Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D and β-glucan supplementation affects levels of leptin, apolipoproteins and general nutrition state in patients with diabetic retinopathy

Aims: Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. A global pandemic increase in diabetes has led to the search for new preventative, diagnostic and curative methods. We aimed to evaluate levels of vitamin D, apolipoproteins A and B, and leptin after vitamin D/glucan supplementation. Methods: Using a collection of 52 patients with diabetic retinopathy, we evaluated levels of vitamin D, apolipoproteins A and B, and leptin, we compared this data with effects of food supplementation with vitamin D and β-glucan. We correlated our findings with a group of 20 healthy individuals. Results: There was a statistically relevant reduction of vitamin D levels in all tested groups, but more so in the diabetic group. The group supplemented with both vitamin D and β-glucan had suppressed levels of leptin, whereas supplementation with vitamin D caused an increase of leptin levels. Conclusion: Based on these findings, we conclude the importance of vitamin D and β-glucan supplementation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Josef Richter1, Martina Závorková2, Vaclav Vetvicka3, Ivana Liehneová1, Vlastimil Král1, Ivana Stiborova1 Affiliations: 1Zdravotní ústav se sídlem v Ústínad Labem, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; 2Oční klinika UJEP Masarykovanemocnice, Krajskázdravotní, a.s. , Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; 3University of Louisville, Department of Pathology, Louisville, KY, USA. Corresponding Author: Vaclav Vetvicka, University of Louisville, Department of Pathology, 511 S. Floyd, Louisville, KY 40292, USA, Email: Vaclav.vetvicka@louisville.edu Received: 16 April 2018 Accepted: 21 June 2018 Published: 14 July 2018
Intervention Groups for HIV-Infected Women: The Need for Additional Services

The Kgolo Mmogo study is a randomised controlled intervention trial that examines the effectiveness of a group intervention to enhance resilience in HIV-infected South African mothers (N = 427) and their young children (N = 435). We describe here how the severity of psychological and social problems experienced by some of the study participants required referrals for other services and discuss the barriers encountered in facilitating such referrals. Over a 30-month period 54 mothers and 59 children were referred for additional support. For mothers, the most frequent reasons for referral related to domestic violence and problems within relationships, while for children the most common grounds for referral were the evaluation and treatment of behavioural problems and severe emotional disturbances, including depression. Eight children were referred for suspected abuse. Observations from the study demonstrate that current systems for referral are overloaded and that there is a paucity of specialised services available. Our experience suggests that participants may benefit from using the intervention as a first point of support and that psychosocial referrals should perhaps be delayed until functional advice is provided (within the group) on ways of accessing wider support effectively. The intervention may also benefit from the inclusion of an intervention team member who is specifically tasked to follow up on referrals. This includes follow-up for participants who were not included in the group intervention. Furthermore, we argue that socio-economic constraints, which often manifest as lack of mobility to access service delivery, can severely impact on the implementation of an intervention study in a developing context. This constraint is experienced in terms of limited access to experimental intervention groups and services from referrals.
OUTBREAK SURVEILLANCE REPORT ON PULMONARY LEPTOSPIROSIS AFTER A HEAVY FLOODS DURING 2006 IN SOUTH GUJARAT

Background: During the heavy rainfall season in the Surat district of South Gujarat India, from July to October 2006 an outbreak of leptospirosis occurred. Aim: This article reports the exposure of leptospirosis in this post flood outbreak. In total 1,258 patients of New Civil Hospital in Surat were included, based on their clinical signs and symptoms for leptospirosis. Severe pulmonary hemorrhages were observed in the imperative form in most cases encountered during this season. Method: Laboratory investigation was carried out using rapid diagnostic tests like Leptocheck WB, Serion IgM ELISA and real-time PCR and they were evaluated for the outbreak investigation in comparison with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) Observation and Results: The predominant serovars encountered by the gold standard MAT were autumnalis(46%), australis(38%), pyrogenes(30%), cynopteri(20%), icterohemorrhage(8%) and grippotyphosa(1.6%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of rapid tests were analyzed, Leptocheck WB (91%, 78.4%, 83% & 88.3%), Serion IgM ELISA (92.2%, 89.4%, 90.3% & 91.6%) and Real time PCR (90.3%, 91.6%, 96.02% & 96.02%) using statistica (6.0). The incidence of the disease was greater during the month of August (41.41%) and September (52.94%) with a relative risk of 33.5 in Surat. Conclusion: This implicates the impact of the heavy rainfall and flood as the cause for severe outbreak of leptospirosis among the urban population of Surat district. Frequently contaminated environmental exposures due to urbanization and industrialization were speculated as major cause for this severe epidemic during heavy floods, which entails preventive strategies and prompt treatment against leptospirosis under such outbreak circumstances.
Proving the Theorem of Wigner by an Exercise in Simple Geometry

The leading idea of the paper is to treat the theorem of Wigner with methods inspired by geometry. The exercise mentionned in the title has two functions: On the one hand it can serve as a pedagogical text in order to make the reader acquainted with the essential features of the theorem and its proof. On the other hand it will turn out to be the core of the general proof.
Supplier innovation and involvement in customer firms A matter of learning and exhaustion? (WITHDRAWN)

This paper analyses how involvement in customer firms relates to suppliers’ own innovation activity, with a particular emphasis on involvement in customers’ innovation activities. One the one hand, firms may gain learning benefits from being involved in their customers’ innovation activities, leading to a positive relation between involvement and supplier firms’ own product innovation activities. On the other hand, involvement in customers’ innovation activities may exhausts suppliers’ knowledge resources, leading to a negative relation between involvement and suppliers’ own product innovation activities. This paper argues that learning and exhaustion effects are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but depend on the scope and timing of suppliers’ involvement in their customers’ innovation processes. The paper shows that it is not always beneficial for suppliers to be involved in their customers’ innovation process. Therefore, becoming involved is an option that should be selectively pursued by suppliers. Early involvement is important, but not sufficient for suppliers to reap an innovation benefit from contributing to customers’ innovation activities. Suppliers that are involved in all phases of their customers’ innovation process are more likely to be innovative than other suppliers. The analyses is based on a combination of different data sources, resulting in a combined sample of 209 supplier firms in Denmark. Innovation activity is tracked through two consecutive Community Innovation Surveys, thus allowing to control for suppliers’ previous innovation activity in the analyses.
Subduction of young oceanic plates: A numerical study with application to aborted thermal‐chemical plumes

We investigated numerical models of initiation and subsequent evolution of subduction of young (10–30 Myr) oceanic lithosphere. Systematic numerical experiments were carried out by varying the age of the subducting plate (10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 25 and 30 Myr), the rate of induced convergence (2, 4 and 5 cm/yr) and the degree of hydration (0 and 2 wt% H2O) of the pre‐existing weak oceanic fracture zone along which subduction is initiated. Despite the prescribed plate forcing, spontaneously retreating oceanic subduction with a pronounced magmatic arc and a backarc basin was obtained in a majority of the experiments. It was also found that the younger age of oceanic lithosphere results in more intense dehydration and partial melting of the slab during and after the induced subduction initiation due to the shallow dispositions of the isotherms. Partial melting of the subducted young crust may create thermal‐chemical instabilities (cold plumes) that ascend along the slab‐mantle interface until they either freeze at depth or detach from the slab and penetrate the upper plate lithosphere contributing to the nucleation and growth of a volcanic arc. Freezing of the plumes in the slab‐mantle interface is favored by subduction of very young lithosphere (i.e., 10 Myr) at moderate rate (4 cm/yr) of convergence. Such aborted plumes may correspond to Cretaceous partially melted MORB‐derived slab material and associated adakitic tonalitic‐trondhjemitic rocks crystallized at ca. 50 km depth in the slab‐mantle interface and exhumed in a subduction channel (serpentinite mélanges) in eastern Cuba.
Accuracy and analysis of long-radius measurement with long trace profiler

The long trace profiler (LTP) is proposed to measure radius of curvature (R) and surface figure of a longradius spherical surface in an optical shop. Equipped with a motorized rotary stage and a two-dimensional tilt stage, the LTP scans the full aperture and calculates the absolute radius of curvature of each scanning line based on the least square method. Nonlinear error and manufacture error difference between center and the edge are obtained by comparing R results. The R-limit is validated and expressed as D/R, where D is the aperture of the mirror under test. A full-aperture three-dimensional figure is also reconstructed based on triangle interpolation.
Innovations in Electoral Politics in Ghana’s Fourth Republic: An Analysis

Introduction The people of Ghana are gearing themselves up for general elections in December 00 . Election 00 would be a historic fifth consecutive national poll since the start of the current constitutional democratic dispensation in 99 . The transitional presidential election of November 99 was highly disputed by the opposition parties leading to their boycott of the subsequent parliamentary poll that December. The acrimony no doubt had arisen from the fact that the outgoing military regime that had metamorphosed into a political party to contest that election was perceived to have rigged elections. It was from such shaky foundation that Ghana’s current dispensation has blossomed. The subsequent elections ( 996, 004, and 004) have been more peaceful and generally free and fair. In 000, there was a peaceful alternation of power from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Ghana’s electoral successes have made it a paragon of good governance and peaceful coexistence in the West African sub-region which over the last decade and half has been better known for a spiral of violent conflict (Frempong 006: 57). How can this apparent paradox, a flawed transition setting the stage for democratic progress, be explained? Ghana, despite the emer-
Effect of low light intensity on key traits and genotypes of hilly rice (Oryza sativa) germplasm

Low light intensity stress is a critical abiotic stress that reduces rice yield and quality. Present study has been carried out with a set of hill rice germplasm under ambient light and low light condition. Results related to principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that grain yield, plant height and pollen viability are the most informative components accounted for 63.95 % variance among the genotypes studied under low light condition. The three main traits contributing to PCA was. IRCTN 91-84, IRCTN 91-94 and RCPL 1-9C were found to be the most tolerant genotype to low light intensity under this study. * Corresponding author KEYWORDS
Growth Performances and Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Lambs Fed Halophyte Sporobolus virginicus Grass Hay

The objective of the present study was to compare feed and water intakes, growth performance and carcass characteristics of indigenous lamb fed diets containing various levels of halophyte Sporobolus grass hay. Forty male and female lambs were randomly and equally allotted with 5 lambs of each sex per treatment to four dietary treatment groups, which were initially formulated to have 100, 70, 30 or 0.0% Sporobolus grass hay, as a source of forage replacement for conventional Rhodes grass commonly used in the region. The lambs receiving 0.0% Sporobolus grass hay (100% Rhodes grass hay) served as the control. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Male lambs were slaughtered at the end of the feeding trials. The average daily feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the animals fed different levels of Sporobolus grass hay than for the control animals. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), i.e., kg feed/kg BW, was similar in all treatment groups. Although lambs fed the diet with 70% Sporobolus grass hay had heavier carcass weights, the differences were not significant. In conclusion, growth performance or carcass characteristics of fattening indigenous lambs were not influenced by the inclusion of different levels of Sporobolus grass hay in the diet. Because of this, Sporobolus grass hay represents an alternative forage resource for sustaining small ruminant production in the saline coastal and sub coastal areas of the world.
Socio-cognitive Elaborations and Reactions to Economic Crisis: Insights from Social Psychology

This special issue dedicated to the social psychological study of the economic crisis in four European Union countries along the Mediterranean includes six empirical papers discussing different aspects of the phenomenon. Four papers are part of a larger project that started in 2011, aiming to compare the social representations of the economic crisis in France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. Starting from the study of the social representations of the causes of the crisis and the measures to overcome it, various social psychological parameters that interfere are examined. Thus, the political, ideological, and social positioning, and the axiological universe of the participants are considered as important predictors and mediators in the different papers. Additionally, possible political participatory activities in reaction to the crisis are considered. The presentation of the outcome of this research project is completed by a paper analyzing the way the crisis was depicted in the Italian press and a paper looking at the impact of the financial threat to political participation in France. The research presented here reveals the ways social subjects give meaning to a situation of crisis and thus provides social and political insights into social thinking and behavior with important policy implications for individual nations as well as Europe at large. In this paper, we present the general framework of the studies carried out and we introduce the collection of empirical papers of the special issue.
Allelopathic Effects of Aqueous Extracts from Residues of Sorghum bicolor Stem and Maize Inflorescence on the Germination and Growth of Euphorbia heterophylla L.

The allelopathic effects of powdered extracts from residues of sorghum stem and maize inflorescence on the germination and growth of Euphorbia heterophylla L were examined. The extracts brought about considerable inhibitions to all growth parameters of the extract-treated seeds. The degree of inhibition increased with the concentration of the extracts showing that the inhibition was concentration dependent. In E. heterophylla seeds treated with maize inflorescence, the degree of inhibition appeared to be more pronounced on the coefficient of velocity (COV), number of leaves at harvest and relative growth rates. Also in sorghum stem extract treated seeds, the degree of inhibition was more pronounced on the germination percentage, leaf area, dry root and shoot weights. Statistical analysis, at 5% significant level, revealed that there were significant differences in germination percentage, COV, leaf area and relative growth rates of E. heterophylla seedlings from seeds treated with powdered extracts from residues of sorghum stem when compared to the results obtained in the control experiments. Similarly, significant differences were observed in the number of leaves, leaf areas and the relative growth rate of E. heterophylla seedlings derived from seeds treated with extracts from maize inflorescence when compared to the control. However, there were no significant differences in the germination percentage and COV of maize inflorescence extract-treated seeds as well as the number of leaves at harvest in the sorghum stems extract-treated seeds compared to control experiments.
Initio Conformational Analysis of the ( 3 S , 5 R , 6 R )-6 Acetylamidopenicillanic Acid

A conformational analysis of the (3S,5R,6R)-6-acetylamidopenicillanic acid was performed using AM1, omega, and PM3 conformers. Their geometries were optimized at the ab initio HF/STO-3G level. The AM1 semiempirical MO method yields only eight conformers, the PM3 and Omega methods give 47 conformers, while the ab initio HF/STO-3G method leads to 28 conformers. For comparing the geometry of these conformers three geometrical properties were considered: the pseudo-chirality at N atom of the exocyclic amidic group, the anti/syn conformation of the O and H atoms from the exocyclic amidic group, and the three puckering classes of the thiazolidinic ring. The HF/STO-3G geometries do not differ significantly from the experimental ones or from those obtained by other authors who used basis sets of higher performance. However, unlike the high performant basis sets which tend to equalize the S1.C9 and S1.C10 distances, the HF/STO-3G basis set is able to distinguish between these bond lengths, namely the S1.C9 distance is larger than S1.C10. From this conformational analysis it resulted that the HF/STO-3G conformers belonging to the puckering classes (a) and (b) have the most favourable geometrical properties needed for the conversion of penicillins to cephalosporins.
Radio galaxies in ZFOURGE/NMBS: no difference in the properties of massive galaxies with and without radio-AGN out to z = 2.25

In order to reproduce the high-mass end of the galaxy mass distribution, some process must be responsible for the suppression of star formation in the most massive of galaxies. Commonly active galactic nuclei (AGN) are invoked to fulfil this role, but the exact means by which they do so is still the topic of much debate, with studies finding evidence for both the suppression and enhancement of star formation in AGN hosts. Using the ZFOURGE (FourStar Galaxy Evolution) and NMBS(Newfirm Medium Band Survey) galaxy surveys, we investigate the host galaxy properties of a mass-limited (M >= 10(10.5)M(circle dot)), high-luminosity (L-1.4 > 10(24) W Hz(-1)) sample of radio-loud AGN to a redshift of z = 2.25. In contrast to low-redshift studies, which associate radio-AGN activity with quiescent hosts, we find that the majority of z > 1.5 radio-AGN are hosted by star-forming galaxies. Indeed, the stellar populations of radio-AGN are found to evolve with redshift in a manner that is consistent with the non-AGN mass-similar galaxy population. Interestingly, we find that the radio-AGN fraction is constant across a redshift range of 0.25 = z < 2.25, perhaps indicating that the radio-AGN duty cycle has little dependence on redshift or galaxy type. We do however see a strong relation between the radio-AGN fraction and stellar mass, with radio-AGN becoming rare below similar to 10(10.5)M(circle dot) or a halo mass of 10(12)M(circle dot). This halo-mass threshold is in good agreement with simulations that initiate radio-AGN feedback at this mass limit. Despite this, we find that radio-AGN host star formation rates are consistent with the non-AGN mass-similar galaxy sample, suggesting that while radio-AGN are in the right place to suppress star formation in massive galaxies they are not necessarily responsible for doing so.
Volume 36, Issue 2 Financial Impacts and antecedents of CSR: a PLS Path Modelling Approach

This paper explores the mutual links between corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance (CG), and corporate financial performance (CFP). We aim to investigate the extent to which a firm's internal CG structures may influence its CSR practices and the resulting impact on its financial performances. To take into account the mutual interactions between these variables, we propose a global model, based on the partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM), using a sample of 486 large U.S. and Europeans firms for the period 2002–2011. Our results highlight a positive impact of corporate governance and financial variables on CSR. The main determinant of CSR is the governance under financial constraints (firm leverage mainly and size). Firms' leverage allows them to obtain more financial resources and positively affects their CSR practices. The adoption of CSR principles is found to increase primarily the firm's accounting performance and secondarily its market performance. However, in our model, we have a double effect; we underline the direct link between CG and financial performance and identify an indirect link between these two variables mediated by CSR. This second relationship, not explored in the literature, reinforces the impact of good CG on financial performance.
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND LIGHT INTENSITY ON GROWTH OF FODDER BEET (BETA VULGARIS L. VAR. CRASSA MANSF.)

Changes in plant growth viz. leaf area, leaf weight ratio, root weight ratio, dry leaf weight, dry root weight, total plant dry weight, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf area rat io, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate due to the effects of environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity were described by plant growth models. All equations produced for growth parameters were affected by light intensity and temperature. From multi-regression analysis, close relationships were found between actual and predicted growth parameters. The regression coefficients (r²) of the equations for growth parameters varied from 0.95 to 0.99 for cultivar Ecdogelb and 0.83 t o 0.99 for cultivar Ecdorot, respectively.
Error Bounds for -Norm Multiple Kernel Learning with Least Square Loss

The problem of learning the kernel function with linear combinations of multiple kernels has attracted considerable attention recently in machine learning. Specially, by imposing an -norm penalty on the kernel combination coefficient, multiple kernel learning (MKL) was proved useful and effective for theoretical analysis and practical applications (Kloft et al., 2009, 2011). In this paper, we present a theoretical analysis on the approximation error and learning ability of the -norm MKL. Our analysis shows explicit learning rates for -norm MKL and demonstrates some notable advantages compared with traditional kernel-based learning algorithms where the kernel is fixed.