Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teaching challenges on the use of storytelling in elementary science lessons

This study investigated the use of storytelling in teaching elementary science on the topic of ‘Sense Organs’ at the Grade 1 level. A total of 21 students from one of the elementary schools in Brunei Darussalam participated in the study. The qualitative analyses of the observations and video recordings resulted in the classifications of the challenges faced when storytelling was used in the lessons. The four identified categories were the language aspect, development aspect, external challenges and existing knowledge. These categories were then used to investigate further any aspect that would develop the challenges into the teaching and learning of science using storytelling. Despite identifying the challenges in using storytelling in teaching science, storytelling may enhance the students’ understanding of science concepts.
Committed to Reciprocate on a Bribe or Blow the Whistle: The Effects of Periodical Staff-Rotation in Public Administration

Abstract Periodic rotation of staff in public administration may lead to lower corruption, as it disrupts long-term relationships between public officials and potential bribers. We use an experimental design to test the anti-corruption effect of staff rotation in situations in which public officials have committed to reciprocating bribes. We find that staff rotation does not influence the proportion of firms offering bribes but reduces the share of bribe acceptance and inefficient decisions due to bribery. The outcome of the staff rotation treatment, in which firms offered bribes even though they were rarely accepted by officials, is consistent with the game having a quantal response equilibrium.
Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT) beyond SMARCA4 Mutations: A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis

Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is an aggressive malignancy that occurs in young women, is characterized by recurrent loss-of-function mutations in the SMARCA4 gene, and for which effective treatments options are lacking. The aim of this study was to broaden the knowledge on this rare malignancy by reporting a comprehensive molecular analysis of an independent cohort of SCCOHT cases. We conducted Whole Exome Sequencing in six SCCOHT, and RNA-sequencing and array comparative genomic hybridization in eight SCCOHT. Additional immunohistochemical, Sanger sequencing and functional data are also provided. SCCOHTs showed remarkable genomic stability, with diploid profiles and low mutation load (mean, 5.43 mutations/Mb), including in the three chemotherapy-exposed tumors. All but one SCCOHT cases exhibited 19p13.2-3 copy-neutral LOH. SMARCA4 deleterious mutations were recurrent and accompanied by loss of expression of the SMARCA2 paralog. Variants in a few other genes located in 19p13.2-3 (e.g., PLK5) were detected. Putative therapeutic targets, including MAGEA4, AURKB and CLDN6, were found to be overexpressed in SCCOHT by RNA-seq as compared to benign ovarian tissue. Lastly, we provide additional evidence for sensitivity of SCCOHT to HDAC, DNMT and EZH2 inhibitors. Despite their aggressive clinical course, SCCOHT show remarkable inter-tumor homogeneity and display genomic stability, low mutation burden and few somatic copy number alterations. These findings and preliminary functional data support further exploration of epigenetic therapies in this lethal disease.
Commercialisation of technology through technology entrepreneurship: the role of strategic flexibility and strategic alliance

ABSTRACT Technology entrepreneurship is a vehicle that facilitates prosperity in individuals, businesses and nations. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of technology entrepreneurship and strategic decisions on commercialisation of technology. To achieve this, data collected from 220 small manufacturing firms in Addis Ababa city was analysed using the OLS regression analysis. The result of the study revealed that technology entrepreneurship of small firms is the main source for the firm’s better value creation and being competitively advantageous over its competitors. The firms will be competitively advantageous when they have better technology innovation and adoption. This happened through commercialising technical innovation and technology adoption. Therefore, small firm owners/managers should involve in creating values by forming a strategic alliance with stakeholders. The small venture owners/managers from low-income markets should also tend to engage more in adopting technologies from developed economies and involve on better innovation in designing and improving the overall performance of the product.
Screening of Halophilic Bacteria Able to Degrade Crude Oil Contamination from Alborz Oil Field, Qom, Iran

Halophilic bacteria which adapted to live under extreme conditions are worthy sources of enzymes in industrial microbiology and bioremediation. This study aimed to isolate halophilic bacteria which are able to use crude oil as the only carbon source. Fifteen soil samples were collected from Alborz oil field near city Qom, Iran. Liquid mediums containing soil samples, 5,10 and 15% of artificial sea water (ASW) and crude oil as the sole carbon source incubated at 37 °C for one week. Two gram negative moderately halophilic bacteria designated BM1 and BM2 were isolated. Supplementary molecular analysis using 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that they belong to Halomonas and Ochrobactrum genera, respectively. Biochemical tests showed they are both positive for extracellular lipase activity. Considering to cleanup the majority of oil contamination at Alborz oil field, further efforts should be focused on research to understand the degradation mechanism and identification of the enzymes involved in this process.
Regulation of the metabolic phenotype of human hepatocytes by glucocorticoids and androgens

Glucocorticoids and androgens have both been implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); androgen deficiency in males, androgen excess in females and glucocorticoid excess in both sexes are associated with NAFLD. Glucocorticoid and androgen action are regulated at a pre-receptor level by the enzyme 5αR2 (SRD5A2) that inactivates glucocorticoids to their dihydrometabolites and converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). We have therefore explored the role of androgens and glucocorticoids and their metabolism by SRD5A2 upon lipid homeostasis in human hepatocytes. In both primary human hepatocytes and human hepatoma cell lines, glucocorticoids decreased de novo lipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Whilst androgen treatment (testosterone and DHT) increased lipogenesis in cell lines and in primary cultures of human hepatocytes from female donors, it was without effect in primary hepatocyte cultures from men. SRD5A2 overexpression reduced the effects of cortisol to suppress lipogenesis and this effect was lost following transfection with an inactive mutant construct. Conversely, pharmacological inhibition using the 5αR inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride, augmented cortisol action. We have demonstrated that manipulation of 5αR2 activity can regulate lipogenesis in human hepatocytes in vitro. This may have significant clinical implications for those patients prescribed 5αR inhibitors, in particular augmenting the actions of glucocorticoids to modulate hepatic lipid flux.
Tree water transport mediating the changing environmental conditions to tree physiological processes

Tree vascular tissues connect resource availability to tree physiological processes and growth. The xylem transports water from the soil up to the canopy of even 100-metre tall trees, whereas phloem transport connects the photosynthesis in leaves and the tree metabolic processes, including growth and tree defences against insect and pathogen attacks. Water deficit results in the closing of leaf stomata and decreasing photosynthetic production, as water and carbon dioxide are exchanged through the stomata between the leaf and ambient air. Phloem transport is driven by turgor pressure gradients generated by the interplay of phloem osmotic concentration and xylem water potential. Trees have adapted to local environmental conditions and they adjust to fast environmental changes with physiological responses. This thesis investigates tree physiological responses in vascular tissues, such as osmolality, water potential and stomatal conductance, to environmental conditions in two conifers: Scots pine and Norway spruce. Seasonality in soil temperature and soil water content affect soil-to-leaf hydraulic conductance, and stomatal conductance is connected to these seasonal patterns in water transport. Soil environment is thus mediated to tree functionality through tree water transport. This thesis also supports Münch’s theory that it is plausible to explain phloem transport in conifers in field conditions with osmotic gradients and gravity. Xylem water potential reflects to osmotic potential and turgor pressure of the inner bark by modifying tissue solute and water content. The turgor gradients hence seem to determine daily and seasonal carbon allocation patterns according to water availability. Pathogenic infections may introduce more rapid changes in tree hydraulic conductance through a decrease in xylem sap surface tension and xylem conductivity during massive invasions of bark beetles that vector blue-stain fungi such as Endoconidiophora polonica. These pest attacks weaken tree vitality and may also increase tree vulnerability to hydraulic failure in the xylem.
Histopathologic Lesion Scoring and Histomorphometric Methods for Measuring Vaccine Reactions in the Trachea of Broiler Chickens

SUMMARY. Severity of the tracheal histologic inflammatory response induced in broilers by ocular inoculation of two infectious bronchitis (IBV) and three Newcastle disease virus (NDV) commercial vaccines were evaluated. The vaccine was delivered by eye drop with a coarse spray to day-old chicks. The vaccines were given individually or in various combinations and were evaluated relative to nonvaccinated controls. Evaluations were performed on postvaccination (PV) days 7 and 14. Histologic endpoints included semiquantitative severity scoring of inflammatory components and quantitative morphometric determinations of inflammatory cell concentration, mucosal thickness, and percentage of ciliated mucosal surface. Strong positive correlations were observed between routine severity scoring and morphometric inflammatory parameters, whereas a negative correlation was present between inflammation severity and the percentage of mucosal ciliation. Variable, sometimes extensive, and often statistically significant differences in inflammatory responses were observed between the various vaccines. One IBV Massachusetts strain vaccine (IBV-A) produced the greatest overall inflammatory response when given alone or in combination with the NDV vaccines. Enhancement of tracheitis was seen on PV day 14 by covaccination of IBV-A with the NDV vaccines, but not by covaccination of another IBV Massachusetts strain vaccine (IBV-B) with NDV. Reduction in cilia percentage was observed for all vaccine groups relative to controls on PV day 7. However, although reactive cilia regeneration occurred on PV day 14 for most vaccine groups, a cilia regenerative response was not apparent for individual or NDV combination vaccination for IBV-A. The study also demonstrates that substantial microscopic trachea pathology may be present in vaccinated birds not exhibiting apparent clinical respiratory signs.
Service Ecosystem Design: Propositions, Process Model, and Future Research Agenda

While service design has been highlighted as a promising approach for driving innovation, there are often struggles in realizing lasting change in practice. The issues with long-term implementation reveal a reductionist view of service design that ignores the institutional arrangements and other interdependencies that influence design efforts within multi-actor service systems. The purpose of this article is to build a systemic understanding of service design to inform actors’ efforts aimed at intentional, long-term change in service systems. To achieve this aim, we inform the conceptual building blocks of service design by applying service-dominant logic’s service ecosystems perspective. Through this process, we develop four core propositions and a multilevel process model of service ecosystem design. The conceptualization of service ecosystem design advances service design theory by illuminating previously taken for granted aspects; explaining how intentional, long-term change emerges; and expanding the scope of service design beyond projects. Furthermore, this research offers a foundation for future research on service design that involves extending the systemic conceptualization of service design, conducting more holistic empirical investigations, and developing practical methods and approaches for the embedded, collective processes of designing.
Pellicle formation, microbial succession and lactic acid utilisation during the aerobic deteriorating process of Sichuan pickle

The pellicles formation, microbial changes and lactic acid utilisation during the aerobic deterioration of Sichuan pickle were discussed in this study. By plate counting, chemical detection and HPLC analysis, the aerobic deterioration of Sichuan pickle was featured by microbial growth, pellicle formation, lactic acid decrease and pH elevation. Bacteria dominated in pellicles and the pellicles present morphological change from smooth to wrinkly along with the aerobic deteriorating process. Nine species of bacteria were identified and responsible for the pellicle formation. Combined with Lactobacillus plantarum, eight pellicle‐forming bacteria were the dominant lactic acid consuming organisms in deteriorating Sichuan pickle. Especially under the harsh acid condition of the early deteriorating period, Lb. plantarum, pellicle‐forming bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis and Citrobacter freundii participated in the pellicles, utilised lactic acid and increased the brine pH effectively. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA libraries suggested that the resulting pH of 4.8–5.0 initiated the growth of more undesirable organisms, and the pellicle bacterial diversity changed greatly compared with that in the early deteriorating period. The study indicated the important role of pellicles in the initiation of Sichuan pickle's aerobic deterioration and enhanced our ability to understand and potentially control the aerobic deterioration.
Three Decades of Research on Corporate Governance and R&D Investments: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda

This paper reviews and systematizes the empirical research on the nexus between corporate governance (CG) and investments in research and development (R&D) published in leading business, management, economics and finance journals over the past 30 years. We find that CG is key in shaping R&D investments. Moreover, the effects of both firm‐ and country‐level CG are important for both internal and external R&D investments. Drawing on our review, we welcome future studies to examine the effect of the interplay between various CG mechanisms and different types of R&D investments, and possibly identify mediating variables besides the moderating ones. Moreover, we highlight the need for future interdisciplinary studies, as well as investigations of private companies and across developing countries. Whenever causal interpretations are attempted, both sample selection and endogeneity problems should be addressed, along with testing the CG‐R&D investment nexus for nonlinear dynamics. The implications of the study for both theory and practice are also discussed.
Antioxidant activities and heat stability of edible flowers of Telosma minor and Sesbania javanica

ABSTRACT Aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the edible flowers of Telosma minor (cowslip creeper), and Sesbania javanica (sesbania) were assessed for their their total phenolics, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity, and anti-lipid peroxidation ability. Aqueous extracts of cowslip creeper had the highest activities as a DPPH radical scavenger and as an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. The value of the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) for DPPH radical-scavenging of the aqueous cowslip creeper extract was 252.5 mg L−1, compared to the EC50 values for the standards, ascorbic acid, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which were 2.26 and 21.80 mg L−1, respectively. For anti-lipid peroxidation, the IC50 (the half-maximal inhibition concentration) value of the aqueous cowslip creeper extract was 1539.93 mg L−1 while the IC50 value of BHT was 683.5 mg L−1. The aqueous extract of cowslip creeper had the highest total phenolic concentration (991.3 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g−1 DW). The total phenolic content in cowslip creeper and sesbania flowers had high positive correlation with their antioxidant activities and anti-lipid peroxidation. The aqueous extract of sesbania flowers was the most heat stable antioxidant (100°C for 15 or 30 min), decreasing in total phenolic content but no changes in DPPH scavenging or in anti-lipid peroxidation activity.
A multi‐platform package for the analysis of intra‐ and interspecific trait evolution

Evolutionary forces affect the distribution of phenotypes both within and among species. Yet, at the macro‐evolutionary scale, the evolution of intraspecific variance is rarely considered. Here, we present an r and a BEAST 2 implementation that extends the JIVE (Joint inter‐ and Intraspecific Variance Evolution) model aimed at the analysis of continuous trait evolution at both inter‐ and intraspecific level. Using a hierarchical Bayesian approach, we implemented a range of models for continuous trait evolution that operate independently on species means and variances along a phylogeny. The package uses Markov chain Monte Carlo for the inference of parameters and the evaluation of model fit. JIVE is available in the bite (Bayesian Integrative models of Trait Evolution) r package, as well as in BEAST 2. The two implementations offer the same continuous trait evolutionary models, but differ in their use and types of analyses. The r implementation allows for faster analyses by taking the phylogeny as data, while providing graphical and statistical functions as part of tools for model comparison, result parsing and summary, and plotting. In the BEAST 2 implementation, the species tree is a parameter, and both its topology and divergence times are jointly estimated with trait model parameters. The bite package and the BEAST 2 implementation introduce new frameworks within comparative phylogenetics that explicitly model intraspecific variance. These tools allow users to tackle long‐standing questions in evolutionary biology, such as the identification of key evolutionary processes determining niche conservatism, niche partitioning, and life‐history strategies.
Organic seed treatments for the reduction of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on tomato seed

The effects of OxiDate 2.0, sodium hypochlorite, thyme oil, rosemary stem infusion and ginkgo leaf infusion were tested in vitro on the bacterial cells of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. All treatments significantly reduced bacterial populations except for the infusions. Tomato seed artificially inoculated with X. euvesicatoria was treated with OxiDate 2.0, NaOCl, thyme oil or hot water and assayed by dilution plating of seed washes. All treatments gave significant reductions. Germination was not affected. Seedlings grown for 14 days from treated seed were assayed for bacterial populations using dilution plating and real-time PCR. Bacterial transmission to seedlings occurred in all treatments although seedlings from treated seeds had significantly lower populations than the control. NaOCl and hot water were the most effective seed treatments for reducing pathogen populations. INDEX WORDS: Bacterial spot, Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, Organic seed treatments, Tomato disease, Sodium hypochlorite, OxiDate 2.0, Thyme oil, Hot water seed treatment ORGANIC SEED TREATMENTS FOR THE REDUCTION OF Xanthomonas euvesicatoria ON TOMATO SEED
Graduate Medical Education Virtual Interviews and Recruitment in the Era of COVID-19.

I n May 2020, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that medical schools and teaching hospitals interview potential students, residents, and faculty virtually this application cycle due to the COVID-19 pandemic to limit disease transmission and ensure safety. This will dramatically change the landscape of how applicants learn about prospective programs and determine fit. To address the impact of these changes and ensure a successful residency application season for students and programs, it will be important for institutions to develop recruitment strategies that leverage technology and social media to approximate the benefits of in-person interviews.
Responses of leaf traits to low temperature in an evergreen oak at its upper limit

Low temperature is a major driver of the upper distributional limits of subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests in East Asia. The eco-physiology of evergreen broadleaved trees at the upper limits could respond to both lower winter temperature and lower averaged annual temperature that covary with elevation. To analyze these responses, we assessed the variations in leaf chemical traits of Cyclobalanopsis gracilis with seasonality and along elevation in the ecotone from subtropical to temperate climate, and analyzed the relationships between traits of mature leaves and temperature. The study showed that the mass-based nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content reached the highest level across elevations during winter; however, the winter NSC content did not differ between elevations. For mature leaves, leaf dry mass per area (LMA) tended to be higher approaching the upper limit. The leaf carbon to phosphorus ratio (C/P) showed an increasing trend with decreasing temperature, as did leaf carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) to some extent. The mass-based P content showed a decreasing trend approaching the upper limit, whereas area-based P content showed no significant variation. Our main results indicate that leaf NSC content is highest at all elevations in winter, and individuals at high elevations have high LMA and high nutrient use efficiency. The results suggest that for C. gracilis , an increasing leaf NSC results in a baseline protection to cope with cold in winter, which, at higher elevations is supplemented with increasing LMA and nutrient use efficiency to cope with associated low-temperature stress.
Plant extract and probiotcs change elemental status of muscle tissue of broilers

This study was designed to investigate the effect of probiotic (B. adolescentis and L. acidophilus) and plant extract Quercus cortex (EQC) on the elemental status of muscle tissue of broiler chicken. For this, 120 7-day-old broilers were allocated to the following groups: control group – base diet (BD); I – BD +EQC; II – BD + probiotic; III - BD + probiotic + EQC. The following methods were used: atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The of pectoral muscle tissue from broilers in group II contained more calcium, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chromium, nickel and vanadium (P≤0.05). In the femoral muscles, there was an increased accumulation of magnesium, phosphorus, nickel and cobalt in group II (P≤0.05). The combined supplementation with QC and probiotic leads to an improvement of the changes the elemental status of muscle tissue, depending on its localisation, with minor changes to carcass traits.