Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Egestion Versus Excretion: A Meta-Analysis Examining Nutrient Release Rates and Ratios across Freshwater Fauna

In aquatic settings, animals directly affect ecosystem functions through excretion of dissolved nutrients. However, the comparative role of egestion as an animal-mediated nutrient flux remains understudied. We conducted a literature survey and meta-analysis to directly compare nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and N:P of egestion compared to excretion rates and ratios across freshwater animals. Synthesizing 215 datasets across 47 animal species (all primary consumers or omnivores), we show that the total N and P egestion rates exceed inorganic N and P excretion rates but not total N and P excretion rates, and that proportions of P egested compared to excreted depend on body size and animal phylum. We further show that variance of egestion rates is often greater than excretion rates, reflecting greater inter-individual and temporal variation of egestion as a nutrient flux in comparison to excretion. At phylogenetic levels, our analysis suggests that Mollusca exhibit the greatest rates and variance of P egestion relative to excretion, especially compared to Arthropoda. Given quantitative evidence of egestion as a dominant and dynamic animal-mediated nutrient flux, our synthesis demonstrates the need for additional studies of rates, stoichiometry, and roles of animal egestion in aquatic settings.
Evaluation the effect of hyaluronic acid on bone healing process in rabbits (Immunohistochemical study for TGF-β)

Background: Bone augmentation techniques are commonly employed in medical fields. This biomaterial system must be readily available, easily applicable by minimally-invasive technique and able to release an osteoinductive growth factor. Such a system will be able to engineer new bone formation locally at the site of injection. Hyaluronic acid has osteogenic potential that can be exploited not only for repairing bone defects but also for providing transplantable bone for the reconstruction of a variety of bone defects. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of Hyaluronic acid gel on bone healing by immunohistochemical estimation of transforming growth factor -beta 3 in experimental and control groups. Materials and methods: Thirty two New Zealand male rabbits were used in this study . Two Intra bony holes were made for each rabbits on the right and left buccal side of the upper diastema. The right hole was filled with Hyaluronic acid gel (experimental one), while the left hole was left for normal healing (control one). The rabbits were randomly divided and sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks post operatively. Immunohistochemical test for the expression of TGF-β3 were performed on bone specimens of both control and experimental groups at all healing interval. Results: Immunohistochemical examination of this study revealed that the hyaluronic acid treatment increased the positive expression of TGF-β3by osteoblasts, osteocytes and bone marrow stromal cells especially in 1 and 2 weeks intervals than that observed in control one. Conclusions: The present study illustrated that the Hyaluronic acid was osteoconductive material that enhance osteogenesis and accelerated the bone healing process. Key words: Bone augmentation, Osteoinductive, growth factor, Hyaluronic acid.
THE INFLUENCE OF MICROECONOMIC FACTORS ON INVESTMENT EXTERNAL FINANCING IN POLISH QUOTED METALS COMPANIES

The company’s abilities to finance the investment from external capital are conditioned by heterogeneous factors. In this paper the research attention was concentrated on microeconomic factors, as those elements which might be dependent on the company’s decisions. The principal purpose of this paper was to define the impact of microeconomic factors on external financing of investment in polish quoted metals companies in period 1997-2010. Research expectations, as well as the empirical verification was based on the pecking order theory. Results obtained confirmed the thesis of microeconomic factors’ relevance on investment’s external financing in polish quoted metals companies.
Pre-earnings Announcement Over-extrapolation ú

We uncover evidence that individual investors over-extrapolate from past returns. Specifically, we study the relation between previous earnings announcement returns and investor beliefs regarding subsequent earnings announcement returns. Consistent with models of over-extrapolation, we find that investors become overly optimistic about the firm’s future prospects after positive earnings announcement returns. This leads to predictable patterns in returns both before and after earnings announcements: If a firm is in the top decile of our extrapolated return measure, we expect a 5-day preearnings announcement return 27 basis points more than all other 5-day pre-earnings announcement returns, and a 5-day post-earnings announcement return 23 basis points lower than all other 5-day post-earnings announcement returns. úWe are grateful for helpful comments from Samuel Hartzmark, Jake Thomas, and Frank Zhang. Peter Kelly acknowledges support from a Whitebox Advisors fellowship.
SOFT BUDGET CONSTRAINT PROBLEMS IN THE JAPANESE BANKING SYSTEM

This paper investigates theoretically and empirically why Japanese banks continued to extend bad loans during the 1990s. The discretionary enforcement of minimum capital requirements is found to be the primary reason for this perverse lending behavior by Japanese banks. Our theoretical analysis shows that when the government imposes high capital adequacy standards but banks can easily manipulate regulatory capital, poorly capitalized banks tend to roll over bad loans in order to maintain their regulatory capital ratios. This managerial incentive is strengthened when banks are allowed to issue subordinate debt as a part of regulatory capital. Our empirical results are consistent with the hypothesis that three tiers of agents – the government, banks, and borrowing firms – faced soft budget constraints. Japanese banks were induced to bail out firms by exploiting the discretionary enforcement of minimum capital requirements, which eventually prolonged the non-performing loan problem. * We are grateful to Masahiro Hori, Takeo Hoshi, Keiichiro Kobayashi, Kiyoshi Mitsui, Kazuo Ogawa, Ralph Paprzycki , Yuri Sasaki, Yosuke Takeda, and participants of the CIRJE-TCER Macro Conference held in Kyoto for valuable comments and suggestions.
Mental Health Literacy in Canadian Young Adults: Results of a National Survey

The present study explored the mental health literacy of young adults (18–24 years of age), in comparison to older adults (25–64 years of age), in a national survey of the mental health literacy of Canadians. Overall, both age groups demonstrated adequate mental health literacy and yet young adults, especially males, preferred to manage problems on their own and indicated being more likely to seek out informal sources of help. The results support the importance of considering the unique needs and preferences of young adults in order to improve help-seeking in this group.
Migration of the Molecular Dynamics Application CHARMM to the Widely Distributed Computing Platform of United Devices

In this study, we will show the adaptation of molecular dynamics simulations using CHARMM (Chemistry at HARvard Macromolecular Mechanics) for protein folding research to the environment of widely distributed computing. We will then investigate the performance and efficiency of such a migration. In particular, we will go through some critical issues such as the scheduling, the fault tolerance and the communication problems related to the migration, proposing some interesting solutions. For the proof of feasibility, we aim at a realistic setting using commodity hardware and well-known software components. Since the idea of widely distributed computing is quite well established, we rely on existing middleware to do the distribution of the computation. Therefore, we teamed up with the company United Devices, Inc., and are using their software to investigate the feasibility of widely distributed molecular simulations.
Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina: detección de portadores entre niños hospitalizados y niños sanos de la comunidad

A descriptive punctual study was conducted to search for nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methycilin (SARM) among sound children attended in nurseries and hospitalized children exposed to one or more risk factors predisposing to the colonization by this type of strains from October, 2000, to February, 2001, in Marianao municipality. For the primary isolation of the SARM strains, it was used the oxacillin-manitol-salt-agar (OMSA) and the sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs was determined in all strains identified as S. aureus by using the Kirby-Bauer method. In order to identify the resistance to oxacillin in the strains recovered from OMSA, the oxacillin salt-agar screening-plate method and the determination of inhibitory minimum concentration (IMC) in agar and broth were applied. The presence of the mecA gene was nvestigated by polymerase chain reaction in those strains with an IMC > or = 4 mg/mL of oxacillin. Of the sound children. 0.35 % and of the hospitalized, 2 %, were nasal carriers of SARM strains. The strains isolated in both study groups showed high indexes of resistance to penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin by the Kirby-Bauer method. The mecA gene was identified in a SARM strain isolated from a hospitalized nasal carrier and it was defined that its behaviour agreed with the one described for a strain homoresistant to oxacillin.
Auto-Configuration for VANET , Integrated with Regional Code Association Architecture

The Auto-Address Configurations Protocol (AACP) for Ad-hoc networks necessitates appropriate application. The ACCP for Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANET) stresses even more efforts, as assumption of having nodes (vehicles) to be configured a priori does not support the notion for such networks that mostly remain in structure of mobility. Although AACP for VANETs have been explored prior to this work, but one way or other, the hybrid (infrastructure and Ad-hoc networks) address configuration still remains in hunt. In this research effort we attempt to tackle the problem of auto-configuration for VANETs and design a protocol that supports hybrid environment, that seems be the part and parcel of this type of networks. We propose a protocol termed Regional-Based Auto-Configuration Protocol Association with Coding Architecture (RAPACA) for VANETs. The RAPACA tackles the auto-configuration issues, considering the V2X topology, combines a cluster-based approach CAVNET. The CANVET was proposed in our previous work and designed to support ad-hoc part of VANETs. The combination RAPACA and CANVET is a first approach with regards to hybrid auto-configuration for VANETs and brings immense improvement in term of connectivity, configuration time and scalability of network.
Using physical volcanology, chemical stratigraphy and pyrite geochemistry for VMS exploration: An example from the Blake River Group, Abitibi greenstone belt

Abstract An innovative approach to enhance volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) exploration in regions outside of mining camps is to first use physical volcanology with lithoand chemo-stratigraphy to establish the location of effusive centers in the volcanic units and use pyrite geochemistry in sulfide-bearing stratified intervals with whole-rock geochemistry in the underlying volcanic units to identify hydrothermal upflow zones. This methodology is illustrated by this study in the Archean Blake River Group within the Abitibi greenstone belt of Quebec and Ontario. The Blake River Group contains numerous VMS deposits, yet large segments remain underexplored, including the Hébécourt Formation which contains four tholeiitic units that range from basalt to rhyolite in composition. Effusive centers are located for three felsic units and subunits: (i) low-Ti (porphyritic) subunit of the main rhyolite, (ii) high-Ti (aphyric) subunit of the main rhyolite, and (iii) the upper rhyolite, and for a basaltic andesite unit. Stringer and disseminated Zn-Cu mineralization occurs within the flank breccia of the low-Ti rhyolite dome. An inferred vent area for an overlying basaltic andesitic unit has also been identified in this area, illustrating the coincidence of hydrothermal upflow zones with volcanic vents. LA-ICP-MS analysis of pyrite grains from several sulfide-bearing stratified intervals indicates two broad areas of higher Cu, Zn, Au and Ag contents. The eastern region corresponds to known volcanic vents and mineralization. The western region also indicates upflow of Cu-bearing hydrothermal fluids, and corresponds to a possible effusive centre for the high-Ti subunit. The western region does not contain known mineralization at lower stratigraphic positions, but it has not been thoroughly explored.
Wireless Multi-group Multicast Precoding with Selective RF Energy Harvesting

We present a novel framework for multi-group multicast precoding in the presence of three types of wireless users which are distributed among various multicast groups. A multi-antenna transmitter conveys information and/or energy to the groups of corresponding receivers using more than one multicast streams. The information specific users have conventional receiver architectures to process data, energy harvesting users collect energy using the non-linear energy harvesting module and each of the joint information decoding and energy harvesting capable user is assumed to employ the separated architecture with disparate non-linear energy harvesting and conventional information decoding units. In this context, we formulate and analyze the problem of total transmit power minimization for optimal precoder design subjected to minimum signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio and harvested energy demands at the respective users under three different scenarios. This problem is solved via semi-definite relaxation and the advantages of employing separate information and energy precoders are shown over joint and per-user information and energy precoder designs. Simulation results illustrate the benefits of proposed framework under several operating conditions and parameter values.
G-UAP: Generic Universal Adversarial Perturbation that Fools RPN-based Detectors

Adversarial perturbation constructions have been demonstrated for object detection, but these are image-specific perturbations. Recent works have shown the existence of imageagnostic perturbations called universal adversarial perturbation (UAP) that can fool the classifiers over a set of natural images. In this paper, we extend this kind perturbation to attack deep proposal-based object detectors. We present a novel and effective approach called G-UAP to craft universal adversarial perturbations, which can explicitly degrade the detection accuracy of a detector on a wide range of image samples. Our method directly misleads the Region Proposal Network (RPN) of the detectors into mistaking foreground (objects) for background without specifying an adversarial label for each target (RPN’s proposal), and even without considering that how many objects and object-like targets are in the image. The experimental results over three state-of-the-art detectors and two datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and transferability of the universal perturbations.
SANITARY CONDITIONS OF FOOD VENDING SITES AND FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES OF STREET FOOD VENDORS : IMPLICATION FOR FOOD HYGIENE AND SAFETY

Unsanitary environment, the lack of awareness of food safety regulations, poor knowledge of hygiene and improper food handling practices among the food vendors can contribute to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. This study aims to investigate the food safety knowledge and practices of street food vendors and to assess the sanitary conditions of street vended foods of Tarlac State University, Main Campus. A survey questionnaire and observation checklist on employees’ knowledge of food hygiene and their practices as well on sanitary conditions of the street food vending activities in the area were used. Convenience sampling method was used to thirty mobile and stationary food vendors selling street foods. From the total of 30 respondents, majority of those involved in the food vending business are the female (60%). Half of the total of the respondents had attained secondary education (50%). Majority of the respondents (80%) equally did not have any training on food safety and were not aware of food safety law. Most of the respondents vended food items in an environment that is observed to be clean (3.57), with the presence of waste bin, hand towel, and hand soap. It appears that the sites had presence of flies, rats/cockroaches, and not totally eradicated in the areas. Vended foods are protected through covered food containers ensuring food safety. It was found from the results of the study that street foods were vended under relatively good sanitary conditions.
Increasing dietary cholecalciferol for improved broiler marketability

Two hundred commercial broilers were fed four graded levels of cholecalciferol (200, 400, 600 and 800 icu/kg diet) above recommended levels in a basal diet containing the fixed calcium and phosphorus level. The normal recommended dietary cholecalciferol inclusion level for broilers is 200 icu/kg feed. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks in a completely randomized design. Higher doses of cholecalciferol produced significant (P<0.05) body weight gain and feed intake. Total feed intake observed (5070 g/bird) and weight gain (2550 g/bird) were at least 19% higher for birds fed 100% dietary cholecalciferol supplementation compared with birds fed at normal recommended dietary inclusion levels. Serum calcium and phosphorus responded positively (P<0.05) to increased levels of dietary cholecalciferol being the highest for 400% dietary cholecalciferol supplementation at 0.90 and 0.77 mmol/L, respectively. Plasma alkaline phosphatase and tibial bone ash was optimum at 400 icu/kg (100% cholecalciferol dietary supplementation) diets, the values being 75 iu/L and 38.6%, respectively. Birds fed the normal recommended dietary cholecalciferol inclusion level (200 icu/kg feed) recorded the lowest values (52 iu/L and 24.3% respectively) for these parameters. Broilers fed the normal dietary cholecalciferol inclusion level showed late signs of tibial dyschondroplasia; this was however not noticeable in birds fed higher doses of vitamin D3. Histology of liver and kidney did not reveal any significant tissue calcification even at the highest (800 icu/kg diet) dose. It is concluded that higher doses of cholecalciferol in broiler diets may be necessary for optimum performance and reduction of cases of leg abnormalities.
Characteristics of malignant pleural effusions. Review of one-year data from a large tertiary centre

Introduction: Malignant pleural effusion is a common finding in patients presenting late with stage IV lung cancer. It is associated with variable survival and high morbidity. Our study aimed to review the diagnostic tools, pathology and outcomes of the patients with malignant effusions. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients presenting with pleural effusion at the large tertiary centre over 1-year. Consecutive patients were selected from the multidisciplinary meeting and data was analysed. Results: 110 patients with effusion were selected and 70 had malignant pathology. The median age of patients was 75 (range 31-93) and 39 (55%) were male. Forty-three (61%) had right pleural effusion and 9 (13%) had bilateral effusions. Diagnostic aspiration was performed in 39 (55%) patients with positive cytology in 32 with sensitivity of 85%. Forty percent of patients had video-assisted thoracoscopy and pathological diagnosis was achieved in 65. Blind pleural biopsy was not utilised and 8% of patients had radiological diagnosis. Pleurodesis was performed in 22 (31%) and 18% of them has complications. Median survival was better in patients with mesothelioma at 325 days compared to lung cancer. Conclusion: Our data shows the variable prognosis in patients with malignant effusion. Better survival was seen in patients with mesothelioma, therefore early effective strategies are required for diagnosis and management.
Diversified Syndicate Structure and Loan Spreads for NonU

Syndicated lending allows participant banks to offer larger loans for longer tenors. A diversified syndicate structure, which includes both domestic and foreign banks, can aid in reducing their risk and alleviate information asymmetry in loan contracting. Using cross-country data on syndicated loans obtained by nonU.S. firms, we find that a diversified syndicate structure is associated with lower loan spreads for riskier borrowers compared to loans made by non-diversified syndicates. We also find that the positive effect of a diversified syndicate on loan terms is more pronounced during periods of greater economic policy uncertainty, when information asymmetry tends to be higher. The baseline findings hold across subsamples of the data and are robust to alternative specifications and controls for selection effects. Our findings provide evidence on the benefits of a diversified syndicate structure in mitigating screening and monitoring costs in bank lending.
Neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency: analysis of pediatric patients*

SUMMARY Vitamin B12 is one of the essential vitamins that affect various systems in the body, including the central nervous system. Vitamin B12 plays an important part in the metabolism of the nervous system, although its exact role under pathological conditions is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency in the light of the characteristics of the patients enrolled. This retrospective, clinical study included 38 children with neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Records of 38 patients referred to a single center of the university hospital outpatient child neurology clinic due to neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency between February 2012 and December 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients aged 0-18 years with symptoms including syncope, dizziness, convulsion, hypotonia, developmental retardation, tremor, ataxia, tingling sensations and paresthesia, blurring of vision, fatigue and concentration difficulty caused by vitamin B12 deficiency were included in the study. Patient neurological findings included syncope (n=6), dizziness (n=4), hypotonia (n=9), inability to sit or walk without support, or gait ataxia (n=2), convulsion (n=4), hand tremor (n=1), tingling sensations and paresthesia (n=3), vision blurring (n=1), fatigue and concentration difficulty (n=8). All patients with neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency recovered within one month after vitamin B12 supplementation. In conclusion, clinical characteristics of vitamin B12 deficiency are broad and nonspecific and may not be associated with anemia and increased mean corpuscular volume. Since different clinical characteristics can be seen without anemia, awareness and cautious approach are essential in order to avoid severe clinical disease, especially in children from underdeveloped countries.