Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Secondary School Science Students’ Social Capital Scale

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale which will ensure that social capital levels of secondary school science students are determined. Validation and reliability works of the scale were performed on 304 (154 girls and 150 boys) students in North Cyprus. In the process of developing the scale, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis were done, and reliability was determined with Cronbach alfa and split-half methods which are internal consistency tests. In addition to the Cronbach alfa and split-half tests, as the item total item correlations are sufficient, no item was excluded from the scale and it was confirmed that the scale was reliable. Results of confirmatory factor analysis show that the model belonging to social capital scale has perfect consistence and it consists of three dimensions such as trust in peer relations, communication intra-family relations, and sensitiveness in friendship relations.
Homologous Recombination: To Fork and Beyond

Accurate completion of genome duplication is threatened by multiple factors that hamper the advance and stability of the replication forks. Cells need to tolerate many of these blocking lesions to timely complete DNA replication, postponing their repair for later. This process of lesion bypass during DNA damage tolerance can lead to the accumulation of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) fragments behind the fork, which have to be filled in before chromosome segregation. Homologous recombination plays essential roles both at and behind the fork, through fork protection/lesion bypass and post-replicative ssDNA filling processes, respectively. I review here our current knowledge about the recombination mechanisms that operate at and behind the fork in eukaryotes, and how these mechanisms are controlled to prevent unscheduled and toxic recombination intermediates. A unifying model to integrate these mechanisms in a dynamic, replication fork-associated process is proposed from yeast results.
Miniaturization Design for 8 × 8 Butler Matrix Based on Back-to-Back Bilayer Microstrip

A low-cost, compact 8 × 8 Butler matrix based on a novel bilayer microstrip configuration is presented and implemented for 4.3 GHz telecommunication application. A back-to-back placed bilayer microstrip structure has been proposed to avoid using crossover. To expand operational bandwidth of the Butler matrix, a three-branch line directional coupler has been employed as 3 dB/90° bridge, and a kind of improved two-order Schiffman phase shifter has been adopted as fixed phase shifter. For application of indoor wireless communication, a compact broadband 8 × 8 Butler matrix has been designed and fabricated. The measured results show that the return loss of the matrix is lower than −10 dB, the isolation is better than 17 dB, the power distribution error is less than ±2.0 dB, the phase error is less than ±15°, and the relative bandwidth is more than 23%.
The role of soil pH on soil carbonic anhydrase activity

Abstract. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes present in plants and microorganisms that catalyse the interconversion of CO 2 and water to bicarbonate and protons. Because oxygen isotopes are also exchanged during this reaction, the presence of CA also modifies the contribution of soil and plant CO 18 O fluxes to the global budget of atmospheric CO 18 O. The oxygen isotope signatures ( δ18 O) of these fluxes differ as leaf water pools are usually more enriched than soil water pools, and this difference is used to partition the net CO 2 flux over land into soil respiration and plant photosynthesis. Nonetheless, the use of atmospheric CO 18 O as a tracer of land surface CO 2 fluxes requires a good knowledge of soil CA activity. Previous studies have shown that significant differences in soil CA activity are found in different biomes and seasons, but our understanding of the environmental and ecological drivers responsible for the spatial and temporal patterns observed in soil CA activity is still limited. One factor that has been overlooked so far is pH. Soil pH is known to strongly influence microbial community composition, richness and diversity in addition to governing the speciation of CO 2 between the different carbonate forms. In this study we investigated the CO 2 –H 2 O isotopic exchange rate ( kiso ) in six soils with pH varying from 4.5 to 8.5. We also artificially increased the soil CA concentration to test how pH and other soil properties (texture and phosphate content) affected the relationship between kiso and CA concentration. We found that soil pH was the primary driver of kiso after CA addition and that the chemical composition (i.e. phosphate content) played only a secondary role. We also found an offset between the δ18 O of the water pool with which CO 2 equilibrates and total soil water (i.e. water extracted by vacuum distillation) that varied with soil texture. The reasons for this offset are still unknown.
Serum Lipocalin 2 Levels in Acute Exercised Prediabetic Rat Model in Comparison to Normal Healthy Control

Background: Excess caloric intake expands adipose tissue resulting in a higher risk of metabolic disease. Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an adipokine having a role in innate immunity and energy metabolism. It is an acute phase protein that was recently correlated with potential effects on obesity and inflammation. The reaction of this protein to progressive exercise in animals has limited studies. Exercise encourages weight loss and improves insulin sympathy. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating its beneficial effects are not fully understood. Obesity associates with increased production of inflammatory cytokines, which in turn, subsidizes to systemic insulin resistance. LCN2 has been shown to have a significant association with body mass index (BMI). However, only few of the LCN2-related studies have investigated whether LCN2 constitutes a causal factor of the metabolic conditions in animals. One of the best strategies to prevent obesity and its associated inflammation is participation in regular physical activity. Objective: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that exercise mitigates this inflammatory response, thereby improving insulin sensitivity, we tested whether there is an insulin-sensitizing effect of exercise is associated with related changes in circulating LCN2 levels in rats. Design: A total number of 24 adult healthy male albino rats were used. Rats were divided into three groups: group I (control, C), group II (model of pre-diabetic obese rats without exercise, PD) and group III (model of pre-diabetic obese rats with acute voluntary exercise, PDE). Results: This study revealed that after a 2 days acute exercise program, insulin sensitivity was improved, as indicated by a significant decrease in serum insulin (1.98±0.04), serum glucose (121.75±2.85) and Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR) (0.59±0.02) in PDE in comparison to corresponding values in PD group (3.94±0.08), (159±1.49) and (1.44±0.11) respectively. Also, Serum LCN2 concentrations were significantly decreased (62.88±1.79) in PDE group in comparison to PD group (94.75±3.36). Conclusion: We concluded that exercise has an insulin sensitizing effect in the pre-diabetic stage and its mechanism could involve a reduction in LCN2 levels in exercise-trained group.
Pain could negatively affect school grades - Swedish middle school students with low school grades most affected

Recurrent headache, abdominal and musculoskeletal pain are common in adolescents and it is therefore important to understand their impact on the transitional period from childhood to adulthood. However, studies of the prevalence over time and implications on educational outcomes are still limited, especially regarding multiple pain symptoms. The present study material consists of questionnaire surveys, completed in 2000 and 2008, including two study populations of 9th grade adolescents aged 15 living in West Sweden (n = 20 877). Pain symptoms and demographic variables were based on self-reports from the questionnaires, and school grades were obtained from Statistics Sweden after the student had finished their 9th grade. Between 2000 and 2008, the prevalence of abdominal pain increased among Swedish adolescents (largest increase in girls); the prevalence of headache increased only in girls; the prevalence of pain in upper body decreased only in boys. School grades were significantly lower among those with headache or abdominal pain. Among students with low school grades (10th percentile) the estimated difference between those having any of the symptoms or none were -27 school grade units (95% confidence interval for girls (-27.8; -26.0), for boys (-27.6; -25.5). Both symptoms being present pronounced the association. Low parental education increased the negative effect of symptoms on school grades, most pronounced in the group with the lowest grades. In conclusion, identification of pain symptoms may improve academic achievements, especially in students with multiple symptoms and with parents having low education. Further intervention studies are need.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATIONS OF MULTI CRITERIA DECISION MAKING (MCDM) METHODS FOR DESIGN QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Architectural design can be considered as a process influenced by many stakeholders, each of which has different decision power. Each stakeholder might have his/her own criteria and weightings depending on his/her own perspective and role. Hence design can be seen as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) process. Considering architectural design, its evaluation and quality assessment within a context of MCDM is not regularly performed within building processes. The aim of the paper is to find/adapt proper methodologies of MCDM, used in other domains for assessment of design quality, adapt them to the construction domain and test their applicability. Current tools (for instance DQI, DEEP, AEDET, HQI, LEED, BREEAM, BQA) for quality assessment will be reviewed and compared with several MCDM methods (ie. AHP, ANP, PROMETHEE, SAW AND TOPSIS). Advantages and disadvantages of gathered outcomes from comparisons for assessment and applicability within architectural design will be discussed. Finally reflections on the outcomes will be provided.
Novel Transporter Required for Biogenesis of cbb3-Type Cytochrome c Oxidase in Rhodobacter capsulatus

ABSTRACT The acquisition, delivery, and incorporation of metals into their respective metalloproteins are important cellular processes. These processes are tightly controlled in order to prevent exposure of cells to free-metal concentrations that could yield oxidative damage. Copper (Cu) is one such metal that is required as a cofactor in a variety of proteins. However, when present in excessive amounts, Cu is toxic due to its oxidative capability. Cytochrome c oxidases (Coxs) are among the metalloproteins whose assembly and activity require the presence of Cu in their catalytic subunits. In this study, we focused on the acquisition of Cu for incorporation into the heme-Cu binuclear center of the cbb3-type Cox (cbb3-Cox) in the facultative phototroph Rhodobacter capsulatus. Genetic screens identified a cbb3-Cox defective mutant that requires Cu2+ supplementation to produce an active cbb3-Cox. Complementation of this mutant using wild-type genomic libraries unveiled a novel gene (ccoA) required for cbb3-Cox biogenesis. In the absence of CcoA, the cellular Cu content decreases and cbb3-Cox assembly and activity become defective. CcoA shows homology to major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporter proteins. Members of this family are known to transport small solutes or drugs, but so far, no MFS protein has been implicated in cbb3-Cox biogenesis. These findings provide novel insights into the maturation and assembly of membrane-integral metalloproteins and on a hitherto-unknown function(s) of MFS-type transporters in bacterial Cu acquisition. IMPORTANCE Biogenesis of energy-transducing membrane-integral enzymes, like the heme copper-containing cytochrome c oxidases, and the acquisition of transition metals, like copper, as their catalytic cofactors are vital processes for all cells. These widespread and well-controlled processes are poorly understood in all organisms, including bacteria. Defects in these processes lead to severe mitochondrial diseases in humans and poor crop yields in plants. In this study, using the facultative phototroph Rhodobacter capsulatus as a model organism, we report on the discovery of a novel major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporter (CcoA) that affects cellular copper content and cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidase production in bacteria. Biogenesis of energy-transducing membrane-integral enzymes, like the heme copper-containing cytochrome c oxidases, and the acquisition of transition metals, like copper, as their catalytic cofactors are vital processes for all cells. These widespread and well-controlled processes are poorly understood in all organisms, including bacteria. Defects in these processes lead to severe mitochondrial diseases in humans and poor crop yields in plants. In this study, using the facultative phototroph Rhodobacter capsulatus as a model organism, we report on the discovery of a novel major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporter (CcoA) that affects cellular copper content and cbb3-type cytochrome c oxidase production in bacteria.
X-ray sources in compact stellar systems in the Fornax Cluster

Compact stellar systems (CSS) range in mass from globular clusters (GCs), through the more recently discovered ultracompact dwarfs (UCDs), to the rare compact elliptical galaxies. Given their intermediate position, the origin of UCDs, and hence whether they should be counted as galaxies or star clusters, remains unclear. In this paper, we compare the population of X-ray point sources (expected to be low-mass X-ray binaries; LMXBs) in UCD candidates, that is, relatively high-luminosity compact systems, with that known to exist in lower mass GCs. Any difference in LMXB populations may then indicate physical differences between GCs and UCDs. We find that, despite their much larger masses and hence numbers of stars, UCDs and UCD candidates are, if anything, less likely to contain bright X-ray point sources than are GCs. The LMXB content per unit stellar mass is therefore much lower for the UCD candidates, intermediate between that for GCs and for elliptical galaxies. This difference between UCDs and GCs can be explained if UCDs have significantly lower central densities than lower mass GCs, as this will reduce the stellar encounter rate and therefore the production of suitable binary systems. This supports the previously proposed idea of structural differences between UCDs and GCs, though not necessarily ruling out a close relationship between these two types of CSS.
Dynamics of plant functional groups composition along environmental gradients in the typical area of Yi-Luo River watershed

Biomass of dominant and companion species in plant functional groups may reflect associations among plant functional groups and species replacement along environmental (elevation) gradients in the typical area of Yi-Luo River. Using community ecology techniques, these researchers examined the influences of elevation factors on plant functional group dynamics and population interactions along elevation gradients in the drainage area of Yi-Luo River. Leaf/stem/fruit/total biomass of dominant and companion species in plant functional groups were calculated and the correlation between elevation and species biomass was analyzed. We showed that elevation was the most important environmental factor affecting the distribution pattern of biomass of plant functional groups composition. Total leaf and stem and fruit biomasses of dominant and companion 19 perennial herbaceous species in plant functional groups were significantly correlated with elevation gradient ( P<0.05 , P<0.0 1). Understanding the changes and their causes in these PFG is essential for further research of local ecosystem functions and the goal of sustainable development in the context of biodiversity conservation.
The construction and analysis of marker gene libraries

Marker genes for viruses are typically amplified from aquatic samples to determine whether specific viruses are present in the sample, or to examine the diversity of a group of related viruses. In this chapter, we will pro- vide an overview of common methods used to amplify, clone, sequence, and analyze virus marker genes, and will focus our discussion on viruses infecting algae, bacteria, and heterotrophic flagellates. Within this chapter, we endeavor to highlight critical aspects and components of these methods. To this end, instead of providing a detailed experimental protocol for each of the steps involved in examining virus marker gene libraries, we have provided a few key considerations, recommendations, and options for each step. We conclude this chap- ter with a brief discussion of research on a major capsid protein (g20) of cyanomyoviruses using this work as a case study for polymerase chain reaction primer design and development. By building on the experience of numerous labs, this chapter should not only be useful to the new virus ecologist, but also serve as a valuable resource to established research groups.
Polymeric Nanofibers Prepared from Self-Organized Supramolecules

A facile concept to prepare nano-objects based on self-organizing polymeric supramolecules (also called supramolecular block copolymers) is demonstrated using one particular shape, i.e., nanorods or nanofibers. Cylindrical aggregates consisting of a polystyrene (PS) core and a thin corona of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) chains are prepared from P4VP(pentadecylphenol)-block-PS comb-coil supramolecules. Diblock copolymers P4VP-block-PS are stoichiometrically (with respect to the number of pyridine groups) hydrogen-bonded with pentadecylphenol (PDP) amphiphiles to yield P4VP(PDP)-block-PS comb-coil supramolecules. By the selection of appropriate relative block lengths for P4VP(PDP) and PS, a micro-phase-separated cylindrical morphology of PS cylinders inside a P4VP(PDP) matrix is obtained. Subsequent removal of the amphiphiles, accounting for ca. 75% of the matrix material, results in cylinders with a core of PS and a corona of easily adjustable thickness of P4VP. The advantages of the present concept compar.
Part-Time Wage-Gap in Germany: Evidence across the Wage Distribution

This paper uses insights from labour-market segmentation theory to investigate the wage differences between part-time and full-time workers in Germany at different parts of the wage distribution. This is accomplished with the use of a quintile regression and panel data from the SOEP (1991-2008). To get more insight on the part-time wage-gap, we apply a counterfactual wage decomposition analysis. The results show that, in the lower end of the wage distribution, part-time workers receive lower returns for their labour market characteristics, indicating the segmentation of the labour market. In contrast, at the top of the wage distribution, the part-time wage gap is fully explained by the difference in the characteristics of part-timers and full-timers.
Mobile Money, More Freedom? The Impact of M-PESA’s Network Power on Development as Freedom

The role of ICTs in development is contested between those who believe they will facilitate human development and those who believe they are, at most, impotent, and at worst, counterproductive. This article uses an examination of M-PESA, a large-scale mobile financial service in Kenya, to argue that the impact of ICTs on development as freedom differs with both the specific conceptualization of freedom used, and the institutional arrangement of the technology in question. The article’s novel conceptual model links the adoption of mobile money to its impact, suggesting that the dominant individualistic and instrumental approaches to ICT4D overlook the ways in which power and domination function alongside freedom when these factors are considered relationally and substantively. I demonstrate that the internal plurality of the concept of freedom leads to both new forms of empowerment, but also to limitations on choice and new forms of dominance. In closing, I suggest institutional and technological arrangements that are most likely to maximize the development potential of mobile money.
Leishmaniasis in northern and western Africa: a review

Leishmaniasis, one of the highly neglected diseases is currently a significant health problem in northern Africa with a rising concern in western Africa because of co-infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In this review, we present a summarized analysis of the epidemiology, infective species, parasites reservoirs, diagnosis, treatment and control measures of leishmaniasis in northern and western Africa region. In northern Africa, the disease is prevalent in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Comparatively, there are low prevalence rates of the disease in West African countries including Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. In North Africa, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by L. infantum and transmitted by Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. longicuspis. On the other hand, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is mainly caused by L. major and transmitted by P. papatasi, P. duboscqi and P. pedifer with L. infantum and L. tropica causing lower incidences of the disease. Notably, Algeria is one of the countries that constitute 90% of CL cases worldwide. In Western Africa; CL is caused by L. major while VL is caused by L. donovani. In these regions, zoonotic and anthroponotic cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis is a health problem that should be addressed urgently
MEASURING THE COMPONENTS OF AGGREGATE PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IN U.S. AGRICULTURE

A method of decomposing the growth in total factor productivity into effects due to nonconstant returns to scale and technical change was applied to the U.S. agricultural sector. The scale effects and technical changes were measured using an economically estimated two-output, three-input translog cost model. Total factor productivity as conventionally measured grew at an average annual rate of 1.56% from 1950-82. This growth rate, however, misrepresented the rate of technical change in U.S. agriculture primarily due to the nonconstant scales effects.
Lead (Pb) contamination alters richness and diversity of the fungal, but not the bacterial community in pine forest soil

The aim of the study was to gain a more detailed view of the changes in microbial community structure in boreal forest soil due to lead contamination. The Hälvälä shooting range in southern Finland is heavily polluted by lead. The humus soil microbial community was examined using DNA based methods. To examine the bacterial community a 400 bp section of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified, cloned, and sequenced. For fungi, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) area was examined. The 917 bacterial sequences grouped into 398 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at ≥ 97% similarity, while 649 fungal sequences grouped into 155 OTUs at ≥ 99% similarity. No effect of lead was found on bacterial richness or diversity, while fungal richness and diversity were significantly altered. Some OTUs assigned to Basidiomycota were much rarer in the lead contaminated areas while the genus Thelephora was enriched in the lead contaminated soil. This difference between bacterial and fungal responses to lead suggests a difference in the strategy to avoid the contaminant. The analyses performed here do not, however, allow for conclusions regarding mechanisms.