Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Commitment and Behavior Change

Commitment making is commonly regarded as an effective way to promote proenvironmental behaviors. The general idea is that when people commit to a certain behavior, they adhere to their commitment, and this produces long-term behavior change. Although this idea seems promising, the results are mixed. In the current article, the authors investigate whether and why commitment is effective. To do so, the authors first present a meta-analysis of environmental studies containing a commitment manipulation. Then, the authors investigate the psychological constructs that possibly underlie the commitment effect. They conclude that commitment making indeed leads to behavior change in the short- and long term, especially when compared with control conditions. However, a better understanding is needed of the possible underlying mechanisms that guide the commitment effect. The authors see commitment making as a potentially useful technique that could be improved by following up on findings from fundamental research. They provide suggestions for future research and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of commitment-making techniques.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies SNP Markers for Virulence in Magnaporthe oryzae Isolates from Sub-Saharan Africa

The fungal phytopathogen Magnaporthe oryzae causes blast disease in cereals such as rice and finger millet worldwide. In this study, we assessed genetic diversity of 160 isolates from nine sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and other principal rice producing countries and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genomic regions associated with virulence of M. oryzae. GBS of isolates provided a large and high-quality 617K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset. Disease ratings for each isolate was obtained by inoculating them onto differential lines and locally-adapted rice cultivars. Genome-wide association studies were conducted using the GBS dataset and sixteen disease rating datasets. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used an alternative to population structure analysis for studying population stratification from genotypic data. A significant association between disease phenotype and 528 SNPs was observed in six GWA analyses. Homology of sequences encompassing the significant SNPs was determined to predict gene identities and functions. Seventeen genes recurred in six GWA analyses, suggesting a strong association with virulence. Here, the putative genes/genomic regions associated with the significant SNPs are presented.
Desenvolvimento de novos métodos analíticos para controle da qualidade de alimentos - análise de micotoxinas

Patulin, is a mycotoxin with carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential produced by Penicillium spp, Aspergillus spp and Byssoclamys spp fungus, which can be found in fruits such as apples, commercial apple juices and other derivative products. This occurrence compelled diverse regulating entities to establish maximum limits for patulin in some food products derived from apple. Different analytical methodologies are being used. In the present thesis two analytical methodologies for the identification and quantification of this toxin in food matrices are described. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical optimization and chromatographic separation were carried out. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to the optimization of an analytical methodology, using solid phase extraction (SPE) as sample preparation method and the development of a new method, employing microextraction by packed syringe (MEPS). The experimental parameters that affect the methods performance were studied. The analytical methods were validated by its sensitivity, precision and accuracy, enabling its application to the analysis of the mycotoxin in food matrices, in particular to apples and commercial apple juices.
Finding the P3 in the P600: Decoding shared neural mechanisms of responses to syntactic violations and oddball target detection

The P600 Event-Related Brain Potential, elicited by syntactic violations in sentences, is generally interpreted as indicating language-specific structural/combinatorial processing, with far-reaching implications for models of language. P600 effects are also often taken as evidence for language-like grammars in non-linguistic domains like music or arithmetic. An alternative account, however, interprets the P600 as a P3, a domain-general brain response to salience. Using time-generalized multivariate pattern analysis, we demonstrate that P3 EEG patterns, elicited in a visual Oddball experiment, account for the P600 effect elicited in a syntactic violation experiment: P3 pattern-trained MVPA can classify P600 trials just as well as P600-trained ones. A second study replicates and generalizes this finding, and demonstrates its specificity by comparing it to face- and semantic mismatch-associated EEG responses. These results indicate that P3 and P600 share neural patterns to a substantial degree, calling into question the interpretation of P600 as a language-specific brain response and instead strengthening its association with the P3. More generally, our data indicate that observing P600-like brain responses provides no direct evidence for the presence of language-like grammars, in language or elsewhere.
Impact of Differentiated Instruction on Student Learning: Perception of Students and Teachers

The present study examines the perceptions and influences of the teachers and the students in relation to differentiated education. The research population contains all the academic departments of Karakoram International University (KIU). Five departments were selected as sample of the study. Moreover 5 teachers and 10 students were selected from each department. The study objectives were 1) to find out teachers perception of differentiated instruction. 2) to find out students’ perception of differentiated instruction. 3) to examine how differentiated instruction, influence student classroom learning. The questionnaire was used as a research instrument. Data were collected and the analysis revealed the following conclusion: 1) Differentiated instructions have a great influence on the students learning 2. ) The teachers use Differentiated guidance for improving high-quality skills of the students. 3) Differential teaching is pervasive and promotes the learning environment in the classroom. The key recombination was made that teacher should promote and enhance differentiated instruction as a learning strategy.
Quantitative Method for Assessing the Role of Lysine & Arginine Post-Translational Modifications in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Proteoforms containing post-translational modifications (PTMs) represent a degree of functional diversity only harnessed through analytically precise simultaneous quantification of multiple PTMs. Here we present a method to accurately differentiate an unmodified peptide from its PTM-containing counterpart through data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry, leveraging small precursor mass windows to physically separate modified peptidoforms from each other during MS2 acquisition. We utilize a lysine and arginine PTM-enriched peptide assay library and site localization algorithm to simultaneously localize and quantify seven PTMs including mono-, di-, and tri-methylation, acetylation, and succinylation in addition to total protein quantification in a single MS run without the need to enrich experimental samples. To evaluate biological relevance, this method was applied to liver lysate from differentially methylated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse models. We report altered methylation and acetylation together with total protein changes drive the novel hypothesis of a regulatory function of PTMs in protein synthesis and mRNA stability in NASH. Graphical Abstract
When productivity is costly : the relation between transport costs and infrastructure stock

A well-known result is that infrastructure stock leads to higher productivity of production factors such as capital and labor. This means that the marginal cost of those factors may increase after a raise in infrastructure investment. However, it is also known that infrastructure investment induces lower marginal costs to the trans- portation sector. We propose a two- rm model with transportation as an mandatory and intermediary good bought by the producer of consumer goods. We modify the depreciation function of private transportation capital stock so that it varies inversely with the infrastructure stock. This makes the capital stock higher and, thus, lowers its marginal productivity and marginal cost. As a consequence, the transportation rm has a reduction in its capital expenditures and this allows it to set lower freight rates. Our numeric simulation shows that our speci cation lowers the optimum investment rate of the economy when compared to the benchmark model used in the literature. Moreover, our results shows that if the Brazilian government invests just about 2% of GDP in transportation infrastructure, the steady state GDP could be 27% higher.
Decent Work for Domestic Workers

In June 2011 the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189). In 2016 Jamaica became the sixteenth ILO member to ratify Convention 189. Estimates place the number of domestic workers in Jamaica at between 56,800 and 100,000 persons, 99.8 percent of whom are women (ILO 2018). As workers in a highly feminized informal sector and hidden in the “private” sphere of the household, domestic workers are a particularly vulnerable group of workers and subject to low wages and poor working conditions (Dunn 2011). ILO Convention 189 is a blueprint for the creation of new circumstances ensuring “decent work”, dignity, and respect for domestic workers. However, while employers and the state have a responsibility to enforce rights, in Jamaica employment standards enforcement is largely left to voluntary compliance and reliant on limited public education campaigns and outreach to employers and workers. Labour departments across the English-speaking Caribbean receive very few complaints from domestic workers, which may signal the ineffectiveness of reactive, complaints-based enforcement of employment standards in the sector (Babb 2017). In this context, the organization, empowerment, and mobilization of domestic workers themselves is key to fulfilling the promise of Convention 189, closing the “enforcement gap” (Vosko and Thomas 2014), and improving wages and working conditions in the sector. This collaborative (Brock-UWI) research project explores how this work is being undertaken by the Jamaican Household Workers’ Union (JHWU), which represents 5,700 domestic workers across thirteen regional chapters. The JHWU raises rights awareness among domestic workers and maintains a partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security aimed at improving employer compliance and addressing the power imbalance between employers and domestic workers. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews with key government and civil society stakeholders and a survey of domestic workers in both urban and rural parishes, the project will examine the role of the JHWU in developing a regime of effective regulatory enforcement and compliance as the Jamaican state moves to apply Convention 189 in national law and practice. The research will ask: How aware domestic workers are of their newfound rights under the law and is there a “knowledge gap” between domestic workers who are members of the JHWU and non-members? Second, how can the JHWU best enhance its regulatory function? Overall, the aim of the project is to contribute to fostering a regulatory environment in which domestic workers’ rights are respected and upheld and the voices of some of Jamaica’s most vulnerable workers are heard. Presenters will discuss preliminary research findings.
Laboratory and Full-Scale Plant Studies of Permanganate Oxidation as an Aid in Coagulation

Standard jar tests and full-scale plant studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of permanganate preoxidation as an aid to coagulation-flocculation of surface waters. The results of the Jar tests demonstrated that permanganate preoxidation obviously enhanced the coagulation-flocculation of the studied surface waters. Through full-scale plant studies, the positive effects of permanganate assistance in coagulation-flocculation of surface raters were confirmed by the turbidity reduction of about 4~11 FTU at permanganate dosages of 1~2 mg/L. It was observed that the size of flocs in the reaction tank became bigger if the water was preoxidized with permanganate, lowering the polyaluminium chloride (PAC) consumption by about 36%. In addition. the effectiveness of prechlorination and permanganate preoxidation on assisting in coagulation-flocculation were compared through full-scale studies at a water treatment plant using a shallow lake as its water source. showing that permanganate preoxidation was a more effective means to aid coagulation-flocculatlon.
Introducing CRISPR/Cas9 into the kiwifruit pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa)

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) is an emerging bacterial pathogen of kiwifruit, a major primary export of New Zealand. The emergence of Psa in New Zealand in 2010 caused immense financial grief with the disease a↵ecting fruit yield and vine health. Psa is also found in other kiwifruit cultivating countries where it has also negatively impacted the kiwifruit industry, causing considerable financial strain for growers. Genetic analysis has provided valuable insight into the origin and evolution of Psa in New Zealand, including the emergence of resistance to antimicrobials such as copper control compounds. This study provides a detailed comparison of New Zealand Psa with other Psa varieties, clarifying aspects such as restriction modification systems. Informed by this analysis, the study describes attempts to insert a CRISPR/ Cas9 genome editing tool into Psa. It is believed that to achieve this, alterations of the Streptococcus pyogenes derived CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid was required. The CRISPR/Cas9 system will provide a valuable tool for the analysis of Psa in terms of the pathogen virulence and resistance to control compounds.
SE—Structures and Environment: Combined and Separate Aerobic and Anaerobic Biotreatment of Green Olive Debittering Wastewater

Abstract Wastewater generated from olive processing comes either from olive oil or edible olive producing industries. Both types of wastewater constitute a major environmental concern since they are characterized by high organic content and are generated in large quantities for a specific period of the year. Furthermore, they contain compounds such as polyphenols, that are toxic to plants and/or soil microbes when discarded to soil receptors. This study aims at investigating the potential for biological treatment of a green olive debittering wastewater (GOW). The performance of a separate anaerobic, aerobic and a combined anaerobic–aerobic process was evaluated. Anaerobic digestion of GOW reached a 49% maximum efficiency of organic matter removal with a polyphenolic reduction of about 12%. The process seemed to be severely influenced by an inhibitory factor as suggested by the limited chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, volatile fatty acids accumulation and low biogas production. The aerobic biotreatment of the GOW was more efficient than its anaerobic counterpart, resulting in a degradation efficiency of 71·6–75·9%. However, it hardly affected the polyphenolic compounds, with the additional disadvantages of the requirement for pH correction of the influent and the high production of biomass. On the other hand, aerobic treatment of the anaerobic effluent achieved a COD and polyphenolics reduction by 74 and 19·6% resulting in an overall reduction by 83·5 and 28%, respectively. Furthermore, the combined anaerobic–aerobic treatment results in a smaller amount of aerobic sludge and does not require a pH correction of the anaerobic or the aerobic influent.
Wonder Woman

A remarkable exploration of Wonder Woman’s creation, mysterious identity, and evolution—and her extraordinary impact on her legions of fans. For generations, Wonder Woman has been a symbol of equality and female empowerment, her complex saga deeply rooted within the feminist movement. A staple of the comic book industry, she is arguably the best-known female superhero of all time. In Wonder Woman: Warrior, Disrupter, Feminist Icon, Regina Luttrell details this legendary superhero’s origins, history, and evolution, from an ambassador of peace and love to the fiercest warrior in the DC Universe. Luttrell reveals how Wonder Woman’s journeys are a reflection of each wave within the feminist movement and how her impact on culture and society continues to be felt today. Wonder Woman has become the epitome of technological sophistication, globalization, and modern-day feminism. She is truly a warrior, a disrupter, and a feminist icon. Luttrell’s fascinating history includes the perspectives of famed feminist Gloria Steinem in her essay “Wonder Woman,” as well as personal interviews with creator William Moulton Marson’s surviving family members. Featuring a captivating examination of the oft-overlooked contributions of Marston’s life partners and inspirations Elizabeth Holloway Marston and Olive Byrne, Wonder Woman is an incredible, in-depth exploration of this iconic feminist superhero.
Cryptocurrencies and beyond: using design science research to demonstrate diverse applications of blockchains

This thesis investigates blockchain technology and whether its mutually cooperative topology and commons-based peer production practices have implications for society because, instead of the traditional top-down, centralised model of governance, blockchains represent an alternative way of collaborating. Much of the literature anticipates the vast potential of the permanent and publicly auditable nature of the propagated values of blockchains. Indeed, writers have supposed that the smart contract capabilities of the technology may prove revolutionary for areas beyond that of the economic domain targeted by the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, which is the first successful use-case of a blockchain. However, few advanced use cases beyond that economic realm have materialised; this research demonstrates such usecases. This thesis asks four research questions. The first asks whether blockchains can help reduce energy consumption. The second asks whether blockchains can help digitise the informal sector. The third asks whether blockchains can help counter fake news. The final question asks whether blockchains can help address criticisms of humanitarian aid. Those topics are four amongst many urgent problems currently facing humankind, and therefore, the overarching research question of this thesis becomes whether blockchains can help humanity. This work advances the supposed potential of blockchains proposed by current literature by using design science research to create software artefacts that propose solutions for incentivising energy efficiency, fighting financial fraud, providing digital provenance and adding trust to humanitarian aid reporting. By demonstrating blockchain-based software solutions in those four topic areas, this thesis concludes that blockchains can help humanity. However, if they are to help society address some of its problems, blockchains have significant technological and organisational barriers to overcome. Furthermore, the idea that blockchains can help humanity is a form of techno-determinism and this research concludes that it is impossible to solve every issue by diversifying technical operations; humankind must also change political, economic, and cultural goals, too. Nevertheless, this thesis has implications for regulators, despite the barriers and false solutionism offered by technology because, rather than the trusted lawmakers and experts that nations used to look up to as oracles of truth, now it may be possible to look to blockchains, instead.
In Vitro Antileptospiral Activity of Trigona thoracia Propolis and its Synergistic Effects with Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics

Introduction: Trigona thoracica propolis is known to have antimicrobial properties, however its antileptospiral properties and its synergistic effects with commonly prescribed antibiotics are scarcely documented. This study aimed to evaluate the antileptospiral properties of Trigona thoracica against pathogenic Leptospira species (spp.) and to study its synergistic effects with commonly prescribed antibiotics. Materials and Methods: The tested Leptospira serovars were Australis, Bataviae, Canicola and Javanica. Aqueous extract propolis (AEP) and ethanolic extracts propolis (EEP) were used. Broth dilution methods were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and the synergistic effects between the propolis and the tested antibiotics. The synergistic effects was evaluated by using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. Morphological changes of the treated Leptospira were observed under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results: The AEP and EEP were found to have antileptospiral properties against the tested Leptospira spp. The synergy result showed that only combination of AEP and penicillin G against serovar Australis has demonstrated synergistic effect with the FIC index of 0.38. Morphological study using SEM showed significant structural changes of the treated Leptospira spp. Conclusions: The result suggests that Trigona thoracica propolis could potentially be used as either a complimentary or an alternative therapeutic agent against pathogenic Leptospira spp.
Memory of Arctic sea ice in model simulations, observations, and reanalyses

The strong decline of Arctic sea ice in recent years has raised growing interest in seasonal-tointerannual predictions of Arctic sea ice. Previous studies have revealed a large predictability gap between potential and operational forecast skill of Arctic sea ice, which could indicate a strong potential for improvement of operational sea ice predictions or hint at a systematic overestimation of sea ice memory in current climate models.
The Effect of Waves and Wave Breaking on IR SST (321sr) and Modulation of Skin Temperature by Ocean Swell Waves (AASERT)

Abstract : This research is to develop infrared remote sensing techniques to quantify exchange processes at the airsea interface utilizing similarity scaling for the fluxes of heat, gas, and momentum. The primary focus is to understand the spatial and temporal evolution of the ocean thermal boundary layer through infrared detection of the bulk-skin temperature difference. We also address the development of laboratory and in situ calibration techniques, which are essential to making measurements of useful accuracy. The objectives for FY98 were (1) to develop infrared imaging techniques to investigate microscale wave breaking and (2) utilize those techniques to quantify the role of microscale wave breaking in surface roughness modulation at scales relevant to infrared and microwave measurements.