Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards developing effective decontamination procedures for in vitro culture of embryonic axes excised from recalcitrant seeds.

Control of seed-associated micro-organisms is vital in reducing losses of plants of economic importance. Recalcitrant seeds being metabolically active and able to be stored only under conditions of high relative humidity makes it more difficult to control contaminants. Nevertheless, means need to be developed to eliminate, or at least curtail, seed-associated fungi and bacteria. The use of biological control is a highly recommended alternative to chemical control for reducing the risk of killing beneficial organisms, as well as in terms of health and environmental hazards. Furthermore, when working with seed-derived tissues, it is extremely important to optimise a method or methods to control contamination without compromising the viability or further development of the explants. The original aim of the present study was to determine whether the biocontrol agents, EcoT ® and Eco77 (commercial products of the spores of Trichoderma harzianum) would effectively control/eliminate micro-organisms from the embryonic axes of Trichilia dregeana, while promoting growth under in vitro conditions. Other means were also tested for their efficacy in controlling contaminants; these were application of Benlate ® , Nipastat ® (a mixture of parabens), anodic water (the anodic fraction of an electrolysed dilute solution of calcium and magnesium chloride), sodium dichloro-isocyanurate (Medi-Chlor ® [NaDCC]) and alginate gel encapsulation of the embryonic axes. Prior to the experiments, fungal contaminants from the embryonic axes were isolated on potato dextrose medium and identified using light microscopy. EcoT and Eco77 were initially individually tested by co-culture as conidial suspensions with the embryonic axes. A further approach used liquid culture (potato dextrose broth) as well as solid culture medium (based on sugarcane bagasse) in/on which the strains of Trichoderma harzianum had been grown. This was aimed at testing for the possible presence of compounds released by T. harzianum into the media, which might prove to be effective in curtailing/eliminating the axis-associated microflora. Among the different treatments tested, the best method was utilised to decontaminate the embryonic axes prior to minimal-growth storage (hydrated axes encapsulated in alginate gel ‘beads’). Penicillium spp. were predominant among the different fungi isolated, which included Fusarium spp. , Rhizopus spp. , Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Co-culturing with T. harzianum for 24 h was successful in terms of the survival of the embryonic axes, although the roots produced were shorter than when axes were cultured alone, but had no effect in eliminating the contaminants. Longer periods of co-culturing with T. harzianum affected the germination of the embryonic axes of T. dregeana compared with axes germinated in the absence of the biocontrol agent (control). The culture filtrate negatively affected germination of the T. dregeana embryonic axes, although it was effective against
Dramatic Structure and Social Status in Shakespeare’s Plays

This article discusses ways that dramatic structure can be analyzed through the use of social titles in Shakespeare’s plays. Freytag’s (1863) pyramid of dramatic structure is based on patterns he found in Shakespearean and Greek tragedy; more recently, computational methods are being employed to model narrative structure at scale. However, there has not yet been a study which discusses whether or not specific lexical items can be indicative of dramatic structure. Using Shakespeare’s plays as an example, this essay fills the gap by observing how social titles can be used to explore the viability of narrative structure.
Water budget changes in the Amazon basin under RCP 8.5 and deforestation scenarios

We used climate models to assess the effects of 2 distinct anthropogenic forcings on the water budget in the Amazon basin: (1) increasing global greenhouse gases under the RCP8.5 scenario, and (2) land cover change caused by deforestation. The Eta regional climate model, driven by the Brazilian Earth System Model version 2.5 (BESM 2.5), was used to simulate the climate response under the RCP8.5 scenario and due to deforestation throughout the 21st century. Changes in energy and water budgets led to an increase in temperature that reached 5°C throughout the basin. In the RCP8.5 scenario, moisture convergence, precipitation and evapotranspiration all decreased. In this scenario, the positive feedback mechanism was predominant, as the reductions in evapotranspiration and moisture convergence acted in the same direction to reduce precipitation. In the future deforestation scenarios, reductions in precipitation were even stronger. In this case, the negative feedback mechanism predominated, in which the relative reduction in evapotranspiration was greater than the reduction in precipitation, leading to an increase in moisture convergence over the region. Changes in temperature and the water cycle were intensified in the future deforestation scenarios. These results show that the 2 anthropogenic factors can change the water budget and cause an imbalance in the climate-biome system in the Amazon basin, highlighting the need for public conservation policies to halt the increase in environmental degradation in the Amazon basin and to reduce greenhouse gases emissions due the burning of fossil fuels.
Transformasi Kurikulum Pesantren Melalui Metode Pembelajaran Kitab Kuning Dalam Mengembangkan Pesantren : Studi Kasus Di Pondok Pesantren Al-Hikam Malang

Islamic dorm was the oldest institution in Indonesia. Besides, it’s also a part of macro society. As a part of macro society, it needs to be sustained. One of the important part of Islamic dorm is its curriculum and teaching’s method of classic book. Thus, it is a must to transform both of curriculum and teaching’s method in order to be sustainability in the middle of changing society. The aim of the study is to investigate how curriculum of Al-Hikam transformed to be sustained and how is the teaching’s method of classic book done by Al-Hikam through its transformation. The transformational shape are focused on the area related to the construction of curriculum. As well as matters relating with approach, media, and the method used in the field of teaching and learning process. While, the research of the study done by using qualitative approach. Data collected by using depth interviews, participant observation and documentation. Then, the method of analyzing data used Miles and Hubberman method. The result indicates that there was some transformations of curriculum used at Al-Hikam Malang and some methods used in the teaching process of classic books. Even though, transformation happened, Islamic dorm is still holds on its jargon ‘Al-Muhafadzotu ‘ala qadim al-sholih wa al- akhdu bi al-jadid al-ashlah (Keep on its old tradition which is good and take the new one which is better). Keyword: Transformation, Curriculum, Teaching’s method of classic book .
Applicant’s Self Confidence Influence in Employment Interview Process According to Recruiters Perceptions. An Exploratory Study in Greece

Self confidence, self esteem and self efficacy are widely common terms in job search effectiveness according to literature. There is a consensus in a large extent that candidates’ self confidence during interview process has significant influence and affects recruiters’ decisions and respectively hiring results. This study aims to search the significance of employee candidates’ self confidence and its relative impact in recruiters, employers, hiring decisions during employment interview. For this purpose, an empirical research has been conducted in order to explore the importance and relative impact of candidates’ self-confidence in a sample of two hundred and sixty recruiters’, personnel managers’ and employers in Greece about the impact of candidates’ self confidence, might have in their hiring decisions, during interview selection process. The significance of candidates self confidence was measured according to three specific dimensions of the recruiters decisions, which were in particular, the possibility of hiring them, the possibility of consider them as suitable for the position they applied for, and thirdly for the possibility of giving them a chance for a second interview. The three measures were analysed each one individually, and then unified in one, with the term hireability- sellectability. The new index has been tested for cronbach’s alpha measure of reliability, taking high acceptant value. Results show that employee candidates’ self confidence has significant influence and affect recruiters’ decisions and selection outcomes regarding this index. There is also significant impact of candidate’s self confidence, in all three of interviewers’ decisions options as in particular, to hire the candidates, to consider them suitable for the position and to invite them in a second interview.
Therapeutic and Protective Effects of Pharmacological Agents on Femoral Head Osteonecrosis

Cancer, a chronic malignancy is the ultimately cause of stress cardiomyopathy since its features are expressively precipitated by cancer-mediated physical and emotional stress. Just like an acute coronary disease or acute heart failure, stress cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is a clinical condition presenting severe chest pain as a major symptom. Physical, emotional or medical stress initiates the disorder with a condition of severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The emotional stress or anxiety associated with cancer malignancy diagnosis, prevailing stage of cancer itself and the physical stresses induced by surgical, radiation and systemic antineoplastic treatment of cancer are the major factors accelerating stress cardiomyopathy. Stress cardiomyopathy is progressively increasing in cancer patients and is an adverse consequence in such patients. In the current report, the stress syndrome being identified in cancer patients after systemic antineoplastic therapy has been reviewed. In the current report, information assembled and examined include clinical symptoms, electrocardiogram, laboratory information, transthoracic echocardiogram, coronary angiogram outcomes and patient consequences. Cancer patients are at amplified risk of developing stress syndrome/stress cardiomyopathy and it is extremely imperative to investigate the drugs involved in the progression of stress syndrome.
Chilled raw milk quality: a case study in Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

EnglishThis paper aimed to analyze the evolution of the quality of raw milk produced by producers in the Zona da Mata region, in the state of Minas Gerais, between 2012 and 2018. For this purpose, we used the linear mixed-effects model to analyze the monthly evolution of the results of milk composition indicators (fat, protein, and defatted dry extract - DDE), somatic cell count - SCC, and total bacterial count - TBC, from the official monthly registry of 94 milk producers, suppliers of a region’s dairy. Results indicate a continuous reduction in the milk composition indicators between 2014 and 2018. For the SCC and TBC indicators, we identified only one-off reductions. The supply of a larger volume of milk was associated with increased TBC. Seasonality influenced all quality indicators analyzed. According to these results, we concluded that the analyzed quality of chilled raw milk offered by producers was proven worse from 2012 to 2018, despite the actions implemented by the National Milk Quality Improvement Program - PNMQL. portuguesEste artigo objetivou analisar a evolucao da qualidade do leite cru refrigerado produzido por produtores da regiao da Zona da Mata, do Estado de Minas Gerais, entre os anos de 2012 e 2018. Para tal, foi utilizado o modelo linear de efeitos mistos, a fim de analisar a evolucao mensal dos resultados de indicadores de composicao do leite (gordura, proteina e extrato seco desengordurado - ESD), contagem de celulas somaticas - CCS, e contagem bacteriana total - CBT, provenientes de analises oficiais mensais de 94 produtores de leite, fornecedores de um laticinio da regiao. Os resultados indicaram uma reducao continua dos indicadores de composicao do leite entre os anos de 2014 e 2018. Para os indicadores de CCS e CBT foram observadas apenas reducoes pontuais. O fornecimento de um maior volume de leite foi associado ao aumento da CBT. A sazonalidade influenciou todos os indicadores de qualidade analisados. De posse desses resultados, pode-se afirmar que, apesar das acoes implementadas pelo Programa Nacional de Melhoria de Qualidade do Leite - PNMQL, a qualidade do leite cru refrigerado, proveniente dos produtores avaliados, piorou ao longo do periodo em analise
The Identification of Students’ Learning Difficulties on Sampling Technique Course Undergraduate Programme In Mathematics Universitas Negeri Medan

This study aims to describe the learning difficulties of students in the Sampling Technique Course in undergraduate program in mathematics Universitas Negeri Medan. The subject of this study is the students of undergraduate programme in mathematis on the sampling technique course for 2018/2019 school year. This research method is descriptive qualitative. The instruments used in this study included tests on the ability of sampling techniques, questionnaires and interviews. The results shows that: 1)The students have difficulty in terms of contents respectively: the two stage sampling, systematic sampling, cluster sampling, stratified sampling; 2) The students have difficulty in terms of the procedure of taking samples, rationality (concepts) underlying the estimation formula used, using estimation formulas in problem solving, choosing the right sampling method in problem solving; 3) The reasons of students why they have difficulty respectively: rarely study at home, Textbooks (teaching material) are difficult to understand, few learning resources and the other reasons.
Etude des cycles peptidiques en interaction avec les membranes lipidiques par simulations de dynamique moléculaire utilisant l'approche gros grains

Les cycles peptidiques (CPs) composes d’un nombre paire d’acides amines avec l’alternance de chiralite L/D, sont capables de s’auto assembler pour former des nanotubes peptidiques tubulaires creux grâce a un reseau de liaisons d’hydrogene. La partition des CPs hydrophobes dans une membrane lipidique forme un nanotube transmembranaire, alors que les CPs charges caracterise par l’amphipacite montrent une forte activite antibacterienne contre les bacteries gram+/-. Le but de ce travail consiste principalement a etudier les interactions des CPs avec des membranes lipidiques par simulations de dynamique moleculaire utilisant l’approche gros grains, pour mieux caracteriser le processus d’auto assemblage, la formation de nanotubes transmembranaires et l’action antibacterienne des CPs. Les resultats obtenus montrent que l’activite de CPs est gouvernee par les proprietes physico-chimiques de la l’interaction des CPs avec les tetes polaires de la membrane. Dans le cas des CPs hydrophobes, les peptides s’auto-assemblent en amas a la surface des membranes avant de s’auto organiser a l’interieur des bicouches lipidiques pour former des nanotubes transmembranaires. Dans le cas des CPs charges, leur action antibacterienne semble resulter de l’extraction et la liberation de micelles de phospholipides de la membrane qui est precedee par l’adsorption des peptides a la surface des membranes en mode dit carpet-like. L’ensemble de cette etude a necessite un grand effort d’optimisation des champs de forces gros grains existants. Nous avons en effet montre leurs limites et optimises les parametres d’interaction impliquant plusieurs acides amines comme les residus Leu, Trp, Arg et Lys. Nous avons etendu l’etude au repliement de peptides helicoidaux transmembranaires et antimicrobiens montrant ainsi la transferabilite du champ de force GG optimise.
Bionomics of Scolytus schevyrewi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada

Abstract The invasive alien Scolytus schevyrewi Semenov (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was detected in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada, in 2007. Because S. schevyrewi is a potential vector of the Dutch elm disease pathogen (Ophiostomanovo-ulmi Brasier; Fungi: Ophiostomataceae), the natural history of the beetle was studied from 2009 to 2012 in the two provinces, where the disease is managed to protect Ulmus americana Linnaeus (Ulmaceae). Typically, healthy trees become infected when their xylem is contacted during feeding by spore-bearing scolytine adults that have flown from a diseased tree; adults emerging from brood galleries in diseased trees frequently carry spores. We caught flying S. schevyrewi adults from May to October; adults were weakly attracted to healthy Ulmus Linnaeus but were strongly attracted to Ulmus pumila Linnaeus stressed by girdling. Scolytus schevrewi colonised and completed development in girdled trees and trap logs of U. pumila. In contrast to other studies, U. americana – the major source of pathogen spores in the area – was never colonised as a brood host. Our results suggest that S. schevyrewi will primarily use U. pumila, which, in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, seldom exhibits symptoms of Dutch elm disease. Thus, arrival of S. schevyrewi does not appear to require changes to Dutch elm disease management programmes.
Phylogenetic analysis of recent classical swine fever virus isolates (CSFV) from Karnataka, India

Classical swine fever (CSF) outbreaks are detected throughout the year. Tissue (spleen and lymph nodes) samples (6) collected from 5 classical swine fever outbreaks in different districts of Karnataka state were subjected to virus isolation in PK–15 cells and virus could be recovered from all the 6 samples. Virus isolation was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR using primers specific to 5’UTR region and sequenced. Alignment of 150 nucleotides of 5’UTR region with that of 33 published sequences available in Genbank, including 22 Indian CSFV sequences was done to get better epidemiological information on classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the isolates from Karnataka could be grouped into subgroup 2.2. Phylogenetic tree confirmed that members of 2.2 subgroup show higher divergence among themselves when compared to other cluster within subgroup 1.1. The study also revealed involvement of 2 different isolates in an outbreak. Most of the outbreaks in our study are due to recent introduction of new stocks of pigs from other places. Even though group 1 viruses are predominant in India, the group 2 viruses are also gradually spreading as confirmed by frequent detection/ isolation of group 2 viruses in the recent years. It appears that subgroup 2.2 viruses are gradually replacing the subgroup 1.1 viruses, indicating the changing epidemiological scenario.
Diagnosing Causes of Pre-Service Literature Teachers’ Misconceptions on the Narrator and Focalizer Using a Two-Tier Test

Constructivism proposes that learners construct concepts based on prior knowledge and experiences. Numerous factors may lead to inadequate or improper concept construction, leading to misconceptions. This study provides a foundation for discussing literary misconceptions using discussions with 47 pre-service literature teachers on the origins of diverse misconceptions regarding the narrator and focalizer. The participants identified the narrator and focalizer in two fictional narratives and elucidated each concept. Thus, the causes and aspects of the misconceptions were identified. Misconceptions about the narrator and focalizer were found to involve four factors: over-contextualization of everyday experiences, misunderstanding of terms, transfer of misconceptions in textbooks, and miscategorization of prior knowledge. The transfer of misconceptions and miscategorization had the largest impact. Moreover, the aspects of misconceptions differed for each cause. Over-contextualization led to equating the narrator with the focalizer, and the transfer of misconceptions led to equating the narrator with the author. Miscategorization resulted in miscategorizing the narrator and focalizer as subordinate concepts of speech representation and point of view. Misunderstanding of terms interacted with other causes, leading to equating the narrator with the focalizer, as well as misclassifying them as speech representation. Based on these results, methods to overcome literary misconceptions at the curriculum, class, and teacher education levels were suggested.
Learning to Rank Music Tracks Using Triplet Loss

Most music streaming services rely on automatic recommendation algorithms to exploit their large music catalogs. These algorithms aim at retrieving a ranked list of music tracks based on their similarity with a target music track. In this work, we propose a method for direct recommendation based on the audio content without explicitly tagging the music tracks. To that aim, we propose several strategies to perform triplet mining from ranked lists. We train a Convolutional Neural Network to learn the similarity via triplet loss. These different strategies are compared and validated on a large-scale experiment against an auto-tagging based approach. The results obtained highlight the efficiency of our system, especially when associated with an Auto-pooling layer.
Assessing the Skill and Reliability of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Sahelian West Africa

Seasonal climate forecasts have the potential to support planning decisions and provide advanced warning to government, industry, and communities to help reduce the impacts of adverse climatic conditions. Assessing the reliability of seasonal forecasts, generated using different models and methods, is essential to ensure their appropriate interpretation and use. Here we assess the reliability of forecasts for seasonal total precipitation in Sahelian West Africa, a region of high year-to-year climate variability. Through digitizing forecasts issued from the regional climate outlook forum in West Africa known as Prévisions Climatiques Saisonnières en Afrique Soudano-Sahélienne (PRESASS), we assess their reliability by comparing them to the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) project observational data over the past 20 years. The PRESASS forecasts show positive skill and reliability, but a bias toward lower forecast probabilities in the below-normal precipitation category. In addition, we assess the reliability of seasonal precipitation forecasts for the same region using available global dynamical forecast models. We find all models have positive skill and reliability, but this varies geographically. On average, NCEP’s CFS and ECMWF’s SEAS5 systems show greater skill and reliability than the Met Office’s GloSea5, and in turn than Météo-France’s Sys5, but one key caveat is that model performance might depend on the meteorological situation. We discuss the potential for improving use of dynamical model forecasts in the regional climate outlook forums, to improve the reliability of seasonal forecasts in the region and the objectivity of the seasonal forecasting process used in the PRESASS regional climate outlook forum.