Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Neutrophil Proteinase 3 on IGFBP-3 Proteolysis in Obesity

Obesity is a complex disorder and is a major risk factor associated with the incidence of insulin resistance (IR), diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other metabolic disorders. The endocrine paradigm suggests that visceral fat in obesity, consisting primarily of adipocytes, secretes various pro-inflammatory adipokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), leptin, visfatin, resistin, and IL-6 creating a state of local inflammation further resulting in chronic systemic inflammation and accelerating the events leading to systemic IR, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a major role in growth, development and maintenance of homeostasis in normal cells. IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), the major binding protein in circulation, has been shown to be associated with obesity, IR, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CVD. Recent studies have demonstrated the IGFBP-3-specific receptor (IGFBP-3R) is a novel protein mediating the anti-inflammatory function of IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 inhibits adipokine-induced insulin resistance and early manifestations of atherosclerosis via inhibition of NF-κB signaling in adipocytes. Furthermore, decreases in total IGFBP-3 levels and increases in proteolyzed IGFBP-3 in circulation have been documented in obese populations compared to their normal counterparts further establishing a positive correlation between IGFBP-3 proteolysis and adiposity parameters as well as IR. Conversely, our recent studies have identified that neutrophil serine protease (NSP) PR3, an IGFBP-3 specific protease in obesity, is positively correlated with IGFBP-3 proteolysis, IR, body mass index, TNF and IL-8. These findings strongly suggest that obesity-induced activation of PR3 abrogates the anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R cascade, resulting in IR and its progression to T2DM. The complete characterization of the underlying mechanism and functional significance of the PR3-IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R cascade in obesity will foster identification of the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of PR3 inhibition in insulin resistance and its sequelae.
The Relationship between Corporate Governance and Value of the Firm in Developing Countries: Evidence from Bangladesh

This study aimed to examine the relationship between four corporate governance mechanisms (board size, board independent director, chief executive officer duality and board audit committee) and value of the firm (performance) measures (return on assets, ROA and return on equity, ROE). The study is based on a sample of 93 listed non-financial companies in Dhaka Stock Exchanges (DSE) 2006. Using OLS as a method of estimation, the results provide evidence of a position significant relationship between ROA and independent director as well as chief executive officer duality. The results further revels a positive significant relationship between ROE and board independent director as well as chief executive officer duality. The study, however, could not provide a significant relationship between the value of the firm measures (ROA and ROE) and board size and board audit committee.
DEVELOPMENTS IN CONDITIONING PROCEDURES FOR THE TTF-III POWER COUPLERS*

Despite extensive experience in many laboratories on power conditioning of couplers for RF superconducting accelerators, it is still not a well understood procedure and can produce many unpredictable phenomena. There remains considerable interest in reducing the power coupler conditioning time necessary for superconducting linear accelerators. This paper presents studies of optimisation of the conditioning procedure for the couplers intended for use on the European XFEL project.
Effect of Work Values on Work Outcomes: Investigating Differences between Job Categories

Organizational researchers have found that work values influence, or are influenced by, other factors. This article explores basic work value dimensions and examines their effect on work outcomes. Study 1 used an exploratory factor analysis of data from 6,500 working persons in Japan and identified 6 basic work values that varied by job category. Study 2 demonstrated that these work values influenced job outcomes such as satisfaction, a sense of personal growth, and perceived skills.
The 2017 Mw 8.2 Chiapas, Mexico, Earthquake: Energetic Slab Detachment

On 8 September 2017, a great (Mw 8.2) normal faulting earthquake ruptured within the subducting Cocos Plate ~70 km landward from the Middle American Trench beneath the Tehuantepec gap. Iterative inversion and modeling of teleseismic and tsunami data and prediction of GPS displacements indicate that the steeply dipping rupture extended ~180 km to the northwest along strike toward the Oaxaca coast and from ~30 to 70 km in depth, with peak slip of ~13 m. The rupture likely broke through the entire lithosphere of the young subducted slab in response to downdip slab pull. The plate boundary region between the trench and the fault intersection with the megathrust appears to be frictionally coupled, influencing location of the detachment. Comparisons of the broadband body wave magnitude (mB) and moment‐scaled radiated energy (ER/M0) establish that intraslab earthquakes tend to be more energetic than interplate events, accounting for strong ground shaking observed for the 2017 event.
Incorporation of hydrolytic enzymes in commercial quailfeed and its effects on growth performance of quail

The effect of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in animal feeds and their potential to enhance feed utilization in quail was investigated. A 35-day feeding trial involving 60, one day old Japanese quail was carried out, in a completely randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the growth characteristics using enzymes at a dietary level of 0.3% Natugrain + 0.035% phytase (T1), 0.1% Digestase + 0.035% phytase (12) and 0.3% Natugrain + 0.3% Digestase + 0.035% phytase (T3). Daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined for each diet. Proximate analysis of quail commerdal feed was carried out. Results showed that daily feed intake was the least in T2 (0.1% Digestase + 0.035% phytase) on 35 days of experiment. T1 (0.3% Natugrain + 0.035% phytase) also showed decline in daily feed intake compared to control diet for the experiment. However, T3 (0.3% Natugrain + 0.1% Digestase + 0.035% phytase) consume the most in daily feed intake on 35 days of age. There was no significance difference (p>0.05) for body weight. Average body weight in T2 was higher compared with control, T1 and T3. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of experimental birds in T1, and T2 showed a better performances in 35 days of experiment (1.34 - 1.41) compared with control. It is suggested that the Indusion of these hydrolytic enzymes in diets could be used in quail commerdal feed to enhance feed intake and to promote weight gain in quail.
Monetary Policy Shocks from the EU and US: Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper addresses the debate in the literature on how developing countries are affected by foreign monetary policy shocks. I analyze how contractionary monetary policy shocks originating in different regions, specifically the Euro Area (“EU”) and United States (“US”), affect a set of rarely investigated sub-Saharan African (“SSA”) countries. Foreign monetary policy shocks are identified using changes in central bank futures rates, and are inserted into a domestic structural vector autoregression (“SVAR”). Results differ depending on which of the EU or US shocks monetary policy and whether or not the recipient SSA country has a floating or fixed exchange rate regime. Specifically, floating exchange rate countries have a mostly negative GDP response following either shock due to a reliance on capital flows and external debt, and the implications these have for domestic interest rate responses. Fixed exchange rate countries have mixed GDP responses following the EU shock, as both trade and the effect of capital control usage on interest rates play an important role, while US shocks produce positive GDP responses as aid from the US dominates both trade and interest rates. The implications of these results for floating exchange rate countries is that diversification of foreign external debt and a reduction in reliance on international capital may be beneficial. For fixed exchange rate countries the implication is that capital controls can be a positive tool in the development process.
CIDER PRODUCTION FROM APPLE OF VARIETY EVA AND FOUR STRAINS OF ALCOHOLIC YEASTS

The aim of this study was to produce Eva apple ciders using four strains of alcoholic yeast and to analyze their physicochemical and sensory characteristics. The yeast used in the fermentation process were baker's yeast; top fermentation beer yeast; white wine yeast, and red wine yeast. It was produced dry cider (<20 g L-1) and sweet ciders (50 g L-1 and 100 g L-1). The experimental design was composed by twelve treatments. The tests were conducted with two replicates. The fruits were washed, crushed and pressed to extract juice which was inoculated with four yeast strains. Fermentation process was held in PVC fermenters (20 L), at 18 °C until the limit attenuation. After this phase, beverages were bottled to 4.5 liters bottles, with removal of atmospheric air. Maturation process was held at 10 °C for 30 days. The matured beverage had its sugar content adjusted according to the treatment and then put in 660 ml glass bottles. All ciders were as chemically analyzed for alcohol content, total acidity, volatile acidity, fix acidity, turbidity, and color. Ciders were sensory evaluated by 9-point hedonic scale test. All four types of yeasts interfered with the physicochemical parameters of dry and sweet ciders. Beverages produced with white wine yeast had lower turbidity and higher total acidity. Beverages produced with white wine yeast presented higher sensory quality in all parameters, such as appearance, aroma, flavor, overall assessment. All ciders produced in this study were within the standards set by Brazilian law.
The contribution of talk to generating flow experience in the music classroom

People can experience flow whilst taking part in a range of activities such as painting, sport and music and work. A flow state is achieved by balancing high levels of skill and challenge in a cyclical process that involves setting clear self-imposed goals and generating immediate, unambiguous feedback. Originally developed to study the quality of experience in everyday life, the flow model has been applied in this study to investigate young people’s experiences in the music classroom. The aim is to contribute to research in educational practice by exploring how school children experience working together during music lessons. Although collaborative musical participation is encouraged in the classroom context, very little empirical research has been conducted to investigate how effective this is and even less by practicing music teachers in UK schools. The research illustrates how flow theory can contribute to reaching a greater understanding of the nature and quality of pupils’ experiences in the music classroom. The study was conducted by a music teacher based in a state secondary school near Manchester in the north west of England. A mixed methods approach was used incorporating quantitative analysis of participants’ self reports recorded on experience sampling forms and qualitative analysis of verbal interactions. Findings were triangulated with teacher assessments of the finished compositions. The paper reports examples of the results of analysis of the verbal interactions recorded during the composing process. During the interactions, participants were observed in cooperative and competitive discussion, using a range of problem solving strategies and demonstrating their abilities for critical reflection mutual acceptance of each other’s ideas. These aspects were found to reflect flow experience in collaborative contexts.
Light scattering and Secchi depth in an oligotrophic lake: Insights from an individual particle analysis technique

Abstract Light-scattering attributes of particles of the upper waters of oligotrophic Skaneateles Lake, New York, were characterized monthly for the spring - fall interval of 2 years with scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image and X-ray analyses (SAX). SAX results were used to make forward estimates of the particulate scattering coefficients associated with 2 components (bx) of the overall particle population, minerogenic particles (bm) and diatoms (bdi), through Mie theory calculations. Estimates of the third component, scattering by organic particles other than diatoms (bo/nd), were calculated as the residual of bulk measurements of the particulate scattering coefficient (bp) and the summation of bm and bdi. Regulation of Secchi depth (SD) in the lake by bp was documented, in the form of a strong (R2 = 0.73) linear SD-1 - bp relationship. Variations in the summation (bm + bdi) explained 66% of the dynamics of bp and 56% for SD-1. A 2-component partitioning of bp that incorporates the SAX-Mie-based values of bm, and estimates of the contribution of all organic particulates with an empirical chlorophyll-a-based bio-optical model, failed to predict the bp dynamics but closed well on average for the entire study period. The SD-1 - bp relationship and the reported partitioning of bp were used to predict: (1) changes in bx from the study conditions that are consistent with a robust range of historic observations of SD, and (2) scenarios of management interest of levels of SD expected from hypothetical changes in bx.
Contraceptive-seeking behavior of women attending antenatal care in a developing country: A veritable tool for slowing population growth

Background: The use of modern contraceptives has been embraced by developed nations as a means of achieving controlled growth rate. Nigeria, Africa′s most populous nation at 158 million with a growth rate of 2% is expected to grow to 730 million by the end of this century. There is need for regular assessment of the knowledge and practice of contraception among women of childbearing age. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the contraceptive-seeking pattern among women attending antenatal care in an urban city in a developing country and the factors affecting usage. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 430 antenatal women using structured self-administered questionnaires on randomly selected attendees who consented to participate. Results were analyzed using SPSS Version 16 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Although majority of the women 71.2% (306/430) wished to have between 1 and 4 children, only 20% (87/430) had on their own sought for advice on contraception from a health facility. The percentage of women who had a knowledge of contraception was 61.4% (264/430) with highest source of information from antenatal clinics. Among the women, 41.2% (177/430) have used contraception since getting married; 16.1% (69/430) used natural and withdrawal methods while only 25.1% (108/430) used modern contraceptives. Reasons for nonusage of some modern contraceptives given by 340 women include fear of side effect 53.2% (181/340), objection from partner 7.9% (27/340), conflict with religious beliefs 4.1% (14/340) while 34.4% (117/340) had no reason for not using contraceptive. Conclusion: Contraceptive-seeking is low. Programs aimed at encouraging women to deliver in health facilities should be intensified. Health workers should utilize every opportunity to educate on contraceptive choices.
Mycotoxins and Toxigenic Fungi in Arabic Coffee Beans in Saudi Arabia

Aiming to determine the extent of coffee bean contamination by toxigenic fungi and Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin, forty eight samples were collected from local markets of the Saudi city, Jeddah. Out of these samples, forty six toxigenic isolates related to the genera Aspergillus and Pencillium were isolated and tested for their production of Aflatoxin B (AFB ) and Ochratoxin (OTA) using TLC chromatography. The finding was 11 that eight different isolates of A. flavus produced AFB and four of A. ochraceus produced OTA. Using HPLC, 1 it was found that eight samples of coffee beans were naturally contaminated. The quantification of Aflatoxin B ranged between 2.1-219 µg kg while Ochratoxin A. ranged between 3.77-25.9 µg kg . This indicates that 1 11 coffee, the most popular beverage in Saudi Arabia, has high level of toxin contamination when it is stored or displayed in less hygienic conditions.
Prediction of resiliency based on Family communication patterns and satisfying basic psychological needs

he purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family communication patterns and Resiliency with mediating role of satisfying basic psychological needs in high school students. Therefore, 379 participants (183 males and 196 females) were selected by multistage random cluster sampling among high school students in Dezful city. The research tools include: Basic need satisfaction in relationship (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Resilience Scale of Connor - Davidson (2003) and Revised Family Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Koerner and Fitzpatrick, 2002). The reliability and validity of the instruments were approved. To test the model, Path analysis was used that results indicated that among dimensions of family communication patterns, the dialogue dimension has a significant positive direct and indirect effect on resiliency through three psychological. In addition Conformity dimension had indirect effect on resiliency through satisfying needs for relatedness. In sum the results showed that basic need satisfaction had a mediating role in the relationship between family communication pattern and resiliency. The findings of this study are good evidences of direct and indirect impact of parents on children. Therefore, the families who were trying to have a dialogue with children, pay attention to their demands, this resulted in child resilience. Keywords: Dialogue, need for relatedness, need for competence and resiliency.
Hidden diversity and cryptic speciation refute cosmopolitan distribution in Caprella penantis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae)

Caprella penantis is considered a cosmopolitan species and one of the most challenging caprellids in taxonomic terms because of its remarkable intraspecific morphological variation. This study examined DNA sequences from mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (18S) markers together with morphological data from 25 localities of C. penantis, and closely related species Caprella dilatata and Caprella andreae, all traditionally considered part of the old ‘acutifrons’ complex. The large genetic divergence and reciprocally allopatric distributions point to the existence of a species complex of at least four species, of which one is reported as a cryptic species. This study provides the first evidence of cryptic speciation in the family Caprellidae, and questions the validity of some traditional morphological characters used to delimit species in the genus Caprella. Our results are consistent with the idea that main factors were probably isolation by distance and ecological traits, promoting diversification in C. penantis. The strong genetic structure reported for this species in the Iberian Peninsula and Moroccan coasts also suggests restriction to dispersal as well as the presence of refugial areas. These results highlight the utility of the COI and 18S genes in combination with morphological characters for shedding light on systematic questions in caprellids, and patterns of genetic connectivity.
The Impact of Socioeconomic Characteristics on Older Employees' Willingness to Continue Working in Retirement Age

This article explores whether and to what degree information on the so- cioeconomic status - measured by professional status and disposable household income - allows making reliable statements on the willingness to remain in work in retirement age. These observations are controlled for professional and individual characteristics. The data basis is constituted by the study entitled "Continuing in employment in pensionable age" with N = 1,500 dependent employees aged from 55 to under 65. Logistic regressions show that the socioeconomic status makes a statistically-signifi cant contribution towards explaining the willingness to continue in employment: In comparison to employees with a lower or medium professional status, those individuals who have a high professional status tended to be signifi - cantly more willing to remain in working life for longer. There is a negative connec- tion between the disposable household income and the willingness to remain in employment in retirement age. The signifi cant effects that were found are however restricted to the women in the study.
Determinants of corporate cash holdings: An empirical study of Chinese listed firms

This study explores the determinants of corporate cash holdings in the Chinese context. As one of the largest developing countries in the world, China offers an interesting opportunity to explore the role of corporate governance, and ownership structure in explaining corporate cash holdings. Owing to the unique economic problems in the developing and emerging economies, this study aims to investigate whether the research findings on developed countries could be generalized globally. Applying fixed-effects estimations on a sample of 115 Chinese firms listed between 2012 and 2016, we find that the level of corporate cash holdings has a significantly negative relationship with leverage, bank debt, non-cash liquid assets and managerial ownership. In particular, cash flow volatility, investment opportunity and dividend have a significantly positive relationship with cash holdings levels. These findings are consistent with the majority of the existing studies carried out in the Western context. We also find that firm size, cash flow, board independence and ownership concentration have a significant influence on the level of corporate cash holdings. Our study contributes to the finance literature and we offer new insights into the relationship between corporate governance and corporate cash holdings in the Chinese context. Some of the findings on the developed countries could be generalized to a wider context. Further, the unique relationship between corporate governance and cash holdings in the Chinese context provides empirical insights for further research.