Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C.R.M. AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF CUSTOMER PREFERENCE OF ELECTRONIC BRANDS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION

The study examined two domain predictor variables and factors contained therein that are hypothesized to predict the preference of electronic brands by customers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The survey method was adopted using questionnaire forms. Five cities of Asaba, Benin City, Yanagoa, Port-Harcourt and Calabar were selected for this study. From these cities, 92 retailers of electronic brands were randomly selected. A total of 1,110 questionnaire forms were deposited in dealers’ showrooms across the towns and 778 were successfully retrieved. Data from the field were analyzed using regression tools and outcome suggest factors of customer retention, relationship management, privacy, family, peer group, technology, culture and competition to be significant influencers of brand preference tendencies among sampled customers. These two have a positive correlation coefficient with the dependent variable: brand preference. Three factors, however, were revealed to have a negative association with the dependent variable at a 5% level of significance. These include customer attraction, conversion and economics. Recommendations given are to the effect that brand managers should include these significant factors as they attempt to design customer-centric programmes. Again, the study warns of the risk of generalizing and extrapolating outcomes of foreign studies into the Nigerian environment as some of the insignificant factors in foreign studies were found significant in this study. Lastly, research units of organizations and indeed scholars are invited to take interest in furthering research in this area and integrate additional variables into the regression model as the goodness of fit of the study is adjudged weak. Stochastic Model is a probability model which operates on the principles that a consumer’s previous purchase and particularly the most recent (purchase) do influence his preferences in subsequent purchases.
Improvement of Tolerance to Chilling in Watermelon Seedlings with Methyl Jasmonate and Methyl Salicylate

Tropical plants usually are sensitive to chilling and easily damaged. Tolerance of watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus L.), cv. Charleston gray, seedlings to chilling was investigated through exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA; 15 and 30 µM) and methyl salicylate (MeSA; 50 and 100 µM). Four days after receiving MeJA and MeSA seedlings at the 2–true leaf stage were subjected to chilling at 3°C for 6 h daily for 6 days. The MeJA and MeSA treatments enhanced seedling chilling tolerance and improved plant height and shoot and root fresh and dry weights. The MeJA and MeSA increased leaf chlorophyll and relative water contents (RWC) and reduced rate of malondialdehyde (MDA) buildup and electrolyte leakage (EL), alleviating chilling injury to seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions use of MeJA and MeSA appears to be able to protect watermelon seedlings against chilling at the early stage of their growth.
A bet-hedging strategy for denitrifying bacteria curtails their release of 1 N 2 O 2

When oxygen becomes limiting, denitrifying bacteria must prepare for anaerobic respiration by synthesizing the reductases NAR (NO 3- →NO 2- ), NIR (NO 2- →NO), NOR (2NO→N 2 O) and NOS (N 2 O→N 2 ), either en bloc or sequentially, to avoid entrapment in anoxia without energy. Minimizing the metabolic burden of this precaution is a plausible fitness trait, and we show that the model denitrifier Paracoccus denitrificans achieves this 30 by synthesizing NOS in all cells, while only a minority synthesize NIR. Phenotypic 31 diversification with regards to NIR is ascribed to stochastic initiation of gene transcription, 32 which becomes autocatalytic via NO production. Observed gas kinetics suggest that such 33 bet-hedging is widespread among denitrifying bacteria. Moreover, in response to 34 oxygenation, P. denitrificans preserves NIR in the poles of non-growing persister cells , ready 35 to switch to anaerobic respiration in response to sudden anoxia. Our findings add new 36 dimensions to the regulatory biology of denitrification, and identify novel regulatory traits 37 that decrease N 2 O emissions.
Role of Long-Term Nucleoside-Analogue Therapy in Lipodystrophy and Metabolic Disorders in Human Immunodeﬁciency Virus–Infected Patients

The role of nucleoside analogues (NAs) in lipodystrophy (LD) syndrome in human immunodeﬁciency virus (HIV)–infected patients remains controversial. We studied the prevalence of LD in previously untreated patients randomized to receive different NA combinations (in the ALBI-ANRS 070 trial) for 6 months. At month 30 of follow-up, 37 (31%) of 120 patients had (cid:1) 1 morphologic change, and 21 (57%) of 37 had isolated peripheral lipoatrophy; corresponding values for the patients who received only NAs throughout follow-up were 20 (30%) of 66 and 14 (67%) of 21, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with presence of LD at month 30 were initial assignment to the group receiving stavudine and didanosine (odds ratio [OR],
Positive Predictive Value of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Detection in HIV-Related Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

NOTE. PCNSL, primary CNS lymphoma. a Determined by brain biopsy (3 cases) or at postmortem examination (2 cases). b Defined by abnormalities in brain CT or MRI results that are consistent with PCNSL, lack of response to antitoxoplasmic treatment, and a positive result of thallium 201 single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) examination. c Defined by abnormalities in CT or MRI results that are consistent with PCNSL, lack of response to antitoxoplasmic treatment, and either a negative result of SPECT examination or no performance of SPECT. d CNS tuberculosis, HIV encephalitis, or CNS toxoplasmosis (1 case each). high even at lower titers, so patients with low titers should also be evaluated for scrub typhus. It is known that Weil-Felix test results may be negative during the early stages of the disease because agglutinating antibodies are detectable only during the second week of illness [7]. ELISA, however, when performed with 56 KDa antigen, has 90% sensitivity and specificity, allows detection of IgG and IgM antibodies, and provides positive results within 3-4 days after the onset of illness. However, the availability and the cost of ELISA are major problems in India. This study report emphasizes the need for increased awareness of rickettsial infections in rural Southern India. Because of current circumstances in India, we suggest that the diagnosis of scrub typhus should be largely based on a high index of suspicion and careful clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological evaluation. Use of empiric treatment should also be considered to reduce the high mortality observed with the disease. Introduction of improved diagnostic methods would allow greater appreciation for the prevalence of the disease.
Analysis of a versatile moving-belt mechanism for the control of wall-bounded flows

This paper considers a remarkably simple yet versatile movi ng-belt mechanism for the control of both laminar and turbulent wall-bounded flows. The mechanis m considered can be used in both the passive and active setting, and shows potential for a variet y of possible aeronautical, maritime, and microfluidic applications, including drag reduction, tran sition delay, power extraction (e.g., electricity generation), power addition (fluid pumping), detection and prevention of separation/stall, thrust production, lift enhancement, and attitude control. Prosp ects for the designs considered are especially attractive for small unmanned vehicles and “micro fluidic” applications in which viscous effects are dominant and the efficiency of traditional highe r-R ynolds number designs is degraded. In the present paper, we first review much of the older literat ure on the subject of moving-belt and rotating-cylinder strategies for flow control. We then focu s on several new analytic results and nondimensional similarity solutions which may be attained with t he present mechanism when applied in the laminar setting, including generalizations of the Blas ius boundary layer and asymptotic-suction boundary layer profiles. Such results clarify some of the imp ortant tradeoffs (with cavity depth, roller size, etc.) involved in extending this control strat egy to practical implementations. Several promising future applications of the moving-belt mechanis m are also proposed. This article contains 62 references.
Agrochemicals used in freshwater aquaculture in Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh

The present experiment was conducted in order to investigate the use of agrochemicals in freshwater aquaculture with emphasis on fish health management. The selected area was Mahespur upazila under Jhenaidah district and the study duration was six months. The main group was fifty fish farmers and the data were collected through interview with fish farmers and key informants (chemical seller). Ten categories of chemicals were identified that are used by fish farmers for various purposes such as pond preparation, water quality management, controlling diseases, supplying oxygen, killing fish predators, Ten pharmaceutical companies were found to provide the agrochemicals to fulfill the farmers need. These companies are Novartis Anmal Health Ltd, Fishtech (BD) Ltd, SK+F BD Ltd, Renata Ltd, ACI Animal Health, Opsonin Pharma Ltd, Eon Animal Health Products Ltd, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sciencetech Agro Industries Ltd, Rals. In the study area some kinds of diseases were founded such as Epizotic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) in Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Black spot in Stinging cat fish, skin diseases, gill damage, tail and fin rot in Yellow tail catfish (Pangasius pangasius). For highest stocking density tilapia and pangus were mostly affected by diseases in winter. Farmers use various chemicals such as for water quality management agriculture lime, Geotox, JV Zeolite, Mega Zeo Bio, Aquakleen and Biomin, as antibiotic they use Novamix 101, Erocot, Captor, Oxysentin 20%, Renamycin, Aquamycin and Oxysentin 20% are antibiotics with different trade names were seen in the market as well as used by the fish farmers in the study area. The fish farmers use a wide variety of disinfectants in freshwater aquaculture. Timsen, Polgard plus, Formalin, Bleaching powder, EDTA are found available in all the shops of Mahespur. Formalin is used to control protozoan diseases. Virex is used to destroy virus and bacteria. Fish farmers use oxygen suppliers to increase the oxygen level in the water body. Oxidizing agent, hydrogen peroxide are major active ingredients of such chemical. The recovery of fish diseases was found 80-90% in the study area. During field observation many problems were identified in case of using agrochemicals which included lack of skill and knowledge of farmers about the application, withdrawal period of agrochemicals and drugs and some adverse effects on fish and human health. Asian Australas. J. Food Saf. Secur. 2019, 3(2), 63-76
Development of the TypeSeq Assay for Detection of 51 HPV Genotypes by 1 Next Generation Sequencing 2

31 We have developed a new HPV genotyping assay for detection of 51 HPV genotypes by next 32 generation sequencing (NGS). The TypeSeq assay consists of 3 PCR steps which equalize viral 33 load and each type’s amplicon copies prior to genotyping by NGS, thereby maximizing multiple 34 type sensitivity with minimal sequencing reads. The analytical sensitivity of the TypeSeq assay 35 is 10 copies per reaction for 49 of the 51 types, including 13 high risk (HR) types. We tested 863 36 clinical cervical specimens previously evaluated with the Roche Linear Array ® HPV Genotyping 37 Test (LA). TypeSeq achieved 94.4% positive agreement with LA for detection of any HR type. 38 Positive agreement was 91.4% and 85.5% for HPV16 and 18, respectively. Low risk (LR) types 39 ranged from 40.0% positive agreement (HPV83) to 90.9% (HPV69). Our unique approach to 40 HPV amplification achieved a multiple type sensitivity comparable to that of LA, with 83.9% 41 and 84.2% of specimens positive for multiple HPV types by TypeSeq or LA, respectively. 48.2% 42 of specimens showed perfect agreement for all 37 types common to both assays. The simplicity 43 of our open-source TypeSeq assay allows for high throughput, yet scalable processing, with a 44 single technician able to process up to 768 specimens within 3 days. By leveraging NGS sample 45 multiplexing capabilities, the per sample labor requirements are greatly reduced compared to 46 traditional genotyping methods. These features and the broad spectrum of detectable types make 47 TypeSeq highly suitable for a wide range of applications. 48 test evaluate or
GRF-interacting factor1 ( gif1 ) Regulates Shoot Architecture and Meristem Determinacy in Maize

meristematic ABSTRACT Plant architecture results from a balance of indeterminate and determinate cell fates. Cells with indeterminate fates are located in meristems, comprising groups of pluripotent cells that produce lateral organs. Meristematic cells are also found in intercalary stem tissue, which provides cells for internodes, and at leaf margins to contribute to leaf width. We identified a maize ( Zea mays ) mutant that has a defect in balancing determinacy and indeterminacy. The mutant has narrow leaves and short internodes, suggesting a reduction in indeterminate cells in the leaf and stem. In contrast, the mutants fail to control indeterminacy in shoot meristems. Inflorescence meristems are fasciated, and determinate axillary meristems become indeterminate. Positional cloning identified growth regulating factor-interacting factor1 ( gif1 ) as the responsible gene. gif1 mRNA accumulates in distinct domains of shoot meristems,
Effects of short-term hunger and competitive asymmetr y on facultative aggression in nestling black guillemots Cepphus gr ylle

Siblings in a diversity of species are facultatively aggressive, yet the proximate control of the aggressive response and the ecological conditions selecting for such systems are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of food amount (food amount hypothesis) and competitive asymmetry on sibling aggression in black guillemot broods. Parental provisioning rates were experimentally manipulated in broods comprising a range of hatching intervals over a 12-h period. Aggression became evident only after parental provisioning rates were experimentally reduced. When parental provisioning resumed, adults did not increase their feeding rate to compensate for the induced food deﬁcit, and the result of sibling rivalry was a change in the allocation of parental deliveries from one of equality to one in favor of the dominant chick. Food-deprived chicks from syn- chronous broods were more aggressive than those from asynchronous broods, suggesting that one beneﬁt of hatching asynchrony in the black guillemot is to establish an efﬁcient competitive hierarchy among siblings which minimizes the need for costly aggressive interactions. On the following day, sibling aggression ceased, and chicks regained an equal share of parental feeds. Our results provide the ﬁrst evidence that short-term food shortage per se acts as an initial trigger for aggression and also show that the aggressive response is complicated by factors associated with hatching and laying order. words: black guillemot, Cepphus grylle, competitive asymmetry, facultative aggression, hatching provisioning, sibling rivalry. [Behav Ecol 11: 282–287 (2000)] sibling size disparity for each brood, we weighed and measured all chicks on the day before behavioral observations. We measured chick body mass to the nearest 1 g using an Ohaus 200-g electronic balance or 500-g spring-balance, depending on chick mass, and measured tarsus length to the nearest 0.1 mm using Vernier calipers. All broods were measured at approximately the same time of day (between 1100 and 1300 h), and no chick measurements were taken during the food reduction experiment.
Block of Kcnk3 by protons. Evidence that 2-P-domain potassium channel subunits function as homodimers.

KCNK subunits have two pore-forming P domains and four predicted transmembrane segments. To assess the number of subunits in each pore, we studied external proton block of Kcnk3, a subunit prominent in rodent heart and brain. Consistent with a pore-blocking mechanism, inhibition was dependent on voltage, potassium concentration, and a histidine in the first P domain (P1H). Thus, at pH 6.8 with 20 m M potassium half the current passed by P1H channels was blocked (apparent-ly via two sites ; 10% into the electrical field) whereas channels with an asparagine substitution (P1N) were fully active. Furthermore, pore blockade by barium was sensitive to pH in P1H but not P1N channels. Although linking two Kcnk3 subunits in tandem to produce P1H-P1H and P1N-P1N channels bearing four P domains did not alter these attributes, the mixed tandems P1H-P1N and P1N-P1H were half-blocked at pH ; 6.4, apparently via a single site. This implicates a dimeric structure for Kcnk3 channels with two (and only two) P1 domains in each pore and argues that P2 domains also contribute to pore formation. Leak currents are key to normal electrical activity of sympa-thetic ganglia, myelinated axons, carotid body type 1 cells, and cardiac myocytes (1). 50 years after their description (2, 3) leak currents have been revealed to pass via potassium channels formed by subunits with two
RAPID COMMUNICATION TASTE RESPONSES IN ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT MEN

— The aim of the present study was to compare taste responses to sweet, bitter, sour and salty solutions in male alcoholics and control subjects. The groups did not differ in terms of rated intensity or pleasantness of sucrose (1–30%), quinine (0.001–0.005%), citric acid (0.02–0.1%) and sodium chloride (0.18–0.9%) solutions. The proportion of sweet-likers was also similar in both groups.
Pseudomonas ﬂuorescens and Glomus mosseae Trigger DMI3 -Dependent Activation of Genes Related to a Signal Transduction Pathway in Roots of Medicago truncatula 1

Plant genes induced during early root colonization of Medicago truncatula Gaertn. J5 by a growth-promoting strain of Pseudomonas ﬂuorescens (C7R12) have been identiﬁed by suppressive subtractive hybridization. Ten M. truncatula genes, coding proteins associated with a putative signal transduction pathway, showed an early and transient activation during initial interactions between M. truncatula and P. ﬂuorescens , up to 8 d after root inoculation. Gene expression was not signiﬁcantly enhanced, except for one gene, in P. ﬂuorescens -inoculated roots of a Myc 2 Nod 2 genotype (TRV25) of M. truncatula mutated for the DMI3 (syn. MtSYM13 ) gene. This gene codes a Ca 2 1 and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, indicating a possible role of calcium in the cellular interactions between M. truncatula and P. ﬂuorescens . When expression of the 10 plant genes was compared in early stages of root colonization by mycorrhizal and rhizobial microsymbionts, Glomus mosseae activated all 10 genes, whereas Sinorhizobium meliloti only activated one and inhibited four others. None of the genes responded to inoculation by either microsymbiont in roots of the TRV25 mutant. The similar response of the M. truncatula genes to
Induction of Maturation Bind and Take up Secretory IgA Without the Human Immature Dendritic Cells Efficiently

Immature dendritic cells (DC) reside in peripheral tissues, where they pick up and process incoming pathogens via scavenger receptors or FcR such as Fc (cid:1) R and Fc (cid:2) R. At mucosal surfaces, IgA is the main Ig to protect the body from incoming pathogens. In addition, DC are present in high numbers at these sites. We detected expression of Fc (cid:3) R (CD89) on the CD14 (cid:4) population of CD34 (cid:4) progenitor-derived DC and on monocyte-derived DC (MoDC). However, CD89 expression was strongly decreased upon differentiation from monocyte to DC. We found only minimal binding of serum IgA to MoDC but strong binding of secretory IgA (SIgA). The SIgA binding to MoDC could not be blocked by anti-CD89 blocking Abs. DC efﬁciently internalized SIgA, but not serum IgA, and uptake of SIgA could be blocked by speciﬁc sugars or partially by Ab reactive with mannose receptor. Impor-tantly, binding and uptake of SIgA was not accompanied by signs of DC maturation, such as increased expression of CD86 and CD83 or induction of cytokine secretion. These data indicate that SIgA can interact with DC not via CD89, but via carbohydrate-recognizing receptors like mannose receptor and suggest that uptake of SIgA-containing immune complexes by immature DC may be a mechanism to modulate mucosal immune responses. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 168: 102–107.
ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT ON SAFETY PERFORMANCE AMONG TRUCK OPERATORS IN THE GHANAIAN MINING INDUSTRY

We examined the effects of career development and perceived organizational support on the two dimensions of safety performance (safety compliance and safety participation) of 208 truck operators in the Ghanaian mining industry using correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis. The results revealed that career development has a significant positive influence on perceived organizational support and both safety compliance and safety participation. Also, perceived organizational support had a significant positive influence on safety compliance and safety participation. Furthermore, testing perceived organizational support as a mediator between career development and the two dimensions of safety performance demonstrated that perceived organizational support partially mediates the relationships between career development and both dimensions of safety performance.
Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Level in TRUP

Objective: To determine the frequency of prostate carcinoma having raised serum Prostate Specific Antigen level in Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) specimens sent for histopathology. Study Descriptive, cross sectional study. Methodology: A total of 100 cases were included in the study. The quantitative variables i.e. serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), age & duration of disease were presented by calculating mean and standard deviation. The qualitative variables i.e. benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, prostate carcinoma and marital status were presented by calculating frequency and percentages. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 18. Effect modifiers like age, duration of disease and marital status were controlled through stratification. Chi square test was applied after stratification with p -value ≤0.05 considered as significant. Results: Out of 100 cases of TURP, all patients were married. The age of the patients was between 46 and 85 years with an average age of 64.4 years and standard deviation of ± 10.7. Out of 100 cases, 17 cases (17%) were prostate carcinoma, 59 cases (59%) were BPH and 24 cases (24%) were prostatitis. Seventy seven cases (77%) showed abnormal PSA level while 23 cases (23%) have normal levels. Out of 77 cases of abnormal PSA level, 49 cases (63.6%) were BPH, 17 cases (22.1%) were prostate carcinoma and 11 cases (14.3%) were prostatitis. Briefly, 41(41%) patients had serum PSA level > 20ng/ml. Among these, 24 cases (24%) were benign and 17 (17%) were malignant. However, remaining 59 (59%) benign cases had serum PSA level below 20ng/ml. A signiﬁcant statistical association was seen, p -value being <0.05. Conclusion: The abnormal level of PSA in large number of benign lesions of prostate will be helpful in developing a consensus that it is not a tumor specific antigen.