Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Numerical Model to Estimate the Effects of Variable Sedimentation Rates on Methane Hydrate Formation—Application to the ODP Site 997 on Blake Ridge, Southeastern North American Continental Margin

Sedimentation and burial rate can vary considerably at continental slopes, due to constantly changing tectonic processes on the geological timescale. This variation may affect the transport of methane in sediment, as manifested in the change of pore water flux, methanogenesis, methane diffusion and hydrate removal from hydrate stability zone (HSZ) and further affect the accumulation of hydrate in submarine sediments. Most of previous models assumed a constant sedimentation rate and thus may result in inaccurate estimates of total amount of hydrate within the HSZ. In this study, we developed a hydrate accumulation model that is capable of handling multiple sedimentation stages. Site 997 of ODP Leg 164, with data indicating its recent history of four sedimentation stages of different rates, is chosen to investigate the significance of sedimentation rate variation experienced at this location. We examined the effect of varying sedimentation rates on hydrate accumulation by taking in consideration sediment compaction, in situ methanogenesis, and composition and component transport processes. Simulation results suggest that the history of hydrate accumulation at Site 997 is characterized by a sequence of increase, decrease, and then increase till the present day. At present, the hydrate deposit has accumulated to 8.30 × 104 mol/m2, and the average hydrate saturation near the base of the HSZ is 6.3%, which is in general agreement with published estimates in the literature. The accumulation of hydrate at Site 997 was significantly affected by variable sedimentation rates, and nearly one half of the hydrate deposit was accumulated during the last 2.5 Myr.
Antibacterial Activity and Metabolomics Profiling of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior Jack) Flower Oil Extracted Using Subcritical Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The aim of this study was to identify the bioactive compound and evaluate the antibacterial activity of torch ginger flower oil extracted using subcritical carbon dioxide. The antibacterial activity was evaluated in agar diffusion assay, while MIC and MBC were determined using the microdilution broth assay. The essential oil was subjected to metabolomics profiling using GC-MS and 1H-NMR techniques. The results demonstrated strong antibacterial activity towards Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. The MIC values were 0.0625, 0.25, and 0.25 mg/mL, and the MBC values were 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL towards S. typhimurium, S. aureus, and E. coli, respectively. A total of 33 compounds were identified using GC-MS including 15 compounds (45%) known for their antimicrobial activity. In addition, sixteen metabolites were identified using NMR analysis and 8 out of the sixteen metabolites (50%) have antibacterial activity. The extracted oil demonstrated broad range for antibacterial activity and has high potential for applications in pharmaceutical and food industries. Practical Applications. The oil extracted from the torch ginger flower was found very stable and has promising applications as antibacterial agent for food and pharmaceutical industries.
EXPRESSION OF β-CATENIN IN HUMAN TESTES WITH SPERMATOGENIC DEFECTS

β-catenin is a multifunctional molecule that functions in intercellular adhesion and signal transduction during assembly of AJs between Sertoli cells as well as between Sertoli cells and germ cells. To assess changes in the testicular β-catenin in male infertility conditions, testicular tissues from obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis, spermatogenic arrest (SA) and Sertoli cell–only syndrome (SCO) patients were examined for immunohistochemical localization of β-catenin. In normal spermatogenic tissue, expression of β-catenin was largely found in the Sertoli cell-germ cell (primarily spermatocytes) contact areas. Interestingly, perinuclear localization of β-catenin was found in spermatocytes and spermatids. In spermatogenic arrest, β-catenin in cell contact areas between Sertoli cells and germ cells was greatly decreased, but perinuclear β-catenin in spermatocytes was not. In SCO, weak or negligible immunoreactivity of β-catenin was found in cell contacts between Sertoli cells. Nuclear localization of β-catenin was found in myotubular cells in all samples. Taken together, altered expression of β-catenin in cell contacts within the seminiferous epithelia in spermatogenic arrest and SCO suggests that interactions between Sertoli cells and germ cell are crucial for expression of β-catenin, and thus functional development of AJs in seminiferous epithelia in human testis. It should be also emphasized that perinuclear β-catenin in germ cells may play a specific role in spermatogenesis.
Influence of Questioning Techniques in EFL Classes on Developing Students' Critical Thinking Skills.

Rapid changes in global education directly affect each education aspects including skills that should be mastered by students and teaching strategy used. Moreover, developments of education in the 21st century put stronger importance on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in which critical thinking skills include. In this case, the teacher's questioning as a strategy promoting HOTS to cultivate critical thinking skills will be the concern of this research. The research aimed to examine the level of questions used by the teacher and its contributions to students’ critical thinking. The research was carried out using case study design in Senior High School in East Java. In obtaining the data, classroom observation, field notes, and interviews were employed. The results showed that the teacher used both low order questions and high order questions. Additionally, it was also found that lower-order thinking questions could not facilitate students to think critically, however, it only leads the students to understand the concept given. Hence, it was suggested to maximize the use of higher-order levels questions to train the students to think critically.
Balancing the odds: the relationship between growth and energy storage in juvenile snapper (Chrysophrys auratus:Sparidae)

Larval and early juvenile fish living in temperate environments with limited resources face conflicting metabolic demands. To optimise their survival probability, fish must balance the need to out-grow predators by maximising their growth, while also accumulating sufficient energy reserves to sustain them through winter. We tested the hypothesis that resource allocation in Chrysophrys auratus changed from maximising growth to maximising energy storage over their first summer–autumn by measuring recent growth rates from otolith increments, and lipid, protein and carbohydrate concentrations in fish. Lipid concentrations showed the greatest change over the growing season, increasing three-fold between summer and mid-autumn. Growth rates showed the opposite trend, being significantly lower in mid-autumn than in summer. The relationships between growth rate and lipid or protein concentrations were consistent with a shift in resource allocation from growth to storage. During summer and early autumn, growth rates were independent of protein or lipid concentrations, but during mid-autumn there were significant positive correlations between the variables. Biochemical concentrations were independent of fish size, indicating that the accumulation of sufficient energy reserves for winter is determined by the timing of settlement and subsequent feeding conditions, which are likely to affect interannual recruitment variability of this important species.
Research on the Impact of Video-Based Native Ads on Users’ Purchase Intention Under the Perceived Value Theory

In this era of information explosion, users tend to be bombarded with overloading information, which increasingly deteriorates the validity of traditional advertising. Fortunately, the emergence of native advertising, a brand-new form in this area, has effectively alleviated this dilemma. However, due to its rapid development, there still exist some unresolved problems. Based on the theory of perceived value, this paper analyzes the data by means of questionnaire survey, explores the impact of native video ads on users’ purchasing intention and moves on to offer some suggestions for its development.
Teicoplanin Stress-Selected Mutations Increasing ςB Activity in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT A natural rsbU mutant of Staphylococcus aureus, unable to activate the alternative transcription factor ςB via the RsbU pathway and therefore forming unpigmented colonies, produced first-step teicoplanin-resistant mutants upon selection for growth in the presence of teicoplanin, of which the majority were of an intense orange color. By using an asp23promoter-luciferase fusion as an indicator, the pigmented mutants were shown to express increased ςB activity. Increased ςB activity was associated with point mutations inrsbW, releasing ςB from sequestration by the anti-sigma factor RsbW, or to promoter mutations increasing the ςB/RsbW ratio. Genetic manipulations involving thesigB operon suggested that the mutations within the operon were associated with the increase in teicoplanin resistance. The upregulation of ςB suggests that a ςB-controlled gene(s) is directly or indirectly involved in the development of teicoplanin resistance in S. aureus. Carotenoids do not contribute to teicoplanin resistance, since inactivation of the dehydrosqualene synthase gene crtMabolished pigment formation without affecting teicoplanin resistance. The relevant ςB-controlled target genes involved in teicoplanin resistance remain to be identified.
Employee stress and the implication of high-power distance culture: empirical evidence from Nigeria's employment terrain

This paper explores the link between employee stress and the high-power distance (HPD) culture in Nigeria. The study context is the banking and manufacturing sectors in Nigeria, which have a history of exploitation, unconducive work environments to productivity, work-life imbalance, work overload, burnout and employee stress. ,Using a qualitative, interpretive methodology, this article adopts a thematic analysis of data drawn from semi-structured interviews with 24 managerial and non-managerial workers to explore the process by which Nigerian manufacturing and banking sectors' work (mal)practices go unchallenged, thereby triggering and exacerbating employees' stress levels. ,The study found that the high power distance culture promotes a servant-master relationship type, making it impossible for employees to challenge employers on issues relating to stressors such as work overload, unconducive work environments, work-life imbalance and burnout, thereby exacerbating their stress levels in a country in which stress has become a way of life. ,Research on the relationship between employee stress and HPD culture is relatively underdeveloped. This article sheds light on issues associated with stressors in Nigeria's human resource management (HRM) and employment relations practices. The link between the inability of employees to challenge these stressors (which are consequences of an HPD culture) and increased employee stress has substantial implications for employment and work-related policies and practices in general. The study is constrained by the limited sample size, which inhibits the generalisation of its findings. ,The article adds to the scarcity of studies underscoring the relationship between high-power distance and the inability of employees to challenge work-related stressors as a predictor of employee stress and a mediator between workplace practices and employee stress, particularly in the emerging economies.
Molecular differences distinguish clonal lineages within East African populations of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

Molecular approaches for the assessment of intraspecific diversity within an economically important plant pathogen were compared with traditional physiological methods (vegetative compatibility testing). The vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of 14 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (FOC) from Kenya were first assessed using nitrate non‐utilizing mutants. Nine of these isolates, from different areas of the country, were compatible with one or more of VCGs 0124, 0125, 0128 and 01220, i.e. they formed a single clonal lineage. Three isolates, all originating from the banana growing district of Kisii, were compatible with the VCG 01212 and formed a second distinct clonal lineage. Mutants could not be recovered from one isolate (62) and two isolates (27 and 30) were not vegetatively compatible with any of the VCG testers and may represent two novel VCGs. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting, especially when using the M13 derived primer, was found to produce banding patterns that correlated with clonal lineage and also distinguished isolates 27 and 30 when analysed by unweighted pair group method analysis and principle co‐ordinate analysis. This approach also distinguished FOC from F. oxysporum IMI350438 isolated from Triticum sp. and from isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Total protein profiles were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and although clonal lineages were not separated, isolates 27 and 30 were again distinguishable and FOC produced a different profile to F. oxysporum (IMI 350438) and C. gloeosporioides.
Variability of transit light curves of Kepler objects of interest

Context. Hitherto, the study of exoplanetary transit timing and duration variability has supposed transit light curves (TLCs) to be symmetric, suggesting a priori a spherical shape for the transiting object, for example, an exoplanet. As a result, the independent positions of transit borders are unknown. However, the borders of TLCs are most sensitive to the presence of exo-rings and/or dust formations of great interest. Aims. For the first time we check for a timing variability of independently treated borders of transits of different types of exoplanets. Methods. Using quadratic approximation for the start-, end-, and minimum parts of the long-cadence TLCs from the Kepler mission archive after their whitening and phase folding, we find the corresponding transit border timings: Δts, Δte, respectively, and the TLC minimum time Δtm. These parameters were found separately for each folded TLC constructed in the consequent non-overlapping time-windows with the respective medium time tw. Temporal and cross-correlation analysis of the obtained series of Δts(tw), Δte(tw), and Δtm(tw) were applied for the detection and diagnostics of variability of transit borders and TLC asymmetry. Results. Among the considered TLCs of 98 Kepler objects of interest (KOIs), 15 confirmed giant exoplanets and 5 objects with still debatable status (probably non-planets) show variations in their transit timing parameters at timescales from ≈400 to ≳1500 days. These variations are especially well manifested as an anti-correlation between Δts and Δte, indicating variability in the dimensions of transiting shadows, especially along their trajectories. There are also objects with well pronounced oscillations of transit border timing and asymmetry. Conclusions. The discovered variability of transit timing is important as an indicator of large-scale non-stationary processes in the atmospheres of KOIs, as well as dust and aerosol generation in their upper layers and in their close vicinity. These findings highlight the need for a dedicated and detailed study.
Digestibility of Amylose‐Lipid Complexes in‐vitro and in‐vivo

Amylose from potatoes was complexed with lysolecithin and oleic acid. The degradation of complexed amylose by hog pancreatic α-amylase in-vitro was studied, as well as the in-vivo absorption in the rat. The presence of a bacterial thermostable α-amylase in the gelatinization step increased the result of a starch analysis using glucoamylase. Complexed amylose displayed a substantially reduced susceptibility to α-amylase in-vitro. However, when adding a large excess of enzyme, the complex was completely hydrolyzed after 3 h. Amylose-lysolecithin complex disappeared from the gastrointestinal tract within 120 min. The complexed amylose was hydrolyzed and adsorbed to the same extent as free amylose in-vivo but somewhat slower.
Shoot phenology and water relations of Piceaglauca

Piceaglauca var. albertiana (S. Brown) Sarg. shoot phenology and water relation parameters were monitored monthly for 1 year. Seedlings were kept outdoors, well watered, and exposed to seasonal changes in temperature and day length. Changes in shoot water relation parameters corresponded with changes in phenology. During spring, shoot elongation, osmotic potential at saturation, and turgor loss point were least negative, −1.30 and −1.56 MPa, respectively, whereas bulk modulus of elasticity at full turgor was at its highest, 22 MPa. Both osmotic potential at saturation and turgor loss point were most negative, −2.01 and −2.73 MPa, respectively, during late winter just before bud break. Shoot dry weight fraction was at its lowest, 0.33 g dry wt. /g shoot weight and maximum symplastic water per unit weight of shoot tissue was at its highest, 3.99 g H2O/g dry wt. , during spring shoot elongation. Number of osmoles of solute per kilogram shoot dry weight was highest during spring and late summer shoot elongation.
Seed Germination and Seedling Survival Rate of Pinus densiflora and Abies holophylla in Open-field Experimental Warming Using the Infrared Lamp

C 높게 유지하는 실외 실험적 온난화 처리를 실시하였다. 온난화 처리에 따른대기 온도 상승으로 두 수종 모두 발아율이 높아지는 경향을 보였지만, 전나무에서만 유의적 차이가 나타났다. 소나무와 전나무 두 수종 모두 온난화 처리구가 대조구보다 평균발아일수는 유의적으로 감소하였으며, 온난화 처리구에서 높은 발아속도와 발아세를 보였다. 온도 상승과 토양 수분 감소에 따라 전나무 유묘의 고사율은 증가하였지만, 소나무는 온난화 처리에 따른 차이를 보이지 않았다. 향후, 지구 온난화에 따른 대기와 토양 온도 상승 및 토양 수분감소로 양묘과정에서 종자 발아 및 유묘 생존율의 변화가 예상되기 때문에 지구 온난화에 대응할 수 있는 양묘기술개선이 필요할 것으로 판단된다. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of experimental warming using infrared lampson seed germination and seedling survival rate of Pinus densiflora and Abies holophylla. The air temperatureof warmed plots had been automatically maintained 3 higher than control plots. The percent germinations (%)of the two coniferous species were higher in warmed plots than in control plots, however a significant differenceappeared only in A. holophylla. In addition, P. densiflora and A. holophylla showed the shorter mean germination time(days), higher germination rate (seed·day
Germination of the seeds of parasitic angiosperms

Abstract Totalling more than 3000 species, parasitic angiosperms are a most diverse group of organisms. Classified as either shoot or root parasites according to site of attachment, plant parasites are further classified, according to the degree of parasitism, into one of two divisions: holoparasitic or hemiparasitic. Within these divisions, angiosperm parasites are either obligate or facultative. Obligate parasites cannot survive to maturity without attaching to a host plant, thus the need to germinate in close proximity to a host first characterizes the specialized germination and seed dispersal strategies of these plants. However, seeds of all species of the rootholoparasitic Orobanchaceae and four genera within the Scrophulariaceae have evolved very specialized germination strategies. Once the seeds have undergone an after-ripening period, they require a prolonged imbibition period at temperatures of approx. 30°C before they acquire the potential to germinate. Minute seeds with very little reserves, they must germinate within millimetres of the host root for successful host attachment and continued survival. To this end, germination only occurs in responseto specific chemical germination triggers released from the host root. In Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. , the perception of the host-derived trigger results in stimulation of endogenous ethylene production and it is this ethylene that initiates germination. It is proposed that the chemical triggers released from the host be consideredas ‘elicitors’ which function primarily as allelochemicals and that the parasite seeds have become adapted in such a way as to have an absolute requirement for external germination triggers.
How does Lobaria pulmonaria regulate photosystem II during progressive desiccation and osmotic water stress

The effects of decreasing water potential (Ψ) on O2 evolution and fluorescence yield at room temperature and at 77 K were investigated using the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria. Changes in Ψ were created either by atmospheric desiccation or by osmotic dehydration, with either sucrose, sorbitol or NaCl as osmoticum. Independent of the method used to establish Ψ, similar inactivation patterns were obtained and were reversible after reincubation in pure water for 10 min. Our data indicate that exposure to increasing water stress acts at two levels. In the first phase, at ‘mild’ stress, i.e. at Ψ greater than −13, −16 and −20 MPa for drying, NaCl and sucrose treatments, respectively, a progressive decline in O2 production and the fluorescence yield (ΔF/Fm′ and Fv/Fm) was correlated with increases in non-photochemical quenching (qN). At the same time the photochemical quenching (qp) changed only sligthly, indicating the absence of overreduction. The Fo level remained relatively constant in this first stage of water loss. A ΔpH mediated down regulation and a donor side limitation of photosystem (PS) II are discussed. When the water stress was severe, a further decrease in the fluorescence yield was observed and correlated with a considerable decrease in Fo (second phase). Kinetic analysis of the 77 K emission showed that osmotic stress and atmospheric desiccation possibly lead to an increased spillover from PS II to PS I. In addition, a strong negative effect of NaF on the recovery from dehydration was found. This may indicate a state transition mediated by the displacement/recoupling of light harvesting complex (LHC) II from/to PS II. The photoprotective role of spatial rearrangements of antenna complexes during desiccation is discussed.
Identifying Capabilities and Potentials of System Dynamics in Hydrology and Water Resources as a Promising Modeling Approach for Water Management

Agriculture is the most important sector with regard to water resources management due to its social, economic, hydrological, and environmental aspects, and many scholars and researchers have been driven to investigate the dynamic interrelationships among hydrological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors affecting agriculture. The system dynamics (SD) approach has become widely used because of its merits and benefits as a tool to deal with complex, dynamic problems and systems with many aspects and components that are involved and must be understood to ensure sound decisions regarding water and hydrological systems. Although agricultural water management needs to be studied as a main part of water management, socioeconomic management, and environmental management requiring the use of SD, this review shows that SD is currently used to a limited extent in terms of agricultural water management. This paper sheds light on the studies and investigations on the use of SD in the water sector and highlights the strengths of SD in order to encourage researchers to use this promising method to manage such a vital resource. Accordingly, this review seeks to include a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of existing publications and scholarly papers on the use of SD modeling as an effective technique for dealing with different problems associated with planning, management, and analysis of hydrology and water resources systems. Recent trends in the integration of SD with other modeling systems, such as artificial intelligence systems, are discussed along with the limitations and challenges facing application. This article makes a new contribution by giving a foundation of references and studies for scholars, researchers, and academics which encourages future investigation in employing the SD approach to hydrology and water resources management and planning, especially with agricultural water.