Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intrinsically regulated learning is modulated by synaptic dopamine availability

We recently provided evidence that an intrinsic reward-related signal—triggered by successful learning in absence of any external feedback—modulated the entrance of new information into long-term memory via the activation of the dopaminergic midbrain, hippocampus, and ventral striatum (the SN/VTA-Hippocampal loop; Ripollés et al., 2016). Here, we used a double-blind, within-subject randomized pharmacological intervention to test whether this learning process is indeed dopamine-dependent. A group of healthy individuals completed three behavioural sessions of our learning task after the intake of different pharmacological treatments: a dopaminergic precursor, a dopamine receptor antagonist or a placebo. Results show that the pharmacological intervention bidirectionally modulated behavioral measures of both learning and pleasantness, inducing memory benefits after 24 hours only for those participants with a high sensitivity to reward. These results provide causal evidence for a dopamine-dependent mechanism instrumental in intrinsically regulated learning, and further suggest that subject-specific dopamine sensitivity drastically alters learning success.
Laboratory rearing of huhu, Prionoplus reticularis (Cerambycidae): insights into the gut microbiome

ABSTRACT We developed a laboratory rearing method for huhu grubs, Prionoplus reticularis White (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), on defined cellulose (cotton) and lignocellulose (pine) diets. Huhu grubs were shown to both gain weight and eventually undergo metamorphosis on these diets, two indications of successful use of the substrates for healthy growth. Since insects typically rely on their gut microbiome to assist in nutrient assimilation this rearing method was used to study the gut microbiome of P. reticularis, using the frass produced as a proxy for the gut contents. In this preliminary study patterns of fungal community diversity in frass suggest that their composition is significantly influenced by diet; however, the influence of diet on bacterial community diversity was less clear. Results do demonstrate the potential of the experimental model for studying shifts in the gut microbiome induced by diet change. This approach could prove essential in identifying microorganisms, or consortia, involved in the breakdown of lignocellulose.
Isotopic and geochemical methods for studying water–rock interaction and recharge mode: application to the Cenomanian–Turonian and Plio-Quaternary aquifers of Essaouira Basin, Morocco

Study of the Cenomanian–Turonian and Plio–Quaternary aquifers of Essaouira basin (Western Morocco), based on the interpretation of geochemical (major elements) and isotopic (18O, 2H, 13C and 14C) data, has aided the understanding of the hydrodynamics of these aquifers, which is greatly affected by tectonics. Hydrochemical characteristics based on the bivariate diagrams of major ions (Cl–, SO42–, NO3–, HCO3–, Na+, Mg2+, K+ and Ca2+) and electrical conductivity and mineral saturation indices indicate that the origins of groundwater mineralisation are the result of: (1) evaporite dissolution; (2) cation exchange reactions; (3) and evaporation processes. Radiogenic isotopes (3H and 14C) have highlighted the presence of significant recent recharge in the eastern part of the basin, with groundwater moving according to the general flow path (south-east to north-west). Stable isotope data from the Essaouira basin plot along the Global Meteoric Water Line and below the Local Meteoric Water Line. This suggests that groundwater has been recharged under several different climate regimes.
Implementasi Random Forest Untuk Klasifikasi Motif Songket Palembang Berdasarkan SIFT

Indonesia memiliki berbagai warisan budaya tak benda salah satunya adalah kain songket. Kain songket memiliki banyak ragam sesuai ciri khas dari setiap daerah, khususnya songket Palembang. Kain songket Palembang memiliki keistimewaan dibandingkan songket dari daerah lain. Selain memiliki nilai sejarah, kain songket Palembang memiliki motif, mutu dan tingkat kerumitan yang tinggi dalam proses pembuatannya. Pada penelitian ini digunakan metode Random Forest untuk klasifikasi citra motif kain songket Palembang dengan mengunakan ekstraksi fitur Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). Proses pembentukan fitur dengan metode SIFT melalui tahap scale space extrema detection, keypoint localization, orientation assignment, dan keypoint descriptor. Fitur yang dihasilkan digunakan untuk klasifikasi Random Forest. Citra motif songket yang digunakan pada penelitian ini sebanyak 115 citra dari setiap jenis motif, yaitu Bunga cina, Cantik Manis, dan Pulir. Pemilihan citra diambil dari 5 warna setiap motif songket Palembang. Data latih dan data uji yang digunakan masing-masing sebanyak 100 dan 15 untuk setiap motif Songket Palembang. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa metode SIFT dan Random Forest untuk klasifikasi citra motif kain Songket Palembang dapat memberikan akurasi yang cukup baik, dimana metode SIFT dan Random Forest mampu menghasilkan rata-rata overall accuracy 92,98%, per class accuracy 94,07%, presision 92,98%, dan recall 89,74%.
The Importance of Being Causal

Causal inference is the study of how actions, interventions, or treatments affect outcomes of interest. The methods that have received the lion’s share of attention in the data science literature for establishing causation are variations of randomized experiments. Unfortunately, randomized experiments are not always feasible for a variety of reasons, such as an inability to fully control the treatment assignment, high cost, and potential negative impacts. In such settings, statisticians and econometricians have developed methods for extracting causal estimates from observational (i.e., nonexperimental) data. Data scientists’ adoption of observational study methods for causal inference, however, has been rather slow and concentrated on a few specific applications. In this article, we attempt to catalyze interest in this area by providing case studies of how data scientists used observational studies to deliver valuable insights at LinkedIn. These case studies employ a variety of methods, and we highlight some themes and practical considerations. Drawing on our learnings, we then explain how firms can develop an organizational culture that embraces causal inference by investing in three key components: education, automation, and certification.
Local Wisdom and Karst Spring Management in Playen District, Gunungkidul Regency, Indonesia

For the population of Playen District, Gunungkidul Regency, karst springs serve as the primary water sources because surface rivers are rare in karst areas and, if present, the quality of their water is reportedly less than that of the springs. In the spring water utilization, local wisdom is incorporated into the management and has so far contributed to sustainability. Since only a few studies have examined local wisdom and its correlation with changes in spring management pattern, this research initiates the provision and dissemination of information on karst spring management that is applicable elsewhere. It was designed to scrutinize the local wisdom and regulatory measures implemented at many springs in Playen District. Detailed data were obtained by in-depth interviews with four key informants responsible for managing springs block 1 (Gedad, Grunggung, and Karangkulon Springs), 2 (Banyusoco and Sungai Oyo), 3 (Dung Poh, Nganding, Umbul, and Jambe), and 4 (Ngrunggo and Ngrasih). Through qualitative descriptive analysis, the research found that the laying of offerings at springs in blocks 1 and 2 during traditional celebratory ceremonies had been abandoned, but cleaning activities at and around these springs as part of the local wisdom sustained. In the context of utilization, the spring management had changed from direct manual withdrawal to indirect systematized one that used pipes with gravitational water flow system (block 1) to distribute spring water to villagersâ€™ houses (block 2). On the contrary, local wisdom like offerings and cleaning activities at and around the springs in blocks 3 and 4 was preserved. Their management had changed from manual extraction to gas-fueled water pumping systems, which were later replaced with electricity-powered pumps (block 3), and to indirect withdrawal through pipelines with pump-generated flows (block 4). To manage the springs in all blocks and their sustainable utilization, the people of the district still adopt local wisdom. Besides, they no longer collected water directly at springs but have switched to water distribution technology like pumps and pipelines instead.
Bifurcated Crustal Channel Flow and Seismogenic Structures of Intraplate Earthquakes in Western Yunnan, China as Revealed by Three‐Dimensional Magnetotelluric Imaging

Based on broadband magnetotelluric data collected in western Yunnan, we obtain a three‐dimensional crustal resistivity model, which reveals seismogenic structures of Yingjiang and Longling earthquakes. Our model suggests a bifurcation of the crustal flow in western Yunnan, with a southwestern branch running into the Tengchong Block north of the Dayingjiang Fault and a southeastern branch flowing into the Baoshan Block. The Yingjiang region features an upper and midcrustal resistive body above 20‐km depth, surrounded by conductors in the midcrust. Six moderate earthquakes in Yingjiang occurred in the transition zone between the resistive and conductive structures. These earthquakes occurred in the context of a right‐lateral accommodation zone between the Nabang and Binglangjiang Faults and in the presence of the southwestern branch of the crustal flow, which provides a mechanical decoupling under the rigid high‐resistive upper crust. Beneath the Longling area, a high‐resistive structure extends through the entire crust, but a zone of low resistivity is embedded in the depth range of 10–25 km where the 1976 M7.3 earthquake occurred. The high‐resistive body provides a blockage to the previously proposed crustal channel flow along the Gaoligong shear zone and may accumulate sufficient stress. The Longling strong earthquakes may result from the sinistral strike‐slip motion of the Ruili‐Luxi Fault in the framework of the north to northeast trending compressive stress. The blockage to the crustal channel flow along the Gaoligong shear zone by the high‐resistivity zone in Longling could be an important factor to produce the north to northeast trending compressive stress field in Longling area.
Botanical Composition of Fabaceae Family in the Brazilian Northeast, Maranhão, Brazil

Fabaceae, one of the most diverse families in the world, recognized for its ecological and economic potential; divided into six subfamilies (Caesalpinioideae, Cercidoideae, Detarioideae, Dialioideae, Duparquetioideae) In Brazil, it is the largest botanical family found in all the ecosystems (Amazon and Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Cerrado, Pantanal and Pampa). The Present investigation identified 22 species, distributed in 14 genera and four subfamilies. Mimosa was the most representative genus, with five sorts, followed by Bauhinia with three and Aeschynomene with two, as to the habit, and 12 species considered shrubs. The composition shown were the floristic list, that help in understanding of plant species present in ecosystems investigated and filling gaps in the Brazilian ́s Northeast biodiversity. Original Research Article Gomes et al.; AJEE, 6(4): 1-10, 2018; Article no.AJEE. 41207 2
Actionable Auditing: Investigating the Impact of Publicly Naming Biased Performance Results of Commercial AI Products

Although algorithmic auditing has emerged as a key strategy to expose systematic biases embedded in software platforms, we struggle to understand the real-world impact of these audits, as scholarship on the impact of algorithmic audits on increasing algorithmic fairness and transparency in commercial systems is nascent. To analyze the impact of publicly naming and disclosing performance results of biased AI systems, we investigate the commercial impact of Gender Shades, the first algorithmic audit of gender and skin type performance disparities in commercial facial analysis models. This paper 1) outlines the audit design and structured disclosure procedure used in the Gender Shades study, 2) presents new performance metrics from targeted companies IBM, Microsoft and Megvii (Face++) on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) as of August 2018, 3) provides performance results on PPB by non-target companies Amazon and Kairos and, 4) explores differences in company responses as shared through corporate communications that contextualize differences in performance on PPB. Within 7 months of the original audit, we find that all three targets released new API versions. All targets reduced accuracy disparities between males and females and darker and lighter-skinned subgroups, with the most significant update occurring for the darker-skinned female subgroup, that underwent a 17.7% - 30.4% reduction in error between audit periods. Minimizing these disparities led to a 5.72% to 8.3% reduction in overall error on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) for target corporation APIs. The overall performance of non-targets Amazon and Kairos lags significantly behind that of the targets, with error rates of 8.66% and 6.60% overall, and error rates of 31.37% and 22.50% for the darker female subgroup, respectively.
Teaching teamwork to transnational students in engineering and technology

China is producing over 4 million STEM graduates each year. According to the literature, many of these graduates lack the professional skills that are required by the global job market. Consequently, a new course was designed to help Chinese students cultivate the necessary professional knowledge and practical skills in the field of electronic engineering. The aim of this innovative course was to build experience of working in a team to design and develop a rover that can perform specific tasks. The course’s team project covers areas such as electronic design, sensing, instrumentation, measurement, computing, communications, as well as project management, report writing and technical presentation. The learning outcomes and course details are described herein. Furthermore, feedback from 152 Chinese students y is discussed and. Statistical analysis from surveys completed by 152 students are discussed and compared with a similar learning activity that was implemented in the UK. Contrary to popular misconceptions, the survey’s results clearly show that this team based active learning activity was ideally suited to the culture and background of Chinese students.
US-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A 5-Year High-Volume Center Experience

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) of the pancreatic body by assessing the overall survival of patients and evaluating the effects of the procedure in the clinical and radiological follow-up. Materials and Methods Patients with unresectable LAPC after failed chemoradiotherapy for at least six months were retrospectively included. Percutaneous RFA was performed after a preliminary ultrasound (US) feasibility evaluation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and CA 19.9 sampling were performed before and 24 hours and 30 days after the procedure to evaluate the effects of the ablation. Patients were followed-up after discharge considering the two main endpoints: procedure-related complications and death. Results 35 patients were included, 5 were excluded. All patients underwent RFA with no procedure-related complications reported. The mean size of tumors was 49 mm before treatment. The mean dimension of the ablated necrotic zone was 32 mm, with a mean extension of 65 % compared to the whole tumor size. Tumor density was statistically reduced one day after the procedure (p < 0.001). The mean CA 19.9 levels before and 24 hours and 30 days after the procedure were 285.8 U/mL, 635.2 U/mL, and 336.0 U/mL, respectively, with a decrease or stability at the 30-day evaluation in 80 % of cases. The mean survival was 310 (65–718) days. Conclusion Percutaneous RFA of LAPC is a feasible technique in patients who cannot undergo surgery, with great debulking effects and a very low complication rate.
An atypical CRISPR-Cas locus in Symbiobacterium thermophilum flanked by a transposase, a reverse transcriptase, the endonuclease MutS2 and a putative Cas9-like protein

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a prokaryotic adaptive defense system that assimilates short sequences of invading genomes (spacers) within repeats, and uses nearby effector proteins (Cas), one of which is an endonuclease (Cas9), to cleave homologous nucleic acid during future infections from the same or closely related organisms. Here, a novel CRISPR locus with uncharacterized Cas proteins, is reported in Symbiobacterium thermophilum (Accid:NC 006177.1) around loc.1248561. Credence to this assertion is provided by four arguments. First, the presence of an exact repeat (CACGTGGGGTTCGGGTCGGACTG, 23 nucleotides) occurs eight times encompassing fragments about 83 nucleotides long. Second, comparison to a known CRISPR-Cas locus in the same organism (loc.355482) with an endonuclease Cas3 (WP 011194444.1, 729 aa) ∼10000 nt upstream shows the presence of a known MutS2 endonuclease (WP 011195247.1, 801 aa) in approximately the same distance in loc.1248561. Thirdly, and remarkably, an uncharacterized protein (1357 aa) long is uncannily close in length to known Cas9 proteins (1368 for Streptococcus pyogenes). Lastly, the presence of transposases and reverse transcriptase (RT) downstream of the repeat indicates this is one of an enigmatic RT-CRISPR locus, Also, the MutS2 endonuclease is not characterized as a CRISPR-endonuclease to the best of my knowledge. Interestingly, this locus was not among the four loci (three confirmed, one probable) reported by crisperfinder (http://crispr.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/Server), indicating that the search algorithm needs to be revisited. This finding begs the question ‐ how many such CRISPR-Cas loci and Cas9-like proteins lie undiscovered within bacterial genomes?
Ecology and degree of specialization of South African milkweeds with diverse pollination systems

Like orchids, the complexity of flowers found in asclepiads (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) and the fact that pollen is presented as pollinaria, offers excellent opportunities to study various aspects of plant-pollinator interactions. In this thesis I investigated two broad themes: ecological aspects of the pollination biology of hymenopteran and fly-pollinated asclepiads as well as the degree of specialization to certain pollinators in these species. Colonizing plants often reproduce through self-pollination, or have highly generalized pollination systems, or both. These characteristics facilitate establishment in small founding populations and generates the prediction that reproductive success should be independent of population size in these species. Chapter one examines the pollination biology of Gomphocarpus physocarpus, an indigenous, weedy species and investigates the relationship between reproductive success and population size. In this species, there is no evidence of an Allee effect and reproductive success is not correlated with population size. In addition G. physocarpus is not capable of self-pollination, suggesting it is completely reliant on pollinators for seed set. The lack of a relationship between pollination success and population size is therefore likely explained by the generalized wasp pollination system of this species. Several milkweeds are invasive outside of their native ranges. Invasive species either need to co-opt native pollinators in order to reproduce or reduce their reliance on pollinators through having the ability to self-pollinate. Co-opting native pollinators is expected to be
Modeling a Rumor Propagation in Online Social Network: An Optimal Control Approach

We propose to model the phenomenon of the spread of a rumor in social networks in this paper. From an existing SIR model, we manipulate a new one that is based on the model of cholera in order to take into account professional pages that specialize in spreading rumors. In the second part, we introduce a control strategy to fight against the diffusion of the rumor. Our main objective is to characterize the three optimal controls that minimize the number of spreader users, fake pages, and the corresponding costs. For that matter, using the maximum principle of Pontryagin, we prove the existence and we give characterization of our controls. Numerical simulations are given to concretize our approach.
Shelter Building and Extrafloral Nectar Exploitation by a Member of the Aristotelia corallina Species Complex (Gelechiidae) on Costa Rican Acacias

ABSTRACT. A new member of the unresolved Aristotelia corallina Walsingham species complex (Gelechiidae) from a Costa Rican dry forest (Parque Nacional Palo Verde) is reported. Its larval behavior and possible relationships to the rest of the complex are described and analyzed. Field and laboratory observations revealed that these caterpillars consumed the extrafloral nectar, Beltian bodies, and young foliage of two acacia species (Vachellia collinsii and Vachellia farnesiana; Fabaceae: Mimosoideae). The caterpillars were observed building individual silk webs surrounding a single stem node's thorns and leaf rachises. If open domatia are included in shelters, the caterpillars reside in the domatia between feeding bouts and during pupation. These caterpillars are the only non-myrmecophilous caterpillars known to regularly exploit a host plant's ant rewards. DNA barcoding of the Costa Rican specimens showed that they are significantly different from the United States members of A. corallina (12–13% difference in cox1 sequence). An examination of host plant herbarium material for caterpillar shelters demonstrated likely differences in host plant use, with webs consistent with A. corallina only found on specimens of United States Chamaecrista nictitans (Fabaceae: Caesalpiniodeae), but not Vachellia farnesiana. By contrast, webs were found on V. collinsii, V. cornigera, and V. farnesiana from Central America (including Mexico), but not on Central American C. nictitans. This ecological evidence suggests that the Costa Rican populations of A. corallina may be more closely related to the Mexican populations than to the US populations.
ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF SOME 3 -IMINO-4-SUBSTITUTED-1,2,5-THIADIAZOLIDINE 1,1-DIOXIDES

Organosulfur compounds functionality constitute an important class of therapeutic agent in current medicinal chemistry. Especially sulfonamides called sulfa drugs were performed as both chemotherapeutic agents and effective antibacterial derivatives developed for medicine. The sulfamides in the same family with the sulfonamides have similar biological activities. In our research it was studied with some 3-imino-4-substituted-1,2,5-thiadiazolidine 1,1-dioxides (ISTDs- 4a-d , four samples) that is five membered cyclosulfamides. These compounds were previously synthesized and structurally characterized. The goals of this study are to i nvestigate minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values and antibacterial effects of these ISTDs compounds on Bacillus subtilis NRRL B-209, Escherichia coli ATCC ® 25922, Micrococcus luteus NRRL B-1018, Nocardia abscessus DSM 44432, Nocardia cyriacigeorgica DSMZ 44484, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NRRL B-2679 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC ® 6538, Streptomyces murinus ISP 5091.
Lignocellulosic waste degradation using enzyme synergy with commercially available enzymes and Clostridium cellulovorans XylanaseA and MannanaseA

i Plagiarism declaration . iii Faculty Plagiarism declaration . iv List of abbreviations . x List of Figures . xii List of Tables . xv Dedication and acknowledgements . xvi List of research outputs . xvii Chapter 1: Literature Review . 1 1.