Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘I can follow’: self-directed informal learning strategies adopted by choristers in an adult amateur choir

ABSTRACT The qualitative study revealed how 15 choristers from an adult amateur choir with different musical experience supplemented their weekly formal choir rehearsals with self-directed informal learning strategies to learn the choral concert repertoires in Hong Kong. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to obtain data for the study. The data were processed and analysed using an adaptation of grounded theory in three steps: inductive coding and categorising; constant comparisons, and integration. The results of the analysis showed that each informant used between 3 and 6 strategies, including the aural strategies of following others and purposive listening, marking the score with sol-fa names or sight-reading, using a keyboard, technology, and some practice strategies, such as listening to a recording repeatedly in order to memorise a song. The self-directed informal mode of learning made it possible for the choristers to take ownership of and the initiative in their learning, and to learn at a pace that suited their individual needs and personal style.
Synergistic fibrolysis in the rumen by cellulolytic Ruminococcus flavefaciens and non-cellulolytic Selenomonas ruminantium: Evidence in defined cultures

To investigate the rumen bacterial interaction between cellulolytic Ruminococcus flavefaciens and non-cellulolytic Selenomonas ruminantium, fiber digestibility and fermentation products were determined in defined cultures consisting of these two species. Avicel, orchardgrass hay, rice straw and alfalfa hay were used as substrates for 72 h incubation to monitor digestibility, volatile fatty acids, succinate, lactate and bacterial number. In monoculture, R. flavefaciens digested the fiber sources at 21‐32%, while S. ruminantium strains did not. When R. flavefaciens was cocultured with one of three different strains (GA192, S137 and S150) of S. ruminantium, fiber digestion exceeded the value recorded by R. flavefaciens alone. In particular, cocultures with S. ruminantium S137 showed significantly higher digestibility for all the fiber sources than R. flavefaciens alone (P < 0.05). Propionate production and growth of S. ruminantium was notable in all cocultures but not in monocultures. Succinate was accumulated in monoculture of R. flavefaciens, while the accumulation was not observed in cocultures. These results indicate that R. flavefaciens provides fiber hydrolysis products to S. ruminantium as growth substrates. In addition, S. ruminantium could activate R. flavefaciens by rapidly consuming the products. Such cross-feeding between cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic bacteria could enhance fiber digestion, although the extent of the enhancement may depend on strain combinations.
Mixed-species malaria infection in high transmission areas of Thailand

Background: Mixed-species malaria infections examined by microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick blood films (GS-TBF) during 1996-2007 in Thailand were 0.3-0.5. However, there were reports of higher mixed-species infection rates detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This study was conducted in order to ascertain the relative frequency of mixed-species malaria infection and possible determinants in top 10 malaria high transmission provinces of Thailand. Methods: This study was a survey of mixed Plasmodium species incidence in the top 10 malaria transmission provinces of Thailand. A total of 836 malaria patients were examined. The number of samples in each province was proportionate to the number of malaria patients in that province. A real-time PCR based on SYBR Green I detection system was used to detect and differentiate Plasmodium species. Results: Preliminary results from GS-TBF examined by the microscopists at the malaria clinics in the selected areas showed that 380 (45.5%) of 836 patients were infected by Plasmodium falciparum; 450 (53.8%), 2 (0.2%) and 4 (0.5%) were infected by P. vivax, P. malariae and mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax, respectively. Real-time PCR results of the corresponding samples from filter papers showed that 353 (42.2%) were infected by Plasmodium falciparum; 446 (53.4%), 1 (0.1%), 2 (0.2%), 32 (3.8%), 1 (0.1%) and 1 (0.1%) were infected by P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, mixed P. falciparum and P. vivax, mixed P. falciparum and P. malariae and mixed P. vivax and P. ovale, respectively. Conclusion: Mixed-infection rates detected by real-time PCR were 8.48 (4.07/0.48) times higher than those detected by GS-TBS. Demographic factors including age, sex, occupation, place where contracted the disease and recurrence of the infection were not different between the groups with mono-species infection and mixed-species infection.
An inductive learning bias toward phonetically driven tonal phonotactics

ABSTRACT In two artificial grammar learning experiments, we tested the learnability of tonal phonotactics forbidding non-domain-final rising tones (*NonFinalR) against the phonotactics banning non-domain-final high-level tones (*NonFinalH). We propose that a firm phonetic ground drives a presumably innate inductive bias favoring *NonFinalR and against *NonFinalH. In Exp. I, we trained two groups of participants with an artificial language conforming to either *NonFinalR or *NonFinalH and tested them with the same set of novel items violating either tonal constraint in an acceptability judgment task. In two separate test sessions, *NonFinalR learners demonstrated a significantly higher consistency in making correct judgments than *NonFinalH learners. In Exp. II, learners participated in the same acceptability judgment task without being exposed to inputs in an a priori training session; participants had to learn from the immediate explicit feedback given to their judgments on every test item. Results suggest that only *NonFinalR learners demonstrated signs of converging on the target tonal phonotactics. In addition, both experiments found that *NonFinalR learners, but not *NonFinalH learners, acquired the tonal phonotactics and a baseline segmental phonotactics prohibiting retroflex consonants similarly. Altogether, the experimental results support the hypothesis of an inductive learning bias toward *NonFinalR and against *NonFinalH.
Diet adjustments of maned wolves, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger) (Mammalia, Canidae), subjected to supplemental feeding in a private natural reserve, Southeastern Brazil

From the analysis of 230 scats, the diet of the maned wolves, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), was determined in a private natural reserve in southeastern Brazil in which ecotourism activities are developed and the animals are deliberately fed bovine meat. A total of 569 occurrences of food items were recorded, of which 56.8% were of animal origin and 29.1% of vegetal origin. Rodents, insects and birds added up to 35.8% of the occurrences, yet accounted for 68.5% of the total number of preys (277). Insects, however, had practically no importance (0.1%) in the total estimated biomass consumed. Even though the fruit Solanum lycocarpum St.-Hil. is a common food item in the diet of the maned wolf, its occurrence in the diet at the Serra do Caraca Reserve was insignificant, accounting for only 4.8% of the total number of food item occurrences and 3.4% of the total estimated biomass consumption. Food items of anthropic origin and inorganic items (e.g., plastic) represented 14.1% of all occurrences, which shows that the animals are used to the presence of humans. Seasonal variations in consumption were found for S. lycocarpum (c2 = 10,09; p < 0,001), for other fruits (c2 = 19,73; p < 0,001), and for reptiles (c2 = 15,56; p < 0,001), all of which were more frequently eaten during the dry months. There was a significant correlation between the availability of small mammals and their consumption by the maned wolves (rs = 0.59; p = 0.041), yet the same was not observed for the fruits of S. lycocarpum (rs = 0,101; p = 0,754). Our findings stress the need for a better understanding of the effects of additional foods on the natural feeding habits of the maned wolf.
The impact of peat moss and sheep manure compost extracts on marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) growth and flowering.

A nursery experiment was carried out during 2011 - 2012 at Najaf, Iraq, to determine the response of marigold plant to organic fertilisers and their extracts. A factorial experiment was conducted involving three factors (2 x 4 x 2) namely, type of compost (the extracts of peat moss and sheep manure), concentrations of foliar application (0%, 20%, 40% and 60%), and the mixed in soil and foliar application. The results showed that the type of organic fertiliser and the application method significantly affected vegetative growth (leaf number/plant, shoot dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content, and carbohydrate leaf content), and flowers parameters (length of the flower stem, flower number/plant, and flower diameter). This study showed that compared to the other fifteen treatment conditions, the application of extract of sheep manure applied at 40% concentration and as a foliar spray produced superior results on both vegetative growth and flower parameters.
Antibacterial activity of marine macro algae against human pathogens

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Methanol, ethanol and acetone extracts of six seaweed species from the south east coast of India were tested invitro for their antibacterial activities against bacteria. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis with the disc diffusion method. Acetone was the best solution for extracting the antimicrobial materials from the algal species used in this experiment, with the exception of Ulva lactua for which ethanol was the most effective extraction solution. A Significant in antibacterial activity was not observed between the ethanol and methanol extracts of each algae. In addition as a result of the comparison of dried and fresh extract of antibacterial activity, it was found that, all the test organisms were more sensitive to fresh extracts of the algae.
Grieving widows’ lived experiences in a rural South African setting

The study explored widows’ social isolation and the stigma experienced in a rural South Africa setting. Participants were a purposive sample of 10 widows (black = 95%; age range 30 to 60 years old). The widows completed semi-structured individual interviews on their sense of community. Thematic analysis indicated that widows self-perceived as a social burden to extended family and to experience a deep sense of social isolation and loneliness, dealing with their grief and loss. The widows reported to lack in social support after the death of their partners and to be treated to humiliating cultural stereotypes. Implied guilt by the in-laws and other family members about the widows’ involvement in the death of their partners is a recurrent influence in the widowhood experience in a South African rural setting.
Mechanisms of last male precedence in a moth: sperm displacement at ejaculation and storage sites

In many polyandrous species, the last male to mate sires most of the offspring. This phenomenon has been explained as the result of male manipulation, postcopulatory female choice, or both. However, in most previous studies, direct evidence for these explanations is lacking. Here, we report our work on a polyandrous moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). We show that the last male sperm precedence occurs by sperm displacement operating at both sperm ejaculation and storage sites. Thus, the second male physically displaces the first male's spermatophore with his own in the bursa copulatrix. However, females usually allow most sperm of the first males to move to the spermatheca before they accept a second copulation. The intermating duration, which is positively correlated with the number of the first male's sperm moving to the spermatheca, may be the product of mate choice and sexual conflict between the sexes. After the female accepts the second mating, she ejects a50% of the first male's sperm from the spermatheca to accommodate the second male's sperm. Spermathecal contractions appear to be the mechanism for sperm ejection. Before oviposition occurs, a75% of eupyrene sperm in the spermatheca of the twice-mated female are from the second male. The outcome of sperm displacement before and after sperm storage appears to be the result of male × female interactions. We demonstrate that ejaculate size in the bursa copulatrix by the second male, and sperm stratification and flushing in the spermatheca, do not play a role in last male sperm precedence. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
Digital curation for promoting personalized learning: A study of secondary-school science students’ learning experiences

Abstract The article presents a research study that examined the ways in which digital curation promotes personalized learning, as well as the students’ experiences of this learning process. The study was conducted in the context of K-12 education. Participants spent three months on a project that included curating a personalized digital collection. The study was conducted using a phenomenological qualitative approach for the collection and processing of data. Findings demonstrate that digital curation provides a productive learning activity that supports significant personalized, emotional, and cognitive learning experiences, enabling the curator to construct a personal subject ontology.
Species composition and within archipelago co-occurrence patterns in the Canary Islands

The distribution of trees and shrubs, ferns, land birds, beetles, and butterflies on the Canary Islands were analysed according to the null hypothesis approach Deviations from the expected number of species were found in the species groups trees and shrubs and Tenebrionid beetles This was interpreted as the result of deterministic processes influencing the colonisation of the archipelago In an other analysis the relationship between species similarity and geographical distance between the islands was investigated It showed that species similarity between the island decreased with distance The decrease was steepest for Tenebrionid beetles and trees and shrubs so it was concluded that their dispersal ability was lower than in the other species groups
A mean-field formulation for the mean-variance control of discrete-time linear systems with multiplicative noises

ABSTRACT This paper considers the stochastic optimal control of a multi-period mean-variance trade-off performance criterion with and without constraints for discrete-time linear systems subject to multiplicative noises. We adopt a mean-field approach to tackle the problem and obtain a solution for the unconstrained case in terms of a Riccati-like difference equation. From this general result, we obtain a sufficient condition for a closed-form solution for one of the constrained problems considered in the paper. When particularised to the portfolio selection problem, we show that our results retrieve some of the results available in the literature. We conclude the paper by illustrating the obtained optimal controls with a multi-period portfolio selection problem where we minimise the sum of the mean-variance trade-off costs of a portfolio against a benchmark along the time.
Local Spillovers from Cash Transfers : Food Price Increases and Nutrition Impacts on Non-beneficiary Children

Cash transfer programs targeted to poor households may increase prices in local markets, especially if these are not well integrated into larger regional markets. Data collected to evaluate a Philippine cash transfer program show that the prices of perishable protein rich foods increase after program introduction, especially where program coverage is high. Likely as a result, stunting rates and other anthropometric measures of child health worsen among nonbeneficiary children. These effects persist more than 2.5 years after program introduction. Failing to consider the effect of such local price increases on non-beneficiaries’ wellbeing can overstate the impact of cash transfers. For very poor areas, where household targeting of cash transfers covers a majority of the households, geographic targeting may avoid the consequences of local price spillovers, and prevent negative nutritional impacts at little additional cost. JEL Codes: H23; I38; O12; O15; O20
Interactive effects of rice residue and water stress on growth and metabolism of wheat seedlings

). Garden soil was taken as control. Twentyfive seeds were sown in each experimental trays filled with soil mixture according to thetreatments. Trays were arranged in two groups. After 15 days one set was subjected to waterstress (WS) by withholding water supply for 3 days. Morphological and biochemical parameters of18 days old seedlings were recorded. Seedling height decreased in all treatments. A gradualdecrease in relative water content, pigment and protein contents of wheat seedlings wereobserved. Sugar and proline contents increased in treatments. An increase in malondialdehyde(MDA) content and antioxidative enzyme activities was recorded. Elevation in catalase activitywas observed in all treatments except in plants with water deficit. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX)and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities increased when residue mixed with soil but decreased inseedlings under the combined influence of the residue and water stress. Higher amount of MDAand lower activities of APX and GPX reflected the oxidative damage in seedlings under combinedtreatments. Rice residue inhibited growth of wheat seedlings. Water stress intensified the effectsof residue.
Coupled CFD/MBD Method for a Tilt Tri-rotor UAV in Conversion of Flight Modes

Aerodynamic characteristics of tilt-rotor UAVs are usually simulated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) only, and the fuselage/wing is fixed in simulations. It is difficult for this method to consider drastic changes of the aerodynamic forces and flowfield originating from conversion of flight modes. And during flight-mode conversions, the rapid changes of postures of tilt-rotors will unavoidably bring great influence on aerodynamic characteristics. In addition, the simulation of the control system for flight-mode conversions cannot be realised by CFD only. In this paper, considering the motion of the fuselage/wing and the dynamic tilting process of tilt-rotors, a new computational method by coupling CFD and multi-body dynamics (MBD) is presented for flight-mode conversions of a tilt tri-rotor UAV with the large-space computational domain. The numerical results validate the feasibility of the coupling method and also show effects of the fuselage/wing motion and flight-mode conversions to aerodynamic characteristics of the tilt tri-rotor UAV.
Fuelwood energy characteristics and biomass equations of the dominant species of northern Patagonian shrublands (Argentina)

Although shrublands can be highly abundant, their bioenergy potential has barely been addressed. This is the case in northern Patagonian shrublands, where there is a lack of knowledge regarding biomass quantity and quality. The objective of this study was to develop biomass equations for young shoots (resprouts) of five of the main woody species growing in northern Patagonian shrublands; quantify energy properties of their woods and, ultimately, estimate biomass and bioenergy stocks in resprouts for three contrasting shrublands. Resprouts were harvested in the field, and size (diameter and height) and dry weight were measured in the laboratory. Fuelwood energy parameters (moisture, density, calorific value, ash content) were determined to obtain energy density and fuelwood value index. We found biomass equations with good statistical fitness for all the studied species. Energy parameters of the analysed woods were comparable or even better (in terms of energy density) than those observed in other woody species commonly used as fuels. Embothrium coccineum showed the best fuelwood value index due to low ash content (0.2%). Shrublands under 50% of harvesting intensity produced 0.08 t ha–1 and 1.33 GJ ha–1 in a low productivity site, 0.34 t ha–1 and 5.66 GJ ha–1 in a medium productivity site, and 1.07 t ha–1 and 17.96 GJ ha–1 in a high productivity site from resprouts after approximately four years. This study suggests that some northern Patagonian shrublands have good potential to produce high quality biomass, therefore, sustainable management plans oriented to bioenergy should be developed in the region.
A multicomponent γ-type (Gd1/6Tb1/6Dy1/6Tm1/6Yb1/6Lu1/6)2Si2O7 disilicate with outstanding thermal stability

ABSTRACT A multicomponent rare-earth disilicate (Gd1/6Tb1/6Dy1/6Tm1/6Yb1/6Lu1/6)2Si2O7 has been designed and successfully synthesized following the strategy of high entropy engineering. The as-prepared single-phase 6RE-disilicate possesses a new γ-type crystal structure (monoclinic, P21/c) beyond the α-, β- and δ-type parent structures of six single RE disilicates. Six-species RE cations are homogeneously distributed on RE lattice sites and our multicomponent disilicate demonstrates outstanding thermal stability from room temperature up to around 1900°C. This work extends the knowledge of strategic multicomponent modification of complex ceramics with extremely high phase stability. IMPACT STATEMENT The first multicomponent γ-type RE2Si2O7, (Gd1/6Tb1/6Dy1/6Tm1/6Yb1/6Lu1/6)2Si2O7 with outstanding phase stability is developed. It presents the possibility to design complex oxide through the ‘one-from-none’ strategy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The feeding ecology of the Lesser Vasa Parrot, Coracopsis nigra, in south-eastern Madagascar

The diet and feeding ecology of the Lesser Vasa Parrot, Coracopsis nigra, in the littoral forest of Sainte Luce, south-eastern Madagascar are described. Forty plant species were recorded being eaten over a 14-month study period. Coracopsis nigra is a flexible feeder and eats a large variety of ripe and unripe seeds (68%), fruits (22%) and flowers (10%). Of all fruit species consumed, 70% of fruits are eaten in an unripe condition, which may lead to an advantage over potential food competitors. Detailed observations of feeding behaviour show that generally seeds are destroyed and the Lesser Vasa Parrot is considered primarily as pre-dispersal seed predator. A clear niche separation could be found among all granivorous species of the littoral forest based on fruit and seed size, ripeness of fruits, foraging height and activity pattern, Vasa Parrots feed on unripe and ripe fruits of medium size in the canopy, while Malagasy Turtledoves forage on small but ripe seeds on the ground. At night, rodents consume mainly large and protected seeds in the canopy as well as on the ground.
Reducing the Risk: Schools as Communities of Support

Reducing the Risk: Schools as Communities of Support, a book that describes the first phase of a research project and proposes a theory of dropout prevention, will be published by Falmer Press in early 1989. Two of the authors, Gary G. Wehlage-associate director, National Center on Effective Secondary Schools (NCESS) at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and principal investigator for the Center's project to study policies and practices that affect at-risk youth—and Gregory A. Smith-a project assistant on the same project-were interviewed by Anne Turnbaugh Lockwood, dissemination coordinator for NCESS.