Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complexity of EEG Reflects Socioeconomic Context and Geofootprint

The fine scale structure and resulting activity of the brain are largely shaped by experience, suggesting that the faster rate and complexity of experience offered by modern civilization may have significant impact on human brain dynamics. Here we defined a new measure of complexity of the EEG signal and compared it across populations spanning incomes from <$1/day to ∼$410/day with a wide range of access to features of modern life such as urban environments, higher education, electricity, motorized transport and telecommunication. Complexity across our sample spanned a 2.75-fold range, separating into two distinct distributions of pre-modern and modern experience. Furthermore, complexity scaled systematically with various technologies and experience factors, of which travel or geofootprint had the strongest relationship. Complexity also had a steep non-linear relationship with income that leveled out at an income of ∼$30/ day. Finally, it was strongly correlated to performance on a pattern completion task indicating its relevance as a cognitive measure. In light of growing income inequality and divergence in access to the tools of modern living across the globe, our findings have significant implications for social policy.
Public Service Motivation Among Nonprofit Board Members and the Influence of Primary Sector of Employment

Although considerable research has developed exploring effective management of nonprofit boards of directors, there is limited understanding of the motivations of nonprofit board members to serve on boards. Using a sample of nearly 700 nonprofit board members, this study examines antecedent conditions and dimensions of public service motivation (PSM) as they apply to nonprofit board members and the differences in levels of PSM between board members who have worked primarily in the nonprofit, public, or private sectors. Board members with primary employment in the public sector show the highest levels of PSM. This study illustrates that nonprofit board members who work in the private sector exhibit fewer values associated with public service motivation. Other variables that predict public service motivation among board members include gender, level of education, and formal volunteering activity, among several others.
Comparison of Purified Anthocyanin Isolated From In Vitro Cell Suspension Culture of Begonia malabarica, Begonia rex-cultorum ‘Baby Rainbow’ and its Antioxidant Activity

Anthocyanins are the most common flavonoid molecules of vegetables and fruits, especially berries. Human consumption of anthocyanins represents the highest among the flavonoids. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the consumption of anthocyanins lowers the risk of life style disorders like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Begonia malabarica Lam. of Begoniaceae, is used traditionally as anti-hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, wound healing and in the treatment of anemia. Begonia rex-cultorum ‘Baby rainbow’ an ornamental species was also substituted. Experimentation of in vitro cell suspension culture, isolation, purification of anthocyanin and its antioxidant potential are targeted in the present study. Explants such as leaves and nodes were cultured on MS medium with various phytohormones for callus induction. Leaf explants of Begonia cultured on MS medium fortified with 2, 4-D and BAP showed significant callus induction and also in terms of fresh and dry weights. Significant reddish coloured callus was achieved in cultures initiated from nodal explants in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D.Cell suspension cultures were also established in liquid MS medium. After 14 days of culture, cell suspension was obtained with optimal biomass accumulation. Subsequently, bioactive anthocyanin was isolated, purified and fractionated from B.malabarica andB. rex-cultorum‘Baby rainbow’ using amberlite column chromatography and LC-MS/MS analysis. The major anthocyanins eluted from Begonia speciesat 4.7-5.4 min. Tandem MS of the m/z 655.3 peak was identified as anthocyanidin Malvidin-3 –diglucoside as the major compound. The other peaks identified were (584.3) Malvidin or Peonidin, (459.2) Delphinidin + Glucose, (403.2) may be Cynanidin, (287.1) Cyanindin Aglycone and other m/z 242.3, 195.1 and 144.1 were sugar derivatives or fragments. Purified anthocyanin exhibited remarkable inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and also a concentration dependent free-radical scavenging activities were noticed against DPPH•, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions. The degradation of deoxyribose by hydroxyl radicals was also inhibited via iron ion chelators, rather than by directly scavenging the radicals. The results are comparable with reducing power activity of ascorbate and catechin.
A VFDT algorithm optimization and application thereof in data stream classification

Data stream mining is a new technology for dynamically extracting feature patterns from data streams. Its core technology is data stream mining algorithms. Data stream mining algorithms are divided into clustering and classification algorithms. In data stream classification algorithms, VFDT (The Concept-adapting Very Fast Decision Tree algorithm is an effective classification decision tree algorithm. The algorithm dynamically constructs a decision tree based on the improvement of the Hoefdding tree. With the inflow of data, new branches are continuously added and outdated Branch. However, the algorithm has the problem of concept drift, and some nodes may no longer meet the Hoefdding bound, which affects the classification mining effect. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm (VFDT), which reduces the impact of concept drift and network noise by adding sliding window technology and fuzzy technology to the VFDT classification mining algorithm. Experimental results show that the algorithm can effectively improve the accuracy of stream data classification mining. Reduce classification errors.
An Identification Method of Question Subjects Based on Word Embedding and LSTM

Using the subject of the question can locate the question area, narrow the scope of the query, and provide users with better answers. The question text is usually short text. Therefore, in view of its sparse features and irregular structure, this paper proposes an identification method of question subjects based on word embedding and LSTM (IQS-WE-L), and uses question set on the MadSci website for experimentation, which has three subjects. We firstly use the Word2vec to train the Wikipedia database to generate a dictionary. Then based on word vectors, we propose four feature extraction methods: W2V, W2V-TFIDF, W2V-c-TFIDF and W2V-c, which formalizes the text features into vectors through word embedding and other features. Finally, we build an LSTM network for classification training to identify the subject of the question and quantitative evaluate effect of four feature extraction methods we proposed. Experimental data shows that the method proposed in this paper can effectively identify the subject of the question. When classifying the subject of the question, the F1 value can reach a maximum of 0.9339.
Effect of Microencapsulation Techniques on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Functional Beverage Based on Red Betel Leaf Extract (Piper crocatum)

Functional drinks based on red betel leaf extract have antioxidant activity, but they still have a bitter taste. This study aims to determine the effect of microencapsulation on phenol content, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality of functional drinks based on betel leaf extract. Microencapsulation of functional drinks was made using maltodextrin coatings with concentrations of 10% and 20%. Antioxidant activity was tested by the CUPRAC method. The ready to drink (RTD) functional drink has a total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of 782.30 ± 2.54 mg GAE/g and 1660.19 ± 31.67 µmol Tr/g, respectively. These values are higher than microencapsulated functional drinks with maltodextrin (MM). The microencapsulated functional drink with 10% maltodextrin coating (MM10) is the chosen formulation since it has the smallest particle size (1.283 µm), total phenolic content of 12.90 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and antioxidant activity of 189.41 ± 1.88 µmol Tr/g. Microencapsulated functional drinks provide sensory quality that is not significantly different (p <0.05) from ready to drink (RTD) drinks.
The Need to Improve Riparian Forests Management in Uranium Mining Areas Based on Assessment of Heavy Metal and Uranium Contamination

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issue due to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contamination levels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localities with long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded the lower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U content also represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the root system, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the stands may be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum L. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at the locality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallow hydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggests identical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level of contamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management of mining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing and erosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreading of contamination.
Telomere elongation and Telomerase activity in Normal and Cancer cell lines: HEK-293, HeLa and A549

Telomerase, an eukaryotic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, consists of an essential RNA template and a reverse transcriptase termed as human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). By using this reverse transcriptase enzyme, telomerase RNP maintains its telomeric length in all cancer cells and in few stem cells. As cells age, telomerase level decreases and telomere get shorten, leading to senescence. Presence of telomerase helps delay the senescence due to active production of telomere, leading to cell turning malignant and eventually cancerous. In this experiment, we would investigate the telomerase activity tested using q PCR and telomerase level using western blot in three different cell lines, HEK-293, HeLa and A549. Hypothesis Where HEK-293 cells have longer telomeres and higher telomerase activity, HeLa and A549 cell lines will have varied length of telomere but higher telomerase activity.
Long-term quantification of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations reveals that Mexican grey wolves may habituate to captivity

Abstract Mexican grey wolves are considered the most endangered wolf in the world. The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the physiological stress level of 24 captive-born wolves confined at four zoos and two parks, by measuring faecal glucocorticoid (fGC) metabolite concentrations in 1005 samples, for 1 week in every season of the year over a 2-year period. Total overall mean fGC concentration of individual scats was 153.83 ± 8.16 standard error mean (SEM) ng/g dry matter (DM). Paired samples from the same individuals showed a decline in fGC levels between years (173.09 ± 12.15 and 135.94 ± 10.93 for 2010 and 2011, respectively; P = 0.02). Significant differences were also observed between reproductive and non-reproductive seasons (116.78 ± 12.48 vs. 173.20 ± 10.50, respectively; P < 0.0001), and between genders (males: 214.53 ± 13.43 vs. females: 121.51 ± 10.03; P < 0.0001). Tukey’s post hoc comparisons showed that elder wolves excreted higher levels than young adults and reproductive adults (P = 0.016). High-social-ranked wolves showed higher (P < 0.0001) fGC levels (202.03 ± 19.94; n = 229) than medium- (175.33 ± 19.94 ng/g DM; n = 214) and low- (162.06 ± 16.15; n = 377) ranked wolves did; however, no correlation was found between social rank and fGC levels. Anthropogenic acute stressors during husbandry procedures a day before sampling resulted in considerable elevations of fGC concentrations above 1270.34 ng/g DM, returning to baseline levels after 2 days. Our results suggest that wolves are becoming habituated to confinement at the zoos; these findings may contribute to a more comprehensive definition of confinement, which has traditionally been perceived as a stressful habitat for wild animals. Using fGC concentrations as an overall physiological state in long-term studies may provide crucial information on the resilience of captive animal populations.
Characterization and improvement of plant-associated Lactobacillus plantarum. Novel biocontrol agent for fire blight disease

Fire blight is a disease caused by Erwinia amylovora. For the limited effectiveness of copper products and the new regulations for the sustainable use of pesticides, biological control is considered a good alternative for the control of fire blight. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the research of lactic acid bacteria strains as biocontrol agents of fire blight. Three out of one hundred strains, which were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum TC54, TC92 and PM411, were selected by their ability to inhibit E. amylovora infections in different performed assays. A multivariate statistical analysis, combining different phenotypic and genotypic properties, determined that strains TC92 and PM411 were good candidates as biocontrol agents. Finally, the combination of lactic acid and strains TC92 and PM411 was used to increase the biocontrol efficacy and reliability in the biocontrol of fire blight El foc bacteria es una malaltia causada pel bacteri Erwinia amylovora. L’eficacia limitada dels productes cuprics i les noves normatives d’us sostenible dels productes fitosanitaris, fan que el control biologic es consideri una bona alternativa en el control d’aquesta malaltia. Aquesta tesi es centra en la recerca de soques de bacteris de l’acid lactic com a agents de biocontrol del foc bacteria. Tenint en compte la seva eficacia en el control de les infeccions causades per E. amylovora en diferents assajos realitzats es van seleccionar 3 soques de 100 inicials, identificades com a Lactobacillus plantarum TC54, TC92 i PM411. Un analisi estadistic multivariant, combinant diferents propietats genotipiques i fenotipiques, va confirmar que les soques TC92 i PM411 eren bones candidates a agents de biocontrol. Finalment, per incrementar la seva eficacia i fiabilitat en el control del foc bacteria, es va utilitzar la combinacio d’acid lactic i les dues soques seleccionades
Identifikasi Entomopatogen Bakteri Merah pada Wereng Batang Coklat (Nilaparvata lugens Stål.)

Indentification of Entomopathogenic Red Bacterial from Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stal.). Tri P. Priyatno, Yohana A. Dahliani, Yadi Suryadi, I Made Samudra, Dwi N. Susilowati, Iman Rusmana, Baskoro S. Wibowo, and Cahyadi Irwan. Red bacteria isolated from brown planthopper (BPH) has been proven pathogenic against BPH and others insects. Application of 106 to 107 cells/ml of red bacteria caused 65.6-78.2% mortality of BPH. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) and lethal time of red bacteria against BPH is 2.8 x 105 cells/ml and 6.8 days, respectively. Based on phenotypic characters tested on GN MicroPlateTM Biolog kit and 16S rRNA sequneces analysis, red bacteria was identified as Serratia marcescens with 99% similarity. Red pigmen produced by S. marcescens strain BPH is secondary metabolite determined as prodigiosin showing bactericidal activities against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. We concluded that S. marcescens did not only potent as biocontrol agent to BPH, but also it can be used to control plant pathogenic bacteria.
Incipient speciation in the Anastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex: reproductive compatibility between A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus and A. sp.3 aff. fraterculus

Reproductive isolation among biological strains can be detected by analyzing reproductive barriers between populations. The Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) cryptic species complex comprises eight morphotypes defined by morphometric characteristics. The present study analyzed the existence of pre‐ and post‐zygotic isolation among populations of A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus (A. sp.1) and A. sp.3 aff. fraterculus (A. sp.3) determined by tests of sexual compatibility, analyses of the temporal pattern of calling behavior, and the reproductive performance of the offspring of homotypic and heterotypic crosses. Pre‐zygotic tests indicated asymmetric matings with preferences for homotypic crosses. The A. sp.3 population demonstrated distinct characteristics, including low copulation percentages and a high proportion of homotypic copulations under crowded conditions. The females of the A. sp.1 population demonstrated lower copulation latency. The analyzed morphotypes demonstrated two peaks in pheromone emission activity, at the beginning and at the end of the morning and were differentiated in the abundance of males. The calling behavior of the hybrids between A. sp.1 male and A. sp.3 female crosses had an intermediate pattern compared to either parental type. Post‐zygotic compatibility tests indicated low viability of the cross between A. sp.3 males and A. sp.1 females. Pronounced asymmetries were found in the sex ratios of the offspring of heterotypic crosses, and only hybrids from A. sp.1 male vs. A. sp.3 female crosses produced descendants. The observed pre‐ and post‐zygotic incompatibilities reflect the probable occurrence of incipient speciation between A. sp.1 and A. sp.3. A more adequate taxonomic classification of this species complex that considers the distinct characteristics of each morphotype will be needed to improve environmentally wise control methods against this insect pest.
Effect of irrigation regimes on yield and water use efficiencies of potato

Poor irrigation water management is one of the major factors limiting crop production inEthiopia. This study was, therefore, conducted at three different locations in the southeasternEthiopia for 2 consecutive years to investigate the effects of different irrigation depths andintervals with furrow irrigation system on tuber yield, biomass yield and water use efficiency ofpotato. The treatments consisted of four irrigation regimes. Three of them were determinedusing FAO-Cropwat 4 Windows 4.3 computer model based on maximum irrigation efficiencyand minimum yield loss. The fourth treatment was farmers' practices for each location.The irrigation treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with 3 replications.Results showed that irrigation regimes determined using FAO-Cropwat 4 Windows 4.3computer model gave superior tuber and biomass yields and water use efficiencies of potatocompared to farmers’ practices at all locations. Higher values of crop and water productivitywere obtained when scheduled at application of 20 mm irrigation water every 6 days, 15 mmirrigation water every 7 days and 15 mm irrigation water every 9 days for Sheled, Golja andLemu areas, respectively. It could be conclude that farmers were over irrigating their farmswithout equivalent returns. The water saved through optimized irrigation can be used moreprofitably to irrigate supplemental lands, thus achieving a more efficient and rational use of landand water resources.
Constructing Identity through Practice: Preservice Teachers’ Narratives of Practicum

As a follow-up to a study of the published accounts of preservice teachers (PSTs) in Japan, I conducted interviews with three PSTs before and after their final teaching practicum. The narrative framework and themes generated in the previous study served as a guide to examining the settings, times, and people that the PSTs suggested were significant to their practicum experience. The results complicate and extend the previous findings, providing insight into how the PSTs dealt with stress and negative episodes as well as how their identities as teachers developed through practice. The PSTs’ relationships with their students were key in this regard, while mentoring teachers tended to play an evaluative and disciplinary role that was less central to development. This has implications for how teachers who work with PSTs can productively intervene to promote reflective growth. 本研究は、先に行われた実習生の感想文を分析した結果に基づく調査である。 教育実習の前後に3人の実習生へインタビ ューを行い、前回のナラティヴ枠組やテーマを使い、実習期間を通して実習生にとっての重大な場所・時間・人々を調べた。 結 果は前回の結果より詳細であり、特に実習生がストレスや困ったことをどのように対処したか、また教師としてのアイデンティ ティが実践を通じてどのように発達したかについての洞察ができる。 教師としてのアイデンティティの発達には、実習生におい て生徒との関係が非常に重要であり、指導教諭はむしろあまり重要ではない評価的な役割であった。 この結果は実習生の成 長を促す指導方法に重要な示唆となる。
Time to achieving a designated criterion score level: A survival analysis study of test taker performance on the TOEFL iBT® test

This study used survival analysis to examine the patterns and factors associated with time to achieving designated score criteria on a test of English as a foreign language. This was modeled using an extension of the Cox regression model, with two criterion score levels defined as achieving a TOEFL iBT® total test scale score at or above the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level B2 and at Level C1, respectively. Factors included in the model were test taker background characteristics including age, gender, native language type, exposure to English, and reason for testing. Additionally, to account for those who tested more than once within the study period, and thus had multiple records, an indicator for order of testing occasion was included in the model. Results indicate that approximately 82% of the test takers in our study sample tested one time in the study period (2014–2016), and the number of repeaters decreased rapidly across occasions. For those who did not achieve the designated criterion scores at first testing, the likelihood of achievement increases with repeated testing, with a somewhat greater effect for the less stringent B2 criterion. Results also indicate that the association of gender with performance differed across levels.
Using repeat citizen science surveys of koalas to assess their population trend in the north-west of New South Wales: scale matters

Scale matters when assessing population trends. Whereas traditional field-based ecological surveys are generally restricted to small temporal and spatial scales, community (citizen science) surveys allow wider consideration of population trends. We used repeat community surveys (completed in 2006 and 2015) to assess population change in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) across an area of 36 900 km2 in the north-west of New South Wales. In both community surveys we asked respondents to record the location of their koala sightings as well as those of eight other common species. We further asked respondents about their perceptions of population change. Through three different measures (likelihood of koala occurrence, number of koalas observed per respondent, and the perception of population change), we found that koala numbers were declining across the region during the study period. The timing and broad and consistent geographic spread of the decline suggests that broad-scale environmental factors, such as weather, are important drivers of this change. This information will allow managers to place conservation efforts into an appropriate spatial context. While such information sourced from the community can provide critical information on threatened species, including the koala, this study highlights the limits of such information.