Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NIFEDIPINE AND NITRENDIPINE STIMULATE CHOLESTEROL HYDROXYLATION IN RAT

Calcium antagonists nifedipine and nitrendipine inhibit experimentally induced atherosclerosis. Possible antiatherosclerotic mechanisms include alteration of lipid metabolism. 27-Hydroxycholesterol has a number of antiatherogenic effects. The effects of nifedipine and nitrendipine on cholesterol 27-hydroxylation are studied in rats. The effects of dihydropyridines on 27-hydroxycholesterol production are evaluated in plasma and in liver mitochondria by an HPLC method after lipid extraction. The content of cytochrome P450 is assayed in liver mitochondria. The inhibitory constants of the tested compounds on specific [3H] PK11195 binding in rat liver ex vivo are calculated. Nitrendipine and nifedipine increase the content of 27-hydroxycholesterol in liver mitochondria by 44.5% (p < 0.01) and 33.2 % (p < 0.05) respectively. Both compounds bind to a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) – Ki 21.7 μM and 60.9 μM, respectively. The ability of these compounds to stimulate 27hydroxycholesterol production in liver mitochondria correlated with their affinities for PBR. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists nifedipine and nitrendipine stimulate 27hydrohycholesterol production in liver mitochondria in vivo. We suggest that nifedipine and nitrendipine affect 27-hydroxycholesterol production by a mechanism coupled to PBR and not due to an enzyme induction.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Porites harrisoni (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) obtained using next-generation sequencing

Abstract In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Porites harrisoni using ezRAD and Illumina technology. Genome length consisted of 18,630 bp, with a base composition of 25.92% A, 13.28% T, 23.06% G, and 37.73% C. Consistent with other hard corals, P. harrisoni mitogenome was arranged in 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA, and 2 tRNA genes. nad5 and cox1 contained embedded Group I Introns of 11,133 bp and 965 bp, respectively.
Environmental performance and quality of governance: A non-parametric analysis of the NUTS 1-regions in France, Germany and the UK

This paper applies nonparametric estimators to examine the effect of regional quality of government on the environmental performance in the NUTS 1-regions in France, Germany and the UK. The most comprehensive existing regional measure on governance is used, gauging the partiality, corruption and effectiveness of government services in each region. By utilizing regional level measures of three pollutants (CO2, CH4 and N2O) the effect of governance on environmental efficiency is analyzed. The empirical analysis suggests that there is a nonlinear relationship between regions’ governance quality levels and their environmental performance. It appears that the effect of regional quality of governance is positive up to a certain level, then turning slightly negative. This suggests that higher governance quality will not always result in increased environmental efficiency.
The Effects of Environmental Uncertainty, Computer Usage, and Management Accounting Systems on Small Business

The motivation for this contingency-type study is based on the notion that prior studies on management accounting systems (MAS) has almost entirely focused on large business organizations and neglected consideration of the effects of contextual variables and MAS on organizational effectiveness or performance of small business. Using a sample of small business (SB) managers/owners as subjects, this study therefore examined the moderating effects of perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) and computer usage on die management accounting system (MAS)/performance relationship. Performance in this study was measured using the compound growth rate of market value of the firm (GMV) and growth rate of fixed assets (GFA). SB was defined as companies with between 10 and 100 employees. Results using multiple regression analyses and partial derivatives of the regression equations showed that PEU moderated the effects of MAS on performance with MAS having a positive effect on performance under high levels of PEU. In addition, the results also showed that levels of computer usage moderated the effects of MAS on performance with MAS also having a positive effect on performance under conditions where there was a high level of computer usage. Under low levels of PEU and computer usage MAS had a negative relationship with performance.
Dorottya Fabian, A Musicology of Performance: Theory and Method Based on Bach's Solos for Violin

THE study of recordings as evidence of interpretation and performance style is without a doubt one of the most seminal revolutions in contemporary musicological research. Over the years, this vast abundance of documented data has been gradually recognized as fundamental in the identification of prevailing norms of practice, influential personalities, and changes of performance style occurring over time. Within the growing community of scholars engaged in the topic, Dorottya Fabian has long been considered a central figure in the study of violin recorded performances. This book serves as a continuation of her detailed investigation of recordings made over the years of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin a study which has been ongoing for more than two decades. While previous research has been mainly focused on Bach's violin set recordings made from the beginning of the last century to around the 1970s, the book focuses on contemporary recordings made during recent decades (roughly comprising the period between 1980-2010). As such, it aims to examine current performance traits while addressing some of the most intriguing issues connected to the study of performance.
Fish response to expanding tropical Sargassum beds on the temperate coasts of Japan

The invasion of tropical Sargassum species and extinction of temperate Sargassum species on the temperate coasts of several countries is associated with global warming. However, little is known about how these shifts in habitat-forming species impact local ecosystems and fisheries. To better understand the effects of tropical Sargassum colonization on temperate coastal fishes, we investigated differences in the habitat use patterns of fishes in temperate and tropical Sargassum species beds over 2 seasons on the temperate coast of Japan. The tropical Sargassum species were characterized by lower thallus height and a shorter vegetative period compared with temperate species; the thalli of the former were absent during autumn and winter. Peak of recruitment of juvenile fishes matched the biomass peak of both algae from late spring to early summer. Moreover, assemblage structures and food habits of fishes as well as the density of commonly consumed invertebrates did not differ significantly between the temperate and tropical algal beds during these seasons, suggesting that the habitat function (living/refuge space and foraging availability) of tropical algae was similar to that of temperate algae for most fishes. However, although most fishes displayed low specificity to host algae, some species, including important fishery species, recruited only during the middle of winter, when tropical algae were unavailable. This suggests that declining temperate algae may negatively affect some fish populations and fisheries within the next few decades.
The association of adenoma size with the biochemical parameters and cardio-metabolic risk factors in primary hyperparathyroidism

Aim: The studies conducted to investigate the association between biochemical manifestations of hyperparathyroidism such as serum parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, and serum phosphate levels, and parathyroid adenoma weight and volume have conflicting results. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association of preoperative size of adenoma with laboratory parameters and cardio-metabolic risk factors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Material and Method: Seventy-five patients with PHPT and 96 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemistry data were recorded. Correlation analysis was used for determining the relation between adenoma volume and cardio-metabolic parameters. Preoperative adenoma volume was calculated by the ellipsoid model formula. Results: Mean age was similar between groups (52.69 ± 10.91 to 53.33 ± 7.70, p:0.667). Mean size of adenoma was 1.42 ± 2.62 cm3. Size of adenoma was positively correlated with calcium and parathormone levels and negatively correlated with vitamin D level (p<0.05). Size of adenoma was not correlated with cardio-metabolic risk factors including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, age, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, body mass index, carotis intima media thickness, CRP and HOMA-IR (p>0.05). PTH, calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D levels were also not correlated cardio-metabolic risk factors. Conclusions: Adenoma volume has a correlation with parathormone, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D levels, however, it is not associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors.
THE DOSE VARIATIONS EFFECT OF Centella asiatica ETHANOL EXTRACT ON ESCAPE LATENCY’S DISTANCE MORRIS WATER MAZE AFTER CHRONIC ELECTRICAL STRESS

Centella asiatica sp. (pegagan) has neurotropic and neuroprotective properties which inhibit deterioration of memory because of chronic electrical stress. Studies about effective dose of Centtela asiatica still continued. This study was conducted to discover the influence of pegagan extract’s dose variation intake towards memory after chronic stress. This study uses that true experimental design with pretest-posttest control design. Fifteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups randomly. Every groups are treated with chronic electrical stress for 4 weeks and aquades (KN), 300 (KN1) or 600 mg/kgBW/day (KP2) of Centella asiatica. The escape latency distance measure using Morris water maze was used to assess rats’ memory. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA and paired t-test. The average of escape latency distance before chronic electrical stress were 5,71±0,77m (KN); 4,29±0,36m (KP1); 3,81±0,47m (KP2) and after chronic electrical stress were 1,50±0,05m(KN); 1,55±0,04m(KP1); 1,82±0,11m(KP2). There were significant differences among groups after chronic electrical stress on day-1 (p=0,005) and day-3 (p=0,001). There were significant differences (p<0,05) for 3 days of escape latency test (KN), 5 days of escape latency test (KP1) and 2 days of escape latency test (KP2) from 6 days of memory measurement. In conclusion, dose variation of Centella asiatica did not affect to latency distance using Morris water maze. Ethanol extract of Centella asiatica with doses 300mg/kgBW/day could stimulate increasing memory formation after chronic electrical stress better. Keywords : Centella asiatica - chronic electrical stress– memory– Morris water maze.
STUDIES ON BIOCHEMICAL QUALITY PARAMETERS OF WHEAT AS INFLUENCED BY LOCATION

Three different wheat varieties that are popular and recently released from each of the three species T. aestivum, T. durum and T. dicoccum grown during rabi 2007-2008 at MARS, Dharwad and ARS, Arabhavi were studied for biochemical parameters. Total carbohydrate content of T. aestivum varieties registered higher value at Dharwad, whereas T. durum varieties registered higher value at Arabhavi. Starch content of T. aestivum was comparable at both the locations. T. dicoccum varieties had higher nitrogen, crude protein and oil content at Dharwad location. T. durum varieties registered increase in carotene content at Dharwad over Arabhavi. Soluble proteins were higher in T. dicoccum varieties at both the locations. Wet gluten content of T. durum varieties exhibited higher values at Arabhavi, whereas T. dicoccum contained higher phenol content at both the locations. Micronutrient content of T. durum varieties was high at Dharwad. DWR-1006 had good micronutrient content. Specific activities of hydrolytic enzymes, -amylase and acid invertase exhibited increasing trends in their activities up to 72 h of germination as compared to ungerminated seeds. The hydrolytic enzymes registered higher activities in germinated T. aestivum varieties at both the locations. Fractionation of HMW-GS and LMW-GS of protein carried out by SDS PAGE revealed different patterns. T. dicoccum and T. aestivum genotypes were more suitable for Dharwad environmental conditions, whereas T. durum varieties were suitable for Arabhavi.
An Authenticated Key Agreement Scheme Based on Cyclic Automorphism Subgroups of Random Orders

Group-based cryptography is viewed as a modern cryptographic candidate solution to blocking quantum computer attacks, and key exchange protocols on the Internet are one of the primitives to ensure the security of communication. In 2016 Habeeb et al proposed a “textbook” key exchange protocol based on the semidirect product of two groups, which is insecure for use in real-world applications. In this paper, after discarding the unnecessary disguising notion of semidirect product in the protocol, we establish a simplified yet enhanced authenticated key agreement scheme based on cyclic automorphism subgroups of random orders by making hybrid use of certificates and symmetric-key encryption as challenge-and-responses in the public-key setting. Its passive security is formally analyzed, which is relative to the cryptographic hardness assumption of a computational number-theoretic problem. Cryptanalysis of this scheme shows that it is secure against the intruder-in-the-middle attack even in the worst case of compromising the signatures, and provides explicit key confirmation to both parties.
Interprétation qualitative du mouvement à partir d'une séquence d'images

Ce memoire traite de l'analyse et de l'interpretation du contenu dynamique d'une scene observee par une camera qui peut etre aussi bien statique que mobile. L'approche proposee repose sur l'exploitation exclusive du mouvement apparent dans l'image, et sur l'utilisation d'outils et de modeles statistiques. Le probleme implique fondamentalement une etape de segmentation au sens du mouvement. Il est en effet necessaire de delimiter les regions dans l'image ayant un mouvement apparent different avant de pouvoir localiser les objets effectivement mobiles ou de pouvoir identifier leur mouvement. Une nouvelle methode de segmentation au sens du mouvement dans une sequence d'images a ete developpee. Elle ne requiert pas l'estimation explicite du champ des vitesses apparentes, et permet l'obtention de partitions stables et reliees dans le temps grâce a une approche de regularisation statistique. Ainsi l'interpretation du mouvement peut etre effectuee en considerant plus de deux images successives. La caracterisation du contenu dynamique de la scene repose sur une etape intermediaire realisant un etiquetage qualitatif generique du mouvement. Celle-ci passe par la mise en place de descripteurs adaptes lies a la geometrie du champ de vitesse apparent, introduits suite a un developpement lineaire du champ de vitesse. Un jeu de symboles ou etiquettes correspondant a des configurations cinematiques donnees est alors defini a partir de ces descripteurs. Le passage numerique-symbolique (des valeurs des descripteurs aux etiquettes qualifiant le mouvement 3d des regions analysees) est resolu par une approche statistique, reposant sur l'utilisation de tests de vraisemblance. Deux tâches d'analyse de scene dynamique ont ete abordees : la detection des elements effectivement mobiles d'une scene observee par une camera en mouvement ; l'identification de trois types de mouvement utiles a la detection d'obstacles pour la navigation d'un vehicule, mouvement approchant, eloignement, mouvement lateral. L'analyse n'implique aucune mesure 3d. Un ensemble significatif d'experimentations a ete mene. Des resultats tout a fait probants ont ete obtenus sur des sequences d'images reelles correspondant a des situations complexes de scene d'exterieur
Structural And Functional Characterization Of Cation-Transporting Atpase Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis CDC 1551 By In Silico Methods

The three dimensional (3-D) structure of cation-transporting ATPase (ctATPase) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CDC 1551 has been generated from amino acid sequence using homology modeling with backbone structure of calcium ATPase of Oryctolagus cuniculus as template. The model was generated using the method of satisfaction of spatial restraints by mod6v2 version of MODELLER. The generated 3-D structure of ctATPase) of M. tuberculosis was evaluated at various web interfaced servers i.e., WHAT IF, PRODOM, Pfam and PROCHECK which checks the stereo chemical quality of the structure in terms of bonds, bond angles, dihedral angles and non-bonded atom-atom distances, structural as well as functional domains etc., The generated model was visualized using the RASMOL visualization tool.
Emotional Learning Applied to Extant Entrepreneurs in Wales

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Education and self‐regulation of learning for gifted pupils: systemic design and development

Gifted pupils differ from their age‐mates with respect to development potential, actual competencies, self‐regulatory capabilities, and learning styles in one or more domains of competence. The question is how to design and develop education that fits and further supports such characteristics and competencies of gifted pupils. Analysis of various types of educational interventions for gifted pupils reflects positive cognitive or intellectual effects and differentiated social comparison or group‐related effects on these pupils. Systemic preventive combination of such interventions could make these more effective and sustainable. The systemic design is characterised by three conditional dimensions: differentiation of learning materials and procedures; integration by and use of information and communication technology (ICT) support; and strategies to improve development and learning. The relationships to diagnostic, instructional, managerial, and systemic learning aspects are expressed in guidelines to develop or transform education. The guidelines imply the facilitation of learning arrangements that provide flexible self‐regulation for gifted pupils. A three‐year pilot in Dutch nursery and primary school was conducted to develop and implement the design in collaboration with teachers. The results constitute prototypes of structured competence domains and supportive software. These support the screening of entry characteristics of all four‐year‐old pupils and assignment of adequate play and learning processes and activities throughout the school career. Gifted and other pupils are supported to work at their actual achievement or competency levels since their start in nursery school, in self‐regulated learning arrangements either in or out of class. Each pupil can choose other pupils to collaborate with in small groups, at self‐chosen tasks or activities, while being coached by the teacher. Formative evaluation of the school development process shows that the systemic prevention guidelines seem to improve learning and social progress of gifted pupils, including their self‐regulation. Further development and implementation steps are discussed.
Local, regional and global patterns of resource use in ecology: hermit crabs and gastropod shells as an example

To see the 'big pictures', it seems increasingly clear that experimental design, data collection and analyses of ecological investigation need to be at multiple scales. This causes problems with data complexity, sampling (level) and independence. Many ecological programmes are currently conducting multi-scale investigation of organismal trends (e.g. diversity). In this study, by contrast, the assemblages analysed were the resources used by animals (rather than animals per se). Variability in shell use was studied in 5 members of a taxon (hermit crabs) from global to site spatial levels. The novel adaptation of an existing technique used 1-factor, 3-level ANOVA of Bray-Curtis similarity values based on 'centroids' for each scale. Similarity in the number of shells used, the proportional usage of shell types, shell diversity and other variables were examined at site (> 10 m apart), locality (> 1 km apart) and region levels (> 1000 km apart). There was significant variability amongst scales and between regions in shell use of all species. For some species, observed variability differed with location, while in others the trend was similar in all 3 regions. Between 18 and 3 shell types were used by different study species with diversity (Shannon H') values ranging from 2.54 to 0.1 and evenness values from 0.99 to 0.1. Shell use by hermit crabs was less similar (to each other) between regions than between the study hermit crab species. No significant spatial effects at any level were found on the proportion of damaged shells used by different species. The numbers of shell types used by hermit crabs had both a taxon-specific component and a global pattern. Data from the literature in combination with that from the present study showed Dardanus, Diogenes and Pagurus species used fewer shell types than Coenobita, Clibanarius and Calcinus species. No inter-oceanic patterns were evident in any genus. Shell numbers used by Clibanarius and Calcinus species both, however, exhibited distinct latitudinal clines. Adaptation of a novel technique has, thus, demonstrated global (and differential between scale) trends in resource use by a guild of animals, although interpretation of the mechanism or meaning underlying this is not straightforward.
Assessment of the prevalence of enteric viruses in the final effluents of two peri-urban wastewater treatment plants

As of the year 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that some 1.1 billion people did not have access to safe drinking water, and a further 2.6 billion did not have proper sanitation, a position that unfortunately has not been significantly improved[1]. According to the WHO, morbidity and mortality related to diarrheal diseases can only be drastically lowered if the global citizenry could have access to safe water and sanitation[1]. However, this has remained a far-fetched dream especially among developing countries and some developed but water-scarce countries like South Africa that may soon have to resort to water recycling to counter water scarcity problems[2]. What worsens water woes in many countries is the unabated pollution of the already over-exploited water sources by inadequately treated wastewater effluents among other pollutants[3]. With a ballooning global human population, disposal of sewage waste is increasingly becoming a major problem. Disposal of raw or partially treated sewage effluents leads to water-related illnesses such as diarrhea that reportedly kills 3–4 million children each year, and WHO has predicted that water-related diseases could kill 135 million people ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT