Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the formation of coalitions to provide public goods : experimental evidence from the lab

The provision of public goods often relies on voluntary contributions and cooperation. While most of the experimental literature focuses on individual contributions, many real-world problems involve the formation of institutions among subgroups (coalitions) of players. International agreements serve as one example. This paper experimentally tests theory on the formation of coalitions in different institutions and compares those to a voluntary contribution mechanism. The experiment confirms the rather pessimistic conclusions from the theory: only few players form a coalition when the institution prescribes the full internalization of mutual benefits of members. Contrary to theory, coalitions that try to reduce the freeriding incentives by requiring less provision from their members, do not attract additional members. Substantial efficiency gains occur, however, both along the extensive and intensive margin when coalition members can each suggest a minimum contribution level with the smallest common denominator being binding. The experiment thereby shows that the acceptance of institutions depends on how terms of coalitions are reached.
Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharide on Apoptosis and Cell Cycle of Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line MKN45

Objective To observe the effects of Astragalus Polysaccharide on apoptosis and cell cycle of human gastric carcinoma cell line MKN45.Methods Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was used to establish the dose-effect curves.Flow cytometry analysis was used to ob-serve the cell cycle.Immunohistochemical staining was used for detecting expression status of apop-tosis-related Bcl-2 and Bax protein.Result Astragalus Polysaccharide could inhibit the proliferation of cell line MKN45(10 mg/mL for 48h showed 38.8%±9.3%) which was associated with the ar-rest of G0/G1phase(10 mg/mL for 48h showed 74.2%±3.6%) and showed time-dependent and level-dependent manner.Immunohistochemical staining showed a decreased expression of Bcl-2 pro-tein and showed a increased expression of Bax protein of MKN45 cell line.Conclusions Astragalus Polysaccharide is can to induce the apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma cell MKN45 and the arrest of the cell cycle of G0/G1phase,which may induce apoptosis by enhanced Bax and reduced Bcl-2 protein.
Remedial Effects of Vitamins C and E on Atazanavir/Ritonavir-Induced Alterations in Biomarkers of Renal Function and Oxidative Stress of Male Albino Rats

Background: Atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) combination is used for the management of human immunodeficiency virus and could be associated with renal toxicity characterized by oxidative stress. Objective : This study evaluated the effects of pretreatments with vitamins C and E on ATV/r- induced serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, total protein, albumin and kidney levels of malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in male albino rats. Effects of treatments with vitamins C and E on baseline levels of the above parameters were also evaluated. Methods : Fifty four (54) male albino rats used for this study were divided into 9 groups, A – I of 5 animals each. Animals in group A (placebo control) and group B (solvent control) were treated orally with water and arachis oil respectively for 30 days. Animals in groups C- F were treated with vitamin C (20mg/kg), vitamin E (20mg/kg), a combination of vitamin E+C and ATV/r (90/30mg/kg) for 30 days respectively. Animals in groups G – I were pretreated with vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin C+E before treatment with ATV/r for 30 days respectively. Results: Baseline serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA levels were significantly ( p >0.05) decreased while kidney SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPX levels were increased in vitamins C and E treated animals when compared to the control. In contrast, ATV/r treatment significantly ( p >0.05) increased serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and kidney MDA levels while serum total protein, albumin, kidney SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPX levels were decreased when compared to the control. However, ATV/r –induced changes in all evaluated parameters were mitigated in vitamins C and E pretreated animals with more mitigation observed in animals pretreated with combined doses of vitamin C and E. Conclusion : Observations in this study could be attributed to the oxidative effect of ATV/r and the anti-oxidative effects of vitamins C and E.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the B.1.617.2 variant

Background: The B.1. 617.2 COVID-19 variant has contributed to the surge in cases in India and has now been detected across the globe, including a notable increase in cases in the UK. We estimate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccines against this variant. Methods: A test negative case control design was used to estimate the effectiveness of vaccination against symptomatic disease with both variants over the period that B.1. 617.2 began circulating with cases identified based on sequencing and S-gene target status. Data on all symptomatic sequenced cases of COVID-19 in England was used to estimate the proportion of cases with B.1. 617.2 compared to the predominant strain (B.1.1.7) by vaccination status. Results: Effectiveness was notably lower after 1 dose of vaccine with B.1. 617.2 cases 33.5% (95%CI: 20.6 to 44.3) compared to B.1. 1.7 cases 51.1% (95%CI: 47.3 to 54.7) with similar results for both vaccines. With BNT162b2 2 dose effectiveness reduced from 93.4% (95%CI: 90.4 to 95.5) with B.1. 1.7 to 87.9% (95%CI: 78.2 to 93.2) with B.1. 617.2. With ChAdOx1 2 dose effectiveness reduced from 66.1% (95% CI: 54.0 to 75.0) with B.1. 1.7 to 59.8% (95%CI: 28.9 to 77.3) with B.1. 617.2. Sequenced cases detected after 1 or 2 doses of vaccination had a higher odds of infection with B.1. 617.2 compared to unvaccinated cases (OR 1.40; 95%CI: 1.13-1.75). Conclusions: After 2 doses of either vaccine there were only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness with the B.1. 617.2 variant. Absolute differences in vaccine effectiveness were more marked with dose 1. This would support maximising vaccine uptake with two doses among vulnerable groups.
The effect of complementary irrigation on fruit growth, ripening pattern and oil characteristics of olive (Olea europaea L.) cv. Carolea

SummaryComplementary irrigation, 80 mm, distributed only during the third stage of fruit development, delayed ripening time and increased fruit size and oil content for fruits of the olive cv. Carolea. Prolonged water deficit reduced fruit growth, oil accumulation rate, K content of the fruit and enhanced ripening and pre-harvest fruit drop. Harvest time affected oil characteristics more than the water availability. Fatty acid composition was not affected by the water regime but polyphenol content increased and alcohol content decreased in the oil produced by irrigated trees.
Random tree-like structures : gluings of metric spaces and stable graphs

The subject of this thesis is the study of some random metric spaces with a tree-like structure. We first study a construction in which we glue a sequence of metric spaces onto each other in a sequential manner. Under some conditions on the spaces that we aggregate, we compute the Hausdorff dimension of the obtained structure and it has a surprising expression ! We then investigate some asymptotic properties (degrees, height,profile) of two models of growing discrete trees, the weighted recursive trees and the preferential attachment trees with additive fitnesses. The former encodes the underlying discrete structure in the construction described above and the latter have a similar interpretation for some models of discrete growing graphs. We make use of this connection in order to prove scaling limit results for these random discrete graphs towards continuous metric space constructed by a gluing procedure. Last, in a joint work with Christina Goldschmidt and Benedicte Haas, we investigate the behaviour of the alpha­stable component with fixed surplus. This random metric space appears as the scaling limit of large connected components of the configuration model with heavy-tailed degrees. This abject is almost a tree except for a finite number of cycles. We compute the distribution of the cyclic structure and give a description of the whole space as trees glued along this structure.
Sorghum bicolor L.)

Analysis and quantification of sorgoleone from different cultivars of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). For six genotypes of sorghum (BR 007B, BR 700, CMSXS 210B, CMSXS 211B, CMSXS 225 R, CMSXS 376) the production of root exudate and the amount of sorgoleone in these exudates were evaluated. The analysis of sorgoleone in the exudates was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using as standard a sample of sorgoleone, previously purified by silica gel column chromatography, and characterized by spectroscopic methods (infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance). The production of sorgoleone (SGL) by the roots, and the average content of sorgoleone were evaluated (mg SGL/g of dried root matter). The highest production of SGL for the genotype CMSXS 376, and the lowest production by CMSXS 225R. It was also observed that the highest exudate sorgoleone content (98,8%) was found for genotype CMSXS 225R, and the lowest content (90,8%) for CMSXS 211B.
Effect of Feeding Milk Replacers on the Tissue Burden of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-para-dioxins, Dibenzofurans, and Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Suckling Beef Calves

To reduce the intake and accumulation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in nursing beef calves, the concentrations of seven polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed and compared in the natural milk of grazing beef cows and bovine milk replacers, and in the blood, testis, and adipose tissue of mother-fed and bottle-fed calves at two months of age. The total toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs) of these compounds were approximately tenfold less (P < 0.001) in synthetic milk substitute and starter feed for calves than in natural milk (1.0 and 0.88 vs. 9.28 pg/g-lipid, respectively). The TEQ in the blood of mother-fed calves increased (P < 0.01) two months after birth (1.35 vs. 8.44 pg/g-lipid), whereas no difference in TEQ was found in bottle-fed calves between birth and two months of age (0.94 and 0.93 pg/g-lipid, respectively). Consequently, TEQs in the blood, testis, and adipose tissue were less (P < 0.05) in bottle-fed calves as compared with mother-fed calves at two months of age (0.93 vs. 8.44, 4.97 vs. 21.7, and 5.17 vs. 18.1 pg/g-lipid, respectively). Regarding individual congeners, the concentrations of dioxins with four or five chlorine substitutions were lower (P < 0.05) in synthetic milk substitute and starter feed than in natural milk, whereas the concentrations of hepta- and octa- chlorinated congeners were conversely higher in synthetic milk substitute and starter feed. Similarly, the accumulation of tetra- and penta- chlorinated congeners in adipose tissue of bottle-fed calves was lower (P < 0.01) than that in mother-fed calves. In contrast, congener specific accumulation characteristics like PCDDs were not observed in PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs, and none of these congeners detected in bottle-fed calves were greater than that found in mother-fed calves. These results suggest that the feeding of milk replacers can markedly reduce the intake and accumulation of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in nursing beef calves as compared with natural feeding, because the milk replacers contain preferably lower concentrations of these compounds than in natural milk.
Hexagonal Planar CdS Monolayer Sheet for Visible Light Photocatalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) stable CdS monolayer sheets are proposed using the state-of-the-art theoretical calculations. Three different conformers (planar, distorted, and buckled) are predicted which are separated by low energy barriers. These monolayer sheets are not only thermodynamically, mechanically, and dynamically stable but also can withstand temperature as high as 1000 K. Band edge alignment of these monolayer sheets and bulk CdS is done with respect to the water oxidation and reduction potential to evaluate their photocatalytic activities. Here we show a planar CdS monolayer sheet is the most promising material for visible light photocatalysis and can be used for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Solid waste management: a systems approach.

This study presents an integrated methodology for decision-making regarding the selection of the appropriate set of methods to face MSW management problems on the basis of local waste stream features, engineering feasibility, socio-economic constraints and societal concerns on key issues such as public health and ecosystem protection. The most relevant state-of-the-art MSW treatment technologies and their general characteristics have been collated and critically reviewed. Composite indicators coupling technical and economic performance with societal needs have been developed to characterize the different technological options. Using decision theory techniques the updated knowledge base has been organized into a systematized decision support system that provides a realistic description and assessment of the overall waste management system. This approach has been applied for the selection of the technological methods in order to successfully tackle the waste management problem in Eastern Attica, Greece. SWOT analysis was used to develop qualitative attributes of the different technological options after having first analyzed their technical and economic feasibility. Based on the outcome of the integrated method developed herein biological and mechanical treatment is deemed to be the most appropriate when considering the volume, chemical composition and properties of the respective waste streams as well as the local population sensitivities. The final system proposed was a combination of aerobic digestion with composting for 75% of the organic waste and anaerobic digestion for the residual 25%. This integrated process would produce refuse-derived fuel, high quality compost and biogas while reducing the residue volume to less than 20% of the original. The residual waste could be treated in sanitary landfills. The investment cost for a plant capacity of 400 ktn/yt would be 97 m€ and the annualized operational cost would be ca. 15 m€. Income from sales of effluents and the produced energy could easily exceed 15 m€, thereby rendering the overall investment profitable.
Histopathological Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Biopsies in Koya City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Peptic ulcer disease is the common gastrointestinal disorder, which affects the high number ofpeople during their life. The present study was carried out among 267 patients with different uppergastrointestinal symptoms, at the Department of Endoscopy, Shahid Dr.Khalid Hospital/in Koya cityduring 1/2018-1/2019, all patients were assessed endoscopically and biopsies from both antral andbody mucosa were taken for histopathological examination. The aim of this study was to determinethe spectrum of histopathological biopsies of the gastric region with the distribution of peptic ulcerbiopsies according to age and sex in Koya city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The study showed normalgastric mucosa histopathologically in 22 (8.24%) cases and 245 (91.76%) abnormal gastric mucosahistopathologically. Gastritis histopathologically was seen in 217 (81.27%) of cases, chronic gastritisrepresented the highest relative frequency in this histopathologically diagnosed patients, where it wasseen in 65.89% of the cases and acute gastritis was detected in 34.10% of the cases. Helicobacterpylori was detected in 82.77% of patients. A significant association was detected between chronicgastritis and H. pylori infection.
Kinetics of the antioxidant response to salinity in the halophyte Limonium bicolour

The fresh weight (fw) and dry weight (dw) of shoots and roots, the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes [superoxide dis mutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT)], and parameters of oxidative stress of shoots – malondialdehyde (MDA) – were investigated in Limonium bicolor, a naturally salt-resistant halophyte. The seedlings of L. bicolor were treated with different (0, 100, 200, 400 mmol/l) NaCl concentrations. The results showed that NaCl played an important role in growth of L. bicolor. It made obviously promotion of a certain NaCl concentration to growth of L. bicolor, the seedlings of L. bicolor grew best under 100 mmol/l salt concentration, fresh weight and dry weight reached the maximum. MDA concentration of shoots slightly decreased under 100 mmol/l salt stress, then increased with increased NaCl concentration. The activities of SOD, POD and CAT increased with the increase of the concentration of NaCl in shoots of L. bicolor. The salt tolerance of this halophyte under salt stress conditions is probably due to its ability to exhibit high SOD, POD and CAT enzyme activities and low levels of oxidative stress.
Primary diaphyseal osteosarcoma in long bones: Imaging features and tumor characteristics

Objective: This study aims to assess retrospectively the imaging features of diaphyseal osteosarcoma and compare its characteristics with that of metaphyseal osteosarcoma. Materials and methods: Eighteen pathologically confirmed diaphyseal osteosarcomas were reviewed. Images of X-ray (n = 18), CT (n = 12) and MRI (n = 15) were evaluated by two radiologists. Differences among common radiologic findings of X-ray, CT and MRI, and between diaphyseal osteosarcomas and metaphyseal osteosarcomas in terms of tumor characteristics were compared. Results: The common imaging features of diaphyseal osteosarcoma were bone destruction, lamellar periosteal reaction with/without Codman triangle, massive soft tissue mass/swelling, neoplastic bone and/or calcification. CT and MRI had a higher detection rate in detecting bone destruction (P = 0.001) as compared with that of X-ray. X-ray and CT resulted in a higher percentage in detecting periosteal reaction (P = 0.018) and neoplastic bone and/or calcification (P = 0.043) as compared with that of MRI. There was no difference (P = 0.179) in detecting soft tissue mass among three imaging modalities. When comparing metaphyseal osteosarcoma to diaphyseal osteosarcoma, the latter had the following characteristics: a higher age of onset (P = 0.022), a larger extent of tumor (P = 0.018), a more osteolytic radiographic pattern (P = 0.043). Conclusion: As compared with metaphyseal osteosarcoma, diaphysial osteosarcoma is a special location of osteosarcoma with a lower incidence, a higher age of onset, a larger extent of tumor, a more osteolytic radiographic pattern. The osteoblastic and mixed types are diagnosed easily, but the osteolytic lesion should be differentiated from Ewing sarcoma. X-ray, CT and MRI can show imaging features from different tectio aspects with different de
Electromagnetic signature of Glucose in Aqueous Solutions and Human Blood

This article proposes an Electromagnetic characterization of aqueous solutions containing glucose in various concentrations. Results concerning blood are also presented. Novelty of this work relies in its high frequency measurements together with its broadband character. Indeed, measurements from 100 MHz up to 50 Ghz are shown and detailed (up to 20GHz for blood). Results are discussed and a possible application is detailed.
APPLICATION OF THE TAGUCHI METHOD TO OPTIMIZE THE PROCESS CONDITIONS IN THE PRODUCTION OF LIPASE BY PSEUDOMONAS AEROGINOSA B-3556

Pseudomonas aeoroginosa B-3556 was grown on soy flour based semi-solid media for lipase production. The effect of different factors including medium composition, pH, temperature, mixing intensity and substrate particle size on lipase productivity was analyzed using the Taguchi method in three steps. Based on these analyses the optimum concentrations of soy flour, (NH4)2HPO4, K2HPO4 and MgS04.7H2O were found to be 3%, 3%, 0.5% and 0.21% respectively. Furthermore, optimum values for temperature, pH and the shaking speed were determined as 30 °C, 7.1 and 150 rpm. As for the substrate particle size, the best result was achieved when the soy flour had a mesh size cut of 60-70. The influence of the trace elements on lipase production was studied and it was shown that their addition to the medium was not necessary. Maximum lipase activity under optimum conditions was obtained as 44.8 unit/ml after 48 hrs of cell cultivation. Keywords– Lipase production, optimization, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Taguchi method
Serum Neopterin as a Marker for Screening of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract As Screening markers for hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by an absence of vitamin K or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) are widely used, but the sensitivity and specificity are not satisfactory enough. Neopterin is a biological marker for increased cell-mediated immunity, but has not been fully studied on HCC. To assess the clinical significance of serum neopterin as a screening marker for HCC, fifty-six HCC patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and thirty-two LC patients without HCC as controls were studied. Serum neopterin level (n mol/L) was determined by immunoenzymatic assay. The sensitivity and specificity were analyzed by using ROC analysis. The mean level oi neopterin in HCC was significantly higher than that in LC (20.4 YS. 7.7 nmol/L, P<0.001). There was no significant relationship among serum AFP, PIVKA-II, and neopterin in HCC patients. When the cut-off value was set at 12 n mol/L, the sensitivity and specificity of neopterin was 88% and 73%, respectively. In patients with early HCC (<3cm), the detection rate of AFP, PIVKA-II, and neopterin was 35%, 35%, and 70 %, respectively. When all three markers were used, 95% of all HCC patients and 90% of early HCC patients could be detected. The detection rate of neopterin was not affected by ALT level, PLT count, liver function, angiographic pattern, histology, TNM stage, and type of tumor. These findings suggests that serum neopterin can be useful as a Screening marker for HCC and makes it possible to detect HCC at its earlier stage when used in combination with AFP or PIVKA-II.
Effects of Different Grinding Methods on Chemical and Functional Properties of MR211 Rice Flour

Investigation on chemical and functional properties as affected by different grinding techniques was carried out during the milling process of rice grains into rice flour production. Proximate analysis revealed that dry ground flour had significantly (p<0.05) highest protein, lipid, ash and carbohydrate contents. Wet grinding technique yielded flour that exhibit significantly finest average particle size distribution (9.32μm), with significantly lowest damaged starch (4.08%) and highest L* value (93.55). Water absorption index, flour swelling volume and solubility were significantly highest in dry ground flour as compared to others. Results indicated that different grinding methods significantly affected chemical and functional properties of starch and data generated provide additional opportunities of exploiting rice flour utilization and hence boost its value-addition potentials for product development. 