Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tailored perception: listeners’ strategies for perceiving speech fit their individual perceptual abilities

In speech, linguistic information is conveyed redundantly by many simultaneously present acoustic dimensions, such as fundamental frequency, duration and amplitude. Listeners show stable tendencies to prioritize these acoustic dimensions differently, relative to one another, which suggests individualized speech perception ‘strategies’. However, it is unclear what drives these strategies, and more importantly, what impact they have on diverse aspects of communication. Here we show that such individualized perceptual strategies can be related to individual differences in perceptual ability. In a cue weighting experiment, we first demonstrate that individuals with a severe pitch perception deficit (congenital amusics) categorize linguistic stimuli similarly to controls when their deficit is unrelated to the main distinguishing cue for that category (in this case, durational or temporal cues). In contrast, in a prosodic task where pitch-related cues are typically more informative, amusics place less importance on this pitch-related information when categorizing speech. Instead, they relied more on duration information. Crucially, these differences in perceptual weights were observed even when pitch-related differences were large enough to be perceptually distinct to amusic listeners. In a second set of experiments involving musical and prosodic phrase interpretation, we found that this reliance on duration information allowed amusics to overcome their perceptual deficits and perceive both speech and music successfully. These results suggest that successful speech - and potentially music - comprehension is achieved through multiple perceptual strategies whose underlying weights may in part reflect individuals’ perceptual abilities.
Support for Working Students: Considerations for Higher Education Institutions

Abstract The majority of students enrolled in college today work at least part-time. Although the benefits of working have been noted for years, institutions of higher education tend to operate under the assumption that students should prioritize their academic careers over their employment. First we review literature examining why students work, the benefits and drawbacks of working, and the type of work that yields the greatest benefit to students. Next we discuss policy recommendations and practice considerations for higher education institutions, including (a) removing or adjusting practices that dis-incentivize working students, (b) developing policies that utilize students’ work experience, (c) providing on-campus part-time employment opportunities, and (d) establishing support systems that assist students in finding employment that works for them. We conclude by summarizing the state of higher education today, noting the inconsistencies between students’ realities and institutional expectations, and recommending ways in which institutions may more fully support their working students.
Mixing messages: How candidates vary in their use of Twitter

ABSTRACT How do candidates campaign on social media? To date, political scientists have mostly considered the content or tone of candidates’ social media posts. In this paper, we combine these research areas and study how candidates’ campaigns vary the content and tone of their messages. We argue incumbents emphasize positive issue content and limit attacking their opponent. Competitive races encourage positive mobilization posts and aggressive attack messages. Using Twitter data from the final two months of the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, we find that candidates predictably emphasize different types of messages and, in the aggregate, campaigns’ social media feeds significantly vary.
Effect of Hyoscine Butylbromide in Shortening the Active Phase of the First Stage of Labor in Term Pregnant Women

 Background: Various studies revealed that what matters for women during labour is short duration painless labour which results to better birth outcome. Various drugs and methods used to hasten labour both traditionally and in modern obstetrics to minimize the risks of prolonged labour.  Objectives: To assess the effects of Hyoscine Butylbromide in shortening active phase of the first stage of labour in term pregnant women.  Methodology: This study was designed as a double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial comparing two groups of 200 term pregnant women, where by the intervention group received 20mg of hyoscine butylbromide intravenously while the control group received 1ml normal saline via the same route during the active phase of labour with cervix dilatation confirmed to be 4-5 centimeters. The progress of labour for both groups was closely monitored and documented according to the principles of active management of labour. Both women and birth attendants were blinded on the contents of the syringes.  Results: The mean rate of cervical dilatation in cm per hour in hyoscine group was 2.6±0.9 and in normal saline was 1.8±0.8 the mean difference was statistical significance (p=<0.05). The duration of the active phase of the first stage of labour was shorter in hyoscine group (190.1±128.9) minutes compared to 266.8±123.2 minutes of normal saline group (P=0.001). The characteristics of women including mean age, gestational age and parity were similar in both groups. The Apgar score of hyoscine group and normal saline group were similar and the differences were not statistically significant.  Conclusion: Hyoscine butylbromide is effective drug in shortening the active stage of the first stage of labour in term pregnant women. The drug has no effect during the second and the third stage of labour and no obvious adverse effect to mothers and newborn.
Influence of different substrates on the in vitro rhizogenesis process of early artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi]

Micropropagation may represent a useful way to overcome some of the disadvantages of the vegetative propagation of artichoke and promote an effective advance in crop management by the use of selected propagation material. However, whereas late cultivars seem to have an easier in vitro adaptability, micropropagation of early cultivars (i.e. cultivars with an autumnal – winter production, the most widespread in our environments) is still difficult since they show very low multiplication indexes and rooting rate is still unsatisfactory. With the aim at improving the in vitro multiplication technique of these last varieties, the I.S. A.Fo. M. section of Catania began a series of research. In this paper, on the cv. Violet Margot, results on the effects of nine substrates on rooting process are shown. Four substrates were chosen as the most representative of the literature, the other five resulted by the addition to these last of different quantities of β cyclodextrins. Best results as concerns rooted plantlets (62%)and root quality, were obtained by a medium containing NAA (2 mg l-1) and β cyclodextrins (2 g l-1). It seems that these last play a role in the differentiation of a rooting system with several adventitious roots. Genotypical differences may be on the basis of the low response of the studied cultivar to different substrates and may stress the necessity of specific adjustments for each genotype of the medium used for rooting.
Faculty promotion evaluation and gender equity in business schools

This article aims to address the fairness of promotion evaluation (appointments to the rank of full professor) process in Canadian business schools as perceived by tenured business female faculty. Our analysis is underscored by two studies with two different data collection methods (survey data analysis, policy content analysis) and driven by procedural justice as the main theoretical lens. The first study addresses the perspective of our survey participants (N=198) by revealing that they believe the process of promotion evaluations is fair. Intrigued by this result, we undertook a second study to review the language of faculty collective agreements in these schools to explain partially why our participants believe in the fairness of promotion evaluations. The language of these faculty collective agreements suggests that the above result makes sense considering that they regulate promotion evaluations and decisions. However, this does not mean that the process of faculty promotions is free of gender discrimination as these faculty collective agreements have not addressed all the antecedents and predictors of gender inequity per se. The findings of this article are relevant because the issue of the underrepresentation of female faculty as related to promotion in senior academic ranks in Canadian business schools is under-researched. The existing studies on faculty promotion evaluations are too general and have not specifically addressed the fairness of business schools’ faculty promotion evaluation systems from the perspective of tenured business female faculty. Plus, the relevance of the findings of this article lies in the fact that contrary to most general studies on female faculty experience with promotion evaluations at Canadian universities and internationally, these findings suggest that such experience in Canadian business schools is not always associated with gender discrimination and negative perspectives among female faculty.
Observer-based robust model predictive control of switched nonlinear systems with time delay and parametric uncertainties

In this study, an observer-based robust model predictive control scheme is proposed to control a class of switched nonlinear systems in the presence of time delay and parametric uncertainties under arbitrary switching. Constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional in conjunction with an infinite horizon cost function, sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop switched system in terms of linear matrix inequalities depending on the time delay, the upper bounds of uncertain parameters, and the Lipschitz constant of subsystems. To model the uncertainty of the system, the parametric uncertainty is used to reduce the computational burden and the conservatism of the method. In the proposed method, a predictive state observer and an observer-based controller are synthesized via an online optimization problem to minimize the upper bound of the cost function, while handling the constraints. Finally, the obtained results are validated using practical and numerical simulations.
Aromatic compounds of cheese ripening in animal skin: An overview

The aroma of a cheese is one of the key quality parameters and signs of distinguishing certain cheese types by consumers. Therefore, the aim of this paper is review the existing knowledge of the aromatic profile of cheeses ripening in an animal skin. Cheeses that ripen in an animal skin and produced in similar technology in Croatia (misina – cheese in a sack), in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Cheese in a sack (local name: mjeh), Montenegro (Cheese in a sack (local name: mjeh), Turkey (Tulum cheese), Lebanon (Darfiyeh cheese) and eastern Algeria (Bouhezza cheese). The specific characteristic of these cheeses is ripening in an animal skin, as in a sack (of ewe or goat). The aromatic profile of these cheeses has not been sufficiently investigated and has been conducted primarily on Tulum and to a smaller extent of Lebanese Darfiyeh cheese, and cheese in a sack. There is no data about other cheeses that ripen in an animal skin. Since very little research has been made on the aromatic profile of these cheeses, further research should be conducted.
The facilitators of interagency working in the context of European public service reform

ABSTRACT This article provides an overview of key lessons about the governance and leadership of interagency working in multi-level contexts. The article is based on interviews with local and national leaders across Europe. This topic is timely given the complexity of European public sector governance which demands leadership, co-production, and styles of collaboration which promote partnership-working within local contexts. We highlight that localism is central but this still requires national political leadership for localism to be managed and delivered effectively. In other words, empowerment-heavy models of governance, without top-down support, risks interagency ineffectiveness or even failure. We argue that leadership at macro, meso and micro levels of the governance system is required in order for successful interagency working to be delivered. We find that removing the barriers to interagency working requires the identification of an interagency leader (and to even enshrine this within statute), clear roles and lines of accountability for professionals, a breakdown of disciplinary silos, non-tokenistic bottom-up approaches, national public service leadership which promotes capacity building, and the dovetailing of planning and evaluation. The article concludes by proposing strategies for developing effective multi-level interagency working.
Northward bound: the distribution of white-tailed deer in Ontario under a changing climate

Abstract Context. Global climatic changes are increasingly producing observable shifts in species distributions. It is widely believed that the northern distribution of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in North America is limited by cold winter temperatures and deep snow. Under all climate change scenarios, it is likely that the adverse effects of winter will diminish, which may result in a northward expansion of the distribution of white-tailed deer. Aims. The goal of this project was to quantify the drivers of white-tailed deer distribution identified from a set of climate and land cover variables. We wanted to forecast changes to the northern limit on white-tailed deer distribution under several climate change scenarios. Methods. We used an occupancy-modelling approach to identify the variables or combination of variables that best estimated the occupancy of white-tailed deer across a 140-site camera-observation network operating from 2013 to 2015. We validated our model using data from a mammal atlas from 1993. We used available data from climate change scenarios to predict and map changes to the northern limit of white-tailed deer distribution for three time horizons up to 2100. Key results. Our models indicated that both climate and land cover had a determining influence on the northern limit of white-tailed deer distribution in our study area. Variables describing winter climate, in particular temperature and snow depth, were most closely associated with the northern edge of white-tailed deer distribution, and land cover variables added explanatory power. Our predictions suggested that white-tailed deer distribution will expand northward, given the retreat of severe winters. Conclusions. White-tailed deer distribution is controlled by land-based habitat indicators and limited at a northern boundary by the severity of winter climate. Current CO2 emission scenarios indicate that winter conditions will no longer limit the northern distribution of white-tailed deer in our study area by the year 2100. Implications. Under all climate change scenarios, the influx of white-tailed deer to new northern environments will likely impact the dynamics of other wildlife populations. The management of species such as moose (Alces alces) and caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in these regions must anticipate the disruptive potential of white-tailed deer.
Build It and They Will Come? The Impact of Servicescape on Chinese Millennials’ Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions toward Integrated Resorts

ABSTRACT The rapidly global development of integrated resorts has led to increased competition in the marketplace. Among all, Chinese millennials are targeted because of their population size and strong spending power. This study aims to identify the effect of servicescape dimensions on satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Considering the environmental feature of the integrated resort and variety-seeking behavior of Chinese millennials, we add facility variety to the dimensions of servicescape. A major survey with 404 respondents was conducted and analyzed with structural equation modeling. The result shows that interior décor, ambience, equipment, signage and symbols, and facility variety are positively associated with customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions, while cleanliness and layout do not have any significant effect. These findings can have meaningful business implications for resort managers.
High‐sugar diet intake, physical activity, and gut microbiota crosstalk: Implications for obesity in rats

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effect of long‐term high‐sugar diet (HSD) intake and regular physical activity on gut microbiota as well as its health impact. Weaned male Wistar rats were fed with standard chow diet (SSD) or HSD ad libitum and subjected or not to regular swimming training with a workload (2% of body weight) for 15 weeks. Feces samples were used on microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. HSD increased body mass, adipose cushions, and the serum levels of triglycerides and VLDL, also changed the bacteria taxons associated with metabolic disorders (increase taxons belonging to Proteobacteria phylum and decrease Pediococcus genus); the swim training reverted these changes. SSD intake increased the abundance of bacteria associated with metabolization of dietary fiber. Training in association with SSD consumption beneficially modulated the microbiota, increasing the Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Parabacteroides, and Lactobacillaceae, and decreasing the Firmicute/Bacteroidetes ratio; training was not able to maintain this profile in animals SHD‐fed. Physical training modulates the gut microbiota reversing the obesogenic response caused by SHD. However, training itself is not efficient for up‐regulating the probiotic bacteria in comparison to its association with a balanced diet.
Mechanical and Durability Properties of Cement-Stabilized Recycled Concrete Aggregate

This research investigates the effect of using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a partial replacement of natural aggregate (NA) on the mechanical and durability-related properties of a cement-stabilized recycled concrete aggregate (CSR) mixture. In this case, mixtures were prepared with 0%, 40%, 70%, and 100% (by weight) RCA to replace NA, and cement contents of 4%, 5%, and 6% were used in this study. Test parameters included the replacement ratio, cement content, and curing time. Tests were carried out to establish the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), drying shrinkage, and water loss ratio of each mix proportion. The preliminary results of UCS and ITS tests indicated that the incorporation of RCA resulted in a decrease of strength compared with a cement-stabilized macadam (CSM) mixture, but the seven-day strength of the CSR mixture met the related requirements of road bases. The increase in cement content and curing time had an obvious effect on strength improvement. The drying shrinkage test showed that the drying shrinkage properties of the CSR mixture were obviously reduced with a high replacement ratio. It is evident that the CSM mixture presented a better drying shrinkage performance than that of the CSR mixture.
Soil fungal community associated with peat in Sarawak identified using 18S rDNA marker

Fungi are principal decomposing microorganisms in acidic environment of peatlands. A useful tool for molecular screening of soil fungal communities using the 18S rDNA primer has been proven capable of identifying a broad range of fungi species within Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota. Currently, very little information is available on fungal communities in deep peat of Sarawak, Malaysia. In this study, we have isolated the fungi from soil samples taken in deep peat forests and oil palm cultivated areas. The fungal identity was undertaken using 18S rDNA primer which is EF4-F/fung5-R. The microscopic structures were conducted to confirm the identity of the isolates. Based on this study, the fungal division most commonly found in deep peat is the Ascomycota. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common species and more dominant in oil palm cultivated areas and logged-over forest than in primary forest. In the primary forest, the dominant species was the A. flavus, while Hypocrea atroviridis was commonly associated with oil palm cultivated areas and logged-over forest. Other species of fungi isolated in peat primary forests were Penicillium chrysogenum, Trichoderma sp. , Phanerochaete sp. , Mortierella chlamydospora, A. niger, A. alliaceus, etc. The in-depth difference in the fungal communities for the different sites will be further investigated using the next generation sequencing technology.
Structural basis for relief of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibition by phospholamban at saturating Ca2+ conditions

We have performed extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to probe the structural mechanism for relief of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibition by phospholamban (PLB) at saturating Ca2+ conditions. Reversal of SERCA-PLB inhibition by saturating Ca2+ operates as a physiological rheostat to reactivate SERCA function in the absence of PLB phosphorylation. Simulation of the inhibitory complex at super-physiological Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]=10 mM) revealed that calcium ions interact primarily with SERCA and the lipid headgroups, but not with the cytosolic domain of PLB or the cytosolic side of the SERCA-PLB interface. At this [Ca2+], a single Ca2+ ion is translocated from the cytosol to the transmembrane transport sites. We used this Ca2+-bound complex as an initial structure to simulate the effects of saturating Ca2+ at physiological conditions ([Ca2+]total≈400 μM). At these conditions, ~30% of the Ca2+-bound complexes exhibit structural features that correspond to an inhibited state. However, in ~70% of the Ca2+-bound complexes, Ca2+ moves to transport site I, recruits Glu771 and Asp800, and disrupts key inhibitory contacts involving conserved PLB residue Asn34. Structural analysis showed that Ca2+ induces only local changes in interresidue inhibitory interactions, but does not induce dissociation, repositioning or changes in the structural dynamics of PLB. Upon relief of SERCA inhibition, Ca2+ binding produces a productive site I configuration that is sufficient for subsequent SERCA activation. We propose that at saturating [Ca2+] and in the absence of PLB phosphorylation, binding of a single Ca2+ ion in the transport sites rapidly shifts the equilibrium toward a non-inhibited SERCA-PLB complex.