Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Thymus schimperi and Moringa stenopetala Leaf Extracts on Lipid Peroxidation and Total Antioxidant Status in Pre-eclampsia Rat Models

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are common pregnancy complications, with a cumulative incidence of 7%. Pre-eclampsia (PE) is the most common clinical type of HDP and one of the five top leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. There is imbalance Original Research Article Mergiaw et al.; JOCAMR, 10(2): 1-7, 2020; Article no.JOCAMR. 58004 2 between lipid peroxides and antioxidant system in PE. Established PE is associated with increased concentrations of oxidative stress markers including lipid peroxidation products, and a reduction in antioxidant concentrations. Methods: A case control experimental method was employed on Wistar rats with induced preeclampsia using nitric oxide-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Lipid peroxide content was estimated according to the method of Ohkawa et al. 1979. Total antioxidant capacity was assayed using colorimetric azinobis 2, 2′3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical cathion decolorization assay. Results: Lipid peroxides of untreated PE rat models were significantly (p<0.01) higher (0.57±0.08 nmol of malondyaldehide (MDA) per gram tissue weight) compared to normal pregnant controls (0.11±0.03 nmol). PE rat models that received aqueous leaf extracts of Thymus schimperi (ALETS) had (0.09±0.01, 0.07±0.002 and 0.02±0.002 nmol) (p<0.05) while, those PE rat models that received aqueous leaf extracts of Moringa stenopetala (ALEMS) had (0.36±0.08, 0.20±0.003 and 0.13±0.02 nmol) (p<0.05) with daily doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. On the other hand, untreated PE rat models had significantly (p<0.01) lower levels of serum total anti-oxidants (24.5±0.9 μg/ml of ascorbic acid equivalent) compared to normal pregnant controls (28.1±0.4 μg/ml). ALETS or ALEMS treated PE rat models had significantly (p<0.01) higher levels of serum total anti-oxidants in a dose dependent manner compared to untreated PE controls; (27.6±0.3, 29.5±0.3, 31.2±0.4 μg/ml and 29.2±0.3, 29.7±0.3, 30.6±0.4 μg/ml) with daily doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. ALETS treated PE rat models had significantly (p<0.05) reduced total lipid peroxides compared to ALEMS treated counterparts. Conclusion: ALETS and ALEMS might have significant therapeutic effects against PE syndrome through reducing lipid peroxides and increasing total anti-oxidants.
Version 2 of the EUMETSAT OSI SAF and ESA CCI sea-ice concentration climate data records

Abstract. We introduce the OSI-450, the SICCI-25km and the SICCI-50km climate data records of gridded global sea-ice concentration. These three records are derived from passive microwave satellite data and offer three distinct advantages compared to existing records: first, all three records provide quantitative information on uncertainty and possibly applied filtering at every grid point and every time step. Second, they are based on dynamic tie points, which capture the time evolution of surface characteristics of the ice cover and accommodate potential calibration differences between satellite missions. Third, they are produced in the context of sustained services offering committed extension, documentation, traceability, and user support. The three records differ in the underlying satellite data (SMMR & SSM/I & SSMIS or AMSR-E & AMSR2), in the imaging frequency channels (37 GHz and either 6 or 19 GHz), in their horizontal resolution (25 or 50 km), and in the time period they cover. We introduce the underlying algorithms and provide an evaluation. We find that all three records compare well with independent estimates of sea-ice concentration both in regions with very high sea-ice concentration and in regions with very low sea-ice concentration. We hence trust that these records will prove helpful for a better understanding of the evolution of the Earth's sea-ice cover.
STUDY OF DIELECTRIC BEHAVIOR OF DRY AND MOIST ACACIA INDICA WOOD AT X-BAND FREQUENCY

The present studies provide experimental data on the dielectric constant and dielectric loss for Acacia indica (Babool) wood having various gravimetric moisture contents at X-band microwave frequency (9.8 GHz). Studies are carried out for two structural directions of wood. The striking feature of these investigations is that the wood samples used possess natural moisture instead of dipping the dry wood samples in water. The dielectric constant and loss of wood increases in a non-linear manner with an increase in its Moisture Content (MC). The dielectric constant of wood has relatively larger value for electric fields parallel to the grain or fiber directions than perpendicular directions to it. Our results also show increase in the a. c. conductivity and relaxation time of the wood species with increasing MC/ dielectric constant. The possible applications of these studies in designing moisture sensors for wood and also passive microwave sensors for analyzing remote sensing data are discussed.
The grape fruit flavonone naringin protects mice against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline drug widely used for the treatment of various cancers, causes a cumulative dose-dependent cardiac toxicity that is characterized by an irreversible cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The cardioprotective effect of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg naringin (NIN) was studied in mice treated with 15 mg/kg DOX. The animals were killed 30 h after DOX treatment. The latter induced acute cardiotoxicity indicated by a significant elevation in glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), creatine kinase (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in mice serum. Treatment of mice with NIN before DOX administration significantly reduced serum levels of GPT, GOT, CK-MB and LDH indicating that NIN protected against the DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. DOX induced a significant increase in the 8-OHdG DNA adducts and the PARP activity in the heart and liver of mice, whereas NIN treatment of mice before DOX administration significantly reduced 8-OHdG DNA adducts and PARP activity in the heart and liver. Similarly, NIN inhibited the DOX-induced decline in the glutathione concentration, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and abated DOX-induced lipid peroxidation in the heart and liver of mice. Intraperitoneal administration of 1.25 mg/kg DOX significantly elevated survival of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice, whereas the combination of 10 mg/kg NIN with DOX did not alter the tumor cell growth, median survival time or average survival time of tumor bearing mice when compared to DOX treatment alone, indicating that NIN does not interfere with the antineoplastic activity of DOX. Our study demonstrates that naringin reduced the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, without affecting its antineoplastic activity, which may be due to reduction in the DOX-induced 8-OHdG DNA adducts and PARP activity, increase in the antioxidant enzymes and alleviation of lipid peroxidation by naringin.
Position specificity in the genus Coreomyces (Laboulbeniomycetes, Ascomycota)

To study position specificity in the insect-parasitic fungal genus Coreomyces (Laboulbeniaceae, Laboulbeniales), we sampled corixid hosts (Corixidae, Heteroptera) in southern Scandinavia. We detected Coreomyces thalli in five different positions on the hosts. Thalli from the various positions grouped in four distinct clusters in the resulting gene trees, distinctly so in the ITS and LSU of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, less so in the SSU of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and the mitochondrial ribosomal DNA. Thalli from the left side of abdomen grouped in a single cluster, and so did thalli from the ventral right side. Thalli in the mid-ventral position turned out to be a mix of three clades, while thalli growing dorsally grouped with thalli from the left and right abdominal clades. The mid-ventral and dorsal positions were found in male hosts only. The position on the left hemelytron was shared by members from two sister clades. Statistical analyses demonstrate a significant positive correlation between clade and position on the host, but also a weak correlation between host sex and clade membership. These results indicate that sex-of-host specificity may be a non-existent extreme in a continuum, where instead weak pREFERENCES for one host sex may turn out to be frequent.
Try Tri again? Resolving species boundaries in the Lomatium triternatum (Apiaceae) complex

Species boundaries have traditionally been delimited by applying phenotypic characters to a morphological species concept. With an increased understanding of the complexities of speciation as a process, species concepts have proliferated while at the same time, the ability to gather greater numbers and types of molecular characters has expanded the means by which species can be delimited. Phylogenetic studies of molecular data provide an opportunity to identify reciprocally monophyletic groupsand have led to the identification of cryptic or nearly cryptic species in which subtle differences in phenotypes or ecological niches can be uncovered only after monophyletic groups have been identified. Here, we investigate evolutionary relationships among a group of species in the Lomatium triternatum complex using molecular phylogenetic analyses for all samples, and ecological parameters for two of the 38 species included in this study. The results indicate that there are more reciprocally monophyletic groups in this complex than had been estimated using phenotypic data alone. The ecological data show a clear differentiation for the one pair of sister species where ecological sampling was available, implying that divergence within this group may have resulted from environmental selection for soil preferences that have been strong enough to result in speciation.
Modelling of low energy X-ray scattering in radiation detectors with protective coatings

The results of Monte Carlo modelling of the low energy X-ray photon interaction processes in Si detector coated by different materials of different thickness are presented in this paper. Detector constructions containing free standing polymer-like carbon coatings and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings deposited onto detector surface were investigated. Total and scatter doses in coated samples were calculated and the influence of the coating material, composition, and thickness on the X-ray photon scattering processes in Si detector was evaluated. Evaluation of the detector construction with protective coating corresponding to the lowest fraction of scattered photons as compared to the calculated total dose is discussed in the paper. It is shown that nano-thick DLC coatings directly deposited onto detector surface are promising materials in the construction of radiation detectors due to their suitable mechanical properties, resistance against chemicals and against radiation damage of DLC films.
Effect of salt stress on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Medicago truncatula

Abstract In the present study, photosynthetic parameters including gas exchanges, pigment contents, and chlorophyll fluorescence, were compared in two contrasting local Medicago truncatula lines TN6.18 and TN8.20, in response to salt added to the nutrient solution. Plants were cultivated under symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) after inoculation with a reference strain Sinorhizobium meliloti 2011, a very tolerant strain to salinity (700 mM NaCl), and grown in a controlled glasshouse. On one month old plants (with active SNF), salt treatment (75 mM NaCl) was gradually applied. Photosynthesis, assimilating pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored throughout the experiment during both short and long terms, compared to control (non-saline) conditions. A genotypic variation in salt tolerance was found; TN6.18 was the more sensitive to salinity. The relative tolerance of TN8.20 was concomitant with the highest photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) affecting the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Y); the real quantum yield (ɸexc) was the most affected in the sensitive line. Moreover, stomatal and PSII reaction centers activities differed clearly between the studied lines. We found that the effect of salinity on photosynthesis of M. truncatula was related to PSII activity reduction rather than to stomatal conductance limitation. Photosynthesis was reduced by the inhibition of CO2 assimilation caused by PSII damage. This was clearly estimated by the Y, ɸexc and especially by the quantum yield of electron transport of PSII (ΦPSII). Thus, on the basis of our results on the two local M. truncatula lines, we recommend the use of chlorophyll fluorescence as non-destructive screening method to discriminate susceptible and resistant legumes to salt stress.
An Empirical Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Adoption and Diffusion of GBTS in the Construction Market

This study focuses on better development of green buildings. The key to the sustainable development of the construction industry is to popularize and promote the spread of green building technologies (GBTS) in the construction market. This study integrates the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to analyze and construct the theoretical model of developers’ GBTS adoption behavior from three dimensions, including the individual factor, product factor and interface factor. This paper discusses the mechanism of GBTS adoption and diffusion in the construction market. The data are collected by questionnaire, and the structural equation model (SEM) is used for empirical analysis. The results show that the developers’ perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) of GBTS, developers’ innovativeness and sense of community at the individual level, competitive advantage at the product level, as well as government structural guarantees and relevant stakeholders at the interface level have a significant positive impact on the adoption of GBTS by developers. It is proved that the model can explain the basic path of GBTS adoption by developers, and suggestions to promote the adoption and diffusion of GBTS in China are put forward.
Decision Tree and Logistic Regression Analysis to Explore Factors Contributing to Harbour Tugboat Accidents

As tugboats interact very closely with ships in restricted waters, the possibility of accidents increases in these operations. Despite the high accident possibility, there is a gap in studies on tugboat accidents. This study aims to analyse accidents involving tugboats using data mining. For this purpose, a tugboat accidents dataset consisting of a total of 496 accident records for the period from 2008 to 2019 was collected. Logistic regression and decision tree algorithms were implemented to the dataset. The results revealed that tugboat propulsion type is the most important and influential factor in the severity of tugboat accidents. The inferences drawn from these results could be beneficial for tugboat operators and port authorities in enhancing their awareness of the factors affecting tugboat accidents. In addition, the outputs of this study can be a reference for management units in developing strategies for preventing tugboat accidents and can also be used in effective planning for practicable prevention programmes and practices.
Relationship between the IL-18 gene polymorphisms and Alzheimer ’ s disease : a meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between IL-18 gene polymorphisms (-607 C/A and -137 G/C) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database were searched to identify eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the association between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and AD. Analysis of pooled data from five studies containing 781 AD patients and 876 controls suggested that the -607 C/A (rs1946518) polymorphism decreases the risk of AD. Similarly, collective analysis of five studies containing 862 AD patients and 713 controls showed that the -137 G/C (rs187238) polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of AD. Stratification analyses indicated -607 C/A and -137 G/C were both more common in Asians and carriers of apolipoprotein-E ε4 (APOE4). Overall, our data indicate that IL-18 gene polymorphisms may decrease the risk of AD, especially among Asians and those with the APOE4 allele. Due to the limited sample size, larger studies are required to validate the association between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and AD.
17. Institutions for Infrastructure in Developing Countries: What we know . . . and the lot we still need to know

The paper surveys the very heterogeneous economic literature on the scope and limits of efforts to match institutional constraints and needs, on the one hand, and infrastructure policy and project designs, on the other, to increase the odds of improving service access, affordability and quality. It includes a categorization of the main theoretical approaches and a brief summary of what they each contribute to the design of institutions. It summarizes the most robust conclusions from theory and evidence as well as the main gaps between theory and practice that would justify a solid research agenda. The information collected is also used to the possibility of conducting sector diagnostics.
The Neurocognition of Three Engineering Concept Generation Techniques

Techniques and processes used for concept generation rely on composing new concepts and analysis given situational context. Composition and analysis require distinct neurocognitive function. For instance, jazz composition relies heavily on the right brain, while math relies on the left. Similar to music and math, is concept generation hemisphere dominant? What differences exist when using varying techniques? Twelve graduate engineering students were given three design tasks and instructed to use brainstorming, morphological analysis and TRIZ. A device called fNIRS measured cognitive activation. The results find left hemisphere dominance. More specifically, the left dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC), which is central to spatial working memory and filtering information. Temporal differences do exist. Morphological analysis and TRIZ reinforced the use of the left dlPFC, while brainstorming increased the use of the right dlPFC and medial PFC (mPFC) late during concept generation. The right dlPFC contributes to divergent thinking and mPFC facilitates memory retrieval. One explanation is designers relaxed rule constraints and more deeply searched for associations during brainstorming.
Rearing, bird type and pre-slaughter transport conditions of broilers II. Effect on foot-pad dermatitis and carcass quality

A multivariable linear model was used to analyse the incidence of carcass quality defects over one year in a commercial database that included 1,856 flocks of Ross broilers (9,188 shipments, 1,975,420 carcasses inspected). The incidence of foot-pad dermatitis (FPD), scratches and wing and back haematomas was scored and analysed in terms of the effects of transport distance, arrival time to the slaughterhouse, waiting time at the slaughterhouse, maximum outside temperature on the day of transport, feed conversion rate, stocking density, bird type (yellow-skinned females or males, white-skinned females or males and roaster females), thinning (birds transported after thinning, birds remaining after thinning, and non-thinned flocks), bed litter type (rice hulls, chopped straw or wood shavings), and ventilation system (dynamic, static or tunnel). The incidence of FPD was significantly (p<0.001) lower at higher maximum temperatures and higher in flocks with a higher feed conversion rate. FPD also increased with stocking density (kg/m2) and was, on average, 5.0% higher in males than females. Regarding thinning, FPD was 13% lower in birds transported after thinning. Birds raised on chopped straw had more FPD (49.3%), followed by wood shavings (31.1%). Scratches were higher at higher temperatures and increased with transport distance. Birds transported after thinning had 5.8% more scratches than non-thinned birds, while increased stocking density (kg/m2) on the farm tended to increase scratches. Back haematomas were 32.6% higher in birds that were thinned, while wing haematomas increased with stocking density (kg/m2). Back haematomas were also 23.7% higher in males and more common in white-skinned birds.
Matching in thin labour markets: panel data evidence from Finland, 1991-2002

The matching function that postulates a relationship between the flow of new matches and stock of job seekers and vacancies has attracted considerable attention, both theoretical and empirical during the last decade. In this paper the properties of a matching function are examined by using a large panel data set from Finland. The data has a high frequency and it is highly disaggregated, comprising monthly data on 174 work-to-travel areas from a 12-year period between January 1991 and August 2002. We test for density effects, i.e. the importance of the size of markets on matching efficiency. The robustness and importance of our empirical findings are guaranteed by the quality of data. First the data allows us to model matching functions for two different measures of endogenous variables, namely total matches and total outflow from unemployment. Second, we can measure job seekers by their origin, i.e. whether they are unemployed, employed or outside of the labour force. We can thus construct matching models where the measure of job matches and the pool of job searchers are consistent with each other. Third, the data includes information on the composition of the registered job seekers, including age, sex and the share of short- and long-term unemployment. These controls provide interesting information on possible differences in matching rates by these groups.
Universal entanglement decay of photonic orbital angular momentum qubit states in atmospheric turbulence: an analytical treatment

We study the entanglement evolution of photonic orbital angular momentum qubit states with opposite azimuthal indices l0, in a weakly turbulent atmosphere. Using asymptotic methods, we deduce analytical expressions for the amplitude of turbulence-induced crosstalk between the modes l0 and −l0. Furthermore, we analytically establish distinct, universal entanglement decay laws for Kolmogorov’s turbulence model and for two approximations thereof.
Small copepods matter: population dynamics of Microsetella norvegica in a high-latitude coastal ecosystem

We investigated the population dynamics of a small and little-studied harpacticoid copepod, Microsetella norvegica, in a sub-Arctic Norwegian fjord (Balsfjord 69°N). We sampled with a 90 μm mesh WP-2 net and a 20 L Go-Flo bottle and found that the WP-2 under-sampled all juvenile stages. The abundance and biomass were high, peaking in June with 9349 × 10 ind. m and 1678 mg Cm. Microsetella were most abundant in the surface, but females and males demonstrated a distinct migration to below 50 m from October to March. Consistently, individual female body carbon content was highest in October (0.39 μg C ind) and lowest in March (0.18 μg C ind). Males were present throughout the year, and females with eggs were found from April to September. The average clutch size was 11 ± 2 eggs female, and our study supports the observation that females can release their egg sac before the eggs have hatched, possibly to produce a new one. With its high abundance and biomass, a flexible reproductive strategy and specialized feeding preferences, M. norvegica is likely a key species in high-latitude coastal ecosystems.