Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aggregate Effects of Gender Gaps in the Labor Market: A Quantitative Estimate

This paper examines the quantitative effects of gender gaps in entrepreneurship and workforce participation. We simulate an occupational choice model with heterogeneous agents in entrepreneurial ability. Gender gaps in entrepreneurship affect negatively both income and aggregate productivity, since they reduce the entrepreneurs’ average talent. Specifically, the expected income loss from excluding 5 percent of women is 2.5 percent, while the loss is 10 percent if they are all employers. We find that gender gaps cause an average income loss of 15 percent in the OECD, 40 percent of which is due to entrepreneurship gaps. Extending the model to developing countries, we obtain substantially higher losses, with significant variation across regions.
Evaluation of serological tests for detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus in composite potato stem and tuber samples

A procedure to index potato seed lots for bacterial ring rot was evaluated by testing composite samples of tissue from 200 potato stems or tubers, in blind experiments, for the presence of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in six laboratories. Different antibody preparations were used for the two serological tests. Tissue samples were from ring rot-free potato plants, but ring rot-infected tissue was added to 88 of the 385 composite samples to create authentic positive composites. One laboratory achieved 100% efficiency for detection of ring rot infections in stem samples with ELISA, but the overall sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 97.7 and 90.1%, respectively, for stems and 93.3 and 86.7%, respectively, for tubers [. ]
Effects of pruning intensity on the biochemical status of shoot buds in three mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars planted at high density

Summary Mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees grown at high density show a decline in flowering and fruiting after good fruiting years as a result of various factors. Annual pruning can restore production and productivity in such trees. Chlorophyll, total sugars (TS), total phenolics (TP), and proline contents as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, were measured in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 seasons in shoot buds with a few leaves in three mango cultivars (‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’, and ‘Dashehari’). Trees were grown at high density in an orchard and the aforesaid parameters were measured 1 month after different degrees of pruning (Stage I) and after subsequent fruit bud differentiation (FBD; Stage II). Severely-pruned mango trees had the highest contents of chlorophyll a, while chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents were found to be highest in moderately-pruned trees. Lightly-pruned trees had the highest contents of reducing sugars (RS), whereas TS contents were highest in severely-pruned trees. The contents of RS and TS increased in shoot buds during the FBD stage. A moderate intensity of pruning significantly increased TP contents, while the lowest TP contents were recorded in non-pruned trees. ‘Off’-year shoots had higher TP contents than ‘on’-year shoots. Irrespective of pruning intensity, shoot buds of ‘Mallika’ trees had the highest PPO activities, with lower levels in ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Dashehari’ shoot buds. PPO activities were reduced at the FBD stage in ‘on’-year shoots. Severely-pruned trees had the highest PPO activities, while the lowest PPO activities were recorded in lightly-pruned trees. Shoot bud proline contents were found to be highest in non-pruned trees, and decreased with increasing pruning intensity. Thus moderate pruning can be adopted in high density orchards to obtain sustainable production with improved maintenance of canopy architecture.
Soil carbon pools in different pasture systems.

The aim of this study was to assess the carbon pools of a tropical soil where the native forest was replaced with different pasture systems. We studied five pasture production systems, including four monoculture systems with forage grasses such as Andropogon, Brachiaria, Panicum, and Cynodon, and an agroforestry system as well as a native vegetation plot. Greater availability of fulvic acid was detected in the agroforestry system as compared with that in the other systems. Higher lability of C was detected in the Andropogon system during the dry and rainy seasons and during the dry season in Cynodon. During the dry season, all pastures systems showed deficits in the net removal of atmospheric CO2. The structure and practices of the agroforestry system enables more carbon to be sequestered in the soil as compared with the monoculture pasture, suggesting that it is an important practice to mitigate climatic change and to improve soil quality.
Antifungal activities of essential oils from Southern African medicinal plants against five Fusarium species

In the present study, essential oils from 9 plants traditionally used to treat infectious diseases were tested against five Fusarium spp. using the agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined by the microdilution technique. The killing kinetics of the oils was further evaluated against the fungal organisms. Antifungal activity was exhibited by essential oils from Conyza scabrida, Eriocephallus panculatus, Artemesia afra, Pelargonium graveolons and Mentha peripeta with 100% growth inhibition against all the five Fusarium spp with the zone of inhibition ranging from 10 to 18 mm. The essential oils of C. scabrida and M. piperita were fungicidal to four of the five fungal species tested with minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranging from 0.95 to 7.50 mg/ml. All the essential oils tested were able to kill the cells at different rates varying from 48 to 100% after 2 days of experimentation. The results of the present study indicate that essential oils tested are promising sources of natural products with which could be used for the control of Fusariuminfections. These results will guide the selection of some plant species for further pharmacological and phytochemical analysis. These results also support the traditional use of these essential oils. Key words: Fusarium spp, anti-fungal activity, essential oils, fungi, Southern Africa, medicinal plants.
Evaluation of maize cultivars for drought tolerance based on physiological traits associated with cell wall plasticity

Maize is negatively affected by many environmental factors during growth, with drought stress being one of the most common causes for reduction in maize yield worldwide. There is wide variation in stand establishment for various maize cultivars to water deficit condition, such as occur in in arid and semiarid regions of the world. An experiment was carried out to evaluate five cultivars of maize viz; EV-1097, Agaiti-2002, Sawaan-3, Islamabad Gold and EV-1098 for tolerance to water deficit based on their cell wall plasticity characteristics. The crop was sown in pots; each treatment consisted of five pots having three plants each, and each pot was watered uniformly up to soil capacity from germination to the three leaf stage as required. Then, the water supply was reduced to half soil capacity level for one week, and then to one-third capacity for the coming two weeks. After 35 days, irrigation was stopped for one week. After one week without water, the plants showed symptoms of drought stress, at which time data was recorded on leaf growth rate, chlorophyll content, leaf water potential, protein content, proline content, relative water content, specific leaf weight, and sugar content. Control plants were maintained at full soil capacity. The experiment was laid out by using Completely Randomized Design with three replications and five treatments (cultivars). The response of the five cultivars examined under these water deficit stress treatments differed dramatically. Cultivars EV1097 and Agaiti-2002 were amongst the best performers, showing maximum cell wall plasticity, having the highest leaf growth rate, proline, protein, sugar and relative water contents, as well as the highest specific leaf weight, leaf water potential, and chlorophyll content when compared with other cultivars. EV-1097 and Agaiti-2002 were thus the most tolerant cultivars to these water deficit treatments. The Islamabad gold and EV-1098 cultivars were the least tolerant to water stress conditions.
THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON THE HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES OF TESTIS IN BUSULFAN-TREATED ADULT MICE

Introduction: Antineoplastic chemotherapy is usually accompanied by fertility impairment and the aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of melatonin, a pineal gland hormone with potent antioxidant activity, on busulfantreated adult male mice. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 32, eight-week old adult male mice. The animals were divided into four groups consisting of a control and three experimental groups. The animals in the control group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a solvent, the second group a single dose of intraperitoneal busulfan (20 mg/kg), the third group a single dose of intraperitoneal melatonin (10 mg/kg) for five days and the fourth group melatonin (10 mg/kg) for five days upon an initial dose of busulfan (20 mg/kg). Thirty-five days after the treatments, all the animals were sacrificed and dissected. Johnson's score were determined by examining the morphometric characteristics of seminiferous tubules and estimating Leydig cell volumes and germ cell counts. Results: Busulfan-treated mice showed reductions in Johnson's score and quality of spermatogenesis (p < 0.001) in comparison to the controls. The quantitative values of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.05) and the nuclear volume of Leydig cells (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the busulfan-treated mice relative to the controls. In the fourth group, melatonin not only caused a remarkable normalization in seminiferous tubule indices (p < 0.05), but also increased the nuclear volume of Leydig cells (p < 0.001), the relevant Johnson's score (p < 0.001) and all germ cells in comparison to the second group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Melatonin might have a possible protective effect against busulfaninduced testicular damage. Although the protective mechanism of melatonin has not been fully revealed, the protection seems to be through a decrease in oxidative stress.
Influences of pre-sowing seed treatments on germination of the cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens), a reputed medicinal plant in arid environments

Cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens L.) is a medicinally important perennial legume native to southern Africa. S. frutescens seeds exhibit dormancy like many other legumes. Experiments using physical, mechanical and chemical pre-sowing treatments were conducted to determine the germination response of this species. Among various treatments, soaking the intact seeds for 30 min in concentrated H2SO4 resulted in a high final germination percentage of 97.5% in day 14 of culture. However, seed dormancy was completely broken by mechanical scarification in which 100% germination was obtained in day 2 of culture. The results indicated that S. frutescens seeds possess exogenous dormancy due to the hard seed coat which is the main inhibitor of germination.
The Effectiveness of Public-Sponsored Training Revisited: The Importance of Data and Methodological Choices

This article revisits the effectiveness of public-sponsored training programs for Germany accounting for dynamic selection into heterogeneous programs. We carefully assess to what extent various aspects of our empirical strategy, such as conditioning flexibly on employment and benefit histories, the availability of rich data, handling of later program participations, and further methodological choices affect our estimates. Our results imply pronounced negative lock-in effects in the short run and positive medium-run effects on employment and earnings when job-seekers enroll after having been unemployed for some time. We find that data and specification issues can have a large effect.
Systematic Status and Distribution of Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi Lowe (Amphibia: Caudata)

BROWN, W. C. , AND A. C. ALCALA. 1978. Philippine lizards of the family Gekkonidae. Silliman Univ. Nat. Sci. Monograph Ser. 1. Silliman University Press, Dumaguete City, Philippines. , AND F. PARKER. 1977. Lizards of the genus Lepidodactylus (Gekkonidae) from the Indo-Australian Archipelago and the islands of the Pacific, with descriptions of new species. Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 41:253-265. BUSTARD, H. R. 1969. Oedura reticulata, a new velvet gecko from south-west Western Australia. W. Austral. Nat. 11:82-86.
Immunohistochemistry of endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the tree frog, hyla arborea japonica

The regional distribution and relative frequencies of endocrine cells were studied immunohistochemically (PAP methods) in the alimentary tract of the tree frog, Hyla arborea japonica, using specific antisera against serotonin, somatostatin, bovine Sp‐1/chromogranin (BCG), cholecystokinin (CCK)‐8, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin, bombesin, secret in and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Six kinds of endocrine cells were identified in this study. These immunoreactive cells were located in the gastric glands of stomach regions and in the basal portion of the epithelium of the intestinal tract or esophagus with variable frequencies. They were spherical or spindle‐shaped. Serotonin‐immunoreactive cells were observed in the whole alimentary tract including the esophagus. Somatostatin‐immunoreactive cells were also detected throughout the alimentary tract except the rectum. CCK‐8‐immunoreactive cells were observed from the pylorus to ileum. VIP‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the rectum. Bombesin‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the fundic gastric regions and gastrin‐immunoreactive cells were restricted to the pylorus. However, no BCG‐, secretin and PP‐immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in this study. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of the endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the tree frog were similar to other anuran species, but some differences which may be caused by feeding habits and species specification were also observed.
The Effect of Body Condition Score on the Biochemical Blood Indices and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of BCS (Body Condition Score) on the calving day and its decrease during early lactation on the biochemical blood indices and reproductive performance. One hundred and thirty-one Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were divided into three groups according to the North-American body condition score on the calving day (AC≤3.5 point BCS; MID 3.51-3.75 point BCS; FAT>3.75 point BCS) and according to the decrease in BCS during early lactation (HG >0.49 point BCS; WEL 0.49-0.25 point BCS, L<0.25 point BCS). In current study, significant interaction between change of BCS during early lactation and time of blood sampling on BHBA concentration was observed. In the AC group (≤3.5 BCS), the highest concentrations of glucose on 3 and 5 d of lactation compared to the MID and FAT groups and of insulin on 28 d and also IGF-I on 5 and 28 d of lactation compared to the FAT group were recorded. In the FAT group, the highest concentration of NEFA on 3 and 5 d compared to the AC group and of BHBA on 28 d of lactation compared to the MID group was recorded. The body condition score on the parturition day affected the reproductive performance; in the FAT group (>3.75 BCS) the lowest conception rate of the first insemination, insemination index and thereby the longest days open were observed. The highest decreases in BCS (HG >0.49 points) resulted in increased concentrations of NEFA on 3 d and of BHBA on 3 and 5 d. Moreover, in the HG group, the lowest concentration of T3 on 3, 5 and 28 d as compared to the WEL group was recorded. We concluded that the BCS (>3.5 points) on the calving day had a significantly negative effect on the metabolic status of dairy cows in the postpartum period estimated by the concentration of biochemical blood indices characterising carbohydrates (IGF-I, insulin) and lipid (NEFA, BHBA) metabolism and also the reproductive performance such as the conception rate of the first insemination, insemination index, days open. We suggested that the blood serum concentrations of IGF-I and NEFA were the most sensitive biochemical markers of the metabolic status of dairy cows in our study.
Standardization of protocol for the preparation of pumpkin fortified biscuits

Present experiment was conducted with an objective to standardize the protocol for the preparation of pumpkin fortified biscuits. The pumpkin powder and pulp was incorporated into the standard recipe to replace wheat flour at levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20 per cent in the preparation of biscuits. Physico chemical analysis reveals that combination of 20 per cent pumpkin powder and 80 per cent refined wheat flour was best nutritionally compared to all treatments whereas result of sensory evaluation revealed that the 15 per cent addition of pumpkin powder has shown higher score for taste, texture and it was highly accepted by the judges. However, a declining trend in acceptability was observed above 15 per cent level of pumpkin powder. No microbial growth was observed, indicating product is stable and safe for the consumption.
Characterization of the antimycobacterial effect of a pseudomonas-derived activity

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. v TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi LIST OF FIGURES. x LIST OF TABLES. xiii ABBREVIATIONS. xiv 1.0 INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1 Tuberculosis. 1 1.2 TB chemotherapy. 1 1.2. 1 Mechanisms of resistance. 2 1.3 Drug targets. 4 1.3. 1 Inhibition of protein biosynthesis. 5 1.3. 2 Inhibition of DNA and RNA biosynthesis. 5 1.3. 3 Inhibition of folate biosynthesis. 5 1.3. 4 Inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis. 6 1.4 The mycobacterial cell wall as a drug target. 7 1.5 Novel antibacterial compounds: secondary metabolites. 8 1.6 The Pseudomonas spp. as a source for novel antimicrobial compounds. 10
Song Patterning in the Rock Wren

Nearly all bird species, and especially those living in a particular geographical region, can be identified by their vocalizations. Several characteristics of singing contribute to specific distinctiveness among the Oscines, but two of the most notable differences among species are the number of different song types per individual and the manner of presentation of those song types during a singing performance. Individuals of a relatively few species possess a single song, and will utter that one song type with very little variation throughout the adult life. Common examples include the Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), and the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) (Borror 1959, Marler 1970, Borror 1967). Most species, however, are more versatile, and individuals possess more than one song theme; singing behaviors are extremely varied, and temporal and sequential aspects of theme delivery may aid in specific recognition. Some species are of the AAA. BBB. variety, where one song type is repeated several times before another is introduced: silent intervals between songs are usually four to five times the length of the song. Examples include the Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Rufous-sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), and Plain Titmouse (Parus inornatus) (Mulligan 1966, Kroodsma 1971b, Dixon 1969). At the other extreme are species in which males sing long sequences with no theme repetition. Such singing might be denoted ABCDEFGHI. Although intersong pauses may be seven to eight times the length of the song (e.g., Largefooted Finch, Pezopetes capitalis, Kroodsma, unpubl. data), they are generally briefer, as in the Long-billed Marsh Wren (Telmatodytes palustris; Jared Verner, in press). In some of the more "continuous" songsters (e.g., Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum), pauses may be so brief that individual songs are practically unidentifiable. Intermediate between these two singing behaviors, i.e., between the AAA. BBB. and the ABCD
ethics of responsibility: Fallibilism, futurity and phronesis

In this article, I deal with the issue of a possible ethics of responsibility (ER) from a philosophical perspective in general, and bioethics in particular. My aim is to explore whether an ER is able to incorporate or integrate some, if not most, of the valid (and valuable) aspects of utilitarianism and deontology, without succumbing to most of the glaring shortcomings of these two famous frameworks. If such an enterprise could be successful, I would venture to infer that the ER could indeed be highly relevant for the time in which we live. I develop three central ideas of the framework of the ethics of responsibility. These three ideas are, firstly, that an appropriate framework for moral decision-making requires us to make room for the possibility of failure; secondly, we must see the implications of Jonas’ emphasis on the need for an ethics of futurity for taking cognisance of the consequences of acts, and, thirdly, that although consequences of actions may be important, as utilitarianism has always insisted, consequences are not enough. Moral actions are also of necessity guided by rules and principles when making moral decisions. It is particularly in this respect that I shall, at the end, draw on the insights of Aristotle in respect of his notion of phronesis. The crux of my argument is to be found in what Aristotle identifies as the essence of moral knowledge. Moral knowledge respects and often builds upon the norms and action guides that pervade social life. However, merely drawing on deep-seated norms and conventions is not enough. These norms and conventions require application in a host of practical situations. Exactly how they are to be applied, is far from self-evident. That is something that we learn in the practice of daily life by the deliberation that essentially characterises phronesis or prudence (practical wisdom).
Effect of Annona muricata pre-treatment on liver synthetic ability, kidney function and hematological parameters in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-administered rats

Background: Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) is a potent hepatotoxin, carcinogen and mutagen which exerts carcinogenic effects and induces hepatic necrosis in experimental animals through metabolic activation by CYP2E1. This study thus evaluated efficacies of Annona muricata pre-treatment on acute dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced anemia and biochemical alterations in male albino rats. Methods: Four (4) groups of six (6) rats each were used for the study. Group 1 served as control and was untreated, group 2 and 3 were pre-treated with 400mg/kg Annona muricata ethanol leaf extract for one week while group 3 and 4 each received single dose of 20mg/kg DMN (orally) after one week. The rats were sacrificed 48hrs after DMN administration. Results: In rats administered 20mg/kg DMN, toxicty was clearly shown by decreased activities of serum liver synthetic molecules namely total protein, albumin, increased total bilirubin, increased kidney parameters such as creatinine and urea as well as decreased body weight gain. The toxic effect of DMN was also indicated by significantly decreased levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC) and platelet count (Plt count). However, in rats pre-treated with 400mg/kg Annona muricata prior to DMN administration, there were significant reversals in the activities of serum liver synthetic molecules, kidney profiles, and hematological parameters when compared to DMN-alone administered rats. Conclusion: Annona muricata pre-treatment exhibited in vivo protective and anti-anemic effects against DMN-induced injury.