Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Sodium and Potassium Conductances with Dynamic States of a Mathematical Model of Electrosensory Pyramidal Neurons

Electrosensory pyramidal neurons in weakly electric fish can generate burst firing. Based on the Hodgkin-Huxley scheme, a previous study has developed a mathematical model that reproduces this burst firing. This model is called the ghostbursting model and is described by a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. Although the dynamic state of this model is a quiescent state during low levels of electrical stimulation, an increase in the level of electrical stimulation transforms the dynamic state first into a repetitive spiking state and finally into a burst firing state. The present study performed computer simulation analysis of the ghostbursting model to evaluate the sensitivity of the three dynamic states of the model (i.e., the quiescent, repetitive spiking, and burst firing states) to variations in sodium and potassium conductance values of the model. The present numerical simulation analysis revealed the sensitivity of the electrical stimulation threshold required for eliciting the burst firing state to variations in the values of four ionic conductances (i.e., somatic sodium, dendritic sodium, somatic potassium, and dendritic potassium conductances) in the ghostbursting model.
Pharmacoepidemiology Of Cancer In Southern India

Objective Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh, southern India, records over many cancer cases each year. We aimed to describe the frequency, distribution, and assess quality of management and subsequent outcomes from cancer in one large hospital in the district. Methods We reviewed data of all patients admitted with different types of cancer to a district government hospital for the years 2003 to 2006. For these years, details of the particular cancer patients admitted and management were abstracted from the medical files. Findings During these four years, 1753 patients were admitted in the hospital with different types of cancer. More detailed data from the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 reveals that older people are more prone to any type of cancer. Incidence of cancer is more in females. Most common type of cancer in females is cervix cancer in this part of country [30%]. Women above 40 age are prone to breast and ovarian cancers [20%]. The most common type of cancer in males is mouth cancer [25%]. Conclusion It is likely that these findings reflect the situation in many rural hospitals of the southern India region. Even without an increase in resources, there appear to be significant opportunities for reducing cancer incidence by better medical management and further development on the reduction of cancer.
Prevalence and species identification of Sarcocystis in raw hamburgers distributed in Yazd, Iran using PCR-RFLP

Introduction: Hamburger is a popular type of fast foods consumed all over the world. Sarcocystis spp. is a zoonotic parasitic pathogen which endangers safety of meat and meat products. The present study describes the prevalence rate of Sarcocystis spp. in hamburgers in Yazd, Iran using PCR-RFLP. Materials and methods: Raw hamburger samples (100 traditional and 90 industrial) from central region of Iran, Yazd were randomly selected. The genomic DNA was extracted using salting out method. Detection and identification of Sarcocystis isolates was performed using PCR-RFLP. Results: The results showed that 77.9% of all tested hamburger samples were infected with Sarcocystis spp. The infection rate in the traditional hamburger (87%) was significantly (p 0.05). Conclusion: Having zoonotic significance, considerable infestation rate of S. hominis seems to be high in hamburgers of this region of Iran. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first of its own kind carried out in hamburger samples in Iran. Copyright © 2014, Shahid Sadoughi Uni Med Sci. All rights reserved.
Effect of the structure of seven anthocyanins on self-association and colour in an aqueous alcohol solution

Anthocyanins play an important role in the colour of red wine or mulberry wine. The effect of anthocyanin structures (substitution therein) on the self-association and colour in an aqueous alcohol solution was investigated in order to provide helpful knowledge about the relationship between anthocyanin structure and colour. The addition of hydroxyl at the C3' position weakens self-association, whereas addition at the C5' position facilitates self-association. However, the hydroxyl substitutions at the C3' and C5' positions enhance colour. The methoxy substitutions at the C3' and C5' positions enhance the self-association and the colour. The replacement of glucoside with the disaccharide rutinoside at the C3 position was detrimental to self-association, but the substitution of rutinoside at the C3 position produced a stronger colour than the substitution of glucoside at the same position. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside enhanced colour via intramolecular co-pigmentation instead of self-association. The anthocyanin colour was affected synthetically by the types and positions of the substituent in the anthocyanin molecule.
Segmented Asset Markets and the Distribution of Wealth

Using the 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances data, we find significant heterogeneity in household portfolio choice across ages and wealth levels. First, 30 percent of the U.S. households hold high-yield assets defined as stocks, bonds, and mutual and hedge funds. Second, the probability of a household participating in high-yield asset markets is rising with age and wealth level. Lastly, wealthy households tend to hold more of their financial assets as high-yield assets. We study a quantitative overlapping-generations model to explore the effects of segmented assets markets on wealth distribution. At any time, a household is identified by its age, wealth and labour income. There are two asset markets, one associated with a high-yield asset, the other with a low yield asset. At any age, a household gains access to the high-yield asset market through payment of a fixed cost. We estimate earnings processes for households from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics using the minimum method of moments. We choose the distribution of fixed costs associated with access to the high yield asset market, in our model economy, to be consistent with our measure of asset market segmentation from the SCF data. Solving for stationary equilibrium, we study the effect of different11 returns on savings on the distribution of wealth. We first find that segmented asset markets lead to a substantial increase in wealth dispersion across households and move the model economy to empirical measures of overall inequality. Specifically, an alternative model without market segmentation, wherein all households earn the average return on assets in our benchmark segmented markets economy, generates a Gini coefficient for wealth that is approximately 7 to 10 percent lower. Moreover the concentration of wealth in the top percentiles is substantially less. Second, we reproduce the empirical findings that households are more likely to hold high-yield assets if they are older and wealthier. Given recent empirical evidence on heterogeneity in households' portfolios, our results suggest asset market segmentation is an important source of wealth inequality.
Trophodynamics of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) in the trawl landings along the north-east coast of India

The trophodynamics of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) along the north-east coast of India was studied during 2012-2015 based on specimens collected from trawl landings at Digha, Paradeep (northern region), Visakhapatnam and Kakinada (southern region). Crustaceans were the preferred prey with index of relative importance (IRI) of 50% in the northern region and 42.4% in the southern region. Among crustaceans, Oratosquilla dominated in both the regions followed by crabs and several species of penaeids and nonpenaeids. Finfishes ranked next in importance (IRI% of 32.1 in northern region and 39.9 in southern region) and included Stolephorus spp. , silverbellies, Coilia sp. , other clupeids, Apogon spp. , mackerel, sardines, eels, priacanthids, Bregmaceros sp. and sciaenids. Along northern region, in juveniles and preadults, the diet comprised chiefly of crustaceans (IRI% of 72.27 and 52.76), followed by finfishes (IRI% of 15.37 and 27.65). In the southern region, adult fishes exhibited higher preference for finfishes (IRI% of 47.5 to 62.8). Feeding intensity was low throughout the year with close to half (48.23% in northern region and 43.67% in southern region) of the fishes exhibiting empty or trace stomach conditions which increased with an increase in age and size of fish. High similarity of 75.54% in the northern and 84.19% in the southern region was recorded in the diet contents of smaller and moderate sized adults. Annual and seasonal mean similarity in the diet components between the regions was 69.9 and 53%. Prey contents in juveniles between both the regions exhibited a similarity of 59.5%, while preadults and adults recorded similarities of 62.7 and 68.2% respectively.
GENOTYPING ERROR RATES ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF DNA FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER

The ability to accurately genotype individuals may depend upon interactions among numerous variables including the source of DNA, the sample preservation method, the reliability of the molecular marker being used, and the species under study. The use of feces as an alternative source of DNA is becoming increasingly popular; however DNA quality and quantity often are compromised when using fecal material as an alternative source of DNA. The use of poor quality DNA can introduce numerous problems in downstream applications including amplification failure and genotyping errors. The preservation method used for collecting feces in the field is known to influence DNA quality; however, decisions concerning storage mediums are often made independently of information concerning the likelihood of genotyping error. In this study we use North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) scats and anal jelly secretions as alternative sources of DNA for amplification of microsatellite loci and examine the influence of 5 preservation methods on rates of amplification and genotyping error in this species. The occurrence of 2 types of microsatellite genotyping errors (allelic dropout and false alleles) was assessed relative to both DNA source and preservation method. The proportion of genotyping errors also was determined for each microsatellite locus to investigate locus-specific error rates. DNA source, preservation treatment, and microsatellite locus all influenced our ability to obtain accurate genotypes, demonstrating the need for conducting preliminary studies before large- scale noninvasive genetic sampling efforts are attempted. Baseline work must be performed prior to the collection of fecal material for any species to determine both the appropriate collection protocols and loci for minimization of genotyping errors.
Anisotropic massive gauge-flation

We study anisotropic inflationary solutions in massive Gauge-flation. We work with the theory in both the Stueckelberg and dynamical symmetry-breaking limits and demonstrate that extended periods of accelerated anisotropic expansion are possible. In the case of dynamical symmetry breaking, we show that spacetime can transition from isotropic quasi-de Sitter space to an accelerating Bianchi spacetime due to a rolling Higgs field—the spacetime can develop hair. Similarly, symmetry restoring transitions are possible from accelerating Bianchi spacetime to quasi-de Sitter space —the spacetime can lose its hair. These transitions can be arranged to occur quickly, within an e-folding or so, or over tens of e-folds.
The Effects of Phytase and Different Level of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorous on Phytate Phosphorus Utilization in Laying Hens

2 Abstract: This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different levels of phytase (0, 500 and 1000 FTU/kg diet), calcium (2.275 and 3.25 percent) and available phosphorus (0.175 and 0.25 percent) on phytate phosphorus utilization in laying hens. One hundreds ninety two 30-week age White Leghorn (Hy-line W-36) laying hens were randomly allocated in cages for 12 dietary treatments with arranged of 3*2*2 factorial experiment with four replicates and four hens per replicate. The experimental period lasted 90 days, when the age of hen was 42 weeks. Dietary phytase caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, tibia ash weight, tibia ash percentage, tibia phosphorus, plasma phosphorus and phosphorus digestibility. However, dietary phytase caused a significantly (P<0.05) decrease in plasm a alkaline phosphatase activity and excreta phosphorus percentage. Also phytase had no beneficial effect on egg shell quality traits. Available phosphorus levels had significant effect (P<0.05) on tibia ash weight and tibia ash percentage. Reduction dietary available phosphorus caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in feed consumption. Effect of dietary calcium were significant (P<0.05) on tibia ash weight, feed consumption and plasma phosphorus. Interaction between phytase and calcium on tibia phosphorus, plasma calcium and excreta phosphorus were significant (P<0.05). Interaction between phytase and available phosphorus on tibia phosphorus were significant (P<0.05). Overall, it could be concluded that in low phosphorus diet which food consumption is low, phytase would increase food consumption as well as retention of phosphorus in bones. Also, the lower excreta of phosphorus by using phytase could decrease pollution.
Measures for Measures: Evaluating Judgments of Donor Allocative Performance

This paper reviews the various measures which have been used in the recent literature to assess how well donors allocate their aid across countries. We begin by proposing three desirable criteria for a measure of allocative performance, which make limited assumptions. We then show that all existing measures of allocative performance fail to meet these criteria. We go on to propose a new measure that does meet our criteria, and present rankings of the allocative performance of the 23 OECD-DAC bilateral donors on the basis of this measure. The ranking differs quite substantially from those based on existing measures.
Kyriacos Kyriacou Price Impact of Block Trades in the Saudi Stock Market July 2010

This paper examines the price impact of block trades for the 124 companies that comprise all listed firms in the Saudi stock market (SSM). We use high frequency intraday data (one minute intervals) for the period 2005-2008 to provide out of sample evidence of the determinants of price impact. We find an asymmetric price impact of 0.5% for block purchases and -0.38% for block sales. We document a price continuation post block trades and a price reversal after block sales. Sellers of block trades in the Saudi market pay higher liquidity premiums than buyers of block trades. However, on average, the price effect of a block trade is small and short-lived suggesting that resiliency is high in the market. Moreover, we find a direct relationship between the size of the trades and the level of information asymmetry in the market. Despite the structural differences of the SSM, the intraday pattern of price impacts is similar to patterns documented in other markets, namely an inverse J-shaped pattern. Finally, sophisticated traders can gain abnormal profits in the SSM through “free riding”, a trader can benefit from the overreaction before the block trade and price reversal after the block trade.
Economic feasibility and correlation coefficient of forage cowpea - A Review

The present investigation was carried out to determine the economic feasibility and correlation coefficient between growth and yield contributing characters with the forage yield of cowpea. Results revealed that Interaction of variety and levels of phosphorus enabled the crop to increase seed and fodder yields significantly. Variety UPC-626 when fertilized with 80 kg P2O5 ha recorded maximum green (322 q ha) and dry fodder yields (50 q ha) as compared to other varieties. With respect to economics of the treatments, variety UPC-626 gave maximum net profit of Rs. 15248 ha with a B:C ratio of 1.85. Application of phosphorus at 80 kg ha was found to be beneficial for getting higher profit (Rs. 12772). Variety UPC 626 gave highest net returns of Rs. 16548 and B:C ratio of 1.43 when fertilized with 80 kg P2O5 haEstimates of correlation coefficient indicated positive significant relationships, existed between growth attributes (viz., plant height, no. of leaves, branches and DMA g plant) and green forage yield of cowpea.
Influence of variable concentration of ethanol intake on alveolar bone loos in rats periodontitis model

Objective: The aim of this study was to morphometrically evaluate the effect of variable concentration of ethanol consumption on alveolar bone loss associated with ligature-induce periodontitis in rats. Methods: Thirty-six male rats (Wistar, 120 days-old) were randomly divided into four groups of nine animals each. The rats received daily rat chow and administration of water free liquid diet (control), 10% alcohol diet (10% ethanol), 20% alcohol diet (20% ethanol) or 30% alcohol diet (30% ethanol). After anesthesia, cotton ligatures were placed around the cervix of the right upper second molar, leaving the contralateral teeth unligated. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the maxillary bones were removed and alveolar bone loss was analyzed by measuring the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the alveolar bone crest at the buccal site of the right upper second molar. Results: Unligated groups showed no significant differences between each other (p>0.05). In ligated groups, rats receiving 10%, 20% and 30% ethanol showed significantly greater bone loss compared to control rats. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that variable concentration of ethanol consumption may increase alveolar bone loss in male rats, independent of dose used, associated with ligature-induce periodontitis in rats.
THE EFFECT OF DIETARY L-CARNTINE SUPPLEMETATION ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF MOZAMBIQUE TILAPIA , Oreochromis mossambicus , AT SUB-OPTIMAL WATERTEMPERATURE

A 60-day growth experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Lcarnitine supplementation on the production performance parameters of Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mosambicus. A number of approximately 140 tilapia fry with average weight of l.4g ± 0.71g were stocked in each of 40 fine-meshed hapas (I mx 1mx 1.5m) submerged within a complete recirculation pond system. During the first 30 days of the experiment water temperatures ranged from 19 to 23°C where after it decreased to 16-20°C for the consecutive 30-day period. Dietary treatments consisted of 8 replicates of 5 levels of L-carnitine supplementation labelled as Co, C250,C500, C750and C 1000represented Omg, 250mg, 500mg, 750mg and 1000mg L-carnitine supplementation per kg feed respectively. Results were analyzed for significant differences using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's pairwise comparison test for growth rate, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion efficiency. After completion of the trial 8 fish from each hapa were sacrificed and analyzed for cephalosomatic index (CSI), dress out percentage (viscera, gills and head excluded), viscerosomatic index (VSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSl). Poor production performance results were generally observed as water temperatures were sub-optimal, especially during the second 30-days period. Results from the trial indicate no significant differences (P>0.05) between treatments for weight gain, FCR, FI and VS! A negative trend was observed for FCR with increasing level of L-carnitine supplementation for both the first 30-day period (1.50±0.07, 1.53±0.08, 1.58±0.09 and 1.61±0.17 for C250,C50Q,C750and C 1000)as well as for the consecutive lower temperature 30-day period (2.22±0.10, 2.25±0.ll, 2.27±0.28 and 2.29±0.2l for C250, C500, C750 and C 10(0)'Although statistically not significant, fish fed the C250showed better performance in dress out percentage weight either than the control or the higher levels. The increasing trend for head weight with increasing level of L-carnitine supplementation were significant (P<0.05) from Co and C250with and above C500.The decreasing trend for liver weight with increasing level of L-carnitine supplementation became significant (P<0.05) with and above C750.The results of the current study showed a trend in the improvement of L-carnitine on the production performance parameters. However, the natural content of L-carnitine in the basal diet impaired with the inclusion levels, thus further research at lower inclusion levels is recommended. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
The Prospects of Transdisciplinary Approach to Promote Learners’ Cognitive Interest in Natural Science for Sustainable Development

Abstract The use of transdisciplinary approach to promote learners’ interest in the acquisition of natural science at school provides new opportunities for a complex explanation of the phenomenon and improving the quality of the process of learning. The aim of the study is to explore the learners’ cognitive interest, personal participation and the approaches chosen by teachers from the perspective of transdisciplinary approach. The study characterises students’ subjective evaluations of their personal participation and cognitive interest in the subjects of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, and the approaches used by teachers. The participants were 9th grade students from 17 Latvian schools (536 respondents) with the average age of 15.3 (SD=0.63). The results of the study showed that students’ evaluations concerning their personal participation in the process of learning were contradictory. They devote little of their free time to the acquisition of science subjects. As to teachers’ activity, a variety of teaching approaches are used. According to students’ subjective evaluations, the constructivist learning approach corresponds to the trends of sustainable education, whereas the overall context in which the development of learners’ cognitive interest in the acquisition of natural science subjects takes place at school highlights issues concerning the sustainable development of the system and the prospects of using the transdisciplinary approach.