Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Different Concentrations of Municipal Wastewater on Rice Seed Germination and Seedling Performance

— The major challenge faced by developing countries is to produce adequate food for their growing human population under the shortage of fresh water for agricultural activities. Laboratory experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design using sand medium with municipal wastewater and MR253 rice seed with the aim to evaluate effects of municipal wastewater (treated and untreated) at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100%) on seed germination and seedling performance. Significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between untreated and treated municipal wastewater for seedling length (SL), root volume (RV), seedling vigour index (SVI) and root: shoot ratio (R:S) while no difference were observed between untreated and treated municipal wastewater for germination percentage (GP) and the seedling phytotoxicity. The concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn were higher in the untreated municipal wastewater compare to treated municipal wastewater. Seeds imbibed with untreated municipal wastewater have high seed germination and seedling performance compare to treated municipal wastewater. Inhibitory effect on chlorophyll content was observed at concentration >50% of both untreated and treated municipal wastewater while promoting effects were observed at lower (<25%) concentrations. However, all the nutrient elements were negatively and highly correlated with quantity of different municipal wastewater concentration. The study showed that seeds imbibed with untreated municipal wastewater have high seed germination and seedling performance compare to treated municipal wastewater. Municipal wastewater of <50% concentration could be recommended as a good source of water and nutrients for rice seed germination without affecting seedling performance.
Recombination in Human B Cells DNA-PKcs Is Involved in Ig Class Switch

Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is one of the major DNA double-strand break repair pathways in mammalian cells and is required for both V(D)J recombination and class switch recombination (CSR), two Ig gene–diversiﬁcation processes occurring during B cell development. DNA-dependent protein kinase, catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is a component of the classical NHEJ machinery and has a critical function during V(D)J recombination. However, its role in CSR has been controversial. In this study, we examined the pattern of recombination junctions from in vivo–switched B cells from two DNA-PKcs–deﬁcient patients. One of them harbored mutations that did not affect DNA-PKcs kinase activity but caused impaired Artemis activation; the second patient had mutations resulting in diminished DNA-PKcs protein expression and kinase activity. These results were compared with those from DNA-PKcs–deﬁcient mouse B cells. A shift toward the microhomology-based alternative end-joining at the recombination junctions was observed in both human and mouse B cells, suggesting that the classical NHEJ pathway is impaired during CSR when DNA-PKcs is defective. Furthermore, cells from the second patient showed additional or more severe alterations in CSR and/or NHEJ, which may suggest that DNA-PKcs and/or its kinase activity have additional, Artemis-independent functions during these processes. The Journal of Immunology , 2015, 195: 000–000. wo types of somatic gene rearrangements occur during B cell development: V(D)J different repair patterns obtained from the cloned PCR products, derived from several independent experiments, were determined and used to estimate the actual frequency of rejoined plasmids with different repair patterns.
Reforming Performance Appraisal for Agile Software Development Projects

Changes in software development methods should lead to changes in an organization’s performance appraisal system. Several organizations, however, have adopted Agile software development methods without reforming their performance appraisal. Performance appraisal should be aligned to Agile values, principles, and practices, which advocate interactions, collaborations, teamwork, and knowledge transfer. Through a Grounded Theory study involving 48 Agile practitioners and external specialists, we discovered two major changes to performance appraisal for Agile teams: integrating individual and team performance assessment criteria, and shifting from quantitative to qualitative measurement of performance. Our findings indicate that reforming performance appraisal tends to influence successful expertise coordination in Agile teams. This study can be a baseline in generating an Agile-compliant performance appraisal to assess Agile team members in a fair and consistent manner. This indirectly increases motivation amongst team members and tends to produce capable workforce to perform at a higher level.
Reciprocal Role Of DNA Methylation And Sp1 Binding In Ki-67 Gene Transcription

Purpose: DNA methylation plays major regulatory roles in gene transcription. Our previous studies con ﬁ rmed that Ki-67 promoter is hypomethylated and Sp1 is a transcriptional activator of Ki-67 gene in cancer cells. However, whether Sp1-mediated transcriptional activation of Ki-67 is related to its methylation has not been studied yet. Materials and methods: In this study, we con ﬁ rmed that methylated CpG binding protein 2 (MBD2) binding to methylated DNA hindered the binding of Sp1 to Ki-67 promoter and then repressed Ki-67 transcription through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), ChIP, methylation-speci ﬁ c PCR (MS-PCR) and Western blot were utilized to analyze the effects of Sp1 binding to Ki-67 promoter on its methylation status. Less DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) bound to the Ki-67 promoter in MKN45 cells than in HK-2 cells. Histone acetyltransferase p300 that was recruited by Sp1 to Ki-67 promoter could attenuate the methylation level of Ki-67 promoter. Furthermore, higher expression of Sp1 and Ki-67 was related to the overall survival (OS), ﬁ rst progression (FP) and post-progression survival (PPS) in gastric cancer by scrutinizing bioinformatics datasets. Conclusion: Taken together, our ﬁ ndings suggested that hypomethylation of Ki-67 promoter enhanced the binding of Sp1, which in turn maintained hypomethylation of promoter, leading to increase Ki-67 expression in cancer cells. Sp1 and Ki-67 could act promising prognostic biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Efficient Parallel Solution of Linear Systems with Hyperbolic Rotations.

Abstract : An algorithm based on hyperbolic rotations is presented for the solution of linear systems of equations, Ax = b, with symmetric positive definite coefficient matrix A. Forward elimination and backsubstitution are replaced by matrix vector multiplications, rendering the method most amenable to implementation on a variety of parallel and vector machines. The stability behaviour compares favourably with that of the best, known methods. The method can be simplified and formulated without square roots if A is also Toeplitz; a corresponding systolic architecture (in very large scale integrated circuits) for the resulting recurrence equations is more efficient than previously proposed pipelined Toeplitz system solvers. The hardware count becomes independent of the matrix size if its inverse is banded.
A systems analysis and conceptual system dynamics model of the livestock-derived food system in South Africa: A tool for policy guidance (cid:3)

Global food production systems are currently under scrutiny, in particular the health, nutrition, and environmental impacts of livestock-derived food (LDF). Despite South Africa’s recent socioeconomic transformation and increased per-capita LDF consumption, the triple burden of malnutrition persists. Policy responses to such complex problems often fail because of linear thinking with short-term goals. However, a systems approach helps identify root causes, feedback mechanisms, potential unintended consequences, and opportunities for integrated, durable solutions. Participation in the systems-thinking process improves stakeholder understanding and buy-in. Our participatory workshop facilitated the development of a systems map for South African LDF, identifying key system elements, linkages, and nexus points. The latter included climate change, land access and management, livestock management and productivity, farming systems, food safety, policy articula-tion, agricultural knowledge, and income. Based on these findings, and an overview of related literature, we produced a conceptual system dynamics model of the LDF system. We identified key variables and causal relationships, vicious and virtuous loops, system archetypes, conceptual stock and flows, and links to Sustainable Development Goals. The LDF system is complex and dynamic, with a dominance of commercial enterprises across agriculture and food retail, presenting barriers for small and medium-scale individuals. Other key elements relate to population growth and urbanization, land access, deregulation of international trade, climate change vulnerability, feed production limitations, and food safety. Our work provides a unique reference for policymakers, identifying the need for deep structural change, highlighting the possible unintended consequences, and thereby mitigating the risk of system destabilization.
Kobe University Repository : Kernel タイトル Tit le Culture and cannabinoid receptor gene polymorphism interact to influence the percept ion of happiness 著者

Previous studies have shown that a cytosine (C) to thymine (T) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the human cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene is associated with positive emotional processing. C allele carriers are more sensitive to positive emotional stimuli including happiness. The effects of several gene polymorphisms related to sensitivity to emotional stimuli, such as that in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR), on emotional processing have been reported to differ among cultures–e.g., between those that are independent and interdependent. Thus, we postulated that the effects of the CNR1 genotype on happiness might differ among different cultures because the concept of happiness varies by culture. We recruited healthy male and female young adults in Japan, where favorable external circumstances determine the concept of happiness, and Canada, where the concept of happiness centers on positive inner feelings, and compared the effects of the CNR1 genotype on both subjective happiness levels (self-evaluation as being a happy person) and situation-specific happiness (happy feelings accompanying various positive events) by using a questionnaire. We found that the effect of CNR1 on subjective happiness was different between the Japanese and Canadian groups. The subjective happiness level was the highest in Japanese individuals with the CC genotype, whereas in Canadian participants, it was the highest in individuals with the TT genotype. Furthermore, the effects of CNR1 genotype on situation-specific happiness were also different between the groups. Happiness accompanied with being surrounded by happy people was the highest among Japanese individuals with the CC genotype, whereas among Canadian individuals, it was the highest in TT genotype carriers. These findings suggest that culture and CNR1 polymorphism interact to influence the perception of happiness. PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone. 0209552 December 21, 2018 1 / 17 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111
Modeling Online Shopping Behaviour During Covid-19 Using The Toe Framework

This Case Study explores the utilization of an online ordering platform run by Muller & Phipps Pakistan (M&P) during the COVID-19 lockdown. The company experienced a massive increase in online orders during the lockdown. The study explores the impact that organizational readiness (ORD), data and payment security (DPS), user satisfaction (USAT), user friendliness (UFR), and competition (COMP), have on the utilization of the online platform (UTIL). As in many other countries, the COVID-19 lockdown brought businesses in Pakistan to a complete halt, thereby putting pressure on people to resort to online purchases. Consequently, the app developed by M&P was widely used during the lockdown. This case study aims to determine the satisfaction levels of people who opted for online ordering. Data were obtained from an online survey delivered to customers who used the online ordering platform of M&P, and was used to determine their satisfaction levels. The study adopted the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework to assess the impact of organizational readiness (ORD), data and payment security (DPS), user satisfaction (USAT), user friendliness (UFR), and competition (COMP), on utilization of the online store (UTIL). It was observed that technological factors played the most significant role in the utilization of online shopping. User satisfaction, data and payment security, and user-friendliness were found to be the most important technological factors affecting satisfaction levels. © 2021,ABAC Journal.All Rights Reserved
Using Telemedicine to Increase Eye Care Screening & Referral for People with Diabetes

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. Millions of Americans are affected by the complications and premature morbidity and mortality rates associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). We deal with two of these complications, visual impairment and blindness from diabetic retinopathy, that imposes a significant, increasing burden on patients, providers, and the health care system. These burdens are predicted to approximately triple over the next few decades. A major issue is that many people with diabetic retinopathy do not seek eye care, even if they are covered by insurance, because the disease is often symptom free until vision is significantly compromised. At this late stage, visual impairment is more difficult and more expensive to manage and often the damage is irreversible. A possible solution to increasing screening for diabetic retinopathy is Digital Teleretinal Imaging. We review the literature on this technology and offer a screening approach using non-mydriatic Digital Teleretinal Imaging. We explore advantages and limitations of this strategy and discuss the role that state public health agencies can play in facilitating further research and implementation. We conclude that this technology offers significant patient, clinical, and public health benefits through mass public screenings. in
Testing statistical significance of large quasar groups with sheets model of large scale structure

We argue that the largest group of quasars (LQG) U1.27 discovered by Clowes et al. (2013) in the SDSS DR7 catalogue does not contradict the hypothesis of Poisson distribution of quasars. We found that random catalogues with the same shape and number of QSOs as the real sample may contain groups which resemble U1.27. By simulating quasar catalogues with embedded model of the large scale structure we also found that the size of LQGs selected by MST and similar methods does not correspond to the scale of homogeneity of the Universe and can be explained by the percolation process.
Control methods of Botrytis cinerea

: Botrytis cinerea, the agent of gray mold, are attacking more of 200 plant species and produce losses in postharvest products. Methods of control of this damaging fungus are reviewed in this article. Copper derived products are used and organic fungicide of few kind (boscalid, bezimidazole, carbendazim, propiconazole, and so on) as spray, some inorganic pesticide ZnO as nanoparticles. Organic natural derived substances produced by fungi Penicillium brasilianum Trichoderma, and bacteria Paenibacillus sp. , can be use against Botrytis. The most interesting idea is the use of antagonists (bacteria and fungi) in biological control.
Efficient Dynamic Capacity Management Approach for Guarantee SLAs in Clouds

- Recently, Cloud computing has created new dimensions for computing. The process of providing service – enabled connection is considered to be the most important function of clouds. This paper which we have carefully thought about, takes into consideration dynamic capacity planning for cloud systems. The objective is to dynamically accommodate computing capacity in order to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and, in addition, to minimize the total costs incurred in the cloud services. In this paper, we propose an improvement of a capacity planning scheme to make sure that perfect performance targets of SLAs are always met. The scheme employs threshold-based techniques to guarantee that the SLAs are met and the run-up costs are created to operate on cloud environments and thus has to deal with these environments specific obstacles.
TITLE: Greater Number of Microglia in Telencephalic Proliferative Zones of Human and Non-Human Primate Compared to other Vertebrate Species

Microglial cells, the innate immune cells of the brain, are derived from yolk sac precursor cells, begin to colonize the telencephalon at the onset of cortical neurogenesis, and occupy specific layers including the telencephalic proliferative zones. Microglia are an intrinsic component of cortical germinal zones, establish extensive contacts with neural precursor cells (NPCs) and developing cortical vessels, and regulate the size of the NPC pool through mechanisms that include phagocytosis. Microglia exhibit notable differences in number and distribution in the prenatal neocortex between rat and Old World nonhuman primate telencephalon, suggesting that microglia exhibit distinct properties across vertebrate species. To begin addressing this subject we quantified the number of microglia and NPCs in proliferative zones of the fetal human, rhesus monkey, ferret, and rat, and the pre-hatch chick and turtle telencephalon. We show that the ratio of NPCs to microglia varies significantly across species. Few microglia populate the pre-hatch chick telencephalon, but the number of microglia approaches that of NPCs in fetal human and non-human primate telencephalon. These data demonstrate that microglia are in a position to perform similar functions in a number of vertebrate species, but more heavily colonize proliferative zones of fetal human and rhesus monkey telencephalon. vertebrate species in our sample. Taken together these findings establish basic fundamentals concerning microglial telencephalon, shed light on common functions of microglia across vertebrate species, and indicate that microglial colonization of the telencephalon occurred early in vertebrate evolution. Tbr2 + NPCs per microglia, rapidly so that E20 2/3 neurogenesis) the
Protein-Protein Interactions in the Complex between the Enhancer Binding Protein NIFA and the Sensor NIFL from Azotobacter vinelandii

The enhancer binding protein NIFA and the sensor protein NIFL from Azotobacter vinelandii comprise an atypical two-component regulatory system in which signal transduction occurs via complex formation between the two proteins rather than by the phosphotransfer mechanism, which is characteristic of orthodox systems. The inhibitory activity of NIFL towards NIFA is stimulated by ADP binding to the C-terminal domain of NIFL, which bears signiﬁcant homology to the histidine protein kinase transmitter domains. Adenosine nucleotides, particularly MgADP, also stimulate complex formation between NIFL and NIFA in vitro, allowing isolation of the complex by cochromatography. Using limited proteolysis of the puriﬁed proteins, we show here that changes in protease sensitivity of the Q linker regions of both NIFA and NIFL occurred when the complex was formed in the presence of MgADP. The N-terminal domain of NIFA adjacent to the Q linker was also protected by NIFL. Experiments with truncated versions of NIFA demonstrate that the central domain of NIFA is sufﬁcient to cause protection of the Q linker of NIFL, although in this case, stable protein complexes are not detectable by cochromatography.
University of Birmingham The rhetoric of the UK higher education Teaching Excellence Framework

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is an evaluation of teaching quality at UK universities. The aim of the TEF is to raise esteem for teaching in line with research and recognise teaching excellence. In 2017 all universities who took part in the TEF exercise were awarded ratings of gold, silver or bronze for teaching quality. These awards were based on a set of quantitative measures and a 15-page provider submission from each university to describe teaching at their institution. In this paper, we analyse the provider submissions that played a crucial role in universities’ TEF rating. We conducted a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of all of the provider statements (228 statements; 1,742,438 words) submitted by participating institutions in order to un-earth the discourse of the TEF. We found that the themes driving success in the TEF are (1) employment, (2) employability (3) student outcomes and (4) research. Recognising what discourse is rewarded in the TEF has important implications for the accepted discourse of teaching excellence in UK higher education. It is anticipated that, in future, university discourse around teaching quality will continue to be dominated by employability discourse (rather than discourse around, for instance, social goods, personal development or equity). co-creation, academic employment contracts, rewards and recognition, student input, extra-curricular concerns, digital connectivity, accessibility, mentoring schemes, geographical factors, employability programmes and careers support.
Prevalence and Predictors of Female Genital Cutting in Nigeria: an Analysis of 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Background: Reproductive health is one of the prerequisites for sustainable development and female genital cutting is an essential component of reproductive health. Female genital cutting has a cultural significance as it manifests the sexuality of women and their reproductive role in the society. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of female genital cutting in Nigeria. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis using the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Data on 84,320 respondents were extracted from 119,386 participants. This was based on respondents with complete data on outcome variable of interest. Chi-square test of statistical significance and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was used in the analysis and the level of statistical significance was determined by a p value of less than 0.05. Result: The mean age of the respondents was 36.5±8.0 years. A minor proportion of the respondents, 23.9% want the practice of female genital cutting to continue. The prevalence of female genital cutting was 37.5%. Traditional circumcisers performed the majority of circumcisions, 75.1% and majority 73.3% were done during infancy. The predictors of female genital cutting including being of older age group, educational attainment, and geo-political zone, place of residence, religion and wealth index of the respondents. Conclusion: The prevalence of female genital cutting in Nigeria is still high and majority of the procedure is performed by traditional circumcisers. There is the need for public education in discouraging the continued practice of female genital cutting and emphasis should be on the complications of the procedure and the perceived economic benefits. Education of the girl child is of immense importance in bringing the practice of female genital cutting to an end and should be encouraged.