Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Cypermethrin on DNA and RNA Content in Different Organs of Fresh Water Fish Cyprinus carpio

In this study, freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio was exposed to sub lethal concentration of synthetic pyrethroids insecticide cypermethrin to evaluate the impact on nucleic acids in different organs. Fishes were exposed to sub lethal concentration (1/10th of LC50 value) of cypermethrin for three different durations, 7, 14 and 21 days. In seven day exposed fishes, DNA and RNA contents were not altered by cypermethrin. Whereas in 14 day and 21 day exposed fishes the DNA and RNA content decreased significantly in brain, gills and liver. However, the decrease was more in 21 day exposed fishes. The reduction in the DNA and RNA content in cypermethrin exposed fishes is comparatively less in liver when compared to the brain and gills. Cypermethrin treatment diminished RNA/DNA ratio in all the fish organs tested. In all the three organs studied, the influence of cypermethrin was found to be exposure time dependent.
Bevacizumab Modulates P-Glycoprotein Function In vitro and IncreasesConcentrations of Irinotecan and of its Active Metabolite SN-38 in Plasma of HumanColorectal Carcinoma-Bearing Mice

The overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) (ABCB1) is associated with multidrug resistance. Since irinotecan and its active metabolite are P-gp substrates, we tested whether bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed toward VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), could modulate P-gp function. The first objective of this study was to evaluate whether bevacizumab could increase intracellular concentration of doxorubicin (P-gp substrate) by interacting with P-gp. The second objective was to document whether bevacizumab could modify irinotecan disposition in mice. Therefore, concentrations of irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 were measured by HPLC in plasma of nude mice and in plasma and tumor of mice bearing a human colorectal carcinoma xenograft when irinotecan is given orally (40 mg/kg) on day 3, alone or after a pretreatment with bevacizumab (5 mg/kg IP) on days 1 and 3. For in vitro studies, two human ovarian carcinoma cells (IGROV1) overexpressing or weakly expressing P-gp were used. Bevacizumab effect on P-gp functionality was evaluated by measuring doxorubicin (P-gp fluorescent substrate) intracellular accumulation. Bevacizumab capacity to increase cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT test. Exposure to bevacizumab with doxorubicin leads to a significant doxorubicin accumulation and a reversion of doxorubicin resistance in P-gp expressing cell lines. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a significant increase (1.7 fold) of irinotecan AUC and Cmax (2 fold) in plasma after pretreatment with bevacizumab in human colorectal xenograft bearing mice. A non-significant increase in irinotecan tumors AUC (1.3 fold) and Cmax (1.3 fold) and SN-38 AUC (1.4 fold) was observed in the bevacizumab treated group. A significant trough concentration of plasma SN-38 (3.9 times higher) in bevacizumab treated nude mice was also observed. Bevacizumab increases a P-gp substrate intracellular accumulation in cell lines suggesting that bevacizumab could influence irinotecan pharmacokinetic partly due to modulation of P-gp fonction.
Assessment of safety and efficacy of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in management of increased blood pressure in severe preeclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of the present study was to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in the management of severe pre-eclampsia.Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh, on pregnant women presenting with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or more or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or more. The pregnant women were randomized to receive Oral nifedipine (10 mg tablet orally up to five doses) and intravenous labetalol injection in escalating doses until the target blood pressure of 150 mm Hg systolic and 100 mm Hg diastolic, or lower, was achieved. The primary endpoint of the study was the time taken by each agent to achieve target blood pressure. Secondary endpoints were number of doses required, adverse maternal and neonatal effects, side effect profile, and perinatal outcome.Results: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh from July 2016 to October 2017, on 100 pregnant women presenting with preeclampsia. The median time taken to achieve target blood pressure was 44 minutes (range: 20-60 minutes) for Oral Nifedipine and 68 minutes (range: 40-85 minutes) for Intravenous labetalol (P=0.008). No serious adverse maternal or perinatal side effects were encountered in both the groups.Conclusions: Both oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol are effective in the management of acute hypertensive emergencies of pregnancy; however, oral nifedipine effectively decreased the blood pressure rapidly compared to intravenous labetalol.
Microfoundations of Heteroscedasticity in Asset Prices: A Loss-Aversion-Based Explanation of Asymmetric GARCH Models

This paper provides a theoretical explanation for the heteroscedasticity of asset returns. In line with existing empirical results, our model yields an asymmetric relationship between stock return and volatility. Based on the simple assumptions that investors behave according to Prospect Theory and are subject to mental accounting in a dynamic setting, we analytically derive the unit-root versions of two of the best fitting heteroscedasticity models (EGARCH and TGARCH). The model is supported by our empirical results from two different sides: first, analysis of individual trading data shows that investors indeed become risk-seeking right after losses and more risk-averse subsequent to gains; second, the parameter estimation of our volatility model yields the predicted negative relationship between abnormal returns and subsequent volatility.
Effects of the Addition of Cr, Mo and Ni on the Microstructure and Retained Austenite Characteristics of 0.2% C–Si–Mn–Nb Ultrahigh-strength TRIP-aided Bainitic Ferrite Steels

Cr, Mo and/or Ni were added to TRIP-aided bainitic ferrite (TBF) steel (0.2% C, 1.5% Si, 1.5% Mn and 0.05% Nb ultrahigh-strength TBF steel) in order to increase its hardenability. In addition, the effects of the alloying elements on the Vickers hardness, microstructure and retained austenite characteristics of the TBF steels were investigated. When the TBF steels were austempered at temperatures between MS and Mf, the Vickers hardness increased from HV300 to HV430 with increasing hardenability. The microstructure consisted of martensite and bainitic ferrite lath structures and retained austenite phases and the volume fraction of retained austenite increased with increasing hardenability. Conversely, the carbon concentration of the retained austenite decreased with increasing hardenability. Simultaneously, the quantity of the hard blocky martensite phase (M-A constituent) with refined interlath retained austenite films increased with increasing hardenability. These characteristics are mainly caused by the delayed bainite transformation during austempering through the addition of Cr, Mo and/or Ni. The addition of Ni lowered the T0 line further. The retained austenite phases of Cr- and/or Mo-bearing TBF steels were relatively stable against straining, despite their low carbon concentrations.
Determinants of Food Security in Rural Farm Households in Ethiopia

Literatures on determinants of food security in rural farm households in Ethiopia are region specific based on cross sectional data. Studies that examine these determinants covering at least two regions remain scarce. Using panel data from ERHS, collected from four different regions, and controlling for woreda (district) heterogeneity the current study analyzes the determinants of food security in rural farm households in Ethiopia. Nutritional status or sufficiency of calories intake is also analyzed as a sub component. Conditional logit and fixed effect models are used to refer to the significant determinant variable as these models basically capture the panel nature of the data. Thus, based on the results of the conditional logit model, among the priority variables fitted in to it, rainfall shock and household size negatively and significantly determine food security. While farmland size, land quality and credit access positively and significantly determine food security at varying levels of significance. In the fixed effects model these same sets of variables significantly determine nutritional status in the same sign as they determined food security with only differences in magnitude and significance of the coefficient estimates. Additionally, off farm income, fertilizer use and oxen ownership are priority variables that are found to be significant in this model. The results of the ordered probit model also reinforce the findings in the two models with only differences in magnitude and significance. Examination of food security status indicated that majority of the farm households are food insecure. In fact there is some improvement over time, even if that is not that much significant. Analysis of regional mean values for food secured households suggested that, majority of the households in Tigray region experienced rain fall shock and occupied infertile land than other regions else. Hence, even the food secured farm households in Tigray region seemed only marginally secured. For a better endurance to the adverse consequences of entitlement failure to the identified determinant factors, sound policy interventions must take in place. Policies on the areas of irrigation, climatic adaption strategies, land improvement, relocation and resettlement and other related interventions are “externalities” to the farm households. However, as farm households are decision makers who want to maximize their wellbeing, interventions should consider the net benefit to them. Besides, policies should start from the more disadvantaged area.
Long‐Term Variability of Soil Moisture in the Southern Sierra: Measurement and Prediction

An algorithm for predicting soil‐water storage was evaluated for 6 yr. Algorithm accuracy was high during wet‐up, snow cover, and early recession. Accuracy declined during late recession and during dry periods. Accuracy declined and relative independent‐variable rank changed in dry years. Transient snow cover in dry periods altered soil‐water storage patterns.
The Effect of Listening to English Songs on Iranian EFL Pre-intermediate Learners’ Listening Comprehension

The aim of this study was to find out whether listening to English songs can improve pre-intermediate EFL learners’ listening comprehension. To this end, a non-randomized pretest-posttest control group design as one of the quasi-experimental research designs was employed. The sample of the study consisted of 40 male and female English learners from two classes in an Institute in Marand, Iran. The two classes were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. Then, a PET test was used to check the homogeneity of both groups. The listening section of PET was also considered as the pretest of the study. Then, fifteen English songs were used in the experimental group during the treatment period. Each session, within 45 minutes, one song was played for and practiced with the learners. Meanwhile, the control group had their usual teacher -fronted class without listening to songs. At the end, both groups were post tested on their listening comprehension using the listening section of another version of PET. The collected data were analyzed using Independent-Samples and Paired-Samples t-tests. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in the performance of the experimental group. It is implied that songs are not only an entertaining tool but they can also be used as a pedagogic material in improving learners’ listening comprehension.
Homomorphisms between Algebras of Holomorphic Functions

For two complex Banach spaces and , in this paper, we study the generalized spectrum of all nonzero algebra homomorphisms from , the algebra of all bounded type entire functions on , into . We endow with a structure of Riemann domain over whenever is symmetrically regular. The size of the fibers is also studied. Following the philosophy of (Aron et al., 1991), this is a step to study the set of all nonzero algebra homomorphisms from into of bounded holomorphic functions on the open unit ball of and of all nonzero algebra homomorphisms from into .
Recurrent cannabis use among Norwegian students

Background: Research on cannabis has focused on lifetime use or regular/heavy use (i.e., daily or almost daily). Regular, albeit not necessarily daily, cannabis use has received less scientific attention. Objectives: This study aims to identify demographic and personality factors associated with recurrent cannabis use (i.e., cannabis usage 5 to 50 times in the last six months) and to investigate the relationship between cannabis use and use of other substances. Methods: Public and private university students (N = 11,236) in Bergen, Norway, participated in an online survey during autumn 2015. Binary logistic regression was run to identify individual characteristics related to recurrent cannabis use. Chi-square tests were conducted to investigate differences in substance use (alcohol, nicotine, and illicit drugs) between recurrent cannabis users and cannabis abstainers/low-frequency users. Results: A total of 4.0% of the students reported recurrent cannabis use. Students born in North America, non-Christians (compared to non-religious students), and men were more likely to be recurrent users. Recurrent cannabis users scored higher on extroversion and intellect/imagination compared to abstainers/low-frequency users. Male and female recurrent cannabis users had somewhat different characteristics (e.g., agreeableness scores were negatively associated with recurrent use among females but not among males). Recurrent cannabis use was overall strongly associated with polysubstance use. Conclusions: The prevalence of recurrent cannabis use among Norwegian students is low. Recurrent cannabis use seems more prevalent among individuals marked by extroversion and intellect/imagination, which supports the notion of cannabis use as a social activity for individuals identifying themselves as outgoing and unconventional. Cannabis use among students seems strongly associated with use of other substances, suggesting that cannabis should not be considered a replacement drug.
Agricultural innovation and inclusive value-chain development: a review

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to take stock of the current state of knowledge about inclusive value-chain development (VCD) in the context of international agricultural research; and second, to draw out the implications for future research and action. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a review of recent research papers authored by professionals affiliated with international agricultural research centers and their partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings The studies reviewed in the paper identify the opportunities emerging from new and expanding markets for agricultural products and challenges to smallholder participation in these markets. It identifies key attributes of successful value-chain interventions, emphasizing the importance of combining value-chain approaches with other approaches, including those emerging from innovation systems and rural livelihoods frameworks. Methods are offered for evaluating complex value-chain interventions. Research limitations/implications The paper summarizes the state of knowledge as of early 2016 in a dynamic field. Important contributions to knowledge may have been made since then. Originality/value The paper summarizes the state of knowledge in the field, and identifies emerging issues and policy implications, knowledge gaps, and priorities for future applied research.
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) strain 238 ameliorates the oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic mice

The present study evaluates the biochemical effect of Oyster mushroom on the oxidative stress in diabetic mice. Thirty five male Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups, Group A; STZ induced diabetic mice, group B; STZ-induced diabetic mice treated with insulin, group C; STZ-induced diabetic mice fed on Oyster mushroom, group D; non diabetic non treated mice and group E; non diabetic fed on oyster mushroom mice. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), activities and genes expression of superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined. Our results revealed a significant increase of blood TAC levels, SOD and CAT activities and significant decrease of MDA level with an increase of SOD and CAT genes expression in liver tissues of the diabetic mice fed on mushroom. In conclusion; oyster mushroom has the ability to reduce the oxidative stress in diabetic mice. (Aaser Mohamed Abdelazim and Mohamed Afifi. Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) strain 238 ameliorates the oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Life Sci J 2013;10(3):1259-1264) (ISSN: 1097 8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 189
Opportunistic management for rangelands not at equilibrium.

ing and summarizing knowledge about range dynamics without distorting it. The amount of detail lost in a particular description would depend on how many states and transitions were recognized. We are proposing the state-and-transition formulation because it is a practicable way to organize information for management, not because it follows from theoretical models about dynamics. In consequence, we consider management rather than theoretical criteria should be used in deciding what states to recognize in a given situation. As a general rule, one would distinguish 2 states only if the difference between them represented an important change in the land from the point of view of management. For example, variation due to seasonal phenology of the plants would not normally be subdivided into states, while important changes in the underlying botanical composition would be recognized. It follows that a given rangeland could be described in terms of a greater or lesser number of states and transitions, depending on the nature and objectives of management and on the state of existing knowledge. There would not be a single correct description. Under the state-and-transition formulation, knowledge about a given rangeland should be organized and expressed in the follow-
ROBUST CONSENSUS FOR CONTINUOUS-TIME

This paper investigates consensus problems for continuous-time multiagent systems with time-varying communication graphs subject to input noise. Based on input-to-state stability and integral input-to-state stability, robust consensus and integral robust consensus are defined with respect to L∞ and L1 norms of the noise function, respectively. Sufficient and/or necessary connectivity conditions are obtained for the system to reach robust consensus or integral robust consensus under mild assumptions. The results answer the question on how much interaction is required for a multiagent network to converge despite a certain amount of input disturbance. The -convergence time is obtained for the consensus computation on directed and K-bidirectional graphs.
Augmentation of managed populations of Osmia cornuta and O. rufa (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Southeastern Europe

We describe augmentation of managed populations of Osmia cornuta and O. rufa in the vicinity of Belgrade (Serbia). Annual augmentation of O. cornuta populations was more than five-fold during the six years of our study. This was achieved by watering the soil near the Osmia augmentation shelters used for nest building. However, populations of O. rufa under the same treatment only doubled annually. Data are also presented on sex ratios in these managed populations, the sex ratio being an important factor in increasing population numbers and raising pollination efficacy. Sex ratio values (♂ : ♀) varied from 1.46 : 1 to 3.22 : 1 in the populations of O. cornuta and from 1.35 : 1 to 2.68 : 1 in those of O. rufa.
Coded orthogonal frequency division multiplex [TV broadcasting]

Technological evolution and the ever-increasing demand for higher-quality services give broadcasters a strong incentive to completely digitize their broadcasting networks. This digitization, which is already well advanced in many program production areas and transmission links, now has to be extended to complete the last link in the broadcast chain; i.e., from broadcast transmitter to consumer receivers. It is therefore necessary to develop wholly new techniques for the broadcasting of digitally coded TV programmes. Thus an efficient baseband digital coding must be combined with a robust digital modulation and channel coding scheme that can meet the requirements of every mode of broadcast reception. This article presents the research work related to the coded orthogonal frequency division multiplex (COFDM) technology, which has now been completed in the field of digital radio (DAB), and which is under progress in the field of digital terrestrial TV. >
Three new andean species of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae) of the mesophragmatica group

Three new species of mesophragmatica group, Drosophila amaguana, Drosophila shyri and Drosophila ruminahuii from Pasochoa Forest Reserve, northern Ecuadorian Andes, are described. The two subgroups currently composing the mesophragmatica group are renamed as the mesophragmatica subgroup to which the first two species have been added, and the viracochi subgroup to which the latter species has been added. These subgroups are defined based on the direction of the basal scutellar setae, which are divergent in the species of the former subgroup and convergent in the latter.
Patents, Real Options and Firm Performance

Analysing the new IFS-Leverhulme database on over 200 major British firms since 1968 we show that patents have an economically and statistically significant impact on firm-level productivity and market value. While patenting feeds into market values immediately it appears to have a slower effect on productivity. This generates valuable real options because patents provide exclusive rights to develop new innovations, enabling firms to delay investments. Higher market uncertainty, which increases the value of real options, reduces the impact of new patents on productivity. If the government's policy to reduce uncertainty is successful then this should increase the productivity of Britain's knowledge capital.