Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variations, trend in the tropopause height/temperature over Indian stations and its modulations by SST anomalies of east Pacific Ocean

Global warming due to increase in the Green House Gases is now well known. There are several studies, also, suggesting discernible changes over the years in respect of meteorological parameters like, rainfall events, frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones/hurricanes, maximum/minimum temperature, SST of oceans etc, on regional as well as global scale. The present study besides finding out seasonal variations in tropopause height and temperature across each 5° latitude over India based on a longer data set, has demarcated the locations where significant trend in respect of temperature and height was observed over Indian region on annual scale besides investigating the possible causes of this trend. The study has also confirmed significant linear associationship between tropopause temperature/height over Indian stations and SST anomalies of east Pacific Ocean with SST leading by one year.
The Impact of Power on Stereotyping

This article presents a theory of the mutually reinforcing interaction between power and stereotyping, mediated by attention. The powerless attend to the powerful who control their outcomes, in an effort to enhance prediction and control, so forming complex, potentially nonstereotypic impressions. The powerful pay less attention, so are more vulnerable to stereotyping. The powerful (a) need not attend to the other to control their own outcomes, (b) cannot attend because they tend to be attentionally overloaded, and (c) if they have high need for dominance, may not want to attend. Stereotyping and power are mutually reinforcing because stereotyping itself exerts control, maintaining and justifying the status quo. Two legal cases and a body of research illustrate the theory and suggest organizational change strategies.
Sustainable Manufacturing Strategies And Production Efficiency Of Multinational Firms In Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine the sustainable manufacturing strategies commonly used by multinational firms in Nairobi and to establish the relationship between sustainable manufacturing strategies and production efficiency of multinational firms in Nairobi, Kenya. Design/Research method: This study used a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 164 manufacturing firms. The quantitative data collected was analysed by the use of descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between manufacturing strategy and production efficiency. Finding: The manufacturing multinational firms adopted total quality management, production planning & control and plant & equipment maintenance strategies which contribute a major part of the production efficiency of multinational firms in Nairobi. The study concludes that most of the manufacturing multinational firms re-evaluate the manufacturing strategies regularly to ensure that they are sustainable and relevant to facilitate efficiency in production. Limitation: The study was limited to sustainable manufacturing strategies. There is need to focus on other manufacturing strategies especially on how they influenced performance. Implication: This study recommends the adoption and implementation of manufacturing strategy as it will enable the manufacturing multinational firms optimize their production efficiency in terms of production cost per unit, product quality and product development time. The multinational firms should integrate their resources efficiently to enhance their operations and adopt the manufacturing models developed to align with their operations and target customers.
A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging-Based Comparative Study on Root Canal Preparation Using Three Different Nickel-Titanium Instruments

Objective: The goal of this study is to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based three-dimensional (3D) imaging to compare the performance of three nickel-titanium instruments, namely, Mtwo, ProTaper Universal, and ProTaper. Next, in the preparation of the curved mesiobuccal root canal of the maxillary first molar. Conclusion: In root canal preparation, the ProTaper Next nickel instrument generates a moderate degree of dentin removal and is associated with the least transportation in the apical segment, which is the most crucial region.
REACTIONS OF LODGEPOLE PINE TO ATTACK BY DENDROCTONUS PONDEROSAE HOPKINS AND BLUE STAIN FUNGI

The reaction in lodgepole pine in response to attack by Dendroctonus ponderosae and subsequent infection by blue stain fungi varies with the degree of resistance manifested by the tree. In both resistant and successfully attacked trees a sequence of changes, which increase in space with time, occurs in the inner bark and sapwood. In resistant trees a condition termed secondary resinosis develops which is lethal to bark beetle broods and blue stain fungi. In contrast, successfully infested trees do not exhibit secondary resinosis, and bark beetle broods and blue stain fungi survive and complete their development. In resistant trees blue stain fungi are responsible, directly or indirectly, for the extensive reaction and condition of secondary resinosis which is associated with the insect gallery. Changes in stem tissues associated with wounding are discussed.
Long non-coding RNA LINC01503 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via activating MAPK/ERK pathway

Background: Increasing evidence has implicated that lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) play significant roles in carcinogenesis and progression of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). LINC01503 is a new lncRNA related to several tumors. Nonetheless, its role in HCC still remains unclear. Methods: The expression levels of LINC01503 in HCC, normal liver tissues as well as HCC cell lines were evaluated by TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and real-time PCR assay, respectively. The relationship between LINC01503 levels and the prognosis of patients with HCC was evaluated using Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis. Then the potential biological functions and pathways related to LINC01503 were investigated by GO (Gene Ontology) analysis and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis, and GSEA v4.0. 1 software was employed. Furthermore, the influence of LINC01503 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HCC cells was confirmed using CCK8 assay, flow cytometry, and clone formation assay in cell experiments. Also the pro-tumor effect of LINC01503 was verified by mice xenograft experiment in vivo. In addition, the functional pathway of LINC01503 was proved by western blot and rescue experiments. Results: LINC01503 was highly expressed in HCC and positively correlated with large tumor size, high tumor grade, advanced tumor stage, and poor prognosis of HCC patients. Silencing LINC01503 with shRNA significantly restrained the proliferation of MHCC-97H HCC cells and strengthened the apoptosis, while up-regulation of LINC01503 in Huh7 HCC cells contributed to the contrary effects. Besides, LINC01503 promoted tumor growth of nude mice transplanted with liver cancer cells. Mechanistically, MAPK/ERK signaling pathway was activated by LINC01503, inhibition of which could alleviate the pro-tumor effect of LINC01503, consistent with the forecast of GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis). Conclusion: LINC01503 is highly expressed in HCC and promotes the progression of HCC via MAPK/ERK pathway, which maybe a new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Genotype × Environment Interactions for a Diverse Set of Sweetpotato Clones Evaluated across Varying Ecogeographic Conditions in Peru

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. ] is cultivated across a wide range of agrogeographical conditions. The objectives of this study were to analyze genotype X environment (G x E) interactions for sweetpotato yield (i.e., storage root yield, biomass, harvest index) and nutritional traits [i.e., root dry matter (RDM), starch (STA), and β-carotene (BCR) content; and leaf carotene (BCL) and chlorophyll (CHL) content] in multienvironmental trials (MET) across ecogeographic regions. Nine clones of diverse origins were tested and compared with check clones at seven locations in Peru using two N treatments (N = 0 or 80 kg ha -1 ). The G X E analysis was conducted with regression, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), and cluster analyses. The G x E interactions were smaller than the genetic variation of nutritional traits. The G X E interactions were larger or nearly equal to the genetic variation of yield traits (except harvest index), and were mainly determined by subsets of genotypes and environments. The contribution of N input to G x E was often not significant. Genotypes were observed with wide adaptation and high yields (about 19 to 22 Mg ha -1 ) across all three environmental groups that were derived from the cluster analysis. However, a specifically adapted genotype was observed with considerable yield advantage over all widely-adapted genotypes in low-yielding environments (from 9 to 18 Mg ha -1 ). Locations differed in their selection ability for storage root yield. We concluded that it is possible to breed for high yield and wide adaptability in sweetpotato in Peru, and it can be ensured that low-yielding or marginal environments are not neglected in breeding efforts.
PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM THE ROOTS OF Anchusa azurea var. azurea

In Turkish folk medicine, Anchusa L. species have been used as wound healing and diuretic agents. This study was performed on methanolic extract of the roots of A. azurea Miller var. azurea was resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of four flavonol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-jiglucopyranoside (=Astragalin, 1), quercetin 3-O-ji-glucopyranoside (=Isoquercitrin, 2), quercetin 3-O-arhamnopyranosyl (l'"^-6")-fi-glucopyranoside (=Rutin, 3), kaempferol 3-O-a-rhamnopyranosyl (l'"^>6")-f3-glucopyranoside (4) and a phenolic acid, rosmarinic acid (5). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods [ID and 2D NMR spectra and MS]. This is the first report on the isolation of phenolic compounds from the roots of A. azurea.
Capacity of oxisols to sorb P and the EPR of crops subjected to crop rotation in Malawi

Oxisols are one of the major soils of Malawi and they are high in P sorption. Conservation agriculture has been practiced on this soil for some years now but soil management effects on P sorption and external P requirement (EPR) of Oxisols in Malawi have not, however, been determined. Soil management effects on P sorption and EPR of Oxisols in Malawi were therefore determined in the present study. The effects studied were conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT) and crop rotation (CR). The soils differed considerably in their sorption characteristics, with the sorption maxima ranging from 413 to 345 mg P kg -1 . Differences in sorption maxima and affinity due to soil management effects were statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.05). The sorption affinity (b) values ranged from 0.48 to 0.72 dm 3 mg -1 and differences due to soil management effects were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) only between conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) or crop rotation (CR). The sorption affinity due to NT was not statistically significant from that of CR. The b values were the highest in soils that had been subjected to CT.
Additive Effect of Oral Tetradecanoic Acid to Tamsulosin and Finasteride in a Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rat Model

We investigated the benefit of the tetradecanoic acid combined with tamsulosin and finasteride, in a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rat model. By bilateral orchiectomy under ketamine anesthesia Castration was performed. A rat model of BPH was established by daily intramuscular administration of testosterone propionate plus 17 alpha-estradiol for 8 weeks. For 4 weeks from week 6 to 9 post-surgery model rats were administered combinations of 20 mg/kg of tetradecanoic acid, 0.01 mg/kg tamsulosin and 1 mg/kg finasteride once daily by oral gavage. Body and genitourinary organ weights were recorded, serums were assayed for hormone concentrations, and tissues were subjected to histopathology Combined tetradecanoic acid, tamsulosin, and finasteride significantly decreased prostatic index, serum hormone levels, epithelial thickness, The 3-drug combination was more effective than any other combination or tetradecanoic acid alone. These results suggest that tetradecanoic acid addition to tamsulosin and finasteride may be beneficial for the treatment of BPH patients who do not respond to tamsulosin plus finasteride.
GENETIC VARIATION AND HERITABILITY OF SEEDLING TRAITS IN AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (JACQ.) R.BR. EX G.DON

Twenty nine accessions of Parkia biglobosa collected across seven agro-ecological zones of Nigeria were studied for genetic variability, correlation and principal component analysis for thirteen important seedling traits. These were also classified using cluster analysis. Wide variations were observed for all the characters indicating diverse genetic nature of the base population. The traits had high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation. The estimates of PCV were higher than for GCV and ECV for nine characters, suggesting that these characters were relatively much influenced by the environment. High GCV estimates were observed for number of secondary leaves (NSL), average plant height (PH), and root fresh weight (RFW). Heritability was generally low with only NSL and PH having above fifty percent. These traits also had very high genetic advance values indicating that they are under the control of additive gene effects and may assist in identification of superior genotypes at early seedling stage. Significant positive correlation was found between PH and Cataphyll length (CL); also between CL, Number of leaves (NL), Number of primary leaves (NPL), and NSL. The first four principal components accounted for 84.55% of the total variation. Cluster analysis based on PCA grouped accessions into three clusters. Cluster 1 comprised of accessions predominantly from the Derived Savanna. Clusters 2 and 3 had a mixture of accessions from various zones.
Water quality analysis of a freshwater diversion at Caernarvon, Louisiana

Since 1991, Mississippi River water has been diverted at Caernarvon, Louisiana, into Breton Sound estuary. Breton Sound estuary encompasses 1100 km2 of fresh and brackish, rapidly subsiding wetlands. Nitrite + nitrate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonium, total phosphorus, total suspended sediments, and salinity concentrations were monitored at seven locations in Breton Sound from 1988 to 1994. Statistical analysis of the data indicated decreased total Kjeldahl nitrogen with associated decrease in total nitrogen, and decreased salinity concentrations in the estuary due to the diversion. Spring and summer water quality transects indicated rapid reduction of nitrite + nitrate and total suspended sediment concentration as diverted Mississippi River water entered the estuary, suggesting near complete assimilation of these constituents by the ecosystem. Loading rates of nitrite + nitrate (5.6–13.4 g m−2 yr−1), total nitrogen (8.9–23.4 g m−2 yr−1), and total phosphorus (0.9–2.0 g m−2 yr−1) were calculated along with removal efficiencies for these constituents (nitrite + nitrate 88–97%; total nitrogen 32–57%; total phosphorus 0–46%). The low impact of the diversion on water quality in the Breton Sound estuary, along with assimilation of TSS over a very short distance, suggests that more water may be introduced into the estuary without detrimental affects. This would be necessary if freshwater diversions are to be used to distribute nitrients and sediments into the lower reaches of the estuary, in an effort to compensate for relative sea-level rise, and reverse the current trend of rapid loss of wetlands in coastal Louisiana.
Temporal and spatial variation in survival rates of a house sparrow, Passer domesticus, metapopulation

In a metapopulation of house sparrows, consisting of island populations off the coast of northern Norway, annual variation in adult and juvenile survival rates was estimated using capture-recapture methods. Annual adult survival rate did not differ estimated using capture-recapture methods. Annual adult survival rate did not differ between sexes, but varied significantly between islands, whereas annual juvenile survival rate varied significantly between years. For both adult and juvenile survival rates the study revealed a significant interaction term between island and years. meaning that the difference in survival rates among islands differed between years. This interaction in both juvenile and adult survival rates indicates that the temporal variation may occur in an uncorrelated manner even within a relatively restricted geographical region such as our study area.
Modeling relative error in stem basal area estimates.

The computed estimate of basal area was the focus of this investigation into the accuracy of tree diameter measurements. Diameter at breast height was measured on 101 trees, the breast height disc was removed from the stem, and each disc outline was then digitized to determine its actual area. Actual areas were compared with the basal areas computed with the field measurements of diameter by expressing the deviations as a proportion of the actual areas. These relative errors averaged 3.1% when basal area was computed with a taped diameter at breast height, and they averaged −2.5% when the mean of two calipered, perpendicular diameter at breast height measurements were used. Noncircularity accounted for about 2.6% of the bias, on average, in basal areas from taped diameters. Root mean square error of relative basal area errors ranged from 7.3 to 7.9% among these methods. The difference between basal areas computed with a taped diameter at breast height and with calipered diameter at breast height was compu.
Preliminary evaluation of the status of olive‐infecting viruses in Syria

Field surveys of 80 commercial groves were made in autumn 2003 in six major Syrian olive-growing regions. A total of 300 olive samples, representative of the main cultivars grown in the country, were collected. As ascertained by dsRNA analysis, 54 out of 125 samples (about 43%) showed visible bands in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All samples were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of the following viruses: Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Olive latent ringspot virus (OLRSV), Olive latent virus 1 (OLV-1), Olive latent virus 2 (OLV-2), Olive leaf yellowing-associated virus (OLYaV) and Strawberry latent ringspot virus (SLRSV). All these viruses, singly or in mixed infection, were detected in about 51% of the samples. CMV was the most prevalent (22.7%), followed by CLRV (15%), OLYaV (14.3%) and OLRSV (11.5%). Less represented were the remaining four viruses. Infection rates ranged from 44%) in Dara'a region to 67% in Latakia and Hama.
Elevated granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells are closely related with elevation of Th17 cells in mice with experimental asthma

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous inflammatory response characterized by various immune cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and CD4+ T-cell subsets. However, few studies on MDSC subsets and the association between MDSCs and CD4+ T-cell subsets in asthma are reported. In the present study, we detected CD4+ T cells and MDSC subsets and evaluated the relationship of these cells in mice with ovalbumin-induced asthma. We found that asthmatic mice showed severe airway inflammatory response and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. We also noted increased numbers of Th2, Th17, and MDSCs; decreased proportion of Th1 and Treg cells in the splenocytes and lungs; and increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in splenocytes and lungs. Granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) and Th17 cells were closely related. Gemcitabine treatment reduced the G-MDSC level and the iNOS expression, alleviated the inflammatory response, and decreased the proportion and number of Th2 and Th17 cells in asthmatic mice. Besides the increase in Th2 and Th17 cells, the findings indicate that G-MDSC elevation plays a crucial role in asthmatic mice.
SOIL TEST BASED TARGETED YIELD EQUATIONS AND ITS VALIDATION FOR PRESEASONAL SUGARCANE ON INCEPTISOL

Three field experiments viz. fertility gradient experiment with fodder maize, test crop experiment with preseasonal sugarcane and test verification trial with preseasonal sugarcane cv. were conducted at at Central Suga Test based yield target equations for newly released variety CoM 0265 and to test the validity of these equations on Inceptisols. The basic data of soil, fertilizer of requirement of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was 1.38 kg, 0.44 kg and 1.64 kg, respectively. The yield targets o FYM and 1.7 and 0.6 % based on STCRC target 200 t ha 1). The same treatment application of fertilizers based on STCRC target 200 t ha beneficial for highest net return return (Rs. 234337ha
Characterization of Proteins in Defatted Flour and Protein Isolate of Baobab (Adansonia Digitatal) Seeds

This study sought to analyze the proteins of baobab seeds present in the defatted flour and protein isolate in terms of their functional properties, the profile of their fractions, and the in vitro digestibility and electrophoretic pattern. Baobab seeds were milled into flours and sieved, defatted with hexane and extracted at the pH of higher protein solubility to obtain the protein isolate. The defatted flour was high in protein (37.79±1.17), protein concentrate and isolate were 52.58±2.46, 88.14±079 respectively but moderate in available carbohydrates. The mineral (ash) decreased insignificantly; fiber and fat contents decreased significantly. Globulin (56.11±0.95%) followed by the albumins (28.12±0.24%), are the major fractions of the flour and protein isolate respectively. In vitro protein digestibility was greater for the protein isolate (88.91±0.20) than for the defatted flour (78.9±0.43). The electrophoretic profile of the protein fractions in full fat, defatted and isolate was evaluated in SDS-PAGE with major bands corresponding to molecular weights in the range of 42 – 34, 42 -14, 26 14, 34 42 kDa respectively. The functional properties of the proteins indicate the possibility of their use in various foods providing water absorption capacity of 2.86±0.06gg-1, oil absorption capacity of 1.97±0.05gg-1, bulk density 0.43±0.01(g/ml), protein solubility of isolate is 97.34%, minimum foaming capacity of 55.00% and emulsion activity of 20% at isoelectric point. The results, suggest that baobab seeds protein has potential for use in food applications due to nutritional and good technologically functional properties.