Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of different concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 on expressions of AdipoR2, p38MAPK, LPL, and triglyceride in HepG2 cells

The aims of this study were to observe the effects of different concentrations of 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) on the content of Triglyceride (TG), as well as the gene and protein expressions of Adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (P38MAPK), and Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) in TG’s metabolic pathway, in the HepG2 cells so as to provide theoretical basis for further studying the mechanism by which Vitamin D reduces TG. The HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 0 ng/ml (CON), 12.5 ng/ml (L-dose), 25 ng/ml (M-dose), and 50 ng/ml (H-dose)) for 24 h, respectively, and then detected the gene and protein expressions of AdipoR2, p38MAPK, and LPL by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, as well as the content of TG by the enzyme method. Compared with Group CON, the gene and protein expressions of AdipoR2, p38MAPK, and LPL in Group L, M, and H-dose were all increased while the contents of TG were decreased (P<0.05). The levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 decreases the TG content in the HepG2 cells may be achieved by upregulating the expressions of AdipoR2, p38MAPK, and LPL.
Seismic shear distribution among interconnected cantilever walls of different lengths

Mid‐rise to high‐rise buildings in seismic areas are often braced by slender reinforced concrete (RC) walls, which are interconnected by RC floor diaphragms. In design, it is typically assumed that the lateral forces are distributed in proportion to the wall's elastic stiffness. Pushover analyses of systems comprising walls of different lengths have, however, shown that large compatibility forces can develop between them, which should be considered in design, but the analyses have also shown that the magnitude of the computed forces is very sensitive to the modelling assumptions. Using the results of a complex shell element model as benchmark, different simple hand‐calculation methods and inelastic beam element models are assessed and improved to yield reliable estimates of the base shear distribution among the individual walls comprising the interconnected wall system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body mass index before kidney transplantation — principal risk factor for NODAT

Purpose. Pretransplant obesity is a well-known risk factor for post-transplant outcomes such as patient and graft survival, delayed graft function, rejection, and wound complications. According to the recommendations of the European Renal Best Practice, patients who have body mass index (BMI) value of more than 30 kg/m2 before kidney transplantation should reduce their weight. Materials and methods. In the group of 297 patients who had undergone primary kidney transplantation from post-mortem donors, we found that assessed the impact of BMI on the development of new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). Additionally, relationships between immunosuppression, weight gain and BMI in patients after kidney transplantation were also analysed. We measured the value of the patients’ BMI and weight before kidney transplantation, 12 months after kidney transplantation, and 5 years after kidney transplantation. The group contained only those patients who, at the time of the kidney transplantation, did not suffer from diabetes mellitus. According to the development of NODAT in the monitored period, the group of patients was divided into the control group and NODAT group. We detected analysed the data on the type of immunosuppression (tacrolimus, cyclosporine A, mTOR inhibitor) and the average levels in the monitored period and identified whether BMI or increased weight 12 months and 5 years after kidney transplantation is related to the level (or dose) of the used immunosuppression. Results. In our group, the patients who developed NODAT in the post-transplant period were significantly older in the 12-month analysis (p < 0.0001) and also in the 5-year analysis (p = 0.0001); had higher BMI at the time of transplantation (p = 0.0003) and higher BMI 12 months after kidney transplantation (p = 0.0004) and a significantly higher weight gain 12 months after kidney transplantation (p = 0.0469). We discovered that neither the level of immunosuppression nor the dose of prednisone had any effect on the increase in BMI or weight gain during the monitored period. Conclusion. The patients in the waiting list, who have any risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus, should be informed how to eliminate these risk factors (weight control, diet, physical exercises, etc.). In addition to the above, all candidates for kidney transplantation are recommended to stop smoking, to control blood pressure, and perform a lipidogram.
The Dynamics of Gang Criminality and Corruption in Nigeria Universities: A Time Series Analysis

This study contributes to the understanding of the causal relationship between gang culture, criminality and corruption in Nigeria universities where both criminality and corruption are very high complementary variables. Writers on gang culture in Nigeria universities have largely omitted the empirical evaluation of the causal relationship between gang criminality and corruption. This study adopts the time-series models of Granger (1969) to investigate and explain the causality relationship of the variables. Using five years data (2005-2009) from 37 Universities across 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja, the federal capital territory; the results suggest that there is existence of reciprocal relationship between university gang culture, criminality and corruption. The results suggest that there is bi-directional causality relationship flowing between gang criminality and corruption in the universities.
SEROLOGICAL STUDY OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION USING IFA METHOD IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Toxoplasmosis is a wide distributed opportunistic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. This was a crosssectional study of T. gondii antibody titer, which was conducted from June 2003 to August 2004 on renal transplant recipients in Iran. A total of 551 serum samples were obtained from randomly selected population referred from different areas all over the country to Shafa Central Clinic in Tehran. Patient’s information was recorded in a questionnaire before sampling. Two samples of finger-prick blood were collected from each person and antibody titer against Toxoplasma was assessed by Indirect Fluorescence Antibody (IFA) technique on serum samples. Totally 39 cases (7.1%) of samples were positive for antibody by the titer of 1: 20 and higher. On investigation of risk factors, no significant difference was found between consumption of under-cooked meat, close contact with animals, and the source of drinking water and seropositivity rate of toxoplasmosis. The relatively low seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma infection shows the successful approaches to awareness of transplant recipients about the potential risks of acquisition of infectious diseases due to regular administration of suppressive drugs. However, the regular surveillance through serological screening of Toxoplasma antibody in kidney transplant recipients is advisable.
BALANCE OF BIOMECHANICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SWIMMING PERFORMANCE

Swimming is a unique activity carried out in a unique environment. Performance depends on interplay between biomechanical and bioenergetic aspects, thus if we can understand their interaction, as a function of velocity, we can understand the biophysics of swimming. The relationship between stroke frequency and velocity and their impact on drag and efficiency are critical. The biomechanical aspects dictate the velocity-dependent metabolic demands of swimming, thus the maximal performance is determined by the balance of metabolic power among aerobic and anaerobic pathways. Training is a determinant of swimming performance, and applying bioenergetic principles could improve performance.
Shear viscosity measurements on Polyamide‐12 polymers for laser sintering

Purpose – Laser sintering kinetics and part reliability are critically dependent on the melt viscosity of materials, including polyamide 12 (PA‐12). The purpose of this paper is to characterise the viscosity of PA‐12 powders using alternative scientific methods: constrained boundary flows (capillary rheometry) and rotational rheometry.Design/methodology/approach – Various PA‐12 powders were selected and characterised by both techniques. Measurement of molecular weight was also carried out to interpret the viscosity data.Findings – Results demonstrate conventional pseudoplastic flow in all PA‐12 materials. Zero‐shear viscosity has been quantified by rotational rheometry; a notable observation is the striking difference between virgin/used PA‐12. This is interpreted in terms of molecular weight and chain structure modifications, arising from polycondensation of PA‐12 held at the bed temperature during laser sintering.Research limitations/implications – Accurate zero‐shear viscosity data provide scope for us.
Dating lava flows of tropical volcanoes by means of spatial modeling of vegetation recovery

The age of past lava flows is crucial information for evaluating the hazards and risks posed by effusive volcanoes, but traditional dating methods are expensive and time‐consuming. This study proposes an alternative statistical dating method based on remote sensing observations of tropical volcanoes by exploiting the relationship between lava flow age and vegetation cover. First, the factors controlling vegetation density on lava flows, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were investigated. These factors were then integrated into pixel‐based multi‐variable regression models of lava flow age to derive lava flow age maps. The method was tested at a pixel scale on three tropical African volcanoes with considerable recent effusive activity: Nyamuragira (Democratic Republic of Congo), Mt Cameroon (Cameroon) and Karthala (the Comoros). Due to different climatic and topographic conditions, the parameters of the spatial modeling are volcano‐specific. Validation suggests that the obtained statistical models are robust and can thus be applied for estimating the age of unmodified undated lava flow surfaces for these volcanoes. When the models are applied to fully vegetated lava flows, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the saturation of NDVI. In order to improve the accuracy of the models, when available, spatial data on temperature and precipitation should be included to directly represent climatic variation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing Different Methods of Estimating the Impacts of Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services Systems.

Uses experimental data from the Job Search Assistance (JSA) Demonstration to test the performance of the regression methods applied to nonexperimental data in the evaluation of Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services. Compares the performance of regression methods to the performance of alternative methods based on propensity score matching. Shows that in the JSA data, the regression methods performed well while the matching methods performed poorly in estimating the impacts of being assigned to services.
Awareness and Opinions about Hepatitis B among Secondary School Teachers in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The role of secondary school teachers in creating awareness and causing behavioral changes among students that will prevent the spread of Hepatitis B through the provision of accurate information on its causes, modes of transmission and prevention cannot be overemphasized. It is against this background that this study sought to assess the knowledge and opinions of secondary school teachers in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria about Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Descriptive survey design was adapted to sample 150 teachers. The overall mean knowledge score on facts, mode of transmission, and prevention of HBV infection for all the respondents were 4.6 out of 8, 8.7 out of 17 and 4.7 out of 8 respectively. Television (54%), radio (44%), newspaper (42%) and friends (39%) was the main sources of information on HBV infection, while least utilized source of information was internet (23%), church/ mosque (21%), tertiary institution (21%) and library/ librarian (18%). The factors militating against the teaching of Hepatitis B to students as identified were teacher’s inadequate knowledge, lack of formal training, lack of teaching aids, teachers poor motivation and HBV infection not being part of school subject’s curriculum. Recommendation that hepatitis B as well as other trending health issue should be introduced into teacher educational programs and those teachers themselves should take advantage of the vast collection of information available in the interest to improve their knowledge on HBV infection and general health was given.
EFD / JFL

The main aim of the current study is to investigate the social control over sexuality in Turkish young adult sample. Social institutions, primarily the family, relatives, neighborhood, peer group and religion are the sources of control for sexual expression, and these social institutions may activate sanctioning systems when norms are violated. While societies differ remarkably in what they consider socially desirable and undesirable in terms of sexual behavior, regional differences in given society may have also effect on sexuality and consequently differ in what they attempt to prevent or promote. Thus, the present study investigates social controls over sexuality within the young adults (n= 218) in Turkish male and female sample (129 women and 89 men) in different regions (urban and rural cities). Data were collected through self-report questionnaires including Sexual Communication Scale, Parental Monitoring Scale, Perceived Religiosity and Social Control Scale and demographic informations. In general, results revealed that both gender and regional difference were important factors, which affects sexual behaviors of young people. While in the current study, social control mechanisms similar to other cultures, confirm gender differences in terms of students’ behaviors towards nonmarital sexuality, regional differences contribute further understanding within culture variation.
Consumer, Customer and Perceived Value: Past and Present

The purpose of this paper is to explain the past and present of value concept (Consumer, Customer and Perceived Value). The discussion is carried out by studying the development of the concept published in journals indexed in Scopus since 2009-2018. The approach used is a literature review. Many authors use various terms but refer to one thing: “value”. From the various definitions and opinions of the researchers, it is possible to note some similarities in general, that value is the consumers' perceptions of what they receive with what they provide. What they receive can be a benefit, or utility, whereas what they provide is a cost or sacrifice. Researches and definitions from authors that were written in three and two decade ago still relevant and become stream in recent year researches.
Determination of minimum sample size to estimate diet diversity in anuran species

Rarefaction analysis was applied to deter mine the min imum sample size required for any desired degree of accuracy of diet d iver sity of six anuran species in a particular habitat. This method i s suggested for the design of sampling strategies in long-term amphibian studies. In the present study the minimum sample sizes were 28, 36, 32 , 1 3 , 24 and 8 for Rana esculenta, R. arvalis, Hy/a arborea, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus and Buja bufo, respectively. The greater the diet diversity of a species, the larger the minimum sample size requir ed, and the smal l er the s imilar ity between individuals within species.
Experimental determination of solubilities of sodium tetraborate (borax) in NaCl solutions, and a thermodynamic model for the Na-B(OH)3-Cl-SO4 system to high-ionic strengths at 25 °C

Abstract In this study, solubility experiments on sodium tetraborate (NaB4O7·10H2O, borax) are conducted in NaCl solutions up to 5.0 m at room temperature (22.5 ± 1.5 °C). In combination with solubility data of sodium tetraborate in Na2SO4 solutions from the literature, the solubility constant (log Ksp) for sodium tetraborate for the following reaction Na2B4O7·10H2O = 2Na+ + 4B(OH)4- + 2H+ + H2O (l) is determined as -24.80 ± 0.10 based on the Pitzer model. In conjunction with the relevant Pitzer parameters, based on the above log Ksp for borax, and log b1 (0.25 ± 0.01) evaluated from the literature for the following complex formation reaction Na+ + B(OH)4- = NaB(OH)4(aq) a thermodynamic model with high precision is established for the Na+-B(OH)3-Cl--SO42- system at high-ionic strengths up to saturation of halite (NaCl), mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O), and thenardite (Na2SO4). The model is validated by comparison of model predicted equilibrium compositions for the assemblages of borax alone, borax + halite, borax + mirabilite, borax + halite + thenardite, and borax + mirabilite + thenardite in the mixtures of NaCl+Na2SO4 to ionic strengths of 8.0 m, with independent experimental values from the literature. The differences in concentrations of major ions, e.g., Na+, Cl-, and SO42-, between model predicted and experimental values are generally <0.5%. The difference for total boron concentrations is <0.05 m with an error <25%. The revised thermodynamic model is applied to the potential recovery of borax from boronenriched brines via evaporation at 25 °C, using the two brines from China as examples. The reaction path calculations suggest that the brine from the Zhabei Salt Lake in Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, is suitable to recovery of borax via evaporation at 25 °C, whereas the brine from the western Sichuan Province, although it is enriched in boron, is not suitable to extraction of boron as borax, but is suitable to extraction of potassium as sylvite, via evaporation at 25 °C.
Petrogenesis of lunar mare basalt meteorite Miller Range 05035

Abstract— Miller Range (MIL) 05035 is a low‐Ti mare basalt that consists predominantly of pyroxene (62.3 vol%) and plagioclase (26.4 vol%). Pyroxenes are strongly shocked and complexly zoned from augite (Wo33) and pigeonite (Wo17) cores with Mg# = 50–54 to hedenbergite rims. Coexisting pyroxene core compositions reflect crystallization temperatures of 1000 to 1100 °C. Plagioclase has been completely converted to maskelynite with signs of recrystallization. Maskelynite is relatively uniform in composition (An94Ab6–An91Ab9), except at contacts with late‐stage mesostasis areas (elevated K contents, An82Ab15Or3). Symplectites (intergrowth of Fe‐augite, fayalite, and silica) of different textures and bulk compositions in MIL 05035 suggest formation by decomposition of ferro‐pyroxene during shock‐induced heating, which is supported by the total maskelynitization of plagioclase, melt pockets, and the presence of a relict pyroxferroite grain. Petrography and mineral chemistry imply that crystallization of MIL 05035 occurred in the sequence of Fe‐poor pyroxenes (Mg# = 50–54), followed by plagioclase and Fe‐rich pyroxenes (Mg# = 20–50), and finally hedenbergite, Fe‐Ti oxides, and minor late‐stage phases. Petrography, bulk chemistry, mineral compositions, and the age of MIL 05035 suggest it is possibly source crater‐paired with Asuka (A‐) 881757 and Yamato (Y‐) 793169, and may also be launch‐paired with Meteorite Hills (MET) 01210. MIL 05035 represents an old (˜3.8–3.9 Ga), incompatible element‐depleted low‐Ti basalt that was not sampled during the Apollo or Luna missions. The light‐REE depleted nature and lack of Eu anomalies for this meteorite are consistent with an origin distant from the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, and genesis from an early cumulate mantle‐source region generated by extensive differentiation of the Moon.
Corporate Hedging and the High Idiosyncratic Volatility Low Return Puzzle

The literature offers various explanations to either support or refute the Ang et al. (2006) high idiosyncratic volatility low return puzzle. Fu (2009) finds a significantly positive contemporaneous relation between return and exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic idiosyncratic volatility. We use corporate hedging to shed light on this puzzle. Conceptually, idiosyncratic volatility matters to investors who face limits to diversification. But limits to diversification become less relevant for firms that consistently hedge. We confirm the main finding in Fu (2009), but only for firms that do not consistently hedge. For firms that adopt a consistent hedging policy, idiosyncratic volatility, whether contemporaneous or lagged, is insignificant in Fama–MacBeth regressions, controlling for size, book-to-market, momentum, liquidity, and industry effects.
Teacher and student views on educational robotics: The Pan-Hellenic competition case

The present work is an observational study recording the teachers’ and students’ attitudes from the Pan-Hellenic Educational Robotics (ER) competition. The study investigates the benefits of students’ involvement with robotics regarding skills, motivation and learning. Additionally, it is researched whether ER should be introduced in the compulsory curricula. A qualitative methodology was used with teachers. Although the sample was relatively small, the results were quite homogeneous showing a very high level of engagement and motivation of teachers and students. A mainly quantitative methodology was used to gather data from students. The results show that there are numerous benefits for students: they seem to increase their collaboration, problem solving and creativity skills; understand STEM concepts in computer science and engineering, and gaining programming knowledge in particular. Also, most of the teachers and many of the students consider that ER should be part of the compulsory curriculum. Under certain conditions, ER could be an essential part of the school program, as it can bring together young people from all over the world to learn and develop important 21st century skills.
Jellium-with-gap model applied to semilocal kinetic functionals

Lucian A. Constantin, Eduardo Fabiano, 1 Szymon Śmiga, 4, 1 and Fabio Della Sala 1 Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @UNILE, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Barsanti, I-73010 Arnesano, Italy Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (CNR-IMM), Via Monteroni, Campus Unisalento, 73100 Lecce, Italy Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Italy Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland (Dated: April 16, 2018)
Reproductive biology and relative growth in the spider crab Maja crispata (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majidae)*

SUMMARY: A series of life-history traits in the spider crab Maja crispata were studied on the island of Ischia (Italy) during four sampling periods in 1982: sex ratio, relative growth, sexual maturity, reproductive season, number of eggs per female, copulation and brood sequence. A total of 104 males and 86 females were captured. Mature animals were present year around. The greatest relative abundance of mature animals in both sexes was found in the warmer season. Three postlarval growth stages were distinguishable in males: crabs with juvenile morphological characteristics and immature gonads (between 1.69 and 5.03 cm carapace length), crabs with juvenile morphological characteristics and mature gonads (between 3.59 and 6.11) and crabs with adult morphological characteristics and mature gonads (between 4.98 and 7.16). In females, only two postlarval stages were detected: juveniles (between 1.87 and 4.62) and adults (between 3.56 and 6.11). Mature females with full seminal receptacles were always present. Breeding period extends from May to September. Mean number of eggs was 11473 per female. Breeding sequences in two females kept in the laboratory varied between 5 and 7 broods per year, at intervals of between 21 and 32 days.