Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micromorphological and Chemical Characterization of Starches in Dioscorea rotundata L. (White Yam)

Starches isolated from twenty samples of Dioscorea rotundata L. (Dioscoreaceae) comprising ten local and hybrid cultivars each, were studied using micromorphological and chemical techniques. There is a marked polymorphism of granule shapes in all the samples, while the dimensions are more clear-cut, with granules exhibiting sizes >40 ? m accounting for 42.2% and 12% in local and hybrid cultivars, respectively. Solubility and swelling power are characteristic in the cultivars and follow similar increase patterns along the temperature gradient under investigation. However, the swelling power was relatively higher in the hybrid, than in the local cultivars, that suggest the chemical properties of D. rotundata starches are less affected by granule micromorphology, but more by the molecular and associative forces, which are intrinsic in the particular cultivar. The intergrading nature of granule morphology makes it an unsuitable attribute for discrimination among the cultivars. Therefore, solubility and swelling power, in combination with granule dimensions, may provide a secure technique for yam cultivar diagnosis, to be used in quality control and assurances, as well as in forensics. Okun, Sasanbula, Efuru and TDr97/00940 cultivars, which show lower solubility values could be important to diabetics and other health-conscious individuals while, Kokumo, Odo, Amula, Amuo, TDr98/01230, TDr95/18544, TDr95/9177, TDr8902565, TDr98/01217 cultivars which display higher solubility and swelling power may be important for dietary improvement and uses in pharmaceutical formulations.
A Study on the Effects of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Learning Orientation on Financial Performance: Focusing on Mediating Effects of Market Orientation

The primary purpose of this article was to examine the mediating effects of market orientation on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and financial performance. The mediation effects of market orientation on the relationship between learning orientation and financial performance were also investigated. One hundred and seventy-four valid survey questionnaires were collected from Korean entrepreneurs, who were searching for angel investments or business consultants for growth. Our unique research design allowed us to test the mediating effects of the dimensions of market orientation between the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation and financial performance. The most important research results are as follows. First, the innovative-proactiveness dimension of entrepreneurial orientation has a statistically significant effect on financial performance, but the risk-taking propensity dimension does not significantly affect financial performance. Second, the customer orientation dimension of market orientation fully mediates the relationships between innovative-proactiveness and financial performance. Second, the competitor orientation dimension of market orientation shows a partial mediating effect on the relationship between innovative-proactiveness and financial performance. Third, learning orientation does not significantly affect financial performance. To increase financial performance, growth-seeking entrepreneurs need to improve customer orientation, competitor orientation, and innovative-proactiveness.
Physiological response of local rice varieties to aerobic condition.

Cultivated rice under aerobic condition typically decreases both growth and yield. The experiment was carried out at MARDI Bertam, Seberang Perai to investigate the growth performances of different rice varieties; MRQ74, MR253 (adapted aerobic rice), MR232 (lowland rice). The objective was to assess the effects of different treatments on rice growth in aerobic ecosystem. Rice was cultivated with; soil covered by rice straw mulching (SC), plastic film (PC) and no soil cover (NC) with lowland rice as control. Significantly higher values were obtained for tiller number, panicle number, LAI, above ground biomass, grain weight density and grain yield recorded in SC and response for physiological traits i.e. photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate (A, gs, E) was found higher in control. The symptoms of water stress were observed in NC which impaired rice growth and reduced grain yield. Rice responds differently in morphological, physiological and yield component depending on rice varieties and treatments. Results indicated that MRQ74 has superior morphological and physiological characteristics in adaptations to aerobic condition. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers
Brain activity during a working memory task in different postures: an EEG study

Abstract While working is more comfortable in a supine position and healthier in a standing, most people work in a sitting. However, it is unclear whether there are differences in brain activity efficiency in different postures. Here, we, therefore, compared changes in brain activity across three different postures to determine the optimal posture for performing working memory tasks. Their effect on brain activity was examined using EEG signals together with the information of accuracy and reaction times during 2-back task in 24 subjects. Substantial differences in brain waves were observed at sitting and standing positions compared to the supine, especially in delta waves and frontal lobe, where is known to improve the modulation of brain activity efficiently. Brain efficiency was higher during standing and sitting than in a supine. These findings show that postural changes may affect the efficiency of brain activity during working memory tasks. Practitioner summary: Differences in brain efficiency between different postures during working memory tasks have not been explored. This study suggests that efficiency in several brain areas is higher during sitting and standing than in a supine position. This finding has important implications regarding workplace environments. Furthermore, this result would be useful to improve accomplishment and reduce negative effects of work posture. Abbreviations: EEG: electroencephalogram; PSQI: Pittsburgh sleep quality index; KSS: Karolinska sleepiness scale; FFT: fast fourier transform; ROI: region of interest; ANS: autonomic nervous system; Fp: prefrontal; AF: anterior frontal; frontal; Fz: midline frontal; temporal; central; Cz: midline central; P: parietal; Pz: midline parietal; O: occipital; Oz: midline occipital
Sensei: Enforcing secure coding guidelines in the integrated development environment

We discuss the potential benefits, requirements, and implementation challenges of a security‐by‐design approach in which an integrated development environment plugin assists software developers to write code that complies with secure coding guidelines. We discuss how such a plugin can enable a company's policy‐setting security experts and developers to pass their knowledge on to each other more efficiently, and to let developers more effectively put that knowledge into practice. This is achieved by letting the team members develop customized rule sets that formalize coding guidelines and by letting the plugin check the compliance of code being written to those rule sets in real time, similar to an as‐you‐type spell checker. Upon detected violations, the plugin suggests options to quickly fix them and offers additional information for the developer. We share our experience with proof‐of‐concept designs and implementations rolled out in multiple companies, and present some future research and development directions.
Whither the Protection for Cyberstalking Victims? Some evidence from Malaysia

Cyberstalking leads to a chain of reactions such as identity theft, rape, and even murder. Despite the severe ramifications of cyberstalking, the perception of the adequacy of the law and the legal protection for victims remain ambiguous. This paper aims at examining the perception of the criminalisation of such crime, the gendered nature of such crime and the attendant legal protection for its victims. This paper adopts a qualitative methodology. The preliminary findings revealed that such crime is not considered as a gendered crime and there exists ambivalence on the perception of the crime and the legal protection of victims. Keywords: Cyber Stalking, Criminalisation, Gender, Secondary Victimisation, Victim-Blaming Mentality. eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI1. 2297
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Northeastern South American Brownea Clade of Tribe Detarieae (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) Based on Morphology and Molecular Data

Abstract The legume subfamily Caesalpinioideae is a paraphyletic grade, within which are nested the monophyletic subfamilies Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae. Although higher level relationships within Caesalpinioideae are now better understood, few studies have examined generic and species level relationships. A morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis of selected members of the Brownea clade (Detarieae: Caesalpinioideae) is presented here, focusing on relationships within and among the genera Elizabetha, Heterostemon, Paloveopsis, and Paloue. Morphological characters (125) and DNA sequence data from the plastid trnL intron and nuclear ITS were used to reconstruct phlogenetic relationships. These results indicate that (1) Heterostemon is monophyletic; (2) the majority of Elizabetha species form a poorly supported, monophyletic group sister to Paloue; and (3) Paloveopsis is nested within Paloue. Intergeneric hybridization between species of Paloue and Elizabetha has been identified and traditional generic, species, and intraspecies boundaries are assessed and reevaluated using the results of the combined phylogenetic analysis.
Mapping perceptions of human rights and cultivating Boston as a human rights city

Abstract Human rights cities (HRCs) are local initiatives in which people learn to translate and implement international human rights norms in their local realities to advance social justice in their communities. Although locally created and guided, HRCs are also linked to an international network of cities working to advance social justice based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In April 2011, the Boston City Council adopted a resolution that proclaims Boston an HRC. To date, no published research has examined the impact, if any, of this resolution. In this context, this study addressed three questions: (1) Are NGO staff, faculty, and City of Boston officials aware of the Boston HRC resolution? (2) If so, to what extent do they leverage the resolution in their social justice work? (3) If not, do they think the Boston HRC resolution could help them in their social justice work?
Chemical composition and nutritional value of Anchovy(Stolephorus commersonii) caught from Kerala coast, India

Proximate composition, amino acid profile, fatty ac id composition and mineral status of Commerson’s an chovy (Stolephorus commersonii) in three different size g roups (3-5g,6-10g,25-30g)were studied. Moisture con tent was high in big size group and low in small size group. Fat content was found to be high in small size gro up and low in big size group showing an inverse relation between moisture content and fat content. It was observed t hat the protein content was high in medium sized fish. The essential amino acid content was significantly high er in small(35g)and medium sized fish compared to larger fish. T he polyunsaturated fatty acid content was higher in small sized anchovies compared to other groups. The docosahexae noic acid (DHA) content was five times higher than the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content in all the fish es irrespective of size. The higher content of EPA produces antithrombotic anti-inflammatory effects and help i n calcium metabolism. The mineral content was found higher in small sized fishes. Anchovy can be a cheap and idea l dietary supplement for children and elderly.
Forest disturbance by ice storms in Quercus forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA

Abstract In 1994, two ice storms (major freezing rain events) disturbed forests on east- and southeast-facing slopes of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Virginia, USA. This study investigates impacts of the disturbance on Quercus forests, the predominant vegetation type in the Appalachians. Forests were sampled at six sites on two neighbouring mountains during 1997 and 1998. The two storms killed a significant number of trees, reducing basal area and density by 28.7% and 29.2%, respectively, in the transects sampled for this study. The storms also removed an estimated 43.7% of the canopy cover. Uprooting of trees disturbed 3.5% of the soil surface, on average. The ice storms eliminated some minor tree species from the sampled transects, reducing species richness; however, evenness increased. Both abiotic and biotic factors (mountain, slope, tree size, and species) influenced patterns of tree damage and mortality. Differences among species in susceptibility to ice storm damage seem particularly important for forest dynamics. The dominant Quercus prinus, along with Acer rubrum and Carya species, exhibited low mortality, whereas Pinus rigida had exceptionally high mortality. More generally, mortality was low in shade-tolerant and moderately shade-tolerant species, and high in those intolerant of shade. Periodic ice storms may contribute to the successional replacement of Pinus rigida and other susceptible species by less susceptible species.
In Vitro Regeneration of Leatherleaf Fern (Rumohra adiantiformis (G.Forst.) Ching)

Abstract Rumohra adiantiformis, also known as “leatherleaf fern”, is an ornamental species that, because of its long display life, is widely used in floral arrangements. In this study, a new protocol for in vitro regeneration of the leatherleaf fern was established. For spore germination, two culture media (MS and Knop) were assessed with presence or absence of 1g L−1 activated charcoal (AC) under different light and dark conditions. Frond, frond microcuttings, and prothallus explants were evaluated on Knop regeneration medium supplemented with 1g L−1 AC, 0.5% agar, pH 5.0 in combination with 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D: 0.0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L−1) and 6-benzylamino purine (BA: 0.0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L−1). For rooting, four levels of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA: 0.0, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.2 mg L−1) were tested. After 18 days of culture, spore germination rate was 100% on Knop medium with AC and 8 h light/16 h dark. After 120 days of culture, sporophytes 1.7 ± 0.4 cm in length developed on Knop medium, while those spore-cultured on MS medium never produced sporophytes. From those germinated sporophytes, prothallus explants cultivated on Knop medium with AC and 0.5 mg L−1 BA showed the highest regeneration rate with 235.7 gametophytes. The best sporophyte rooting response was obtained with 0.01 mg L−1 NAA. Complete, regenerated sporophytes were obtained 183 days after culture initiation. By this procedure it would be possible to obtain up to 2 million sporophytes from one fertile frond. To determine the origin of the regenerated gametophytes, a histological analysis was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis revealed that the gametophytes were regenerated from explant epidermal tissues on either the adaxial or abaxial surface.
Low genetic diversity and limited genetic structure across the range of the critically endangered Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana)

Genetic diversity provides populations with the possibility to persist in ever‐changing environments, where selective regimes change over time. Therefore, the long‐term survival of a population may be affected by its level of genetic diversity. The Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana) is a critically endangered primate restricted to southeast Mexico. Here, we evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of this subspecies based on 83 individuals from 31 groups sampled across the distribution range of the subspecies, using 29 microsatellite loci. Our results revealed extremely low genetic diversity (HO = 0.21, HE = 0.29) compared to studies of other A. palliata populations and to other Alouatta species. Principal component analysis, a Bayesian clustering method, and analyses of molecular variance did not detect strong signatures of genetic differentiation among geographic populations of this subspecies. Although we detect small but significant FST values between populations, they can be explained by a pattern of isolation by distance. These results and the presence of unique alleles in different populations highlight the importance of implementing conservation efforts in multiple populations across the distribution range of A. p. mexicana to preserve its already low genetic diversity. This is especially important given current levels of population isolation due to the extreme habitat fragmentation across the distribution range of this primate.
Detecting Foodborne Disease Outbreaks in Florida Through Consumer Complaints.

The Florida Complaint and Outbreak Reporting System (FL-CORS) database is used by the Florida Department of Health's Food and Waterborne Disease Program (FWDP) as one of the tools to detect foodborne disease outbreaks. We present a descriptive and spatial network analysis of the FL-CORS data collected during 2015-2018. We also quantified foodborne disease outbreaks (FBO) which were investigated and confirmed due to a filed complaint and the etiological agents involved in these outbreaks.An increasing number of unique complaints filed in FL-CORS was observed during 2015 to 2018, with a sharp increase during 2017-2018 and a different seasonal pattern in 2018. The preferred mechanism of reporting varied by age group with younger people more frequently filing complaints online and older persons preferring reporting in-person or by phone. Spatial network analysis revealed that 87% of complaints had the same county of residence and county of presumed exposure. Frequency of complaints was negatively associated with linear distance between place of residence and place of exposure at zip code level. Counties located in North and Central Florida, as well as some coastal areas in South Florida had higher incidence rates of complaints. Those counties tend to have a larger population density, and some are popular vacation destinations. On average, 96 FBO were reported in Florida annually, of which 60% were confirmed with successful identification of the causative agent. 56% of the confirmed FBO were triggered by a complaint. Throughout the years, 2.4 - 2.8 FBO and 1.4 confirmed FBO were identified per 100 complaints. Ciguatera toxin was cause of 40% of all FBO in Florida, and only 28% were detected through complaints. In contrast, complaints were the main source of identifying outbreaks of Norovirus, non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica and scombroid food poisoning, as well as rare outbreaks of Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium spp. , Shigella spp. , and Vibrio vulnificus.
Battery Management Systems—Challenges and Some Solutions

Electric vehicles are set to be the dominant form of transportation in the near future and Lithium-based rechargeable battery packs have been widely adopted in them. Battery packs need to be constantly monitored and managed in order to maintain the safety, efficiency and reliability of the overall electric vehicle system. A battery management system consists of a battery fuel gauge, optimal charging algorithm, and cell/thermal balancing circuitry. It uses three non-invasive measurements from the battery, voltage, current and temperature, in order to estimate crucial states and parameters of the battery system, such as battery impedance, battery capacity, state of charge, state of health, power fade, and remaining useful life. These estimates are important for the proper functioning of optimal charging algorithms, charge and thermal balancing strategies, and battery safety mechanisms. Approach to robust battery management consists of accurate characterization, robust estimation of battery states and parameters, and optimal battery control strategies. This paper describes some recent approaches developed by the authors towards developing a robust battery management system.
Predicting Student Performance in Higher Educational Institutions Using Video Learning Analytics and Data Mining Techniques

Technology and innovation empower higher educational institutions (HEI) to use different types of learning systems—video learning is one such system. Analyzing the footprints left behind from these online interactions is useful for understanding the effectiveness of this kind of learning. Video-based learning with flipped teaching can help improve student’s academic performance. This study was carried out with 772 examples of students registered in e-commerce and e-commerce technologies modules at an HEI. The study aimed to predict student’s overall performance at the end of the semester using video learning analytics and data mining techniques. Data from the student information system, learning management system and mobile applications were analyzed using eight different classification algorithms. Furthermore, data transformation and preprocessing techniques were carried out to reduce the features. Moreover, genetic search and principle component analysis were carried out to further reduce the features. Additionally, the CN2 Rule Inducer and multivariate projection can be used to assist faculty in interpreting the rules to gain insights into student interactions. The results showed that Random Forest accurately predicted successful students at the end of the class with an accuracy of 88.3% with an equal width and information gain ratio.
Inhibitory effect of arginine on proline utilization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Proline is a predominant amino acid in grape must, but it is poorly utilized by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in wine‐making processes. This sometimes leads to a nitrogen deficiency during fermentation and proline accumulation in wine. Although the presence of other nitrogen sources under fermentation conditions is likely to interfere with proline utilization, the inhibitory mechanisms of proline utilization remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of arginine on proline utilization in S. cerevisiae. We first constructed a proline auxotrophic yeast strain and identified an inhibitory factor by observing the growth of cells when proline was present as a sole nitrogen source. Intriguingly, we found that arginine, and not ammonium ion, clearly inhibited the growth of proline auxotrophic cells. In addition, arginine prevented the proline consumption of wild‐type and proline auxotrophic cells, indicating that arginine is an inhibitory factor of proline utilization in yeast. Next, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that arginine partially repressed the expression of genes involved in proline degradation and uptake. We then observed that arginine induced the endocytosis of the proline transporters Put4 and Gap1, whereas ammonium induced the endocytosis of only Gap1. Hence, our results may involve an important mechanism for arginine‐mediated inhibition of proline utilization in yeast. The breeding of yeast that utilizes proline efficiently could be promising for the improvement of wine quality.