Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IN VITRO EFFECTS OF POLYPHENOLS EXTRACTED FROM THE AROEIRA PLANT (SCHINUS TEREBINTHIFOLIUS RADDI) ON THE GROWTH OF PROSTATE CANCER CELLS (LNCaP, PC-3 AND DU145)

Despite the existence of various types of antineoplastic treatments of prostate cancer, most of them induce apoptosis in the tumor cells by means of synthetic or natural drugs. The aim of this work was to study the antiproliferative action of methanolic and aqueous extracts from the leaves of the aroeira plant (Schinus terebinthifolius) a plant from the Northeast from Brazil over isolated prostate cancer cell cultures. The extracts were tested in isolated cell lineages from non hormone dependent cancers (DU145 e PC-3), as well as in hormone-dependent ones (LNCaP). The cells were cultivated in a RPMI medium and were incubated at 37oC in a 5% CO2, humid environment. The activities of the extracts were evaluated within 3 and 6 days of cellular growth. The aqueous extract was more effective than the methanolic one in the inhibition of cell multiplication in all the lineages tested
Estudo da aptidão agroclimática do Estado do Piauí ao cultivo da aceroleira

O trabalho objetivou avaliar a aptidão agroclimática de diferentes municípios do Estado do Piauí para o cultivo da Acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) em regime de sequeiro. Utilizou-se na análise dados normais, de precipitação e temperatura, originários das estações climatológicas do Inmet localizadas em cada uma das localidades escolhidas. Para os municípios de Floriano, Parnaíba, Picos e Teresina utilizou-se as normais climatológicas oriundas do período 1961 a 1990. Para os municípios de Bom Jesus do Gurguéia e Paulistana utilizou-se as médias históricas derivadas dos períodos 1971 a 1990 e 1976 a 1990, respectivamente. No cálculo da evapotranspiração, utilizou-se a equação de Thornthwaite (1948) e o balanço hídrico foi calculado segundo método proposto por Thornthwaite & Mather (1955). Os resultados mostraram que os municípios de Bom Jesus do Gurguéia, Parnaíba e Teresina são plenamente aptos ao cultivo da acerola. O município de Floriano apresenta aptidão regular, enquanto que Paulistana e Picos são inaptos para o cultivo em sequeiro. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Aptidão agroclimática, Acerola, Balanço hídrico.
Macrozooplankton communities and environmental variables in the Barents Sea marginal ice zone in late winter and spring

The horizontal distribution of macrozooplankton (≥3 mm) was studied with respect to changes in environmental conditions along 3 transects across the marginal ice zone (MIZ) in the NW Barents Sea during late winter (March 2000) and spring (May 1999). The water masses, which were identified by their salinity and temperature characteristics, largely determined the macrozooplank- ton composition, but season (late winter vs spring), geographical area (latitude and longitude) and bottom depth were also important. Almost 80% of the total macrozooplankton variability could be explained by changes in these environmental variables. Ice cover and the algal bloom situation had no significant impact on the horizontal macrozooplankton distribution early in the season (March to May). We sampled 3 main water masses: cold and less saline Arctic water (ArW), warm and saline Atlantic water (AtW) and mixtures of these (MIX); 5 distinct macrozooplankton communities were found, 2 in ArW (ArW bank and ArW slope), 2 in MIX (warm, >1°C, and cold, <0°C, MIX) and 1 in AtW. These communities were characterised by differences in species abundance rather than differ- ences in taxonomic composition. Numerically important macrozooplankton were Calanus glacialis, C. hyperboreus, Thysanoessa inermis and Aglantha digitale. These were also important in terms of wet biomass together with Beroe cucumis, Clione limacina and Sagitta elegans. Good indicator species for ArW were C. glacialis, C. limacina, Mertensia ovum and Parathemisto libellulla, and for AtW Thysanoessa spp. (T. inermis, T. longicaudata and T. raschii). Characteristic for MIX, i.e. the Polar Front region, was low macrozooplankton abundance, biomass and species richness compared to AtW and ArW. Seasonal variability (late winter vs spring) accounted for 21% of the total macro- zooplankton variability. Particularly the herbivores showed large seasonal variability in abundance and biomass, most probably due to their seasonal migration patterns.
An Empirical Study of Mutual Funds Performance in China

This study evaluates equity mutual fund performance in the Chinese mutual funds industry by employing Goetzmann and Ibbotson’s (1994) method. The data set consists of all open-end equity mutual funds in China and is free of survivorship bias. The research period covers January 2002 to December 2010. Equity open-end funds selected for this study are not terminated or merged into other funds before the end of 2010. The results from this study reveal that the equity mutual fund managers in China have selective ability to earn excess returns, but do not have market timing ability.
Multifactor Explanations of CAPM Anomalies: An Evidence for Indian Stock Market

We evaluate the ability of alternative asset pricing models in explaining returns on various characteristic (company size and value) sorted and prior return ranked portfolios. Data is employed from January, 1997 to June, 2012 for 488 companies listed on BSE-500 index. We find that Fama-French three factor model performs better than one factor capital asset pricing model in explaining mean excess returns on characteristic sorted portfolios. We also observe that Fama-French model partly explains long term, reversal, and momentum profits. Asset pricing results are found to be vibrant to the alternate versions of company size and value factors and choice of different market proxies as the FF model (in all its versions) outperforms CAPM. We further show that the Carhart four factor model involving an additional momentum factor, does not significantly perform better than FF model for different portfolios except short term momentum profits.
Unconscious processing of emotional content in hybrid faces

Author: Erik Normann Andersen Supervisor: Tor Endestad Co-supervisor: Bruno Laeng Title: Unconscious processing of emotional content in hybrid faces Seventeen participants were shown hybrid faces in an event-related design while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the hypothesis that unconscious processing of emotion can take place, and that this process is driven by information the low spatial frequency spectrum. Furthermore we investigated the amygdala‟s role in a hypothesized subcortical pathway for emotional processing. The hybrid images either contained implicit emotional information in the low spatial frequency range (1-7 cycles/image) and a neutral expression in the rest of the bandwidth, or hybrids containing an implicit neutral expression in low spatial frequency range and an explicit emotional expression in the rest of the bandwidth. We found that manipulating spatial frequency information did not lead to significant increase in amygdala activity for single filtered or hybrid images with emotional content in the low spatial frequency range. Possible issues with non-independent ROI-analysis are discussed and how it may lead to inflated spurious results in previous studies. The behavioral data do however show that hybrid images with implicit emotional content were rated as significantly more unfriendly/friendly when compared to neutral broadband images. The behavioral data does support the idea that the low frequency information can influence a rather complex social judgment, but are not in line with the fMRI data. Too many conclusions could not be drawn due to the substantial inter-subject variability in the fMRI data.
Is it time for developing countries to adopt neonatal pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease

Critical congenital heart disease is often missed with resultant death or severe circulatory collapse and morbidity. Pulse oximetry screening has now been recommended for use in the United States of America and adopted in other developed world settings as part of the compulsory newborn screening programme. In this review we detail the rationale behind neonatal pulse oximetry screening, summarise the recent evidence and present data on method, cost-effectiveness and acceptance. However, differences in health systems in the developed world and developing countries are clearly refl ected in the discrepancies in management and outcome of congenital heart disease. We discuss the importance of embedding a neonatal screening programme within local situations and suggest a method, using the infant mortality rate and other neonatal indicators, to position neonatal pulse oximetry screening into existing newborn screening programmes.
Effects of Dioscorea esculenta and Eubacterium rectale on insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1) Expression in skeletal muscle and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in diabetic rats

Low expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1) is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Dioscorea esculenta and Eubacterium rectale on the Irs1 expression in the skeletal muscle and the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) of diabetic rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups i.e. non diabetic rats Group 1; diabetic rats as Group 2; diabetic rats + D. esculenta as Group 3; diabetic rats + E.rectale as Group 4 and diabetic rats + both E. rectale and D. esculenta as Group 5. Rats were made diabetic with induction of intraperitoneally injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin. After four weeks of the interventions, the blood and skeletal muscles were taken. The Irs1 expression was analyzed with immunohistochemical staining, plasma glucose levels was analyzed using a spectrophotometer, and insulin was analyzed using ELISA methods. All intervention groups reduced plasma glucose levels and HOMA-IRs (p<0.001) and increased Irs1 expression. The greatest reduction of plasma glucose levels and increase of Irs1 expression in the skeletal muscle were found in Group 4, however, the lowest of HOMA-IR was seen in Group 5. These results suggested that D.esculenta, E.rectale, and the combination reduced plasma glucose levels and HOMA-IR by increasing Irs1 expression in skeletal muscle.
Resummation of Goldstone Infrared Divergences: A Proof to All Orders

The perturbative effective potential calculated in Landau gauge suffers from infrared problems due to Goldstone boson loops. These divergences are spurious and can be removed by a resummation procedure that amounts to a shift of the mass of soft Goldstones. We prove this to all loops using an effective theory approach, providing a compact recipe for the shift of the Goldstone mass that relies on the use of the method of regions to split soft and hard Goldstone contributions.
Schwertmannite, a new iron oxyhydroxysulphate from Pyhäsalmi, Finland, and other localities

Abstract Schwertmannite is a new oxyhydroxysulphate of iron from the Pyhäisalmi sulphide mine, Province of Oulu, Finland. It occurs there, and elsewhere, as an ochreous precipitate from acid, sulphate-rich waters. Associated minerals at other localities may include jarosite, natrojarosite, goethite and ferrihydrite. Schwertmannite is a poorly crystalline, yellowish brown mineral with a fibrous morphology under the electron microscope. A high specific surface area in the range of 100 to 200 m2/g, rapid dissolution in cold, 5 M HCl or in ammonium oxalate at pH 3, and pronounced X-ray diffraction line broadening are consistent with its poorly crystalline character. Colour parameters for the type specimen as related to CIE illuminant C are L* = 53.85, a* = + 15.93, and b* = +47.96. Chemical analysis gives Fe2O3, 62.6; SO3, 12.7; CO2, 1.5; H2O−, 10.2; H2O+, 12.9; total 99.9 wt. %. These data yield an empirical unit cell formula of Fe16O16(OH)9.6(SO4)3.2·10H2O after exclusion of CO2 and H2O−. The most general simplified formula is Fe16O16(OH)y(SO4)z·nH2O, where 16 − y = 2z and 2.0 ⩽ z ⩽ 3.5. Schwertmannite has a structure akin to that of akaganéite (nominally β-FeOOH) with a doubled c dimension. Its X-ray powder diffraction pattern consists of eight broad peaks [dobs in (Iobs) (hkl)] 4.86(37)(200,111); 3.39(46)(310); 2.55(100)(212); 2.28(23)(302); 1.95(12)(412); 1.66(21)(522); 1.51(24)(004); and 1.46(18)(204,542), giving a = 10.66(4), c = 6.04(1) Å, and V = 686(6) Å3 for a primitive, tetragonal unit cell. The probable space group is P4/m. Upon heating, schwertmannite transforms to hematite with Fe2(SO4)3 occurring as an intermediate phase. Bidentate bridging complexes between Fe and SO4 are apparent in infrared spectra. Mössbauer data show the Fe in schwertmannite to be exclusively trivalent and in octahedral coordination; it has a Néel temperature of 75 ± 5 K and a saturation magnetic hyperfine field of about 45.6 T. Pronounced asymmetry of the Mössbauer spectra indicates different locations for Fe atoms relative to SO4 groups in the structure. The name is for Udo Schwertmann, professor of soil science at the Technical University of Munich.
Air Starved Wood Crib Compartment Fire Heat Release and Toxic Gas Yields

Pine wood crib fires (4.6 kg) were investigated in a 1.6 m fire compartment with air ventilation between 3 and 40 air changes per hour (ACH). The cribs were 380 mm tall and 300 mm square. The fires rapidly self extinguished at 3ACH and struggled to continue to propagate at 5 ACH, where only 15 % of the initial crib mass was burnt. For 11, 21 and 37 ACH the cribs burned completely and the oxygen consumption HRR increased with ventilation. All three fully burned fires had rich equivalence ratios for most of the fire duration and associated high CO yields. Extremely toxic levels of CO, acrolein, formaldehyde and benzene were generated and the total toxic N on an LC50 basis was over 30. The combustion efficiency was very low due to the very high CO and total hydrocarbon emissions and this led to a major difference in the HRR by mass loss and that by oxygen consumption. The results demonstrate the severe toxic conditions that occur in ventilation restricted fires with wood as the main fire load.
Application of the PEN-3 Cultural Model in Assessing Factors affecting Adolescent Pregnancies in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa

The general health status of South African population appear satisfactory until the statistics are broken down by population group, socioeconomic status as well as provinces [1]. Socio-economic issues such as poverty and persistent inequalities in access to health services reflects disparities in the health status of individuals particularly in the rural areas [2]. The Eastern Cape is one of the nine provinces of South Africa and is located south-east part of the country. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa in terms of average monthly household expenditure [1, 2]. The province also has the lowest proportion of people living in formal housing (46.9%), with access to electricity (31.3%), and with the lowest proportion of households with tap water inside the dwelling (24.4%). Moreover, less than 17% of the population depending on labour income and 26% of the poverty among households depending on labour income [3].
Management of obstructive urolithiasis in dairy calves with intact bladder and urethra by Fazili’s minimally invasive tube cystotomy technique

The present study was planned to evaluate minimally invasive tube cystotomy technique in calves suffering from obstructive urolithiasis having intact urinary bladder and urethra. Fifteen male non-castrated calves with age ranging from 1-10 months (mean 4.05 months), presented for treatment within one to three days (mean 2.2 days) of complete urinary tract obstruction due to urethral calculi with intact bladder and urethra, were included in this study. Under light sedation and local infiltration anaesthesia, all the animals were subjected through left paralumbar fossa, to a minimally invasive surgical tube cystotomy in which catheter was placed in the bladder lumen through a metallic cannula and fixed to the skin with a stay suture (Fazili’s technique). All the animals were discharged the same day. Time taken for the procedure varied from 8 to 17 minutes (mean 11.0 minutes). Normal urination resumed in twelve (80.0%) calves. Mean time taken for normal urination was 10.50 days. In two of the remaining calves, urine flow stopped through the catheter prematurely and they were then subjected to standard surgical tube cystotomy. One more calf did not urinate normally for 30 postoperative days and was lost to the follow up thereafter. Recurrence of the obstruction was not detected in ten and nine animals observed up to six and 12 months respectively. In conclusion, the outcome of this minimally invasive technique is similar to the standard tube cystectomy. Additionally, the procedure is cost effective, quick, simple and field applicable. It also minimizes exposure of abdominal cavity of metabolically compromised animals. However, the technique needs to be tried in larger number of such calves wherein better quality catheter of larger diameter be used before recommending its extensive use.
Predictability in Equilibrium: The Price Dynamics of Real Estate Investment Trusts

This research hypothesizes that, in markets where information costs, transaction costs and the economic impact of information can vary widely, we should expect predictability to vary systematically. We test this hypothesis with data on equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) from 1985 to 1992. We document that levels of predictability vary with firm characteristics like leverage, size and focus. Momentum is stronger for larger, more levered REITs. Reversion is faster for focused, levered REITs. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that, in equilibrium, securities, where information is either less costly to acquire or has less impact on fundamental value, should exhibit less predictability.
Consistent long-term spatial gradients in replenishment for an island population of a coral reef fish

The population replenishment of marine organisms is routinely characterized as highly variable and unpredictable in space and time. Using island-wide recruitment surveys of a common coral reef fish, the bluehead wrasse Thalassoma bifasciatum, in 6 summers spanning a 12 yr period (1991 to 2003), we examined whether spatial patterns of recruitment are consistent or variable through time on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Despite annual fluctuations in the magnitude of replen- ishment, recruitment intensity follows a distinct and consistent spatial gradient that differs in direc- tion between the north (leeward) and south (windward) shores; recruitment declines from west to east on the north shore and east to west on the south shore. The rank ordering of sites on each shore was concordant when recruitment was either pooled across years (monthly variation) or pooled across months (annual variation). When the 2 highest recruitment sites on each shore were consid- ered alone, consistent seasonal effects were also apparent, with higher recruitment from June through August on the north shore, and higher recruitment in September on the south shore. Thus, while the magnitude of recruitment is indeed variable in space and time, its qualitative pattern is pre- dictable in this area. Results of prior investigations of larval dispersal and coastal oceanography around St. Croix shed light on the origin of the consistent recruitment patterns documented in this study. The potential for consistent spatial and temporal patterns in recruitment is an important con- sideration in the spatial management of marine resources.
An Algorithm for the Simulation of Bounded Rational Agents

Non-classical models of economic behaviour, usually summarised under the notion of 'Bounded Rationality' criticise the assumptions of the standard economic model - hyperrationality, perfect and costless information, and unlimited mental processing capabilities. However, alternative approaches have either remained very simple or purely descriptive. Here, a computational approach is presented based on Simon's concept of bounded rationality and satisficing as a compromise between the oversimplification of analytical and the descriptiveness of rich cognitive models.
The effects of handling and group size on welfare of pigs in lairage and their influence on stomach weight, carcass microbial contamination and meat quality

At unloading and on the way to stunning, 800 barrows were exposed to either gentle handling (GH: slowly with a plastic board or whip) or rough handling (RH: quickly with an electric prod). Pigs were kept in large or small groups (30 or 10 pigs) during lairage. Compared with GH, RH increased climbing (P < 0.05), slipping (P < 0.01) and turning around (P < 0.001) behaviours during unloading, and climbing (P < 0.05) on the way to stunning. RH also reduced drinking behaviour during lairage (P < 0.01). Pigs kept in large groups were observed more often standing (P < 0.05) and fighting (P < 0.001) than pigs kept in small groups, but, in contrast, had a slightly lower level of urinary cortisol at slaughter. Stomach weight and microbial contamination at slaughter were not affected by treatments. RH tended to increase skin bruise score on the carcass (P < 0.06) and produced more exudative meat (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the response of pigs to the two specific stressors applied prior to slaughter in this study did.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) A pearl of great price , the free education system of Sri Lanka

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P1.4.9 Improvement of Si Field Emission Sensors Fabrication Technology by Carbon Nanotubes

Field Emission (FE) devices were successfully improved by the association of silicon (Si) microtips and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). MWCNTs were deposited over Si microtips by Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD), and improvements up to 80% in electron emission characteristics were reported, being suitable for the development of gas ionization sensors based on FE devices.
Higher Institution Students' Access to Information and Communications Technology in Nigeria: Management Imperatives for Labour Market Preparations

This study explored higher institution students' access to information and communications technology (ICT) and their labour market preparations in Cross River State of Nigeria. This survey designed study had three hypotheses which guided the investigation. With the use of stratified random sampling technique, 450 students were drawn from students' population in the three higher institutions studied. Data collection was carried out using Students' Access to ICT Inventory (SAII) and Students' Labour Market Preparation Questionnaire (SLMPQ). Population t-test (test of one sample mean), Independent t-test, One way Analysis of Variance and its associated Fisher's LSD Multiple Comparison Test were used to statistically analyze data collected for this study. Results obtained revealed that higher institution students' access to ICT tools is significantly low; higher institution students who have access to ICT tools had better preparations for labour market than their counterparts who have not and there is significant influence of higher institution students' level of access to ICT on their labour market preparation. It was therefore recommended that higher institutions in Cross River State should diversify their curriculum to reflect labour market expectations. Key words: Higher institution, students' access, information and communications technology, labour market, preparations, management.