Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Osteopontin Gene Expression in Epicardial Adipose Tissue from Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Is Associated with the Presence of Calci ﬁ ed Atherosclerotic Plaques Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Purpose: It has been proposed that the cardiovascular effects of obesity are related to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which seems to play an active role on the development and calci ﬁ cation of atherosclerotic plaques, but the mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the EAT expresses the genes of calcifying factors and whether such expression is associated with the body mass index (BMI) and with the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients and Methods: Forty-three patients with CAD were enrolled speci ﬁ cally for this study, and their CAC score and EAT volume were determined by computed tomography. As the group of comparison, 41 patients with aortic valve stenosis and CAC = 0 were included (control group). A representative subgroup of 16 CAD patients and 23 controls were selected to obtain EAT biopsies during the chirurgical procedure from the atrio-interventricular groove. The mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -4 ( BMP-2, BMP-4) , osteopontin ( OPN ), osteonectin ( ON ), and osteoprotegerin ( OPG ) in EAT was determined by qPCR. Results: The gene expression of OPN and BMP-2 was 70% and 52% higher in the EAT from CAD patients than that in controls, respectively, whereas the expression of OPG, ON , and BMP-4 was similar in both groups. The EAT volume positively correlated with OPG and with the BMI, suggesting a relationship of obesity with local higher expression of calcifying genes in the coronary territory. The logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of both OPN and BMP-2 increased about 6 and 8 times the odds of coronary calci ﬁ cation (CAC score > 0), respectively. Conclusion: EAT correlated with BMI and expressed the mRNA of calcifying genes but only OPN and BMP-2 expression was higher in CAD patients. Higher levels of both OPN and BMP-2 statistically determined the presence of calcium in coronary arteries of CAD patients. systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; EAT, epicardial adipose tissue; CAC, coronary artery calcium; AU, Agatston units.
Amegilla sp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Visitors to Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae) Flowers and Their Role in Crop Pollination at Djoumassi (North, Cameroon)

Aims: To evaluate the impact of a single flower visit of Amegilla sp. on the production of Gossypium hirsutum. Study Design: A randomized complete block design was used in a split plot scheme of 437 m 2 delimited and divided into eight subplots, each measuring 8*4.5 m 2 . Place and Duration of Study: Locality of Djoumassi, Benoue Division, in the city of Garoua, the North Region of Cameroon from June through October 2018 and 2019. Original Research Article Moise et al.; JEAI, 42(4): 145-157, 2020; Article no.JEAI. 56961 146 Methodology: The experiments were carried out on 540 flowers labeled at bud stage and divided in four treatments: two differentiated according to the presence or absence flowers protection regarding insect visits; the third protected and uncovered when flowers were opened, to allow Amegilla sp. visits and the fourth with the flowers protected, uncovered when they were opened, then rebagged without any visit. Results: Among 21 insect species recorded on G. hirsutum flowers, Amegilla sp. ranked second and harvested nectar and pollen. Throughout the pollination efficiency of a single flower visit, Amegilla sp. provoked a significant increase of the fruiting rate, the mean number of seeds per boll and the percentage of normal seeds by 14.89%, 12.93% and 7.01% respectively. Conclusion: The conservation and installation of Amegilla sp. nests close to G. hirsutum fields is recommended to improve its boll production and seed quality.
Facies Analysis and Depositional Environments of the Ubaid Formation, Western Iraq

The Early Jurassic (Liassic) sequence crops out in numerous anticlines of the high folded zone of north and north-east Iraq and in the Rutba subzone (including Ubaid Formation) in west Iraq. The present study deals with siliciclastic / carbonate rocks of the 58 m-thick Ubaid Formation at Zor Hauran valley in south western Iraq. The formation consists of two parts; the lower part is composed of pebbly coarse sandstone and greenish to yellowish soft marl alternated with marly dolostone, while the upper part is characterized by light brown, well bedded dolostone, with stromatolite structure in some locations. Oval, light to dark brown nodules of chert are also present. A detailed field lithological description and facies analysis of the Ubaid Formation were performed for thin sections. It is composed of five main microfacies; dolomitized mudstone, dolomitized bioclastic wackstone, dolomitized pelloidal packstone, dolomitized oolitic grainstone, and bindstone, in addition to two lithofacies: marl and pebbly sandstone. These facies reflect the deposition from the environment of the lower supratidal to intertidal zone and the encompassing shallow scaffold secured shoal - marine environment with cautious water circulation.
Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Drug Release and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of O/W Nanoemulsions Loaded with Natural Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

Due to diverse biological activities, eucalyptus oil from eucalyptus waste leaves has tremendous applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Since it is highly unable, hydrophobic and volatile and so easily loses its anti-microbial activity. To protect this herbal product having bioactive properties, nanoemulsion technology is the best way to encapsulate it. The objective of this study was synthesis of O/W type nanoemulsions, its characterization and evaluation of biological activities. O/W type eucalyptus oil based nanoemulsions were prepared by using sodium dodecyl sulphate, tween 20. Other physiochemical parameters viz; conductivity, pH, and antibacterial activity were also studied. UV, fluorescent and FT-IR techniques were also used. Drug release and pharmokinetic studies were also conducted. Stability of nanoemulsions was studied for 50 days. As compared to tween 20, SDS based nanoemulsions were smaller is size. Nanoparticles were spherical in shape and maximum encapsulation efficiency of 58%. Nanoparticles were stable even after 50 days of storage. Both nanoemulsions exhibited antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Pharmokinetic studies revealed that formulated nanoemulsions followed korsmeyer-Peppas model. All these observations indicated that nanoemulsions from eucalyptus oil have key potential to act as key therapeutic agents in pharmaceutical and food based industries.
The effects of tourism on housing prices: applying a difference-in-differences methodology to the Portuguese market

Purpose This paper aims to explore the effects of a surge in tourism short-term rentals (STR) on housing prices in municipalities within Portugal’s two largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Design/methodology/approach This study applies the difference-in-differences (DiD) methodology by using a feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) estimator in a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) equation model. Findings The results show that the liberalization of STR had a significant impact on housing prices in municipalities where a higher percentage of housing was transferred to tourism. This transfer led to a leftward shift in the housing supply and a consequent increase in housing prices. These price increases are much higher than those found in previous studies on the same subject. The authors also found that municipalities with more STR had low housing elasticities, which indicates that adjustments to the transfer of real estate from housing to tourism were made by increasing house prices, and not by increasing supply quantities. Practical implications The study suggests that an unforeseen consequence of allowing property owners to transfer the use of real estate from housing to other services (namely, tourism) was extreme housing price increases due to inelastic housing supply. Originality/value This is the first time that the DiD methodology has been applied in real estate markets using FGLS in a SUR equation model and the authors show that it produces more precise estimates than the baseline OLS FE. The authors also find evidence of a supply shock provoked by STR.
The Impact of Acquisitions on the Financial Performance of Companies in the Gulf States

The acquisition of economic institutions has become a global trend in recent periods, either through the transfer of all or part of the properties or shares. Such operations contribute to enhanced opportunities for economic expansion and growth. The Gulf States have not been away from these rising trends, with acquisitions taking a noticeable rise. This study analyses the impact of acquisitions on the financial performance of companies in the Gulf States based on the time sequence of data analysis for the duration between 2005-2018. The Empirical Bayesian and Ordinary Least Squares regression techniques are considered to demonstrate the acquisition impact on acquired non-financial companies in the Gulf States by using these major measures profitability, liquidity, and leverage. First and foremost, the study discovered that acquisition does not affect the profitability of the firm which formed into a new firm. But looking at the impact of the acquisition on leverage, the Interest Coverage ratio (COV) is been positively impacted by acquisition but the Debt to Equity ratio (ED) is not impacted by the acquisition. Additionally, the acquisition has a negative effect on a firm’s leverage. The outcomes of both OLS and the Bayesian have some variances, but the correspondence of the two results exceeds the difference. Thereby, it can be concluded that the Bayesian method is partially steady with the outcomes of OLS. The outcome of the study demonstrates that the financial performance of firms is not significantly affected by the acquisition.
The effects of environmental chemicals on fertility and fecundity

There is increasing evidence demonstrating the negative effects of environmental chemicals, especially endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), on reproduction and development [1, 2], including several studies that have found elevated levels for several chemicals among those seeking assisted reproductive technologies. This is a summary of the available human data for the effects of environmental chemicals on adult male and female fertility and fecundity. There are also potential associations of environmental chemicals with recognised reproductive disorders (e.g. cryptorchidism or endometriosis), however these are outside the scope of this summary. Pre-Conception Health Special Interest Group
Relative-Scheduling-Based High-Level Synthesis for Flow-Based Microfluidic Biochips

The rapid development of microfluidic biochips requires matching automated synthesis methods. In particular, high-level synthesis methods for microfluidic chips need to consider various bio-constraints regarding time and device occupancy. Recent biochemical applications show that the duration of some bio-operations cannot be predicted in advance, which increases the likelihood that current synthesis methods would waste on-chip resources or even violate given bio-constraints. In this work, we present a relative-scheduling-based high-level synthesis method to optimize the bio-assay schedules and the usage of on-chip devices considering bio-operations with indeterminate durations. Experimental results show that our method significantly reduces the total execution time of bioassays without violating bio-constraints when using the same on-chip resources.
Salinity-driven oxidative stress in Gerbera jamesonii cv. Bolus

Salinity adversely affects various plants’ metabolic processes, negatively influencing their productivity and crop yield. Gerbera jamesonii cv. Bolus is a commercially important ornamental plant cultivated globally throughout the year for its cut flower production in polyhouses. During polyhouse cultivation, repeated fertigation may cause salinity in Gerbera, affecting flower quality and yield, and functional alterations in the basal level of cellular antioxidative defence systems. Though several factors induce salinity in general, we focussed on NaCl as it is one of the major components of fertigation. In salt-stressed plants, monitoring altered levels of antioxidative defense systems may help better understand their physiological changes. However, little to no studies were attempted on salinity-induced oxidative damage in Gerbera till date. In the current study, we verified the salt sensitivity level of Gerbera with varying concentrations of NaCl (0-200 mM) using in vitro leaf disc approach. We measured various antioxidative enzymatic/non enzymatic defense systems besides MDA and chlorophyll content. Treatment with higher salt concentrations (above100 mM NaCl) exhibited severe bleaching in leaf discs, followed by elevated levels of H2O2, lipid peroxidation and proline. Besides, our study also revealed a decrease in the total chlorophyll content; activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase. The observed results showed that Gerbera might not tolerate higher levels of NaCl as it could be detrimental to its cellular activities. Future studies on decoding molecular networks associated with salinity stress and antioxidative defense systems may help in developing salt-tolerant varieties in Gerbera and several other ornamental plants of Asteraceae.
A Comparison Study on Molecular Interaction of an Acidic Organophosphoric Extractant with Substituted Aromatic Hydrocarbon (p-xylene/toluene) at 303.15K

In the present study, the excess molar volume (V) and the deviations in intermolecular free length (ΔLf), isentropic compressibility (Δβs), acoustic impedance (ΔZ), and ultrasonic velocity (ΔU) were calculated using the experimentally measured values of density (ρ) and ultrasonic velocity (U) of binary mixtures of an acidic organophosphoric extractant (DEHPA) with two substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, i.e., p-xylene and toluene at 303.15K and atmospheric pressure, 0.1MPa over the entire composition range of DEHPA. The results of both binary mixtures have been presented graphically and compared in terms of molecular interaction between unlike molecules of the mixtures, which outcome may be applied in the solvent extraction process.
Own Credit Risk Accounting, Modigliani-Miller Theorem, and the Fallacy of Counter-Intuitive Results

Purpose: This article tests own credit risk accounting under Modigliani-Miller theory to determine whether there is a fundamental fallacy in the unsolved issue of counter-intuitive results. Design/methodology/approach: A system of equations derived from the MM theorem to own risk. Findings: Solutions to the wealth transfer hypothesis. Parameters of issuer and holder that nullify own credit risk gain/loss and impairment loss/gain. A theoretical framework is developed to reconcile accounting to Modigliani-Miller theory. If the MM theory is true, as generally it is held to be, the system of equations shows that the recognition of own credit gain or loss would arise from different accounting measurement bases of liability own risk versus assets impairment, and by not reflecting the rebound effect in liability fair value measurement, in both cases not a faithfully representation of the substance of the facts and circumstances. The former would require a re-alignment between impairment and financial liability measurement rules. The latter would require a rethinking of fulfillment vs. fair value measurement to these liabilities. In addition, given the tenet that the accounting does not recognize shareholder wealth transfer, the current financial performance dilemma can be solved by recognizing in equity the concept of capital maintenance adjustment. Originality: Rare, if not unique, innovative direct application of MM paradigm to own risk. Implications: Significant contribution to the debate on performance and OCI, counter-intuitive results and accounting mismatch, fulfilment value versus fair value, incomplete recognition of contemporaneous asset value, and the definition of income in the Conceptual Framework.
NDT_A_247787 1543..1554

Ning Sun Chunxia Yang Xiaoting He Zhifen Liu Sha Liu Xinrong Li Yanfang Wang Ruihua Jin Kerang Zhang 1 1Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China; 2Nursing College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People’s Republic of China; 3University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China Background: Patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) commonly demonstrate lower performance across multiple cognitive domains. Cognitive impairment is an intrinsic characteristic of MDD status and is often influenced by genetic factors. microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have been shown to have important implications in the etiology of MDD. Therefore, we aimed to identify and analyze the impact of expression and genetic variation of miR-34b/c on cognitive dysfunction in MDD. Methods: First, we analyzed miR-34c-5p expression in 48 cases of MDD and 54 healthy controls in a Chinese population using qRT-PCR. We assessed the relationship between the level of miR-34c-5p expression and cognitive performance by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Second, in order to characterize allelic effects of miR-34b/c on cognitive performance in MDD patients, we performed genetic association analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci of the MIR34B/C genes with cognitive function in a second group consisting of 531 MDD patients and 267 healthy controls. Results: We found a significant negative correlation between the level of miR-34c-5p expression and both the language and delayed memory index scores in patients with MDD. We also found a significant positive correlation between the level of miR-34c-5p expression and the time required to complete tests A and B of the TMT. The interaction between the rs2187473 genotype and the disease was significant for both immediate memory and delayed memory. In the patient group, the rs2187473 CC genotype was significantly associated with higher performance on immediate memory (F = 6.683, p < 0.05) and delayed memory tasks (F = 4.221, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that changes in miR-34c expression level have important impacts on cognitive function in patients with MDD. In particular, the polymorphism rs2187473 is a potential genetic risk factor for cognitive function in MDD, which may be of clinical use.
Perceptions and new challenges

This article presents the perception that the professors of the School of Business Administration (EAN) of the University of Costa Rica have about ethics and university teaching. For this, through a mixed design of a dominant qualitative approach, based on a sociocritical paradigm, dynamic inquiries and scientific results were supported more solidly, to generate self-reflection and promote educational transformation. In this sense, a self-administered survey was applied to 147 academics, complemented with phone calls and face-to-face interviews. The results highlight the high degree of importance that teachers provide to ethics in vocational training, as well as the strategies and values that should characterize the professional in Business. The conclusions reaffirm the need to strengthen ethical performance in the professional performance of students. It is also highlighted that these professionals with ethical principles develop soft skills (teamwork, communication, leadership) and establish better human and organizational relationships.
SARS-COV2 mutant-specific T cells and neutralizing antibodies after vaccination and up to 1 year after infection

Objective: We investigated blood samples from fully SARS-CoV2-vaccinated subjects and from patients up to one year after infection with SARS-CoV2, and compared short and long term T cell and antibody responses, with a special focus on the recently emerged delta variant (B.1.617.2). Methods and Results: In 23 vaccinated subjects, we documented high anti-SARS-CoV2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody titers. Average virus neutralization by antibodies, assessed as inhibition of ACE2 binding to RBD, was 2.2-fold reduced for delta mutant vs. wt RBD. Specific CD4+ T cell responses as measured using stimulation with peptides representing wt or alpha, beta, gamma and delta variant SARS-CoV2 entire spike proteins by flow cytometric intracellular cytokine staining, did not differ significantly between vaccinees. One year post infection in one of the earliest SARS-CoV2 populations in the Western world, mean specific antibody titers were lower than in vaccinees; ACE2 binding to delta mutant vs. wt RBD was 1.65-fold reduced. T cell responses, especially interferon gamma expression, to mutant SARS-CoV2 spike were significantly reduced compared to those in vaccinees. Conclusion: Strong T cell responses occurred for wildtype and mutant SARS-CoV2 variants, including delta (B.1.617.2), in fully vaccinated individuals, whereas they were partly reduced 1 year after natural infection. Antibody neutralisation of delta mutant was reduced compared to wt, as assessed in a novel inhibition assay with a finger stick drop of blood. Hence, immune responses after vaccination are stronger compared to those after naturally occurring infection, pointing out the need of the vaccine to overcome the pandemic.