Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The tripartite relationship between a bioturbator, mycorrhizal fungi, and a key Mediterranean forest tree

Mycorrhizal fungi serve important functions in Australian ecosystems by forming mutualistic symbioses with plants that facilitate water and nutrient uptake. Scat analyses have shown that southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer; 'Quenda') regularly feed on fungi, including ectomycorrhizal (ECM) species. Many of these ECM species are hypogeous and rely on mycophagous animals such as quenda to disperse their spores. We explored the tripartite relationship between a keystone Mediterranean tree, its associated mycorrhizal fungi, and a mammalian disperser. Wild-collected quenda scats were used as a mycorrhizal inoculum to grow Eucalyptus gomphocephala from seeds under glasshouse conditions. Autoclaved scats were used as a negative-control and sporocarp tissue from Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizal species were mixed together as a positive-control inoculum. Seedlings were harvested at 10 weeks to assess seedling growth and early mycorrhizal colonization of roots by high-throughput DNA sequencing. Quenda scat successfully introduced fungi to seedlings, shown by a 56% overlap of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected in the scats and roots grown in fresh scat inoculum. Scat-inoculated seedlings had richer root mycorrhiza fungal assemblages and a higher proportion of mycorrhizal taxa compared to negative- and positive-controls. However, no difference in shoot or root mass in these young seedlings could be attributed to root fungi assemblages at this early growth stage, possibly reflecting that the role of mycorrhizae in these early seedlings was parasitic, rather than facilitatory. Our study has shown that spores of mycorrhizal fungi from the quenda scat inoculum can successfully germinate and colonize seedling roots after passage through the quenda gut.
TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF USING THE BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH FOR STEM-RELATED SUBJECTS WITHIN THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

As teachers embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to promote effective teaching and learning, teachers need to be exposed to and be well acquainted with using technology-enabled pedagogy. Technologyenabled learning refers to the effective incorporation of technology-based tools within educational milieus to scaffold students’ learning (Ertmer & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2012). Research (Borko, 2004; Darling-Hammond, 2017) have maintained that professional development for teachers is essential for transforming pedagogy, advancing educational milieus, using innovative tools and improving learning outcomes. Professional learning may take place in formal settings (Timperley, 2011) or via collaboration and mentoring between colleagues (Little, 2012). However, for productive and successful teacher professional development, professional development must be rooted within the teachers’ teaching subject (Darling-Hammond et al., 2009). The teachers/participants within this research were invited to attend informative workshops focusing on using the blended learning approach within their teaching subjects, i.e. mathematics and technology (STEM-related subjects). This research reports on an exploration of STEM teachers’ perceptions of using the blended learning approach for STEM-related subjects within the 4IR.
Evaluation of the implementation of Indonesia Pintar program in vocational school

The study aims to evaluate a program of channeling educational fund, Program Indonesia Pintar (PIP), for vocational school ( sekolah menengah kejuruan or SMK). This research was evaluation research using mix method approach. The evaluation model used was the CIPP model covering context, input, process, and product . Respondents in the study were 702 principals, 125 student’s parents, and 15853 students of the SMKs spreading across 29 out of 34 provinces in Indonesia. Data collection techniques used were analysis, survey, interview, observation, and study documentation. The instruments used were analysis sheet, questionnaire, interview guidelines, observation sheet, and the list of related documents. Data analysis techniques used were quantitative descriptive and qualitative and comparing the result with the PIP evaluation success criteria. The results show that the overall of PIP implementation runs well with details in aspects: (a) context , the PIP socialization is implemented well, the PIP objectives performance is in the very good category and can ease students’ costs in the excellent category; (b) input , the school provides particular staffs executing PIP showing the excellent category; (c) process , the targeted accuracy of most PIP students at SMK states that they follow the provisions. Based on the PIP SMK management role and function, institute has served well; (d) product , most issues reported of the PIP funds for SMK indicate that the use of the fund by students is suitable with the provision and its management. The current model of the PIP aid funds needs to be advanced, particularly with several aspects unsteady.
Preclinics and clinics of neuroendocrine tumors

markdownabstractNeuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are considered rare tumors. About 70% of all NETs will develop in the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system and are named GEP NETs. Currently used circulating biomarkers like serum chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase have major limitations. Furthermore, therapeutic options are limited. GEP NETs may escape from medical treatment by tachyphylaxis and/or the development of resistance and patients will eventually develop progressive disease. The main aims of this thesis were to: 1) improve the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of GEP NET patients using sensitive and specific tumor markers and, 2) to identify new biotherapeutical options by modulating pathological pathways in pancreatic NET cells.
$\rm{K}^{*}(\rm{892})^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ production at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV

The production of $\rm{K}^{*}(\rm{892})^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV were measured using Run 1 data collected by the ALICE collaboration at the LHC. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields d$^{\rm 2}N$/d$y$d$p_{\rm{T}}$ in the range 0 $<$ $p_{\rm{T}}$ $<$ 20 GeV/$c$ for $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and 0.4 $<$ $p_{\rm{T}}$ $<$ 16 GeV/$c$ for $\phi$ have been measured at midrapidity $|y|$ $<$ 0.5. Moreover, improved measurements of the $\rm{K}^{*}(892)^{0}$ and $\phi(1020)$ at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV are presented. The collision energy dependence of $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions, $p_{\rm{T}}$-integrated yields and particle ratios in inelastic pp collisions are examined. The results are also compared with different collision systems. The values of the particle ratios are measured to be similar to those found at other LHC energies. In pp collisions a hardening of the particle spectra is observed with increasing energy, but at the same time it is also observed that the relative particle abundances are independent of the collision energy. The $p_{\rm{T}}$-differential yields of $\rm{K}^{*0}$ and $\phi$ in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV are compared with the expectations of different Monte Carlo event generators.
Making the Decision to Move to a Nursing Home: Longitudinal Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

This study applied the theory of planned behavior to examine predictors of U.S. older adults’ (65+ years) intention and behavior of moving to a nursing home. Two waves of Health and Retirement Study data were used (N = 9,969). Moving intention was measured by respondents’ self-reported probability to move in the next 5 years in Wave 1. Moving behavior was measured by whether they actually moved in Wave 2. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of demographic and health predictors with moving intention and behavior. For both genders, advanced age, poorer health, having fewer children, and long-term care insurance were associated with higher levels of moving intention and behavior. Men’s intention was a significant predictor of subsequent moving behavior. However, women’s intention was not associated with moving behavior, probably due to inadequate resources to support their preference. The findings provide meaningful personhood-centered insights into nursing home entry decisions.
Does Targeting Always Mean Retrenchment? Housing Assistance “Exceptionalism” in the Canadian Welfare State

According to many scholars, policy targeting is the product of conservative and/or neoliberal politics. Targeting is perceived as a reduction of social welfare or a form of exclusion, usually resulting in no “winners” but only “losers. ” Based on the study of housing assistance in Canadian provinces, this article argues that alternative views are possible. I emphasize the historic low coverage of housing assistance, that I term the housing “exceptionalism,” which refers to the small number of households who benefit from government support. The “exceptionalism” sets the stage to understanding why the vulnerable citizen winners have gained over the moderate-income losers.
Molecular detection of Melissococcus plutonius assessed in Africanized honey bee populations (Apis mellifera) in three regions of Colombia

Beekeepers in Colombia are using almost exclusively Africanized hybrids which are considered to be more resistant to diseases and climatic conditions than European-derived honey bee populations. There are no reports of losses of larval and adult bee populations in the country due to infectious diseases. However, there is no official diagnostic system to detect the presence of pathogenic bacteria for Apis mellifera, such as Melissococcus plutonius and Paenibacillus larvae causing European foulbrood and American foulbrood respectively. To assess their presence and prevalence in a large sample sets, representatives of beekeeping populations in the country, we conducted a study on 491 of 5400 registered hives located in three regions in Colombia, analyzing larvae samples with conventional and molecular real-time PCR and molecular taxonomy techniques. Out of the two bacteria targeted, only M. plutonius was detected in 7 of the 491(1.4%) larval samples in all three regions in this sampling campaign. There was no evidence of symptoms consistent with European or American foulbrood. Therefore we are updating and confirming the low prevalence of M. plutonius and the no detection of P. larvae in an extensive sampling survey of Africanized bees at three different regions of Colombia. Our results are consistent with the view that africanized hybrid bees are more more resistant to diseases.
Opening Pandora's box of Pristocerinae: molecular and morphological phylogenies of Apenesia (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) reveal several hidden genera

The flat wasp Apenesia Westwood is one of the largest genera in Pristocerinae with 190 species worldwide. The lack of a single diagnostic morphological character has resulted in many distinct ground plans within Apenesia. Some authors have suggested Apenesia as polyphyletic. Here we aimed to investigate and delimit the genus based on morphological and molecular data. We analysed 163 morphological characters on tnt using ‘traditional search’, whereas Bayesian (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) inferences were performed on 1553 concatenated nucleotide base pairs from COI and 28S sequences. Apenesia was recovered as polyphyletic in all analyses with up to 10 different lineages spread throughout the tree. We mapped female morphological characters onto the molecular tree to enlighten morphological evolution in the apterous females. Based on our morphological and molecular analyses, and on the taxonomic revision of holotypes and specimens, we propose six new genera in the Pristocerinae and revalidate the generic status of two: Acrenesia gen.n. , Austranesia gen.n. , Cleistepyris stat. rev., Dracunesia gen.n. , Eleganesia gen.n. , Epynesia gen.n. , Pristonesia gen.n. , and Propristocera stat. rev. We also propose four new generic synonymies: Neoapenesia syn.n. under Apenesia, Dipristocera syn.n. under Cleistepyris, Afrocera syn.n. and Neopristocera syn.n. under Propristocera. At the species level, we indicate Apenesia minor syn.n. under Propristocera tagala. In all, 162 new combinations, eight reinstated combinations and one new name to avoid homonymy are proposed. Apenesia is now defined as flat wasps having males with the mesoscutum gibbous, the genitalia with the paramere narrow and densely hairy, and the aedeagus with the ventral apical lobe elliptical and covered with lumps. Females of Apenesia can be distinguished from other Pristocerinae by having the head wider than the mesosoma, the antennae short, the mandible long, and the clypeus surpassing the toruli in the frons. This study reinforces the difficulties in defining Apenesia and other Pristocerinae genera.
Public–Nonprofit Collaboration in Homeless Services: Are Nonprofit-Led Networks More Effective in Winning Federal Funding?

Does nonprofit leadership have an impact on the performance of collaborative networks? This article examines the degree to which nonprofit-led networks and other governance characteristics matter in explaining the performance of network achieving federal funding. Specifically, we hypothesize that networks led by nonprofit organizations may achieve more funding and project awards than those led by government organizations. Using data from a national survey of local homeless service networks, we find that contrary to the hypothesized expectations, networks led by nonprofits are less successful in federal funding and project award than networks led by government organizations.
Deacetylation of H4 lysine16 affects acetylation of lysine residues in histone H3 and H4 and promotes transcription of constitutive genes

ABSTRACT Histone modification map of H4 N-terminal tail residues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals the prominence of lysine acetylation. Previous reports have indicated the importance of lysine acetylation in maintaining chromatin structure and function. H4K16, a residue with highly regulated acetylation dynamics has unique functions not overlapping with the other H4 N- terminal acetylable residues. The present work unravels the role of H4K16 acetylation in regulating expression of constitutive genes. H4K16 gets distinctly deacetylated over the coding region of constitutively expressed genes. Deacetylation of H4K16 reduces H3K9 acetylation at the cellular and gene level. Reduced H3K9 acetylation however did not negatively correlate with active gene transcription. Significantly, H4K16 deacetylation was found to be associated with hypoacetylated H4K12 throughout the locus of constitutive genes. H4K16 and K12 deacetylation is known to favour active transcription. Sas2, the HAT mutant showed similar patterns of hypoacetylated H3K9 and H4K12 at the active loci, clearly implying that the modifications were associated with deacetylation state of H4K16. Deacetylation of H4K16 was also concurrent with increased H3K56 acetylation in the promoter region and ORF of the constitutive genes. Combination of all these histone modifications significantly reduced H3 occupancy, increased promoter accessibility and enhanced RNAPII recruitment at the constitutively active loci. Consequently, we found that expression of active genes was higher in H4K16R mutant which mimic deacetylated state, but not in H4K16Q mimicking constitutive acetylation. To summarize, H4K16 deacetylation linked with H4K12 and H3K9 hypoacetylation along with H3K56 hyperacetylation generate a chromatin landscape that is conducive for transcription of constitutive genes.
Plant Community Changes During the First 10 Years of a Tallgrass Prairie Restoration Experiment

The relationship between seeding mixtures and establishment of tallgrass prairie plantings was examined in experimental plots established in 2007. Native grass and wildflower seed mixtures, representing four functional groups (C4 grasses, C3 grasses, nitrogen-fixing species, and late-flowering composites), were sown at five levels of richness/seeding density - 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 species—in 900-m2 plots. Annually, evenness, and total cover and species richness for target (seeded) and non-target (resident) species were measured for the decade from 2007–2016. During the establishment period, eight years received average to above average precipitation; two years experienced drought. Plots seeded with 16 and 20 species achieved 100% target cover by the second year; plots seeded with 12 species had 100% target cover by the fourth year. Plots seeded with 8 or more species had less non-target cover than 4-species plots by the third year, a pattern that persisted for the remainder of the study. Target species richness of plots increased directly with treatment seeding richness, except for the 16- and 20-species treatments that showed no differences in six of the ten years. Non-target species richness varied among treatments beginning in the third year, but did not differ among the 8-, 12-, 16-, and 20-species treatments in the final six years. The results indicate that establishment of prairie-like communities can be hastened by sowing more species at the outset, an important consideration for grassland restoration projects in which diversity and persistence are key goals.
A comparative survey between non-systemic Salmonella spp. (paratyphoid group) and systemic Salmonella Pullorum and S. Gallinarum with a focus on virulence genes

Astolfi-Ferreira C.S. , Pequini M.R. S. , Nuñez L.F. N. , Santander Parra S.H. , Chacon R. , Torre D.I. D. , Pedroso A.C. & Ferreira A.J.P. 2017. A comparative survey between non-systemic Salmonella spp. (paratyphoid group) and systemic Salmonella Pullorum and S. Gallinarum with a focus on virulence genes. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 37(10):1064-1068. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: ajpferr@usp.br A comparative survey between non-systemic (paratyphoid Salmonellae) and systemic (S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum) Salmonella strains was performed to produce a virulence gene profile for differentiation among the groups. The following virulence genes were evaluated: invA, spvC, sefC, pefA, fimY, sopB, sopE1, stn and avrA. There are substantial differences among paratyphoid Salmonellae, S. Pullorum, and S. Gallinarum regarding the genes sefC, spvC, sopE1 and avrA. A higher frequency of sefC, spvC, sopE1 and avrA genes were detected in S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum when compared with strains from the paratyphoid group of Salmonella. These results may be useful for differentiating among different groups and serotypes.
Urban tourism and population change: Gentrification in the age of mobilities

The prepandemic unbridled growth of tourism has triggered a significant debate regarding the future of cities; several authors suggest that neighbourhood change produced by tourism should be conceived as a form of gentrification. Yet research on population shifts — a fundamental dimension of gentrification — in such neighbourhoods is scarce. Our exploration of the Gòtic area in Barcelona, using quantitative and qualitative techniques, reveals a process of population restructuring characterised by a decrease of long-term residents and inhabited dwellings, and the arrival of young and transnational gentrifiers that are increasingly mobile and form a transient population. We then use some insights from the mobilities literature to make sense of these results. In the gentrification of the Gòtic, the attractiveness of the area for visitors and for a wider palette of transnational dwellers feeds one another, resulting in an uneven negotiation whereby more wealthy and ‘ footloose ’ individuals gain access and control of space and housing over less mobile and more dependent populations.
A Qualitative Study on Coping Strategies Among Patients with Non-Specific Low-Back Pain

Background: Non-specific low-back pain (NSLBP) is a common health problem worldwide, but the perception and coping strategies used by patients are underreported. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the perception of patients with NSLBP, the ways the pain interrfered with their basic life, and coping strategies employed by them. Methods: Twenty patients consisting of 10 males (50%) and 10 females (50%) participated in this study. A qualitative interview was conducted using a three-section modified structured interview guide by Gwenda. Section A contained sociodemographic information, section B was the numerical pain rating scale, and section C asked questions about the pain duration, the ways of pain interference with the patient’s life, and strategies used to cope with pain. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The results showed that 50% of the patients were within the age range of 58 years or above. Ten (50%) patients perceived that NSLBP was caused by work-related activities and 10% perceived that NSLBP was a spiritual problem. Fifty percent reported that the pain interfered with their activities of daily living, and four (20%) mentioned that NSLBP interfered with their sexual function and religious activities. Concerning the coping strategy, 40% used prayer, 15% usually ignored the pain, and 35% used the conventional approach. Conclusions: It can be concluded that half of the patients with NSLBP perceived NSLBP to be caused by work-related activities. Besides, NSLBP interfered with basic activities of daily living, and about 40% were coping with NSLBP with prayer and spiritual means.
Fabrication and Characterization of Sub 5 nm Iron Nanoparticles Deposited on Boehmite, Alumina and Kaolinite Nanoplatelets

Traditional kaolinite exfoliation/delamination techniques typically result in the fracturing of kaolinite nanoplatelets. In this work, a new procedure for kaolinite delamination was developed. The new procedure involves the periodic operation of an ultrasonicator at its maximum power consisting of 10 s on and 1 min off pulses and the use of urea (50% wt. solution) and surfactants near their solubility limit. The delaminated kaolinite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The circular equivalent diameter and the circularity of the particles produced as a result of delamination were calculated using the image analysis software ImageJ. The introduction of a surfactant significantly altered the morphology of the delaminated kaolinite. Adding CTAB into 50 % wt. urea solution produced single or multilayer kaolinite nanoplatelets with circular edges, 50% wt. urea solution is near the solubility limit of urea in water. Fine kaolinite nanoplatelets were not formed when the surfactant PVP K30 was used. The geometric morphology of the platelets was different compared to the CTAB batch, as the vertices of the particles were much sharper. The morphology of the platelets using PVP-10 was circular and had a “dish” like structure. It was concluded that the presence of surfactant has positive effects on kaolinite delamination process to form nanoplatelets. The kaolinite is delaminated to a greater extent when higher ultrasonication power and a high concentration of urea and surfactant are used. Kaolinite is most delaminated when the concentration of urea and surfactant is near its solubility limit and at the highest sonication power.