Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of Malaysian rice varieties to Fusarium fujikuroi and in vitro activity of Trichoderma harzianum as biocontrol agent

Aims: Bakanae disease on rice has been widely distributed in all countries where rice is grown commercially, especially in Asian countries including Malaysia. As an alternative measure in controlling Fusarium fujikuroi, two approaches have to be adapted i.e. by using resistant varieties and biocontrol agents as reported in the present study. Methodology and results: A total of 31 Malaysian rice varieties were used in screening and results showed that variety MR211 was the most susceptible and MR220 was slightly susceptible. Out of 60 isolates of Trichoderma harzianum isolated from soils in Malaysia and tested against the pathogen under in vitro condition, 13 isolates showed high percentage of inhibition (PIRG > 60%). All isolates of T. harzianum showed that the PIRGs were significantly different at p≤0.05 with those of control plates. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Biocontrol agent and resistant variety are better alternative for controlling plant diseases. We found a variety MR220 was slightly susceptible, but none of tested varieties is resistant towards pathogen of bakanae disease. T. harzianum has the ability to inhibit the growth of F. fujikuroi (T3068P) under in vitro condition. The findings of the Malaysian susceptible/resistant variety and potential T. harzianum isolate as a biocontrol agent of bakanae are important for future tests in the plant house and field trials.
Hygroscopic properties and cloud condensation nuclei activation of limonene-derived organosulfates and their mixtures with ammonium sulfate

Abstract. Organosulfates have been observed as constituents of atmospheric aerosols in a wide range of environments; however their hygroscopic properties remain uncharacterised. Here, limonene-derived organosulfates with a molecular weight of 250 Da (L-OS 250) were synthesised and used for simultaneous measurements with a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyser (H-TDMA) and a cloud condensation nuclei counter (CCNC) to determine the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, for pure L-OS 250 and mixtures of L-OS 250 with ammonium sulfate (AS) over a wide range of humidity conditions. The κ values derived from measurements with H-TDMA decreased with increasing particle dry diameter for all chemical compositions investigated, indicating that κH-TDMA depends on particle diameter and/or surface effects; however, it is not clear if this trend is statistically significant. For pure L-OS 250, κ was found to increase with increasing relative humidity, indicating dilution/solubility effects to be significant. Discrepancies in κ between the sub- and supersaturated measurements were observed for L-OS 250, whereas κ of AS and mixed L-OS 250/AS were similar. This discrepancy was primarily ascribed to limited dissolution of L-OS 250 at subsaturated conditions. In general, hygroscopic growth factor, critical particle diameter and κ for the mixed L-OS 250/AS particles converged towards the values of pure AS for mixtures with ≥ 20 % w / w AS. Surface tension measurements of bulk aqueous L-OS 250/AS solutions showed that L-OS 250 was indeed surface active, as expected from its molecular structure, decreasing the surface tension of solutions with 24 % from the pure water value at a L-OS 250 concentration of 0.0025 mol L−1. Based on these surface tension measurements, we present the first concentration-dependent parametrisation of surface tension for aqueous L-OS 250, which was implemented to different process-level models of L-OS 250 hygroscopicity and CCN activation. The values of κ obtained from the measurements were compared with κ calculated applying the volume additive Zdanovskii–Stokes–Robinson mixing rule, as well as κ modelled from equilibrium Kohler theory with different assumptions regarding L-OS 250 bulk-to-surface partitioning and aqueous droplet surface tension. This study is to our knowledge the first to investigate the hygroscopic properties and surface activity of L-OS 250; hence it is an important first step towards understanding the atmospheric impact of organosulfates.
Capital Structure and Profitability: A Critical Analysis of Quoted Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

Capital structure decision is a vital one in any organisation that is striving to achieve profitability. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine the effect of capital structure on performance of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. In achieving this, Secondary data source was employed; data was collected from the Nigerian stock exchange factbook and the annual report of the selected companies. Due to the nature of the study, Panel data analysis was used. Both descriptive and inferential methods were used to analyse the data collected. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the variables while regression analysis was used to determine how the independent variable affects the dependent variable. The study established that there is a negative relationship between capital structure and profitability performance of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Recommendations were made that: Performance standards should be established and communicated to the investors (members of the companies), the optimal capital structure which lowers cost of capital and reduce risk associated with debt finance should be pursued, and inadequate capital to achieve firm’s financial performance might also pose a challenge. Therefore, banks, other financial institutions and government should promote facilities to increase companies’ profitability performance.
Diurnal variability of the atmospheric boundary layer height over a tropical station in the Indian monsoon region

Abstract. The diurnal variation of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height is studied using high-resolution radiosonde observations available at 3 h intervals for 3 days continuously from 34 intensive campaigns conducted during the period December 2010–March 2014 over a tropical station Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E; 375 m), in the Indian monsoon region. The heights of the ABL during the different stages of its diurnal evolution, namely, the convective boundary layer (CBL), the stable boundary layer (SBL), and the residual layer (RL) are obtained to study the diurnal variabilities. A clear diurnal variation is observed in 9 campaigns out of the 34 campaigns. In 7 campaigns the SBL did not form in the entire day and in the remaining 18 campaigns the SBL formed intermittently. The SBL forms for 33–55 % of the time during nighttime and 9 and 25 % during the evening and morning hours, respectively. The mean SBL height is within 0.3 km above the surface which increases slightly just after midnight (02:00 IST) and remains almost constant until the morning. The mean CBL height is within 3.0 km above the surface, which generally increases from morning to evening. The mean RL height is within 2 km above the surface which generally decreases slowly as the night progresses. The diurnal variation of the ABL height over the Indian region is stronger during the pre-monsoon and weaker during winter season. The CBL is higher during the summer monsoon and lower during the winter season while the RL is higher during the winter season and lower during the summer season. During all the seasons, the ABL height peaks during the afternoon (∼ 14:00 IST) and remains elevated until evening (∼ 17:00 IST). The ABL suddenly collapses at 20:00 IST and increases slightly in the night. Interestingly, it is found that the low level clouds have an effect on the ABL height variability, but the deep convective clouds do not. The lifting condensation level (LCL) is generally found to occur below the ABL for the majority of the database and they are randomly related.
The prevalence of SEs genes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in Ahwaz hospitals by multiplex PCR

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 6 September 2015 Accepted 23 November 2015 Available online 1 December 2015 Several virulence factors have been described in pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus strains. Staphylococcal Enterotoxins (SEs) that is one of the most factors, are belonging to important members of bacterial superantigens. Superantigens are defined by their ability to stimulate cytokine release from both T cells and macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SEs genes of Staphylococcus aureus which was isolated from patients in Ahwaz hospitals. This study was carried out only on 231 isolates from clinical samples of patients who were referred to the four hospitals in Ahwaz. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified by routine bacteriological methods. Genomic DNA was extracted by Phenol-chloroform method. The sets of enterotoxin genes (sea-sei) were amplified by multiplex PCR. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis. In this study 231 Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from urine, blood, skin chips and spatum samples. 89(39%) strains had enterotoxin genes. The frequency of sea (17%), seg (15%), sec (6%), sed and seh (5.6%), seb (5.1%) and sei (9.5%) were reported. There was no see gene among isolates. The study of genes simultaneously showed that the frequency of two genes and three genes were 20% and 17%. Given the importance of nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus infections and the role of SEs as superantigen in the development of various diseases, study of these genes in clinical specimen is necessary.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections and Commensal Escherichia coli from Gastrointestinal Tract of Apparently Healthy Adult-A comparative study

Introduction: This study has been under taken to find out the drug resistance patterns exhibited by Escherichia coli (E. coli) originating Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in comparison to intestinal commensal E.coli. Materials and Method: One hundred UTI patients who had E. coli isolates were selected for this study. A whole of 100 isolates of E. coli from stool samples of apparently healthy individuals were included as controls. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was carried out by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar (Hi media). Result: In the present study E. coli showed more resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone. There is also increasing resistance to gentamicin. In comparison, the antibiotic resistance between cases and controls showed a small difference. Conclusion: E. coli is the most common cause of UTI, and microscopic examination of the urine is an important screening method for UTI cases. High resistance to widely used antibiotics for treatment may be attributed to inadvertent and indiscriminate use. Keywords: Escherichia coli, Urinary Tract Infection, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, antibiotic resistance, commensal E. coli
The "Quit and Win" campaign to promote smoking cessation in Italy: results and one year follow-up across three Italian editions (2000-2004)

The “Quit and Win” Campaign is a health promotion campaign that aims to encourage smoking cessation. It is in its fourth edition in Italy and in its sixth edition in Finland. In Italy, it originally started in one region (Veneto, the Italian Coordinating Centre) and has spread to incorporate 11 regions in its latest edition. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness, results and trends within the various editions of the campaign. This initiative has been carried out thanks to the collaboration and partnership that exists among the participating regions and the different community services. The involvement of local press and the media have also been utilized to promote the initiative. In addition to this, substantial efforts were made to inform general practitioners, chemists and other health care personnel of the scheme in order that they would promote it by disseminating brochures. Efforts were also made in order to secure sponsorship for the programme. The results from all of the Italian editions have shown an increase in the number of participants, from 5,938 participants in 2000 to 8,185 in 2004 (latest edition). This one ahowed, in 2004, a participation of 4,812 males (M) and 3,373 females (F), a rate of 58.7% and 41.2% respectively; with the largest amount of participants falling into the age class of 25-34 years, accounting for 35.5% M and 32.6% F. 43.4% M and 40.6% F had been smoking for 20 years or more. Strong smokers (> 40 cigarettes/day) accounted for 9.5% of M and 3.1% F. Among all subjects, 47.2% had previously attempted to quit smoking at least once or twice. Among those who had quit smoking for at least four weeks, 39.5% remained non-smokers after one year of follow-up (2004 edition). Most quitters didn’t use any support to replace the effects of the nicotine (79.7%) and half of them didn’t receive any support from those people around them (55.2%). Smokers received information about the campaign in the first edition mainly from health care personnel (46.3%), while in the latest edition the most frequently reported means of obtaining information was via the web-site (31.7%).
Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) cell line (LX-2) and Toll-like receptors – phenotypic/mRNA expression and in vitro functional studies

Background: hsc constitute a small portion of liver cells, but fulfill significant functions. LX-2 cells, a human cell line of hsc , are a model for the study of hsc. hsc express t oll-like receptors (tLrs) and some of them participate in the promotion of liver fibrosis. Little is known about other tLrs expression and function of hsc. Aims of this study were to search the expression and function of all tLrs known in LX-2 cells. Material and methods: cells were subjected to immunocytochemistry, cell rnA was searched for mrnA specific for respective tLrs. cells were treated with anti-tLr1-10 antibodies and flow cytometry (Fc). they were cultured with tLr ligands and assessed by Fc for tLr expression. supernatants were examined for cytokines content and cells for the percentage of those in a s-phase of cell cycle. Results: All tLrs, both, protein and mrnA were expressed in these cells. tLr ligands had negligible effect on tLr expression. culture of LX-2 with ligands resulted in the secretion of some cytokines, but did not increase the number of cells in s-phase. Conclusions: to conclude, LX-2 cells express all known tLrs. their activation has only modest effect on their function.
Association of the pre-monsoon thermal field over north India and the western Tibetan Plateau with summer monsoon rainfall over India

Abstract. In this paper, interannual variability of tropospheric air temperatures over the Asian summer monsoon region during the pre-monsoon months is examined in relation to Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR; June to September total rainfall). For this purpose, monthly grid-point temperatures in the entire troposphere over the Asian summer monsoon region and ISMR data for the period 1949–2012 have been used. Spatial correlation patterns are investigated between the temperature field in the lower tropospheric levels during May over the Asian summer monsoon region and ISMR. The results indicate a strong and significant northwest–southeast dipole structure in the spatial correlations over the Indian region, with highly significant positive (negative) correlations over the regions of north India and the western Tibetan Plateau region – region R1 (north Bay of Bengal: region R2). The observed dipole is seen significantly up to a level of 850 hPa and eventually disappears at 700 hPa. Thermal indices evaluated at 850 hPa level, based on average air temperatures over the north India and western Tibetan Plateau region (TI1) and the north Bay of Bengal region (TI2) during May, show a strong, significant relationship with the ISMR. The results are found to be consistent and robust, especially in the case of TI1 during the period of analysis. A physical mechanism for the relationship between these indices and ISMR is proposed. Finally the composite annual cycle of tropospheric air temperature over R1 during flood/drought years of ISMR is examined. The study brings out the importance of the TI1 in the prediction of flood/drought conditions over the Indian subcontinent.
Structural Change, Expanding Informality and Labour Productivity Growth in Russia

Strong growth, intensive structural change, and expanding informality have characterized many developing and emerging economies in recent decades. Yet most empirical investigations into the relationship between structural change and productivity growth overlook informality. This paper includes the informal sector in an analysis of the effects of structural changes in the Russian economy on aggregate labor productivity growth. Using a newly developed dataset for 34 industries covering the period 1995–2012 and applying three alternative approaches, aggregate labor productivity growth is decomposed into intra‐industry and inter‐industry contributions. All three approaches show that the overall contribution of structural change is growth enhancing, significant, and decreasing over time. Labor reallocation from the formal sector to the informal sector tends to reduce growth through the extension of informal activities with low productivity levels. Sectoral labor reallocation effects are found to be highly sensitive to the methods applied.
The Impact of Derivatives Usage on Firm Value: Evidence from Greece

This paper presents evidence on the use of derivative contracts in the risk management process of Greek non-financial firms and its potential impact on firm value. The sample of the research consists of 81 Greek non-financial firms with exposure to financial risks that are listed in the Athens Stock Exchange and have their annual report published according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (I.F.R.S) for the years 2004-2006. The subject of investigation is whether hedging with derivatives materially increases firm value as many related research has proven, or whether hedging does not affect firm value and can be attributed to managerial or other motives. Having used Tobin’s Q as a proxy for firm value a positive and significant effect of hedging on it is verified, 4.6% of firm value on average, not only concerning the general use of derivatives, but also the use of foreign exchange derivatives and interest rate derivatives in particular. Controlling for managerial motives does not change the sign of the hedging premium, nor its magnitude.
Fish Behaviour and Immune Response as a Potential Indicator of Stress Caused by 4-Nonylphenol

The present investigation was undertaken to study the stress response in fish Channa punctatus after treatment with 4-nonylphenol. Stress response was measured by studying the change in behaviour and immume system. After range finding experiment fish were exposed to 5 concentrations of 4-NP and LC50 was determined (LC50=1.27mg/l). Simultaneously behavioural response was observed for 96 hours of exposure. After LC50 determination three sublethal concentrations were decided and fish were exposed for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours and differential leucocytes count was calculated. Significant change in the number of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils was seen. This study concludes that fish immune system and behaviour are most sensitive parameters to study the stress level in fish.
Effect of Dietary Esterified Glucomannan on Performance of Broilers Exposed to Aflatoxin

Effect of esterified glucomannan (E-GM), a new generation toxin binder enzymatically extracted from the cell wall of certain stains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in counteracting the deleterious effects of aflatoxin in broiler chicken was investigated. Broilers fed 1ppm aflatoxin-B1 recorded significantly (P<0.05) poor weekly weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency and liveability. Addition of E-GM as a feed additive, in general, in diets free of aflatoxin had no adverse effect on weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency except during second week. Addition of E-GM in birds exposed to aflatoxin significantly (P<0.05) counteracted the ill effects on weight gain and feed consumption, while the feed efficiency was restored to normal. High mortality in broilers caused by aflatoxin, was slightly reduced by the addition of E-GM.
Chitinozoan Biodiversity in the Ordovician of Gondwana: An Interval-Free Approach Using the Quantitative Stratigraphic Correlation Program CONOP9

The purpose of this study is to examine the biodiversity patterns of a group of fossil organisms called chitinozoans. Chitinozoans are organic-walled, planktonic microfossils that first appear in the Early Ordovician Period (488 million years ago) and diversify rapidly through the Paleozoic Era. The Ordovician Period was a time of great global climate change, and by studying this group of fossil plankton, we hope to better understand how modern plankton, which are the base of the marine food chain, might respond to climate change. We used a method called constrained optimization (CONOP9) to construct a composite range chart of 152 chitinozoan species from 65 Ordovician drill cores and outcrops from the paleocontinent Gondwana. Our results show that chitinozoan biodiversity increases throughout the Early and Middle Ordovician, peaks in the middle part of the Late Ordovician and declines thereafter. These results differ from biodiversity estimates derived from more traditional species counting methods. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dr. Goldman, my advisor, Dr. Florentin Paris from the Universite de Rennes 1, and Dr. David Sheets from Canisius College Buffalo. Without their advice, I would never have been able to complete this project. I would also like to thank the University of Dayton Geology Department, University of Dayton Honors Department, National Science Foundation, and Geological Society of America for funding my project.
Sero-Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Infections in patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus infection in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Background and Aims: Co-infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients can develop and cause an increase in liver disease and hepatic complications in the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of HEV infection in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study testing anti-HEV antibodies in serum samples belonged to 53 chronic HCV infected patients were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data such as liver function tests and enzymes level were prospectively collected on each patient with chronic HCV infection. Results: There were 5 HEV infected patients IgG positive among the 53 chronic HCV infected patients. These patients had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level twice the upper level about of the 48 HEV negative patients (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Prevalence of HEV sero-positivity patients with HCV co-infection patients was 9.4%. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV-infected patients with cancer.