Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GABAergic Alterations in the Rat Testis after Methamphetamine Exposure

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), GABA-A receptors and GABA transporter 1 (GAT1) were reported to be involved in the proliferation of Leydig cells, testosterone production and spermatogenesis. Since methamphetamine (METH) has been reported to have adverse effects on testis and its functions, the aim of this study was therefore to determine the changes of GABAergic activity in testis after METH exposure. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, acute binge (AB-METH), escalating dose (ED METH) and escalating dose-binge (ED-binge METH) groups. After sacrifice, rat testes were removed and used to estimate GABA concentration and the expression of GABA-A receptor, GAD1, GAD2 and GAT1 genes by using HPLC and RT-PCR, respectively. The GABA concentration was significantly increased in all METH-administrated groups. In addition, significant increases of GABA-A α1 receptor and GAD1 genes expression were found in the ED-binge METH group. Gene expressions of GAT1 were numerically decreased in all METH-administrated rats and reached significant in the ED METH group. These results indicated a compensatory upregulation of GABA production and its functions in testis after METH exposure. Thus, these changes might represent a homeostatic response of GABAergic to the adverse effects of METH.
Changes in extreme precipitation over Spain using statistical downscaling of CMIP5 projections

The Mediterranean coast of Spain often experiences intense rainfall, sometimes reaching remarkable amounts of more than 400 mm in one day. The aim of this work is to study possible changes of extreme precipitation in Spain for this century, simulated from several Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models. Eighteen climate projections (nine models under RCP4.5 and nine RCP8.5 scenarios) were downscaled using a two‐step analogue/regression statistical method. We have selected 144 rain gauges as the rainiest of a network by using a threshold of 250 mm in one day for a return period of 100 years. Observed time‐series have been extended using the ERA40 reanalysis and have subsequently been used to correct the climate projections according to a parametric quantile–quantile method. Five theoretical distributions (Gamma, Weibull, Classical Gumbel, Reversed Gumbel and Log‐logistic) have been used to fit the empirical cumulative functions (entire curves, not only the upper tail) and to estimate the expected precipitation according to several return periods: 10, 20, 50 and 100 years. Results in the projected changes for 2051–2100 compared to 1951–2000 are similar (in terms of sign and value) for the four return periods. The analysed climate projections show that changes in extreme rainfall patterns will be generally less than the natural variability. However, possible changes are detected in some regions: decreases are expected in a few kilometres inland, but with a possible increase in the coastline of southern Valencia and northern Alicante, where the most extreme rainfall was recorded. These results should be interpreted with caution because of the limited number of climate projections; anyway, this work shows that the developed methodology is useful for studying extreme rainfall under several climate scenarios.
Bayesian Model Comparison with the Hyvärinen Score: Computation and Consistency

ABSTRACT The Bayes factor is a widely used criterion in model comparison and its logarithm is a difference of out-of-sample predictive scores under the logarithmic scoring rule. However, when some of the candidate models involve vague priors on their parameters, the log-Bayes factor features an arbitrary additive constant that hinders its interpretation. As an alternative, we consider model comparison using the Hyvärinen score. We propose a method to consistently estimate this score for parametric models, using sequential Monte Carlo methods. We show that this score can be estimated for models with tractable likelihoods as well as nonlinear non-Gaussian state-space models with intractable likelihoods. We prove the asymptotic consistency of this new model selection criterion under strong regularity assumptions in the case of nonnested models, and we provide qualitative insights for the nested case. We also use existing characterizations of proper scoring rules on discrete spaces to extend the Hyvärinen score to discrete observations. Our numerical illustrations include Lévy-driven stochastic volatility models and diffusion models for population dynamics. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Identifying Treatment Effects in the Presence of Confounded Types

In this paper, I consider identification of treatment effects when the treatment is endogenous. The use of instrumental variables is a popular solution to deal with endogeneity, but this may give misleading answers when the instrument is invalid. I show that when an (unobserved) instrument is invalid due to correlation with the first stage unobserved heterogeneity, a proxy for the instrument helps partially identify not only the local average treatment effect, but also the entire potential outcomes distributions for compliers. I exploit the fact that the distribution of the observed outcome in each group defined by the treatment and the instrument is a mixture of the distributions of interest. I write the identified set in the form of conditional moment inequalities, and provide an easily implementable inference procedure. Under some tail restrictions, the potential outcomes distributions are point-identified for compliers. Finally, I illustrate my methodology on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Young Men to estimate returns to college using college proximity as a proxy for the instrument low college cost. I find that a college degree increases the average hourly wage of the compliers by 15-30%.
Does One Size Fit All in Corporate Governance ? Evidence from Brazil ( and other BRIK Countries )

A central issue in corporate governance research is whether “good” governance practices are often universal (one size mostly fits all) or depend strongly on country and firm characteristics. We report evidence that most supports the second view. We first conduct a case study of Brazil, in which we survey Brazilian firms’ governance practices at year-end 2004, construct a corporate governance index, and show that the index, and subindices for ownership, board procedure, and minority shareholder rights predict higher lagged Tobin’s q. A disclosure subindex is important by itself, but loses significance with other subindices in the same regression. In contrast to other studies, greater board independence predicts lower Tobin’s q. Firm characteristics also matter: governance predicts market value for nonmanufacturing (but not manufacturing) firms, small (but not large) firms, and high-growth (but not low-growth) firms. We then extend prior studies on India, Korea, and Russia, and compare those countries to Brazil. Our multi-country results suggest that country characteristics importantly influence which aspects of governance predict firm market value, and at which firms that association is found. They support a flexible approach to governance, with ample room for firm choice, rather than a top-down regulatory approach.
Characteristics of the Ascophyllum nodosum stands and their associated diversity along the coast of Brittany, France

The present study aimed at estimating the characteristics of the Ascophyllum nodosum stands along the coast of Brittany, France. Although both an ecologically and economically important macroalga on sheltered rocky shores of the North Atlantic, no study has simultaneously dealt with the variability of the densities, lengths and biomasses of A. nodosum together with a description of its associated algal and animal diversity. There were significant differences in mean lengths and variations in the length–population structures between sites. However, the biomasses and densities showed no significant differences. The biomasses are amongst the highest ones estimated over the entire species distribution. The algal and animal assemblages were typical of A. nodosum zones, but only the identity composition of the algal communities seemed to reflect site differences in environmental forces. The biomasses measured in the present study should help improve future macroalgae biomass and metabolism estimates on regional or global scales. Finally, the data will provide a reference state for future studies on the responses of fucoid canopies to environmental changes.
MEASUREMENTS OF THE PERSISTENT CURRENT DECAY AND SNAPBACK EFFECT IN NB3SN ACCELERATOR PROTOTYPE MAGNETS AT FERMILAB

In recent years, Fermilab has been performing an intensive R&D program on Nb3Sn accelerator magnets. This program has included dipole and quadrupole magnets for different programs and projects, including LARP and VLHC. A systematic study of the persistent current decay and snapback effect in the fields of these magnets was executed at the Fermilab Magnet Test Facility. The decay and snapback were measured under a range of conditions including variations of the current ramp parameters and flattop and injection plateau durations. This study has mostly focused on the dynamic behavior of the normal sextupole and dodecapole components in dipole and quadrupole magnets respectively. The paper summarizes the recent measurements and presents a comparison with previously measured NbTi magnets.
Testing the Validity of Feldstein-Horioka Puzzle in BRICS Countries

 Abstract — The increase of capital mobility across emerging economies has become an interesting topic for many economic policy makers. The current study tests the validity of Feldstein–Horioka puzzle for 5 BRICS countries. The sample period of the study runs from 2001 to 2014. The study uses the following parameter estimates well known as the Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS), and Dynamic OLS (DOLS). The results of the study show that investment and savings are cointegrated in the long run. The parameters estimated using FMOLS and DOLS are 0.85 and 0.74, respectively. These results imply that policy makers within BRICS countries have to consider flexible monetary and fiscal policy instruments to influence the mobility of capital with the bloc.
The study of clustering of Taiwanese tourists' motivations to Hong Kong.

Abstract Driven by the political and economic forces of cross-strait, Taiwan has become one of the major source markets for Hong Kong tourism industry since 1987. The major purposes of this study were to investigate the following factors (1) The influential factors of travel motivation, (2) The clusters of travel motivations, (3) The marketing segmentation of clusters of Taiwanese tourists to visit Hong Kong. Through ten travel agents, self-report surveys were distributed to collect data from 366 Taiwanese travelers. Hence, four push factors and six pull factors were identified as travel motivations through the factor analysis. Combined with the cluster analysis; five new groups were founded. Finally, five clusters which process unique profiles (location difference, visiting frequency, travel satisfaction, and destination loyalty) were addressed. The suggestions of developing effective market strategies to attract Taiwanese tourists to Hong Kong were also provided.
The Breeding of Rufous Horneros (Furnarius rufus)

-A partially banded population of 12-13 pairs of Rufous Horneros was studied in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, during 1970-1976. Territories remained relatively stable during the study. Birds lived in pairs and the pair bond usually lasted for more than one breeding season. Territory sizes ranged from 0.25 ha to about 1 ha. All nesting activities were shared by both sexes. Laying occurred from late August to early December; second broods were attempted in 11 out of 24 nests. Early breeding probably diminished the risks of nest piracy and parasitism by other bird species. Mean clutch size was 3.48 eggs, with individual females showing the whole range of variation (three or four eggs). The incubation period was 16-17 days and the nestling period 24-26 days. Juveniles remained in the parental territories for no less than four months, but they helped occasionally in nest building. Parents opposed this activity. Asynchronous hatching was observed in all the clutches of four eggs; in 9 out of 13 broods of four the younger nestlings died. Nesting success was high, and an average of 2.52 nestlings were reared per clutch. The annual adult mortality was 28.6%, and thus the population probably produced an excess of juveniles. Territorial behavior apparently played an important role in limiting population density. In some aspects of its natural history the Rufous Hornero or Red Ovenbird (Furnarius rufus) is one of the best known furnariids. However, except for the work of Hermann and Meise (1965), little has been published on other aspects of the biology of the species, such as territoriality, pair bonding and longevity. Certain features, such as the complex nests and asynchronous hatching are of interest beyond the species, itself. The permanent territoriality of horneros may play a role in limiting population numbers, and the existence of prolonged family bonds may have some relevance to current sociobiological ideas.
Variations in Non-enzymatic Antioxidants in Hisar Arun (Local) and Kashi Vishesh (Hybrid) Cultivars of Tomato Fruits Treated with H2O2 during storage periods

Alterations in non-enzymatic antioxidants of tomato fruits of two cultivars (Kashi Vishesh: a local & Hisar Arun: a hybrid) during their storage were studied. Tomatoes, harvested at mature green, breaker, and mature red stages were treated with 1% and 4% solution of H2O2 and then kept at storage temperatures 5°C,10°C, and 15°C. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, Lycopene and total phenol content were measured after every 7-day interval up to a total storage duration of 21 days. The recorded non-enzymatic characteristics shown an increase upto 14 days and then started declining irrespective of storage temperature and concentration of H2O2 treatment and maximum change was seen at15°C and 1% H2O2. On the other hand, lycopene content increased asymptotically at all maturity stages and at all storage temperatures which is suggestive of slowing ripening process. In conclusion, local cultivar, harvested at mature green stage, showed slowest increase rate in antioxidants activities when treated with 1% H2O2 and stored at 5°C.
Knowledge Stocks and Information Flows in New Product Development

Although firms increasingly invest in systems (e.g. ISO, knowledge centres, IT systems) for utilizing stored knowledge and acquiring market information during new product development, few manage to benefit from these investments. To explore this issue, we suggest that firms rely on two distinct types of "knowledge stocks"- procedural and declarative memory - that affect new product short-term financial performance and creativity in distinct ways. Additionally, we suggest that internal or external "information flows" can have distinct moderating impact on the memory types-product outcomes relationship. Our empirical study of product development activities indicates that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between procedural memory and product outcomes as well as a positive relationship between declarative memory and financial performance. Also procedural and declarative memory may work in a "complementary" fashion enhancing both outcomes. Finally, procedural memory is found to reduce the value of internal or external information flows for product creativity. These findings have important implications for the organizational knowledge, capabilities, and product development literatures as well as for practice and they open ways for future research. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2004.
Acid-electrolyzed functional water induces extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, a possible novel alarmin, secretion from oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) secretion was induced in the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC3 cell by acid-electrolyzed functional water (FW) stimulation. Augmented EMMPRIN secretion was not under transcriptional control; rather, it was derived from the intracellular storages. EMMPRIN secretion was also induced under oxidative stress and accompanied by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The molecules released from cells undergoing necrosis are called as alarmins, and the secretion of IL-1α, a typical alarmin, was induced by FW stimulation and oxidative stress. Intracellular localization was examined by cell fractionation. A significant amount of EMMPRIN was localized in the triton X-100 and DNase sensitive fractions; the levels were drastically reduced following FW treatment. The function of the released EMMPRIN was examined using the monocytic cell line THP1. Culture supernatant derived from FW-treated HSC3 cells induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 2, 8, 9, 13, and 14, platelet-derived growth factor, and interleukin-8. In contrast, vascular endothelial growth factor expression was reduced. Induction of these factors was abolished following eliminating of EMMPRIN by immunoprecipitation. These results indicate that EMMPRIN might be considered as a type of alarmin that transduces danger signals to the surrounding cells.
Physicochemical, Textural, and Sensory Evaluation of Reduced Fat Gluten- Free Biscuit Prepared with Inulin and Resistant Dextrin Prebiotic

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inulin (IN) and resistant dextrin (RD) as fat replacer and prebiotic on gluten-free biscuit and its dough. To make the gluten-free biscuits, we used rice flour, corn flour and corn starch in the proportion of 3:1:1, respectively. The influence of prebiotics on the dough properties was studied via texture profile analysis including firmness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, gumminess and springiness. Biscuit quality was assessed by spreading behavior, texture and surface characteristics, chemical properties, and sensory evaluation. Compared to the control, a significant increase in firmness (17.04 N to 52.85 N), cohesiveness (0.49 to 0.65) and gumminess (8.45 N to 32.71 N) of dough (except RD25) was observed when substitution percent of fibers increased. Adhesiveness and springiness did not have significant changes. Enhancing of fat replacement percentage caused significant changes compared to the control in hardness (9.60 to 24.52 N) and L* (58.79 to 56.94), a* (8.99 to 9.71), water activity (0.225 to 0.096), moisture (4.97% to 4.12%), total fat (12.65% to 3.90%), peroxide index (1.89 to 0.90 meq/kg), fiber (2.02% to 9.51%), carbohydrate (76.49% to 84. 63%), and calorie (443.38 to 396.52 Kcal). The consumers did not find significant differences in acceptability between the control biscuits and the biscuits with 25% of fat replaced by RD and IN except color and flavor that were better than the control. Gluten-free biscuits containing IN25 and RD25 were similar to the control biscuits, and they could have additional health benefits derived from IN and RD presence.
The Influence of INSIG 2 rs 7566605 polymorphism on serum lipid traits in the Han and Mulao ethnic groups

The influence of the insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2) rs7566605 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on blood lipid traits in ethnic minorities of China is very little-known. The purpose of this study lies in detecting the influence of INSIG2 rs7566605 SNP on blood lipid traits in the Han and Mulao ethnic groups. Genotyping of the INSIG2 rs7566605 SNP was carried out in 830 Han and 861 Mulao subjects employed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), finally confirmed by sequencing. The minor allele carriers had higher ApoA1/ApoB ratio and lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels in Han, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA1 levels and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio and lower triglyceride (TG) in Mulao than the minor allele non-carriers. Gender subgroups researches revealed that the minor allele carriers had lower ApoB levels in Han male, and higher HDL-C and lower TG level in Mulao females than the minor allele non-carriers. Serum lipid traits were also associated with several environmental factors in the Han and Mulao ethnic groups, or in males and females in both ethnic groups. These findings suggest that the influence of the INSIG2 rs756605 SNP and serum lipid traits might have ethnicand/or sex-specificity in the Han and Mulao ethnic groups.
Inorganic Chemical Composition of Fine Particulates in Medium-Sized Urban Areas: A Case Study of Brazilian Cities

The aim of this study was to characterize the inorganic chemical composition of fine inhalable atmospheric particulate matter (PM_(2.5)) in medium-sized cities in Brazil. These cities account for a significant proportion of the population and are growing at rates above the national average, thereby demonstrating the importance of carefully analysing the possible impact of such growth on air quality over the coming decades. In 2013 and 2014, this study collected PM_(2.5) samples from sites in the cities of Londrina and Maringa in two seasons: winter and summer. The mean concentration of PM_(2.5) ranged from 4.4 μg m^(-3) and 3.7 μg m^(-3) during the summer to 10.3 μg m^(-3) and 8.0 μg m^(-3) in winter in Londrina and Maringa, respectively. The analysis of the major water-soluble ions, nitrate, sulphate and chloride, showed that they accounted for between 16.5% and 35.1% from the mass of PM_(2.5), with sulphate providing the greatest contribution in all the campaigns. The nitrate/sulphate ratios ranged from 0.2 and 0.6, which are similar to the figures cited in the literature for other regions of the world. Although the PM_(2.5) concentrations are much lower than those observed in Asia and in Sao Paulo the participation of ions (%) is very close to that observed in Asian cities and significantly higher than the values recorded in other areas of Brazil, possibly as a result of the increased influence of burning of biomass and waste. The metals Zn, Pb, Cu and Mn found in the samples from all campaigns indicate that, in general, mobile sources are the main contributor to PM_(2.5). The winter campaigns showed the highest concentrations of black carbon equivalent (BCe). Absolute principal component analysis and enrichment factor analysis indicate the contribution of vehicular emission sources and biomass and waste burning to the inorganic chemical composition of PM_(2.5).
First-Order Perturbation Analysis of Secsi With Generalized Unfoldings

Tensor decompositions are regarded as a powerful tool for multidimensional signal processing. In this contribution, we focus on the well-known Canonical Polyadic (CP) decomposition and present a first-order perturbation analysis of the SEmi-algebraic framework for approximate CP decompositions via SImultaneous matrix diagonalization with Generalized Unfoldings (SECSI-GU), which is advantageous for tensors of an order higher than three. Numerical results indicate that the analytical relative Mean Square Factor Error (rMSFE) of the estimated factor matrices resulting from each generalized unfolding considered in SECSI -GU matches the empirical rMSFE very well. As SECSI -GU considers all possible partitionings of the tensor modes resulting in a large number of candidate factor matrix estimates, an exhaustive search-based criterion to select the final factor matrix estimates leads to a prohibitive computational complexity. The accurate performance prediction achieved by the first-order perturbation analysis conducted in this paper will significantly facilitate the selection of the final factor matrix estimates in an efficient manner and will therefore contribute to a low-complexity enhancement of SECSI-GU.