Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UNexpected Returns: A Model Free Approach

This paper studies the partitioning of stocks into groups with distinctive expected returns based on ex-ante firm characteristics, which can be used as comparable groups to compute the abnormal part of returns, that is, UNexpected returns. In order for stock expected returns to be similar within groups and disperse across groups, I introduce a methodology to select characteristics that best distinguish expected returns, and cutoffs points where returns are most sensitive to the underlying characteristics. I show that: <br><br>1) the combination of chosen characteristics changes over time; <br><br>2) there are significant differences in fund unexpected returns once the time-variation in comparable groups is incorporated; <br><br>3) and the resulting portfolios exhibit desirable properties as basis assets.
Multiple pathways mediate the effects of climate change on maternal reproductive traits in a red deer population

Temporal changes in phenological traits arising as a consequence of recent rapid environmental change have been widely demonstrated in animal populations. Increasingly, studies are seeking to understand the impact of changes in such traits on individual fitness and population dynamics, with the ultimate aim of predicting population persistence or extinction under different climate scenarios. Here, we examined the effects of environmental change on maternal reproductive traits in a wild population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and sought to explain why, despite a rapid advance in offspring birth dates, we observed no apparent consequences for offspring fitness. By using path analysis, we identified both direct and indirect paths along which changes in environmental conditions affected birth date, birth mass, juvenile survival, and female fecundity. In general, warmer temperatures were associated with earlier birth dates and greater birth mass, and higher rainfall was associated with reduced juvenile survival and reduced female fecundity. We also examined concurrent effects of population density, maternal age, and reproductive history, and found that temporal stasis in average trait values, at least in part, could be explained by antagonistic roles of direct and indirect effects of changing climate and increasing population density. Identification of the many mechanisms that contribute to the dynamics of phenotypic traits is challenging; this study demonstrates the need to consider both climatic and demographic variation in order to understand the fitness consequences of changes in phenological traits.
Tris stimulates ecdysteroid secretion via Ca2+ messenger system in the prothoracic glands of Locusta migratoria

Abstract. Secretion of ecdysteroids by the prothoracic glands of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. , is enhanced in vitro by tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (tris) in a dose‐dependent manner. Glands from larvae on the second day of the penultimate stadium are most sensitive. This action of tris depends on the uptake of calcium; increased production of ecdysteroid does not occur in the presence of cadmium, verapamil or TMB‐8, or in calcium‐free media. The concentration of unbound Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, in the cytoplasm is measured with the aid of FURA 2/AM. Tris causes a rise of [Ca2+]i that is fully suppressed by lanthanum and partially by nitrendipine. Two antagonists of IP3 receptors elicit mutually opposite effects: heparin blocks, whereas 2‐APB accelerates, the rise in [Ca2+]i. Ryanodine exerts only a slight effect. It is proposed that tris activates locust prothoracic glands in a Ca2+‐dependent manner that exhibits many similarities to the transduction pathway of prothoracicotropic hormone.
Consumers’ Requirements for Functional Foods

Although there is still no legal definition, functional foods are considered by the scientific community as providing additional benefits beyond the general benefits of nutrient intake and satisfaction of hunger. The bioactive compounds present in these products should provide a scientifically proven health benefit for the prevention, management or treatment of chronic disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the consumers’ awareness, knowledge and interest for functional food consumption. The study was conducted on 120 respondents that answered a 16-questionaire distributed online. The participants were adults from rural and urban area, with different levels of education. The data collected from the respondents showed that women are more aware and interested in functional foods than the male respondents. Only 15% of the participants said that they do not know the meaning of the term “functional foods”. This study has shown that the knowledge and interest of consumers’ for the functional foods is influenced by factors such as gender, age, education or income level. The prices together with the sensorial and health benefits were among the decisive factors.
Life histories of the Insectivora : the role of phylogeny, metabolism and sex differences

Life-history data for 63 species from the mammalian order Insectivora have been collated from the literature. These data were analysed for covariation and for correlations with body mass, brain mass and mass-specific resting metabolic rate. An independent contrasts method has been used to remove the effect of phylogeny. Due to uncertainties surrounding their evolutionary relationships, 22 different phylogenies of insectivores have been used as a basis for comparative analysis. The results show that several key correlations between life-history variables are only significant when certain phylogenies are used, highlighting the problems of such analyses when the phylogeny used is inaccurate. After removing the effect of phylogeny, relatively few significant correlations remain. Insectivores that have a high body mass have relatively lower metabolic rates, longer lifespans and longer gestation lengths. There is some support for a fast–slow continuum in insectivore life-history evolution: there are some significant positive correlations between measures of growth rates (e.g. gestation length and age at weaning) and lifespan, and some negative correlations between growth rates and measures of reproductive output. It is suggested that the seasonality of life of many insectivores may have played an influential role in the evolution of the group, in particular in delaying the onset of sexual maturity. There is little indication that brain size influences life-history evolution in this order, but metabolism may play an important role. The energetic requirements of maintaining high metabolic rates in small mammals such as insectivores may be constraining life histories to a greater extent than occurs in larger mammals. This effect may have obscured the relationship between metabolic rate and life histories in wider inter-order analyses. Finally, there is considerable evidence that sex differences play a large role in shaping insectivore evolution, and it is suggested that this factor must be considered more often in future studies of mammalian life histories in general.
EFEKTIFITAS TEKNIK MASSAGE EFFLEURAGE DAN TEKNIK RELAKSASI TERHADAP NYERI PUNGGUNG PADA IBU HAMIL TRIMESTER III

Ibu hamil trimester III akan mengalami keluhan nyeri punggung. Idealny nyeri punggung selama kehamilan terjadi akibat perubahan anatomis tubuh, nyeri dikatakan fisiologis apabila nyeri segera hilang setelah istirahat. Hasil studi pendahuluan terdapat 65% ibu hamil yang mengalami nyeri punggung, Tujuan penelitian menganalisis efektifitas teknik massage effleurage dan teknik relaksasi terhadap nyeri punggung pada ibu hamil trimester III di Socah Kabupaten Bangkalan.Desain penelitian ini menggunakan Quasy eksperimen. Variabel independent yaitu massage effleurage dan teknik relaksasi sedangkan variable dependent yaitu nyeri punggung pada ibu hamil trimester III. Populasi penelitian adalah seluruh ibu hamil timester III yang mengalami nyeri punggung sebanyak 23 ibu hamil dengan sampelnya 11 ibu hamil. Teknik sampling menggunakan non Probability Sampling dengan teknik accidental sampling. Uji statistik yang digunakan uji Wilcoxon dengan α <0,05. Hasil uji Wilcoxon, pada kelompok massage effleurage didapatkan nilai ρ-value 0,003 < 0,05 dan kelompok teknik relaksasi nilai ρ-value 0,003 < 0,05. maka Ha diteima. Sehingga disimpulkan bahwa ada pengaruh sebelum dan sesudah dilakukan teknik massage effleurage dan teknik relaksasi terhadap nyeri punggung pada ibu hamil trimester III di Socah Kabupaten Bangkalan. Hasil penelitian ini disarankan bagi ibu hamil trimester III untuk menerapkan metode ini saat mengalami nyeri punggung karena mudah dilakukan dan aman.
The role of acid phosphatases in plant phosphorus metabolism

Hydrolysis of phosphate esters is a critical process in the energy metabolism and metabolic regulation of plant ceils. This review summarizes the characteristics and putative roles of piant acid phosphatase lAPasel. Although immunologicaliy closely related, plant APases display remarkable heterogeneity w ith regards to their kinetic and molecular properties, and subcellular location. The secreted APa.ses of roots and cell cultures are relati\ ely non-specific enzymes that appear to be important in the hydrolysis and mobilization of P, from extracellular phosphomonoesters for plant nutrition. Intracelluiar APases are undoubtedly involved in the routine utilization of P, reserves or other P, containing compounds. A special class of intracellular APase exists that demonstrate a clear-cut (but generally nonabsoiute) substrate selectivity. These . ^. Pases are hypothesized to have distinct metabolic functions and include; phytase, phosphoglycoiate phosphatase. 3-pbosphoglycerate phosphatase. phosphoenolpyruvate phosphatase. and phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase. APase expression is regulated by a variety of developmental and environmental factors. P, starvation induces de novo synthesis of extra- and intracellular APases in cell cultures as well as in whole plants. Recommendations are made to achieve uniformity in the analyses of the different . A.Pase isoforms normally encountered within and between different plant tissues.
Endophytic fungus fine‐tunes the persistence strategy of its alpine host grass in response to soil resource levels

An understanding of hereditary endophytic fungi, and the effects on grass persistence strategies (i.e. relative investment in sexual reproduction and vegetative growth) under natural conditions may help to predict how some alpine ecosystems will respond to environmental change. Grass persistence and endophyte maintenance in host populations are closely related, but could become independent due to endophyte loss mechanisms. We used native grass and endophyte populations to test the hypothesis that fungal endophytes manipulate grass persistence strategies to secure endophyte maintenance in plant populations. Two conditions were required to verify this hypothesis: 1) the fungus caused alterations in host plant strategies; and 2) plant phenotypic changes induced by the fungal endophyte increased endophyte transmission. We compared symbiotic (S) and non-symbiotic (NS) persistence strategies of Festuca eskia (Poaceae), an alpine grass infected by the asexual form of the fungal endophyte Epichloe festucae. We characterised endophyte transmission efficiency, and described vegetative growth and sexual reproduction in a field population that naturally supports approximately 50% S plants. We built a demographic model to estimate plant vegetative growth rates. A correlation between plant persistence strategy, and fungal maintenance was evaluated by increasing soil resource levels. Under natural conditions, S and NS plants exploited different persistence strategies in the same population; S plants exhibited greater vegetative growth than their NS counterparts, while maintaining the same reproductive output. In response to higher soil resource levels, S plants shifted in persistence strategies and phenology, whereas NS plants maintained the same strategies. Therefore, results suggested the fungal endophyte fine-tuned host persistence strategies according to soil resource level. Finally, we found no direct relationship between the changes induced by fungal endophyte and endophyte transmission. Consequently, fungal endophytes affected host persistence strategies, but did not directly increase endophyte transmission.
Growth and Production Potential of Greengram (Vigna radiata) Influenced by Rhizobium Inoculation with Different Nutrient Sources

A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation with different nutrient sources on the nodulation and yield of greengram in Factorial RBD with three replications at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya on Gangetic alluvial soil of West Bengal during 2009 and 2010. The treatments comprised of two factors i.e. no seed inoculation and seed inoculation with Rhizobium, with five treatments like untreated control, application of (NPK @ 20:60:20 kg ha−1), rock phosphate for 60 kg P2O5 ha1, vermicompost for 60 kg P2O5ha−1 and SSP for 60 kg P2O5ha−1. Result indicated that plots treated with Rhizobium seed inoculation positively and significantly influenced the growth parameter, nodulation, seed and stalk yield of greengram and also bacterial population of the soil system. In case of fertilizer treatments application of recommended dose of NPK performed better than all other treatments. Numbers and weight of nodules increased highly due to NPK application. Seed and stalk yield was maximum under Rhizobium inoculation coupled with the application of recommended dose of NPK, closely followed by the treatment combinations of Rhizobium inoculation coupled with vermicompost.
Properties of Nutritional Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Acorn Crude Starch by Geographical Origins

Nutritional compositions of acorn crude starch were analyzed according to country of origin, especially the mineral and sugar contents. Regarding the three kinds of starch of domestic (South Korea, KAS), Chinese (CAS), and North Korea (NAS) origins in the Korean market, NAS had the lowest moisture content as well as the highest contents of crude protein, crude fat, and carbohydrate. Regarding mineral contents, NAS contained the highest amounts of magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorous, whereas CAS contained the highest iron and zinc contents. There were no significant differences in acidity and pH. Analysis of the monosaccharide contents of the starches showed that glucose was the highest in KAS while sucrose was the highest in CAS. The Hunter color L value was the lowest in NAS, whereas a and b values were the lowest in CAS. Total phenolic content was the highest in NAS. NAS had the highest DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities (: 47.0 mg/mL for DPPH, 0.038 mg/mL for hydroxyl) whereas KAS had similar DPPH (: 73.7 mg/mL for CAS, 86.8 mg/mL for KAS) and hydroxyl radical activities (: 0.041 mg/mL for CAS, 0.044 mg/mL for KAS) as compared to CAS.
Timeliness of care and adverse event profile in children undergoing general anesthesia or sedation for MRI: An observational prospective cohort study

Background and Aims: Anaesthesia for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ranges from moderate to deep sedation in order to facilitate uninterrupted completion of the scan. While various intravenous and inhalational techniques of anaesthesia have their own merits and demerits, there is a paucity of comparative literature between the two in children undergoing diagnostic MRI. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted at the Radiology suite of a 2800-bedded tertiary care hospital, wherein 107 unpremedicated children between the ages of 6 months to 15 years received either sedation with propofol infusion (Group GSP, n = 57) or inhalational anaesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway (Group GAL, n = 50). Primary outcome measures included time to induction and time to recovery. Secondary outcomes comprised the incidence of respiratory and non-respiratory adverse events in the two groups. Results: The median time to induction was significantly shorter in GSP than GAL [7.00 (IQR 5.0, 10.0) versus 10.00 minutes (IQR 8.8, 13.0), P < 0.001]; the incidence of desaturation [8 (16.0%) in GAL, 1 (1.8%) in GSP, P = 0.012], laryngospasm [11 (22.4%) in GAL, 1 (1.8%) in GSP, P = 0.001] and emergence delirium (5 (10%) in GAL, 0 in GSP, P = 0.047) were significantly greater in the GAL group. There was no difference in the time to emergence, nausea and vomiting or bradycardia between the two groups. Conclusion: Sedation with propofol infusion during paediatric MRI scan offers a short turnover time and favourable adverse event profile when compared to inhalational anaesthesia with an LMA.
Simaroubaceae, an artificial construct: evidence from rbcL sequence variation

Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL sequence data of representatives of all subfamilies indicate that Simaroubaceae sensu lato is polyphyletic. It represents at least five separate lineages, only three of which (Simarouboideae, Harrisonia, and Kirkioideae) cluster within a robust sapindalean clade. The family is monophyletic only when comprised of members of the subfamily Simarouboideae plus Leitneriaceae, but excluding Harrisonia. Harrisonia is most closely related to Cneorum and Rutaceae. Kirkioideae is distant from Simaroubaceae sensu stricto, although its affinities remain within Sapindales. The other two lineages show an affinity to taxa at some distance from Sapindales: Irvingia with a group of poorly sampled rosid I taxa comprising in part members of Linales and Malphigiales; Picramnia and Alvaradoa cluster together in an isolated position between the broadly comprised groups of rosid I and rosid II. Support for the affinities suggested here is also evident in nonmolecular data sources: wood anatomy, pericarp structure, pollen, and phytochemistry. The elevation of the picramnioid clade, comprising Picramnia and Alvaradoa, to family rank is signaled, and the recognition of Kirkiaceae and Irvingiaceae is substantiated.
Precipitated iron and manganese plaques restrict root uptake of phosphorus in Lobelia dortmanna

Plaques of Fe and Mn on root surfaces of submerged aquatic plants are formed in reduced organic sediments with high concentrations of reduced soluble Fe and Mn. Since oxidized metal compounds have a high capacity for P binding, we grew Lobelia dortmanna L. for 6 months on four sediment types, in which the content of organic matter ranged from 0.32 to 1.73%, to test the influence of plaques on assimilation of P and biomass development. Concentration of oxidized Fe and Mn in plaques on Lobelia roots increased significantly with the content of organic matter in the sediment. Lobelia with high concentrations of Fe in the plaques showed very low tissue content of P and low biomass despite the fact that these plants were from the two organic sediments with high concentrations of P. Plants from the two sediments with low content of organic matter and P showed, in contrast, low plaque concentrations but higher biomass and P content. No significant correlations between the content of Fe and Mn in root plaques and .
Pathogenicity of Saprolegnia species associated with outbreaks of salmonid saprolegniosis in Japan.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity and pathology of Saprolegnia salmonis NJM 9851 and Saprolegnia parasitica NJM 9868, isolated from outbreaks of saprolegniosis, against the immature stages of five species of salmonids. The cumulative mortalities of the tested fish groups that were exposed to 2 ¥ 10 5 spore/L concentrations of S. salmonis NJM 9851 were 90% for brown trout, 93.3% for sockeye salmon and 100% for rainbow tout, masu salmon, and Japanese char. In contrast, all salmonid species exposed to 2 ¥ 10 5 spore/L concentrations of S. parasitica NJM 9868 experienced cumulative mortalities of 100%. The histopathological changes of the saprolegniosis lesions found in all sites of infection were loss of the epidermis, edema of the hypodermis and different degrees of degenerative changes in the underlying musculature. It is clear from our results that S. salmonis NJM 9851 and S. parasitica NJM 9868 are highly pathogenic species to five species of salmonid fishes
Human immunodeficiency virus infection amongst newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients and their clinico-radiological profile: A prospective study from Western India

Background: Since time immemorial tuberculosis (TB) has been and continues to be one of the most significant infections causing human disease. In tropical countries, TB remains a leading cause of death. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic continues to fuel this global TB epidemic. The rapid growth of the HIV epidemic in many countries has resulted in an equally dramatic rise in the estimated number of new TB cases, which present therefore the integration of HIV and TB testing at the primary level is need of the hour. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on newly diagnosed, untreated TB patients aged 15-45 year and patients were screened for HIV infection. Clinico-radiological spectrum of TB among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients was evaluated. Results: Out of a total of 307 patients screened, 17 (5.54%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Seroprevalence was found significantly (P < 0.01, χ2 9.301) more common in 26-35 year age group and higher in Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients than that in pulmonary TB (PTB) patients (9.90% vs 3.4%). Fever was the most common presenting symptom for TB in HIV seropositive patients. On examination pallor (58.82% vs. 15.86%), oral ulcer (35.3% vs. 0.35%) was found more common and on chest X-ray mid-lower zone involvement and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were more common in HIV seropositive patients. Conclusion: HIV seropositivity rates among newly diagnosed TB patients aged 15-45 year was 5.54 percent. The presentation of TB was more often atypical among these patients. Thus, an integrated model of TB and HIV at primary healthcare service delivery is an efficient use of resources that would address the two very important co-epidemics and thereby result in better management.
The VL3 videolaryngoscope for tracheal intubation in adults: A prospective pilot study

Background: Videolaryngoscopy (VLS) is recommended by international guidelines for the management of difficult airways. We conducted an observational prospective pilot study to assess the efficacy of the new VL3 videolaryngoscope for routine tracheal intubation (TI) in adults; in terms of success rate, the number of attempts, and maneuver duration, including both normal and difficult airways. Methods: This prospective observational pilot study comprised a sample of 56 adult patients undergoing elective general anesthesia. For each patient, we performed VLS by VL3 recording the following data: successful TI rate, number of attempts, time of intubation, time to glottis visualization, Cormack-Lehane grade (CL), need for external laryngeal pressure, and presence of post-laryngoscopy side effects. Results: TI was successfully carried out in the totality of patients. In only 4 out of 56 cases, the VL3 offered a CL II. The first attempt intubation was achieved in 48 patients (85.7%). In one case, external laryngeal pressure was needed. No CL III or CL IV were observed. We did not find any significant difference between the predicted difficult airways sample and the rest of the population. Conclusion: VL3 videolaryngoscope showed to be an effective and safe device for routine TI, even in those patients with predicted difficult airway. More studies are needed to confirm our findings and verify its efficacy even in other settings.