Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Paclobutrazol on hermaphrodite flowers, leaf chlorophyll contents and soil micro organisms

The side effects of paclobutrazol on soil microbial community were assessed in soil samples from Amarachinta village, Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh during 2013-14 and 2014-15. Mango Trees were subjected to different concentrations of paclobutrazol, among the different concentrations, more per cent hermaphrodite flowers (3.49% and 3.20%) and less days to full bloom (96 and 100.17) was noticed with the treatment P3 (PBZ @ 4 ml m 2) followed by P2 (PBZ @ 3 ml m 2). The highest chlorophyll contents were found with P3 over control. However, it had negative effect on soil microbial count. The more microbial count was found in untreated soil samples over treated soil samples after 30 days and 60 days of application of paclobutrazol. Therefore the conclusion from these results is that even though Paclobutrazol had positive effect on Hermaphrodite flowers percentage, less days to full bloom and chlorophyll concentration, but it had negative effect on soil micro organisms. Hence, continuous application paclobutrzole to soil is not advisable.
Fractional Carbon-Dioxide Laser Plus Topical Clotrimazole versus Oral Itraconazole plus Topical Clotrimazole for Onychomycosis: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

A sample of 88 adults (between the ages of 18 and 78) was randomly divided into two groups. 45 patients received fractional CO2 laser therapy at an interval of 2 weeks and twice-daily application of clotrimazole 1% cream. 43 patients were treated by pulsed itraconazole (200 mg twice daily, 1 week on, 3 weeks off) and twice-daily application of clotrimazole 1% cream. The duration of the treatment was 3 months for fingernails and 4 months for toenails in both groups. The clinical effect was measured using the Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis (SCIO index), KOH examination for the affected nails were performed, and liver function tests in the two groups were analyzed.
Analysis of determinants of Indonesian agricultural exports

This paper analyses determinants of agricultural exports and imports from Indonesia, including a set of demand and supply factors capturing effects of income, market size, prices, tariffs, exchange rates and variables related to logistics, competitiveness, trade policy, and innovation. A specific focus is on trade creation and diversion effects possibly arising as Indonesia experienced a deep liberalization of markets through the implementation of multiple Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). A gravity model helps to analyze the determinants of trade and the impacts of the various trade agreements, applied to two categories of agricultural exports: raw goods and food. The dataset comprises 50 countries with data on exports and imports from 2007 until 2017. The results find trade creation effects for both categories, with larger effects in exports within agricultural raw goods, and higher trade creation effects through imports in food. Indonesia also experienced trade expansion with non-free trade partners, suggesting that demand variables (e.g., income, market size, sophistication) are a more critical driver of growth rather than agreements. Price factors affect agricultural goods, with food products experiencing elastic price demand, while raw goods are affected by prices and exchange rate. Gains in competitiveness, logistics performance, and innovation is supporting agricultural exports (imports as well), although Indonesia is behind most of its trade partners. The current implementation of the FTA should be critically evaluated concerning food products as imports have expanded more rapidly than exports, and domestic goods may have experienced pressure from liberalization.
Diet of wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat (Tadarida plicata Buchannan, 1800) in central Thailand: insectivorous bats potentially act as biological pest control agents

ABSTRACT Insectivorous bats are major predators of nocturnal insects and have the potential to act as biological pest control agents in farmlands. The objective of the present study was to establish the diet of the guano bat, Tadarida plicata. The study was carried out at the Khao Chong Pran Cave, which houses 2.6 million bats, and is surrounded by rice fields. A total of 1,925 faecal pellets were collected from 385 bats during their morning return from January to December 2002. Faecal analysis indicated that T. plicata fed on at least nine insect orders: Homoptera (28.4%), Lepidoptera (20.8), Hemiptera (16.4), Coleoptera (14.4), Diptera (7.0), Hymenoptera (6.6), Odonata (6.0), Orthoptera (0.5) and Psocoptera (0.1). Light traps indicated that Coleoptera (41.2%), Homoptera (25.3), Hemiptera (18.8) and Diptera (12.7) were the most abundant insects in the study area. Homopterans, most of which were white-backed planthopper (Sogatella sp., Delphacidae) had the highest percentage frequency of occurrence in the bats' diet indicating that T. plicata potentially plays an important role in controlling this major crop pest. The presence of macropterous planthoppers and a large proportion of moths in its diet suggests that T. plicata feeds on windborne migrant insects at high altitude. Female bats fed significantly more on lepidopterans and coleopterans and less on damselflies than males. The diet diversity index of lactating females was higher than pregnant females. Diet did not differ significantly between the dry and rainy seasons for either sex.
Stimulation of IL-16 Release by Cells Exposed to HIV Virion Proteins

Background: The pathogenesis and immune response to a chronic viral infection is multifaceted especially for HIV infection. The effect of HIV on the systemic immunoenvironment of the infected individual is profound and triggered by multiple stimuli. While replication competent viral infection induces a large spectrum of immune responses, such as cytokine release, we focused on what happens when cells are exposed to replication incompetent virions and their components.
Epidemiology and burden of chronic constipation

Chronic constipation is an important component of clinical gastroenterology practice worldwide. Based on the definition, either self-reported or using Rome criteria, chronic constipation can affect from 2% to 27% of the population. Constipation is physically and mentally troublesome for many patients, and can significantly interfere with their daily living and well-being. Although only a proportion of patients with constipation seek medical care, most of them use prescribed or over-the-counter medication to improve their condition. The health care costs of constipation are significant as evidenced by the hundreds of million dollars spent yearly on laxatives alone. Because constipation is more common in older patients and life expectancy is increasing, an increase in the prevalence of constipation is expected in the years to come, with the associated impact on quality of life and socioeconomic burden.
Reciprocal facilitation and non‐linearity maintain habitat engineering on coral reefs

Ecosystem engineers that create habitats facilitate the coexistence of many interacting species. This biotic response to habitat engineering may result in non-intuitive cascading interactions, potentially including feedbacks to the engineer. Such feedback mechanisms, either positive or negative, may be especially important for the maintenance of biogenic habitats and their community-wide facilitation. Here, we describe the complex interactions and feedbacks that link marine habitat-forming engineers, the reef-building corals, and a group of herbivores, the parrotfishes; the latter preventing the overgrowth of macroalgae, a major competitor of corals. Using density data of eight parrotfish species on a Caribbean reef, we first describe the form of the response of parrotfish abundance to increasing topographic complexity generated by coral growth. Topographic complexity enhanced parrotfish abundance by promoting habitat suitability, but the shape (linear vs asymptotic) and strength of this response varied across species and size. Parrotfish grazing intensity, estimated from data on abundance and species-, size- and life phase-specific grazing rates also increased with topographic complexity despite an increase in the surface area over which parrotfish graze. Depending on fish species, this functional response was found to be linear or asymptotic. Using a simple analytical model we then explored the effects of topographic complexity and fishing pressure on coral-algal competition, with particular emphasis on the implications of non-linearities in the intensity of grazing. Simulations demonstrate that fishing and habitat degradation impair the performance of grazing, but that an asymptotic response of grazing intensity to topographic complexity increases the ecological resilience of coral reefs. Parrotfish and corals are mutually beneficial by creating a loop of positive, indirect feedbacks that maintain their own structure and function: coral growth promotes habitat suitability for parrotfish, concordantly enhancing grazing intensity, which in turn facilitates coral growth by reducing competitive exclusion by macroalgae. We conclude that the resilience of biogenic habitats is enhanced by non-linear biotic responses to engineering and by the emergence of reciprocal facilitation linking habitat engineering and response organisms.
Complex genetics of monogenic familial hypercholesterolemia

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism, leading to severely elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite the monogenic cause of FH, CVD susceptibility varies considerably. Traditional risk factors, a specific low-density lipoprotein receptor mutation and modifier genes have been suggested to influence susceptibility to CVD. With the completion of the Human Genome Project and the availability of high throughput molecular methods, we expect that the creation of a genetic fingerprint of CVD risk in FH is feasible in the coming years. The challenge remains to link genetic data and clinical information to refine individualized approaches to CVD care in FH patients.
Experimental And Computational Investigation of the Effects of Variable RSI on Sequence Learning

In this study, we investigated the effects of variable Response-to-Stimulus interval (RSI) on sequence learning using both empirical and computational methods. In the empirical study, the serial reaction time task (SRT) was conducted which was followed by free generation and recognition tasks. Results showed that learning becomes explicit with increase in RSI despite its varying temporal nature. We constructed a computational model based on modified Elman network architecture to obtain a functional account of the empirical findings. The model illustrates how explicit learning could emerge due to a longer temporal window between stimuli which could potentially give insights into the mechanisms of sequence learning in variable RSI conditions.
Millimeter-wave Imaging of the Pluto-Charon System

We present further analysis of all high-resolution observations of the Pluto/Charon system obtained with the Submillimeter Array in order to determine best values of the mean millimeter-band brightness temperatures of each object. The best imaging is still obtained from our May 2005 observations, which find mean brightness temperatures of 37±2 K for Pluto and 49±8 K for Charon. Observations in 2009 were significantly degraded due to weather. Observations in 2010 were of high quality but provide unrealistically low temperatures, and were likely negatively impacted by the presence of background emission near the galactic plane. We will discuss possible methods for retrieving better values from the 2010 observations using WMAP and Planck results. We will also discuss limits on the CO abundance of the atmosphere obtained from a subset of the data.
Post‐fire recovery occurs overwhelmingly by resprouting in the Chaco Serrano forest of Central Argentina

In fire-prone landscapes, differences in post-fire regeneration by resprouting between species or sites could be far more important in explaining vegetation physiognomy and composition than seed regeneration. This is the first study exploring the relative contribution of tree resprouts and seeds to post-fire crown volume in the Chaco Serrano forest of South America. Additionally, we compare the resprouting response among species and quantify post-fire changes in tree composition among sites. We established 290 permanent plots distributed in three sites affected by wildfires in 2005. For all tree species in all plots we recorded survival of every individual 1 year after the fire; at the plot level, we recorded the above-ground tree volume before and 3 years after the fire. Resprouting from the base was the main resprouting type. Survival varied between species from 73% to 100% for native species and from 7% to 100% for non-natives. Before the fire, crown volume was similar in the three sites, and was completely lost after the fire in 92% of the plots. Three years after the fire, between 8% and 58% of crown volume was recovered. The ratio of crown recovery because of resprouts and seedlings was 1562:1. Tree composition exhibited few changes because of the high post-fire survival of most native species. We conclude that in the semiarid Chaco Serrano ecosystem tree species regenerate mainly by resprouting. This regeneration mode should be taken into account to better understand post-fire successional pathways of these forests, their management and the restoration of burnt forest areas.
Temporal genetic variation as revealed by a microsatellite analysis of European sardine ( Sardina pilchardus) archived samples

The Adriatic stock of European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) has experienced large interannual demographic fluctuations over the last 30 years, with a severe decline beginning in 1991 and continuing until 1997. In the present study, six microsatellite loci were used on a time series collection of otoliths and scales from sampling locations of northern (Chioggia) and southern (Vieste) Adriatic Sea, with the aim to investigate the genetic effects of these stock biomass fluctuations. The northern samples showed significant reduction in observed heterozygosity (HO) and mean number of alleles (Na) that explain the genetic diversity variation, while the same parameters turned out to be more stable in the southern samples. In addition, we detected the presence of a genetic bottleneck and low effective population size (Ne) values in several northern samples. Even if the northern and southern Adriatic sardine samples belong to the same genetic stock, the more pronounced decrease in genetic variability recorded in t.
Ameliorative effect of Nigella sativa and Deferrioxamine against neurotoxicity induced by combination of fluoride and aluminium

The most common source of human exposure to fluoride and aluminium include drinking water and various food items. Both fluoride and aluminium have been reported to induce oxidative stress mediated neurodegeneration. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa and deferrioxamine against combination of fluoride aluminium induced toxicity in brain of male Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with fluoride and aluminium for one month (thrice a week on alternate days) which resulted in decrease in various antioxidant enzymes like SOD, catalase, GPx, GSH and increase in LPO levels. Neurodegenerataive changes were also observed in histology of brain. DNA fragmentation and increased GFAP and Caspase 3 expression was also observed indicating that combination of fluoride and aluminium leads to oxidative stress mediated apoptosis in brain cells. Treatment with Nigella sativa and deferrioxamine resulted in amelioration of neurodegeneration induced by fluoride and aluminium indicating their therapeutic potential.
Spin splitting in graphene studied by means of tilted magnetic-field experiments

We have measured the spin splitting in single-layer and bilayer graphene by means of tilted magnetic-field experiments. By applying the Lifshitz-Kosevich formula for the spin-induced decrease of the Shubnikov-de Haas amplitudes with increasing tilt angle, we directly determine the product between the carrier cyclotron mass m* and the effective g factor g* as a function of the charge-carrier concentration. By using the cyclotron mass for a single-layer and a bilayer graphene, we find an enhanced g factor g* = 2.7 +/- 0.2 for both systems.
INFLATION AND DEPOSIT MOBILIZATION IN DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS- THE NIGERIAN PERSPECTIVE

The broad objective of this study is to critically examine inflation rate in Nigeria with the view of ascertaining its effect on the deposit mobilization in Banks. The study which is ex-post facto, relied mostly on secondary data which were collected through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin, Nigeria interest research library research, textbooks, journal and report from 1994-2014.The population for this study included selected numbers of banks i.e. deposit money bank in Nigeria from 1994 – 2014. Multiple regression Ordinary Least Square (OLS) statistical tool was applied to establish the like fit to the observed data and the degree of relationship that exist between variables. Findings reveals among others that there exist a significant and negative relationship amongst demand, savings and time deposit with inflation in Nigeria, and that interest rate impacted significantly and positively on saving and time deposit . It is recommended among others evaluation of the marginal increment of deposit interest rate for savings and time Deposit through Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at higher rate than inflation as an incentive to attract high deposit mobilization, and encouragement of increased trade activities geared towards increased money supply in the economy.
Susmita Baulia Cash incentives to mothers or to community health workers-what contributes better to the health of the mother and the newborn? Evidence from India Aboa Centre for Economics

This paper investigates the role of demand-side incentives to mothers and supply-side incentives to community health workers (ASHAs) in improving maternal and child healthcare. These conditional cash benefits were part of a nationwide health intervention Janani Suraksha Yojana, introduced in India in 2005. By its unique dual focus on demand and supply, the programme entitled socio-economically backward mothers with cash assistance if they chose to give birth at public health institutions, and simultaneously employed ASHAs to act as an immediate link between a pregnant woman and the public health delivery system. By using variations across eligibility of mothers, and the differential implementation of ASHAs across low-focus and highfocus states, I find causal evidence that eligible mothers who received both cash benefits and ASHA’s counselling outperformed the eligible mothers receiving only cash benefits, in outcomes such as institutional births and breastfeeding practices. To elucidate, a mother with both cash benefits and ASHA’s counselling experienced a 7.1 percentage points increase in institutional birth rate than her ineligible counterpart; whereas, the corresponding increase for a mother only eligible for cash benefits was 2.9 percentage points. Similar impact is found in the case of antenatal care check-ups of the expecting mother and BCG vaccination of the newborn. JEL Classification: I10, I38
Association of olfactory dysfunction with hospitalization for COVID-19: a multicenter study in Kurdistan

Objective: To evaluate the association of olfactory dysfunction (OD) with hospitalization for COVID-19. Study Design: Multi-center cohort study. Setting: Emergency departments of thirteen COVID-19-designed hospitals in Kurdistan province, Iran. Subjects and Methods: Patients presenting with flu-like symptoms who tested positive by RT-PCR for COVID-19 between May 1st and 31st, 2020. At the time of presentation and enrollment, patients were asked about the presence of OD, fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, rhinorrhea and sore throat. The severity of OD was assessed on an 11-point scale from 0 (none) to 10 (anosmia). Patients were either hospitalized or sent home for outpatient care based on standardized criteria. Results: Of 203 patients, who presented at a mean of 6 days into the COVID-19 disease course, 25 patients (12.3%) had new OD and 138 patients (68.0%) were admitted for their COVID-19. Patients admitted for COVID-19 had a higher prevalence of all symptoms assessed, including OD (p<0.05 in all cases), and OD identified admitted patients with 84.0% sensitivity and 34.3% specificity. On univariate logistic regression, hospitalization was associated with OD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47, 95%CI: 1.085-6.911, p=0.049). However, hospitalization for COVID-19 was not associated with OD (OR=3.22, 95% CI: 0.57-18.31, p=0.188) after controlling for confounding demographics and comorbidities. Conclusion: OD may be associated with hospitalization for (and therefore more severe) COVID-19. However, this association between OD and COVID-19 severity is more likely driven by patient characteristics linked to OD, such as greater numbers of COVID-19 symptoms experienced or high-risk comorbidities.
HLA Alleles Associated with Slow Progression to AIDS Truly Prefer to Present HIV-1 p24

Background The mechanism behind the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules and the rate of HIV-1 disease progression is still poorly understood. Recent data suggest that “protective” HLA molecules, i.e. those associated with a low HIV-1 viral load and relatively slow disease progression, tend to present epitopes from the Gag capsid protein. Although this suggests that preferential targeting of Gag delays disease progression, the apparent preference for Gag could also be a side-effect of the relatively high immunogenicity of the protein. Methods and Findings To separate cause and effect, we predicted HIV-1 epitopes from the whole genome of HIV-1, and found that protective HLA alleles have a true preference for the p24 Gag protein, while non-protective HLA alleles preferentially target HIV-1 Nef. In line with this, we found a significant negative correlation between the predicted affinity of the best-binding p24 epitopes and the relative hazard of HIV-1 disease progression for a large number of HLA molecules. When the epitopes targeted by protective HLA alleles were mapped to the known p24 structure, we found that mutations in these epitopes are likely to disturb the p24 dimer structure, which is expected to severely reduce the fitness of the virus. Conclusions Our results suggest that the intrinsic preference of different HLA molecules to present p24 peptides explains why some HLA molecules are more protective than others.