Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Expression Pattern of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor mRNA in Rat Testis during Degeneration of Seminiferous Epithelium

Abstract Previously we reported that the experimental unilateral cryptorchidism altered the expression pattern of LH receptor mRNA in abdominal testis. To clarify whether the change was due to exposure of Leydig cells to high temperature in the abdomen, we examined the effect of unilateral efferent duct ligation on the expression. Two weeks after the operation, a relatively decreased expression of 1.8 kb transcript, increased expression of other transcripts, and degeneration of germ cells were observed in the efferent duct-ligated testes. As these changes were similar to those seen in abdominal testes of cryptorchid rats, exposure of Leydig cells to high temperature was not responsible for the changes in expression pattern of LH receptor mRNA. To examine the correlation between the changes in the receptor mRNA expression and the degeneration of seminiferous epithelium, expression of the mRNA was analyzed in unilaterally cryptorchid rats for 28 days after the operation. In scrotal testes which showed no histological changes, a major, 1.8 kb and several minor, 6.5, 2.6,1.4,1.1 and 0.9 kb, transcripts were detected throughout the experimental period. In abdominal testes, the expression of 1.8 kb transcript declined rapidly within three days, while that of 6.5 kb and 2.6 kb was increased, reaching a maximum 14 days after the operation. Histological observations of cryptorchid and efferent duct-ligated testes revealed that these changes in the receptor mRNA expression paralleled the successive disappearance of spermatids and spermatocytes. These results suggest that the changes in expression pattern of LH receptor mRNA are closely related with degeneration of germ cells and that intratesticular paracrine factor(s) from seminiferous tubules might be concerned to the phenomenon.
INDEPENDENT AND JOINT ACTION OF CIS- AND TRANS-PERMETHRIN IN TRIATOMA INFESTANS (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE)

The toxicity of pure cis- and trans-permethrin or mixtures of the two isomers topically applied to first, third, and fifth instar nymphs of Triatoma infestans (Klug) at 26°C was determined. The cis-isomer was more active than the trans-isomer in the three stages evaluated. When the two isomers were simultaneously applied to first instar nymphs, an additive effect was observed. Similar treatments of third and fifth instar nymphs resulted in an antagonistic effect. In third instar nymphs, the cis-isomer was more active than trans-isomer at all the three temperatures assayed (16°, 26°, and 36°C). The toxicity of the cis-isomer was lower at 36°C than at either 16° or 26°C. Temperature had no significant effect on the toxicity of the trans-isomer within the temperature range assayed. The toxicity of either isomer to third instar nymphs was not affected by pretreatment of nymphs with PBO (an inhibitor of mixed-function oxidases activity) or TPP (an inhibitor of esterase activity), suggesting that these detoxification pathways are not relevant in the metabolism of cis- or trans-isomers. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 37:225–230, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trading Bond Value

In out-of-sample trading tests, combined trading strategies based on the bond value model is able to raise the Sharpe ratio to 0.85, from the 0.78 achieved by a passive benchmark of 10-year government bonds equally weighted across 12 developed countries (US, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand). The paper also shows the bond value model to be robust against data revisions in the US. The paper includes tests of the trading model on both an absolute value and relative value basis. On an absolute value basis by itself the model raises the Share ratio 0.05 to 0.83. Also, using the model equilibrium yield as a counter signal to future changes in market yield allows one to achieve a Sharpe ratio of 0.84 on a 12-country average. The paper refers to this as “Model Mean Reversion. ” Using both approaches on a 50/50 basis brings the Sharpe to 0.85. The paper also explores the use of a momentum factor by itself and in combination with the value models and finds no benefit. The paper provides evidence of the bond value model’s robustness for estimating equilibrium yields across major economies and also introduces a novel and potentially beneficial trading strategy in Model Mean Reversion.
Female genotype affects male success in sperm competition

The central question addressed by most studies of sperm competition is: ‘what determines which male's sperm are used at fertilization? ’ Empirical and theoretical studies that address this question have traditionally focused on adaptations which enhance male fertilization success while treating the female as a receptacle in which sperm competition is played out. Here we provide evidence which suggests that female genotype strongly influences the outcome of sperm competition. When the sperm of two males are in competition the proportion of offspring fathered by the second male to mate (P2) was found to be highly repeatable only if the male pair were mated to three different, but genetically similar females (full–sisters to each other; unrelated to either of the males). In contrast, if a male pair were mated to three females that were unrelated then P2 was either non–repeatable or marginally repeatable. We also show that male success in sperm competition is determined, to a large extent, by gamete and/or male–female compatibility. This conclusion is derived from the observation that P2 was repeatable among full–sisters mated to different, yet genetically similar male pairings, whilst P2 was non–repeatable among full–sisters mated to different, genetically distinct male pairings.
Seasonal variability of macroinvertebrate assemblages in two regions of South Africa: implications for aquatic bioassessment

Seasonal variability of macroinvertebrate assemblages was examined in two regions of South Africa: Western Cape and Mpumalanga. Sampling was undertaken at reference sites using the rapid bioassessment method SASS4 (South African Scoring System, Version 4). This study examined the influence of sampling season on the occurrence of taxa, macroinvertebrate assemblages and SASS scores. In the Western Cape a few taxa were more common at certain times of the year, and multivariate analysis of macroinvertebrate assemblages showed that assemblages grouped by season. The number of taxa and the Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) were significantly different among seasons in the Western Cape, with fewer taxa recorded in winter compared to summer, and significantly higher ASPT values recorded in winter and spring than summer and autumn. Whereas more taxa were recorded in autumn than in spring, a higher proportion of sensitive and high-scoring taxa were recorded in spring. In Mpumalanga macroinvertebrate assemblages did not group by season, and differences in SASS scores were not significant, although more taxa were recorded in winter than in spring or autumn, and ASPTs were slightly higher in winter than in spring. Results are discussed in relation to ecological reference conditions and the interpretation of bioassessment data.
Sex-specific adjustments in habitat selection contribute to buffer mouflon against summer conditions

In the context of global warming, investigating how animals buffer against the hottest conditions is a crucial issue. We focused on habitat selection in a French Mediterranean mouflon population during 2010–2012 summers. Using locations and temperatures recorded on GPS-collared individuals, we assessed thermal cover provided by different habitats and analyzed sex- and scale-specific habitat selection and its thermal consequences for mouflon. At the home range scale, females (n = 26) avoided unsafe plateaux and selected steep refuges, trading off thermal cover with better conditions for lamb survival. Larger males (n = 18), not constrained by young rearing and expected to respond more strongly than smaller females to hot conditions, rather selected forests on plateaux providing thermal cover. In terms of movements, both sexes selected forests during hottest days. Males also took advantage of food and thermal cover provided by moorlands on plateaux until twilight, whereas females traded off food and thermal cover with refuges. Thermal cover significantly influenced habitat selection when temperature at the closest weather station exceeded 17.1 °C (95% confidence interval = 14.9–19.7) in males and 15.5 °C (95% confidence interval = 13.9–16.5) in females. Above these thresholds, ambient temperatures experienced by mouflon increased more slowly than temperatures at the weather station (males: 0.77 °C [95% confidence interval = 0.74–0.79] per 1 °C rise at the weather station, females: 0.75 °C [95% confidence interval = 0.73–0.76]) and more slowly than below these thresholds (males: 0.89 °C [95% confidence interval = 0.85–0.93], females: 0.94 °C [95% confidence interval = 0.89–0.98]). These findings suggested that habitat selection contributes to buffer mouflon against summer conditions but raised questions on energetic and fitness costs in areas where summer temperatures are predicted to increase further.
Isolation of a Picorna-like Virus from Steelhead in Washington State

Abstract In January 1990, a virus was isolated from ovarian fluid of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss from the Tokal Creek Hatchery in the southern portion of Puget Sound, Washington. A unique cytopathic effect, characterized by well-defined plaques consisting of aggregates of multinucleate and vacuolated cells, was observed in five of seven cell lines inoculated with the virus. The virus grew best at 10 and 14°C, although it also replicated well at 6°C. It was resistant to incubation for 2 h at pH 3, 5, 7, and 9, but not at pH 2. The virus contained a single-stranded RNA genome, and particles were often found as a lattice-like matrix of unenveloped, round-toicosahedral-shaped nucleocapsids that were 25–30 nm in diameter and had a 16-nm-diameter core. Based on this information, we have classified the virus as the: Tokal Creek steelhead virus and believe it to be the first reported picorna-like virus (possibly of the genus Enterovirus) of salmonids.
Micro-Prudential Regulation and Banks' Systemic Risk

This paper investigates how countries' micro-prudential regulatory regimes are related to banks' systemic risk. We use a bank-level systemic risk indicator that can be decomposed into a bank's individual risk and its systemic linkage. To proxy the strictness of a country's regulatory regime, we employ World Bank survey data. Our results suggest that entry regulations increased systemic risk before and after the crisis. Liquidity and entry regulations seem to reduce individual risk in the post-crisis era, with little impact on systemic linkage. Other regulation categories, including capital regulation, do not have a robust relationship with systemic risk or its subcomponents.
Sustainable Financial Management

In changing of the business environment, the financial management systems are playing a significant role in motivating financial growth towards values of sustainability which is relied on promoting among other aspects, increased environmental responsibility, climate resilience, low carbon, human rights, gender equality, sustainable economic growth, and social inclusion. The financial management system outcomes from a long term revolution concerning global financial growth and developed on macro-economic options as well as described legal, technological and government rules. The sustainable financial management empowering environment, social and governance aspects in the decision making the procedure for investments in eradicating climate change, reducing inequality, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficacy and social inclusion. The business sustainability threats can be accomplished and eased through the implementation of planned sustainability risk management which is enabling businesses to get ahead the way of transformation by considerate the long term revelation involving acquiescence with the sustainability ideologies and avoiding concerning pressures but also dynamically abuse business prospects that are visible in the evolution.
Nuclear Survivin Is a Powerful Novel Prognostic Marker in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Disease

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors represent a heterogeneous tumor entity. The growth pattern ranges from very slowly to fast growing, aggressive types of tumors. Survivin, a member of the family of apoptosis inhibitors, is a bifunctional protein that suppresses apoptosis and regulates cell division. In this study we determined the prognostic value of survivin in this tumor entity. Tumor specimens from 104 patients (38 foregut, 53 midgut, 13 hindgut) were studied immunohistochemically for cytoplasmic and nuclear survivin expression as well as for ki-67 antigen expression. 5-year-follow-up was complete in 89 patients. 29 patients with localized, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (WDET, WHO class 1) had been curatively treated by surgical or endoscopic tumor resection. 50 patients suffered from well-differentiated endocrine carcinomas (WDEC, WHO class 2), 10 patients were diagnosed with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (PDEC, WHO class 3). Survivin expression was correlated with survival for the 50 patients with metastatic WDEC disease. All 29 WDETs were negative for nuclear survivin, whereas all 10 PDECs stained positive for nuclear survivin. In the 50 patients with metastatic WDECs, 5/50 (10%) tumors were nuclear survivin positive. Those 5 patients had a statistically significant worse prognosis (survival of 41 vs. 103 months, p = 0.01). ki-67 was not a prognostic factor in this subgroup of patients. Nuclear survivin expression thus appears to be upregulated during progression of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The analysis of nuclear survivin expression identifies subgroups in metastatic disease (WHO class 2) with good (survivin–) or with less favorable prognosis (survivin+). We propose that the determination of nuclear survivin expression could be used to individualize therapeutic strategies in this tumor entity in the future.
The Effects of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 on Defined Benefit Pension Contributions

This study examines the effect of the Tax Cuts &amp; Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) on corporate defined benefit pension contributions. The TCJA decreases the corporate tax rate from 35 in 2017 to 21 percent in 2018, and thereafter. This change incentivizes firms to increase 2017 pension contributions to take advantage of tax deductions at a higher rate. Consistent with this incentive, we find firms increase defined benefit pension contributions by an average of 25 to 31 percent in 2017 compared to earlier years. We also find that taxpaying firms are the primary contributors. Further, taxpaying firms with high levels of pension-related deferred tax assets contribute over three times as much as taxpaying firms with low levels of pension-related deferred tax assets. We also find firms that increase in pension contributions in 2017 reduce 2018 contributions, consistent with intertemporal income shifting rather than a permanent change in pension funding strategy.
Genetic Variability and Reproduction Structure of Corbicula japonica in Major Fishing Brackish Lakes in Japan

Corbicula japonica is the best-known bivalve inhabiting widely in brackish estuaries and lakes in Japan. Although this species has been most commercially important species of inland fisheries in Japan, the gradual decline in its production over 40 years caused not only economic problems in fishery industry but also ecological disturbances in biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproduction structure of C. japonica populations in major fishing brackish lakes based on the genetic diversity inferred by mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene. Of a total of 188 C. japonica individuals collected in Lakes Shinji, Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri, 25 haplotypes were obtained, and only the haplotype HT01 was apparent with relatively high abundance in all lakes. Minimum spanning network analysis of haplotypes showed different population structures between Lake Shinji and Lakes Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri. In addition, pairwise population genetic distance FST and ΦST values were significantly higher in Lake Shinji than Lakes Jusan, Ogawara and Abashiri. The mismatch distribution analysis showed unimodal profile for Lakes Jusan and Ogawara and bimodal profile for Lakes Shinji and Abashiri. Those results indicate a recent population expansion in all lakes, and Lakes Shinji and Abashiri and Lakes Jusan and Ogawara maintained continuous reproduction structure and suffered to rapid population growth, respectively.
Appraising Effect of Telecom Technology on Financial Inclusion in Select Villages of Bihar using Structural Equation Modeling

Financial Inclusion is a one of the major realms of concern for the researchers and policy makers. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) is a major step towards Financial Inclusion in India. This scheme has helped the marginalized section to own bank account but still miles to be achieved. The major concern now is to ensure usability of financial services. The Indian Telecommunication Industry is the fastest emerging industry. Telecommunication with its huge network is surfacing as crucial channel for launching new access techniques for banking services. This paper uses Structural Equation Modelling based software Smart PLS to examine the relationship between telecom and financial Inclusion. Data is collected randomly from two villages namely, Chaparia and Jagatpur of Madhubani District of Bihar. The sample size for the study is 200 with household as its sampling unit. The study includes 6 constructs and 44 indicators. All the 9 paths are statistically significant which shows significant relationship between the two dimensions, Financial Inclusion and Telecom. The financial institutes and telecom company have to play complementary role in achieving financial inclusion.
Some Theoretical Aspects of Trust, Relationship Commitment and Cooperation

In this paper we theoretically discuss some aspects of three important and mutually connected notions: the trust, the relationship commitment and the cooperation. All three concepts are crucial for success in today’s business world. All three concepts and terms are very complex, with several different definitions. We discuss them in article in detail, here we will only define them briefly. Trust is defined as “a willingness to rely on an exchange partner in whom one has confidence” (Moorman, Despande, Zaltman, 1993: 83). Relationship commitment can in our discussion be defined as “an exchange partner believing that an on-going relationship with another is as important as to warrant maximum efforts at maintaining it” (Morgan and Hunt, 1994: 23). And cooperation is defined as situations in which different partners work together so that they can achieve mutual goals (Anderson and Narus, 1990). All three concepts are very important in inter-organisational relationships and in achieving a competitive advantage.
Phylogenetic evidence for the classification of Acidothermus cellulolyticus into the subphylum of actinomycetes

The primary structure of the 16S rDNA of Acidothermus cellulolyticus, a cellulolytic, asporogenous rod isolated from a hot spring, was determined by automated sequence analysis. This Gram-variable organism is not related to members of other aerobic thermophilic genera found in similar environments, such as Thermus and Thermomicrobium, but clusters within the phylogenetically defined radiation of the actinomycetes where it represents an individual subline of descent.
Does Coordination of Welfare Services’ Delivery Make a Difference for Extremely Disadvantaged Jobseekers? Evidence from the 'YP4' Trial

Fragmented welfare service delivery has been identified as a significant barrier to improving outcomes for highly disadvantaged individuals. The ‘YP4’ trial, conducted from 2005 to 2009, sought to evaluate, by randomised control method, an approach proposed by Campbell et al. (2003) for integrating delivery of employment, housing, health and other services for young homeless jobseekers. Rather than providing extra access to services or utilisation of different services, the YP4 trial involved assignment of a case manager to help tailor and coordinate available services to reflect the specific circumstances of young homeless jobseekers. We find that the YP4 program did not have a significant effect on economic or psychological wellbeing, a finding that is robust to application of experimental and quasi-experimental methods. It is argued that our study contributes to knowledge on program design, particularly in relation to the importance of the scale of intervention and program administration.
Mortgage Guaranties, Housing Choice, and Borrower Riskiness: Evidence from the VA Home Loan Program

Prior to an increase in the guaranty cap offered to mortgage lenders through the VA Home Loan program, I document nearly complete bunching of loan amounts at this cap. When the cap rises, I show that borrowers were more positively selected: they were more likely to repay their loans despite taking out substantially larger loans. Analyzing the economics behind the guaranty cap reveals that these findings are inconsistent with rational expectations of borrowers and profit-maximizing lenders. An unintended benefit of this bunching behavior is that the increase in the cap induces large, discrete improvements in home and neighborhood quality even though lenders and borrowers have not changed. Leveraging this allows me to evaluate the causal effect of living in a home that is more expensive partly because it is larger and partly because it is associated with a better neighborhood. I find this causal effect is substantial; borrowers' incomes rise by three percent due in part to greater proximity to high-paying jobs.
Does the Welfare State Affect Individual Attitudes Towards Immigrants? Evidence Across Countries

This paper analyzes welfare-state determinants of individual attitudes towards immigrants - within and across countries - and their interaction with labor-market drivers of preferences. We consider two different mechanisms through which a redistributive welfare system might adjust as a result of immigration. In the first model, immigration has a larger impact on individuals at the top of the income distribution, while under the second model it is low-income individuals who are most affected through this channel. Individual attitudes are consistent with the first welfare-state model and with labor-market determinants of immigration attitudes. In countries where natives are on average more skilled than immigrants, individual income is negatively correlated with pro-immigration preferences, while individual skill is positively correlated with them. These relationships have the opposite signs in economies characterized by skilled migration (relative to the native population). These results are confirmed when we exploit international differences in the characteristics of destination countries' welfare state.