Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Failure to launch”: is there a reproductive cost to males living at home?

Differential reproductive success commonly reflects variations in reproductive physiology, behavior, and morphology. In some species, competition among males results in the evolution of alternative reproductive tactics that confer a fitness advantage relating to social status, density, or myriad other factors. In the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris), a species that is highly competitive but lacks typical mammalian aspects of intrasexual competition (e.g., territoriality and aggression), 2 alternative reproductive tactics occur relating to dispersal. While physiological and behavioral differences have been demonstrated between dispersed males and males that delay dispersal, we used microsatellite markers to quantify variations in reproductive success between tactics. We found that dispersed males are in better body condition with larger home ranges likely allowing greater encounter frequencies with estrous females. However, we found no difference in copulation frequency between tactics, and the decision to delay dispersal does not preclude reproduction. Over 70% of males did not sire any offspring, yet the average number of offspring sired was equal between tactics. Thus, all males are equally likely of copulating, but paternity is strongly skewed toward a few males regardless of tactic. Natal philopatry may be a condition-dependent tactic that does not reduce reproductive success.
Strengthening Public Health Systems: Policy Ideas from a Governance Perspective

Public health systems that are capable of disease surveillance and action to prevent and manage outbreaks require trustworthy community-embedded public health workers who are empowered to undertake their tasks as professionals. Economic theory on incentives and norms of agents tasked with performing activities that society cares about yield direct implications for how to recruit and manage frontline health workers to promote trustworthiness and professionalism. This paper provides novel evidence from a survey of public health workers in Bihar, India's poorest state, that supports the insights of economic theory and taken together yields ideas that can immediately be put to work in policy responses to the COVID-19 crisis. These ideas address problems of governance and trust that have bedeviled health policymakers. Managing the current and preventing future pandemics requires going beyond technical health policies to the political institutions that shape incentives and norms of health workers tasked with implementing those policies.
Guided wave scattering analysis around a circular delamination in a quasi-isotropic fiber-composite laminate

Carbon fiber reinforced composites are widely used in the aerospace industry, but barely visible impact damage can lead to delamination and compromise the structural integrity. The scattering of the fundamental anti-symmetric guided wave mode (A0 Lamb mode) at an artificial circular delamination in a quasi-isotropic laminate was investigated experimentally. A 5 cycle Hanning windowed wave pulse was used as the excitation signal for the experiments. Fast Fourier Transform was employed to identify the guided wave amplitude of the scattered field along various directions. The experimental wavefield was captured using a laser Doppler vibrometer. Experimental results are presented for the scattering pattern and scattering amplitude as a function of distance from the damage. The results of this study can help to improve delamination detection techniques using guided waves and to gain physical insights into the scattering of guided waves at a delamination.
Wideband high aperture efficiency antennas with beam switching for mmWave 5G base stations

A compact metamaterial inspired sub‐wavelength unit cells are integrated into wideband Vivaldi antenna. A high gain Vivaldi antenna with 50% impedance bandwidth is proposed. The dimensions of the antenna are 1.55 λ0 × 3.2 λ0 at 28 GHz. Gain enhancement of 3‐dB achieved by placing metamaterial unit cells in the aperture of the antenna. These unit cells aid in phase correction of the antenna. The 1‐dB gain bandwidth of antenna is 42% with a peak gain of 12.5 dBi indicating high pattern integrity. Corrugations of varying length are introduced in the ground plane to improve front‐to‐back ratio without altering the input impedance bandwidth. The aperture efficiency of the metamaterial loaded Vivaldi antenna is 78% at 28 GHz. The proposed element is used in a stacked module to achieve wide angular coverage of 120°.
Modificações na fauna edáfica durante a decomposição da palhada de centeio e aveia preta, em sistema plantio direto

Modifications in the edaphic fauna during the decomposition of black oat and ray straw in a notillage system. The present study was carried out with the aim of monitoring the edaphic fauna modifications during the decomposition of cover crops straw. The experiment was carried out in the 2005/2006 spring-summer
High-purity Seed Production of Doubled Haploid Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis (Lour.)) Through Microspore Culture

The purpose of this study was to produce doubled haploid red color heading type Chinese cabbage using isolated microspore culture. Genotypic differences in embryogenic response and regenerative ability of microspore-derived embryos to plants were observed. A high rate of plant regeneration from microspore-derived embryos was achieved by an improved protocol involving replacement of culture media and adjustment of heat shock temperature. More than 60% of regenerated plants were spontaneous doubled haploids. Haploids were characterized by short and malformed stamen and few viable pollen grains as compared to spontaneous doubled haploids and dihaploids. The seeds harvested from the 142 spontaneous doubled haploid plants were designated as H1; 25 seeds in each population was grown and characterized. The H1 generation has been shown to display considerable phenotypic variation and high purity. These spontaneous doubled haploids may be directly exploited as new varieties in a red colored Chinese cabbage breeding program.
Trajectories of Distress Following the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Multiwave Prospective Study

The March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear leak were complex traumas. We examined psychological distress in the years following the earthquake using growth mixture modeling to classify responses from 2,599 linked respondents (2012–2016). We identified four classes of trajectories following the disaster: resilient (76% of respondents), delayed distress (8%), recovery (8%), and chronic distress (7%). Compared with the resilient class, other class members were less likely to be female and had less social support. Survivors in the recovery group were more likely to live in prefabricated housing. Although distress has decreased over time, specific populations continue to require targeted intervention.
Resistance of Cucumis melo against Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera : Aleyrodidae)

The life history parameters of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), net reproduction, adult longevity, adult survival, and length of the developmental time have been evaluated in Cucumis melo L. and wild relatives looking for sweetpotato whitefly resistance. Under free-choice conditions, whitefly net reproduction on C. melo variety agrestis cultivar ‘87’ and C. melo ‘TGR-1551’ was lower than on the susceptible C. melo ‘Bola de Oro’. Under no-choice conditions the net reproduction of B. tabaci on C. melo variety agrestis 87 and C. melo TGR-1551 was also lower than on the susceptible control cultivar C. melo Bola de Oro. Length of developmental time, adult survival, and adult longevity were not good life history parameters to differentiate resistant and susceptible genotypes against whitefly. The results seem to indicate the existence of genetic resistance to B. tabaci in both genotypes, C. melo variety agrestis 87 and C. melo TGR-1551.
Development of a Household Solar Power Plant: System Using Solar Panels

The purpose of this study was to find a model system of power generation by using solar-cells for house. The research was a realization of concern in overcoming the electricity energy crisis. Solar panels, inverters, batteries, and solar charge controllers were used to support on this study. Polycrystalline solar panels with 4 × 50Wp power were chosen to generate energy. The output voltage ranges from 14.8 to 17.5 V DC (direct current) per panel with a capacity of 2 × 70 Ah. Battery capacity of 24 volts was connected in series with an inverter of 1000 watts. The result of the study showed the voltage output of the solar panels was at maximum average of 30.2 V. The distribution of batteries charging used a solar charger controller at a voltage of 24.5 volt DC. The measurement of voltage resulted at the inverter output from 24 volt DC to converse of 220 volt AC (alternating current) without load. Voltage conditions as outputs of solar panels reach maximum voltage during the day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Western Indonesia Time (WIB) and it begin down until 6:00 pm. The design greatly influenced the performance of solar power plants.
QTL Associated with Accumulation of Tocopherols in Maize

Tocopherols are a class of fat soluble antioxidant vitamin compounds present in maize (Zea mays L.) that provide health and economic benefits, which potentially could be captured by both producers and consumers to add value to the grain. α-Tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol are the most abundant isomers present in maize. α-Tocopherol has the highest biological activity for the tocopherols; however, γ-tocopherol is generally present in much higher concentrations than the other tocopherols in maize kernels. The objectives of this research were to determine levels of tocopherol isomers in maize kernels from two related maize mapping populations and to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling accumulation of tocopherol isomers. Two sets of materials were assayed in this research, a (W64a x A632) F 2:4 mapping population and testcross progeny with AE335. Molecular markers were evaluated on the F 2:4 mapping population and a linkage map created. Each population was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for α-, δ-, and γ-tocopherol. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified QTL for individual tocopherols and total tocopherols, notably on chromosomes 1 and 5. The ratio of α-/γ-tocopherol was analyzed to identify QTL influencing the conversion of γ-tocopherol to α-tocopherol. The QTL associated with the largest percentage of phenotypic variation in the study was detected on chromosome 5 for ratio (α/γ) tocopherol. The QTL identified in this study have potential for use in a marker assisted selection program to facilitate increasing levels and ratios of tocopherols in maize grain.
The Relation of Different Crop Roots Exudates to the Survival and Suppressive Effect of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (PD4560), Biocontrol Agent of Bacterial Wilt of Potato

Experiments were performed under greenhouse conditions to control bacterial wilt of potato (potato brown rot), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2, Phylotype II, sequevar 1 using various biocontrol strategies. These strategies involved the use of the bacterial biocontrol agent Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (PD4560), in clay or sandy soils, planted with cowpea, maize or tomato which was grown separately in different pots in the inoculated soils. After harvest, the soil derived from each cultivated crop was inoculated with a mixture of three virulent R. solanacearum strains (K3, K10 and K16) to achieve a final concentration of 5 × 108 cfu/g dry soil and used in pots under greenhouse conditions to cultivate potato seed tubers. The highest survival of S. maltophilia in soil (more than 160 days) coincided with a remarkable suppressing effect on disease incidence caused by R. solanacearum that expressed by wilt severity (up to 100% reduction), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) (up to 99% reduction) and counts of the pathogen in soil (up to 75% reduction), rhizosphere (up to 80% reduction) and plant tissue (up to 97% reduction) of potato plants. The amino acid analysis of root exudates of crops under investigation revealed high percentages of asparagines (15.5–21%), glutamine (16–20%) and sulphur-containing methionine (7–9%) in both of the cowpea and maize, respectively. In tomato root exudates, high percentages of arginine (around 26%) and lysine (around 23%) were detected. Methionine is known to favour the growth of S. maltophilia suggesting that especially cowpea and maize are suitable for crop rotation with potato and will enhance the sustainability of the biocontrol agent S. maltophilia.
“The Coattail-Effect” in the Concurrent Elections in Indonesia: Study on Increasing Turnouts and Use of Voting Rights in the 2019 Elections

In-depth research on the “coattail effect” in the exertion of elections in Indonesia has never been conducted comprehensively. Compared to other countries such as the United States, some Latin American and Western European countries, which already have had experience holding concurrent elections, the phenomenon of concurrent elections in Indonesia is relatively anew as it was just conducted for the first time in 2019. This study aims to seek and explain the coattail effect in concurrent elections in Indonesia by finding the relations between two major elections, namely the presidential and legislative elections, with the increasing level of voter turnout and the level of the use of voting rights in polling stations in the 2019 elections. By using quantitative methods and analysis of the relations through Structural Equation Modeling, this study involves 438 respondents who were randomly drawn in 38 districts/cities from 7 provinces in Indonesia, which is the unit of analysis in this study. This study reveals that the increase of the turnout of the election in 2019 is due to the competitiveness of the presidential election rather than other major elections held concurrently. This study filled the vacuum of research rubric on the theory of coattail effect in the practice of election in Indonesia.
Cymothoa spinipalpa sp. nov. (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) a buccal cavity parasite of the marine fish, Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider) (Osteichthyes, Carangidae) of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Cymothoa spinipalpa sp. nov. (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) a buccal cavity parasite of the marine fish, Oligoplites saurus, is described on the basis of eight male specimens and one female. The fish hosts were captured in the coastal waters of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. In the new species, the anterior margin of the cephalon is doubled ventrally over the bases of the antennae. In this respect, it resembles C. recifea Thatcher & Fonseca, 2005. It differs from that species, however, in being much smaller and having basal carinae on the pereopods 4 to 7 that are small and rounded (not large and pointed). Also, pleopods 2-4 lack the folds and pockets that are present in C. recifea. The new species can be distinguished from all known Cymothoa spp. by the mandibular palps which are entirely covered with small spines in adult males. The mancas of the new species resemble those of Cymothoa oestrum since they have elongate antennae but they are wider and have shorter uropods.
Modeling and design of infrared and ultraviolet integrated diamond ring Raman lasers

We numerically investigate the capabilities and advantages of Raman lasers based on integrated single-crystal diamond ring resonators. To this end, we first model continuous-wave (CW) Raman lasing action while taking into account the lasing directionality, the linear and nonlinear losses, and the coupling of the fields between the bus and ring sections of racetrack-shaped diamond ring resonators. We then consider the design of the ring resonators for a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) and an ultraviolet (UV) Raman laser. Using our Raman lasing model, we determine the lasing directionality, pump threshold and lasing efficiency of the SWIR and UV devices. We find that both can yield efficient CW operation with SWIR and UV lasing slope efficiencies of 33% and 65 %, respectively. These results showcase the potential of integrated diamond ring Raman lasers for producing wavelengths that are challenging to generate with other types of integrated lasers.
Gender Differences in the Perception of Organisational Justice among Selected Employees in Lagos State

Organisations across the globe have had to contend with equity issues stimulated by the changing work demography. Such issues are very sensitive and can impact negatively on organisational outcomes. This study examined the differences in male and female employees’ perception of organisational justice and affective commitment among employees in Lagos State. The ex-post facto design and the systematic random sampling technique were adopted in this study. A questionnaire was administered to three hundred and fifty-nine (359) employees between the ages of 19 and 59 years. Forty-two percent (42%) of the participants were males; fifty-six percent (56%) were females while the remaining two percent (2%) did not indicate their gender. Telecom staff accounted for 16% of the total sample, while teachers, health workers and bankers accounted for 28% each. Two hypotheses were raised and tested using t-test. The result revealed a significant difference between male and female perception of overall organisational justice and a significant difference in male and female perception of the dimensions of organisational justice: procedural justice and interactional justice. There was no significant difference in perception of distributive justice by male and female respondents. Consequently, findings from this study tend to suggest that gender has a significant effect on employees’ perception of organisational justice, with male having better perception of justice than their female counterparts. It was recommended that fairness in reward allocation, procedures and interpersonal treatment be ensured and made transparent to both male and female employees.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED MAINSTREAM COMMERCIAL BANKS IN CAMEROON

The Basel Committee for Bank Supervision (BCBS) is aimed at enhancing financial stability of banking system by providing quality supervision and regulatory frameworks for global banking operations. The committee provides recommendations on capital risk, market risk, and operational risk; with the objective of ensuring that financial institutions have adequate capital reserved to absorb unpredicted losses. It is on this premise that this study seeks to analysis the impact of operational risk management strategies on financial performance of selected mainstream commercial banks in Cameroon. A quantitative case study design was used and supported with the philosophical underpins of objectivism ontology and positivism epistemology. Data was primarily sourced using structured questionnaires from two hundred and fifty (250) employees purposively sampled from National Financial Credit Bank (NFCB), the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Eco Bank from the centre and littoral regions of Cameroon. Data was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with the aid of SPSS 23 and Amos 24. The study revealed that internal operational risk management practices, risk monitoring and control, and training and reporting have significant positive impact on financial performance. This study opined that financial performance increases with the implementation of internal operational risk management strategies. Furthermore, risk monitoring and control have significant mediating impact between training and reporting and financial performance. This study therefore recommends that the provisions of operational risk management strategies as prescribed by the Basel I, II, III and IV accords are significant drivers of a stable and resilient financial system in the case of Cameroon.
Admission blood glucose and echocardiography to predict major adverse cardiac events in acute coronary syndrome: a review

A life-threatening presentation of coronary artery disease is acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after acute coronary syndrome include life threatening arrhythmias, cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock, recurrent ischemia and sudden death. Patients with severe and moderate LV dysfunction are more likely to have triple vessel disease. Regional wall motion abnormality assessed by regional wall motion index using 2D-echocardiography correlates with infarct size which in turn predicts the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The cause for cardiogenic shock is left ventricular pump failure due to extensive damage to the myocardium and infarct related mechanical complications. In patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome, 5% develop ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation especially after 48 hours after hospital admission. Hyperglycemia causes stronger sympathetic activation in patients with severe illness and hence increased glucose levels. Insulin resistance not only causes hyperglycemia but can also lead to reduced energy production in the heart and lower tolerance to hypoperfusion and acts as an indicator of systemic and organ specific metabolic dysregulation and also stress hyperglycemia is implicated in the activation of pathological processes that causes cellular and tissue injury like increasing free radical formation and oxidative stress, inducing prothrombotic stress and worsening endothelial function. Hence higher levels of admission time blood glucose, hypoglycaemia during hospital stay, persistent hyperglycemia are considered as poor prognostic markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Revision of Lophophysema (Porifera: Hexactinellida: Hyalonematidae)

Eighteen specimens of the poorly known genus Lophophysema (Hyalonematidae : Hexactinellida : Porifera) are reported from Indonesia, from the western and eastern coasts of Australia, and from South Africa. Two new species, Lophophysema australicum and Lophophysema gilchristi, are described. The variability of Lophophysema inflatum Schulze, 1900 is also reported.
Removal of Organic Micro-Pollutants by Conventional Membrane Bioreactors and High-Retention Membrane Bioreactors

The ubiquitous presence of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in the environment as a result of continuous discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into water matrices—even at trace concentrations (ng/L)—is of great concern, both in the public and environmental health domains. This fact essentially warrants developing and implementing energy-efficient, economical, sustainable and easy to handle technologies to meet stringent legislative requirements. Membrane-based processes—both stand-alone or integration of membrane processes—are an attractive option for the removal of OMPs because of their high reliability compared with conventional process, least chemical consumption and smaller footprint. This review summarizes recent research (mainly 2015–present) on the application of conventional aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors used for the removal of organic micropollutants (OMP) from wastewater. Integration and hybridization of membrane processes with other physicochemical processes are becoming promising options for OMP removal. Recent studies on high retention membrane bioreactors (HRMBRs) such as osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBRs) and membrane distillation bioreactors (MDBRs) are discussed. Future prospects of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and HRMBRs for improving OMP removal from wastewater are also proposed.