Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In search of new brain biomarkers of stress

The aim: of the study was to investigate the level of ghrelin in various brain structures during a stress response in Zebrafish to a predator, to evaluate this indicator as a potential biomarker of stress, and the effect of a benzodiazepine tranquilizer (phenazepam) on stress-induced changes Materials and methods: The object of the study was Zebrafish, or Danio rerio wild type, which was subjected to stress by exposure to a predator Hypsophrys nicaraguensis from the cichlid family. In the tail tissue, the level of cortisol was determined, in the brain – the level of total (acylated and non-acylated) ghrelin by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The benzodiazepine anxiolytic phenazepam (1 mg/L), a ghrelin antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (0.333 mg/l) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF; 0.4 mg/L) were used as the pharmacological agents. Results and discussion: Exposure to a predator, just as administering CRF, more than doubled the level of cortisol in the tail tissue. [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 and phenazepam prevented an increase in a tissue cortisol level. Simultaneously, in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum, the phylogenetically most ancient structures, rather than in the forebrain (telencephalon) or in the midbrain (corpora bigemia), the level of ghrelin was recorded about 500 pg/g of total protein. In response to exposure to a predator, the level of ghrelin increased in the forebrain and midbrain to nanogram concentrations and moderately decreased in the cerebellum. The effect was prevented by phenazepam and [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6. Conclusion: Increases in ghrelin in the brain in response to stressful situations can be seen as a functional brain biomarker of stress, along with increased levels of tissue cortisol levels. Both of these effects are prevented by both the ghrelin antagonist and the benzodiazepine tranquilizer. The mechanism of action of the tranquilizer is a functional antagonism between the GABAergic system of the brain and the ghrelin system.
ULTIMATE BOUNDEDNESS RESULT FOR A CERTAIN SYSTEM OF THIRD ORDER NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The paper studies the problem of ultimate boundedness behaviour of solutions for a certain system of third order nonlinear differential equations. Using the Lyapunov’s second (or direct) method, we obtain sufficient conditions for the ultimate boundedness of solutions for the non-homogeneous nonlinear differential equations. Our results complement and extend some well known results on the third order differential equations in the literature.
Impact of Wetting/Oven-Drying Cycles on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Birch Plywood

The objective of this study was to explore some physical and mechanical properties and the dimensional stability of birch (Betula sp.) nine-ply veneers glued with phenol-formaldehyde (PF) after 10 cycles of soaking/oven-drying. The properties to be determined were bending strength (BS), modulus of elasticity in bending (MOE), Janka hardness (JH) and thickness swelling (TS), which were tested according to the European Standards (EN). An analytical equation was used for approximation of the change in the physical and mechanical properties of the samples depending on the number of cycles. It was shown that the values of the studied properties were affected most by the first soaking and drying cycles after which BS and MOE decreased continuously while the values of JH and TS stabilized. After 10 cycles the final values of BS, MOE, JH and TS accounted for 75-81%, 95%, 82% and 98.5% of the initial values, respectively.
Sustainable business models for retrofitting and their benefits for historical buildings energy performance

This article analyses the benefits of sustainable business models in improving energy performance of buildings, in special historical buildings. The benefits are structured in economic benefits, environmental benefits and social benefits with a focus on energy savings, energy consumption reduction, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other social benefits. The main objective of this article consist in developing a tool for identifying the key factors that contribute to the improvement of energy performance in the case of business models for retrofitting of historical building. The news of this research consists in extended traditional tools for business models (e.g. Canvas Structure, or Triple Layer Business Model) to a sustainable business model for retrofitting and developed it for the specific case of historical buildings and for energy performance improvement. The key factors that contribute to the improvement of energy performance in the case of retrofitting for an historical building and also the benefits of sustainable business models for the owner and for the society are analyzed taking into account the three main dimensions of sustainability: the economic, the environmental and the social. The results offer relevant data for entrepreneurs, but also for policy makers and other specialists which are involved in the development of new standards for retrofitting of historical buildings.
Distribution company investment cost reduction analysis with grid-connected solar PV allocation in power distribution system

Currently, the solar PV is an important renewable energy because of an advantage for environment including the power distribution systems. Optimal sizing and placement of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) are important for power loss reduction in distribution system because it also leads to the cost reduction. To promote the solar PV energy, feed-in tariff (FiT) policy was used in many countries. However, due to the FiT still higher than normal wholesale, the distribution company (DisCo) can absorb and leads to increase electricity retail price in the future. Therefore, the DisCo investment cost related to the power loss reduction was analyzed in this work by considering sizing and placement of grid-connected solar PV on the IEEE 33 bus and IEEE 69 bus distribution systems. To explore optimal solar PV placement, profit-cost ratio (PCR) was estimated with parameters of the reduced cost due to reduction of power loss and the DisCo investment to absorb FiT cost. The results show the DisCo cost depending on the solar PV sizing and the reduced cost due to installation of solar PV placement in power distribution system. Although the maximum power loss reduction is an optimal location, the maximum reduction of the DisCo absorbing FiT cost was achieved at the maximum PCR location. Thus, the optimal placement relating to the PCR is an important to explore the solar PV allocation in distribution system.
Examining the relationship between students’ engagement and socioeconomic background in higher education

This paper aims to contribute an analysis of student engagement as a key predictor of academic performance, persistence and retention in higher education and consequently academic success. Issues of engagement and developing a sense of belonging lie at the heart of both retention and study success. The research aims to examine students’ academic and social engagement on the basis of socio-economic family background, analyzed through Bourdieu-inspired capital approach in HE studies, which explains various forms of inequalities and exclusions of students in HE, related to entry experience, participation and peer support or interaction. Statistical analysis, data and semi-structured interviews show that there is a strong relationship between socio-economic family background and student engagement demonstrating that persistent social inequalities affect student success. Research results support that academic success strategies must account for socioeconomic factors, aside from institutional or individual drivers, as a result of the increasing heterogeneity of students and growing attendance.
To investigate leaf extracts of Verbascum thapsus Linn. For their antioxidant potential

In today’s times, the role of antioxidants has been continuously recognised as a critical influence on the biochemistry of living beings. Any substance that causes delay or prevents oxidative damage to a target biomolecule is often known as an antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of certain biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids etc. by various mechanisms. The current study was undertaken to investigate the leaf extracts of Verbascum thapsus Linn. for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of the different extracts i.e. methanol, acetone and aqueous was evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and reducing power tests. The plant exhibited good DPPH radical scavenging activity (57.00% at 100 μg/mL in methanol extract) but moderate reducing power potential. Thus the study provided scientific evidence to the traditional uses of this plant in the treatment of disorders caused due to oxidative stress. Therefore, the leaf extracts of this plant can be selected for further investigation to predict their exact mechanism by isolating and purifying their active constituents.
Quality minus junk factor: A study on asset pricing dynamics in the equity market of Pakistan

This study examines the role of quality minus junk factor in explaining cross-sectional differences in stock returns for the equity market of Pakistan. A new factor quality minus junk has been added to the existing Fama & French three factor model (1993) as a fourth factor to check whether it is priced as a risk factor. The study also compares the explanatory power of the newly proposed model with the existing single-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Fama & French three factor model (1993). A high quality data set of 70 nonfinancial firms listed on the PSX is employed as a sample for the period 20082016. Results show that quality minus junk factor is priced in the equity market of Pakistan and this newly proposed four factor model has significantly higher explanatory power than the existing three factor model.
AN EXPERIMENT ON SHARIAH-BASED PERSONAL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS USING A BUSINESS GAME

The purpose of this study is to conduct an experiment on undergraduate students (the Generation Y) with the fundamental knowledge on fiqh muamalat (Islamic legal study on business transactions). The research examines the impact of experiential learning to the level of knowledge on Shariah contracts embedded in the game by measuring the pre and post score of the students on the features of the contracts. 114 students from business-related programme took part in the study. They answered pre-experiment questionnaire, played the game and eventually answered post-experiment questionnaire. The game referred to as Muamalat Interactive Game (MIG), an innovation that incorporates the concepts and operations for retail products offered by Islamic banks adopted for personal financial management. This game involves the participants (contracting parties) in several muamalat contracts commonly practiced in Islamic banks, such as as ijarah, tawarruq, rahnu, musharakah mutanaqisah, murabahah and other supporting contracts. The players of the game interactively transact among them to acquire assets, manages cash flow, pay tithe on income and wealth and contribute to charity, applying the muamalat contracts mentioned. The study found that the knowledge of the students significantly enhanced, after the experience of playing the game. They are doing better after the game when identifying the main features of the muamalat contracts, the sequence of transactions forming the contracts and the distinguishing the differences among the contracts. The results also revealed that the game experience made it easy for the students to visual the personal financial management. The results of the experiment revealed the usefulness of using experiential learning for teaching and learning.
An estimation of cost-basedmarket liquidity from daily high, low and close prices Una estimación de la liquidez de mercado basada en los costes a partir de los precios máximo, mínimo y de cierre

In the literature of asset pricing, this paper introduces a newmethod to estimate the cost-basedmarket liquidity (CBML), that is, the bid-ask spread. The proposedmodel of spread proxy positively correlates with the examined low-frequency spread proxies for a larger dataset. The introduced approach provides potential implications in important aspects. Unlike in the Roll bid-ask spreadmodel and the CHL bid-ask estimator, the CBMLmodel consistently estimates market liquidity and trading cost for the entire dataset. Additionally, the CBML estimator steadily measures positive spreads, unlike in the CS bid-ask spread model. The construction of the proposed approach is not computationally intensive and canbe considered for distinct studies at both market and firm levels.
Method for fast determination of the angle of ionizing radiation incidence from data measured by a Timepix3 detector

Abstract. This paper presents a method of how to determine spatial angles of ionizing radiation incidence quickly, using a Timepix3 detector. This work focuses on the dosimetric applications where detectors and measured quantities show significant angle dependencies. A determined angle of incidence can be used to correct for the angle dependence of a planar Timepix3 detector. Up until now, only passive dosemeters have been able to provide a correct dose and preserve the corresponding incidence angle of the radiation. Unfortunately, passive dosemeters cannot provide this information in “real” time. In our special setup we were able to retrieve the spatial angles with a runtime of less than 600 ms. Employing the new Timepix3 detector enables the use of effective data analysis where the direction of incident radiation is computed from a simple photon event map. In order to obtain this angle, we combine the information extracted from the map with known 3D geometry surrounding the detector. Moreover, we analyze the computation time behavior, conditions and optimizations of the developed spatial angle calculation algorithm.
TASMAN MEDICAL JOURNAL

Objectives : Artificial intelligence (AI) research is undergoing a renaissance, brought about by advances in both machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). There is currently no data on Australia's contribution to AI research in medicine. We performed a bibliometric analysis to assess the quantity and quality of scientific publications concerning AI in medicine over the last ten years, and compare results from Australia to nine other countries publishing in this domain. Methods : The SCOPUS database was searched for all journal articles or conference papers containing the words “artificial intelligence”, “machine learning” or “deep learning” published in subject areas related to medicine from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. Results : Australia was the source of 470 papers from 2008 to 2017 and accounted for 3.45% of world’s AI, ML, and DL in medicine publications over this period. Worldwide, publications increased significantly, especially in the last 2 years of the period studied. The increase in output was notable from China (254%), India (179%), Australia (149%), and the United States (142%). When 2016 publication output is adjusted by population Australia ranks third (behind Canada and the United Kingdom), but the trend is not statistically significant. We found no significant variation in the average number of citations received per paper in any of the top publishing countries. Conclusion : The publication rate for AI, ML, and DL related to medicine has increased over the last 10 years. Australia’s contribution to AI
Arboreal community of an Atlantic Forest hillside fragment in São Sebastião/SP

The urban expansion and the growth of economic activities related to tourism added to the port and maritime ones, resulted in the occupation of the Serra do Mar, in the municipality of São Sebastião/SP, increasing environmental degradation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the arboreal patterns in a 0.111 ha fragment around a 4.8 ha clearing in an area of Atlantic Forest in the city of São Sebastião (SP), allowing the revegetation plan to include native species observed in the region. The phytosociological analyses used the Point-Centered Quarter Method (PCQM), using 50 sampling points (30 in close areas, 10 in the forest edge, and 10 near one of the areas drains), with a minimum distance of 20 meters between them. The main variables analyzed were commercial height, diameter to chest height, successional category, and dispersion syndrome. Also, the number of individuals of each species was observed, as well as their basal area (G), absolute and relative density (DA and DR) and dominance (DoA and DoR), relative frequency (FR), and importance value (VI). The results indicate a higher proportion of non-pioneer species, with Guapira oppositte (Vell.) presenting the highest value of importance and density, and the Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake with the highest basal area. The survey data indicate the richness of species in the study area, serving as a basis for strategies for management and conservation of the environment. Phytosociological studies, although scarce, are important to support the analysis of preservation and the use of nature.
Embryonic and larval development in the freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

The freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare like many other cichlids show parental care of embryos and larvae. This study was carried out to investigate the embryonic development of P. scalare, which shows biparental care and substrate brooding. During the study adult reproductive behavior and parental care was observed. Once the eggs were fertilized upon spawning, the early and later embryonic stages were observed, documented and various embryo length measurements were analyzed to characterize the developmental pattern in this species. Whole mounts and bone and cartilage measurements of acid free double stained larvae were analyzed to further understand the developmental rates in the hatched larvae. The developmental events were compared with those of other documented cichlid species as well as with the zebrafish, Danio rerio (Family Cyprinidae), which does not show parental care. After fertilization, cleavage division of the P. scalare embryo starts 1.30 hours post fertilization (hpf). On average, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation and pharyngula periods of embryogenesis are observed for approximately 3 ½, 11 ½, 9 ½, 36 and 12 hours respectively. Ultimately, P. scalare embryos hatched around 72 (hpf). Head Length, dorsal, caudal and anal fins show positive allometric growth while body depth and digestive tract show almost isometric growth. The study highlights that similar to a few other studied cichlids, P. scalare embryogenesis and larval development occur at a slower rate of development compared to D. rerio. In cichlids including P. scalare, parental care may allow these embryos the luxury of developing at a slower rate whereas the lack thereof for D. rerio embryos may necessitate faster development.
Clinical and Genetic Spectrum of STXBP1 Encephalopathy in the Korean Pediatric Population

types including Ohtahara syndrome, West syndrome, and autism, collectively referred as STXBP1 encephalopathy. This study aimed to expand our understanding of the genotype–phenotype spectrum of STXBP1 encephalopathy in the Korean pediatric population. Methods: Ten patients with STXBP1 mutations were enrolled for a retrospective chart review. The patients were investigated for developmental delay of unknown cause and epileptic encephalopathy at a single center. Results: Ten different STXBP1 mutations were identified. Three mutations had not previously been reported (c.1212A>C, c.1497C>G, c1030-2A>G). Eight patients showed early-onset epileptic encephalopathy as the main feature, while the main feature was developmental delay and non-epileptic movements in two patients. The most commonly seen electroencephalographic change was focal/ multifocal epileptiform discharges, which were observed in nine patients (90%). The classical burst-suppression pattern was observed in four patients, two of which evolved to show hypsarrthymia. All patients with seizures had drug-resistant epilepsy. The patients suffered from severe developmental delay regardless of seizure frequency. Six patients showed an associated movement disorder or behavioral disorder. Conclusion: This study describes the STXBP1 encephalopathy patients in Korean pediatric population, further expanding knowledge of its phenotype spectrum.
Islamic Harmony Examplar: The Qur'an's Frame on Social Interaction with Non-Muslims

The actual dynamic authenticity of social life often shows accusations that religion is a source of social friction, violence, or conflict. The spirit of the Koran shows an appreciative attitude, even inviting to the meeting point (common platform) of monotheism (tauhid) which is the basic teaching of the Torah, the Bible, and the Koran. This paper aims to explore the existence of non-Muslims from the perspective of the Koran, the variants, and principles of social harmony with them. This paper uses qualitative as a method and literature as an approach. From the perspective of the Koran, there are 3 variants of arranged interactions. First in trade relations, second in marital relations, and third in political relations. The three variants of interaction must be based on the principle of Ihsan (good behavior) and Adalah (fair). Implications of this research present the idea of a meeting point between religions. This meeting point is expected to eliminate the friction of exclusivity between religious communities to create harmony and peace.
Visual-Spatial Attention: Can Sounds Affect Perception of Visual Objects?

It is currently understood that it is possible for attention to be drawn by a stimulus to an area in space without the conscious decision to do so and that this can be achieved across modalities; for example, a vibration of a mobile phone or a ringtone can draw eyes to the phone’s location (Hairston et al., 2003). Whether a combination of audio and visual information can affect perception of visual objects enough to demonstrate inhibition of return (IOR) is unknown. In a classic Posner task (1980), participants fixated at the centre of a display screen and had their attention drawn to surrounding areas. When a flash is cued at a surrounding location, target detection was facilitated comparative to anywhere. In a stream/bounce paradigm (Sanabria et al., 2004), motion and sound was added to a similar kind of display to that of Posner’s (but without cueing), to investigate the perceptual effects of combined visual and auditory information on attention. It was discovered that the addition of a sound could influence how the display was perceived. With a combination of the Posner (1980) display and stream bounce paradigm, it is possible to test whether the perceptual influences of sound can change the dynamics of how attention is known to work. In this experiment, object-based IOR was not found when just visual stimuli were presented, but was evident when visual and auditory information were combined. The results demonstrate that there is promise for further research into the influence of sound on visual perception, but that stimulus driven spatial attention can be sensitive to Visual-Spatial Attention: Can Sounds Affect Perception of Visual Objects? 2 This article is CC BY Charlotte Clark Essex Student Journal, 2016, Vol 8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5526/esj32 methodological issues arising from the specifics of the task. Consequently, spatial interference and eye movements are discussed.