Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Toxic Fescue Exposure on Vaginal Microbial Communities of Crossbred Beef Cows

4-5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.6 INTRODUCTION . 7 LITERATURE REVIEW.7-16 The development of tall fescue grass as a staple forage in the southeast US.7-10 The physiological impact of Fescue Toxicosis on cattle . 10-11 What is the microbiome? 11 Utilization of 16s rRNA sequencing to characterize the microbiome.11-12 Role of the Microbiome in Disease.12 Role of the Microbiome in Reproductive Tract.12-13 Previous research into the composition of the bovine vaginal microbiome.13-14 Importance of vaginal microbiome in cattle fertility.14-15 Potential role of microbiome in calf health and growth . 15-16 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 16-18 Population and Experimental Design . 16 Sample Collection . 16-17 DNA Isolation, Quality Control, and Sequencing . 17 Data Analysis . 17-18 RESULTS.18-19 Impact of toxic vs. novel fescue on microbiome community structure and diversity . 18 Bacterial composition identified in the vaginal microbiome.18-19 Microbes predictive by pasture type.19 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION.19-26 Bray Curtis community structure differentiates animals by pasture type.19-21 Five vaginal bacterial OTUs appear to classify animals by toxin level.21-23 Vaginal bacterial OTUs identified compared to those previously reported.23-25 Potential reasons for vast differences in the vaginal microbiome of cattle on toxic vs. novel and alternating pastures.25 Conclusion.25-26 EFFECTS OF TOXIC FESCUE ON VAGINAL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES 3 BIBLIOGRAPHY.27-30 FIGURES . 31-33 TABLES.34 EFFECTS OF TOXIC FESCUE ON VAGINAL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES 4
Seeking Remedy for Improving International College Students’ Reading Comprehension

This report reflects on the findings of one of the projects within a series of research studies in the field of multimodality conducted by the author of the current paper with different samples of participants in the US university settings. The principal investigator (PI) designed this qualitative case study and had it approved by the IRB committee. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural constructivism theory has been found most appropriate to lay the ground for this research as the sample was purposefully assembled of 14 International English language learning (ELL) students newly arrived in the United States from their significantly diverging social and academic backgrounds. The PI’s practical teaching experiences and the results of her previously conducted studies with the other groups of participants urged this researcher to further search for some efficient strategies and means of learning, which might help these specific student populations with their deeper reading comprehension of complicated academic texts they were otherwise struggling to comprehend. As claimed by this investigator, usage of multimodality might have a strong potential to assist the International ELL college students with their reading comprehension. Within this current project, data were collected via participant and site observations, surveys, artifacts in the form of the comprehension tests, and individual interviews with participants. All the data were coded, analyzed, and triangulated aiming to find recurring themes. This research found that participants recognized the visual mode of multimodality most helpful to them, followed by the auditory, and print-based ones. In the surveys and interviews, the participating students outlined a range of multimodal reading comprehension strategies, which they perceived as most efficient while their working on this project tasks. The comprehension test results served as the evidence in support of the interview- and survey-based data. High significance of the findings of this research is in their applicability to the wide populations of the International ELL college students in the US colleges and world-wide.
The in ﬂ uence of geological formations on soil characteristics and quality in the southeast region of Pacitan Regency, Indonesia

The south eastern region of Pacitan Regency, East Java, Indonesia, is directly facing opposite the direction of the Indo-Australian plate movement, and has a diverse geological structure with different rocks occurring on land surface. This research aims to determine the in ﬂ uence of geological formations on soil characteristics and quality and the limiting factors of soil quality. Soil samples were taken from 40 sampling points from 10 geological formations from the topsoil (till-age layer) at a 0–30 cm depth. The number of sample points is adjusted to the area of the geological formation, where the wider the geological formation, the more samples are taken. Soil characteristics data were analysed using Anova test and Duncan test to get information on the in ﬂ uence of geological formations on soil characteristics. Pearson correlation test and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to calculate the soil quality index, and the Kruskal-Wallis test to analyse the in ﬂ uence of geological formations on soil quality. The result shows that the soil mineral composition is mostly inherited from andesitic-basaltic parent rocks which has experienced weathering. Geological formation has an in ﬂ uence on bulk density, soil water content, porosity, cation exchange capacity and soil organic carbon content. The soil quality index value for various geological formations is in the range of 0.31–0.39, so it is included in the low to medium class. Jaten Formation and the Watupatok Formation do not have limiting factor on soil quality, base saturation (BS) is a limiting factor in Oyo Formation, and soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) are limiting factors in almost all geological formations.In conclusion, geological formations signi ﬁ cantly in ﬂ uence several soil characteristic parameters but are not the dominant factor determining soil quality.
Novel Strategies for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Alternative Agents on the Horizon

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating worldwide health emergency that jeopardizes our capacity to efficiently combat infectious infections. The escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can be associated with the boundless and inappropriate utilization of conventional antimicrobial agents. This pressing issue necessitates the exploration of alternative treatment modalities in order to effectively combat drug-resistant bacteria. This abstract focuses on innovative approaches and alternative substances that are now being developed to tackle this pressing matter. We offer a thorough examination of these methodologies, elucidating their modes of operation and prospective benefits, all substantiated by recent research discoveries and clinical observations. Bacteriophages, which are naturally occurring viruses, possess the ability to selectively target and eradicate particular kinds of bacteria, making them very precise antimicrobials. Recent research has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in utilizing phage therapy to address illnesses that are resistant to drugs, highlighting their potential as targeted antimicrobial agents [1]. The antimicrobial peptides, such as LL-37 and nisin, are a class of naturally occurring compounds that have garnered significant attention as possible substitutes to traditional antibiotics. The peptides under investigation display a wide array of effectiveness against various strains of fungi, bacteria, and even drug-resistant microorganisms. In addition, their distinct mechanisms of action reduce the probability of resistance development [2]. The utilization of the CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism has presented novel prospects for the meticulous modification of microbial genomes. This approach facilitates the development of genetically modified variants that exhibit increased vulnerability to conventional antibiotics, hence potentially reinstating its efficacy [3]. Antibiotic adjuvants, such as avibactam, can be employed alongside antibiotics to surmount resistance processes. According to existing research, the implementation of this particular approach has demonstrated the potential to enhance the efficacy of currently available antibiotics in combating drug-resistant bacteria [4]. Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery: The utilization of nanoparticles carrying antimicrobial agents can improve the durability of drugs and enhance their ability to specifically target bacteria. This technique shows potential for enhancing the effectiveness of current antibacterial agents [5].
Enhanced Redox Cycle of Rod-Shaped MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene Sheets for Fenton-like Degradation of Congo Red: Optimization and Mechanism

This study intended to fabricate a novel Fenton-like catalyst by supporting the rod-like MIL-88A and the magnetic tin ferrite nanoparticles (SnFe2O4) on the MXene sheets (MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene). The well fabrication and determination of the MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene properties were investigated using SEM, XPS, VSM, Zeta potential, XRD, and FTIR tools. The Fenton-like degradation reaction of CR by MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene was thoroughly studied to identify the optimal proportions of the catalyst components, the impact of CR and H2O2 concentrations, as well as the effect of raising the temperature and the pH medium of the catalytic system and the catalyst dosage. Kinetics studies were executed to analyze the decomposition of CR and H2O2 using First-order and Second-order models. Furthermore, the degradation mechanism was proposed based on the scavenging test that proceeded in the presence of chloroform and t-butanol, in addition to the XPS analysis that clarified the participation of the containing metal species: Fe, Sn, and Ti, and the formation of a continual redox cycle. The obtained intermediates during the CR degradation were defined by GC–MS. A recyclability test was performed on MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene during five runs of the Fenton-like degradation of CR molecules. Finally, the novel MIL-88A/SnFe2O4@MXene Fenton-like catalyst could be recommended as a propitious heterogeneous catalyst with a continuous redox cycle and a recyclability merit.
Iris presentation attack detection: Research trends, challenges, and future directions

Currently, interest in biometrics has increased, and personal identity verification is ubiquitous. Iris recognition techniques have recently attracted considerable attention from researchers and are considered one of the most popular topics as they are used for verification purposes. Because of the increasing use of iris recognition, many potential risks have emerged as a natural result of the increased deployment of these technologies. One of the most serious risks is the so-called presentation attack (PA). A PA is the presentation of a sample to an iris sensor to trick the biometric system into making an incorrect decision. Iris presentation attacks are used to spoof or disguise a person’s identity. Many studies have focused on iris presentation attack detection techniques, which are a subset biometric recognition. However, some gaps remain unsolved, and new challenges are rapidly emerging. Despite significant advances in the literature, the problems in iris presentation attack detection have not been adequately addressed and remain open questions. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of iris presentation attack detection from various aspects (e.g., detection techniques, attack types, datasets, and performance measurements). It also attempts to explore the main challenges that may affect presentation attack detection models in terms of important aspects. The challenges that remain to be unresolved are summarised to facilitate problem solving. This review concludes with some directions for future research to help researchers focus on important aspects of the field and try to improve what previous researchers have started. Furthermore, it is likely that this review will be used as a reference for scientists/researchers in the existing science of iris presentation attack detection.
Changes in spider community composition are associated with urban temperature, not herbivore abundance

Urban forests provide many ecosystem services. The urban heat island effect can alter these services, in part by increasing arthropod herbivore abundance. Natural enemies, such as predators and parasitoid wasps, play a crucial role in controlling street tree herbivores, but their responses to urban warming are almost completely unknown. In this 2-year study, we investigated how urban warming and herbivore abundance affected arthropod natural enemies in street trees using an urban warming gradient and herbivore removal treatments. Spiders were by far the most abundant natural enemy group, but spider abundance did not increase with urban warming as herbivore abundance often does. In addition, spider and herbivore abundances were not related, either when herbivore abundance increased with warming or decreased with horticultural oil applications. Instead, urban warming was associated with altered spider community structure. This was due in part to loss of Anyphaenids—ghost spiders, which are known to control herbivorous arthropods in other systems—at the hottest urban sites in a relatively hot year. Together, the decline of this important spider group and the lack of increase in spider abundance with urban warming or prey abundance may contribute to abundant street tree herbivores in the hottest areas within cities. Our study is the first to manipulate a combination of biotic and abiotic factors to understand the forces driving natural enemy composition, abundance, and diversity in cities.
Optimizing The EFL Learning Through Individualized Education Programs for Intellectually Disability Students

This research aims to describe the English language learning process using Individual Education Program (IEP) in inclusion classes at elementary school level. This research used a qualitative approach with two students with special needs with intellectual disabilities (ID) as the subjects of this research. Three types of data collection techniques used were structured observation, structured interviews and document study. The result of this research indicated that even though the two research subjects have intellectual disability, they can still participate in learning with certain terms and conditions. Every class teacher and special assistant teacher must pay attention to students’ learning needs that supports their learning development which must be in accordance with curriculum objectives. Therefore, teachers must be able to develop the Individualized Education Program (IEP) according to the special needs of students and carry out teaching according to plans that have been made previously. Keywords: Individualized Education Program, Intellectual Disability, students with special needs
The dialectics of disaster: Considerations on hazards and vulnerability in the age of climate breakdown, with a brief case study of Khuzestan

In a historical moment inundated by disasters, understanding and conceptualising the phenomenon is a matter of some importance. No framework for doing so has been more productive than that developed by Wisner and his colleagues. But their so-called ‘Progression of Vulnerability’ (pressure and release [PAR] model) framework was conceived before the onset of the climate crisis. And that crisis, as the saying goes, changes everything. Contribution What follows is an immanent critique of the framework, with an eye towards shifting some of its parameters in order to account for the process of climate breakdown now multiplying disasters across the globe.
Influence of post-harvest application of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila on quality of mango cv. BARI Aam-3

The study was conducted at the Postharvest and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh during the period from July to December 2018 to study the biocontrol performance of selected antagonistic bacteria Stenotrophomonas rhizophila strain PSTU-Hort-14 on BARI Aam-3. All the treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications and repeated twice. The bacterial strain PSTU-Hort-14 was found highly compatible with 20% lemongrass extract and 2% sodium bicarbonate (SBC) or mixture of both which reduced 96.5% of the disease over control in naturally infected fruits at the end of 14 days of storage at 12±1ºC and 90±5% RH. The combined treatments of Stenotrophomonas rhizophila-lemongrass extract-SBC showed reduced weight loss by more than 25% compared to the control at 12±1ºC and 90±5% RH. The shelf life was thus extended by 15 days compared to control at 12±1ºC and 90±5% RH. Finally, it was clear that the strain Stenotrophomonas rhizophila strain PSTU-Hort-14 was effective when incorporated with 2% SBC and 20% lemongrass extract to control C. gloeosporioides as well as improve the postharvest quality of BARI Aam-3 during cold storage. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2023, 48(2): 13-29
Protein S Deficiency Presenting as Stroke and Arterial Thrombosis in a Patient with Beckwith Weidemann Syndrome

Protein S deficiency is a rare thrombophilia, autosomal dominant disorder leading to VTE especially thrombosis at an uncommon place. Arterial thrombosis and strokes are very rare presentations. We are presenting a case of 19 years old lady with Beckwith Weidemann syndrome who presented with arterial thrombosis with a stroke one month prior to thrombosis. Patient was successfully managed with intravenous heparin and thrombectomy and discharged on Apixaban for life long treatment.
Inertial flow past a finite-length axisymmetric cylinder of aspect ratio 3: Effect of the yaw angle

We study the flow past a finite-length yawed three-dimensional cylinder by a finite-volume–fictitious-domain method. We validate our non-boundary-fitted method against boundary-fitted numerical results for a finite-length cylinder whose axis is parallel to the streamwise direction. Drag and lift forces exerted on the cylinder and vortex shedding onset and frequency are carefully analyzed. Satisfactory agreement with published results gives strong confidence in the numerical methodology provided the boundary layer is accurately resolved. Then we carry out a detailed study of the flow past a yawed cylinder of aspect ratio L/D=3 (where L is the cylinder length and D is the cylinder diameter) at moderate Reynolds numbers (25≤Re≤250). We show that the wake patterns and the associated transitions depend strongly on Re and the yaw angle θ with respect to the streamwise direction. Various regimes are encountered including a standing-eddy pattern, steady shedding of one or two pairs of counterrotating vortices, periodic shedding of counterrotating vortices and unsteady shedding of hairpin-shaped vortices. The steady shedding of one or two pairs of counterrotating vortices prevails in the range of parameters studied. Hydrodynamic forces exerted on the cylinder are well approximated by laws derived in the Stokes flow regime, even for moderate Reynolds numbers. For the highest Reynolds numbers (Re=150,200,250) we show that the forces slowly depart from the Stokes-based laws. Simple modification of these laws is proposed, yielding a satisfactory match with the numerical results. An accurate way to compute the torque is also proposed based on the normal force to the cylinder.
Finding Moving-Band Statistical Arbitrages via Convex-Concave Optimization

We propose a new method for finding statistical arbitrages that can contain more assets than just the traditional pair. We formulate the problem as seeking a portfolio with the highest volatility, subject to its price remaining in a band and a leverage limit. This optimization problem is not convex, but can be approximately solved using the convex-concave procedure, a specific sequential convex programming method. We show how the method generalizes to finding moving-band statistical arbitrages, where the price band midpoint varies over time.
Ethnobotany, trade and population dynamics of Cycas circinalis L., and Cycas swamyi Singh & Radha in the Western Ghats of southern India

The sale of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) provides multiple livelihood benefits to local communities and regional economies. The informal market structure in populated areas provides a setting for the trade of forest products with a variety of uses and their study can provide key insights on patterns and volumes of harvest. However, informal markets remain understudied. In this paper, we assess the trade of two NTFPs from the Western Ghats of southern India. Cycas circinalis and Cycas swamyi are cycads reported to be overharvested for sale in the ornamental cut-flower and medicinal industry. The leaves are used as fillers in floral bouquets and the pith is used as an adulterant in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine. C. circinalis is listed as “endangered” in the 2013 IUCN Red List of threatened species. To assess the pressures from local markets, we ask: 1) what is the quantum of leaves (C. circinalis and C. swamyi) and pith (C. circinalis) inflow and outflow and how does this vary over time? 2) Who are the vendors involved in the trade and the main consumers of these products? Where is the supply of leaf and pith harvest coming from? We conducted bi-monthly and monthly market visits to three important urban/semi-urban markets where the leaves and the pith of these plants are sold. Our results show that harvest is strongly seasonal in the leaf markets. In 2011 and 2012, 35650 and 39600 leaves were harvested respectively to supply the Bangalore market. Inflow of leaves, price and season were significantly positively correlated with the outflow. Leaf inflow strongly followed the Hindu cultural calendar. In the pith markets, monthly inflow ranged from 2 – 45 tons through the one year of study in both markets. Outflow was dependent on the stocks available, and the demand from the Ayurvedic/Siddha industry. Given that leaf harvest involves complete defoliation and that pith harvest involves lopping the entire plant, the scale of harvest documented could jeopardize the remaining populations of these slow-growing and long-lived cycads.
Factors influencing empowerment of cooperative members in Tanzania: a case of Nyanza Cooperative Union, Mwanza region

This study was done on factors that influence empowerment of cooperative members particularly in Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) in Mwanza region. The study focused on the following specific objectives: (i) to determine factors for limited access to information among cooperative members; (ii) to determine reasons for limited cooperative members’ participation; (iii) to analyze causes of cooperative members’ inability to hold their officials/ leaders accountable; and (iv) to explore factors for underutilization of the available resources. The study employed multiple units of analysis, and the sample of two hundred and eighty eight respondents was interviewed. Univariate and Bivariate analyses i.e. frequency, percentage, mean, index, pie chart and binary regression model were employed to analyse data. The descriptive data show that male respondents (78%) were more than the female respondents (22%). The majority of the respondents (78.8%) had minimum level of education, while the illiterate ones were few (6.7%). The study results also show that the most important factors that influenced access to information were lack of awareness (70.7%) and biasness (83.4%). Members’ opinions and free and fair election practices (p < 0.001) were factors that influenced members’ participation. Meanwhile, the results show that members’ ability to hold their leaders/officials accountable were positively affected by factors such as auditing reports and job descriptions (p < 0.01). The study further revealed that level of education of cooperative officials, management skills, and access to loans (p <0.05) had positive effects on utilization of the available opportunities The study recommends that among the other things, the government in collaboration with other stakeholders should primarily implement CRMP strategies effectively in order to improve empowerment in the cooperative societies.