors use 2014–2018 data from the American Community Survey to answer two questions: To what extent is military service associated with higher rates of earning a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field (vs. a non-STEM field)? To what extent is this relationship gendered? The findings suggest that military service is associated with higher odds of completing a STEM degree and that this association is particularly strong for female veterans. Comparison across multiple STEM definitions suggests that military service does not simply channel women into traditionally female-dominated STEM fields. Instead, the findings show the biggest boost for women earning degrees in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. The authors situate these findings in light of extant empirical and theoretical research on gender gaps in STEM and discuss implications for policy and research.
Antioxidant Assay of the Ethanolic Extract of Three Species of Rattan Fruits using DPPH Method

The bioactivity of some species of rattan fruit has been previously studied and it was found that it has potential antioxidant agents. This study was conducted to determine the antioxidant content in three species of edible rattan fruit, namely Calamus manan Miq. , Calamus ornatus Bl. and Calamus caesius Bl by using the DPPH method, whereby the test was carried out on the pericarp, flesh, and seeds of each fruit. The research findings revealed that phytochemical compounds, i.e. flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenoids are found almost in all parts of the fruit, while steroid is not found in any of the three species of the fruit. The antioxidant activity found in the fruit of C. caesius Bl is strong, meanwhile the antioxidant activity in the fruit of C. manan Miq only strong in its pericarp and seeds, but it is moderate in its flesh. The antioxidant activity found in the fruit of C. ornatus Bl. is strong in its pericarp and seeds, but it is moderate in its flesh. Therefore, these three species of rattan fruit are potential as antioxidant agents.
Correlational patterns of species diversity, swimming ability and ecological tolerance of non-marine ostracoda (Crustacea) with different reproductive modes in shallow water bodies of ağrı region (Turkey)

Abstract A total of 52 ostracod taxa (35 live spp. 17 subfossils) were collected from 70 shallow aquatic bodies with 11 different habitat types in Ağrı province (Turkey). Fabaeformiscandona acuminata is a new record for the Turkish ostracod fauna while 29 species were new for the province. Three types of habitats (stream, ditch and pond) contained the highest numbers of 24, 15, 11 species, respectively. Species were clustered into four main groups based on their distribution among habitats. Canonical Correspondence Analysis was able to explain 73.9% of the correlation between the 18 most frequently found species and five environmental variables. Water temperature and elevation were found to be the most effective factors on ostracods. Species with and without swimming setae tend to be found mostly in lentic and lotic habitats, respectively. Besides, species with swimming setae showed relatively higher ecological optimum and tolerance values for pH, electrical conductivity and water temperature than species without setae. The numbers of non-swimmer sexually reproducing species were twice the number of parthenogenetic species. Parthenogenetic species tend to have higher tolerance and optimum values for different environmental variables than sexual species. Results suggest a strong correlation among reproductive modes, swimming ability and ecological tolerances of the species.
Algal Diversity in Paramecium bursaria: Species Identification, Detection of Choricystis parasitica, and Assessment of the Interaction Specificity

The ‘green’ ciliate Paramecium bursaria lives in mutualistic symbiosis with green algae belonging to the species Chlorella variabilis or Micractinium conductrix. We analysed the diversity of algal endosymbionts and their P. bursaria hosts in nine strains from geographically diverse origins. Therefore, their phylogenies using different molecular markers were inferred. The green paramecia belong to different syngens of P. bursaria. The intracellular algae were assigned to Chl. variabilis, M. conductrix or, surprisingly, Choricystis parasitica. This usually free-living alga co-occurs with M. conductrix in the host’s cytoplasm. Addressing the potential status of Chor. parasitica as second additional endosymbiont, we determined if it is capable of symbiosis establishment and replication within a host cell. Symbiont-free P. bursaria were generated by cycloheximid treatment. Those aposymbiotic P. bursaria were used for experimental infections to investigate the symbiosis specificity not only between P. bursaria and Chor. parasitica but including also Chl. variabilis and M. conductrix. For each algae we observed the uptake and incorporation in individual perialgal vacuoles. These host-symbiont associations are stable since more than five months. Thus, Chor. parasitica and P. bursaria can form an intimate and long-term interaction. This study provides new insights into the diversity of P. bursaria algal symbionts.
Area and distance from mainland affect in different ways richness and phylogenetic diversity of snakes in Atlantic Forest coastal islands

Abstract Aim The Theory of Island Biogeography posits that ecological and evolutionary processes regulate species richness of isolated areas. We assessed the influences of an island area and distance from the mainland on species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic composition of snakes on coastal islands. Location Coastal islands of the megadiverse Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Methods We compiled the species composition of 17 coastal islands in southeastern Brazil. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were calculated for each island. Phylogenetic composition was measured using principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure. We then employed generalized linear models to test the influence of area and distance from the mainland on the diversity metrics. Results We found a prominent influence of area on species richness, whereas phylogenetic diversity was more affected by distance from the mainland. Snake clades were distinctly associated with area and distance. The Boidae family was associated with nearer and larger islands, whereas Elapidae was broadly distributed. Distance from the mainland was associated with the distribution of Dipsadidae, whereas Colubridae was influenced by both the area and distance. The Viperidae family attained higher values of phylogenetic diversity in smaller and more remote islands. Main conclusions This island system conserved a considerable piece of snake richness from southeastern Brazil, including island endemic species. Area and distance from the mainland were important drivers of snake diversity in the Atlantic Forest coastal islands. However, these predictors affected the different components of diversity in different ways. Phylogenetic composition analysis enables us to understand how basal nodes contributed to high levels of phylogenetic diversity on smaller and farther islands regardless of the decrease in species richness.
A Centrifuge Modelling and Finite Element Analysis of Laterally Loaded Single Piles in Sand with Focus on P–Y Curves

Centrifuge modelling and finite element analysis are powerful tools of research on the lateral pile/soil interaction. This paper aims at presenting the main results of experimental and numerical analysis of the pile response under monotonic lateral loading in sand. After description of the experimental devices, it focuses on the determination of the load-transfer P-Y curves for rigid and semi-rigid piles embedded in dry dense sand by using the experimental bending moment profiles obtained in centrifuge tests, as well as by a three-dimensional finite element models using ABAQUS Software. The elastic perfectly plastic Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model has been used to describe the soil response, and the surface-to-surface contact method of ABAQUS software has been used to take into account the nonlinear response at soil/pile interface. The analysis methodology has allowed to propose a hyperbolic function as a model to construct P-Y curves for rigid and semi-rigid piles embedded in dry dense sand, this model is governed by two main parameters, which are the initial subgrade reaction modulus, and the lateral soil resistance, the latter has been formulated in terms of Rankine’s passive earth pressure coefficient, the sand dry unit weight, and the pile diameter.
Alleviation of Cadmium Adverse Effects by Improving Nutrients Uptake in Bitter Gourd through Cadmium Tolerant Rhizobacteria

Cadmium is acute toxicity inducing heavy metal that significantly decreases the yield of crops. Due to high water solubility, it reaches the plant tissue and disturbs the uptake of macronutrients. Low uptake of nutrients in the presence of cadmium is a well-documented fact due to its antagonistic relationship with those nutrients, i.e., potassium. Furthermore, cadmium stressed plant produced a higher amount of endogenous stress ethylene, which induced negative effects on yield. However, inoculation of 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD), producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can catabolize this stress ethylene and immobilized heavy metals to mitigate cadmium adverse effects. We conducted a study to examine the influence of ACCD PGPR on nutrients uptake and yield of bitter gourd under cadmium toxicity. Cadmium tolerant PGPRs, i.e., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Agrobacterium fabrum were inoculated solely and in combination with recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers (RNPKF) applied under different concentration of soil cadmium (2 and 5 mg kg−1 soil). Results showed that A. fabrum with RNPKF showed significant positive response towards an increase in the number of bitter gourds per plant (34% and 68%), fruit length (19% and 29%), bitter gourd yield (26.5% and 21.1%), N (48% and 56%), and K (72% and 55%) concentration from the control at different concentrations of soil cadmium (2 and 5 mg kg−1 soil), respectively. In conclusion, we suggest that A. fabrum with RNPKF can more efficaciously enhance N, K, and yield of bitter gourd under cadmium toxicity.
Y‐chromosome haplotypes are associated with variation in size and age at maturity in male Chinook salmon

Variation in size and age at maturity is an important component of life history that is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. In salmonids, large size confers a direct reproductive advantage through increased fecundity and egg quality in females, while larger males gain a reproductive advantage by monopolizing access to females. In addition, variation in size and age at maturity in males can be associated with different reproductive strategies; younger smaller males may gain reproductive success by sneaking among mating pairs. In both sexes, there is a trade‐off between older age and increased reproductive success and increased risk of mortality by delaying reproduction. We identified four Y‐chromosome haplogroups that showed regional‐ and population‐specific variation in frequency using RADseq data for 21 populations of Alaska Chinook salmon. We then characterized the range‐wide distribution of these haplogroups using GT‐seq assays. These haplogroups exhibited associations with size at maturity in multiple populations, suggesting that lack of recombination between X and Y‐chromosomes has allowed Y‐chromosome haplogroups to capture different alleles that influence size at maturity. Ultimately, conservation of life history diversity in Chinook salmon may require conservation of Y‐chromosome haplotype diversity.
An Increase in Specific Discharge With Catchment Area Implies That Bedrock Infiltration Feeds Large Rather Than Small Mountain Headwater Streams

Mountains are a source of water for downstream areas; thus, it is important to understand the storage and discharge characteristics of steep mountain catchments. Nested catchment studies have indicated that the relation between catchment area and specific discharge during baseflow can represent mesoscale storage and discharge characteristics, but this is poorly understood. We found that baseflow‐specific discharge increased with catchment size in the headwater of the Arakawa River and identified the processes responsible for this spatial pattern. Synoptic discharge measurements obtained in catchment areas of 0.05 to 93.58 km2 showed that specific discharge increased more than threefold with increasing drainage area. Analyses of the spatial variation in precipitation, hydrographs from three continuous gauging stations, and isotopic tracers implied that in this catchment, considerable amounts of water infiltrated in bedrock on hillslopes and did not discharge into small streams, but instead fed surface flow into a larger downstream catchment. A review of previous nested studies demonstrated three spatial patterns for specific discharge: Specific discharge may increase or decrease with catchment area, or it may be independent of area. An increase in specific discharge with area was observed only in catchments with permeable bedrock, which implies that such an increase is a useful indicator of the importance of the bedrock flow path to mountain watershed storage. The pattern of relationships between catchment area and specific discharge can be used to assess the storage and discharge properties of mesoscale catchments when the processes driving each pattern have been clarified.