Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological evaluation of drought stress tolerance and recovery in Verbascum sinuatum plants treated with methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Abstract The genus Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) includes medicinal plants, which have several bioactive compounds especially saponins. The possible recovery ability of Verbascum sinuatum from drought stress conditions was assessed by using salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MJA) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) as plant growth regulators (PGRs) in liquid culture media. Thirty days-old plants were exposed to different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) for creating artificial drought conditions (0, −0.3, and −0.6 MPa osmotic potential) and also treated with 200 µM methyl jasmonate (MJA), 100 µM salicylic acid (SA) and 20 ppm TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2NPs). Results showed that the growth parameters and the content of photosynthetic pigments decreased at higher drought level (−0.6 MPa). However, SA and TiO2NPs alleviated the adverse effects of drought stress by increasing water stress tolerance through promotion of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems. MJA negatively affected the growth parameters and increased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and total saponin and also the activity of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Based on the results obtained from this study, the recovery treatments mainly affected the defense-related metabolism in Verbasum sinuatum plants.
Mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas: clinicopathological features, prognosis, and relationship to other mucinous cystic tumors.

The clinicopathological features of 56 patients with mucinous cystic tumors (MCTs) of the pancreas were studied. Particular attention was paid to the prognosis of MCTs and the relationship to their ovarian, hepatic, and retroperitoneal counterparts. To distinguish MCTs from pancreatic intraductal papillary-mucinous tumors, MCTs were defined as tumors lacking communication with the duct system and containing mucin-producing epithelium, usually supported by ovarian-like stroma. All 56 tumors occurred in women (mean age 48.2 years) and were preferentially (93%) located in the body and tail of the pancreas. In accordance with the WHO classification, MCTs were divided into adenomas (n = 22), borderline tumors (n= 12), and noninvasive and invasive carcinomas (n = 22). Survival analysis revealed the extent of invasion to be the most significant prognostic factor (p<0.0001). Malignancy correlated with multilocularity and presence of papillary projections or mural nodules, loss of ovarian-like stroma, and p53 immunoreactivity. Stromal luteinization with expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, calretinin, or alpha inhibin was found in 66% of the cases. We conclude that the biologic behavior of MCTs is predictable on the basis of the extent of invasion. The similarities (i.e. gender, morphology, stromal luteinization) between pancreatic MCT and its ovarian, hepatobiliary, and retroperitoneal counterparts suggest a common pathway for their development.
Meeting report: 3rd international transplant conference: how much risk can you take?

The 3rd International Transplant Conference took place on 31st October and 1st November 2014 at the University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. Key focal points of the meeting were the exploration of the molecular basis of antibody–antigen interactions and their relation to clinical practice and to share experiences and knowledge regarding strategies to transplant the ‘high‐risk’ patient. In addition, lively debate sessions were hosted where controversial clinical and immunological themes were discussed by leading experts in the field.
Second-Home Buying and the Housing Boom and Bust

Record-high second home buying (homeowners acquiring nonprimary residences) was a central feature of the 2000s boom, but the macroeconomic effects remain an open question partly because reliable geographic data is currently unavailable. This paper constructs local data on second home buying by merging credit bureau data with mortgage servicing records. The identification strategy exploits the fact that the vacation share of housing from the 2000 Census is predictive of second home origination shares during the boom years, while also uncorrelated with other boom-bust drivers including proxies for local housing expectations, the use of alternative and PLS mortgages, and supply constraints. Localities with plausibly exogenous higher second home origination shares experienced a more pronounced boom and bust - stronger growth in construction and house prices during the boom, and steeper declines in activity during the recession years. Overall, second home buying could exp lain about 30 and 15 percent of the run-up in construction employment and house prices, respectively, over 2000-2006.
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON TREE DIEBACK IN BALOCHISTAN

A survey of Quetta, Pashin and Ziarat, Balochistan, Pakistan was undertaken in April 2006 and tree dieback incidence in these areas was recorded. In Quetta the most affected angiospermic tree species was ash [Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (G. Don) DC] showing about 20% dieback incidence. Trees of all ages were found victim of the disease. However, older trees were found more susceptible to dieback than the younger. The other highly affected tree species was Morus alba showing about 10% dieback incidence. The lowest disease incidence of about 1% was recorded in Robinia pseudoacacia L. Some root infecting fungi may be the cause of dieback in these tree species. Among the gymnosperms, Afghan pine (Pinus eldarica Medw) exhibited about 10% dieback incidence. An unidentified aphid species is response for dieback in this pine. In Pashin, the most fertile district of the Balochistan, dieback incidence was almost zero. Generally apple is cultivated in the area and because of management practices, plants were healthy. In Ziarat Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.B.) forests were severely suffering from dieback where about 20% trees were showing the disease symptoms. Drought, mistletoe Arcethobium oxycedri and fungus Pyrofomes demidoffii (Lev.) Katl. & Pouz are among the causes of juniper dieback in Ziarat. Key-words: Die back, tree disease, Balochistan, fungal disease,
Chronic Lithium Administration Enhances Noradrenergic Responses to Intravenous Administration of the α2 Antagonist Idazoxan in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract: The acute and chronic effects of lithium carbonate administration at therapeutic blood levels on peripheral noradrenergic activity and sympathetic responses to α2 adrenoceptor blockade were examined in 10 medically and psychiatrically healthy volunteers. Supine resting levels of plasma norepinephrine and the increases in norepinephrine following intravenous infusion of 200 μg/kg of idazoxan, a selective α2 adrenoceptor antagonist, were determined before lithium (Li+) administration and after 5 days and after 4 weeks of daily Li+ treatment. Chronic Li+ treatment significantly increased mean resting plasma norepinephrine levels by 53.6%. The noradrenergic responses to infusions of idazoxan were slightly enhanced after 5 days of Li+ administration and significantly increased following 4 weeks of Li+ treatment. The possibility that Li+ produces functional α2 subsensitivity causing enhanced peripheral noradrenergic activity in humans is supported by the findings of increased mean resting plasma norepinephrine and increased response to idazoxan following chronic Li+ administration. Alteration of regulatory mechanisms in the noradrenergic system may be relevant to understanding the clinical effects of Li+ in manic-depressive illness.
Ramanujan Primes and Bertrand's Postulate

The $n$th Ramanujan prime is the smallest positive integer $R_n$ such that if $x \ge R_n$, then there are at least $n$ primes in the interval $(x/2,x]$. For example, Bertrand's postulate is $R_1 = 2$. Ramanujan proved that $R_n$ exists and gave the first five values as 2, 11, 17, 29, 41. In this note, we use inequalities of Rosser and Schoenfeld to prove that $2n \log 2n < R_n < 4n \log 4n$ for all $n$, and we use the Prime Number Theorem to show that $R_n$ is asymptotic to the $2n$th prime. We also estimate the length of the longest string of consecutive Ramanujan primes among the first $n$ primes, explain why there are more twin Ramanujan primes than expected, and make three conjectures (the first has since been proved by S. Laishram).
Margin Exceedences for European Stock Index Futures Using Extreme Value Theory

Futures exchanges require a margin requirement that ensures their competitiveness and protects against default risk. This paper applies extreme value theory in computing unconditional optimal margin levels for a selection of stock index futures traded on European exchanges. The theoretical framework focuses explicitly on tail returns, thereby properly accounting for large levels of risk in measuring prudent margin levels. The paper finds that common margin requirements are sufficient for each contract, with the exception of the Norwegian OBX index, in providing equitable costs for traders. In addition, the paper shows the underestimation bias in margin levels that are calculated assuming normality. Differing margin requirements reflect the unconditional and conditional trading environments.
Long-Term Behavior of Cloud Systems in TOGA COARE and Their Interactions with Radiative and Surface Processes. Part III: Effects on the Energy Budget and SST.

Abstract Most atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) and coupled atmosphere–ocean GCMs are unable to get the tropical energy budgets at the top of the atmosphere and the surface to simultaneously agree with observations. This aspect is investigated using a cloud-resolving model (CRM) that treats cloud-scale dynamics explicitly, a single-column model (SCM) of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model that parameterizes convection and clouds, and observations made during Tropical Oceans and Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE). The same large-scale forcing and radiation parameterizations were used in both modeling approaches. We showed that the time-averaged top-of-atmosphere and surface energy budgets agree simultaneously with observations in a 30-day (5 December 1992–3 January 1993) cloud-resolving simulation of tropical cloud systems. The 30-day time-averaged energy budgets obtained from the CRM are within the observational a.
A Ginzburg–Landau Type Energy with Weight and with Convex Potential Near Zero

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of minimizing solutions of a Ginzburg–Landau type functional with a positive weight and with convex potential near 0 and we estimate the energy in this case. We also generalize a lower bound for the energy of unit vector field given initially by Brezis–Merle–Rivière.
Affective Vibrotactile Stimuli: Relation between Vibrotactile Parameters and Affective Responses

Affective communication in the interaction with touch panel displays could be improved by vibrotactile feedback. Hence, we address the relation between vibrotactile stimuli and affective responses. Specifically, we aim to determine the response to comprehensive vibrotactile stimulus parameters, i.e., waveform, amplitude, envelope frequency, and rhythm, by rating 48 types of amplitude-modulated vibrotactile stimuli according to five affective responses: arousal, comfort, preference, familiarity, and dominance. By determining the effects of each parameter, we found that amplitude and envelope frequency were the most effective parameters triggering affective responses. Amplitude influenced arousal and dominance positively, and comfort, preference, and familiarity negatively. Envelope frequency influenced arousal and dominance negatively. In contrast, waveform and rhythm showed lower effectiveness, which contradicted expected outcomes. Likewise, we verified that affective responses mainly include two dimensions, namely, arousal (and dominance) and comfort (or valence). Overall, the results from this study serve as initial guidelines for designing electronic devices with affective vibrotactile stimuli.
Gravidity and Parity Definitions ( and their Implications in Risk Assessment )

For example, a woman who is described as 'gravida 2, para 2 (sometimes abbreviated to G2 P2) has had two pregnancies and two deliveries after 24 weeks, and a woman who is described as 'gravida 2, para 0' (G2 P0) has had two pregnancies, neither of which survived to a gestational age of 24 weeks. If they are both currently pregnant again, these women would have the obstetric résumé of G3 P2 and G3 P0 respectively. Sometimes a suffix is added to indicate the number of miscarriages or terminations a woman has had. So if the second woman had had two miscarriages, it could be annotated G3 P0+2.
A Cautionary Note on Using G2(dif) to Assess Relative Model Fit in Categorical Data Analysis

The likelihood ratio test statistic G2(dif) is widely used for comparing the fit of nested models in categorical data analysis. In large samples, this statistic is distributed as a chi-square with degrees of freedom equal to the difference in degrees of freedom between the tested models, but only if the least restrictive model is correctly specified. Yet, this statistic is often used in applications without assessing the adequacy of the least restrictive model. This may result in incorrect substantive conclusions as the above large sample reference distribution for G2(dif) is no longer appropriate. Rather, its large sample distribution will depend on the degree of model misspecification of the least restrictive model. To illustrate this, a simulation study is performed where this statistic is used to compare nested item response theory models under various degrees of misspecification of the least restrictive model. G2(dif) was found to be robust only under small model misspecification of the least restrictive model. Consequently, we argue that some indication of the absolute goodness of fit of the least restrictive model is needed before employing G2(dif) to assess relative model fit.
Effects of selenium and zinc on renal oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by fluoride in rats.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of selenium and zinc on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell cycle changes in rat renal cells induced by fluoride. METHODS Wistar rats were given distilled water containing sodium fluoride (50 mg/L NaF) and were gavaged with different doses of selenium-zinc preparation for six months. Four groups were used and each group had eight animals (four males and four females). Group one, sham-handled control; group two, 50 mg/L NaF; group three, 50 mg/L NaF with a low dose of selenium-zinc preparation (0.1 mg/kg Na2 SeO3 and 14.8 mg/kg ZnSO4 x 7H2O); and group four, 50 mg/L NaF with a high dose of selenium-zinc preparation (0.2 mg/kg Na2 SeO3 and 29.6 mg/kg ZnSO4 x 7H2O). The activities of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in the kidney were measured to assess the oxidative stress. Kidney cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS NaF at the dose of 50 mg/L increased excretion of fluoride in urine, promoted activity of urine gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), inhibited activity of serum GSH-PX and kidney SOD, reduce kidney GSH content, and increased kidney MDA. NaF at the dose of 50 mg/L also induced rat renal apoptosis, reduced the cell number of G2/M phase in cell cycle, and decreased DNA relative content significantly. Selenium and zinc inhibited effects of NaF on oxidative stress and apoptosis, promoted the cell number of G2/M phase in cell cycle, but failed to increase relative DNA content significantly. CONCLUSION Sodium fluoride administered at the dose of 50 mg/L for six months induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, and changes the cell cycle in rat renal cells. Selenium and zinc antagonize oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell cycle changes induced by excess fluoride.
Corporate Social Responsibility Boosts Value Creation at the Base of the Pyramid

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) have embraced the possibility to find growth or strategic opportunities by targeting the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) segment, while contributing to alleviate poverty. Taking stock of the notorious early BoP initiatives shows that the bet made upon this responsible commitment is not yet won. Indeed, some were relegated to philanthropic programmes or simply dismantled, highlighting a tension to combine both societal and financial sustainability. The paper questions why and how MNEs reposition the value creation of their current BoP initiatives in regards of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. We provide an empirical analysis of present BoP initiatives, based on an embedded multiple-case study of seven MNEs' initiatives and seventeen of their field projects. The paper highlights three levels of CSR engagement at the firm level, which will translate into different strategies, organisations and types of value creation for BoP initiatives. We deliver novel insights for the study of the "business cases" of BoP strategies, which aim at gaining legitimacy, incubating strategic change and reaching profitable growth.
Macro-Scaffolding: Contextual Support for Teacher Learning.

A socio-cultural theory of learning places importance on the social and cultural context of the learning as well as the interaction between a more expert other and the learner. Scaffolding at the level of interaction may be defined as micro-scaffolding, and support which can be found in the context of the learning can be referred to as macroscaffolding. This paper reports on research carried out in a pre-service English teacher training context which explored macro-scaffolding. Findings suggest that support at the macro-level includes the shared understanding of accepted practices of the training context in terms of what is considered 'good' teaching and the conventions of feedback. One conclusion from this study is that there is a need to recognize and explicitly discuss these norms and practices in order to support the micro-scaffolding at the interactional level.
A change in CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ϵ, and CD3ζ gene expression in T-lymphocytes from benzene-exposed and benzene-poisoned workers

Benzene is known to be highly toxic to a variety of cell types, including lymphocytes. A previous study showed that T-lymphocyte immune function disorder might be related to benzene exposure. To elucidate characteristics of TCR signal transduction in benzene-exposed workers, expression levels of CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ϵ, and CD3ζ genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analyzed. Real-time RT-PCR using SYBR Green I was used to detect CD3 gene expression levels in PBMC from 20 benzene-exposed workers, seven workers with chronic mild benzene poisoning, five workers with chronic severe benzene poisoning and 14 healthy individuals (controls). The relative mRNA expression level was analyzed by the 2−Δct × 100% method. In benzene-exposed worker cells, significantly higher CD3δ, CD3ϵ, and CD3ζ, expression levels were observed as compared with values for cells from the healthy controls. In the workers with chronic severe benzene poisoning, lymphocyte CD3γ, CD3ϵ, and CD3ζ gene expression levels were significantly lower than in control cells. Lymphocytes from chronic mildly benzene- poisoned workers evinced two different gene expression patterns, i.e., CD3γ and CD3ϵ levels were similar to those in the benzene-exposed worker cells, but CD3δ and CD3ζ expression levels were significantly lower relative to those in cells from chronic severely-benzene-poisoned counterparts. It remained to be determined if these reductions in expression of these genes presage or are indicative of deficiencies in the activities of T-lymphocytes in these workers. For now, it is hoped that this study may contribute to a better understanding of the disorders in cellular immunity frequently found with benzene-exposed workers.
Effects of Supplementing Broiler Diets Low in Crude Protein with Essential and Nonessential Amino Acids

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding all essential amino acids (EAA) equal to that of higher CP diets or a mixture of nonessential amino acids (NEAA) to low CP diets on the live performance of broilers during the period of 0 to 21 d. A series of experimental diets comprised primarily of corn and soybean meal were formulated to contain 3,200 ME kcal/kg. Five primary diets were formulated to contain 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24% CP. Requirement levels for EAA (110% of NRC, 1994) were accomplished when necessary by adding crystalline amino acids. In each of these dietary series, diets with 16, 18, and 20% CP were supplemented with additional EAA (Trp, Ile, His, Val, Leu, Arg, Gly and Phe) to bring the content of all these EAA to a level equal to that of the 22% CP diet. Additional diets in each series with 16, 18, and 20% CP were supplemented with a mixture of NEAA (equal parts of Ala, Glu, and Glu-NH2) to provide levels of nitrogen equivalent to that provided by the EAA supplementation in the previous diets. Each of th e treatments was fed to 12 replicate pens of 5 male chicks of a commercial broiler strain. The reduction of CP level in the starter diets had a significant influence on the live performance. Decreasing CP levels lower than 22% significantly decreased BW gain and increased the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Adding the EAA or NEAA mixtures to the low CP diets significantly improved the performance but did not completely overcome the adverse effects of the low CP diets.
Septins Stabilize Mitochondria in Tetrahymena thermophila

ABSTRACT We describe phylogenetic and functional studies of three septins in the free-living ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. Both deletion and overproduction of septins led to vacuolization of mitochondria, destabilization of the nuclear envelope, and increased autophagy. All three green fluorescent protein-tagged septins localized to mitochondria. Specific septins localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane, to septa formed during mitochondrial scission, or to the mitochondrion-associated endoplasmic reticulum. The only other septins known to localize to mitochondria are human ARTS and murine M-septin, both alternatively spliced forms of Sep4 (S. Larisch, Cell Cycle 3:1021-1023, 2004; S. Takahashi, R. Inatome, H. Yamamura, and S. Yanagi, Genes Cells 8:81-93, 2003). It therefore appears that septins have been recruited to mitochondrial functions independently in at least two eukaryotic lineages and in both cases are involved in apoptotic events.