Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Sarcocystis fusiformis Crude Antigen Administration on Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses of Wistar Rats

Background: Sarcocystis fusiformis is an apicomplexan intracellular protozoan parasite that infects Indian water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, in Egypt. Aim of the work: The purpose of the study was to assess the changes in the immune parameters of male Wistar rats following their oral administration with thermally treated or fresh extract of Sarcocystis. Materials and Methods: Sarcocysts were isolated from the esophageal muscle specimens that were collected from the slaughtered Indian water buffaloes. These cysts were morphologically described by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Rats (18 per group) were orally administered with: saline (control group), thermally treated cyst extract (heated group) or fresh cyst extract (fresh group). The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-12, IL-10, and IL-13 were measured on days 7, 14, and 28 post-administration. Cells positive for CD4, CD8, IgG, and the phosphorylated-NF-κB have been detected by the immunohistochemical technique at the end of the study. Results: In both thymus and spleen, the area%, as well as the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in response to the fresh extract were significantly increased compared to the control group. On day 28, the fresh extract induced a significant increase in the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-15, IL-12, IL-10, and IL-13 while thermally treated extract was significantly elicited higher levels of IL-15, IL-12, and IL-13 in comparison to the control group. The number of positive splenocytes for phosphorylated-NF-κB was significantly higher in the fresh group than in the heated or control group. In response to fresh extract, the number of IgG+ cells was markedly increased in the follicular zone of the lymph node in comparison with controls. Conclusion: The state at which the parasite extract was administered (fresh or thermally treated cysts) has an inherent influence on immune responses, both innate and adaptive.
Literature mapping about gamification in the teaching and learning processes

: Gamification refers to the incorporation of typical game elements in contexts that are not games, with an objective to motivate the individual to perform certain tasks. For this reason, numerous academics are putting their efforts into designing gamified strategies for the classroom. This paper maps trends and patterns related to gamification as a strategy in teaching and learning processes. For this purpose, a systematic literature review was conducted, based on the content analysis of 99 documents. The results highlight engagement, motivation, and performance as the principal benefits from adopting gamified tools in the classroom. This research is made up of Quantitative and conceptual work: the most used collection techniques are questionnaires, and the gamified elements focused on are the point scoring system, badges, and leaderboard. These previous reasons motivate a growing trend for the use of gamification both in face-to-face modality and virtual learning platforms, as well as opening new lines of research related to the long-term impact of these strategies and their relation to lifelong learning.
Corporate Governance Mechanism, Firm Size and Its Effects on Acceptance of Qualified Audit Opinion

This study aims to examine the effect of internal and external corporate governance mechanisms that are proxied by the size of the independent commissioners, the audit committee’s educational background, the proportion of institutional ownership, audit quality, and company size factors towards acceptance of qualified audit opinion. The population in this study is the infrastructure, utilities and transportation sectors listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2013-2017. Based on the purposive sampling method, it obtained 120 analytical units from the sample data. The analysis used in this study is logistic regression analysis. The results of this study found that if the size of the company which calculated based on total assets had a negative influence on the acceptance of qualified audit opinion. On the other hand, the element of Good Corporate Governance in the form of independent commissioners, audit committee, institutional ownership, and audit quality has no effect on the acceptance of qualified audit opinion. The conclusion of this study is the presence of the company’s internal support body are not able to influence the company’s accounting for the better. Keywords: good corporate governance, qualified audit opinion, firm size
CARACTERÍSTICAS MORFOGÊNICAS E ACÚMULO DE FORRAGEM DE GRAMÍNEAS FORRAGEIRAS, SOB CORTE ACCUMULATION OF FORAGE AND MORPHOGENIC RESPONSES IN FORAGE GRASS BY CUTTING

Objetivou-se avaliar e as caracteristicas morfogenicas e o acumulo de forragem de tres generos de gramineas, Brachiaria , Panicum e Cenchrus em regime de corte. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas. Houve efeito de interacao entre cultivar e epoca de avaliacao para a taxa de aparecimento de folhas, alongamento de colmos, duracao de vida das folhas e senescencia de folhas. As cultivares Aridus e Biloela ( Cenchrus ) apresentaram os menores Filocronos, seguidos da cultivar Piata ( B. brizantha ). A taxa de alongamento de folhas e seu comprimento final foram maiores no periodo das chuvas, para todas as cultivares. As cultivares Massai e Mombaca apresentaram os maiores comprimentos de folha, mas os menores numeros de folhas vivas por perfilho. As cultivares Aridus e Biloela as menores taxas de acumulo de lâminas foliares em relacao as demais. O maior fluxo de tecidos observado no genero Cenchrus, nao foi suficiente para superar a maior de produtividade das cultivares dos generos Panicum e Brachiaria .
Long-term effects of inorganic fertilization and organic amendments on soil organic matter and soil microbial properties in Andisols

Abstract Soil organic matter level, microbial biomass C and N, mineralizable C and N, and dehydrogenase activity were studied in soils from a field experiment under rice-barley rotation receiving inorganic fertilizers and a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments for the last 17 years. The amounts of soil organic matter and mineralizable C and N increased with the application of inorganic fertilizers. However, there were greater increases in these parameters when farmyard manure, cow dung slurry and pig slurry were applied along with inorganic fertilizers. Microbial biomass C and N increased significantly with the addition of pig slurry along with inorganic fertilizers (536 mg kg−1 soil) than unfertilized soil (241 mg kg−1 soil). The dehydrogenase activity of soil also increased significantly with the addition of organic manures along with inorganic fertilizers. The results indicated that the improvement in organic matter, microbial activities and crop yields due to use of inorganic fertilizers along with organic manures can help in sustaining the long-term productivity of the soil.
Lysmata rauli, a new species of peppermint shrimp, (Decapoda: Hippolytidae) from the southwestern Atlantic

A new peppermint shrimp species, Lysmata rauli sp. nov., is described based on a specimen collected in shallow subtidal waters off Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Lysmata rauli sp. nov. was identified from fresh material collected in tide pools. L. rauli sp. nov. appears to be rare in the region with only two specimens collected from Salvador, Brazil. The new species can be readily distinguished from all other species by the absences of a well developed accessory branch, number of carpal segments of the second pereiopod, presence of a well developed pterygostomial tooth and number of teeth on the rostrum, as well as by color pattern.
The Identification, Functional Characterization and Phylogeny of the Nodulin-Like Anion Transporter (NLAT) Family in Plants

I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Eric Daniel Vincill entitled “The Identification, Functional Characterization and Phylogeny of the Nodulin-Like Anion Transporter (NLAT) Family in Plants. ” I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology. Daniel M. Roberts, Major Professor We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance:
A prototype analysis of virtue

ABSTRACT The question of how ordinary people understand the concept of virtue is under-scrutinized. The current study highlights incongruities between strengths of the VIA-IS and features ‘laypeople’ instinctively associate with virtue. In Study 1 we examined freely-listed features associated with virtue in 189 participants (20–81 years). In Study 2 (N = 205, 18–84 years) we found features of ‘virtue’ which overlapped with ‘good character’ and ‘moral persons’, in addition to features uniquely associated with ‘virtue’. Studies 3a and 3b (N = 105, 18–73 years) partially corroborated the prototypical structure of virtue, however, demonstrated some inconsistencies in perceptions of virtue-features. Given lay understandings of virtue can be at odds with academic frameworks, this stresses the importance of definitions and guidance when measuring virtue concepts. The current studies signal future research avenues; cross-cultural and qualitative examinations of lay conceptions of virtue, and the possibility of developing new measures and frameworks informed by lay conceptions.
The effect of αα‐lactalbumin and ββ‐lactoglobulin hydrolysates on the metabolic activity of Escherichia coli JM103

Bovine milk proteins α‐lactalbumin (α‐la) and β‐lactoglobulin (β‐lg) were hydrolysed with seven different proteolytic enzymes, and the effect of various hydrolysates on a genetically modified luminous Escherichia coli JM103 was tested in vitro with a bioluminescence assay for bacterial growth and metabolism. Undigested proteins did not inhibit the activity of tested E. coli JM103 at a concentration as high as 0·1 g ml−1. At the same concentrations, α‐la hydrolysed with pepsin or trypsin and β‐lg hydrolysed with alcalase, pepsin or trypsin, showed a lower metabolic activity during the first 8 h of growth. The activity of E. coli JM103 in the presence of 25 mg ml−1α‐la or β‐lg hydrolysed with pepsin and trypsin was only 21% of the control after incubation for 6 h. The preliminary results indicated that ultrafiltration through 10 kDa and 1 kDa molecular mass cut‐off membranes may be used to enrich bacteriostatic properties.
Effect of size and shape dependent of synthesized copper nanoparticle using natural honey

A study on the effect of size and shape of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) by varying the amount of honey has been done using a facile green synthesis method with the presence of ultrasonic assistance. Several amount of different % w/v of honey (0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% w/v) that contain carbohydrate which are mainly glucose and fructose, and other polyhydroxyl groups act as stabilizing agent and a weak reducing agent supported by ascorbic acid were used to produce the Cu-NPs. The synthesized Cu-NPs were characterized using UV-visible, XRD and HRTEM to prove the size and shape of the nanoparticles. The best amount of honey used to produce Cu-NPs with uniform particle size and shape is at 15 % w/v. The size is 3.81 ± 1.135 nm and it shows a consistence spherical shape using HRTEM analysis image. UV-visible supported the results from the HRTEM. And XRD shows good diffraction pattern for pure Cu-NPs. It proves that honey has the ability to act as stabilizing agent in controlling the size and shape of nanoparticles.
Types, purposes, and effectiveness of state-of-the-art technologies for second and foreign language learning

Abstract Digital technologies have been widely used to enhance language learning, the effectiveness of which has been acknowledged in the literature. With the rapid development of digital devices and technologies, increasing technologies have been used in the most recent several years, leading to more diversified approaches to language education. This exceptional advance over the past few years calls for a summary of state-of-the-art technologies that have been used to enhance language learning and promote effective learning. The present study was conducted to fill this gap by reviewing all the relevant publications in 10 widely recognised journals in the field of technology-enhanced language learning. An analysis of 57 articles indicated five major types of technology for second and foreign language learning (i.e. technologies for mobile learning, multimedia learning and socialisation, speech-to-text and text-to-speech recognition, and digital-game-based learning). The results also showed four primary purposes and benefits of the state-of-the-art technologies: promoting practices, delivering instructional content, facilitating interactions, and restructuring teaching approaches. Moreover, these state-of-the-art technologies have been integrated into various aspects of language teaching and learning, the overall impact of which has been positive.
Geographical distance between child and parent after a union dissolution in Sweden, 1974–2011

This paper analyzes how the distance between children and nonresident parents has changed during the last 40 years in Sweden, and how this is related to changes in child custody policies. We use population register data including exact geographical coordinates for children and their nonresident parents in the year after separation, for 1974-2011. This allows us to track developments for a longer period than that examined in any previous study. Results show a gradual decrease in distances between children and nonresident parents from the 1970s until the early 1990s, after which the trend has stalled at a low level. In 2011, 50 percent of all children lived within 2 kilometers of their nonresident parent, and less than 10 percent lived more than 50 kilometers apart. We find no evidence of direct policy effects, although policies may still have had an indirect effect via their impact on norms. High-income parents have changed their post-divorce residential patterns at a faster pace than low-income parents.
ScholarWorks @ UTRGV ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

We examine the effects of Southern Ocean eddies on phytoplankton cell division rates in a global, multiyear, eddy-resolving, 3-D ocean simulation of the Community Earth System Model. We first identify and track eddies in the simulation and validate their distribution and demographics against observed eddy trajectory characteristics. Next, we examine how simulated cyclones and anticyclones differentially modify iron, light, and ultimately population-specific cell division rates. We use an eddy-centric, depth-averaged framework to explicitly examine the dynamics of the phytoplankton population across the entire water column within an eddy. We find that population-averaged iron availability is elevated in anticyclones throughout the year. The dominant mechanism responsible for vertically transporting iron from depth in anticyclones is eddy-induced Ekman upwelling. During winter, in regions with deep climatological mixed layer depths, anticyclones also induce anomalously deep mixed layer depths, which further supply new iron from depth via an increased upward mixing flux. However, this additional contribution comes at the price of deteriorating light availability as biomass is distributed deeper in the water column. Therefore, even though population-averaged specific division rates are elevated in Southern Ocean anticyclones throughout most of the year, in the winter, severe light stress can dominate relieved iron stress and lead to depressed division rates in some anticyclones, particularly in the deep mixing South Pacific Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The opposite is true in cyclones, which exhibit a consistently symmetric physical and biogeochemical response relative to anticyclones.
First field assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki aerial application on the colony performance of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae: short communication

Honeybee populations around the world are experiencing a decrease in colony numbers probably due to a combination of different causes, such as diseases, poor nutrition and frequent applications of insecticides to control pests. Previous studies about the effect of pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) on Apis mellifera L. report different results. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of field aerial applications of Btk on bee colony performance, specifically on the brood cell percentage evolution, which can be used as an indicator of queen health and brood development breeding rates. To achieve it, the brood cell surface was photographed in every sampling, and data were analyzed using a method based on image treatment software. A total of 480 pictures were examined from two groups of four nucleus hives in two areas, one receiving aerial spraying with Btk and the other without treatment. A mixed factorial design was realized to analyse the data showing no differences in colony performance between the two groups of colonies either before the treatment, during and at the end of the assay. Furthermore, the brood surface ratio of Btktreated/ untreated increased along the experiment. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that Btk aerial applications did not affect the brood development of honeybees under natural conditions. Nevertheless further field studies are required to ascertain a safe use of Btk in forest pest management
The evolution of polyandry: an examination of the genetic incompatibility and good‐sperm hypotheses

I have examined the adaptive significance of polyandry using the Australian field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus. Previous studies of polyandry have examined differences in offspring production by females mated multiply to a single male or females mated multiply to different males. Here I combine this approach with a study of parentage of offspring produced in the later group. Females mated to two different males had a higher proportion of their eggs hatching than did females mating twice with a single male. Offspring fitness parameters were not effected. There was little evidence to suggest that females elevate their hatching success via fertilizing their eggs with sperm from genetically compatible males. Although the average paternity points towards random sperm mixing, there was considerable individual variation in sperm competition success. Patterns of parentage were consistent across females mating twice or four times. Sperm competition success was not related to offspring viability or performance. Thus, the notion that competitively superior sperm produce competitively superior offspring is not supported either. The mechanism underlying increased hatching success with polyandry requires further study.
The impact of augmented reality on overall service satisfaction in elaborate servicescapes

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to facilitate service provision and forms the basis for various smart services, such as augmented reality (AR) apps. The purpose of this study is to investigate the guiding help of an AR app in elaborate servicescapes, which typically constitute complex environments. The study examines how an AR guidance app impacts service evaluation. ,This research conducted a field experiment during a trade fair. It employed a two-group between-subjects design (AR app vs traditional 2D map) in order to examine how guidance through complex environments affects overall service satisfaction. Hypotheses were tested through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), moderated regression, and PROCESS. ,The results reveal that an AR app compared to a traditional 2D map leads to significantly higher overall service satisfaction. This relationship is mediated by perceived complexity reduction. Moreover, perceived behavioral control acts as a moderator. Further, the usage of an AR app tends to improve customer loyalty. ,Managers learn whether it is worthwhile to employ AR apps in elaborate service environments as well as how to implement them. ,By conducting a field experiment and examining a concrete AI-based smart service (i.e. an AR app), this research adds to the AI literature, which has been mostly conceptual, and contributes to the underexamined field of elaborate servicescapes.
The question of robusticity and the relationship between cranial size and shape inHomo sapiens

Abstract Although cranial gracility is generally considered to be a characteristic feature of modern skulls, a quantification of the degree of development of cranial superstructures discloses varying levels of robusticity in certain recent and sub-recent populations. In order to account for these structures, biomechanical interpretations in terms of masticatory stress and the effects of structural constraints have been put forward. This paper examines the multivariate relationships between robusticity and cranial dimensions in modern humans through canonical correlation and principal components analyses. These analyses reveal a very significant association between robusticity and cranial size, by which the larger the size of the skull, the greater the development of the cranial superstructures. In this context, size is biased towards maximum cranial length, various measures of upper facial breadth, basion–nasion length and palato–dental size. A statistically less important relationship between robusticity and cranial shape reveals that there are two main circumstances in which a modern skull will develop superstructures, in either very large crania, independent of the breadth of the vault, or in very narrow ones with large teeth. The cranial superstructures are not only strongly influenced by certain cranial dimensions, but are inter-correlated in their expression. These morphological features should not be treated as independent phylogenetic traits. The majority of recent crania are relatively small and gracile, clearly the result of a common temporal trend in the evolution of modern human cranial diversity. Although not unique in their level of robusticity among recent human groups, Australian aboriginals are the only population to show a relationship between robusticity and cranial breadth. It is suggested that the total morphological pattern observed in Australia does not reflect a plesio-morphic condition, but the specific history of occupation of that continent favouring size reduction with the maintenance of robusticity. Finally, it is shown that most early modern fossils are comparatively large and robust. It is suggested that the definition of a modern cranial form should be disassociated from the concept of gracility, only observed in some recent human populations.