Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies on the roles of calcium ions and gap Junctions in the regulation of secretory and contractile processes: Biochemical and pharmacologic approaches

This article presents a review of our own studies on the role of calcium ions and gap junctions in the regulation of prolactin and growth hormone secretion by rat adenohypophyseal cells in primary cultures. The article reviews also our own data on interactions of calcium ions with functional activity of gap junctions in the regulation of contractions of isolated rat uterus. The discussion is presented of literature evidence on the role of gap junctions in the regulation of insulin secretion by pancreatic islets and contractions of vascular smooth muscle tissues, as well as on the perspectives of studying the contribution of gap junctional intercellular communication in the framework of DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease). Finally the article considers briefly the elaboration and possible use of pharmacologic agents modulating functional activity of gap junctions in the treatment of several diseases. *Correspondence to: Viktor I. Goudochnikov, Council of International Society for DOHaD, Rua Matoso Camara 73, CEP 97050-500, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil, E-mail: victorig40@hotmail.com
Knowledge and Attitude on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Their Relationship with Obesity and Biochemical Parameters

This paper should be cited as: Toupchian O, Abdollahi Sh, Samadi M, Zeinali F, HonarkarShafie E, Farsad Naeimi A, Norouzi A. Knowledge and Attitude on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Their Relationship with Obesity and Biochemical Parameters. Journal Of Nutrition And Food Security (JNFS), 2016; 1 (1): 63-72. Knowledge and Attitude on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Their Relationship with Obesity and Biochemical Parameters
Constraining the Dark Energy Equation of State with HII Galaxies

We use the HII galaxies $L - \sigma$ relation and the resulting Hubble expansion cosmological probe of a sample of just 25 high-$z$ (up to $z \sim 2.33$) HII galaxies, in a joint likelihood analysis with other well tested cosmological probes (CMB, BAOs) in an attempt to constrain the dark energy equation of state (EoS). The constraints, although still weak, are in excellent agreement with those of a similar joint analysis using the well established SNIa Hubble expansion probe. Interestingly, even with the current small number of available high redshift HII galaxies, the HII/BAO/CMB joint analysis gives a 13% improvement of the quintessence dark energy cosmological constraints compared to the BAO/CMB joint analysis. We have further performed extensive Monte Carlo simulations, with a realistic redshift sampling, to explore the extent to which the use of the $L - \sigma$ relation, observed in HII galaxies, can constrain effectively the parameter space of the dark energy EoS. The simulations predict substantial improvement in the constraints when increasing the sample of high-$z$ HII galaxies to 500, a goal that can be achieved in reasonable observing times with existing large telescopes and state-of-the-art instrumentation.
The Effect of Ageing Time on Some Mechanical Properties of Aluminum/0.5% Glass Reinforced Particulate Composite

A particulate-hardened composite usually known as cermets with aluminum matrix and reinforced with ceramic particles from broken bottles was used to investigate the effect of ageing time on hardness and tensile strength. The samples used for the work were produced using stir-cast method and the samples were cast in metal moulds to improve on the surface finish and to obtain good cooling rate. The composite composition used was Al/0.5% glass particles. The samples were treated at 500? C and quenched in water at 65? C. They were then aged at various temperatures ranging from 150? C - 210? C. The result of the hardness test showed that within the range of the ageing time selected the hardness increased with the ageing for all the ageing temperatures used. Variations were observed but this is normal in ageing, particularly when coherent and incoherent precipitates are formed at a point in time, or when over-ageing occurs. The plot of the tensile strength tests and the hardness tests, with ageing time showed the trend as observed. The highest hardness value of 37.3 HRB occurred after 5 hours of ageing likewise the highest tensile strength value of 398.36 N/mm2 occurred after 5 hours of ageing at the same ageing temperature of 190? C. The aged composite showed improved hardness and tensile strength when compared to as-cast value of 23.7 HRB for hardness and 253.12 N/mm2 for tensile strength respectively.
Adsorption Behavior of Cu(II) Ions on Thermally-Treated Peat of Muthurajawela, Sri Lanka

Muthurajawela peat (MP), being organic in nature, undergoes many physical and chemical transformations when subjected to heat treatment, as evident by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and thermogravimetric measurements. Thus, treatment temperature of peat is a crucial parameter to be optimized for metal sorption studies, which is determined to be 200 °C for Cu(II) removal. At lower temperatures, pores are not sufficiently exposed, while higher temperatures lead to the combustion of organic matter restricting complexation with Cu(II) ions. Investigation of the effect of shaking time and settling time on the extent of Cu(II) removal by MP treated at 200 °C leads to optimum values of 2.5 h and 1.0 h, respectively. Adsorption equilibrium studies of Cu(II) solutions on MP at different solution temperatures verify the suitability of the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, while kinetics data lead to the validity of the pseudo second order model. Adsorption studies of Cu(II) on humic acid, extracted from MP (M-HA) and prefired at 200 °C, performed under ambient pH provide evidence that humic acid plays a major role in the Cu(II) removal process, and that the Freundlich isotherm is satisfied better than the Langmuir model. The positive standard enthalpy change (∆Hads) for adsorption of Cu(II) on both MP and M-HA suggests the endothermic nature of the removal process.
The Arctic in the political discourse of Russian leaders: the national pride and economic ambitions

ABSTRACT This article explores how Arctic policy is presented in Russian political narratives. This is achieved through the discourse analysis of 109 official documents published within a seven-year timeframe (2008–2015) on the official website of the Russian President. The article argues that Russian leaders emphasise the state’s geographical location and significant contribution to historical exploration and environmental protection of the region to frame Russia as an “Arctic Great Power” which has natural rights to possess and utilise the Arctic’s abundant resources. The logic of “our Arctic, our rules” can justify any necessary sacrifices, and the assertive policy of the state. However, this discursive representation of the Russian Arctic does not correlate with the reality of the country’s current interests in international cooperation and its willingness to “play by the rules”.
Comparative Fungicidal Activity of some Pure and Nanoemulsion Monoterpenes Effects on Soil Borne Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Comparative study between pure and nanoemulsions (NEs) monoterpenes, cinnamaldehyde, citral, geraniol pulegone, and (R)-carvone for their fungicidal activity against three of soil borne pathogenic fungi namely, Pythium digitatum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani by using poisoned food technique were evaluated. Results indicated that all examined monoterpenes have displayed antifungal activity under different tested concentrations. Further more. NEs- monoterpenes reduced significantly the linear growth of all tested pathogens than pure monoterpenes. NEs citral and geraniol ranked the first for their effective antifungal compounds on the tested fungi with EC50 values of 31.31 and 49.41 μg/ml on R. solani, 48.21 and 54.16 μg/ml on P. digitatum and 83.61 and 100.75 μg/ml on F. solani, respectively. Carbendazim fungicide was the reference in this study. NEs citral and geraniol were induced effective defense responses in vivo in tomato plants against R. solani at a rate of 1000 mg/L. Determination in the leaves after 0, 1, 3, 7 and 15 days of inoculation for polyphenoloxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) as well as total phenolic content activities as defense-related enzymes were measured. A significant increase in PPO, POD activities and total phenol content were detected. Results, also, showed that to reflect the resistance and susceptibility nature of tomato cultivars against the pathogenic fungi, R. solani. , POD and PPO activities can be considered as biochemical markers. The obtained results indicated that the elicitor's NEs-citral and geraniol have brought about defense reaction in tomato plants towards the pathogenic fungi. These effective NEs monoterpenes could be effective potentially and environmentally safe to control tomato damping- off disease.
The role of plant interactions in the restoration of degraded ecosystems: a meta-analysis across life-forms and ecosystems

1. Traditionally, techniques of plant manipulation during restoration have focused on the reduction of competition by ‘problematic’ existing vegetation. However, the increasing recognition of facilitation as a main process regulating the composition of communities has brought a change in the practice of restoration towards a better awareness of the benefits inherent to conserving neighbouring vegetation. 2. Here, I provide the results of a meta-analysis of published studies that have manipulated interactions among plants with the objective of restoring degraded terrestrial systems. I created four different data sets corresponding to the variables most commonly used to measure plant performance (i.e. emergence, survival, growth and density), and asked whether the benefits of facilitation as a restoration tool vary depending on the study duration, the life-form of the neighbour and target species, and the ecosystem type. 3. Neighbour effects varied strongly among performance estimators. Positive effects were frequently found for emergence and survival, whereas neutral or negative interactions predominated for growth and density. 4. No clear support existed for a relationship between study duration and neighbour effect. 5. The life-form of the interacting species, particularly of neighbours, largely influenced the interaction outcome. Herbs had strong negative effects, especially on other herb species, whereas shrubs had large facilitative effects, especially on trees. 6. Semiarid and tropical systems showed in general more positive neighbour effects than wetlands and particularly mesic temperate systems, where negative interactions predominated. However, these results were largely influenced by the over-representation of herb species in wetlands and temperate habitats, survival facilitation being found in all systems when only woody species were considered. 7. Synthesis. Pre-existing vegetation can have large impacts on species establishment in degraded habitats. Inhibition predominates in herbaceous communities typical of early-successional stages, whereas facilitation prevailes in communities dominated by shrubs and trees. Even productive systems (e.g. mesic temperate habitats) appear suitable for the application of facilitation as a restoration tool of woody communities. Whereas restoring herbaceous communities seems largely reliable on removal techniques, augmenting populations of nurse shrubs and trees should be considered a promising strategy for restoring woody late-successional communities.
Tumor‐Selective Altered Glycosylation and Functional Attenuation of CD73 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

CD73, a cell‐surface N‐linked glycoprotein that produces extracellular adenosine, is a novel target for cancer immunotherapy. Although anti‐CD73 antibodies have entered clinical development, CD73 has both protumor and antitumor functions, depending on the target cell and tumor type. The aim of this study was to characterize CD73 regulation in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined CD73 expression, localization, and activity using molecular, biochemical, and cellular analyses on primary HCC surgical specimens, coupled with mechanistic studies in HCC cells. We analyzed CD73 glycan signatures and global alterations in transcripts encoding other N‐linked glycoproteins by using mass spectrometry glycomics and RNA sequencing (RNAseq), respectively. CD73 was expressed on tumor hepatocytes where it exhibited abnormal N‐linked glycosylation, independent of HCC etiology, tumor stage, or fibrosis presence. Aberrant glycosylation of tumor‐associated CD73 resulted in a 3‐fold decrease in 5′‐nucleotidase activity (P < 0.0001). Biochemically, tumor‐associated CD73 was deficient in hybrid and complex glycans specifically on residues N311 and N333 located in the C‐terminal catalytic domain. Blocking N311/N333 glycosylation by site‐directed mutagenesis produced CD73 with significantly decreased 5′‐nucleotidase activity in vitro, similar to the primary tumors. Glycosylation‐deficient CD73 partially colocalized with the Golgi structural protein GM130, which was strongly induced in HCC tumors. RNAseq analysis further revealed that N‐linked glycoprotein‐encoding genes represented the largest category of differentially expressed genes between HCC tumor and adjacent tissue. Conclusion: We provide the first detailed characterization of CD73 glycosylation in normal and tumor tissue, revealing a novel mechanism that leads to the functional suppression of CD73 in human HCC tumor cells. The present findings have translational implications for therapeutic candidate antibodies targeting cell‐surface CD73 in solid tumors and small‐molecule adenosine receptor agonists that are in clinical development for HCC.
Response of Coccinella septempunctata and Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to their aphid prey, Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in rapeseed-mustard

During a three year study in rapeseed-mustard crop, the response of two ladybird species, Coccinella septempunctata and Menochilus sexmaculatus was dependent upon density and time of appearance of their prey. Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi appeared during the second (2000 and 2001) and last (2002) week of January. Aphid appearance was highly dependent on the pheno- logical stage of the host plant. It appeared earlier in rapeseed, Brassica campestris var. BSH-1 than mustard, Brassica juncea var. RH-30. The ladybird beetle's eggs were observed in the last week of January, 4-5 weeks before the maximum aphid population. A correlation between aphid number and the abundance of ladybirds' life stages (egg, larva and beetle) on these host plants revealed that the egg and larval density was positively correlated to aphid numbers. Adult beetles, however, did not show significant positive correlation with aphid numbers during all the three years of study. Coccinella septempunctata was more abundant than Menochilus sexmaculatus in these crops. Menochilus sexmaculatus population disappeared earlier than Coccinella septempunctata which was abundant until end of the crop season.
Study of road traffic accident cases reported in a tertiary care hospital in Vindhya region of M.P. with the use of WHO/CDC injury surveillance system

INTRODUCTION Accidental trauma in general and road traffic accidents in particular can be rightly termed as "invited disease of modern society". Road traffic accidents are both predictable and preventable. Our aim for this study is to find out various factors leading to road traffic accidents in our area and to find preventive measures for lowering the grave effects of these accidents. METHODOLOGY Data had been collected from all patients attending trauma center of our hospital who were injured due to road traffic accident. In accordance with the guidelines of the WHO/CDC Injury Surveillance System, the collected data was divided into two categories "Core data" and "Supplementary data" and analysis of data had been done. RESULTS Out of total 2931 patients, total numbers of male patients were 2016(68.8%) and total numbers of female patients were 915(31.2%). The age group of 25-44 years was most affected (44.66%). Nature of injury was fracture of bones in 52.40% of cases and about 16.68% of cases had organ system injury requiring intensive management. More than 50% of the Causalities occurred between 4 P.M. and 11:59 P.M. 59.67% of the road traffic accidents have taken place in rural area. Two Wheelers were the commonest mode of Transport (42%) involved in RTAs. Passengers were the commonest victims (39%) followed by Drivers/Operators of the Vehicle. Other motorized vehicle was the commonest counterpart in 42% of cases. Side on collision was the commonest RTA type. CONCLUSION To be effective, policies on injury prevention and safety must be designed to suit the social, political, and economic circumstances found in developing countries. Road safety is best achieved when all the key groups share a culture of road safety. Road traffic injuries require to be intervened immediately and stern steps, which can sustain longer, is the need of time to drastically cut shorts the trauma rate and related disabilities for the betterment of our society. KEYWORDS Road Traffic accidents, Road Traffic injury, Road Safety. Language: en
Light-curves of Retired Geosynchronous Satellites

Photometric light curve observations of several retired geosynchronous satellites are presented. These data were collected at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona during July 2016. Preliminary analysis of the light curves is conducted using Fourier series, Fourier transform, and phase folding methods to determine plausible rotation states. Satellites were found to have a variety of rotation states ranging from uniform to complex tumbling motion. For previously observed satellites, the potential for rotation state evolution is discussed. Analysis shows that two nearly identical weather satellites, GOES 8 and GOES 9, appear to be evolving quite differently. GOES 8 has progressed from uniform to increasingly complex tumbling motion since 2014 whereas the tumbling state of GOES 9 does not appear to have changed during this same span. Better understanding of the rotation state evolution of these retired geosynchronous satellites and others promises to improve estimates for attitude dependent solar radiation pressure forces, help assess potential for material shedding, and aid in on-orbit debris mitigation and recycling efforts.
Flexible Budgeting under Uncertainty: A Real Options Perspective

This paper examines the relationships between uncertainty and the perceived usefulness of traditional annual budgets versus flexible budgets in 95 Swedish companies. We form hypotheses that the perceived usefulness of the annual budgets as well as the attitudes to more flexible budget alternatives are influenced by the uncertainty that the companies face. Our study distinguishes between two separate kinds of uncertainty: exogenous stochastic uncertainty (deriving from the firm’s environment) and endogenous deterministic uncertainty (caused by the strategic choices made by the firm itself). Based on a structural equations modelling analysis of data from a mail survey we found that the more accentuated exogenous uncertainty a company faces, the more accentuated is the expected trend towards flexibility in the budget system, and vice versa; the more endogenous uncertainty they face, the more negative are their attitudes towards budget flexibility. We also found that these relationships were not present with regard to the attitudes towards the usefulness of the annual budget. Noteworthy is, however, that there was a significant negative relationship between the perceived usefulness of the annual budget and budget flexibility. Thus, our results seem to indicate that the degree of flexibility in the budget system is influenced by both general attitudes towards the usefulness of traditional budgets and by the actual degree of exogenous uncertainty a company faces and by the strategy that it executes.
Diiscussiion Paper and Workiing Paper Seriies With or Against the People ? The Impact of a Bottom-Up Approach on Tax Morale and the Shadow Economy

Policymakers often propose strict enforcement strategies to fight the shadow economy and to increase tax morale. However, there is also a bottom-up approach: decentralizing the political power to those who are close to the problems and give them a direct political say. This paper analyses the impact of direct democracy and local autonomy on tax morale and the size of the shadow economy. We use two different data sets on tax morale at the individual level (World Values Survey and International Social Survey Programme), and macro data of the size of the shadow economy to systematically analyse the effects of institutions in Switzerland, a country where participation rights and the degree of federalism vary across different cantons. The findings suggest that direct democratic rights and local autonomy, have a significantly positive effect on tax morale and the size of the shadow economy. JEL Classifications: H260; H730; D700
Influence of milling whole wheat grains and particle size on thermo-mechanical properties of flour using Mixolab

Whole grain wheat flour (WG) of three different particles sizes (194.9, 609.4, and 830.0 µm) was prepared by milling whole grain. The effect of particle size on the thermo-mechanical properties of flour was investigated using Mixolab equipment and solvent retention capacity (SRC). The results showed that particle size influences the functionality of the gluten network. The SRC test revealed that the water absorption increased from 77.43% to 85.76%, with decrease in particle size. The C2 (protein weakening) values were correlated with the values for water absorption in the SRC and wet gluten test, respectively. The degree of gelatinization of starch (C3) showed that the presence of the fibers in the WG samples limited the availability of water to the starch, and this effect was especially true for flour with smaller particle size. In summary, the Mixolab equipment allowed a better understanding of the functionality of WG with regard to the behavior of protein properties. WG with coarse particles demonstrated a greater impact on the gluten network, indicating a negative effect on the baking quality.
Real Interest Rates and the Crisis: Where are the Rates Headed?

This paper examines the likely direction of real interest rates in the Euro area and the United States from April 2009 on. It is argued that the crisis that began in 2007 and the ensuing recession changed the descending trend in real interest rates which started a long time ago. If real interest rates were to rise too much, private and public finances, housing markets and stock markets would suffer particularly in the countries where the past credit binge and the crisis response has made debts mount, thus prolonging the current crisis. Economic theory should help shed light on the likely future direction of long-term real interest rates. In the paper, growth models are briefly discussed and shown to offer disparate predictions about the level of real interest rates in a growing economy and little practical guidance. Monetary theories, i.e. theories explicitly focused on the role of interest rates in balancing supply and demand in the single markets of the economy, make reference to some normal or natural level of real interest rate but obviously suffer from the difficulties of estimating such normal or natural levels both in general and particularly in a unusually dynamic and uncertain situation such as the current one. The more pragmatic approach, consisting in the assessment of the relevant single components of the long-term real nominal interest rate over the cycle, points to the risks of a surge in the risk premium as well as in expected short-term real interest rates and thus to a prolongation of the current economic contraction.