Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ramifications of positive and negative contact experiences among remigrants from Russia to Finland.

OBJECTIVES This article focuses on the effects of positive and negative contact with majority Finns on the outgroup attitudes of remigrants from Russia to Finland. We tested (a) whether negative contact leads to negative outgroup attitudes via perceived threats, and (b) whether positive contact leads to positive outgroup attitudes via perceived gains seen to result from contact with majority Finns. We also tested whether the effects of contact with majority members generalized to attitudes toward other immigrant groups living in Finland. METHOD The study used 2-wave longitudinal panel data on Ingrian-Finnish remigrants (NT1 = 133, mean age 46.4 years, 73% females; NT2 = 85, mean age 49.3 years, 73% females). RESULTS The results attested the effects of positive contact experiences on attitudes toward both majority and other minority group members, via perceived gains. As regards negative contact, it was associated with more negative attitudes toward the majority via perceived threats, but no evidence of secondary transfer effect on attitudes toward other immigrants was found. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the importance of simultaneous examination of positive and negative contact. Especially positive contact and gains perceived to result from it can be powerful tools in promoting positive outgroup attitudes also among minority group members. The results also show the role of majority group members in defining interminority attitudes.
Nitrogen deposition and warming – effects on phytoplankton nutrient limitation in subarctic lakes

The aim of this study was to predict the combined effects of enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition and warming on phytoplankton development in high latitude and mountain lakes. Consequently, we assessed, in a series of enclosure experiments, how lake water nutrient stoichiometry and phytoplankton nutrient limitation varied over the growing season in 11 lakes situated along an altitudinal/climate gradient with low N‐deposition (<1 kg N ha−1 yr−1) in northern subarctic Sweden. Short‐term bioassay experiments with N‐ and P‐additions revealed that phytoplankton in high‐alpine lakes were more prone to P‐limitation, and with decreasing altitude became increasingly N‐ and NP‐colimited. Nutrient limitation was additionally most obvious in midsummer. There was also a strong positive correlation between phytoplankton growth and water temperature in the bioassays. Although excess nutrients were available in spring and autumn, on these occasions growth was likely constrained by low water temperatures. These results imply that enhanced N‐deposition over the Swedish mountain areas will, with the exception of high‐alpine lakes, enhance biomass and drive phytoplankton from N‐ to P‐limitation. However, if not accompanied by warming, N‐input from deposition will stimulate limited phytoplankton growth due to low water temperatures during large parts of the growing season. Direct effects of warming, allowing increased metabolic rates and an extension of the growing season, seem equally crucial to synergistically enhance phytoplankton development in these lakes.
EVOLUTIONARY PATHWAYS IN SHOREBIRD BREEDING SYSTEMS: SEXUAL CONFLICT, PARENTAL CARE, AND CHICK DEVELOPMENT

Abstract Sexual selection, mating opportunities, and parental behavior are interrelated, although the specific nature of these relationships is controversial. Two major hypotheses have been suggested. The parental investment hypothesis states that the relative parental investment of the sexes drives the operation of sexual selection. Thus, the sex that invests less in offspring care competes more intensely and monopolizes access to mates. The sexual conflict hypothesis proposes that sexual selection (the competition among both males and females for mates), mating opportunities, and parental behavior are interrelated and predicts a feedback loop between mating systems and parental care. Here we test both hypotheses using a comprehensive dataset of shorebirds, a maximum-likelihood statistical technique, and a recent supertree of extant shorebirds and allies. Shorebirds are an excellent group for these analyses because they display unique variation in parental care and social mating system. First, we show that chick development constrains the evolution of both parental care and mate competition, because transitions toward more precocial offspring preceded transitions toward reduced parental care and social polygamy. Second, changes in care and mating systems respond to one another, most likely because both influenced and are influenced by mating opportunities. Taken together, our results are more consistent with the sexual conflict hypothesis than the parental investment hypothesis.
Evaluation of Dietary Choices, Preferences, Knowledge and Related Practices Among Pregnant Women Living in An Indian Setting.

INTRODUCTION Healthy and nutritious diet is very essential component of Antenatal care along with clinical advice. The objective of this study was to understand the dietary choices, preferences, knowledge and related practices among pregnant women living in an Indian setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hundred pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Information about Socio-demographic profile, food item price and approach during inflation, nutrition related knowledge, attitude and practices and 24 hour dietary recall was acquired. RESULTS Majority of the participants (87%) reported regular antenatal care visits and intake of iron and folic acid tablets. Eighty two percent of the participants were acquainted with standardized marks on food items and 64% of them reported checking of these marks before purchasing. Thirty two percent of the participants did not know about balanced diet. Fifty eight percent of the participants felled in fair category of dietary recall final scores. CONCLUSION There is still vast room for improvement of the nutritional status of pregnant women as none of the participants were able to achieve excellent status on 24 hour food record scoring sheet.
Identification and Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel Human Melanin-concentrating Hormone Receptor, MCH-R2*

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide highly expressed in the brain that regulates several physiological functions mediated by receptors in the G protein-coupled receptor family. Recently an orphan receptor, SLC-1, has been identified as an MCH receptor (MCH-R1). Herein we identify and characterize a novel receptor for human MCH (MCH-R2). The receptor is composed of 340 amino acids encoded by a 1023-base pair cDNA and is 35% homologous to SLC-1. 125I-MCH specifically bound to Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing MCH-R2. MCH stimulated dose-dependent increases in intracellular free Ca2+ and inositol phosphate production in these cells but did not affect cAMP production. The pharmacological profile for mammalian MCH, [Phe13,Tyr19]MCH, and salmon MCH at MCH-R2 differed compared with MCH-R1 as assessed by intracellular signaling and radioligand binding assays. The EC50 in signaling assays and the IC50 in radioligand binding assays of salmon MCH was an order of magnitude higher than mammalian MCH at MCH-R2. By comparison, the EC50 and IC50 values of salmon MCH and mammalian MCH at MCH-R1 were relatively similar. Blot hybridization revealed exclusive expression of MCH-R2 mRNA in several distinct brain regions, particularly in the cortical area, suggesting the involvement of MCH-R2 in the central regulation of MCH-mediated functions.
Evaluation of flux switching PM machines for medium-speed wind generator drives

This study is used to highlight the potentials of flux switching PM machines for medium-speed wind generator drives, considering among other things, that the rotor pole number is critical to the electromagnetic torque output. The initial result obtained by finite-element simulations and theoretical analyses of the pre-optimised 12/10 FSPM topology compared to its 12/14 counterpart show that with higher pole numbers, the latter gives relatively higher torque at lower torque ripple, but increases the core losses. Upon design optimisation, the 12/14 topology exceeded the machine's operating limit for the 12/10 topology. The results also show that both FSPM topologies possess high torque densities suitable for MS wind generator drives.
Reliability and Responsiveness of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) is commonly used in the evaluation of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The relative reliability of GMFM-88 has been assessed in children with CP. However, little information is available regarding the absolute reliability or responsiveness of GMFM-88. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the absolute and relative reliability and the responsiveness of the GMFM-88 in evaluating gross motor function in children with CP. Design A clinical measurement design was used. Methods Ten raters scored the GMFM-88 in 84 children (mean age=3.7 years, SD=1.9, range=10 months to 9 years 9 months) from video records across all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels to establish interrater reliability. Two raters participated to assess intrarater reliability. Responsiveness was determined from 3 additional assessments after the baseline assessment. The interrater and intrarater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest real difference (SRD), effect size (ES), and standardized response mean (SRM) were calculated. Results The relative reliability of the GMFM was excellent (ICCs=.952–1.000). The SEM and SRD for total score of the GMFM were acceptable (1.60 and 3.14, respectively). Additionally, the ES and SRM of the dimension goal scores increased gradually in the 3 follow-up assessments (GMFCS levels I and II: ES=0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 and SRM=1.3, 1.8, and 2.0; GMFCS levels III–V: ES=0.4, 0.7, and 0.9 and SRM=1.5, 1.7, and 2.0). Limitations Children over 10 years of age with CP were not included in this study, so the results should not be generalized to all children with CP. Conclusions Both the reliability and the responsiveness of the GMFM-88 are reasonable for measuring gross motor function in children with CP.
Impact of Self-Help Group Formation on Social Indicators of Sustainability

Vegetable production has emerged as an important source of farm income from small farms in hilly states like Himachal Pradesh in India. Various researchers have studied agricultural sustainability taking into consideration three dimensions i.e. economic, environmental and social. Keeping in view the importance of the social sustainability which measures extent of social capability of farming system, present study was conducted in Himachal Pradesh to find out the ways to strengthen farm sustainability. Farm sustainability of self-help group member farmers and non-member farmers was studied and compared. Study revealed that the social sustainability of vegetable growers who were members of self-help groups was significantly higher when compared to non-member farmers.
Iminosugars: Promising therapeutics for influenza infection

Abstract Influenza virus causes three to five million severe respiratory infections per year in seasonal epidemics, and sporadic pandemics, three of which occurred in the twentieth century and are a continuing global threat. Currently licensed antivirals exclusively target the viral neuraminidase or M2 ion channel, and emerging drug resistance necessitates the development of novel therapeutics. It is believed that a host-targeted strategy may combat the development of antiviral drug resistance. To this end, a class of molecules known as iminosugars, hydroxylated carbohydrate mimics with the endocyclic oxygen atom replaced by a nitrogen atom, are being investigated for their broad-spectrum antiviral potential. The influenza virus glycoproteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, are susceptible to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum α-glucosidases by certain iminosugars, leading to reduced virion production or infectivity, demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. In some experiments, viral strain-specific effects are observed. Iminosugars may also inhibit other host and virus targets with antiviral consequences. While investigations of anti-influenza iminosugar activities have been conducted since the 1980s, recent successes of nojirimycin derivatives have re-invigorated investigation of the therapeutic potential of iminosugars as orally available, low cytotoxicity, effective anti-influenza drugs.
Executive Compensation and Insurance Sector Performance: Evidence from Nigeria

This study investigates how six different measures of firm performance affect executive compensation in Nigerian insurance sector (2011-2016). The Im, Pesaran and Shin (IPS) and Kao Residual tests were employed to ascertain stationarity and cointegration of the variables. Mixed stationary and no cointegration were observed. The results indicate that profitability variables (return on asset, return on equity (ROE) and net profit margin) are insignificant to executive compensation while efficiency variables are significant to executive compensation. That is profitability variables does not have significant effect on executive compensation while corporate performance measured by efficiency variables have effect on executive compensation. It is recommended that the board should focus on efficiency measures in setting executive compensation levels as these ultimately drive profitability and corporate performance in the insurance sector. This study make a meaningful contribution to the literature as very little work has been done in this area.
Tax reform, public revenue and public revenue instability in developing countries: Does development aid matter?

This paper addresses two main questions concerning the relationship between tax reform, development aid, public revenue and public revenue instability in developing countries. Tax reform involves here a change in the tax structure in favour of domestic public revenue and at the expense of international trade tax revenue. The analysis uses an unbalanced panel dataset of 95 developing countries over the period 1981-2015, and the two-step system Generalized Methods of Moments approach. Empirical findings show that tax reform exerts a positive and significant effect on tax revenue-to-GDP ratio, with the magnitude of this positive effect increasing as the amount of development aid flows that accrue to developing countries increases. In addition, while tax reform exerts a reducing effect on tax revenue instability, the magnitude of this reducing effect diminishes as the degree of development aid volatility increases. Specifically, beyond a certain level of development aid volatility, tax reform enhances tax revenue instability. Overall, these findings suggest that a rise in development aid flows to developing countries should be accompanied by a lower aid volatility so as to ensure that tax reform would induce higher tax revenue while concomitantly reducing tax revenue instability in recipient-countries.
Can mainstream services learn from male only sexual health pilot projects?

Over the past decade a number of community based sexual health projects aimed solely at young men have proved to be very successful at attracting young men into genitourinary medicine services. These projects are often short term funded and under evaluated so it isn’t clear exactly how successful they are and why this might be so. These projects should be carefully evaluated and examined to elicit factors, either unique or common in nature, which could be utilised by mainstream sexual health services wishing to develop work with young men. There are many barriers to this happening in mainstream services, some being resource and time problems and others to do with values of staff and lack of quality training. The article looks at practical ways that working with men and the skills and confidence of staff can be improved in mainstream settings while recognising that much of what needs to be done to support the needs of young men must take place in the planning and commissioning stage of services.
Transformation of the US bread wheat ‘Butte 86’ and silencing of omega-5 gliadin genes

Complex groups of proteins determine the unique functional properties of wheat flour and are sometimes responsible for food intolerances and allergies in individuals that consume wheat products. Transgenic approaches can be used to explore the functions of different flour proteins, but are limited to the few wheat cultivars that can be transformed and also by the lack of detailed information about genes and proteins expressed in grain from those cultivars. The US bread wheat Butte 86 has been extensively characterized and a comprehensive proteome map was developed in which flour proteins were distinguished by mass spectrometry and associated with specific gene sequences. Here, this information has been used to design an RNA interference construct to silence the expression of genes encoding omega gliadins that trigger the food allergy wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). The construct was introduced into immature embryos from Butte 86 using biolistics and bialaphos-resistant plants were regenerated. Stable transformation and inheritance of the transgene were confirmed by PCR. Analysis of proteins in grain from transgenic plants demonstrated that the omega-5 gliadins were either absent or substantially reduced relative to non-transformed controls. The ability to genetically transform Butte 86 makes it possible to alter flour composition in a targeted manner in a commercial US wheat cultivar and should accelerate future research on flour quality and immunogenic potential.
Pharmacokinetics of long-acting nalbuphine decanoate after intramuscular administration to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of nalbuphine decanoate after IM administration to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). ANIMALS 9 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots of unknown sex. PROCEDURES Nalbuphine decanoate (37.5 mg/kg) was administered IM to all birds. Plasma samples were obtained from blood collected before (time 0) and 0.25, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours after drug administration. Plasma samples were used for measurement of nalbuphine concentrations via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated with computer software. RESULTS Plasma concentrations of nalbuphine increased rapidly after IM administration, with a mean concentration of 46.1 ng/mL at 0.25 hours after administration. Plasma concentrations of nalbuphine remained > 20 ng/mL for at least 24 hours in all birds. The maximum plasma concentration was 109.4 ng/mL at 2.15 hours. The mean terminal half-life was 20.4 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In Hispaniolan Amazon parrots, plasma concentrations of nalbuphine were prolonged after IM administration of nalbuphine decanoate, compared with previously reported results after administration of nalbuphine hydrochloride. Plasma concentrations that could be associated with antinociception were maintained for 24 hours after IM administration of 37.5 mg of nalbuphine decanoate/kg. Safety and analgesic efficacy of nalbuphine treatments in this species require further investigation to determine the potential for clinical use in pain management in psittacine species.
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), diabetes and trajectories of change in episodic memory performance

Background As the ageing population grows, it is important to identify strategies to moderate cognitive ageing. Objective We examined glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and diabetes in relation to level and change in episodic memory in older adults with and without diabetes. Methods Data from 4419 older adults with (n=950) and without (n=3469) diabetes participating in a nationally representative longitudinal panel study (the Health and Retirement Study) were examined. Average baseline age was 72.66 years and 58% were women. HbA1c was measured in 2006 and episodic memory was measured using immediate and delayed list recall over 4 biennial waves between 2006 and 2012. Growth curve models were used to assess trajectories of episodic memory change. Results In growth curve models adjusted for age, sex, education, race, depressive symptoms and waist circumference, higher HbA1c levels and having diabetes were associated with poorer baseline episodic memory (p=0.036 and <0.001, respectively) and greater episodic memory decline (p=0.006 and 0.004, respectively). The effect of HbA1c on episodic memory decline was smaller than the effect of age. The results were stronger for women than men and were not modified by age or race. When the main analyses were estimated for those with and without diabetes separately, HbA1c was significantly linked to change in episodic memory only among those with diabetes. Conclusions Higher HbA1c and diabetes were both associated with declines in episodic memory, with this relationship further exacerbated by having diabetes and elevated HbA1c. HbA1c appeared more important for episodic memory performance among women than men.
Involvement of Juvenile Hormone in the Regulation of Pheromone Release Activities in a Moth

Juvenile hormone has been implicated in the mediation of several reproduction-related events in adult insects, but had previously been found to play no role in the regulation of sex pheromone production and release behavior ("calling") in moths. In females of the true armyworm moth, Pseudaletia unipuncta, juvenile hormone is shown to be essential to the initiation of both calling behavior and pheromone production. Females without corpora allata, the source of juvenile hormone, do not call and do not produce pheromone, but injection of juvenile hormone into allatectomized females restored these activities. The armyworm's control system has likely evolved in response to the adults' migratory behavior which may necessitate that mating be restricted to the period following migration.
Factors associated with higher oxytocin requirements in labor

Abstract Objective: To identify clinical characteristics associated with high maximum oxytocin doses in women who achieve complete cervical dilation. Methods: A retrospective nested case-control study was performed within a cohort of all term women at a single center between 2004 and 2008 who reached the second stage of labor. Cases were defined as women who had a maximum oxytocin dose during labor >20 mu/min, while women in the control group had a maximum oxytocin dose during labor of ≤20 mu/min. Exclusion criteria included no oxytocin administration during labor, multiple gestations, major fetal anomalies, nonvertex presentation, and prior cesarean delivery. Multiple maternal, fetal, and labor factors were evaluated with univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Maximum oxytocin doses >20 mu/min were administered to 108 women (3.6%), while 2864 women received doses ≤20 mu/min. Factors associated with higher maximum oxytocin dose after adjusting for relevant confounders included maternal diabetes, birthweight >4000 g, intrapartum fever, administration of magnesium, and induction of labor. Conclusions: Few women who achieve complete cervical dilation require high doses of oxytocin. We identified maternal, fetal and labor factors that characterize this group of parturients.