Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of cold stress at cellular and foliar level and regrowth capacity of three Cenchrus ciliaris L. cultivars

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) a native pasture species of Africa is widely used in arid regions because of its forage productivity and quality. It could become serious invasive species, not only for crops but also in natural vegetation. Buffelgrass is highly affected by low temperatures at all stages of its life cycle. The objective was to determine the behavior of three buffelgrass cultivars (Americana, Biloela, Texas 4464) under cold stress and define the critical temperatures. To determine the effect of cold stress on the plasma membrane, foliage damage and survival (regrowth), it was evaluated relative electrical conductivity (ECr) of leaves, percentage of foliar damage and the ability of regrowth after exposure to 2 temperatures (-5°C and -10°C) with 2 exposure times (4 and 7 hours). The results showed a higher percentage of foliar damage and greater ECr as temperature decreased and hours of exposure increased. A similar response was observed when survival (regrowth) was evaluated. There were no significant differences among cultivars in both temperature treatments and time when the regrowth was evaluated.
Collaboration and the Politics of the Twentieth Century

This article is a contribution to a symposium on collaboration in East Asia during the Asia-Pacific War and its aftermath, which addresses some of the most fraught issues in historiography, historical remembrance, and contemporary politics. It also reflects on occupation states and collaboration in Europe and postwar East Asia, while casting important light on contemporary issues of collaboration globally. How are we to assess occupation regimes that emerged in each East and Southeast Asian nation during the Pacific War, as well as in postwar nations including those occuped by the United States or other occupiers. Issues of collaboration in a post-colonial world may be equally salient in reflecting on the experiences of newly independent nations? The issues are closely intertwined with dominant nationalist ideologies that have characteristically obfuscated and dismissed collaborationist politics while establishing their own legitimacy,
Study of serum lipids as atherogenic risk factor in preclinical diabetes

Introduction and Objective: Preclinical diabetes has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Indian population. The current study was conducted to screen out preclinical diabetes (impaired fasting glycemia and impaired glucose tolerance) and assess serum lipids as atherogenic risk factor for future cardiovascular complications. We compared serum lipids in subjects with IFG and IGT to find out the high risk population so that early interventions can be done to prevent future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: 200 non-diabetic apparently healthy subjects were selected for the study. 75g oral Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed in all of them, plasma glucose levels were estimated by GOD-POD method. Based on criteria by American Diabetic Association they were divided in four groups: Group I Normal fasting Glucose/Normal glucose tolerance (NFG/NGT, n=70), Group II isolated Impaired fasting glucose (iIFG, n=34),Group III isolated Impired glucose tolerance (iIGT, n=38), Group IV Impaired fasting glucose and IGT(IFG/IGT, n=54). Serum cholesterol, Triglycerides and HDL were estimated in the morning fasting samples from all the subjects and compared among the groups. Results: The current study showed that Serum LDL and Triglycerides were significantly higher and serum HDL is significantly lower in prediabetic subjects (iIGT, iIGT, IFG/IGT) when compared with Control subjects (NFG/NGT). Also Serum LDL was significantly higher in those with iIGT and IFG/IGT as compared to those with iIFG thus increasing atherogenic risk in iIGT subjects. Also it was observed that Serum LDL, TG and HDL do not show significant changes between those having iIGT and IFG/IGT. Also these levels were comparable in those with iIFG and NGT. A positive correlation is also found between serum lipids and other known cardiovascular risk factors like BMI, Systolic blood pressure and Rate pressure product in prediabetic subjects. Conclusion: This sug
Annealing Effects on the Structural , Optical and Electrical Properties of Chemically Deposited CdS Thin Films using NH 4 Cl Complexing Agent

This study aims to deposit different thicknesses of CdS thin films with a variation of deposition time by using chemical bath deposition technique. The aqueous solution of cadmium chloride, ammonium chloride, ammonium hydroxide and thiourea were used During the deposition process. The analysis was done to observe the effect of annealing on structural, optical and electrical properties of the CdS thin films. From the x‐ray diffraction, this helps to confirm the cubic CdS phase formation, with a preferred orientation along (111). The finding indicates that the crystallite size is larger in films when it is deposited with low deposition rate. The crystallite size increased with increasing thickness and decreased after annealing. After annealing, the mobility and carrier concentration of the CdS thin films of different thicknesses is increasing and the resistivity decreasing. This study showed that the crystal structure, band gap, Urbach energy and electrical properties of CdS thin films can be changed when Cds thin films experienced annealing.
Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Clinical Aspects and Therapeutic Management in the Region of Thies Senegal

Aim: To study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of advanced prostate cancer in Thies. Patients and methods: This is a descriptive study over a period of 6 years (January 2012 to December 2017) involving 156 patients. Results: The average age of our patients was 75.3 years (52 to 100 years). The annual incidence was estimated to 26.5 cases. The average time to referral was 30 months (3 months; 5 years). The main reason for consultation was urinary symptoms. Bone pain was the main extra-urinary symptoms noted in 73.71% of cases. Digital rectal examination was suggestive of cancer in the majority of cases (n=116). Mean PSA was 532.25 ng/mL (Range: 10.000-100 ng/mL). Pathological examination revealed prostatic adenocarcinoma in all patients. Gleason score ranged between 6 and 9 with an average of 7. At imaging bone metastases was found in 73.71% of cases. Other sites of metastasis were mainly pulmonary (14.10%) and hepatic. Of the cohort 156 patients were treated by hormonal therapy alone and 72 patients by hormone therapy associated with prostatic surgery. Conclusion: The mortality remains high despite improved diagnostic and treatment.
Empirical Evidence of Anchoring Effect in Real Litigation †

Given the wide acceptance of how anchoring affects human decision‐making in almost all disciplines of social science, one is surprised to find that the empirical, rather than experimental, evidence for it is very rare and inconclusive. This article offers the first large‐scale court evidence for the anchoring effect in judicial decision‐making. Using Taiwan’s court cases on trespassing, matched with transaction data to estimate the hedonic values of lands in dispute and another dataset on judge experience, we provide evidence that the plaintiff ’s claim has a strong anchoring effect on the court’s judgment. Specifically, the plaintiff ’s claim, the defendant’s counter‐claim, and the three‐judge panel all have significant influence on the decisions of the less‐experienced judges; while the more‐experienced judges do not suffer from the anchoring effect. Therefore, we not only provide evidence for anchoring in real litigation, but also suggest experience as a crucial debiaser.
Market risk of real estate : Using indirect data to understand direct risks

Even if the market capitalization of direct real estate is comparable to that of equities and fixed income, the data on direct real estate is very poor. It is, therefore, difficult to estimate the market risk of this important asset class. Moreover, risk systems from most vendors cover equities and fixed income, but do not cover direct real estate. We propose a simple methodology that uses widely available data on indirect real estate to estimate the market risk of direct real estate. In particular, we use data on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) returns, determine their factor exposures to other asset classes and deleverage these exposures according to REITs’ balance sheets. We show that direct real estate can be considered as a portfolio of equities, fixed income and credit combined with idiosyncratic risk. We find that the existing direct indices understate the risk of the real estate market. In addition, with our methodology, the correlations to other asset classes become materially different and higher.
Student Loan Reform in China : Problems and challenges

The development of student loans in China accompanies China’s higher education ‘massification’. In 1999, the Chinese government launched a policy onhigher education expansion. Since then, Chinese higher education has shifted rapidly from elite education to mass education. In 2002, China’s gross enrolment rate in higher education increased to 15 per cent from 9.8 per cent in 1998—meeting the minimum standards of mass higher education defined by Professor Martin Trow. The rate increased to 23 per cent in 2007. In the process of promoting mass higher education, the Chinese government has also reformed the previous free tuition policies. Starting in 1997, all students who are enrolled at public higher education institutions (HEIs) are required to pay for tuition. According to the latest statistics, revenue from tuition and fees in 2007 accounted for 33.66 per cent of the total expenditure of Chinese ordinary HEIs (Ministry of Education 2008:28). The introduction of these macro-policies brought about a real problem: how to help the growing number of needy students to successfully complete their higher education.
DEVELOPING AND USING SYMBOL SENSE IN MATHEMATICS

It is my belief that this driving force is not the monopoly of only a few. Thus, in my work with students and teachers in junior and high school mathematics (particularly, in algebra), and with students who are not mathematically inclined (and who have difficulties with mathematics), I felt the need to identify what such a quest for meaning might look like, whether and how it develops, and whether and how it can be integrated, fostered and supported by instruction. Today there seems to be a wide agreement that meaning is constructed anew in idiosyncratic ways anytime someone learns or handles ideas. With the belief that watching and trying to understand how those processes take place can be insightful, I started to collect interesting behaviors of students and teachers working on algebraic problems. Algebra learning has always interested me and I was involved in research studies of algebra beginners (see, for example, Arcavi, 1995).
Heuristic biases in investment decision-making and perceived market e ffi ciency A survey at the Pakistan stock exchange

Purpose – This paper aims to clarify the mechanism by which heuristics influences the investment decisions of individual investors, actively trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), and the perceived efficiency of the market. Most studies focus on well-developed financial markets and very little is known about investors’ behaviour in less developed financial markets or emerging markets. The present study contributes to filling this gap in the literature. Design/methodology/approach – Investors’ heuristic biases have been measured using a questionnaire, containing numerous items, including indicators of speculators, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency variables. The sample consists of 143 investors trading on the PSX. A convenient, purposively sampling technique was used for data collection. To examine the relationship between heuristic biases, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency, hypotheses were tested by using correlation and regression analysis. Findings – The paper provides empirical insights into the relationship of heuristic biases, investment decisions and perceived market efficiency. The results suggest that heuristic biases (overconfidence, representativeness, availability and anchoring) have a markedly negative impact on investment decisions made by individual investors actively trading on the PSX and on perceived market efficiency. Research limitations/implications – The primary limitation of the empirical review is the tiny size of the sample. A larger sample would have given more trustworthy results and could have empowered a more extensive scope of investigation. Practical implications – The paper encourages investors to avoid relying on heuristics or their feelings when making investments. It provides awareness and understanding of heuristic biases in investment management, which could be very useful for decision makers and professionals in financial institutions, such as portfolio managers and traders in commercial banks, investment banks and mutual funds. This paper helps investors to select better investment tools and avoid repeating expensive errors, which occur due to heuristic biases. They can improve their performance by recognizing their biases and errors of judgment, to which we are all prone, resulting in a more efficient market. So, it is necessary to focus on a specific investment strategy to control “mental mistakes” by investors, due to heuristic biases. Originality/value – The current study is the first of its kind, focusing on the link between heuristics, individual investment decisions and perceived market efficiency within the specific context of Pakistan.
Little effect of obesity on life expectancy at middle and old age

The evidence of the effect of overweight and obesity on mortality at middle and old age is conflicting. The increased relative risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes for overweight and obese individuals is well documented, but the absolute risk of cardiovascular death has decreased spectacularly since the 1980s. We estimate the burden of mortality due to obesity among middle and old aged adults in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a U.S. prospective longitudinal study. We calculate univariate and multivariate age-specific probabilities and proportional hazard ratios of death in relation to self-reported body mass index (BMI), smoking and education. The life table translates age specific adjusted event rates in survival times, dependent on risk factor distributions (smoking, levels of education and self reported BMI). 95% confidence intervals are calculated by bootstrapping. The highest life expectancy at age 55 was found in overweight (BMI 25-29.9), highly educated non smokers: 30.7 [29.5:31.9] years (men) and 33.2 [32.1:34.3] years (women), slightly higher than a BMI 23-24.9 in both sexes. Smoking decreased the population life expectancy with 3.5 [2.7:4.4] years (men) and 1.8 [1.0:2.5] years (women). Less than optimal education cost men and women respectively 2.8 [2.1:3.6] and 2.6 [1.6:3.6] years. Obesity and low normal weight decreased population life expectancy respectively by 0.8 [0.2:1.3] and 0.8 [0.0:1.5] years for men and women in a contemporary, U.S. population. The burden of mortality of obesity is limited, compared to smoking and low education.
Protective and curative effects of on dimethyl Beta vulgaris

This study evaluated the effect of (beetroot) Background: Beta vulgaris smoothie on some biochemical parameters on dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP, known as dichlorvos)-exposed albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 rats of both sexes were grouped into five groups of Methods: six animals each. Group I served as the negative control and were not exposed to dichlorvos. Group II served as the positive control and were exposed to dichlorvos but received no smoothie. Group III received 500 mg/kg body weight beetroot smoothie and was not exposed to dichlorvos. Groups IV and V were exposed to dichlorvos but received beetroot before and after exposure, respectively. At the end of the 6-week experiment, the animals were euthanized, the blood samples collected for some biochemical assays while the organs (kidney and liver) were harvested and subjected to histopathological examination. From the biochemical assay, it was observed that the beetroot Results: smoothies regulated and significantly reduced the elevated levels of AST, ALT, urea and creatinine observed in the animals that were exposed to dichlorvos. Additionally, the beetroot was able to regenerate the liver and kidney organs that were damaged on exposure to dichlorvos. This study concluded that beetroot smoothie possesses Conclusion: hepato-protective, hepato-curative as well as nephro-curative properties.
I NFLUENCE OF FOLIAR APPLICATION BY S ALICYLIC ACID AND SOME MICRONUTRIENTS ON GROWTH , YIELD AND QUALITY OF ONION CROP Geries

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station to study the effect of foliar application with salicylic acid with and without of some micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Mn) as well as their interaction, on the growth, onion bulbs yield and its quality as well as storability of onion bulbs variety Giza Red during the two successive winter seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Strip-plot design with four replications was used in this investigation. The horizontal plots were randomly assigned by the three foliar application with salicylic acid rates (100, 200 and 300 ppm), whereas foliar application with micronutrients at the same dose, 2 ml L -1 (spraying with water; spraying with Fe or Zn or Mn and spraying with Fe+ Zn+ Mn) were randomly distributed in vertical plots. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: • The maximum values of growth characteristics (No. of leaves/plant, bulb diameter (cm), dry weight of onion plant and leaf area/plant), average bulb weight, culls bulb weight, marketable and total bulbs yield (t fed.) were obtained under foliar application of salicylic acid at the rate of 200 ppm, while the lowest values were recorded under spraying salicylic acid at the rate of 100 ppm. • Foliar application of onion plants with mixture of Fe, Zn and Mn markedly increased bulb yield and its components with best growth characteristics followed by that sprayed with Zn. • Foliar application of salicylic acid at the rate of 200 ppm and micronutrients (Fe + Zn + Mn, at the rate of 2 ml L -1 in combination) resulted in the tallest plants, the heaviest bulb weight, culls bulb weight, marketable and total bulbs yield (t fed.) and the highest leaf area/plant of onion compared with control treatment. • After storing for 180 days the lowest values of weight loss % was observed under combination of salicylic acid at 200 ppm with mixture of Fe, Zn and Mn which achieved the maximum values of remained bulbs% in both seasons. Moreover, the obtained data revealed that, the highest nutritional values in onion bulb tissues were detected when mixture of the three nutrition elements (Fe, Zn and Mn) together. Generally, from the economic point of view, this study can be recommend that foliar application with salicylic acid for three times with the rate of 200 ppm in each once as well as spraying with a mixture of micronutrients (Fe+Zn+Mn at the rate of 2 ml L ) to increase onion productivity and storability as well as quality improvement.
O and the Cmcm – P 21 / m phase transition

Crystals of the solid-solution series of (Ca,Sr)-lawsonite were synthesized hydrothermally at 4 GPa and 600 and 800 °C in piston-cylinder experiments. Synthesis products were analyzed with SEM, EMP, and powder-XRD. Lawsonite was observed in both the orthorhombic space group Cmcm and in the monoclinic space group P21/m. It is exclusively orthorhombic at low xSr bulk but monoclinic at high xSr bulk; in the range xSr bulk = 0.18 to 0.4 both polymorphs coexist and the data suggest a two-phase field between xSr ortho ~0.1–0.2 and xSr mono ~0.3–0.4 at 4 GPa/600 °C. Linear regression to the refined lattice parameters yields a = 0.017·xSr + 5.841 (Å), b = 0.197·xSr + 8.787 (Å), c = 0.263·xSr + 13.130 (Å), and v = 4.62·xSr + 101.46 (cm3/mol) for orthorhombic lawsonite and a = 0.119·xSr + 5.306 (Å), b = 0.118·xSr + 13.160 (Å), c = 0.025·xSr + 5.833 (Å), β = 0.38·xSr + 124.07 (°), and v = 3.20·xSr + 101.59 (cm3/mol) for monoclinic lawsonite. The data suggest an increasingly negative ∆vortho-mono with increasing xSr. In monoclinic lawsonite, structural expansion due to the incorporation of Sr is primarily accomplished by tilting and rotation within the Si2O7-group, whereas in orthorhombic lawsonite this tilting and rotation is prohibited by symmetry restrictions and expansion is mostly accomplished by an increase in lattice parameters. Combining the extrapolated Ca end-member volume for monoclinic lawsonite with published high-P data yields K0 = 137(3) GPa (K′ = 4.4). Contrary to the Ca end-member system, the Cmcm–P21/m phase transition is quenchable within the Sr-bearing system. A tentative phase diagram for (Ca,Sr)-lawsonite at 600 °C indicates a narrow orthorhombic-monoclinic two-phase field that shifts significantly to lower pressure with increasing xSr. The Cmcm–P21/m phase transition in the Sr end-member system is located at ≤1 GPa at ~400 to 600 °C, 6 to 9 GPa below the transition in the Ca-system, and has a negative P-T slope.
The Effect of Malathion on the Hematological Parameters of Rutilus Rutilus Caspicus

Malathion is a contact insecticide belonging to organophosphorous group, which is used to fight insects and pests of fruit trees, ornamental plants and crops. Malathion is particularly soluble in water and can spread through runoff or groundwater. This study determined the effect of Malathion on the number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), Hemoglobin and Hematocrit. 4 treatments with 3 replications were used in the study. Fish were exposed to 3 different doses of Malathion for 23 days and the control treatment was kept in water without insecticide. After 3, 13, and 23 days of exposure as well as 30 days after cessation of (Malathion) administration, fish blood samples collected and hematological parametres were calculated. The greatest levels of RBC, WBC, Hb and Hct were observed in the control treatment, which was significantly different from that of other treatments (P˂0/05). It was also found that the increased and prolonged exposure to Malathion resulted in the reduction of hematological parameters.