Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demographic and attitudinal antecedents of consumers' use and self-investment trajectories over time in an online TV content platform

PurposeTo investigate if online TV content platforms create value for consumers (and increase use) by offering its users the possibility to self-invest in the service (by giving personal content preferences). We link demographic and attitudinal antecedents to the relation between self-investment and use.Design/methodology/approachData were collected together with a Belgian media company (N = 4,136). To test the effects a latent growth model was composed in a multigroup setting with gender as the grouping variable. The model is analyzed through structural equation modeling in Mplus 8.0. FindingsIn general, strong relations between self-investment and increased use were found, although the effect of self-investment on use was stronger for female consumers. Furthermore, we established strong hedonic effects on using and investing in the service. For men, easy to use platforms lead to less self-investment.Research limitations/implicationsOur findings are restricted to free services. Furthermore, attitudinal variables are antecedents of behaviors. However, a more complex interplay between behavioral and attitudinal variables is possible. Further research could use repeatedly measured attitudinal measures and link these to behaviors over time.Practical implicationsService developers could offer different platform interactions to different segments to create consumer value. Women seem more receptive for extra functionalities, such as the possibility to indicate preferences. Men mainly focus on the content offered.Originality/valueThis study focuses on a new form of media distribution, online TV content platforms, where we investigate two related behaviors of users over time (self-investment and use) instead of a general approximation of use. Multi-source data were used.
INTERRELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PROLIFERATING ABILITY, MORPHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY OF THE NEURAL TUBE CELLS IN EARLY CHICK EMBRYOS

Using new methods which perform 3H-thymidine autoradiography and AChE histochemistry on the same sections, the interrelationship among loss of proliferating ability, morphological development and increase of AChE activity during the course of differentiation of the neural tube cells were investigated in early chick embryos. The neural tube wall consisted of four kinds of cells: (1) AChE negative spindle shaped cells, (2) weakly positive spindle shaped cells showing AChE activity in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope and in a few short profiles of r-ER, (3) moderately positive spindle shaped cells showing AChE activity in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope and in a moderate number of r-ER profiles and (4) intensely positive large round cells showing AChE activity in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope and in a large number of r-ER profiles. Nuclei of the former three kinds of cells slet located in the ependymal layer, while the AChE intensely positive cells were in the mantle layer. The AChE negative and weakly positive cells were capable of proliferation and were regarded as undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells. The AChE moderately positive and intensely positive cells were, in contrast, no longer capable of proliferation and were regarded as neurons, especially the former as newly formed neurons. These findings indicate that the r-ER increases rapidly in number and in volume in newly formed neurons, soon after their final cell division, and that AChE activity increases in the neurons parallel to the development of the r-ER.
Egg Size Plasticity in a Seed Beetle: An Adaptive Maternal Effect

In the seed beetle, Stator limbatus, the fitness consequences of egg size vary substantially among host plants. There is intense selection for laying large eggs when larvae will develop on seeds of Cercidium floridum (caused by high mortality penetrating the seed coat) but selection for laying small eggs when larvae will develop on seeds of Acacia greggii (caused by very low mortality penetrating the seed coat and an egg size/egg number trade-off). We test the hypothesis that host-associated variation in egg size within populations of S. limbatus represents an adaptive maternal effect in which females adjust egg size in response to host species. In laboratory experiments, S. limbatus females laid significantly larger and fewer eggs on C. floridum than on A. greggii. When switched between hosts, females readjusted egg size, producing progressively larger eggs on C. floridum and smaller eggs on A. greggii. When conditioned to lay either small eggs (on A. greggii) or large eggs (on C. floridum), and then forced to lay on C. floridum, females conditioned on C. floridum laid eggs that had substantially higher survivorship than eggs laid by females conditioned on A. greggii. These experiments demonstrate that egg size is an adaptively plastic character in S. limbatus.
Small-scale vertical distribution of phytoplankton, nutrients and sulphide below the oxycline of a mesotrophic lake

A characteristic vertical sequence of phytoplankton populations was observed below the metalimnetic oxycline of a stratified, mesotrophic lake. Ceratium spp. , Closterium acutum and Aphanizomenon flos- aquae were present in the epilimnion but had distinct population maxima in the microaerobic chemocline. Below these populations, Cryptomonas phaseolus, Planktothrix clathrata, Pseudanabaena catenata and Limnothrix sp. followed each other in the transition zone between the chemocline and the sulphide-containing hypolimnion. The dominating populations of P. clathrata and P catenata caused a deep chlorophyll maximum. Phytoplankton structure was determined by the vertical gradients of sulphide and light. Compared with the epilimnion, nutrient availability was not fundamentally better below the oxycline but the algae might have benefited from reduced grazing pressure in their habitat.
Chronic Alcoholic Liver Disease and Mortality Risk in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: Analysis of 6,530 Hospitalizations

Objective Our study aimed to assess the risk of in-hospital mortality due to chronic alcoholic liver disease (CALD) and other comorbidities in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) inpatients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS, 2012 to 2014) from the United States and included 6,530 patients (age 18-50 years) with a primary diagnosis of SBP. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) for in-hospital mortality in SBP by comorbidities. Results The prevalence of CALD in SBP patients is 43.6%, and a higher proportion were males (68.8%) and whites (67%). Middle-aged adults (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.74-4.45) had higher odds of in-hospital mortality in SBP patients. Race and sex were non-significant predictors for mortality risk. Patients with comorbid coagulopathy (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.45-2.48) and heart failure (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.46-6.36) have increased mortality in SBP inpatients. After controlling confounders, CALD was significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.12-1.94) in SBP inpatients. Conclusion CALD is an independent factor in increasing the risk of in-hospital mortality in SBP patients by 48%. Alcohol use screening, and alcohol abstinence and supportive therapy need to be implemented at an earlier stage to improve health-related quality of life and reduce in-hospital mortality in SBP patients.
Collective organisational publicness versus privateness in community sport: a national panel study of local authorities

ABSTRACT Research question: The role and merit of publicness versus privateness in community sport provision is hotly contested in the sport management field, but is there a relationship between ownership types in local authorities’ community sport provision and sports participation levels? Research methods: The study combines secondary data on sports participation with objective data on ownership types in community sport provision among local authorities in England, between 2009-2015. The panel model examines whether the mix of ownership types in community sport is associated with differences in reported sports participation levels. Results and findings: The study reveals higher collective organisational publicness in community sport is associated with lower sports participation levels among local populations. The opposite is true of higher collective privateness in local authorities’ provision, where higher levels of sports participation are observed among local populations. Implications: If local authorities are to influence sports participation levels among their populations, there is a need to better understand how community sport provision should be delivered. Informed by the findings, greater privateness in local authorities’ community sport provision is associated with higher sports participation levels.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Role of Human Breast Milk Proteins and Bioactive Peptides against Neonatal Bacterial Infections

Breast milk represents nature’s best mechanism to provide complete nourishment and protection to the newborn. Human breast milk acts as a store house of an array of bioactive factors, which includes antimicrobial proteins and antimicrobial peptides that confer early protection while lowering the incidence of developing various infections and exhibiting immune modulation property to activate the immune cells to fight against the invading pathogens. Among the bioactive peptides, endogenous peptides present in breast milk have opened a new window of research on studying their unique mechanisms of action. This will help in incorporating these peptides in formula milk for meeting special needs where breastfeeding is not possible. The present chapter aims to give a deep insight into the various antimicrobial peptides and the newly reported endogenous peptides in human breast milk with emphasis on their levels and activity in preterm milk as data related to this is lacking and preterm newborns are highly vulnerable to acquire infections. Further, the chapter focuses on highlighting the antibacterial mechanisms adopted by the bioactive peptides for protection against the neonatal bacterial pathogens with special emphasis on the infections caused by resistant bacterial strains in hospital settings (neonatal wards) and their future implications.
Patch use by the greater glider (Petauroides volans) in a fragmented forest ecosystem. III. Night-time use of trees

Night-time use of feed trees by 40 radio-collared individuals of the greater glider (Petauroides volans) was recorded within five remnant patches of eucalypt forest near Tumut in south-eastern Australia. Radio-collared animals were observed making 663 night-time visits to 433 trees. For these observations, we recorded the number of visits by an animal to each tree, the number of different animals using each tree, the characteristics of trees that animals used, and the category of activity or behaviour displayed by animals (classified as feeding, perching, and moving). We found no evidence of a significant difference in patterns of behaviour between male and female P. volans in their night-time use of trees within remnant patches, regardless of patch size or population density. There were few records of animals (4%) from the radiata pine (Pinus radiata) plantation that surrounded the eucalypt remnants, although 20 observations were made of P. volans feeding on the young male cones and buds of this introduced tree species. There was evidence of preference for feeding in ribbon gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), mountain gum (E. dalrympleana) and narrow-leaved peppermint (E. radiata), with 72% of feeding observations of P. volans coming from these three tree species. Animals were generally solitary and spent most of the night feeding and perching in the upper canopy. Most trees were used by a single individual, with 96% of observations being of a single animal in a tree. The limited number of cases of sharing and co-use of trees were generally between an adult male and adult female (assumed mates), and females and their young. The probability that a tree was used increased with the average size of a tree (a composite measure of diameter, height and crown features) until approaching an asymptote of 1.0, i.e. all large trees were used. The number of visits a tree received from P. volans also was positively related to the measure of its size.
A Genetic Approach to Measuring Pollen Discounting in Natural Plant Populations

Holsinger et al. (1984), in discussing their genetic model for the evolution of self-fertilization i plants, noted the need for a better understanding of both the nature of inbreeding depression in various species and the degree to which selfpollination reduces the contribution of pollen to the outcrossing pollen pool, which has been termed "pollen discounting. " Much attention has been focused on the first factor, inbreeding depression. Some models predict that if the fitness of selfed progeny is at least 50% that of outcrossed progeny, genes favoring selfing should invade a population of outcrossing plants (Fisher 1941; Moran 1962; Maynard-Smith 1978). This prediction has spurred several demographic studies designed to estimate the fitnesses of selfed versus outcrossed progeny in plant populations (reviewed in Charlesworth and Charlesworth 1987). The role of the second factor, pollen discounting, has received relatively little attention. Harding and Tucker (1969) and Nagylaki (1976) first pointed out the possible importance of pollen discounting in the evolution of mating systems. Subsequently, Lloyd (1979), Feldman and Christiansen (1984), and Holsinger et al. (1984) studied models in which both pollen discounting and inbreeding depression were allowed over a range of values. The fundamental result of their studies was that the 0.5 relative fitness of selfed progeny threshold, above which selfing is favored, is increased by 8/2, where 8 is the fraction of pollen removed by selfing from that pollen pool which competes for fertilization of outcrossing eggs (the pollen discounting). The conditions favoring selfing thus become more stringent. Measurement of pollen discounting would therefore seem to be an important complement to inbreeding depression studies. There are at least two approaches to estimating pollen discounting: (1) the "ecological" approach, which involves finding rates of pollen pickup by pollinators and relating variation of pickup rate to variation of selfing rate, and (2) the "genetic" approach, which involves assay for marker-locus alleles and the subsequent fitting to these data of statistical models that describe variation of outcrossing-male success and female selfing rate. In both approaches, significant variation of selfing is required, and in the latter approach, an association between specific marker alleles and the selfing rate is also required. This association can be created in experimental populations (see, e.g.,
Electrochemical sensor using poly-(l-cysteine) functionalized CuO nanoneedles/N-doped reduced graphene oxide for detection of lead ions

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor modified with poly-(l-cysteine)/CuO nanoneedles/N-doped reduced graphene oxide (l-Cys/NN-CuO/N-rGO) has been prepared for the testing of trace Pb2+. The electrochemical performance of this proposed sensor was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Based on the excellent electrochemical properties of NN-CuO/N-rGO as well as the specific complexation of natural substance l-cysteine with Pb2+, the l-Cys/NN-CuO/N-rGO was applied as a voltammetric biosensor for the determination of trace Pb2+ at pH 5.0. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the voltammetric peak current was linear with the Pb2+ concentration over the range from 0.001 to 5.0 nM and 5.0 to 1000 nM, respectively, with a low detection limit for Pb2+ concentration on the biosensor of 8.0 × 10−5 nM (S/N = 3). The significant sensitivity, selectivity, and electron conductivity of this l-Cys/NN-CuO/N-rGO modified electrode have also been studied. The specific detection of Pb2+ in water samples was also carried out.
A Framework for the Assessment of Learner Autonomy in Language Learning

This research reports on the assessment of the improvement in the language learner autonomy (LLA) of a group of Saudi medicine students at tertiary level following an intervention that aims to examine and enhance their LLA in a blended course. Thus, this study proposes a research model for the assessment of LLA in the 21st century and establishes a scale for its measurement. Because LLA is a combination of observable and non-observable behaviors, quantitative and qualitative methods were triangulated in a mixed method research to look at it through the learner voice and metacognition (process perspective) and through the learner gained test scores (product perspective). To overcome the problem that LLA is an unsteady state, the assessment model integrates summative and formative assessment methods. Findings show that the assessment of LLA helps to better understand the process of LLA enhancement and the potential factors that might influence learners’ LLA. A Framework for the Assessment of Learner Autonomy in Language Learning: Establishment of a Measuring Scale and Bands
Consumer safety evaluation after monitoring of endocrine disruptor pesticide residues: a case study of Thessaly, Central Greece

Abstract A large number of pesticides used in agricultural practice has been characterized or suspected to be Endocrine Disruptors, with dietary intake to be the major route of consumer’s exposure. In the present study the safety to consumer after the consumption of pome fruits and fruiting vegetables originated from the area of Thessaly, Central Greece was assessed. Objective samplings of 110 samples were conducted in local retail markets in an effort to quantify potential residues of targeted pesticides, previously characterized as endocrine disruptors. For the determination of residues, a QuEChERs-based multiresidue method coupled with liquid and gas chromatographic systems was applied and fully validated in accordance with the European Unions’s requirements in apples and tomatoes in three fortification levels. Acceptable results were obtained for all the validation parameters studied and the limit of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg and limit of detection of 0.0033 mg/kg were achieved. Based on the determined results, the most frequently determined pesticide was chlorpyrifos with a maximum concentration of 0.32 mg/kg in tomato samples. Cypermethrin and dimethoate were also determined in tomatoes and aubergines. The EFSA PRIMo rev.3. 1 model was applied for all positive samples and acute risk for consumers was confirmed only in the case of determination of chlorpyrifos in tomatoes.
PEMODELAN EMPIRICAL BEST LINEAR UNBIASED PREDICTION (EBLUP) DALAM PENDUGAAN AREA KECIL

Kebutuhan terhadap data pada level mikro semakin tinggi. Di sisi lain, Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) membutuhkan biaya yang cukup besar untuk pengumpulan data seiring dengan banyaknya kegiatan survei rutin yang dilakukan berulang kali. Hal ini menunjukkan BPS memerlukan metode estimasi yang akan menghasilkan statistik yang efektif dan efisien, di samping hemat dan menghasilkan statistik dengan ketelitian yang memadai. Penelitian ini akan menerapkan metode Small Area Statistics (SAE) atau estimasi wilayah kecil untuk keperluan estimasi rata-rata pengeluran per kapita menurut kelurahan/desa di kabupaten Sukamara. Metode estimasi level kelurahan/desa menggunakan model Empirical Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (EBLUP). Tahapan pertama yakni melakukan pendugaan langsung (direct estimation) nilai rata-rata pengeluaran per kapita pada desa yang terpilih menjadi sampel. Selanjutnya, dilakukan estimasi tidak langsung (indirect estimation) untuk mengestimasi pengeluaran per kapita seluruh desa di kabupaten Sukamara. Metode tidak langsung didasarkan pada pemodelan regresi linier dengan menggunakan variabel tambahan (auxiliary variabel) yang memiliki hubungan yang kuat dan linier terhadap variabel prediktor. Variabel tambahan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah jumlah keluarga non listrik, jumlah sarana pendidikan, jumlah sarana kesehatan, jumlah kasus gizi buruk, jumlah keluarga dengan Surat Keterangan Tidak Mampu (SKTM), dan jumlah keluarga yang memiliki jamkesmas/askes. Dari hasil pemodelan, secara umum pengeluaran per kapita per bulan dari setiap desa berada di atas satu juta rupiah. Penduduk desa-desa yang terletak di kecamatan Balai Riam dan Permata Kecubung terlihat banyak mengeluarkan sejumlah dana, untuk keperluan makanan maupun non-makanan. Hal ini diindikasikan karena desa-desa tersebut yang memiliki infrastruktur yang memadai ke Kota Pangkalan Bun.
The generation of the synchronized burst in the cultured neuronal networks

The spontaneous synchronous activity is a common behavior in a developing brain and plays a critical role in establishing appropriate connections and certain clinical diseases. Therefore, the investigation of the synchronous firing is important for understanding the formation of functional circuits and their implications in the network plasticity. In a limited period of time during development, the neuronal networks show synchronous activities, which occur simultaneously on a large amount of cells and varies wildly among different preparations. In this study, the spontaneous synchronous bursts are observed during the development of cultured neuron networks on multi-electrode array. The initiating site of a round of spontaneous synchronous burst, estimated from the relative delays of onsets of activities between electrodes, distributed randomly from each burst, while our statistical results confirmed that the positions of such initiating sites are stable. By calculating the cross-correlation function of the spike trains recorded from different electrodes simultaneously, the spreading mode and the spreading topography of the synchronized bursting activity were described. To access the changes in firing patterns in disinhibited cultured networks, the spontaneous activities were compared with the firings when the network exposed to bicuculline, the blocker of GABAA receptor. The results showed that the generation of synchronous bursts in cultured neuron networks is governed by the level of spontaneous activities and by the balance between excitation and inhibition circuits.