Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disturbances Impact on Longevity of Grass Seeds, Semi-Arid South African Rangeland

Abstract The effect of plant and soil disturbances on seed density, species richness, and seed longevity of the soil seed bank was quantified for a semi-arid rangeland, over a 5-yr period (2002/2003–2006/2007 growing seasons). The different soil and plant treatments included fire, tillage (intended as a trampling surrogate), and blocked seed rain (simulating heavy grazing). These three experimental factors were combined in a factorial arrangement. Seed responses were evaluated in the soil seed bank before the new seed set, after the first seed production event, and after the second seed production event. Before disturbance (physical impact on the plant and soil), soil seed bank was dominated by early successional species: conversely, aboveground vegetation was mainly dominated by perennial grasses. After only 4 yr of blocked seed rain, seedling emergence of Decreaser grass species ceased totally both in the field and seed bank, with lower effect on Increaser grass species. Emergence of both Decreaser and Increaser grass species decreased in the seed bank with tillage, whereas the opposite occurred in the field. By contrast, tillage increased the emergence of weeds in the seed bank. The decrease in emergence of Decreaser grass species in both seed bank and field was still evident 4 yr after the rangeland was burnt. The grass species Themeda triandra was the most sensitive to fire in terms of seedling emergence. Blocked seed rain treatment significantly decreased (P < 0.05) species richness. Regardless of treatments applied, there was poor similarity between aboveground vegetation and the associated seed bank. Differences in the soil seed bank are likely to reflect manifested properties rather than short-term changes. Several characteristics of seed banks (species composition, seed abundance, and longevity) must be considered in order to understand the dynamics of plant communities following disturbances.
Applying load-sharing method to the sliding contact in the presence of nano-lubricants

The main goal of this study is to present a model to investigate the effect of nano-particles’ weight fraction on the friction coefficient of rough contact in the mixed-lubrication regime. Experimental testing involves pin-on-disk measurements of the friction coefficient with CuO nano-particles added to engine oil. Theoretical analyses involve developing a method for treating an EHL line contact with provision for surface roughness that takes into account the load-carrying capacity of surface asperities, lubricant, and nano-particles. Results show that theoretical and experimental results for friction coefficients are in good agreement. A parametric study is conducted to investigate effect of load, the geometry of the nano-particles, and their mechanical properties as well as their weight fraction on the friction coefficient.
THE POLYCHAETE STOMODEUM AND THE INTER‐RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FAMILIES OF POLYCHAETA

The structure of the proboscis in different polychaetes is described and compared with the structures derived from the stomodeum in those polychaetes in which no proboscis is to be found. Evidence is presented to support the contention that the structures which arise from the stomodeum are of phylogenetic value and that as a result suggestions for a less arbitrary classification of the Polychaeta than those commonly used are made. It is suggested that those worms with a ventral proboscis represent mainly separate lines of evolution from a primitive stock provided with a ventral buccal organ similar to that found today in archiaimelids, and that this buccal organ has been retained with relatively little modification in some deposit feeders such as ampharetids and terebellids. It is also suggested that an axial proboscis was evolved at an early stage of evolution and has diverged into two main types, one without and one with a gizzard-like pharynx; the first, in sand and mud eaters in which the simpler proboscis tends to be lost on transition from deposit to suspension feeding (as in chaetopterids and sabellariids), the second, in worms of more diverse but predominantly predatory or scavenging habit.
Influence of Pasteurization on the Quality of Pineapple, Watermelon and Banana Pulps-based Smoothie Flavoured with Coconut Milk

Effect of pasteurization on the quality of pineapple, watermelon and banana pulps-based smoothie flavoured with coconut milk was reported. The fruits were sorted, washed thoroughly with clean salt water, peeled, sliced and diced into small cubes, while coconut heads were processed into milk. Smoothies from blends of pineapple (P), watermelon (W) and banana (B) pulps were formulated and coconut milk (C) was added as a flavourant. The blends: PWBC1 (50:40:10:10), PWBC2 (50:10:40:10) and PWBC3 (50:30:20:10), were of different ratios with each pasteurized to obtain three more samples (A1, A2 and A3). The three non-pasteurized products served as control. Chemical, microbial and sensory analyses were carried out on all smoothie samples. Significant (p>0.05) differences did not exist in proximate composition between treatments; but within samples, moisture (65.15-73.68%), crude protein (0.45-1.08%), fat (3.04-3.34%), fibre (6.82-10.14%), ash (1.50-2.80%) and carbohydrate (14.21-18.79%) contents. All the samples had significantly (p<0.05) high proportion of vitamin C (220.49-844.71 mg 100ml-1), pro-vitamin A (63.64-250.72 mg 100ml-1), potassium (98.73-200.59 mg 100ml-1) and calcium (17.79-19.10 mg 100ml-1) contents. Pasteurization treatment gave smoothies of comparable nutritional and organoleptic properties with the conventional non-pasteurized smoothies. The pasteurized samples (A2 and A3) had higher scores in overall acceptability for the sensory attributes. With pasteurization, safe smoothie beverages prepared and consumed regularly can assist in the enhancement and sustainability of household food and nutrition security.
The cause effect: the impact of corporate social responsibility advertising on cause consumer engagement behavior after brand affiliation ceases

Abstract Brands often engage in cause involvement out of a sense of social responsibility. While these associations with causes can positively impact brand equity, brand loyalty, and brand-favorable consumer choice, it is less understood whether corporate cause involvement has the ability to create cause associations in consumers that transcend the brand’s involvement and lead to enduring cause-oriented behaviors. This study uses social media analytics and hierarchical linear regression to investigate the Twitter activity of a random sample of 3,090 individuals who engaged directly with the anti-bullying cause in direct response to Secret’s ‘Mean Stinks’ CSR advertising campaign. This research identifies the influence that those individuals’ campaign-specific consumer engagement behavior (i.e. volume of activity and length of participation time) in the brand’s cause campaign, as well as their engagement with the broader anti-bullying cause had on the persistence of their cause-related activity following the end of Secret’s active advertising of the cause. This is done in an effort to identify whether cause affiliations that are inspired and influenced by a brand can endure beyond the brand’s campaign, and ultimately comment on the longitudinal social influence of brand involvement in social causes.
Stressed Banks? Evidence from the Largest-Ever Supervisory Review

We study short-term and medium-term changes in bank risk-taking as a result of supervision, and the associated real effects. For identification, we exploit the European Central Bank’s asset-quality review (AQR) in conjunction with security and credit registers. After the AQR announcement, reviewed banks reduce riskier securities and credit supply, with the greatest effect on riskiest securities. We find negative spillovers on asset prices and firm-level credit availability. Moreover, non-banks with higher exposure to reviewed banks acquire the shed risk. After the AQR compliance, reviewed banks reload riskier securities but not riskier credit, resulting in negative medium-term firm-level real effects. These effects are especially strong for firms with high ex-ante credit risk. Among these non-safe firms, even those with high ex-ante productivity experience negative real effects. Our findings suggest that banks’ liquid assets help them to mask risk from supervisors and risk adjustments banks make in response to supervision have persistent corporate real effects.
Are Opera Singers Fit or Not?

Little information is available about the physical fitness of opera singers. The aim of this study is to measure cardiac engagement during rehearsals and to test both cardiovascular fitness and body composition in a group of opera singers. Thirty-two opera singers (17 female and 15 male) were enrolled for the assessment of body composition by bio impedance, of cardiovascular fitness by submaximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and the physical effort during singing. Anthropometric parameters showed an overweight condition mainly due to an increase in fat mass. Watts reached during the cycle ergometer test were below the normal range for the general population. During rehearsals, singers have reached 95% of the maximum heart rate. Nowadays, opera singers show low levels of physical fitness, but singing is an activity that requires a high heart effort. Therefore, it is recommended to involve such professionals in a gradual and individualized physical training program in order to avoid fatigue during performances and achieve a better singing performance.
Phylogeography of the widespread Australian freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium australiense (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Aim To investigate the phylogeographic structure of the widespread freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium australiense, within and between major Australian drainage basins using mitochondrial sequence data. This will enable the investigation of historical connections between major drainages and examination of hypotheses of biogeographic associations among Australian freshwater basins.
Comparison of faecal nitrogen regressions and in vitro estimates of diet digestibility for estimating the consumption of herbage by grazing animals

The indirect estimation of intake of grazing animals is usually made from faecal index regression equations. Faecal nitrogen content or total faecal nitrogen are widely used to estimate intake. The most precise estimate of intake is obtained for a specific herbage (e.g. Phalaris) and condition (e.g. green, dry, etc,). Lambourne & Reardon (1963) found that the standard error of an estimate of the intake of a single animal, from a general regression equation, was 23%. Arnold & Dudzinski (1963) showed that the precision of estimates from general equations is improved by multiple regression including terms for faecal output. However, as regression relations are obtained from pen-feeding trials and are applied to field grazing, the following discrepancies axe likely to occur. We may have to extrapolate from low intakes in pens to higher intakes in the field; in addition selective grazing in the field can introduce a serious bias. To overcome the latter, when we are not sure about the exact condition of the forage eaten, as when green and dry herbage are both present, an average regression over two or more conditions has to be used. Naturally the precision of estimate then is much lower, because of the uncertainty as to what the animals are in fact selecting.
S Coda and Rayleigh Waves From a Decade of Repeating Earthquakes Reveal Discordant Temporal Velocity Changes Since the 2004 Sumatra Earthquake

Temporal changes in the subsurface seismic velocity structure reflect the physical processes that modulate the properties of the media through which seismic waves propagate. These processes, such as healing of the surface damage zone and deep crustal deformation, are described by similar functional forms and operate on similar timescales, making it difficult to determine which process drives the observed changes. We examine earthquake‐induced velocity changes using the measured lag‐time time series τ(t) of the repeating earthquake sequences since the 2004 Mw 9.2 Sumatra and 2005 Mw 8.6 Nias earthquakes. The S coda velocity changes (δVS, equivalent to −τS) recover steadily during the 2005–2015 period. The Rayleigh wave velocity changes (δVLR, or −τLR) undergo transient recovery, followed by a strong δVLR reduction in late 2007. δVS recovery is most likely driven by deep processes, whereas the temporal breaks in δVLR recovery in 2007 mostly reflect surface damage and healing induced by the strong ground motions of the 2004 Mw 9.2, 2005 Mw 8.6, 2007 Mw 8.4, and Mw 7.9 Bengkulu and 2008 Mw 7.3 Simeulue earthquakes. The observed differences between the temporal variations in δVS and δVLR can distinguish deep processes from healing of the surface damage zone.
Influence of fermented soy protein consumption on hypertension and gut microbial modulation in spontaneous hypertensive rats

Plant proteins are known to possess important bioactive peptides and have a positive impact on gut microbial modulation. In this study, we studied the ability of a single dose of a fermented soy protein product (P-SPI) to reduce high blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and how it modulates the gut microbiota after six weeks of feeding. SHRs were fed with P-SPI, Captopril or distilled water once, and their blood pressures were monitored from the first to twelfth-hour post-administration. Consumption of P-SPI significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures up to the sixth hour by 25 ± 4 mmHg and 40 ± 5 mmHg respectively. P-SPI consumption inhibited serum ACE activity, increased superoxide dismutase activity and nitric oxide levels and reduced malondialdehyde levels in serum. Analysis of fecal microbial 16S rRNA of hypertensive rats revealed a significant reduction in microbial richness and diversity in the gut, while P-SPI consumption improved microbial richness and increased diversity. Also, P-SPI feeding significantly reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased propionate- and H2S-producing bacteria and reduced Streptococcaceae and Erysipelotrichales levels. Our results show that P-SPI is a potential antihypertensive functional food which could remodel the altered gut microbiota of hypertensive patients.
An Efficient Delay Tolerant Networks Routing Protocol for Information-Centric Networking

Delay tolerant networks (DTN) is a good candidate for delivering information-centric networking (ICN) messages in fragmented networks due to disaster. In order to efficiently deliver ICN messages in DTN, the characteristics of multiple requester nodes for the same content and multiple provider nodes for the same request should be used efficiently. In this paper, we propose an efficient DTN routing protocol for ICN. In the proposed protocol, requester information for request packet, which is called an Interest in ICN, is shared by exchanging status table with requested Data ID, requester ID, and satisfaction flag, where satisfaction flag is defined to show the delivery status of Data, so that unnecessary forwarding of Data is avoided. Data is forwarded to a more probable node by comparing average delivery predictability to a set of requesters. Performance of the proposed protocol was evaluated using simulation from the aspect of Data delivery probability and Data overhead, for varying buffer sizes, number of relay nodes, and time-to-live (TTL) of Data. The results show that the proposed protocol has better Data delivery probability, compared to content distribution and retrieval framework in disaster networks for public protection (CIDOR) and opportunistic forwarding (OF) protocols, although there is a tradeoff from the aspect of Data overhead for varying buffer sizes and number of relay nodes.
Oil fatty acid composition of eighteen Mediterranean olive varieties cultivated under the arid conditions of Boughrara (southern Tunisia)

In this study, eighteen olive varieties, originating from Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Algeria, and maintained at the olive experimental station of Boughrara (arid region of Tunisia) were evaluated for their oil yield and fatty acid composition. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among varieties for all traits (p < 0.01). The Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) classified the varieties into three main groups. The first group included a subgroup which is composed of seven olive varieties (Cornezuelo, Verdial de Velez-Malaga, Leccino, Coratina, Koroneiki, Lechin de Granada and Changlot Real) characterized by high oil yield with high oleic, low palmitic and linoleic acid contents. The fatty acid compositions of the oils from these varieties comply with international standards and show more beneficial characteristics than the oil obtained from Chemlali: the most abundant olive cultivar in Tunisia. Finally, the main fatty acids (palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2)) of nine of the studied virgin olive oils were compared to those sampled from their traditional areas. Except for Koroneiki and Oliviere oils which showed an unchanged fatty acid composition and for Cornezuelo oil in which the level of oleic acid raised and the level of linoleic acid decreased, most of oils showed a decrease in oleic acid rates and an increase in palmitic and linoleic acid percentages as compared to those from their original sites.
Comparing Pre-service Civic Education Teachers’ TPACK Confidence Across Course Modes

Integrating technology into learning and instruction processes is inevitable in this modern world, so it is of pivotal importance that all teachers should master TPACK confidently. Unfortunately, the approaches toward teacher education programs in many countries, specifically in Indonesia, do not yet integrate TPACK in the curriculum. This study aimed at comparing pre-service civic education teachers’ TPACK confidence across three course modes—Regular A, B, and C—of a pre-service teacher education program in Indonesia. Involving 90 pre-service civic education teachers, a self-report measure survey is used as the research method. The result revealed that Regular A and C pre-service civic education teachers report an almost equal level of TPACK confidence while the Regular B pre-service civic education teachers report a lower level of TPACK confidence. Academic and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and insights for future teacher education programs are provided.
Fossil evidence for low gas exchange capacities for Early Cretaceous angiosperm leaves

Abstract The photosynthetic gas exchange capacities of early angiosperms remain enigmatic. Nevertheless, many hypotheses about the causes of early angiosperm success and how angiosperms influenced Mesozoic ecosystem function hinge on understanding the maximum capacity for early angiosperm metabolism. We applied structure-functional analyses of leaf veins and stomatal pore geometry to determine the hydraulic and diffusive gas exchange capacities of Early Cretaceous fossil leaves. All of the late Aptian–early Albian angiosperms measured possessed low vein density and low maximal stomatal pore area, indicating low leaf gas exchange capacities in comparison to modern ecologically dominant angiosperms. Gas exchange capacities for Early Cretaceous angiosperms were equivalent or lower than ferns and gymnosperms. Fossil leaf taxa from Aptian to Paleocene sediments previously identified as putative stem-lineages to Austrobaileyales and Chloranthales had the same gas exchange capacities and possibly leaf water relations of their living relatives. Our results provide fossil evidence for the hypothesis that high leaf gas exchange capacity is a derived feature of later angiosperm evolution. In addition, the leaf gas exchange functions of austrobaileyoid and chloranthoid fossils support the hypothesis that comparative research on the biology of living basal angiosperm lineages reveals genuine signals of Early Cretaceous angiosperm ecophysiology.
Assessing Personality States: What to Consider when Constructing Personality State Measures

Repeated assessments of personality states in daily diary or experience sampling studies have become a more and more common tool in the psychologist's toolbox. However, and contrary to the widely available literature on personality traits, no best practices for the development of personality state measures exist, and personality state measures have been developed in many different ways. To address this, we first define what a personality state is and discuss important components. On the basis of this, we define what a personality state measure is and suggest a general guideline for the development of such measures. Following the ABC of test construction can then guide the strategy for obtaining validity and reliability evidence: (A) What is the construct being measured? (B) What is the intended purpose of the measure? And (C) What is the targeted population of persons and situations? We then conclude with an example by developing an initial item pool for the assessment of conscientiousness personality states. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Internet use, social isolation and loneliness in older adults

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore associations between internet/email use in a large sample of older English adults with their social isolation and loneliness. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Wave 8 were used, with complete data available for 4,492 men and women aged ⩾ 50 years (mean age = 64.3, standard deviation = 13.3; 51.7% males). Binomial logistic regression was used to analyse cross-sectional associations between internet/email use and social isolation and loneliness. The majority of older adults reported using the internet/email every day (69.3%), fewer participants reported once a week (8.5%), once a month (2.6%), once every three months (0.7%), less than every three months (1.5%) and never (17.4%). No significant associations were found between internet/email use and loneliness, however, non-linear associations were found for social isolation. Older adults using the internet/email either once a week (odds ratio (OR) = 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49–0.72) or once a month (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45–0.80) were significantly less likely to be socially isolated than every day users; those using internet/email less than once every three months were significantly more likely to be socially isolated than every day users (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.28–6.40). Once every three months and never users showed no difference in social isolation compared with every day users. Weak associations were found between different online activities and loneliness, and strong associations were found with social isolation. The study updated knowledge of older adults’ internet/email habits, devices used and activities engaged in online. Findings may be important for the design of digital behaviour change interventions in older adults, particularly in groups at risk of or interventions targeting loneliness and/or social isolation.