Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 (BMP6) on Chicken Granulose Cells Proliferation and Progesterone Synthesis

There is increasing evidence that bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) plays critical roles in regulating various stages of ovarian follicle development in mammals. However, the mechanisms of regulation of BMP6 in the chicken ovary remain unclear. In this study, mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 in chicken ovarian follicles at different development stages were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot separately. Different concentrations of BMP6 protein and FSH were added to the culture medium, and the effects to proliferation of granulose cells were detected, further effect on expression pattern of progesterone synthesis associated genes were also analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting and the secretion of progesterone was detected by ELISA. The results showed that mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 increased significantly in the follicle with the development of follicle (p<0.05) and reached a peak at F1 follicle. Adding concentration of 50ng/ml and 100ng/ml of BMP6 protein promoted significantly the proliferation of granulosa cells (p<0.05), as well as up-regulated the expression of Steroid hormone synthesis acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) genes in mRNA and protein level. Meanwhile, the secretion of progesterone was significantly higher in the group that added BMP6 and FSH separately than blank control group (p<0.05) and reached a peak in the group that both added BMP6 and FSH. Collectively, these findings highlight that BMP6 is associated with proliferation of follicular cells and the synthesis of progesterone, which indicated that it took an important role in the follicular development of chicken.
Associations Between Liver Function, Bone Turnover Biomarkers and Adipokines in Older Patients With Hip Fracture

Background: To examine the associations of serum liver markers with parameters of mineral and bone metabolism and their relationship with leptin, adiponectin and resistin in patients with hip fracture (HF). Methods: In 294 older patients (mean age 82.2 ± 7.9 years, 72.1% women) with osteoporotic HF, we measured serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, albumin, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, magnesium, osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), urinary concentrations of deoxypyridinoline (DPD/Cr) and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTx/Cr) (both corrected for urinary creatinine concentrations), as well as routine blood parameters. Results: In the total cohort, in fully adjusted multivariate linear regression analyses, lower OC was an independent predictor of higher GGT, ALT and bilirubin, whereas higher BAP was positively associated with GGT and ALP; NTx/Cr, hemoglobin (both inversely), adiponectin, coronary artery disease (CAD) and alcohol overuse (all three positively) were also independently associated with GGT activity. However, in malnourished women, OC was not an independent predictor of GGT or ALT and NTx/Cr predicted ALP activity. OC was independently predicted by GGT, ALT (both negatively), ALP, leptin and age (all three positively), BAP by GGT and ALP, OC/BAP ratio by GGT (inversely) and leptin (positively) and both elevated NTx/Cr and DPD/Cr by higher ALP and lower leptin levels. The GGT > 20 U/L indicated increased prevalence of low OC levels (two-fold) and low OC/BAP ratio (2.6-fold) with a positive predictive value above 75%. Conclusions: In older HF patients, bidirectional links exist between liver function (within normal range in the vast majority) and parameters of bone metabolism. Adiponectin is an independent predictor of GGT, whereas leptin is a determinant of OC and bone resorption; these relationships are modulated by nutritional status. GGT > 20 U/L may be used as a marker of impaired bone metabolism. J Endocrinol Metab. 2014;4(5-6):121-135 doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.14740/jem250w
Comparison of Methods for Determining Critical Concentrations of Soil Test Phosphorus for Corn

Critical concentrations of soil-test P (STP) are used to identify soils where response to P fertilization should be expected. There is, however, little agreement concerning the methods that should be used to identify critical STP concentrations. This study compares the efficacy of critical STP concentrations generated by using various methods. Twenty-five P fertilization trials with corn (Zea mays L.) were established in Iowa. Available soil P at each site was estimated by the Bray-P 1 , Mehlich-3, and Olsen extractants (.)
Long‐term slip history discriminates among occurrence models for seismic hazard assessment

Today, the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) community relies on stochastic models to compute occurrence probabilities for large earthquakes. Considerable efforts have been devoted to extracting information from long catalogs of large earthquakes based on instrumental, historical, archeological and paleoseismological data. However, the models remain only and insufficiently constrained by these rare single‐slip event data. Therefore, the selection of the models and their respective weights necessarily involves ruling by a panel of experts. Since cumulative slip data with high temporal and spatial resolution are now available, we propose a new approach to incorporate these pieces of evidence of mid‐ to long‐term fault behavior into PSHA: the Cumulative Offset‐Based Bayesian Recurrence Analysis (COBBRA). For the Dead Sea Fault, our method provides weights to the competing recurrence and rupture models, allows time‐independent models to be ruled out, and provides a means to compute the cumulative probability of occurrence for the next full‐segment event reflecting all available data.
Two-dimensional Core-collapse Supernova Explosions Aided by General Relativity with Multidimensional Neutrino Transport

We present results from simulations of core-collapse supernovae in FLASH using a newly implemented multidimensional neutrino transport scheme and a newly implemented general relativistic (GR) treatment of gravity. We use a two-moment method with an analytic closure (so-called M1 transport) for the neutrino transport. This transport is multienergy, multispecies, velocity dependent, and truly multidimensional, i.e., we do not assume the commonly used “ray-by-ray” approximation. Our GR gravity is implemented in our Newtonian hydrodynamics simulations via an effective relativistic potential that closely reproduces the GR structure of neutron stars and has been shown to match GR simulations of core collapse quite well. In axisymmetry, we simulate core-collapse supernovae with four different progenitor models in both Newtonian and GR gravity. We find that the more compact proto–neutron star structure realized in simulations with GR gravity gives higher neutrino luminosities and higher neutrino energies. These differences in turn give higher neutrino heating rates (upward of ∼20%–30% over the corresponding Newtonian gravity simulations) that increase the efficacy of the neutrino mechanism. Three of the four models successfully explode in the simulations assuming GREP gravity. In our Newtonian gravity simulations, two of the four models explode, but at times much later than observed in our GR gravity simulations. Our results, in both Newtonian and GR gravity, compare well with several other studies in the literature. These results conclusively show that the approximation of Newtonian gravity for simulating the core-collapse supernova central engine is not acceptable. We also simulate four additional models in GR gravity to highlight the growing disparity between parameterized 1D models of core-collapse supernovae and the current generation of 2D models.
Adoption of e-Books: A Digital Textbook Perspective

ABSTRACT Whereas the rise of e-book use has undermined printed books, it is somewhat surprising that students still prefer printed books for intensive reading and would rather use e-contents just for fun. This calls for a holistic study that investigates what facilitates or hinders e-book use in the digital era. Drawing upon UTAUT and cognitive judgmental processes, a research framework was tested with 1,419 university students. Further, the responses were split into those students with digital textbook exposure and those without it to examine their differing mental schemas. Results confirm that performance expectancy is the primary factor in the digital textbook adoption. Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions are significant to the experienced, but not to the non-experienced. The experienced do not see result demonstrability and output quality as variables that influence usefulness, while the other group perceives them to be critical. Theoretical and practical implications of this research are also discussed.
Adoption of Identity Theft Countermeasures and its Short- and Long-Term Impact on Firm Value

Identity theft has impaired e-commerce. To combat the crime, many identity theft countermeasures (ITC) have been proposed. As investments in ITC are substantial and the benefits of such investments are intangible, companies are often hesitant to adopt such measures. This was the motivation for this study of the impact of 526 ITC adoption announcements on short- and long-term market value. The event study shows that such announcements result in positive market return of about U.S. $583 million around the date of announcement. Calendar-time portfolio analysis (CPA) is used for the long-term impact analysis and shows that the adoption of ITC generates positive and significant average monthly return up to 1.5% with control of market risk factors in a year. Subsampling analysis and interaction analysis show that U.S. listing, early ITC adoption, and two- factor authentication may moderate the market value of ITC adopters differently. A number of robustness checks (e.g., Heckman model, cross-sectional regression on Tobin’s Q, firm-specific risk factor analysis, subsampling analysis by ICT development, and analysis of security statements in annual reports) are performed. The research provides quantitative evidence of financial gain resulting from adoption of ITC and aspires to raise ITC awareness among industrial practitioners.
Climate Extremes and Society: Definition, diagnosis, and origin of extreme weather and climate events

Extreme weather and climate events are a major source of risk for all human societies. There is a pressing need for more research on such events. Various societal changes, such as increased populations in coastal and urban areas and increasingly complex infrastructure, have made us potentially more vulnerable to such events than we were in the past. In addition, the properties of extreme weather and climate events are likely to change in the twenty-first century owing to anthropogenic climate change. The definition, classification, and diagnosis of extreme events are far from simple. There is no universal unique definition of what is an extreme event. This chapter discusses these issues and presents a simple framework for understanding extreme events that will help enable future work in this important area of climate science and global reinsurance.
GAD-7 and PHQ-9 measurement of perinatal anxiety and depression in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Yaounde, Cameroon

Worldwide, millions of pregnant women are identified as being at high risk for obstetrical complications yearly. Mental health is fundamental to health and pregnancy and the puerperium is at times sufficiently stressful to provoke exacerbation, recurrence or new onset of mental illness thereby leading to complications. Hence maternal perinatal health has enormous consequences for the wellbeing of the mother, her baby and the family.4 Because perinatal anxiety and depression could lead to serious consequences including poor obstetric and neonatal outcome, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women be screened during pregnancy. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists equally recommends ABSTRACT
Investigation of Power Transmission of a Helium Plasma Jet to Different Dielectric Targets Considering Operating Modes

The interaction of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet with different dielectric surfaces is investigated using a setup of two ring electrodes around a ceramic capillary. In this study, in addition to electrical measurement methods such as the determination of voltage and current, special emphasis was placed on the power measurements at the electrodes and the effluent. The power dissipation is correlated with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy measurements of O3 and NO2 densities. The results show the correlation between the dielectric constant and the dissipated power at the target. The ratio between power dissipation at the grounded ring electrode and the grounded surface shows an increase with increasing dielectric constant of the target. A correlation of the results with bacteria, tissue and water as envisaged dielectric targets shows four times the power dissipation at the treatment spot between bacteria and tissue.
Effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur on Growth, Yield and Quality of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications keeping a net plot size of 3.5 x 7.5 m to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and sulphur on growth, yield and quality of hybrid maize (cargill-707). Application of fertilizer at 150±30 and 150+20 kg N and S per hectare, respectively greatly increased dry weight per plant, No. of grains per cob and grain weight per cob over other treatments, Similarly, highest grain yield of 8.59 tones per hectare was recorded from plot fertilized at 150 kg N and 30 kg S per hectare. While maximum grain oil and crude protein contents were recorded from plot fertilized at 150+30 and 150 20 kg N and S per hectare, respectively.
Quercetin elevates antioxidant status and modulates ouabain-sensitive transmembrane sodium pump in rat brain.

This study investigated in vivo antioxidant effect of quercetin in normal rat brain and in vitro effect of quercetin on cerebral sodium pump. Brain antioxidant factors (phenol, flavonoid, TBARS, Vitamin C and GSH) of normal male Wistar rats were quantified spectrophotometrically, while in vitro effect of quercetin on cerebral sodium pump was investigated through enzyme assay by measuring the of phosphate (Pi). The results showed that in vivo administration of quercetin significantly (P<0.001) increased brain’s phenol and flavonoid contents and significantly (P<0.001) decreased TBARS irrespective of the routes of administration. Intraperitoneal route caused significant (P<0.001) antioxidant effect compared to oral route of administration. In vitro investigation showed quercetin (IC50 73.68 μm) like ouabain (IC50 12.21 μm) as a moderate inhibitor of cerebral sodium pump. Its inhibitory effect can be modulated when the incubating medium was altered. Quercetin elevates cerebral antioxidant factors and modulates cerebral sodium pump in normal rats.
Phosphorus nutrition provoked improvement on the growth and yield of 'MD-2' pineapple.

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential nutrients needed by plants in large amount. However, response of fruit crops to phosphorus application may vary depending on soil and climatic conditions of the area. Hence, this study was conceptualized to evaluate the growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘MD-2’ pineapple in response to varying rates of P under Adtuyon clay soil in Bukidnon, Philippines. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five amounts (0, 84, 127, 169 and 211 kg ha-1, respectively) of P as treatments with three replications. Results revealed that ‘MD-2’ pineapple growth was significantly influenced by P application. However, highest dose (211 kg ha-1) of P in Adtuyon clay soil did not provoked significant P uptake of ‘MD-2’ pineapple. Instead, P uptake declined beyond 169 kg P ha-1 application. Zn uptake of pineapple declined also as P applied in soil was beyond 169 kg P ha-1. Unpredictably, ‘MD-2’ pineapple plants starved with P still produced fruits (mean fruit mass of 1.28 kg) with a yield of 76.80 tons ha-1, however it could not be denied that higher doses of P (≥169 kg ha-1) improved the fruit mass (≥1.42 kg) as well as yield (≥96.92 tons ha-1) of ‘MD-2’ pineapple. Fruit physicochemical properties of ‘MD-2’ pineapple was not dependent on the amount of P applied in the soil. In general, 169 kg P ha-1 was found as the optimal amount of P for ‘MD-2’ pineapple production in Adtuyon clay soil.
Lean on me? The influence of parental separation and divorce on children’s support networks in four European countries

Using data on 14-year old children in four European countries, this study compares the support networks of children in intact and separated families. It is found that a parental separation has significant effects on the nature of these networks. Children of separated parents are less likely to include the father in their networks and also less likely to include the mother, although this latter effect is smaller than the former. Conflict after separation is negatively associated with the presence of parents in the network, while co-parenting is positively associated with mentioning the father. Other persons in the network (kin, friends) are not mentioned more often when children have separated parents. Theoretically, our results confirm hypotheses about physical and emotional availability. Hypotheses about network compensation by others than the parents receive little support. Some cross-national variation in effects of separation is found, but a negative effect exists in all countries. The practical relevance of our findings is that the increased demand for support that children experience when their parents separate, often goes together with a reduction in the supply of support.
Cross-delisting, financial constraints and investment sensitivities

We investigate the impact of cross-delisting on firms’ financial constraints and investment sensitivities. We find that firms that cross-delisted from a U.S. stock exchange face stronger post-delisting financial constraints than their cross-listed counterparts, as measured by investment-to-cash flow sensitivity. Following a delisting, the sensitivity of investment-to-cash flow increases significantly and firms also tend to save more cash out of cash flows. Moreover, this increase appears to be primarily driven by informational frictions that constrain access to external financing. We document that information asymmetry problems are stronger for firms from countries with weaker shareholders protection and for firms from less developed capital markets.
Teachers’ Quality and Internal Efficiency in Primary Schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This paper examined teachers' quality and internal efficiency of primary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. As an expo facto and descriptive research, the study population comprised all the 694 primary schools in the State. Out of this, a sample of 520 primary schools was selected through the simp le random samp ling techniques. The headteachers of the 520 primary schools were the respondents in the study. A cohort of 91,061 pupils who entered the schools in 2003 and graduated in 2008 were purposively selected for the study. Two instruments were used to collect data. These were an inventory and a questionnaire. The data collected were analy zed using frequency counts, percentages, Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis, Correlat ion Matrix, Regression Analysis of Variance and Multiple Regression. It was found that teacher quality had significant relat ionship with the internal efficiency of primary schools in the State. The best predictor of internal efficiency of the schools was teacher qualifications. It was then reco mmended that the State govern ment should intensify more effort in the training of teachers in order to acquire higher qualifications that would enhance the internal efficiency of primary schools in the State.
Linkage Between Human Resources Practices and Organizational Citizenship Behavior through Mediation of Perceived Organizational Support

Human resource (HR) practices have imperative role in polishing the abilities of employees of every sector. Similarly, HR practices like training and development and performance management have mammoth significance to boost up the professional capabilities of teachers. Unfortunately, teachers have not been provided trainings in Pakistan especially in schools due to which standard of education is very low. They only work for the financial benefits and don’t have any interest in welfare of schools. Thereby, this study aimed to investigate the role of training and development and performance management on organizational citizenship behaviors by considering the mediating role of perceived organizational support. Data were collected through questionnaires by adopting pretested and valid scales from prior study from 330 teachers of schools in Gujranwala division, Punjab, Pakistan. The data analysis was carried out with the help of AMOS and SPSS soft wares. The findings of current study were obtained with the help of structural equation modeling which indicated that performance management and training and development positively and significant associated with organizational citizenship behavior. Findings also demonstrated that perceived organizational support partially mediated the relationship among training and development, performance management and organizational citizenship behaviors. The recommendations for managers and scholars were outlined at the end. In addition to, limitations and future directions have also been discussed. Keywords: Training and Development, Performance Management, Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Perceived Organizational Support
EFFICACY OF MAHOGANY BARK AQUEOUS EXTRACTS AND EXPOSURE TO SOLAR HEAT FOR TREATMENT OF POTATO TUBER SOFT ROT CAUSED BY ERWINIA CAROTOVORA SSP. CAROTOVORA

The efficacy of combining tuber treatment with mahogany bark aqueous extracts and exposure to solar heat for the control of potato tuber soft rot was investigated. Artificially inoculated potato tubers were treated with mahogany bark aqueous extracts and exposed to solar heat for zero, one, two and three hours. The results showed that tuber treatment with the plant extract followed by exposure to solar heat significantly reduced the incidence and severity of tuber soft rot compared to the control group. However, the highest reduction in the incidence and severity of the disease was recorded on tubers treated with the plant extract and incubated immediately after treatment (no exposure to solar heat). This suggests that the plant extract is more effective at lower than higher temperatures. Potato tuber losses due to soft rot could therefore be managed by tuber treatment with mahogany bark extract and no exposure to solar heat.