Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to 60, 65 and 70 kDa heat shock proteins in pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients

Abstract: Allogeneic SCT remains the only means of cure for many patients with various malignant disorders as well as non‐malignant diseases. Infection together with severe aGvHD may result in a significant incidence of transplant‐related morbidity and mortality. Current evidence suggests that hSPS represent major immunodominant antigens in many pathogens and therefore might play an important role in the pathogenesis of GvHD. We investigated the levels of total Ig, IgG and IgM isotype antibodies to rh‐hsp60, recombinant Mycobacterium bovis hsp65 and stress‐inducible rh‐hsp70 in sera of pediatric patients undergoing SCT by using ELISA. We studied whether humoral immune responses to hSPS follow transplant‐related complications, bacterial and fungal infection. Anti‐hsp antibodies were detected in patients’ sera before conditioning, over the course of conditioning and all the time post‐transplant. We found no correlation between anti‐hsp antibodies and the occurrence and severity of GvHD and/or other transplant‐related complications like graft failure, hemorrhagic cystitis and capillary leakage syndrome. However, elevated anti‐hsp antibodies involving IgM and IgG isotypes were found to be associated with bacterial and fungal infection depending on etiological agents. We demonstrated de novo humoral response to hSPS in a cohort of patients with actual infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (anti‐hsp60, anti‐hsp65 and anti‐hsp70), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (anti‐hsp60, anti‐hsp70) and Aspergillus fumigatus (anti‐hsp65). We conclude that anti‐hsp antibodies might be produced after SCT in relation to infection depending on etiological agents; however, transplant‐related complications by themselves had a little impact.
Productivity of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) as affected by drip fertigation in humid tropics

Field experiments were carried out at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Kerala, India during three seasons, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to investigate the response of cassava to precision approaches in irrigation and fertigation. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plots included three levels of drip irrigation viz., (I 1 - irrigation at 100% pan evaporation (PE), I 2 - 80% PE and I 3 - 60% PE). The sub plots comprised of three fertigation schedules viz., three ratios of recommended nitrogen and potassium fertiliser doses applied at growth stages of 1-40 days, 40-80 days and 80-120 days (F 1 -50:30:20, F 2 -30:50:20 and F 3 -50:40:10). Minisetts of cassava variety 'Sree Vijaya' was planted at a distance of 60 x 45 cm during the dry spell (Dec- May) in all the years. Results indicated that irrigation at 100% PE yielded maximum tuber yield in all the seasons (43.9 t ha -1 ). There was no significant difference in yield among the fertigation schedules. However, interaction effects showed that I 1 F 1 resulted in better growth characters, yield attributes and yield followed by I 1 F 3 . On an average, 280 mm, 224 mm and 168 mm of water were applied in I 1 , I 2 and I 3 irrigation levels respectively during the growing season. Water use efficiency determined was also higher for irrigation at I 1 level of irrigation.
Effect of the Cymbopogon citratus Infusion on the Activity of Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme and on the Redox Profile in Farmers’ Erythrocytes

Agrochemicals were more prominent in 1960, marked due to the agricultural modernization process. As a result of this widespread use for food production, there was also an increase in cases of intoxication caused by these agents which made it necessary to search for alternative therapies for agricultural workers. Thus, considering that phytochemical characterization revealed the presence of antioxidants in Cymbopogon citratus extract, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this plant infusion on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) and on the redox response in farmers’ erythrocytes. These erytrocytes were processed and subjected to treatment with the Cymbopogon citratus infusion (5, 10, 25 and 50 g/L). In these samples the following were determined: the AChE enzyme activity, the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (CPs) and reduced glutathione (GSH). In general, it was discovered that the inhibition of AChE activity is negative regarding to the increase of protein carbonyl levels and positive regarding the GSH levels. In addition, Cymbopogon citratus infusions could not even reverse this inhibition or the high levels of TBARS and CPs. On the other hand, levels of GSH were increased by infusions demonstrating the increased antioxidant activity in rural workers’ erythrocytes.
Co-Authorship Networks Visualization System for Supporting Survey of Researchers’ Future Activities

This paper proposes a visualization system that supports users getting insight into future research activities from co-authorship networks. A bibliographic network such as a co-authorship network and a citation network is im- portant information for researchers when doing a research survey. In particular, there are many requests on research survey that relate with researchers' future activities, such as identification of remarkable researchers including growing researchers and supervisors. Although a citation network has received many attentions from researchers, it is not suitable for such surveys because it reflects researchers' past activities. Since collaboration of researchers is essential for researchers' activities, co-authorship network is supposed to be suitable for predicting future activities. In order to get insights into future research activities by discriminating growing research areas from grown-up areas, the proposed visualization system provides the functions for identifying research areas as well as for identifying time variation of both network structure and keyword distribution. As a basis for getting insights into future research activities, this paper focuses on the task of discriminating growing researchers from supervisors. The effectiveness of the proposed system is evaluated through the detailed analysis of two participants' analyzing process of InfoVis 2004 Contest dataset. It is observed that different analyzing strategies are employed by even the same participant, when available support functions are different. The result indicates participants can successfully utilize the functions in their exploratory analysis process.
Women’s Empowerment Mitigates the Negative Effects of Low Production Diversity on Maternal and Child Nutrition in Nepal

Abstract We use household survey data from Nepal to investigate relationships between women’s empowerment in agriculture and production diversity on maternal and child dietary diversity and anthropometric outcomes. Production diversity is positively associated with maternal and child dietary diversity, and weight-for-height z-scores. Women’s group membership, control over income, reduced workload, and overall empowerment are positively associated with better maternal nutrition. Control over income is positively associated with height-for-age z-scores (HAZ), and a lower gender parity gap improves children’s diets and HAZ. Women’s empowerment mitigates the negative effect of low production diversity on maternal and child dietary diversity and HAZ.
Original Contribution ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC DIVERSITY AMONG SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM POPULATIONS IN CANOLA FIELDS BY REP-PCR

The genetic diversity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations recovered from canola was assessed using rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting. By using four rep-PCR primers, 1927 polymorphic bands out of a total of 2003 (96.2 %) were generated in 38 isolates of S. sclerotiorum. At the species level, Nei's gene diversity (h) was 0.233 and Shannon's index of diversity (I) was 0.376. Genetic diversity based on percentage of polymorphic bands ranged from 59.5% to 75.21%, demonstrated high level of genetic
Stock Market Liquidity and the Decision to Repurchase

We examine the impact of stock market liquidity on managerial payout decisions. We argue that stock market liquidity influences payout policy through a first-order effect on the share repurchase decision, and a second-order or residual effect on the dividend decision. Managers compare the tax and flexibility advantages of a repurchase against its liquidity cost disadvantage. All else equal, higher market liquidity encourages the use of repurchases over dividends. Our empirical results confirm that stock market liquidity plays a significant role in repurchase and dividend initiations, as well as in recurring payout decisions. Unlike previous studies that measure liquidity changes following the repurchase decision, we examine liquidity levels prior to the payout decision. We show that managers condition their repurchase decision on a sufficient level of market liquidity, consistent with Barclay and Smith's (1988) theoretical analysis and Brav et al.'s (2005) CFO survey results. Repurchases have recently become the payout decision of choice in part because of rising stock market liquidity.
The Casual Effects of Service Quality, Brand Image, Customer Satisfaction on Customer Loyalty in the Leisure Resort Enterprise

Owing to the growth of economic, people have more demand for leisure activities. How to improve customer's loyalty has become a key strategy for service management. The purpose of this study was, taking leisure resort enterprise as an example, to explore the casual relationships between service quality, brand image, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. A total of 300 subjects from Taiwan population were voluntarily participated in this study. The LISREL (Linear Structural Relationship) model verification results showed that the overall goodness-of-fit indices (GFI) was 0.952 and χ^2 was 128.639 (df = 95), which indicated an empirically good fit with the model. It was concluded that the service quality, brand image and customer satisfaction of leisure business have a direct relation with loyalty, and the service quality has an indirect effect on loyalty through customer satisfaction. These findings would be a reference for marketing management in the leisure enterprises.
Sinuolinea tetraodoni n.sp., a myxosporean parasite of freshwater pufferfish Tetraodon palembangensis from Southeast Asia - light and electron microscope observations

Slnuolinea tetraodoni n sp from the lumen of the kldney tubules and renal corpuscles of pufferfish Tetraodon palenibangensis Imported from Southeast Asla (Thailand. Sumatra) is descrlbed and illustrated It IS distlngulshed from all previously descrlbed members of the genus by the shape and the small s u e of the mature spore (length 9 56 i 0 51 pm wldth 10 11 i 0 52 pm), the presence of a desmosome-11ke junctlon connecting the 2 spores In the pseudoplasmod~um, and ~ t s geographical distnbution Prevalence of lnfectlon was 100 % in examlned flsh Two triangular spores perpendicular in plane to the suture, developed wlthln the surrounding pseudoplasmod~um Thln valves surrounded the blnucleate sporoplasm cell and 2 spherical polar capsules (3 19 x 3 21 pm) Data concerning ultrastructure and sporogenesls are also presented
An Assessement of Compliance with IFRS Framework at First-Time Adoption by the Quoted Banks in Nigeria

The move towards adopting unified and higher quality accounting standards across the globe started fully in 80s and was catalyzed by stakeholders in advanced economies, in the year 2001 with the establishment of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In its first sitting, the new board unanimously agreed to consolidate all the Standards issued under IASC (IASs) with the ones issued under the new board (IFRSs) as IFRS-framework. The board also stipulated clear procedures to be followed by every entity adopting the consolidated framework. Thus, this study assessed the extent to which the Nigerian Banking Industry complied with these requirements as captured in IFRS 1: First Time Adoption of IFRS. Using ex-post facto and survey research designs, the study sourced data from structured questionnaire and recent audited financial reports of the sampled banks. Qualitative Grading System (QGS) was employed in determining the degree of compliance of the banks while Multivariate regression and Chi-squire test were used in measuring the effect of the factors responsible of such compliance and identified probable difficulties in the process respectively. The study concludes that, Nigerian banking industry complied (semi-strongly) with the requirements of IFRS-framework but, the exercise is still faced with some challenges which include: lack of indepth IFRS knowledge from the preparers of the financial reports. The study also found amenability, globalization and response to users’ needs as factors significantly influencing the compliance level of Nigerian banks with IFRS-framework.
The Rotating Council Presidency: Solution to the Negotiation Dilemma

What role does the rotating Council Presidency play in the European Union (EU)? A debate exists in the literature as to whether the Council Presidency is neutral and weak, or plays a strong role in the European Union, through its agenda-setting powers and leadership role in negotiations. Drawing on the mechanism design literature, I argue that the rotating Council Presidency plays a central role in the negotiation of EU legislation within the Council institutions, helping to solve the ‘negotiation dilemma. ’ Further, addressing this debate in the literature, I argue that, rather than expected neutrality representing a weakness of the Presidency position, a large part of the important role that the Council Presidency plays in the EU stems directly from this characteristic. To evaluate this argument empirically, I draw on interview evidence gathered in 2005 and 2006 with members of COREPER and the Working Groups of the Council institutions.
The Measure of Processes of Care 20-Item (MPOC-20): Validity and Reliability of the Malay Version

The paediatric rehabilitation service in Malaysia is shifting from the traditional child-focused approach to a family-centred approach. At present, there is a lack of an evaluation tool to assess to the quality of paediatric rehabilitation services, and whether the services are in line with the principles of the family-centred service. This study was undertaken to assess validity and reliability of the Malay version of the Measure of Processes of Care 20-item (MPOC-20) questionnaire in evaluating family-centered approach in children rehabilitation services in Kuala Lumpur. The original English version of the MPOC-20 was translated into Malay language, before it was administered to 102 parents of children receiving rehabilitation service at the Occupational Therapy Unit, UKM Medical Centre. The component structure of the MPOC-20 Malay version was examined using principal component analysis with Varimax rotation to explore the factor structures after translation. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to determine the internal consistency reliability of the factors identified in the MPOC-20 Malay version. The resultant four-factor model explained 64 % of the variance in the Malay MPOC-20 responses. All four factors were similar to the five factors described in the original MPOC-20. All the 20 items were retained, with relocation of some items into a new factor. The Malay version of the MPOC-20 showed good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.75 to 0.90. This study demonstrates that the Malay version of the MPOC-20 is valid and reliable, and is suitable for evaluation of the quality of child rehabilitation services in the Malaysian context. DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.17576/JSKM-2015-1302-07
Endophytic bacteria producing antibacterial against methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in seagrass from Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Fitri DS, Pangastuti A, Susilowati A, Sutarno. 2017. Endophytic bacteria producing antibacterial against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in seagrass from Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 733-740. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are bacteria that resistant to the various type of antibiotics and yet cannot be handled comprehensively. The discovery of new antibiotic from endophytic bacteria in seagrass of Rote Island is an option to overcome the resistance. The aims of this research were to screen endophytic bacteria inhibit MRSA from seagrass, to determine the species of the endophytic bacteria and the genetic relationship. Isolation of endophytic bacteria has carried out by inoculating surface sterilization seagrass leaves on Marine Agar (MA) medium. Selection of potential endophytic bacteria-producing anti-MRSA has done using overlay method against MRSA, gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, and gram-negative Escherichia coli. Identification of the endophytic bacteria based on the sequence of 16S rRNA encoding gene. The results showed that there were eight isolates of endophytic bacteria which have antibacterial activity against MRSA of seagrass Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, and Cymodocea rotundata in the Litianak and Oeseli Beaches, Rote Ndao. The diameter of inhibition zone was between 0.65-18.27 mm with narrow spectrum with broad spectrum antibacterial activity. The eight potential endophytic bacteria identity were Bacillaceae E2M1, Bacillaceae E2M3, Bacillus E2M4, Bacillus E2M7, Bacillaceae E2M8, Pseudomonadaceae C1M7, Shewanellaceae C2M3, and Rhodobacteraceae T1M3. Most of the isolates can be said to be a new species as the percent similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence was less than 95% and promising to produce new antibacterial compounds. Phylogenetic relationship showed some isolates clustering in different groups that present the diverse groups of endophytic bacteria were found.
Spatial Variation in Nest-Site Selection by a Secondary Cavity-Nesting Bird in a Human-Altered Landscape

Abstract Characteristics of successful vs. unsuccessful nest sites are likely to vary over time and space in response to habitat changes. I used the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda, Furnariidae), a cavity-nesting species endemic to the temperate rainforest of southern South America, as a model species to determine if territory use and nest-tree selection, and associated consequences for fitness, varied spatially in response to human-driven habitat changes. I established two 10 ha plots in each of three forest habitats that differed in structure and isolation: connected old-growth forest, connected logged forest, and isolated logged fragments. Characteristics of trees used for nesting varied among forest types, but nest success did not. In connected forests (old-growth and logged forest), snags were used more often than expected based on their availability. Nest survival models identified type of tree (snag vs. live tree) and epiphyte cover of trees as the variables with the strongest effects on daily nest survival. Nests in snags and with less epiphyte cover were more successful than nests in live trees. These results support an adaptive nest-site choice in this species. In isolated logged fragments, use of nest trees was proportional to availability, with smaller trees and different tree species used for nesting, suggesting behavioral plasticity in nest-site selection. Territories were similar among forest types and were characterized by a dense understory and more large trees and snags than unused areas. This study provides evidence for consistent territory use but spatially variable nest-tree selection in response to ecological gradients produced by human activities.
A conjecture on multivariate polynomial interpolation.

The generalization of Lagrange and Newton univariate interpolation formulae is one of the topics of multivariate polynomial interpolation. Two classes of geometric con_gurations of points in the plane, suitable for the use of those formulas, were given by Chung and Yao in 1978 for the Lagrange formula, and by Gasca and Maeztu in 1982 for the Newton formula. The latter authors conjectured that every con_guration of the _rst class belongs to the second class and proved that the converse is not true. In 1990 J. R. Busch proved the conjecture for polynomials of degree not greater than 4, showing the dif_culty of extending his reasoning to higher degree. In this paper we prove the same result using different arguments with similar dif_culties, in the hope that these arguments could shed more light to the problem.
A Nondestructive Method to Estimate Standing Crop of Purple Threeawn and Blue Grama

Abstract We used multiple regression analysis to develop models to predict standing crop of purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt.) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K.] Griffiths) nondestructively. Data were collected for 3 yr on the Texas Tech University Native Rangeland, Lubbock, TX, USA. Independent variables included plant length and area measurements (basal area and cross-sectional area at a 7.5-cm plant height and at 50% of total plant height). One hundred randomly selected plants of each species were measured in June 2008; 50 plants of each species were measured in June 2009 and 2010. Coefficients of determination exceeded 0.91 for both species in all 3 yr of measurement. For both species and years, cross-sectional area at 7.5 cm was the most important single predictor variable. For each species, models differed among years. Our regression models were successful at predicting mid- to late-season standing crop of purple threeawn and blue grama grass and provide an effective method for nondestructive monitoring of these species. This approach should be applicable to similar morphotypes of these species. Resumen Usamos un análisis de regresión múltiple para desarrollar modelos no destructivos para predecir la producción de purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt.) y blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K.] Griffiths). Los datos fueron recolectados durante 3 años en el pastizal nativo de Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX, USA. Variables independientes incluyeron longitud de la planta, y mediciones de área (área basal y área de la sección transversal a 7.5 cm de la altura de la planta, área de la sección transversal al 50% del total de la longitud de la planta). Cien plantas de cada especie fueron seleccionadas aleatoriamente y medidas en junio de 2008; 50 plantas de cada especie fueron medidas en junio de 2009 y 2010. Los coeficientes de determinación excedieron 0.91 para ambas especies durante los tres años que se llevaron a cabo las mediciones. Para ambas especies y años, el área transversal a la altura de 7.5 cm fue la variable única de predicción más importante. Para cada especie, los modelos fueron diferentes entre años. Nuestros modelos de regresión fueron exitosos en la predicción de la biomasa en la etapa media a tardía de crecimiento de de los pastos purple threeawn y blue grama y proporcionan un método efectivo no destructivo para el monitoreo de estas especies. Esta metodología debería ser aplicable para morfo tipos similares de estas especies.