Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation analysis of pathogenic Vibrio spp. and Pseudomonas spp. in Changhai mollusc farming waters using real-time PCR assay during 2011–2014

ABSTRACT Bacterial disease has caused high mortality of breeding molluscs from 2009 to 2011 in the Changhai area (Dalian, China). Vibrio spp. and Pseudomonas spp. have been detected as major pathogenic agents for aquatic animals in this area. In the present study, four virulence genes including vsm, toxR, aprX and carA were targeted to develop a real-time PCR assay for the quantitative detection of Vibrio splendidus, V. parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. putida, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the assays were verified by experimental samples, and the variation tendencies of pathogenic V. splendidus, V. parahaemolyticus, P. fluorescens and P. putida strains from June to September were also detected in mollusc farming waters during 2011–2014. The concentration of V. splendidus increased from June to July, reduced in August, and then increased again in September. The highest count of V. parahaemolyticus appeared in July, and then dramatically decreased from August to September. Conversely, the counts of P. fluorescens and P. putida remained at lower levels from June to August, and then dramatically peaked in September. All four pathogenic bacteria displayed similar fluctuation tendencies of count variation in each year, and their concentrations were found to have a correlation with the average annual temperature. The variation tendency of pathogenic bacteria with temperature suggested that temperature was one of the most important factors to regulate the bacterial growth in a farming area, which could further provide information for the early warning of disease outbreak by using a convenient real-time PCR assay.
Studies On Quality Status of Indigenous Upland Rice (Oryza Sativa)

One hundred indigenous upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm collections grown in randomized block design with three replications were studied for their physical and thermochemical quality traits. The study revealed a relatively greater genetic variability for phosphorus and protein content, water uptake and volume expansion, than for other characters. The heritable component of variation was relatively high in volume expansion, test weight, water uptake and L/B ratio. The heritability coupled with genetic advance was high for water uptake, L/B ratio, test weight, and volume expansion. Protein content showed negative correlation with most characters studied, except grain breadth and phosphorus content. Most of the cooking quality traits had positive correlation among themselves but showed significant or nonsignificant negative association with protein. Study of qualitative traits like husk and kernel colour showed a wide range of variability. Interestingly, red kernel types had relatively higher protein content as compared to the white kernel types. A few promising lines have been identified for exploitation in further upland rice breeding programme.
Assessment of relationship between farmer’s syndrome and neurotoxic symptoms in farming couples

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between farmer’s syndrome and neurotoxic symptoms in farming couples. The study was conducted on 348 farmers (174 couples) in Chungnam Province of South Korea. We obtained information on general and agricultural characteristics, farmer’s syndrome, and neurotoxic symptoms through face-to-face surveys from 2014 to 2019. The Korean version of the diagnostic standard scale was used for farmer’s syndrome, and the Swedish Q16 questionnaire was used for neurotoxic symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify neurotoxic symptoms affected by farmer’s syndrome. The prevalence of ‘positive’ neurotoxic symptoms was higher in wives (72.4%) than in husbands (56.9%). Compared with husbands with ‘negative and probable’ farmer’s syndrome (reference), husbands with ‘positive’ farmer’s syndrome were more likely to have ‘positive’ neurotoxic symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 5.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.01–14.30). Compared with wives with ‘negative and probable’ farmer’s syndrome (reference), wives with ‘positive’ farmer’s syndrome were more likely to have ‘positive’ neurotoxic symptoms (OR = 7.07, 95% CI = 2.58–19.38). Therefore, neurotoxic symptoms in both husbands and wives were significantly associated with farmer’s syndrome. However, wives had a higher risk of neurotoxic symptoms than husbands. The findings of this study might be useful as important data for establishing and training agricultural safety and health policy.
Economic Freedom of the World: 2007 Annual Report

American foreign policy has long been guided by the idea that freedom spreads from one country to others. According to this idea, introducing freedom to a repressed country ignites the spread of freedom throughout a region, infecting other countries. Conversely, lower levels of freedom (or higher levels of repression) in one country also infects others—spreading tyranny to a region. America’s recent intervention in Iraq is a good example. According to George W. Bush, one of the goals was “to spread freedom throughout the Middle East. ” 2 Bush and his supporters argue that “[a] new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom for other nations in the region . A liberated Iraq can show the power of freedom to transform that vital region, by bringing hope and progress into the lives of millions. ” 3 One need not look to leaders or events as recent as George W. Bush or the War on Terror, however, to see that
The Pursuit of Covid-19 Animal Models

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease instigated by a recently discovered coronavirus, the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) It has infected over 14 million people worldwide from all age groups This virus is conveyed through big droplets produced during coughing and sneezing by the infected individuals COVID-19 precipitates acute respiratory distress syndrome which leads to morbidity and mortality in severe cases To date, there is neither an established specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19, nor vaccine available Preventive measure of social distancing is deemed to be the most effective way to avoid the spread of the virus Scientists are currently in search of appropriate COVID-19 animal models for use in research works related to pathogenesis, potential drug treatments and vaccine development This review delivers a pithy overview of the currently available COVID-19 animal models published in the literatures © 2020 International Islamic University Malaysia
Private Retirement Savings in Germany: The Structure of Tax Incentives and Annuitization

The present paper studies the growth, welfare and efficiency consequences of the recent introduction of tax-favored retirement accounts in Germany in a general equilibrium overlapping generations model with idiosyncratic lifespan and labor income uncertainty. We focus on the implicit differential taxation of specific savings motives, the mandatory annuitization of benefits and the impact of special provisions for low-income households. The simulations indicate that the reform improves overall economic efficiency by about 0.6 percent of aggregate resources, but welfare decreases significantly for future generations. Finally, we show that special provisions could be very effective in raising the participation of low-income households despite their low budgetary cost. JEL Classification: H55, J26
Effects of vegetation structure and edge proximity on insect distribution in an arboreal Caatinga area in Brazil

Caatinga is a very important and neglected dry tropical forest biome of Brazil. Recent evidence indicates that anthropogenic threats to Caatinga have grown in recent years, and there are still gaps in the knowledge of how these effects alter biodiversity. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of vegetation structure and edge proximity on the distribution of bioindicator insects (galling insects and ants) in an arboreal Caatinga area under the influence of a monoculture in Brazil. We recorded a total of 10 species and 2,131 specimens of ants and 11 species and 29 individuals of galling insects. Species richness, abundance, and composition of galling insects and ants did not differ between edge and interior plots of the forest. Ant diversity was also not affected by the structural parameters of vegetation (plant abundance, vegetation cover, and vegetation height). On the other hand, the plant abundance positively influenced the richness and the abundance of galling insects in the plots. Our findings suggest that the distribution of ants and galling insects in Caatinga forest edge and interior environments did not differs likely due the opening of the canopy gives the arboreal Caatinga relatively homogeneous climatic characteristics throughout the forest. Already the structure of vegetation positively influences galling insects due to the high degree of dependence that endophagous life-form generates on these insects. Our results show that despite similar responses to the edge effect, ants and galling insects respond differently to vegetation structure, indicating that the structuring of these insect communities is guild-dependent.
CEO career experience and firm innovativeness: Considering the moderating effect of independent directors 總經理職業經驗對企業創新之影響:考量獨立董事 之調和效果

This study investigates the relationship between managerial attributes and firm innovativeness by examining the direct effect of CEO career variety, and the moderating effects of independent directors by building on the behavioral agency theory and motivation/cognition perspective. Using a sample of Taiwanese high-tech firms in the period 2002~2014, we found that the CEO career variety has a positive effect on firm innovativeness, and the positive moderating effect of board independence can be demonstrated only when independent directors have higher levels of shared expertise with their CEOs. These results reinforce the critical role of CEOs in driving innovation in the companies they lead and shed lights on the importance of the background commonality between CEOs and independent directors. 1 Corresponding author: Cheng-Yu Lee, Department of Industrial Management and Information, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, No.1, Nantai St., Yongkang Dist. , Tainan City 710, Taiwan, R.O. C. , Email: cylee@stust.edu. tw The authors are grateful to acknowledge financial supports from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan (MOST-104-2410-H-218-015-MY2), and the research funding from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (BMRPE20). 84 CEO career experience and firm innovativeness: Considering the moderating effect of independent directors
Pharmaceuticals and Dietary Supplements Extracted from Mare’s Milk

Mareâ€™s milk is similar to human breast milk and has valuable therapeutic properties. For this reason, Europeans are increasingly interested in discovering its benefits and how the chemical composition of horse milk differs from that of other species. This interest is reflected in the number of new farms selling mareâ€™s milk around the world as this milk is the most similar to human milk. Mareâ€™s milk is considered to be highly digestible, rich in essential nutrients and whey protein, which makes it very suitable as a substitute for bovine milk in paediatric diets. During the period of lactation, mammal's milk composition is subject to rapid changes in macro- and micro-elements, as well as in the quantity and quality of proteins, lipids and saccharides, being ideal food for infants. The primary use of mareâ€™s milk has been the rearing of foals, but recently, due to the similarity of its chemical composition to that of human milk, it has raised particular interest and some experiments have been done to apply it as a raw material for the preparation of special food products for human consumption. Mareâ€™s milk products are very common in Russia and Central Asia throughout Mongolia. In the 19 th century, some Russian scientists explored its therapeutic properties and then in 1859 they founded the first sanatorium where treatments with mareâ€™s milk could be made under medical control. Due to its potential health-promoting characteristics, in the Western countries, interest in mare's milk has lately increased. Â
Effects of Memorizing Al-Qur’an On Mathematical Reasoning

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of memorizing Al-Qur’an on the ability of mathematical reasoning. The population of this study was all students of grade IX of Al Fityan Gowa Integrated Islamic JunioR High School, Indonesia, totaling 93 people. The sampling technique used is saturated sampling. Data on mathematical reasoning ability was obtained from the results of tests on mathematical reasoning and the ability to memorize Al-Qur’an was taken from the final score of Tahfidz (memorization) Al-Qur’an subjects. Data were analyzed by simple linear regression. The result revealed that there was a significant relationship between memorizing Al-Qur’an and the ability of mathematical reasoning. The regression linear model was able to be built. The coefficient of regression is 1.231. The score indicated that every increase of one unit of memorizing Al-Qur’an will increase the ability of mathematical reasoning by 1,232 points. The coefficient of determination is 0.449 that indicated the ability of mathematical reasoning was influenced by the memorization Al-Qur’an by 20.2%.
Spatial Interaction Between Regions: Study of the East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Received: 21 June 2020 Accepted: 16 August 2020 City morphology can be formed due to interaction either spatially or the socio-economic community in it. This study aims to determine the classification of fast-growing and growing quadrant areas in East Kalimantan Province, the central growth region and the highest relationship between spatial interactions between the growth centers and the hinterland region. The type of this research is quantitative descriptive research because this research is presented with numbers during 2014-2018. Data used is based on secondary data obtained from the site of the Central Statistics Agency and other related agencies. The analytical tool used is the Klassen Typology and Gravity Index, then processed using Microsoft Excel. The results of the empirical study show that there is one area in East Kalimantan Province that is classified as Quadrant I (Fast Forward and Growing Area), namely East Kutai Regency, and there are dominant seven regions classified in Quadrant III (Rapid Developing Areas), and none occupy Quadrant I (Disadvantaged Region). The area is the center of growth in East Kalimantan Province, namely Berau Regency. Meanwhile, Samarinda City with the highest spatial interaction (attractiveness and potential) with a growth center in Kutai Kartanegara Regency (hierarchy I).
Viewing garden scenes: Interaction between Gaze Behavior and Physiological Responses

Previous research has shown that exposure to Japanese gardens reduces physiological measures of stress, e.g. heart rate, in both healthy subjects and dementia patients. However, the correlation between subjects’ physiological responses and their visual behavior while viewing the garden has not yet been investigated. To address this, we developed a system to collect simultaneous measurements of eye gaze and three physiological indicators of autonomic nervous system activity: electrocardiogram, blood volume pulse, and galvanic skin response. We recorded healthy subjects’ physiological/behavioral responses when they viewed two environments (an empty courtyard and a Japanese garden) in two ways (directly or as a projected 2D photograph). Similar to past work, we found that differences in subject’s physiological responses to the two environments when viewed directly, but not as a photograph. We also found differences in their behavioral responses. We quantified subject’s behavioral responses using several gaze metrics commonly considered to be measures of engagement of focus: average fixation duration, saccade amplitude, spatial entropy and gaze transition entropy. We found decrease in gaze transition entropy, the only metric that accounts for both the spatial and temporal properties of gaze, to have a weak positive correlation with decrease in heart rate. This suggests a relationship between engagement/focus and relaxation. Finally, we found gender differences: females’ gaze patterns were more spatially distributed and had higher transition entropy than males.
Finding my way through drawing: The evolution of a thesis

In this paper, I look back across my ‘river’ of research and reflect on the role and value of ‘process drawing’ in the evolution of my doctoral study, Back to the drawing board? I recall the many stepping-stones, or critical turning points along the way and reflect on the unique benefits that drawing provided me at different stages of the process. Via these steps, I discovered the benefits of ‘thinking about drawing and thinking through drawing’ (Garner, 2012, p. 16).
Carbon stock assessment of mangrove ecosystem in Totok Bay, southeast Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the blue carbon potential of mangrove ecosystem in Totok Bay waters, Southeast Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, using line transect method with 10 x 10 m quadrat placed seaward perpendicular to the shore. Preliminary survey observation found 3 species of mangrove, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia alba and Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Vegetation analysis was to determine the role of mangrove species using Important Value Index (IVI). IVI obtained was 147.47% for R. mucronata, 60.99% for A. alba, and 91.53% for B. gymnorhiza, respectively. Biomass measurements provided information on carbon stock. Data obtained was analyzed using allometric equation. Results showed that mean carbon stock of the mangrove biomass in Totok Bay was 17.1 kg MgC ha. Physical and chemical parameters analyses were also conducted as supporting data of carbon stock. Mean total carbon sink in mangrove sediment was 286.18 Mg ha. Mean blue carbon potential absorption was 193. 28 ton C ha. This research showed that mangrove ecosystem in Totok Bay held sufficiently high carbon stock. Nevertheless, the future study needs to be directed to carbon stock comparison with other locations in North Sulawesi.
Charles A. Dice Center for Research in Financial Economics Does FinTech Substitute for Banks? Evidence from the Paycheck Protection Program

New technology promises to expand the supply of financial services to small businesses poorly served by the banking system. Does it succeed? We study the response of FinTech to financial services demand created by the introduction of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). We find that FinTech is disproportionately used in ZIP codes with fewer bank branches, lower incomes, and a larger minority share of the population, as well as in industries with little ex ante small-business lending. FinTech’s role in PPP provision is also greater in counties where the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were more severe. We estimate that more PPP provision by traditional banks causes statistically significant but economically small substitution away from FinTechs, implying that FinTech mostly expands the overall supply of financial services, rather than redistributing it.
Effect of the nichoid substrate on mesenchymal stem cell structure and function

Stem cells fate and behavior are affected by the bidirectional communication of cells and their local microenvironment (stem cell niche), which include biochemical cues, as well as physical and mechanical factors. Stem cells are normally cultured in conventional two-dimensional systems with the consequent alteration of mechanical cues received by cells. Here we cultured rat mesenchymal stem cells on standard culture supports and on the “nichoid”, an innovative threedimensional substrate nano-engineered to recapitulate the physiological niche in vitro. Our results demonstrate that mesenchymal stem cells adhered and grew in the nichoid, occupying not only the surface but also the internal structure of the niche. After seeding on conventional supports, cells displayed large and spread nucleus and cytoplasm, while cells cultured on the nichoid were spatially organized in three dimensions, with smaller but spherical nuclei. The transcriptional co-activator YAP was localized in the nucleus in cells cultured on both rigid substrates. Preliminary results on gene expression revealed differences in the expression of genes related to stemness and to mesenchymal stem cells’ function. Keywords—3D culture, artificial niche, nichoid.
Detection of FLT3 Gene Mutations In Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Surabaya, Indonesia: A Single-Center Study

Background: FLT3 gene mutation contributes worse prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Almost 67% of patients with AML with FLT3 gene mutation cannot reach complete remission after induction therapy, and they are also at high risk of relapse. We aimed to investigate the FLT3-ITD, -TKD (D835) gene mutation prevalence in patients with AML at Surabaya and their association with leukocyte and bone marrow blast cell count. Methods: 20 de novo patients with AML were recruited during February–July 2018. They were investigated through routine AML check-up and detection for FLT3-ITD, -TKD (D835) gene mutation. Results: Four patients with de novo AML (20%) had FLT3-ITD gene mutation, and one patient had FLT3-TKD (D835) gene mutation. Median leukocyte count in patients with AML with FLT3-ITD mutation was higher than wild type patients ( 146.3×103/ μL vs 16.4 x 103 / μL, P=0,002). The mean bone marrow blast cell count was higher in patients with AML with FLT3-ITD mutation than wild type patients ( 86.5% vs 57.9%, P=0,047). The difference in leukocyte and bone marrow blast cell count in patients with FLT3-TKD (D835) mutation could not be analyzed since there was only one patient with this mutation. Conclusion: The prevalence of FLT3-ITD gene mutation in patients in AML in Surabaya was 20% and FLT3-TKD (D835) was 5%. Patients with FLT3-ITD gene mutation was associated with leukocyte and bone marrow blast cell count. Iranian Journal of Blood & Cancer
An Improved Cellular positioning technique based on Database Correlation

The paper proposes an improved network-based positioning technique based on database correlation and presents the application of the proposed technique to GSM. The fingerprint database is created using field measurements and a novel and a more practical method for gathering fingerprints is introduced. The authors propose a Weighted k-Nearest Neighbor (WkNN) method for location estimation and the trial results obtained in urban and suburban environments in Sri Lanka are presented. Comparison with the Geometrical method shows that the proposed method is a competitive alternative for GSM location.