Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of biorationals and their mixed compounds against the melon aphid Aphis gossypii Glover

In recent days sucking pests are getting more attention due to their efficiency to withstand the chemical pesticides by various mechanisms like resistance and resurgence. Usage of chemical pesticides can be reduced by using the biorational pesticides. Biorationals are any type of insecticides active against pest populations, but relatively innocuous to non target organisms and therefore, helpful in biological control. Here some of the biorationals and their mixers are tested against aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover) under laboratory condition in order to find the best biorational pesticide and their combination which leads maximum mortality of aphids and could serve as a better alternative for the chemical pesticides. Four botanicals {Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE), Pongamia seed extract (PSE), Custard apple seed extract (CASE) and Asafoetida}, two entomopathogenic fungi (Beauvaria bassiana and Lecaenicillium lecanii), one organic oil product {Agricultural spray oil (ASO) @ 2ml/l} and five combinations of them has been tried. Among the combinations tested, Agricultural spray oil + Custard apple seed extract + Pongamia seed extract + Neem seed kernel extract (2:1:2:2) @5% has given higher cumulative mortality (100%) after 72 hrs of treatment. And the most efficient entomopathonenic fungus against A. gossypii was Lecaenicillium lecanii IOF 1 strain which gave the mortality percent of 83.40. The steps, results and the future aspects of the study are discussed briefly in this paper.
Comparing Effectiveness of Intensive Hybrid and Traditional Course Formats in the Community College Setting

This study compared the effectiveness of courses taught in a five-week intensive hybrid course format with courses taught in an 11-week traditional course format, in order to explore options for expanding access to higher education in a community college setting. A second theme of the study was that expanding academic access through alternative formats is only valuable if courses produce positive academic results. The historical rationale behind community colleges and the contemporary initiatives to expand them have underscored the need to increase access by providing a range of options to higher education that meet the varying needs of students. The study used matched pairs of courses taught by the same instructor with the same content, texts, and assignments in the two different delivery modes to gather quantitative and qualitative information to evaluate effectiveness. The study also investigated student characteristics that could affect learning in the different formats, and strategies for successfully teaching students in an intensive hybrid course format. Data were gathered from four sources at a community college in the Pacific Northwest: institutional data on student characteristics and performance, in-class student surveys, pretests and posttests of knowledge, and qualitative interviews with instructors. Linear regression analyses and t-tests showed no statistically-significant differences in earned grades between the two formats, controlling for other predictors of student success, including age, gender, and academic characteristics. Therefore the study demonstrated that the alternative format of the five-week hybrid course was
Life style effects on hypertension and obesity in adolescents

Background: Studies based on effects of lifestyle on hypertension and obesity in adolescent age group are lacking in India. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of lifestyle associated risk factors in school going adolescents of Kendriya Vidyalaya in district Firozabad and their effects on hypertension and obesity. Methods: The study was carried out among 200 students of classes 9 and 11 in the age group of 13 to 17 years. Students were given a pre-designed questionnaire and feedback was taken about dietary practices and physical activity along with family history of hypertension and obesity. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure was measured in all children. Effects of lifestyle associated risk factors were determined on obesity and hypertension. Results: The study documents that inappropriate dietary practices (fast food consumption, low fruit intake) and less physical activity were strongly associated with high prevalence of obesity and hypertension in the adolescents. The study also showed that adolescents with positive family history of obesity and/or hypertension are also at higher risk. There was a positive correlation between high BMI and hypertension. Conclusions: School based interventions are required to educate the adolescent children about lifestyle modifications to reduce the morbidity associated with non-communicable diseases.
Pengaruh Problem Based Learning Terhadap Kemampuan Literasi Matematis Siswa Kelas VII Di SMP Negeri 1 Bobotsari

The research aimed to study the effect of Problem Based Learning towards the student’s mathematical literacy skills. This research is an experimental research. The design of this research used post-test-only control design. The population of this research were the whole students on the seventh grade of SMP Negeri 1 Bobotsari. Sampling in this research used cluster random sampling and obtained VII B grade as an experimental class and VII D grade as an control class. The data were collected using mathematical literacy skill test in the form of essay. The results of mathematical literacy skill test on experiment class showed that the average score was 77,81 and the average score on control class was 69,19. After testing the hypothesis was tested using independent sample t-test , a significance value of 0,0115 was obtained, with significance value or α = 0,05. It was concluded that Problem Based Learning was effective toward grade VII student’s mathematical literacy skill in SMP Negeri 1 Bobotsari.
Is carotid plaque volume more important than severity of stenosis when predicting stroke risk in Carotid Artery Disease

Each year 152,000 people suffer from Stroke in the United Kingdom. 25.5% of these Strokes are caused by Carotid Artery Disease. This project set out to develop the foundations of a stroke risk prediction profile in carotid artery disease patients. The main focus of the project was investigating Carotid Plaque Volume as an alternative indicator for Carotid Endarterectomy. The secondary aim was to establish the various parameters that differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic patient groups. 2D and 3D ultrasound, Transcranial Doppler Monitoring for micro-emboli, antiplatelet resistance testing and patient medical history were all performed as part of the study. Blood samples and carotid plaques removed during carotid endarterectomy surgery were processed for metabolomic, proteomic and histological analysis. 121 Carotid Artery Disease patients were recruited to the study (Symptomatic n = 93, asymptomatic n = 28). Symptomatic patients displayed a significantly larger plaque volume than asymptomatic patients (0.836 (SD � 0.035cm3) vs 0.629 (SD � 0.056cm3), P <0.05), whilst no relationship could be made between carotid plaque volume and degree of stenosis (F(4,87) = 0.3380, P 0.852). There was a general trend of increasing plaque volume correlating with increasing symptom severity, with plaque volume gradually increased from Amaurosis Fugax (0.721 (SD � 0.056cm3), n = 12), to TIA (0.844 (SD � 0.056cm3), n = 43) and again to Stroke (1.041 (SD � 0.118cm3), n = 25). Patients that were resistant to antiplatelet medication displayed generally raised carotid plaque volumes (1.33 SD �0.242) vs 0.817 (SD �0.052), P 0.059). Trace metal analysis showed trends of raised Iron (P <0.05) and copper (P 0.065) levels in symptomatic plaques. Using Linear Regression of correlation, all plaques across both patient groups displayed a close positive correlation between Calcium and Lead (R2 0.7113; p <0.0001), Calcium and Zinc (R2 0.6867; P <0.0001), Calcium and Sodium (R2 0.9499; P <0.0001) and Calcium and Magnesium (R2 0.9736; P <0.0001). Due to time constraints and equipment failure, full ? omic analysis of plaque and blood samples could not be completed. We have provided further evidence for the use of plaque volume as an alternative to stenosis when deciding upon best treatment for carotid artery disease patients. This project has also helped to lay the foundations of a stroke risk prediction profile by determining several key differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
A Synthesis of Blue Carbon Stocks, Sources, and Accumulation Rates in Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Meadows in the Northeast Pacific

There is increasing urgency to implement climate change mitigation strategies that enhance greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Recently, coastal “blue carbon” habitats⁠—mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows—have received attention for their ability to capture CO2 and store organic carbon (OC), primarily in their sediments. Across habitat types and regions, however, information about the sequestration rates and sources of carbon to local sediments remains sparse. Here we compiled recently obtained estimates of sediment OC stocks and sequestration rates from 139 cores collected from temperate seagrass (Zostera marina) meadows in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Across all cores sediment OC content averaged 0.75%. Organic carbon stocks in the top 25 cm and 1 m of the sediment averaged 1,846 and 7,168 g OC m−2, respectively. Carbon sequestration rates ranged from 4.6 to 93.0 g OC m−2 yr−1 and averaged 24.8 g OC m−2 yr−1. Isotopic data from this region suggest that OC in the sediments is largely from noneelgrass sources. In general, these values are comparable to those from other temperate Z. marina meadows, but significantly lower than previously reported values for seagrasses globally. These results further highlight the need for local and species‐level quantification of blue carbon parameters. While temperate eelgrass meadows may not sequester and store as much carbon as seagrass meadows elsewhere, climate policy incentives should still be implemented to protect existing sediment carbon stocks and the other critical ecosystem services associated with eelgrass habitats.
When Can Families Fill Voids? Firms’ Reliance on Formal and Informal Institutions in R&D Decisions

Firms are more prone to allocate their resources to research and development (R&D) when they are confident about their ability to appropriate the value created through these activities. In this regard, policymakers introduce formal intellectual property rights (IPR) institutions to create an innovation-friendly environment. Less formalized shared values and norms are however likely to affect the extent to which organizations depend on the strength of formal institutions in determining their R&D strategy. Embracing an institution-based perspective on firm-level strategic decision-making, we examine whether the degree to which a firm relies on strong formal IPR institutions in R&D decisions depends on the configuration of informal institutions in its environment, including family and societal culture. We test our hypotheses on a representative sample of privately-held European manufacturing firms and find that the family institution can play an “institutional void filling” role through involvement in ownership and management. This is particularly the case when the firm is embedded in a collectivist culture coherent with the family’s values and norms imbued in the business. Our study offers contributions to the institution-based view, innovation, and family business literatures.
Mesh generation techniques for numerical integration of arbitrary function over polygonal domain by finite element method

In this paper, a new approach is introduced for approximating two dimensional surface integral proble ms numerically over a convex, non convex reg ions such integrals are typically occur in boundary element method (BEM), the approach given here is domain discretized method by influence of quadrilateral mesh generation technique, then apply Gauss Legendre quadrature rule to generate Gaussian points over convex, nonconvex region. The performances of this method are illustrated with numerical examp les.
Seasonally specific changes in migration phenology across 50 years in the Black-throated Blue Warbler

ABSTRACT The availability of detailed information that encompasses the geographic range of a species, spans a long-term temporal range, and yields individual information (e.g., age and sex), is a principle challenge in ecology. To this end, the North American Bird Banding Laboratory maintains a unique and underutilized dataset that can be used to address core questions of phenological change in migratory birds. We used records from 1966 to 2015 to quantify how the timing of migration has shifted in a long-distance migrant, the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens). Additionally, we examined age and sex differences in the timing of migratory movements. We observed that early spring migrants passed through sites ∼1.1 days earlier per decade and the peak of spring migration also occurred earlier over the 50 yr of this study. Additionally, phenological change was more rapid with increasing latitude during peak spring migratory periods. During fall, the peak of migration stayed consistent across the 50 yr studied, but the migratory season showed protraction overall. During spring, males consistently migrated earlier than females and adults migrated earlier than young individuals. During fall, there was no difference in timing between males and females, but young birds migrated earlier than adults. Additionally, migration proceeded faster in spring compared with the fall. This study reveals differential strategies in migrant timing, across seasons, age groups, and by sex, and shows that en route adjustments across latitude may account for changes in migrant timing. This basic information about such a fundamental ecological process is crucial to our understanding of migration and we must utilize these unique data to appreciate critical shifts at relevant scales of migration.
MEKANISME KOLABORASI UNTUK PENINGKATAN KAPASITAS MASYARAKAT DALAM PROGRAM KEBUN BIBIT RAKYAT DI KABUPATEN POHUWATO

Kebun Bibit Rakyat (KBR) is one of government’s efforts to empower the society in order to combat degraded land through reforestation. This research aimed: 1) to identify the role of stakeholder in capacity building of the community within KBR program at Pohuwato regency. 2) to evaluate the capacity level of the community within KBR program at Pohuwato regency, 3) to formulate the collaborative strategy to the succeed of KBR program at Pohuwato regency. The datas were collected through interview, observation and questioners. The datas then were analyzed by using stakeholder analysis, gap, and SWOT. The results showed that 1) the stakeholder involved in KBR program was mostly dominated by primary stakeholder, meanwhile secondary stakeholder was not involved in KBR program even though from the identification, secondary stakeholder was concerned and influential enough towards the community capacity building within KBR program; 2) the evaluation of community capacity showed that there was gap occurred even though it was relatively small, both at the policy level, organizations and individuals; 3) based on SWOT analysis, there were some strategies that could be formulated into the programs, and they were mapped into strategic architecture portrait. Within this condition, collaboration is very important because every stakeholder would give contribution to the community capacity building.Keywords: Collaboration, stakeholders, community capacity building, Kebun Bibit Rakyat (KBR) program.ABSTRAK Program Kebun Bibit Rakyat (KBR) merupakan salah satu upaya pemerintah untuk lebih memberdayakan masyarakat dalam upaya untuk mengurangi laju kerusakan hutan dan lahan kritis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk 1) Mengidentifikasi peran stakeholder untuk meningkatkan kapasitas masyarakat dalam program KBR di Kabupaten Pohuwato, 2) Mengevaluasi tingkat kapasitas masyarakat dalam program KBR di Kabupaten Pohuwato, 3) Merumuskan strategi kolaborasi untuk keberhasilan program KBR di Kabupaten Pohuwato. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan wawancara, observasi dilapangan dan kuesioner, kemudian data dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis stakeholder, gap, dan SWOT. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 1) Stakeholder yang terlibat dalam program KBR lebih didominasi oleh stakeholder primer, sementara stakeholder sekunder tidak dilibatkan dalam proses KBR padahal dari hasil identifikasi berkepentingan mempunyai pengaruh terhadap peningkatan kapasitas masyarakat dalam program KBR; 2) Evaluasi kapasitas masyarakat menunjukkan adanya gap yang terjadi walaupun relatif kecil, baik pada tingkat kebijakan, organisasi maupun individual; 3) berdasarkan hasil analisis SWOT diperoleh beberapa strategi yang kemudian dirumuskan kedalam beberapa program dan selanjutnya dipetakan kedalam gambar arsitekturstrategik. Dalam kondisi inilah maka kolaborasi menjadi penting karena setiap stakeholder dapat memberikan kontribusinya bagi upaya peningkatan kapasitas masyarakat.Kata Kunci: Kolaborasi, stakeholder, peningkatan kapasitas masyarakat, Program Kebun Bibit Rakyat (KBR)
Study of the Possible Effect of Obesity on Vitamin D Level among a Sample of Adult Men in the Western Region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Aim of the Study: This cross sectional study was aimed to investigate the effect of obesity on vitamin D levels in adult male in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Study Design and Methods: One hundred twenty two Healthy men, aged 20–45 years are included in this study. They were divided into normal (n=48), overweight (n=26) and obese (n=48), according to their body mass index (BMI). Serum 25[OH]D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium Original were measured in different BMI groups. We also measured total body fat percentage (TBF%) and bone mineral density (BMD) in Spine (L1–L4), Femur Neck and Total Body, by DXA technique. Results: Of the total participants, 94.9% had vitamin D deficiency with a mean 27.6±10.78 nmol/L (normal level; 75-250 nmol/L). The mean serum levels for 25(OH)D for the normal, overweight and obese groups were 28.7±12.16 nmol/L, 27.0±8.71 nmol/L and 27.0±10.43 nmol/L, respectively. Of the total participants, 89.4% had an above-average TBF%, and it was negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D. Serum calcium was significantly lower in the obese group compared with the normal BMI group ( P <0.001). Serum PTH was significantly higher in the obese group compared with the normal BMI group ( P <0.023). The BMI was significantly positively correlated with the different BMD measurements. Of our participants, 62% were physically inactive and only 14% were exposed to sunlight. Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabian men is high, regardless of differences in BMI. Elevations in TBF% in different BMI categories play an important role in elevated vitamin D deficiency rates. A sedentary lifestyle and elevated adiposity contribute to an elevation in the vitamin D deficiency rate.
Epidemiology of burns

The aim of this thesis is to understand the epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of specialized burn care in The Netherlands. This thesis is mainly based on historical data of the burn centre in Rotterdam from 1986, combined with historical data from the burn centres in Groningen and Beverwijk from 1995-2009 and the common Dutch Burns Registration (NBR) R3 from 2009. This dissertation consists of three parts: part 1: Epidemiology Part 2: Treatment part 3: Results Part 1 Epidemiology In two chapters trends in severe burns in the Netherlands and epidemiology of children admitted to the Dutch Burn Centres and changes in referral influence admittance rates in burn centres are described . Part 2 Treatment Chapter 4 describes the use of modern wound dressings (hydrofibres) where a reduction in the number of operations to be carried out was seen in comparison with the ointment treatment with silver sulfadiazine in second degree burns. Chapter 5 describes the results of bacteriological cultures at admission, which is used an extensive database from 1987. Part 3 Results In 3 chapters the predictive value of a scoring system and the mortality in burn centers in The Netherlands are described.
The global distribution of grass functional traits within grassy biomes

The sorting of functional traits along environmental gradients is an important driver of community and landscape scale patterns of functional diversity. However, the significance of environmental factors in driving functional gradients within biomes and across continents remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the relationship of soil nutrients and climate to leaf traits in grasses (Poaceae) that are hypothesized to reflect different strategies of resource use along gradients of resource availability.
Flipped classroom and role-playing as active learning methods in the social work degree: randomized experimental study

ABSTRACT The inclusion of active learning methodologies in university degrees, such as Flipped Classroom and Role-playing require a higher degree of student involvement, greater dynamism in learning and increased content interaction. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Flipped Classroom and Role-Playing (FC + RP) methods as compared to the traditional lecturer-based (LB) method, on the academic performance of social work students. It also aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the FC + RP in terms of satisfaction with the subject and the method used, and finally, with respect to the perceived difficulty of each theoretical topic. The hypotheses stating that students using FC+RP methods obtained a higher academic performance, and a lower perception of difficulty of the content as compared to students using the traditional LB method were verified. However, it was not verified that students using FC + RP methods have greater satisfaction with the subject and the method used.
Original article Quality of life in young, professionally active men undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting – short-term follow-up results

Background: The impact of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the quality of life (QoL) is one of the important measures of the efficacy of the procedure. This issue in young, professionally active male patients has not been extensively studied. Aim: To assess QoL before and after on-pump CABG, and before and after cardiac rehabilitation in young men with low operative risk. Methods: The study group comprised 50 men aged 54.4 ± 5.6 years who were professionally active before the surgery. The QoL was assessed on the basis of the MacNew questionnaire (in points). We analysed QoL changes and effects of basic demographic and peri-operative data on QoL during a short-term follow-up. Results: All components of QoL deteriorated shortly after CABG: emotional – from 4.97 ± 0.96 to 4.66 ± 1.0 (p = 0.03); physical – from 4.49 ± 1.1 to 4.2 ± 1.2 (p = 0.02); and social – from 4.68 ± 1.0 to 4.47 ± 1.1 (p = 0.1). Pre-operative physical and social QoL positively correlated with age (r = 0.45 and r = 0.37, respectively) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.49 and r = 0.48, respectively). However, there was a negative impact of history of myocardial infarction on physical QoL (p Conclusions: Quality of life in young, professionally active men significantly deteriorates a few days after on-pump CABG but systematically improves during the next weeks, particularly after rehabilitation. Pre-operative QoL correlates positively with age and LVEF, and negatively with a history of myocardial infarction. Age, pre-operative risk, angina symptoms and the extent of surgery have negative effects on physical QoL after CABG during short-term observation.