Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling cannabinoids from a large-scale sample of Cannabis sativa chemotypes

The accelerating legalization of Cannabis has opened the industry to using contemporary analytical techniques. The gene regulation and pharmacokinetics of dozens of cannabinoids remain poorly understood. Because retailers in many medical and recreational jurisdictions are required to report chemical concentrations of cannabinoids, commercial laboratories have growing chemotype datasets of diverse Cannabis cultivars. Using a data set of 17,600 cultivars tested by Steep Hill Inc., we apply machine learning techniques to interpolate missing chemotype observations and cluster cultivars together based on similarity. Our results show that cultivars cluster based on their chemotype, and that some imputation methods work better than others at grouping these cultivars based on chemotypic identity. However, due to the missing data for some of the cannabinoids their behavior could not be accurately predicted. These findings have implications for characterizing complex interactions in cannabinoid biosynthesis and improving phenotypical classification of Cannabis cultivars.
A Multiyear Investigation of Student Computational Thinking Concepts, Practices, and Perspectives in an After-School Computing Program

In this work, we examine whether repeated participation in an after-school computing program influenced student learning of computational thinking concepts, practices, and perspectives. We also examine gender differences in learning outcomes. The program was developed through a school–university partnership. Data were collected from 138 students over a 2.5-year period. Data sources included pre–post content assessments of computational concepts related to programming in addition to computational artifacts and interviews with a purposeful sample of 12 participants. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical methods to identify gains in pre- and post-learning of computational thinking concepts and examine potential gender differences. Interview data were analyzed qualitatively. Results indicated that students made significant gains in their learning of computational thinking concepts and that gains persisted over time. Results also revealed differences in learning of computational thinking concepts among boys and girls both at the beginning and end of the program. Finally, results from student interviews provided insights into the development of computational thinking practices and perspectives over time. Results have implications for the design of after-school computing programs that help broaden participation in computing.
Theory of Planned Behavior Approach and Gender Differences on Students’ Intention to Practice Online Business

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, gender and self-efficacy towards college students’ intention to practice online business in Surabaya. Theory of planned behavior is used to analyze student intention to become an entrepreneur through e-commerce especially online shop platform, thus becoming solution to decrease unemployment rate in Indonesia and furthermore increasing the economy of Indonesia in general. This research uses primary data resources which collected directly by distributing questionnaires to 114 respondents. The respondents are college students that use e-commerce application at least once a month. The findings of this study are attitude has a negative effect towards student’s intention to practice online business, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a positive effect towards student’s intention to practice online business. Self-efficacy could not moderate the effect of attitude on student’s intention to practice online business. Female college students have a higher intention to practice online business compared to male college students.
TRANSESTERIFIKASI MINYAK JELANTAH MENJADI BIODIESEL DENGAN KATALIS RFCCU BASE CHEMICAL Al2O3

Penggunaan katalis RFCCU Base Chemical Al2O3 dipelajari untuk pembuatan biodiesel dari minyak jelantah. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh suhu ( 80, 90, 100, 110 dan 120oC), jumlah katalis ( 1, 2, 3, 4, dan 5 %), waktu reaksi (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 dan 60 menit), terhadap konversi metil ester dan yield yang dihasilkan . Konversi dan yield yang tertinggi diperoleh sebesar 76,59 % dan 122 mL, diperoleh ketika reaksi berlangsung pada suhu reaksi 600 C, jumlah katalis 4 %, dan waktu reaksi 60 menit. Karakteristik metil ester yang dihasilkan memenuhi Standar Mutu SNI 7182:2015 untuk parameter uji massa jenis pada 40oC, sebesar 885,0 kg/m3, cetane number 51,6 dan sulphur content 25 mg/kg. Kata kunci : katalis; metil ester; transesterifikasi
Radiocarbon ages of dissolved and particulate organic matter in small water bodies of the Lena Delta

The term “Permafrost” describes soil or rock, whose temperature stays at or underneath 0 for at least two years. 50% of the globally estimated, soil-stored organic carbon is to be found in permafrost of the northern hemisphere. Due to global warming more and more of this permanently frozen soil thaws. This leads to thermokarst processes, which create lakes and small ponds. Those lakes and ponds lead to more thawing of the soil around them. The long stored old organic material can be leached out by this thawing processes and either dissolve or float as particles in the water column. Carbon, which is released in big arctic rivers, has been analyzed. Often, the particulate organic carbon (POC) carried by rivers is older than the dissolved organic Carbon (DOC). The radiogenic carbon signature of DOC shows a very young signature. Due to mineralization and metabolism by microorganisms large amount of DOC leave the flows as CO2 and CH4. Concentrations of DOC in artic lakes have been analyzed while the origin of this DOC was completely unclear. Also, DOC from ponds has not been analyzed concerning their radiogenic carbon signature yet. This bachelor thesis focuses on this gap of research and will attempt to answer the following questions: Do relations between the sizes of water bodies, the concentrations and radiogenic signature of DOC exist? What happens with dissolved and particulate carbon in lakes and ponds? Why carbon in artic rivers is so young? The samples for this thesis were taken during field expeditions in August 2016 and July 2017. These expeditions took place in the central part of the Delta Lena. Samples were taken on the geological first terrace unit and on the third terrace unit. To cover the first terrace unit, lakes and ponds on Samoylov were sampled. To cover the third terrace unit, lakes and outflows on Kurungnakh were sampled. To extract DOC the water samples were evaporated using a Rotary-Evaporator and afterwards analyzed in an AMS called MICADAS. The resulting concentrations and radiogenic carbon signatures lead to the perception, that bigger lakes have a lower concentration of DOC with more enriched amounts of 14C while smaller ponds have a higher concentration with a more depleted ratio. DOC, which was leached into the waterbodies either gassed out due to mineralization or metabolisms by microorganisms. Bigger amounts of POC are especially leached into waterbodies due to heavy rain events, the thawing process in early summer and floods. The enriched Δ14C-signature of the Lena can be explained with the release of larger amounts of carbon with enriched Δ14C-values from the first terrace. Additionally, older organic Carbon is instable and degrades fast.
Age-period-cohort effects on the development of cognitive impairment among the elderly

The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of age, calendar period, and birth cohort on the development of cognitive impairment among the elderly, and to identify factors possibly moderating these effects. Harmonized data were drawn from two community-based cohort studies. A total of 3,021 participants, born after 1895, age 65 years or older with normal cognitive capacities were recruited during 1987-2008 and followed for more than 10 years. Cognitive capability was evaluated periodically using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was defined as the CDR value reaching 0.5. Age-period-cohort (APC) modelling approach was used to evaluate three time-varying effects on the development of MCI. Confounding and moderating effects of gender, education, and ApoE4 allele were also examined. Our analysis results showed that age was the most significant time-dependent factor affecting the MCI incident rates. Within the same calendar period and birth cohort, the MCI rate in the older elderly was significantly higher compared with the younger elderly population. A significant period effect was observed in which the MCI incidence rates were decreasing from the period of 1990-1994 through 2015 after controlling for age and birth cohort. No significant cohort effect was found. Gender showed no significant confounding or moderating effects. The age effects on MCI incidence rate was not moderated or confounded by education, while the period effects were significantly confounded by education. The cohort effect was significantly moderated by education. The cohort effects on MCI incidence rates for individuals who received HS education or higher education were different depending on the levels of education. ApoE4 allele did not show a significant moderating effect. Public Health Significance The APC model shows advantages over the traditional modelling approaches as it dissects the independent effects of age, period, and cohort. For public health, chronic disease prevalence often reflects a combination of processes that vary by these three factors. Better understanding the impacts of these time-dependent factors on disease rates help to guide hypotheses about etiologic mechanisms, and more importantly, guides researchers in conducting and presenting surveillance with the best practices.
Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies among Undergraduate University Students: Role of Gender

This study intended to explore the disparity in male and female approach to recognize perceived stress and coping strategies among first year university students. The data was collected from N=454 students (Male n= 301 & Female n= 153) aged between 18- 23 years. All students belonged to a public sector university situated in the city of Multan, Pakistan. Purposive convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. The data was collected through Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Resource Inventory. The findings showed that there were variations in the perceived stress and coping styles of males and females. Female undergraduate students reported high perceived stress as compared to male students and male students often used problem focused coping strategies whereas the female students on the contrary used more emotional focused coping strategies. Results pertaining to effect of perceived stress on the use of coping strategies declared that the effect of stress on coping strategies is different among male and female first year university students. The results of the study highlight the importance of providing trainings to first year undergraduate students on using effective coping strategies to deal with their high level of perceived stress.
Multiperiod Contracting and Salesperson Effort Profiles: The Optimality of “Hockey Stick,” “Giving Up,” and “Resting on Laurels”

The authors study multiperiod sales force incentive contracting in which salespeople can engage in effort gaming, a phenomenon that has extensive empirical support. Focusing on a repeated moral hazard scenario with two independent periods and a risk-neutral agent with limited liability, the authors conduct a theoretical investigation to understand which effort profiles the firm can expect under the optimal contract. The authors show that various effort profiles that may give the appearance of being suboptimal, such as postponing effort exertion (“hockey stick”) and not exerting effort after a bad or a good initial demand outcome (“giving up” and “resting on laurels,” respectively) may indeed be induced optimally by the firm. This is because, under certain conditions that depend on how severe the contracting frictions are and how effective effort exertion is in increasing demand, the firm wants to concentrate rewards on extreme demand outcomes. Doing this induces gaming and reduces expected demand but also makes motivating effort cheaper, thus saving on incentive payments. On introducing dependence between time periods, such as when the agent can transfer demands between periods, this insight continues to hold and, furthermore, “hockey stick,” “giving up,” and “resting on laurels” can be optimal for the firm even under repeated short time horizon contracting. The results imply that one must carefully consider the setting and environmental factors when making inferences about contract effectiveness from dynamic effort profiles of agents.
Effect of Tulsi ( Ocimum sanctum Linn.) on Clinical and Biochemical Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome can be defined as a set of symptoms, associated with a risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and obesity. Eugenol is a phenolic compound and major constituent of essential oils extracted from different parts of Tulsi plant. Its therapeutic use has been established on the basis of several pharmacological studies related with hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia. To investigate the effect of Tulsi on clinical and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome. Hundred patients randomly selected for this study, further categorized in 2 groups, control group and study group. Patients were asked to take 5ml of Tulsi extract two times a day for three months. Baseline parameters were taken for every patient i.e. BMI, W/H Ratio fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipid profile. Biochemical and anthropometric data were also recorded at the end of the study. On comparing control and study population for effect of Tulsi therapy, an improving trend was observed in study group.BMI (27.00±3.23 to 27.10±8.64 kg/m 2 , p<0.9), SBP (151.30±8.48 to 138.68±9.84 mmHg, p<0.001), DBP (95.76±3.63 to 87.12±8.81 mmHg, p<0.001), glycemic control - FBS (209.26±40.15 to 155.28±20.70 mg/dl, p<0.001), HbA1c (8.82±1.25 to 7.34±0.89%, p<0.001). Lipid profile-total cholesterol (244.04±26.30 to 209.28±29.03mg/dl, p<0.001), triglyceride (176.48±16.75 to 138.32±15.17mg/dl, p<0.001), HDL (33.58±3.47 to 39.36±4.25mg/dl, p<0.001), LDL (174.9±26.82 to 142.11±27.50mg/dl, p<0.001), VLDL (35.37±3.84 to 27.66±3.03mg/dl, p<0.001). In metabolic syndrome, Tulsi therapy significantly reduces blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid profile. It shows the therapeutic effect of Tulsi and it may be used as an adjunct with diet and drugs in management of metabolic syndrome.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea and Related Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate if the osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is effective in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). Methods: Randomized single-blinded controlled trial with OMT group and lighttouch treatment (LTT) group. Recruited women were 18-40 years (mean age 27 years), with regular menstrual cycle, normal body mass index (BMI), and a medical diagnosis of PD. Intervention: Patients received five OMT or five LTT over a menstrual cycle. The primary outcomes were average menstrual pain assessed by the numeric rating scale (NRS), the duration of pain, and quality of life (QoL) assessed by the SF-12 Short Form Health Survey and Patient Global Impression Change (PGIC). The secondary outcomes were NSAIDs intake, hours of absence from school/work, and menstrual-related symptoms. Results: 31 subjects were enrolled, of which five were excluded and the remaining 26 were randomized. Patients in OMT group had significant improvement in every outcome, including the average menstrual pain that decreased from 5.35 ± 0.28 to 1.98 ± 0.24 (-63.0%; p<0.001). The mean SF-12 physical component score (PCS) improved from 31.35 ± 1.70 to 49.56 ± 1.92 (+58.1%, p<0.001), the mean SF-12 mental component score (MCS) improved from 38.36 ± 1.16 to 52.04 ± 0.94 (+35.7%; p<0.001). LTT group showed no improvements. Conclusion: OMT was effective in reducing menstrual pain and improving Quality of Life of dysmenorrheic women.
Novel method of treatment

Within the effective plasma level range of the insulin sensitizer limit level ( "threshold plasma concentration") is administered to a human or non-human mammal in need thereof an insulin sensitizer of nontoxic effective amount to provide the plasma concentration over the insulin sensitizer comprising the step, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the intrinsic method of treating an abnormality related to the diabetes, the method for measuring the composition and the plasma concentration of the active agent to be used in such a method for use in such a method. Insulin sensitizer, plasma levels, diabetes
Accuracy of MRCP compared with ERCP in the diagnosis of bile duct disorders : original article

Aim. To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) compared with the gold standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of bile duct disorders at Universitas Hospital, University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein. Patients and methods. Fifty-two patients with suspected pancreatobiliary pathology were included in this prospective observational study. MRCP was performed in the 24-hour period prior to ERCP. Results. MRCP had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 87%, 80%, 83.3% and 84.2% respectively for choledocholithiasis, which correlates well with results obtained in other parts of the world. Conclusion. At UFS, MRCP has high diagnostic accuracy for bile duct calculi. Owing to a small study population, results for other biliary pathology were inconclusive. However, if no therapeutic intervention is found to be necessary, MRCP avoids the potential morbidity and mortality associated with ERCP. MRCP is particularly useful where ERCP is difficult, hazardous or impossible. It is also an important option for patients with failed ERCPs. ERCP and MRCP have different contraindications, allowing them to be used as complementary techniques.
Mitochondrial genome of Chrysochares punctatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) and phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Here, we determined the nearly complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Chrysochares punctatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae), an important insect pest on Apocynum venetum in Northwestern China. This mitogenome was 14,451 bp long, encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 21 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. The C. punctatus mitogenome presented an A + T content of 75.11%, with a positive AT-skew (0.064) and a negative GC-skew (−0.192). Ten PCGs started with a typical ATN codon, whereas the remaining three PCGs started with AAC (cox1) and TTG (nad1 and nad2). All tRNAs had a typical secondary cloverleaf structure, except for trnS1 which lacked the dihydrouridine arm. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs recovered a phylogeny within Chrysomelidae: (((Chrysomelinae + Galerucinae), (((Eumolpinae, Lamprosomatinae), Cassidinae), Criocerinae)), Bruchinae).
Comparative studies of demarcated hypomineralised lesions of dental enamel and their fluorescence properties

ii Dedication . iv Declaration. v Acknowledgements . vi Table of Content . viii List of Tables . xvi List of Figures . xx Abbreviations . xxi Publications and Presentations . xxiii List of Appendices . xxv
Effects of think-pair-share on senior school students’ performance in mathematics in Ilorin, Nigeria

The performance of Nigerian students in the Senior School Certificate Mathematics Examinations over the years has not been encouraging. Studies have indicated that this is partly due to students’ lack of in-depth knowledge of some selected topics in mathematics. Pieces of evidence abound in literature and WAEC Chief examiner’s reports indicating that students performed poorly in set theory with Venn diagram. Therefore, this study examined the effects of think-pair-share on senior school students’ performance in mathematics in Ilorin, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to examine: (i) the performance of students’ taught set theory using think-pair-share cooperative instructional strategy; (ii) the difference in the performance of students taught using think-pair-share instructional strategy based on gender and score level; (iii) the influence of think-pair-share instructional strategy on students’ retention in set theory. The researcher employed a quasi-experimental design for the study. The sample consisted of 118 SS II students. The instruments used for the study was Mathematics Performance Test (MPT). The instruments yielded reliability values of 0.78 using Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedure. The data collected were analyzed using independent sample t-test, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Findings of the study showed: (i) a statistically significant difference in the performance of students taught set theory using think-pair-share compared with their counterparts in the control group in favour of think-pair-share group, (ii) no statistically significant difference in the performance of male and female students taught set theory in Mathematics using think-pair-share; (iii) no statistically significant difference in the performance of students taught set theory in Mathematics using think-pair-share based on scoring levels; and (iv) a statistically significant difference in the knowledge retained by students taught set theory in Mathematics using think-pair-share compared with their counterparts in the control group in favour of think-pair-share group. The study concluded that the use of think-pair-share improved students’ performance in Mathematics, gender of a student does not affect his or her performance in Mathematics, and the use of think-pair-share improved the retention ability of the students. It was recommended among others that the use of think-pair-share be encouraged for teaching and learning of Mathematics at all levels of education.
Mortality and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients treated with endovascular revascularization of the infra-inguinal lower limb arteries from retrograde access

Background In this trial, our objective was to evaluate the relationship between long-term clinical outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treated with retrograde endovascular recanalization (ER) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) regarding the infra-inguinal lower limb arteries and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 834 consecutive subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 67.8±10.6 years (62.6% males). COPD was diagnosed in 98 patients (11.7%). The infra-inguinal location included the deep, superficial and common femoral artery, popliteal artery or below the knee arteries. During follow-up, we evaluated major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and major adverse limb events (MALE). MACCE was considered as death, stroke/transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting operation, while MALE regarded amputation, target lesion re-intervention, target vessel re-intervention and surgical action. Results The mean follow-up was 1,144.9±664.3 days and the interquartile range was 1,110.5 (504.5–1,734.7). Data were collected between 2006 and 2016. We noticed significant differences in death rates among the COPD and non-COPD groups. The cumulative number of events (deaths) was 12.2%, 17.3%, 18.4%, 22.4%, 23.5%, 23.5% and 23.5% in the COPD group and 6.1%, 7.5%, 10.5%, 11.3%, 11.4% 11.5% and 11.5% in the non-COPD group after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 years of follow-up, and was notably greater for COPD (P=0.0007). Conclusions Patients with COPD and PAD treated with the ER and retrograde approach due to CTOs are related to higher mortality than non-COPD patients.