Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on larval settlement of the reef coral Pocillopora damicornis

Sedimentation, predation and visible light are cited as causal factors to explain the pref- erential recruitment of coral larvae to shaded habitats in shallow water. Here I examine the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280 to 400 nm) on settlement of Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus) larvae, and the role of UV-absorbing compounds, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), in 3 field experi- ments. Larvae were obtained from adults of 4 origins: shallow (<0.5 m), deep (2 to 3 m), acclimated under UV-transparent (UVT) filters, and under UV-opaque (UVO) filters. Larvae were then exposed to UVT or UVO conditions in specially designed larval settlement chambers placed on the reef at 0.5 m depth. UVR had a negative effect on total settlement. However, UVR did not significantly increase mortality. High performance liquid chromatography analyses revealed significantly higher concentrations of MAAs in adults incubated in UVT conditions compared to those in UVO, and in shallow larvae compared to deep larvae. Despite the differences in MAA concentrations, larval ori- gin did not significantly affect survival or settlement. Lack of an 'origin' effect suggests that either MAAs may not be important to the larval ecology of this species, or that the deep and UVO larvae had at least the minimum amount of MAAs required for UVR protection. Regardless of MAAs, these experiments indicate that larvae may delay settling to the substrate when UVR levels are high (behavioral response), or that UVR is inhibiting the settlement process in some way (physiological response).
Birds of a Feather Flock Together: The Inclusive Effect of Similarity Patterns in Equity Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is helping to drive financial inclusion by expanding the availability of funds to traditionally excluded and underserved groups of individuals, such as ethnic minority and female entrepreneurs. This study verifies how ethnic and gender similarity between investor and entrepreneur can affect the invested amount in an equity crowdfunding campaign. Using an integrated approach with linear regression and Shapley decomposition, we analyze 8600 investments made by 5996 unique personal shareholder investors in 81 equity crowdfunding campaigns. Results show that similarity patterns seem to significantly influence the amount invested in a campaign but their effects change according to investor’s gender and ethnic origin. In fact, even if female investors give a higher amount to men-led companies, their preference changes if the company is run by a female founder belonging to the same ethnic minority group. Results emphasize equity crowdfunding’s potential as a tool for the financial inclusion of ethnic minority groups of investors and entrepreneurs.
The effect of parasitoid host‐size preference on host population growth rates: an example of Aphidius colemani and Aphis glycines

Abstract. 1. Direct observations of Aphidius colemani foraging for Aphis glycines demonstrated that A. colemani attacks large aphid size classes selectively, in contrast to other Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) species that generally prefer small or medium‐sized nymphs of different host species.
Using Four-Tier Diagnostic Tests to Understand the Conceptions Held by Pre-Service Primary School Teachers about Sea Pollutant Migration

The territory of Indonesia is dominated by vast oceans. Therefore, Indonesian citizens should be equipped with a deep understanding about sea currents and sea pollution. This study aims to identify the conceptions held by pre-service primary school teachers about both sea currents and sea pollutant migration. The study also aims to identify whether pre-service primary school teachers see a relationship occurring between those conceptions. The study involved 147 pre-service primary school teachers from one of Indonesia’s teacher training institutions. Four-tier diagnostic tests were used to gather data about the conceptions of pre-service primary teachers. The data were interpreted and analyzed in a descriptive quantitative method. The results showed that pre-service primary school teachers’ conceptions about sea currents and sea pollutant migration were mostly in the category of ‘misconception’ and ‘have no conception’. The correlation test about the ability of pre-service primary school teachers to explain the concepts of and relationships between sea currents and sea pollutant migration was also not significant. The results of this study indicate a need to improve the quality of teaching and learning for pre-service primary school teachers about convection by linking it to sea currents and sea pollutant migration.
Disciplining Role of Short Sellers: Evidence From M&A Activity

Prior research has focused on the influence of long investors (e.g., institutional investors) on merger-and-acquisition (M&A) decisions. This study investigates the role of short sellers in shaping managerial acquisitiveness and M&A decision quality. Short sellers impose a downward pressure on stock prices by disseminating negative information to the market. Given that managerial wealth and job security hinge on stock prices, top managers respond to increased short selling by refraining from excessive M&A activities because M&As could provide opportunities for short sellers to spread negative information and dampen stock prices. Furthermore, the negative influence of short sellers on managerial acquisitiveness is enhanced by the market for corporate control as an external governance mechanism and by CEO equity ownership as an internal governance mechanism. When firms with increasing short selling do engage in M&As, they gain higher M&A announcement returns and operating performance. We test our hypotheses using firms in the S&P 1500 from 2002 to 2014 and find support for our arguments.
Adaptive random testing based on flexible partitioning

Adaptive random testing (ART) achieves better failure-detection effectiveness than random testing due to its even spreading of test cases. ART by random partitioning (RP-ART) is a lightweight method, but its advantage over random testing is relatively low. Although iterative partition testing (IPT) method has good performance for detecting failures in a block pattern, it loses randomness during the test case generation. To overcome the shortcomings of the above two algorithms, a new algorithm named ART by flexible partitioning (FP-ART) is proposed. In the FP-ART, a set of random candidates is used to select an appropriate test case by considering their boundary distance. Accordingly, the corresponding sub-domain is also partitioned by the new test case. Based on this kind of flexible partitioning, the randomness of test case selection can be guaranteed and the spatial distribution of test cases is even more diverse. According to the results in simulation and empirical experiments, FP-ART demonstrates better failure-detection effectiveness than RP-ART and is more suitable to detect the failures in strip patterns than the IPT method. Meanwhile, its failure-detection ability is much stronger than that of fixed-size-candidate-set ART in the cases of a relatively high failure rate.
INDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF CALLUS FROM LEAF EXPLANTS OF PHALERIA MACROCARPA

In vitro and in vivo leaves explants of Phaleria macrocarpa was selected to study their response towards callus induction. The callus was induced on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of NAA alone or with inclusion of BAP. Of the two explants, in vitro leaves demonstrated a better performance for callus induction as compared to in vivo leaves. The result of surface sterilization used in this study showed that seed explants successfully produced 80% clean culture whereas in vivo leaves produced 23.33% clean cultures. The in vitro leaves derived from the aseptic seeds responded well to all treatments. Explants showed evidence of response to the treatment by swelling as early as 3 days in culture and whitish callus can be seen after three weeks of inoculation. The highest frequencies of callus induction (100%) was obtained using the MS medium containing 3% (w/v) sucrose supplemented with 2.0 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L BAP (Treatment 5) and 3.0 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L BAP (Treatment 6) using in vitro leaves. Later, callus in Treatment 6 turned to white, became loose and spongy which was more suitable for continuous subculture and
Dual-Band Structure Reused Antenna Based on Quasi-Elliptic Bandpass Frequency Selective Surface for 5G Application

A dual-band structure-reused antenna with quasi-elliptic bandpass feature is proposed in this communication. The antenna consists of a cavity-backed slot array working at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band (24.2–26.1 GHz) and a frequency selective surface (FSS), which is transparent to the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band radiation and also reused as a radiator at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band (2.5–2.7 GHz). The FSS unit cells are designed based on the cross-slot structure. By introducing asymmetric boundaries to each unit cell, the FSS obtains high-frequency selectivity with two transmission zeros located on each side of the passband. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. The measurements have a good matching with the simulations.
Evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum for controlling root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici in pepper plants

The ability of Trichoderma harzianum to control the rotting of pepper (Capsicum annuum) plant roots caused by Phytophthora capsici was studied. Interactions between the fungi were assessed in vitro on three culture media (V8c, Czapek and 2% water agar) and in vivo in plants grown in a substrate inoculated with P. capsici and T. harzianum. Studies on mutual antagonism in vitro showed that P. capsici was inhibited by T. harzianum; however, the intensity of inhibition differed according to the medium used, being greatest on Czapek. Analysis of the fungal populations in the plant growth substrate showed that T. harzianum consistently reduced that of P. capsici over time. This reduction in the pathogen population was associated with a reduction in root rot of between 24 and 76%, although plant growth (dry weight) was still reduced by 21.2–24.7%, compared with the uninoculated control. In the absence of T. harzianum with the same pathogen inoculum levels, the reduction in dry weight was 59.8–68.6%, suggesting that T. harzianum reduced the damage.
Factors associated with health-related quality of life in Japanese patients with hip osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study

Background/Purpose: Chronic symptoms related with hip osteoarthritis (OA) can negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to a HRQoL measure that considers an Asian lifestyle in Japanese patients with hip OA. Methods: Forty-seven female subjects participated. The dependent variable was the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ), which assessed HRQoL. Potential factors were measured as independent variables. After screening, potential variables were entered into a multiple regression analysis to determine which variables were related to HRQoL. Results: In the regression model, knee extension muscle strength on the unaffected side and hip flexion range of motion (ROM) on the affected side were associated with HRQoL. Higher strength and higher ROM were related to greater HRQoL. Conclusion: Results can help health-care providers develop appropriate rehabilitation programs for improving HRQoL in patients with hip OA.
Using a Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM-RNN) to Classify Network Attacks

An intrusion detection system (IDS) identifies whether the network traffic behavior is normal or abnormal or identifies the attack types. Recently, deep learning has emerged as a successful approach in IDSs, having a high accuracy rate with its distinctive learning mechanism. In this research, we developed a new method for intrusion detection to classify the NSL-KDD dataset by combining a genetic algorithm (GA) for optimal feature selection and long short-term memory (LSTM) with a recurrent neural network (RNN). We found that using LSTM-RNN classifiers with the optimal feature set improves intrusion detection. The performance of the IDS was analyzed by calculating the accuracy, recall, precision, f-score, and confusion matrix. The NSL-KDD dataset was used to analyze the performances of the classifiers. An LSTM-RNN was used to classify the NSL-KDD datasets into binary (normal and abnormal) and multi-class (Normal, DoS, Probing, U2R, and R2L) sets. The results indicate that applying the GA increases the classification accuracy of LSTM-RNN in both binary and multi-class classification. The results of the LSTM-RNN classifier were also compared with the results using a support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF). For multi-class classification, the classification accuracy of LSTM-RNN with the GA model is much higher than SVM and RF. For binary classification, the classification accuracy of LSTM-RNN is similar to that of RF and higher than that of SVM.
Similarity of heterochromatic regions in the stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) revealed by chromosome painting

Most Meliponini share a distinctive pattern of heterochromatin distribution in relation to other bees. In general, they present one euchromatic and one heterochromatic chromosome arm, a feature explained by minimum interaction theory, which involved centric fissions followed by heterochromatin addition. In this work, two Meliponini with a distinct pattern of heterochromatin distribution, Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Melipona rufiventris, were analyzed using chromosomal microdissection of the heterochromatin region followed by FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization). Hybridization revealed FISH signals equivalent to location of the isolated fragment that were widespread over heterochromatic portions of other chromosomes. This result showed that the heterochromatic sequences were very similar among chromosomes in the same species. Cross-hybridization of each probe in M. rufiventris and T. fiebrigi yielded no signals, revealing that both species presented differentiated and non-homologous heterochromatin sequences.
Effect of Climate Change and Variety on Long-term Variation of Grain Yield and Quality in Winter Wheat in Kazakhstan

Winter wheat yield in three administrative regions of Kazakhstan (Almaty, South Kazakhstan, and Zhambyl) was analyzed during 1972-2009. Yield gains were greatest during 2000–2009, but absolute yields remain low (1.5–1.7 t/ha) and much below the production potential. Changes in important weather parameters over the same time period were also analyzed. Results indicated significant (15–20%) warming in winter and spring, as well as some increase in precipitation (spring and annual), especially in the last ten years. Increased temperatures in winter and precipitation in spring/annually were positively correlated with winter wheat yield, while increased temperatures in May had a small but negative effect on grain yield. Data from the four stations of the official variety testing system from 1972–2009 were also analyzed to evaluate the effect of variety on yield and quality. Genetic gain of the varieties released in the 1990s and 2000s, compared to Bezostaya 1 (1960s), was around 30%. However, the bread-making quality of new varieties, as well as the overall grain quality in variety trials, were reduced in protein content, with deteriorated dough physical properties, and therefore did not meet superior class requirements. Genetic diversity (coefficient of parentage and Shannon’s diversity index) of the winter wheat varieties tested in the 2000s was broader compared to the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting enhanced international cooperation and germplasm exchange. A negative association between genetic diversity parameters and some quality traits can be attributed to the utilization of more diverse high yielding parents with limited grain quality potential. Further yield increases and reductions in the yield gap should be based on improved agronomy, and the use of broadly-adapted varieties, with resistance to the biotic and abiotic stresses likely due to climate change.
Clinical response of inactive ovaries in dairy cattle after PRID treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) in the treatment of inactive ovaries in dairy cattle. The possible influence of PRID on metabolic and/or health status was also examined. A total of 30 anestrous Holstein-Friesian cows, which on rectal palpation had small, flat and smooth or rounded ovaries were used for the experiment. PRID or placebos were inserted into the vagina and left in place for 12 days. Four animals lost the intravaginal device and one was culled. At the time of PRID insertion, the other 25 animals were divided in two groups: 18 with a progesterone concentration ≤1.0 ng/ml (group A), of which 16 were treated with PRID and 2 with placebos, and 7 with a progesterone concentration >1.0 ng/ml (group B), of which 5 were treated with PRID and 2 with placebos. Of the 16 treated animals in group A, 8 (50%) had a corpus luteum (CL) within 14 days after PRID removal. Of the 5 treated animals in group B, 3(60%) had a CL within 14 days after PRID removal. The mean interval from PRID removal to estrus was 2.7 ± 0.3 and 3.0 ± 1.0 days (± SE) in group A and B, respectively. The conception rate of cows in group A that recovered after treatment with PRID, was 28.6%. No significant changes were observed in hematocrit (Ht), WBC and serum levels of glucose, BUN, AST and ALT at the time of PRID insertion and removal, both within and between animals that recovered and those that did not. PRID is an effective treatment for inactive ovaries in dairy cattle and does not adversely affect metabolic and/or health status of animals. Further study is required to improve conception rate at the induced estrus.
Eficiência de isca formicida aplicada sobre o monte de terra solta de ninhos de Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The efficiency of a granulated bait formulated with sulfluramid (0.3%) for the control of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was evaluated. Treatments consisted of applying this bait at a dose of 8g/m2 from the ant nest. This bait was applied near entrances over ant nests (treatment T1) or near those outside these nests (treatment T2). A total of 192 ant nests of A. sexdens rubropilosa were used in the two treatments. Percentage of transport and devolution of the bait by A. sexdens rubropilosa was evaluated two days after its application and control efficiency, 150 days after application. Percentage of bait transport was higher when applied outside the ant nest (100.00%) than over it (89.5%). However, control efficiency was similar between treatments. For this reason and due to lower costs, it is recommended to apply this bait near entrances over ant colonies to control A. sexdens rubropilosa.
Nutritional value of soybean meal from various geographic origin and effect of their dietary supplementation on performance of broilers.

This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of soybean meal (SBM) from various geographic origins and the effects of their dietary supplementation on performance of broiler chickens. Nutritional value of dehulled SBM originating from USA, and non-dehulled SBM from India (IND), Argentina (ARG) and Korea (KOR) were evaluated by analyzing chemical composition, urease activity (UA) and KOH solubility, and determining true metabolizable energy (TME), nitrogen corrected TME (TMEn) and true amino acid availability (TAAA). The contents of crude protein ranged from 45.43% (ARG) to 48.47% (USA) and those of crude fiber varied widely from 3.48% (USA) to 7.12% (IND). The measurements of lysine varied from 2.79% (IND) to 3.09% (USA) and those of methionine from 0.56% (IND) to 0.65% (USA). The values of TMEn varied from 2986.6 kcal/kg (IND) to 3228.9 kcal/kg (USA) and the averages of TAAA were from 91.61% (IND) to 92.27% (USA). UA was found to be from 0.02 (ARG) to 0.04 (KOR, USA) and those of KOH solubility from 73% (ARG) to 84% (USA). A total of four hundred 20-days-old male broiler chicks were divided into four groups and fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets containing 27.5% of SBM and same amounts of lysine and sulfur amino acids for 15 days. Final body weight and body weight gain were the highest in birds fed with SBM from USA and lowest in birds fed with SBM from IND although the differences were not statistically significant. The feed/gain in chicks fed diet containing SBM from USA was significantly improved (p
Protein Kinase Inhibitor H7 Prevents the Decrease of Tight Junction Resistance Induced by Serosal Ca2+ Removal in Necturus Gallbladder Epithelium

Changes of the tight junction resistance (Rj) of the Necturus gallbladder epithelium in response to Ca2+ removal from the bath solutions were investigated by conventional electrophysiological methods and two-dimensional cable analysis. Luminal superfusion with Ca2+-free solution left Rj almost unchanged, while serosal removal of Ca2+ induced a slow decrease of Rj from 155 ± 10 to 25 ± 6 Ωcm2 (n = 10) within 2 h. Simultaneously the apical membrane resistance decreased while the basolateral membrane resistance as well as the gap junction resistance increased. Application of the protein kinase inhibitor H7 (50 µmol/l) blocked these resistance changes. Similar protective effects of H7 on the transepithelial resistance (Rt) were previously observed on MDCK cells [Citi: J Cell Biol 1992; 117:169]. In contrast, 5 µmol/l chelerythrine chloride, a specific blocker of the protein kinase C, did not prevent the decrease of Rj induced by serosal removal of Ca2+. These results indicate that the integrity of the tight junctions of Necturus gallbladder epithelium depends on the serosal, but not on the luminal presence of Ca2+ and that the resistance decline includes a process that can be inhibited by H7, but not by chelerythrine chloride.
Use of peptide for selective and sensitive detection of an Anthrax biomarker via peptide recognition and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

A short 16-amino acid peptide has been used in place of an antibody to selectively detect the specific Anthrax biomarker, protective antigen (PA), using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Peptides are more stable than antibodies under various biological conditions and are easily synthesized for a specific target. A peptide that has high affinity to PA was conjugated onto gold nanoparticles along with a Raman reporter and then incubated in various concentrations of PA. Parallel studies in which the peptide sequence was replaced with an antibody were performed to compare the performance of the two methodologies. Both the peptide and antibody functionalized nanoparticles were able to specifically detect PA concentrations down to 6.1 fM. These results demonstrate that these short, robust peptides can be used in the place of traditional antibodies to specifically recognize target biomarkers in the field for the potential diagnosis of disease. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.