Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D status is associated with uteroplacental dysfunction indicated by pre-eclampsia and small-for-gestational-age birth in a large prospective pregnancy cohort in Ireland with low vitamin D status.

BACKGROUND Associations between vitamin D and pregnancy outcomes have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We described the distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 in early pregnancy and investigated associations with pre-eclampsia and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth, which are indicative of uteroplacental dysfunction. DESIGN The SCOPE (Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints) Ireland prospective pregnancy cohort study included 1768 well-characterized low-risk, nulliparous women resident at 52°N. Serum 25(OH)D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 25(OH)D2 were quantified at 15 wk of gestation with the use of a CDC-accredited liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS The mean ± SD total 25(OH)D concentration was 56.7 ± 25.9 nmol/L, and 17% and 44% of women had 25(OH)D concentrations <30 and <50 nmol/L, respectively. The prevalence of pre-eclampsia was 3.8%, and 10.7% of infants were SGA. There was a lower risk of pre-eclampsia plus SGA combined (13.6%) at 25(OH)D concentrations >75 nmol/L (adjusted OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.96). The main predictors of 25(OH)D were the use of vitamin D-containing supplements (adjusted mean difference: 20.1 nmol/L; 95% CI: 18.5, 22.7 nmol/L) and summer sampling (adjusted mean difference: 15.5 nmol/L; 95% CI: 13.4, 17.6 nmol/L). Non-Caucasian ethnicity (adjusted mean difference: -19.3 nmol/L; 95% CI: -25.4, -13.2 nmol/L) and smoking (adjusted mean difference: -7.0 nmol/L; 95% CI: -10.5, -3.6 nmol/L) were negative predictors of 25(OH)D. The mean ± SD concentration of 3-epi-25(OH)D3, which was detectable in 99.9% of samples, was 2.6 ± 1.6 nmol/L. Determinants of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 were 25(OH)D3 (adjusted mean difference: 0.052 nmol/L; 95% CI: 0.050, 0.053 nmol/L) and maternal age (adjusted mean difference: -0.018 nmol/L; 95% CI: -0.026, -0.009 nmol/L). The mean ± SD concentration of 25(OH)D2 was 3.1 ± 2.7 nmol/L, which was present in all samples. No adverse effects of 25(OH)D concentrations >125 nmol/L were observed. CONCLUSIONS In the first report to our knowledge of CDC-accredited 25(OH)D data and pregnancy outcomes from a large, clinically validated, prospective cohort study, we observed a protective association of a 25(OH)D concentration >75 nmol/L and a reduced risk of uteroplacental dysfunction as indicated by a composite outcome of SGA and pre-eclampsia. Well-designed, adequately powered randomized controlled trials are required to verify this observation. The SCOPE pregnancy cohort was registered at www.anzctr. org.au as ACTRN12607000551493.
Deep placement of N fertilizers influences N use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under flooded condition

An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during boro season of 2014 to evaluate the effect of deep placement of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on N use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under flooded condition. The soil was silt loam in texture having pH 6.27, organic matter content 1.95%, total N 0.136%, available P 3.16 ppm, exchangeable K 0.095 me%, available S 10.5 ppm and EC 348 μS cm -1 . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T 1 [Control], T 2 [Prilled urea (130 kg N ha - 1 )], T 3 [USG, 130 kg N ha - 1 ], T 4 [USG, 104 kg N ha - 1 ], T 5 [USG, 78 kg N ha - 1 ], T 6 [NPK briquette, 129 kg N ha - 1 ], T 7 [NPK briquette, 102 kg N ha - 1 ] and T 8 [NPK briquette, 78 kg N ha - 1 ]. All the treatments except T 6 , T 7 and T 8 received 25 kg P and 64 kg K ha -1 as TSP and MoP respectively. In T 6 , T 7 and T 8 treatments, P and K were supplied from NPK briquettes. Prilled urea was applied in three equal splits. USG and NPK briquettes were applied at 10 DAT and were placed at 8-10 cm depth within four hills at alternate row. After deep placement of USG and NPK briquette, and each split application of PU, the water samples were collected for 5 consecutive days and analyzed for NH 4 -N concentration in surface water. After application of N fertilizers, the NH 4 -N in floodwater reached peak on the 2 nd day in PU treated plots and then decreased rapidly over time. In the USG and NPK briquette treated plots, the NH 4 -N was generated slowly but spontaneously over the entire growth period as compared to PU indicating a beneficial role of USG and NPK briquette. The highest grain yield of 7.16 t ha -1 was recorded for T 6 [NPK briquette, 129 kg N ha -1 ] which was statistically similar to that of T 3 [USG, 130 kg N ha -1 ] and T 4 [USG, 104 kg N ha -1 ]. The highest straw yield of 8.05 t ha -1 was obtained for T 3 [USG, 130 kg N ha -1 ]. The deep placement of USG and NPK briquettes enhanced the recovery of applied N and N use efficiency in comparison with the broadcast application of N fertilizers. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 279-284
Pupil dilation and P3 reflect subjective surprise about decision outcome

Central to human and animal cognition is the ability to learn from feedback in order to optimize future rewards. Such a learning signal might be encoded and broadcasted by the brain9s arousal systems, including the noradrenergic locus coeruleus. Pupil responses and the P3 component of event-related potentials reflect rapid changes in the arousal level of the brain. Here we ask whether and how these variables may reflect 9subjective surprise9: the mismatch between one9s expectation about being correct and the outcome of a decision, when expectations fluctuate due to internal factors (e.g., engagement). We show that during an elementary decision-task in the face of uncertainty both physiological markers of phasic arousal reflect subjective surprise. We further show that pupil responses and P3 are unrelated to each other, and that subjective prediction error computations depend on feedback awareness. These results further advance our understanding of the role of central arousal systems in decision-making under uncertainty.
Lifetime Subthreshold Mania is Related to Suicidality in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although the association between mood disorders, and particularly bipolar disorders, comorbidity and suicidality in posttraumatic (PTSD) patients is well established, less information is available on the impact of subsyndromal mood symptoms. The aim of the present study was, thus, to explore the frequency and relationship between subthreshold mood symptoms, assessed by a specific and validated questionnaire, and suicidality in PTSD patients. Method: Sixty-five PTSD outpatients without bipolar disorders and 65 healthy control subjects were asked to complete the Mood Spectrum-SR-Lifetime Version (MOODS-SR), a questionnaire exploring the presence of subthreshold affective symptoms. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between suicidality, explored by six items of the MOODS-SR combined and dichotomized to denote the presence or absence of suicidal ideations/plans and/or attempts, and the number of manic/hypomanic or depressive symptoms. Results: Statistically significant and positive associations were found between the presence of manic/hypomanic and depressive symptoms and the likelihood of suicidal ideation or attempts. Conclusion: Besides depressive, even subthreshold manic/hypomanic features seem to be associated with higher suicidality in PTSD patients.
The Estonian Self-Consciousness Scale and its relation to the five-factor model of personality.

The Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS), developed by Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss (1975), was adapted to the Estonian language. In general, the results supported the 3-factor structure of the SCS. However, many items in the subscales did not load as expected. A 26-item modified scale, the Estonian SCS (ESCS), is presented. A joint factor analysis of the ESCS and the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) scales led to a 5-factor solution, where all the factors that emerged were identified as the Big Five personality dimensions, the ESCS subscales loading most significantly on 3 of these factors: Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), and Openness to Experience (O). Correlation analysis revealed a pattern of correlations, characterized by the strongest associations between Social Anxiety and E (r = -.77), Public Self-Consciousness (PubSC) and N (r = .40), and Private Self-Consciousness (PrivSC) and O (r = .34), which quite well corresponds to the pattern of correlations that was reported for the original versions of the SCS and the NEO-PI (Zuckerman, Kuhlman, Joireman, Teta, & Kraft, 1993). We can conclude that all the SCS subscales can be sufficiently well interpreted in terms of the Big Five model of personality dimensions--PrivSC and PubSC appear to describe some variations of the Big Five themes that are not fully elaborated by the NEO-PI rather than being completely independent domains of individual differences.
Changes in the birth prevalence of selected birth defects after grain fortification with folic acid in the United States: findings from a multi-state population-based study.

BACKGROUND Observational studies and clinical trials have suggested that periconceptional use of folic acid can reduce the risk of birth defects other than neural tube defects (NTDs). Using data reported by states to the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, we examined whether folic acid fortification might have decreased the prevalence of other specific birth defects. METHODS For each of 16 birth defect categories selected for study, birth prevalence for two time periods was calculated with data submitted from a number of states in 1995-1996 ("pre-fortification") and 1999-2000 ("post-fortification"). Changes in birth prevalence between the two time periods were assessed by calculating prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for each defect, and compared by maternal race/ethnicity and availability of prenatally diagnosed cases. RESULTS We confirmed previously reported reductions in the birth prevalence of NTDs. In addition, we found modest, yet statistically significant, decreases in the birth prevalence for transposition of the great arteries(12%), cleft palate only (12%), pyloric stenosis (5%), upper limb reduction defects (11%), and omphalocele (21%). More substantial subgroup decreases were observed for renal agenesis among programs that conduct prenatal surveillance (28%), for common truncus among Hispanics (45%), and for upper limb reduction defects among Hispanics (44%). There were modest yet significant increases in the prevalence of obstructive genitourinary defects (12%) and Down syndrome (7%), but not among programs conducting prenatal surveillance for these defects. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest some modest benefit from the folic acid fortification on the prevalence of a number of non-NTD birth defects.
Relationship Among Trust in Physicians, Demographics, and End-of-Life Treatment Decisions Made by African American Dementia Caregivers

A pilot study was conducted in an urban African American community to explore the relationship between trust in physicians, demographics, and end-of-life treatment decisions made by African American caregivers of family members with dementia: namely, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding. In a cross-sectional design, standard measures were administered to a convenience sample of 68 African American caregivers of family members with dementia. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore associations among the variables. Those with more education exhibited higher (P = .035) trust in physicians than less educated individuals. Caregivers who were more trusting of their physicians were more likely to use mechanical ventilation (P = .0005) than were less trusting caregivers. Conversely, more trusting caregivers were less likely to use tube feeding (P = .022). Our findings suggest that relationships exist among trust in physicians, demographics, and end-of-life treatment decisions. Thus, healthcare providers should consider African American caregivers’ perceived trust in physicians when counseling about dementia and end-of-life treatment choices.
Optimal Cost Overruns: Procurement Auctions with Renegotiation

Cost overrun is ubiquitous in public procurement. We argue that this can be the result of a constraint optimal award procedure when the procurer cannot commit not to renegotiate. If cost differences are more pronounced for more complex designs, it is optimal to fix a simple design ex ante and to renegotiate to a more complex and costlier design ex post. Specifying a simple design initially enhances competition in the auction. Moreover, the procurer cannot benefit from using a multi-dimensional auction, as the optimal scoring rule depends only on the price.
Leisure satisfaction and happiness as a function of leisure activity.

114 subjects rated their happiness, leisure satisfaction, and several dimensions of leisure activity at two points in time. Some personality differences were found between those choosing different kinds of leisure, e.g. self-esteem and voluntary work, cooperativeness and clubs, neuroticism and hobbies rather than sports. Sixty-eight percent of respondents reported being committed to a leisure activity; they found their leisure to be more absorbing, more under control, and more challenging as well as more stressful than those who were not committed to a leisure activity; and they also had greater leisure satisfaction. Leisure satisfaction correlated with happiness, and social aspects of leisure satisfaction predicted happiness in longitudinal analysis.
Evaluation of Wheat Genotypes for Heat Stress under Late Sown Conditions of Allahabad Region

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV), heritability (h2) and genetic advance (GA) for 17 characters were estimated in 19 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under late sown conditions of Allahabad. The significant mean sum of squares for most of the characters indicated the presence of substantial amount of variability. On the basis of mean performance highest grain yield/plant was exhibited by genotype AAIW12 followed by K 910-30 and NW 5013. Highest chlorophyll content was depicted by genotype K 9423 and highest relative injury was observed in genotype K-910-30. High estimates of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance were observed for relative injury, chlorophyll content, grains/spike, tillers/plants, plant height and spike length indicated scope for improvement through simple selection for these characters. However, there was little variability and scope for selection in the materials for days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and days to heading.
Multifunctional in vitro antioxidant evaluation of strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Dutch.)

Berries have shown the highest potential antioxidant activity among fruits using a unique antioxidant method. The antioxidant activity of aqueous–organic extracts of strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Dutch., var. camarosa) were determined using three methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging, antioxidant ferric-reducing power (FRAP), and inhibition of Cu(II)-catalysed in vitro human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. A serving (100 g) of strawberry had a DPPH• activity equivalent to that of 183 mg vitamin C and to that of 483 mg vitamin E. In addition, strawberry extracts showed high efficiency in the FRAP assay and in the in vitro inhibition of LDL oxidation. Regression linear analysis between radical scavenging activity (EC50 parameter) and total phenol content from strawberry extracts gave a statistically significant correlation (r=0.984, P<0.05). In conclusion, strawberry showed significant antioxidant capacity in both aqueous and lipophilic models.
A Role for Regulatory T Cells in Acceptance of ESC‐Derived Tissues Transplanted Across an Major Histocompatibility Complex Barrier

We have previously reported that ESC‐derived tissues are subject to some level of immune privilege, which might facilitate induction of immune tolerance. Herein, we further demonstrate that fully allogeneic ESC‐derived tissues are accepted with a regimen of coreceptor blockade even in recipients known to be relatively resistant to such a tolerizing protocol. Moreover, ESC‐derived tissues could be spontaneously accepted across a class I major histocompatibility complex disparity. We further show that CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) appear to be essential for this natural “privileged” state as their ablation with an anti‐CD25 mAb results in rejection of ESC‐derived tissue. This same treatment exposes activation of macrophages and effector CD8+ T cells, suggesting that these cells are subject to regulatory T cell control. Thus, spontaneous acceptance of ESC‐derived tissues mimics the acquired immune privilege induced by coreceptor blockade and is determined by Treg‐mediated suppression. STEM CELLS 2010;28:1905–1914
4 Transparency in Nontariff Measures: Effects on Agricultural Trade

Can transparency mitigate the trade-distortive effects of nontariff measures (NTMs)? This chapter explores the trade impact associated with promoting greater transparency in NTMs, using a new database of transparency provisions in over 100 Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs). The investigation surveys the incidence and scope of transparency provisions in RTAs, and econometrically assesses the trade effects of these instruments on bilateral agricultural and food trade. The findings demonstrate that transparency provisions in RTAs are associated with greater agricultural trade flows, suggesting that transparency should remain an important element of ongoing policy efforts to make NTMs less onerous for trade in agriculture.
Carotid Artery Wire Injury Mouse Model with a Nonmicrosurgical Procedure

A mouse model of endothelial denudation in the common carotid artery is usually established with a flexible wire under a dissecting microscope. In this article, we introduce a modified procedure to establish a carotid arterial injury mouse model in which no dissecting microscope is used. In the nonmicrosurgical procedure, carotid clamps, which were used to block the blood flow of the common carotid artery and the internal carotid artery, were substituted with silk slipknots. Curved flexible wire, which was used to introduce carotid artery injury, was tailored so that it could be inserted into the external carotid artery easily. A tailored hook was used to place silk around the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery. The data show that the nonmicrosurgical procedure could achieve an effect in endothelial denudation and neointima formation similar to that of the microsurgical procedure. The operating achievement ratio and survival rates at 1 day and 4 weeks are also similar between the two groups. The operating time was reduced significantly in the nonmicrosurgical group compared to the microsurgical group. The present study suggests that establishing a carotid arterial injury mouse model with a nonmicrosurgical procedure is simple, effective, and time-saving.
PlexinA4-Semaphorin3A mediated crosstalk between main cortical interneuron classes is required for superficial interneurons lamination

In the mammalian cerebral cortex, the developmental events governing the allocation of different classes of inhibitory interneurons (INs) into distinct cortical layers are poorly understood. Here we report that the guidance receptor PlexinA4 (PLXNA4) is upregulated in serotonin receptor 3a-expressing (HTR3A+) cortical INs (hINs) as they invade the cortical plate and that it regulates their laminar allocation to superficial cortical layers. We find that the PLXNA4 ligand Semaphorin3A (SEMA3A) acts as a chemorepulsive factor on hINs migrating into the nascent cortex and demonstrate that SEMA3A specifically controls their laminar positioning through PLXNA4. We identify that deep layer INs constitute a major source of SEMA3A in the developing cortex and demonstrate that cell-type specific genetic deletion of SEMA3A in these INs specifically affects the laminar allocation of hINs. These data demonstrate that in the neocortex, deep layer INs control the laminar allocation of hINs into superficial layers.
PENGARUH SIZE, GROWTH, PROFITABILITAS, STRUKTUR MODAL, KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN

The firm value shows that the prosperity of stakeholders will increase, if the stock price is increased as well. The firm value becomes very important because it reflects the performance of the company which can influence the perception of investors to the company. This research is meant to find out the influence of firm size, the growth of the company, profitability, capital structure, and dividend policy to the firm value. The samples are 21 manufacturing companies which are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2010-2014 periods and they have been selected by using purposive sampling. The statistic test instrument uses SPSS 22 version which is carried out to perform classic assumption test, multiple linear regressions analysis, and the hypothesis test. Based on the result of normality test, multicolinearity test, heteroscedasticity, and autocorrelation, some variables that deviate from the classic assumption have not been found. The result of the hypothesis test shows that: (1) firm size does not have any influence to the firm value; (2) the growth of the company does not have any influence to the firm value; (3) Profitability does not have any influence to the firm value; (4) capital structure does not have any influence to the firm value; (5) dividend policy does not have any influence to the firm value. Keywords: Total Assets, Profitability, Capital Structure, Dividend Policy, Firm Value.
Growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with probiotic and (or) prebiotic preparations

The objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of dietary inclusion of probiotics Primalac and Bactocell and prebiotic Fermacto on broiler’s performance and immune response, individually or in combination. A total of 540 one-d-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated into 6 experimental treatments with 6 replicates of 15 birds per replicate from 1 to 42 d of age. The birds received a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with probiotic Primalac (PP), probiotic Bactocell (PB), prebiotic Fermacto (Pre), probiotic Bactocell + prebiotic Fermacto (PBPre) or probiotic Primalac + prebiotic Fermacto (PPPre). Performance parameters were measured from 1-42 d of age. A suspension of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) was injected into the breast of 3 birds from each replicate on d 22, and the antibody titer was measured on d 30. At d 22, blood samples (from 3 birds per replicate) were taken for measuring the white blood cells (WBCs), heterophil (HE) percent, lymphocyte (LY) percent, and the ratio of heterophil:lymphocyte (H/L). No significant differences were found between the control and supplemented groups in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), antibody titer against SRBCs, HE percent, LY percent and H/L. Addition of PBPre or PPPre to the diet improved FCR by 8.5 and 12.7%, respectively, compared with the control group, and PBPre supplementation resulted in an increase in WBCs compared to other treatment groups.