Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amelioration of the Possible Adverse Effects of Rosiglitazone by Fenugreek and Vitamin E in STZ-induced Diabetes in Rats

The combination therapy could be a new and highly effective therapeutic strategy to manage hyperglycemia. Combination of commercial drugs with phyto -chemicals may reduce the side effects caused by these synthetic drugs. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of fenugreek seed extract and/or vitamin E against the side effects of rosiglitazone streptozotocin induced diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 equal groups (8 rats each) and treated as follows: Group 1, kept as control group and orally given buffer citrate groups 2 were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with STZ (50mg/Kg) induce hyperglycemia, kept as control positive; groups (3) was administered daily intraperitoneal doses of roriglitazone (10 mg/kg) while groups (4-6) were administered combined treatments of vitamin E (100 mg/kg) or fenugreek (30mg/kg), respectively. Our results indicated that STZ caused significant elevation of serum glucose level, LDL-c ,total-cholesterol, CK-MB, LDH, and significant decrease in serum HDL-c. While, rosiglitazone treatment alone significantly decreased serum total -cholesterol, LDL-c, and serum glucose level. On the other hand, the diabetic group treated with rosiglitazone showed elevation in the CK-MB, LDH levels in compared to the diabetic control. The combination group(rosiglitazone+ vitamin E+fenugreek) showed more potent group with marked reduction in CK-MB ,LDH ,LDL-c ,total cholesterol and serum glucose levels. Hepatic and elevation in HDL-c level. Histopathological study of heart section showed focal myocarditis in a group treated with rosiglitazone. Concomitant treatment with vitamin E (100 mg/kg) and/or fenugreek (30mg/kg) significantly improved histopathological structure of heart tissue in variable degrees. In conclusion, the combined effect of vitamin E (100 mg/kg) with fenugreek (30mg/kg)and rosiglitazone (10mg/kg) had powerful effect than any other studied doses.
Band-gap measurements of bulk and nanoscale hematite by soft x-ray spectroscopy

B. Gilbert,1 C. Frandsen,2 E. R. Maxey,3 and D. M. Sherman4 1Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, MS 90R1116, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, USA 2Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark 3Argonne National Laboratory, APS-XSD-XOR-CEP-11ID B, Building 433, Room D-009, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439-4814, USA 4Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Received 16 June 2008; revised manuscript received 28 September 2008; published 12 January 2009
Optimal Under-voltage Load Shedding using Cuckoo Search with Levy Flight Algorithm for Voltage Stability Improvement

Voltage stability has become a serious threat of modern power system operation nowadays. To tackle this problem properly, load shedding is a countermeasure taken as a last resort. However, its consequences might result in huge technical and economic losses. Therefore, this control measure should be optimally and carefully carried out. This paper proposes Cuckoo search with Levy flights (CSwLF) based algorithm for solving the optimal load shedding problem. The amount of load shedding at each bus is determined by applying CSwLF to solve a nonlinear optimization problem formulated in the optimal power flow framework. The performance of the proposed CSwLF based method is tested on the operating conditions of IEEE 14-bus test system.
8 7 7 ReMapping Credit Ratings ✩

Alexander Eisl, Hermann W. Elendner, Manuel Lingo Institute for Finance, Banking and Insurance, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Heiligenstädter Straße 46-48, A–1190 Vienna, Austria Finance Group, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dorotheenstraße 1, D–10117 Berlin, Germany Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Otto Wagner Platz 3, A–1090 Vienna, Austria
Combining Technology and Work Organization: An Analysis of Complementarity between IT and Decentralization across Firms of Different Size

This paper examines whether information technology (IT) and decentralized work organization are complementary only for large firms or also for smaller firms. Empirical evidence, which suggests complementarity between IT and decentralization, is mainly based on large firms. Using data from a sample of 3292 SMEs and of 598 larger firms from the manufacturing and service sector in Germany, I can observe firms' IT intensity in terms of enterprise software and computer use and whether firms have a decentralized work organization. I find that SMEs with decentralized work practices tend to use IT more intensively. Moreover, for the sample of SMEs, IT and decentralized work organization are individually associated with higher productivity but the combination of IT and decentralization does not yield a productivity premium. Contrarily, for the sample of larger firms, the results show that the productivity of IT depends positively on decentralization. The findings suggest that combining IT and decentralized work organization seems to be a successful strategy only for larger firms.
Stock Recommendations in Swedish Printed Media: Leading or Misleading?

Abstract This paper analyses the initiated and changed recommendations published in six well-known Swedish newspapers and business magazines for the period 1996–2000 using a buy-and-hold abnormal returns (BHARs) approach. The results distinguish between recommendations from analysts and journalists. Buy recommendations were misleading investors, whereas sell recommendations were leading them correctly, overall yielding returns in line with the market. This asymmetry is due to positive information from the management of the company being more intricate to interpret than negative. Both good and bad information provided by the management is generally positively biased, a phenomenon influencing both analyst and journalist recommendations. Following buy and sell recommendations from analysts yielded BHARs in line with those from journalists, which in turn generates returns in line with their peers. Going short in the recommended stocks, irrespective of type and origin, would lead to a 24-month BHAR of 14%.
When phylogenetic assumptions are violated : base compositional heterogeneity and among-site rate variation in beetle mitochondrial phylogenomics

The ability to generate large molecular datasets for phylogenetic studies benefits biologists, but such data expansion introduces numerous analytical problems. A typical molecular phylogenetic study implicitly assumes that sequences evolve under stationary, reversible and homogeneous conditions, but this assumption is often violated in real datasets. When an analysis of large molecular datasets results in unexpected relationships, it often reflects violation of phylogenetic assumptions, rather than a correct phylogeny. Molecular evolutionary phenomena such as base compositional heterogeneity and among-site rate variation are known to affect phylogenetic inference, resulting in incorrect phylogenetic relationships. The ability of methods to overcome such bias has not been measured on real and complex datasets. We investigated how base compositional heterogeneity and among-site rate variation affect phylogenetic inference in the context of a mitochondrial genome phylogeny of the insect order Coleoptera. We show statistically that our dataset is affected by base compositional heterogeneity regardless of how the data are partitioned or recoded. Among-site rate variation is shown by comparing topologies generated using models of evolution with and without a rate variation parameter in a Bayesian framework. When compared for their effectiveness in dealing with systematic bias, standard phylogenetic methods tend to perform poorly, and parsimony without any data transformation performs worst. Two methods designed specifically to overcome systematic bias, LogDet and a Bayesian method implementing variable composition vectors, can overcome some level of base compositional heterogeneity, but are still affected by among-site rate variation. A large degree of variation in both noise and phylogenetic signal among all three codon positions is observed. We caution and argue that more data exploration is imperative, especially when many genes are included in an analysis.
RESOLVING THE ξ BOO BINARY WITH CHANDRA, AND REVEALING THE SPECTRAL TYPE DEPENDENCE OF THE CORONAL “FIP EFFECT”

On 2008 May 2, Chandra observed the X-ray spectrum of ξ Boo (G8 V+K4 V), resolving the binary for the first time in X-rays and allowing the coronae of the two stars to be studied separately. With the contributions of ξ Boo A and B to the system's total X-ray emission now observationally established (88.5% and 11.5%, respectively), consideration of mass loss measurements for GK dwarfs of various activity levels (including one for ξ Boo) leads to the surprising conclusion that ξ Boo B may dominate the wind from the binary, with ξ Boo A's wind being very weak despite its active corona. Emission measure (EM) distributions and coronal abundances are computed for both stars and compared with Chandra measurements of other moderately active stars with G8-K5 spectral types, all of which exhibit a narrow peak in EM near log T = 6.6, indicating that the coronal heating process in these stars has a strong preference for this temperature. As is the case for the Sun and many other stars, our sample of stars shows coronal abundance anomalies dependent on the first ionization potential (FIP) of the element. We see no dependence of the degree of “FIP effect” on activity, but there is a dependence on spectral type, a correlation that becomes more convincing when moderately active main-sequence stars with a broader range of spectral types are considered. This clear dependence of coronal abundances on spectral type weakens if the stellar sample is allowed to be contaminated by evolved stars, interacting binaries, or extremely active stars with log LX>29, explaining why this correlation has not been recognized in the past.
Maneuverability of Ships with small Draught in Steady Wind

Wind force and moment may force a ship to drastical ly decrease its speed and use a large drift angle a s well as a large rudder angle in order to maintain its course. Ships with a small draught might have more risk in maneu vering to its point of view compared with a ship with a larger dr aught. This paper discusses maneuverability of a sh ip with a small draught in steady wind. The effect of wind on ship speed, drift angle, and rudder angle are investigat ed in a steady state condition. Five different ratios of wind velocity t o ship speed from 1.0 to 20.0 are used in the simul ation. The variation in wind direction is examined from 0 ° to 180°. Results of the numerical simulation show that the wind has a significant effect on the reduction in ship speed with a wind d irection less than 100 °. The drift angle increases due to increasing wind velocity in the same wind direction. Wind dire ction also has a significant effect on the drift an gle especially when the wind direction is less than 140 °. The same phenomenon was found for the rudder angl e. The necessary rudder angle is greater than the maximum rudder angle of the shi p w en the wind direction is 60 ° with a wind velocity to ship speed ratio of 20 or more.
Efficacy of Teachers Training Paraprofessionals to Implement Peer Support Arrangements

Although peer support arrangements are a promising strategy to promote inclusion in general education classrooms, previous studies have not addressed how paraprofessionals might implement this strategy under typical circumstances without extensive researcher involvement. In this single-case design study, four special education teachers trained and supported four paraprofessionals to implement peer support arrangements through delivery of a professional development package consisting of an initial orientation, video modeling, and brief coaching with performance feedback. Teachers implemented the professional development accurately, paraprofessionals implemented peer support arrangements with fidelity, and three of the four middle school students with severe disabilities increased their social interactions with peers while maintaining previous levels of academic engagement. These findings suggest a possible avenue for equipping paraprofessionals to implement peer support arrangements. Recommendations for preparing teachers to train and support paraprofessionals to implement intervention strategies are offered along with directions for future research.
Using models and connectivity analysis to the predict the current and future patterns of invasion by Silver-wattle (Acacia dealbata Link) in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

Biological invasions are one of the major promoters of biodiversity loss worldwide. Invasions by alien species are thought enhanced by changes in climate and disturbance regimes, as well as by other environmental shifts. Preserving native biodiversity and ecosystems from invasion by alien species requires comprehensive studies and measures to anticipate impacts, and to protect species and habitats of high conservation value. This can be achieved using species distribution models (SDM) to predict the distribution of invasive alien species (IAS) in a region of interest, both for current conditions and under scenarios of future environmental changes. In this research, we modeled the distribution of Acacia dealbata Link (an aggressive IAS) in the cross-border context of Galicia and North of Portugal, in order to predict and explain the current distribution of Acacia dealbata and to forecast possible impacts of future climate change scenarios on that distribution. We applied a combined predictive modeling (CPM) approach, where we fitted species distribution models using subsets of predictors previously classified as acting at regional or local scales, that were spatially combined to obtain the final projections. These combined models predict a wider variety of potential species responses, providing more informative projections of species distributions and dynamics than traditional models. This approach was complemented by connectivity analyses of the distribution of the invader, to evaluate current and future conflicts between this IAS and high conservation value areas. Model projections suggest that the distribution of Acacia dealbata in the study area will increase in the future, if climate changes scenarios are confirmed, and that these changes in environment will increase the connectivity of the species distribution in the area. Therefore, using CMPs and connectivity analysis it is possible to support resource prioritization for anticipation and monitoring of IAS impacts. CMPs can support measures to prevent invasions in this region as well as cross-border management in which both borders will work together and focus their efforts to protect and conserve specific important habitats.
CONTINGENT VALUATION OF A PUBLIC PROGRAM TO CONTROL BLACK FLIES

Contingent valuation is used to measure the benefits of a proposed public program to control black flies. Respondents' reported values are analyzed from three perspectives: data outliners, consistency between respondents' reported values and their perceptions of black flies, and the temporal reliability of the values expressed by respondents. The results suggest that the estimated contingent values are plausible even though a majority of respondents expressed a value of zero dollars for the black fly control program.
In vitro antifungal potential of rhizospheric isolates against Fusarium oxysporum causing Fusarium wilt of Bt-cotton

Fusarium wilt is one of the drastic diseases of Bt-cotton caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum. In order to fi nd effective measure to control this phytopathogen, 114 rhizospheric isolates were screened for in vitro antifungal potential against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum using dual culture method. Out of 114 isolates tested, 13 rhizospheric isolates inhibited growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum in vitro. Highest antifungal activity was shown by isolate RLS19 (68.89 %) and followed by RLS52 (62.22 %), RLS53 (60.00%), RLS72 (57.78 %), and RLS101 (57.78 %) in dual culture technique against phytopathogen. Characterization of microbial control mechanism, rhizospheric isolates was evaluated by testing the production of volatile metabolites, diffusible metabolites and siderophore production. Rhizospheric isolates was isolate RLS101 inhibit 50 % of growth followed by RLS 52 (20 %) and RLS79 (10 %) by producing volatile metabolites against phytopathogen others were unable produce volatile metabolites. Diffusible metabolites was produced by rhizospheric isolates RLS19, RLS52 and RLS18 which inhibits maximum growth phytopathogen 57.50 %, 55.00 % and 52.50 % respectively. Qualitative siderophore production was detected by modifi ed CAS agar assay method, 8 rhizospheric isolates were able to produce siderophore and highest activity was shown by RLS18, RLS53 and RLS58.
Long-term antibiotic therapy is just as effective as amputation for foot osteomyelitis in diabetics without peripheral arterial disease

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Lázaro-Martínez JL, Aragón-Sánchez J, García-Morales E. Antibiotics versus conservative surgery for treating diabetic foot osteomyelitis: a randomized comparative trial. Diabetes Care. 2014;37(3):78995. doi: 10.2337/dc13-1526.
Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures : Evidence-Based Medicine

Tendons are composed of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that contains tenoblasts and tenocytes (1). Tenoblasts are immature tendon cells that mature into tenocytes, and tenocytes are involved in synthesizing collagen and all components of the ECM. They have a lower metabolic activity, and lower nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio in comparison to tenoblasts (2). This lower metabolic activity results in slower healing after an injury (3). The ground substance of the ECM surrounding the collagen and tenocytes is composed of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins and other small molecules (2). The overlapping phases of tendon healing are infl ammation (fi rst week), proliferation (weeks 2-8), and remodeling (6 weeks to 12 months) (4). The infl ammatory phase consists of an infl ux of erythrocytes and infl ammatory cells entering the site of injury. Phagocytosis of necrotic materials occurs in the fi rst 24 hours when monocytes and macrophages predominate. Type III collagen synthesis is then initiated by angiogenesis and tenocyte proliferation (5). Collagen III synthesis peaks, and water content and glycosaminoglycan concentrations are high during the proliferation stage. The remodeling phase can be divided into a consolidation and maturation stage (6). The consolidation stage (6 to 10 weeks) consists of the tenocytes and collagen fi bers becoming aligned in the direction of stress, and a greater proportion of type I collagen is produced during this stage (7, 8). The maturation stage (after 10 weeks) consists of the tendon tissue changing from fi brous tissue to a more scar-like tissue (7), and there is a decline of tenocyte metabolism and tendon vascularity during the fi nal part of this stage (9). There have been many benefi ts associated with early tendon loading shown in animal studies including improvement of biomechanical properties of scar tissue, decreased adhesion formation, and enhanced tendon gliding (10, 11). Early mobilization increases collagen and ECM synthesis by tenocytes that can improve tensile strength, elastic stiffness, weight and cross-sectional area of tendons (12). An animal study comparing effects of post rupture mobilization versus immobilization showed histological evidence of increased blood vessel, fi broblast, and new collagen formation with mobilization (13). Immobilization decreases the water and proteoglycan content of tendons, and causes tendon atrophy. However, due to the low metabolic rate and vascularity of tendons this change is slow (14-16).
Assessment of environmental responses to land use/land cover dynamics in the Lower Ogun River Basin, Southwestern Nigeria

This study investigates the pattern of land use/land cover change in the Lower Ogun River Basin between 1984 and 2012. Two sets of topographical maps, a Landsat-5 TM image of 1984, Landsat-7 ETM+ of 2000 and a Google Earth image of 2012 were used for the study. The topographical maps and satellite images were digitally processed using ILWIS 3.2TM software and exported to ArcGIS 9.3TM for further processing and analysis. The processed images were subsequently classified using the maximum likelihood classification algorithm, resulting in the identification of seven land use classes. Furthermore, change detection analysis was carried out using Cross Module in ILWISTM. The result of the change detection analysis indicated that between 1984 and 2000, 80.08% of the land cover in the study area has been converted to other land uses while only 19.92% remained unchanged. Also, within the same period, light forests, non-forested wetlands and forested wetlands decreased at average annual rates of 8.26, 4.66 and 2.81%, respectively, while water bodies also decreased at an annual rate of 0.17%. On the other hand, farmland, shrubs and urban/built-up areas expanded at average annual rates of 7.23, 6.74 and 4.65%, respectively. The result further indicates that between 2000 and 2012, 49.86% of the land cover has been converted to other land uses, while 50.14% remained unchanged, and that farmlands, shrubs, urban/built-up areas and forested wetlands expanded at average annual rates of 6.01, 1.95, 0.89 and 0.17%, respectively, just as light forests, non-forested wetlands and water bodies decreased annually by 8.26, 2.70 and 1.40%, respectively. Five randomly collected soil samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Findings show the growing impact of urban agriculture on wetland ecosystem within the study area, manifesting in soil degradation and biodiversity loss. The implication of these findings is that the area is susceptible to devastating flooding which can culminate in the loss of lives and properties. This study recommends the development of effective land management information system and policies that will ensure sustainable management of fragile ecosystem.
DIRECT IMAGING DETECTION OF METHANE IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF GJ 504 b

Most exoplanets detected by direct imaging thus far have been characterized by relatively hot (≳1000 K) and cloudy atmospheres. A surprising feature in some of their atmospheres has been a distinct lack of methane, possibly implying non-equilibrium chemistry. Recently, we reported the discovery of a planetary companion to the Sun-like star GJ 504 using Subaru/HiCIAO within the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks with Subaru survey. The planet is substantially colder (<600 K) than previously imaged planets, and has indications of fewer clouds, which implies that it represents a new class of planetary atmospheres with expected similarities to late T-type brown dwarfs in the same temperature range. If so, one might also expect the presence of significant methane absorption, which is characteristic of such objects. Here, we report the detection of deep methane absorption in the atmosphere of GJ 504 b, using the Spectral Differential Imaging mode of HiCIAO to distinguish the absorption features around 1.6 μm. We also report updated JHK photometry based on new Ks-band data and a re-analysis of the existing data. The results support the notion that GJ 504 b has atmospheric properties distinct from other imaged exoplanets, and will become a useful reference object for future planets in the same temperature range.