Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects Of Speed And Duration Of Centrifugation On The Values of Some Commonly Measured Plasma Electrolytes

Centrifugation is a routine process in a clinical chemistry laboratory where blood specimens collected into anticoagulant containers are centrifuged to separate the plasma from the blood cells. This is done at various speeds, times and temperature which most times affect the quality of samples mainly due to haemolysis. World Health Organisation guidelines advocate for a maximum duration of 15 minutes as the centrifugation duration for separation of plasma. Various laboratories in this region adopt various speeds and duration for separation of blood samples without minding any possible effect it may have on the value of certain common analytes. This study was therefore designed to study the effect of different centrifugation speeds and duration (within the scope of the WHO centrifugation time guidelines) on the value of commonly measured analytes like sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate. A cross-sectional study where blood was taken from 30 apparently healthy undergraduate volunteers after dividing the group into A and B of 15 subjects each. From the A group, blood specimens from each subject was separated based on the different centrifugation speeds and from the B group, blood specimens from each subject was separated based on different centrifugation times. The different samples from each subject were analysed for sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate and this was done for all subjects. The mean values of all the analytes were about the same for the 1000 Revolutions per Minutes (RPM), 2000 RPM, 3000 RPM and 4000 RPM and so were the mean values of all the samples labelled 3 minutes, 6 minutes, 9 minutes, 12 minutes and 15 minutes. The differences in the means of the subgroups for group A and group B were statistically not significant. From this study, it can be advocated that plasma can be separated from whole blood samples at a maximum speed of 4000 RPM for 3 minutes duration without affecting the accuracy of most analytes and the introduction of this speed and duration will improve the quality assurance of laboratories in this region.
Beef cattle keeping by smallholders in a mountainous province of northern Vietnam in relation to poverty status, community remoteness and ethnicity

Vietnam’s national beef demand is continuously increasing, but is not able to be satisfied by domestic supply. Because land scarcity is a major constraint to beef production in many parts of the country, attempts to enhance beef production in Vietnam have focussed on small-scale household farms in remoter areas. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between cattle keeping and poverty status of household farms in Son La province, north-west Vietnam. In addition, altitude, community remoteness and technology adoption of the investigated households were considered for an evaluation of the feasibility of smallholder beef cattle production in the upland areas. Data on livestock production of 299 randomly selected households of different ethnic groups in the lowlands and highlands of Yen Chau district, Son La province, were collected by using structured and standardised questionnaires. The poverty status of the households was defined on basis of daily per-capita expenditures, dividing the investigated households into poor and non-poor farmers with daily per-capita expenditures below and above the rural poverty line, respectively. Cattle keeping farms in Yen Chau district showed advantages in terms of available land and labour resources compared with non-cattle keeping farms. Cattle were kept mainly by non-poor farmers, particularly the Thai, whose farm holdings are most commonly located in the lowlands. The number of cattle raised on farm was related to the poverty status of the households and remoteness. Cattle compete with other livestock in the use of limited farm resources. Cattle keeping farms more frequently applied feeding innovations to reduce feed competition on farm than the non-cattle keeping households. For the very poor, small animals are more appropriate than beef cattle production activities. Only in the identified advantageous regions, smallholder farmers might engage in beef production, if appropriate policies are implemented to support them in raising cattle. Consequently, the development of beef production under those conditions could contribute to poverty reduction by increasing smallholder’s incomes in the remote highland regions.
The Relationship between Phonological Short-Term Memory and Vocabulary Acquisition in Japanese Young Children

We confirmed the proposal made by Gathercole & Baddeley (1989, 1993), in experiments using the Japanese language, in which little contribution from phoneme-level phonological sensitivity is involved in vocabulary acquisition. They claimed that the capacity for of phonological short-term memory is the foundation of vocabulary acquisition, and that phonological short-term memory can be measured by nonword repetition tasks. Bowey (1996), moreover has argued that both phonological short-term memory and phoneme-level phonological sensitivity contribute to vocabulary acquisition. Thus, we have conducted two studies using the Japanese language, which has little contribution of phoneme-level phonological sensitivity. In study 1, we experimented 92 five-year-old to examine the relationship between vocabulary acquisition and phonological short-term memory using Japanese nonword. The correlation coefficient between vocabulary acquisition and Japanese nonword was r = . 31. By applying the results to structural equation modeling, we confirmed Baddeley’s working memory model. In study 2, we experimented 90 five-year-old to test both Japanese nonword and English nonword as well as phonological sensitivity tasks in both Japanese and English in order to examine their correlation with vocabulary acquisition. We have found that there are significant correlations between vocabulary acquisition and Japanese nonword, as well as between vocabulary acquisition and Japanese phonological sensitivity (r = .27 with Japanese nonword, r = .30 with Japanese phonological sensitivity, whereas r = .17 with English nonword and r = .17 with English phonological sensitivity), which indicates that phoneme-level phonological sensitivity (i.e. English phonological sensitivity) has low involvement in vocabulary acquisition for Japanese children. In addition, we further discuss the relationship between vocabulary acquisition and phonological sensitivity that is unique to each specific language.
ADENINE INCORPORATION AND CELL DIVISION IN SHOOT APICES

Summary Incorporation of 14C labelled adenine into DNA has been used to investigate the rates of division among cells of shoot meristems. This technique shows that all the cells of a growing apex, including the axial cells of the outermost layers, synthesize DNA. There is no quiescent region such as is found in root meristems. This conclusion is at variance with some of the recent views on the behaviour of shoot meristems.
CEO Tax Effects on Acquisition Structure and Value

We hypothesize that prior evidence of target shareholder capital gains tax liabilities affecting acquisition features is driven by the tax liabilities of the target firm CEO. To test this, we estimate CEOs' capital gains tax liabilities for a large sample of acquisitions and examine the effects of such liabilities on acquisition outcomes. Results indicate that the previously documented positive relations between shareholder-level capital gains tax rates and (1) the likelihood of a nontaxable acquisition (Ayers, Lefanowicz, and Robinson 2004), and (2) acquisition premiums (Ayers, Lefanowicz, and Robinson 2003) are largely driven by CEO tax effects. We also find evidence consistent with (1) CEOs' tax incentives leading to potential agency conflicts under certain conditions, and (2) acquisition structure or premium being adjusted in response to CEOs' taxes depending on the alternatives available to the acquirer. Our study contributes to our understanding of what and whose taxes affect acquisition structure and value. JEL Classifications: G34:, H24; H32: J33; M52.
Chemotactic peptide modulation of actin assembly and locomotion in neutrophils

To determine the relationship between the state of actin polymerization in neutrophils and the formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)- induced changes in the locomotive behavior of neutrophils, the mean rate of locomotion (mROL), the percent G-actin, and the relative F- actin content of neutrophils were determined. The mROL was quantified by analysis of the locomotion of individual cells; the percentage of total actin as G-actin was measured by DNase I inhibition; and the F- actin was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of nitrobenzoxadiazol (NBD)-phallacidin-stained neutrophils. Neutrophils stimulated with fMLP exhibit a change in their mROL that is biphasic and dose dependent. The mROL of neutrophils exposed to 10(-8) M fMLP, the KD, is 11.9 +/- 2.0 micron/min (baseline control 6.2 +/- 1.0 micron/min). At 10(-6) M fMLP, the mROL returns to baseline levels. Stimulation of neutrophils with fMLP also induces action polymerization. Evidence for actin polymerization includes a 26.5% reduction in G-actin and a twofold increase in the amount of NBD- phallacidin staining of cells as determined by FACS analysis. The NBD- phallacidin staining is not due to phagocytosis, is inhibited by phalloidin, requires cell permeabilization, and is saturable at NBD- phallacidin concentrations greater than 10(-7)M. The fMLP-induced increase in NBD-phallacidin staining occurs rapidly (less than 2 min), is temperature dependent, and is not due to cell aggregation. Since NBD- phallacidin binds specifically to F-actin, the increase in fluorescent staining of cells likely reflects an increase in the F-actin content of fMLP-stimulated cells. FACS analysis of NBD-phallacidin-stained cells shows that the relative F-actin content of neutrophils stimulated with 10(-11)-10(-8)M fMLP increases twofold and remains increased at concentrations greater than 10(-8)M fMLP. Therefore, the fMLP-induced increase in F-actin content of neutrophils as determined by FACS analysis of NBD-phallacidin-stained cells coincides with a decrease in G-actin and correlates with increased mROL of neutrophils under some (10(-11)-10(-8)M fMLP) but not all (greater than 10(-8)M fMLP) conditions of stimulation. Quantification of the F-actin content of nonmuscle cells by FACS analysis of NBD-phallacidin-stained cells may allow rapid assessment of the state of actin polymerization and correlation of that state with the motile behavior of nonmuscle cells.
Signaling role of nitric oxide in the induction of plant defense by exogenous application of abiotic inducers

The objective of this work was to search out the probable molecule behind the activation of broad spectrum resistance during abiotic elicitors such as arachidonic acid, cupric chloride, chitosan, isonicotinic acid and salicylic acid mediated induced systemic resistance (ISR) in Raphanus sativus L. The elicitor compounds were sprayed on the radish leaves of healthy plant and after 24 h incubation a significant increase of β-1,3 glucanase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenolics as well as a remarkable increase of nitric oxide (NO), a probable potent defense-signaling molecule in plant, was observed. Furthermore, treatment of the host with NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, also induced the same defense molecules. The results suggests that NO might be the signaling molecule during abiotic elicitor mediated ISR induction in the host system.
Hospital-Based Preliminary Observations of Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Saudi Patients with Colorectal Polyps: A Call for Nutrition Care Integration after Polypectomy Procedure

Aim: In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. Lifestyle modification, including diet and physical activity, is as important as the standard procedure of colonoscopy screening in reducing CRC development. I explored the dietary intake, physical activity, and selected nutritional biomarkers in Saudi patients with colorectal polyps, a precursor of CRC. Methods: Thirty polypectomy patients (aged 35–84 years) were recruited from an endoscopy unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Demographic, anthropometric, physical activity, and food frequency data were collected. Plasma C-reactive protein, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and folate levels were measured. Results: The median body mass index (BMI) of the patients was within the overweight cut-off range. The median consumption of carbohydrate and protein was within the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Median fat consumption was above the RDA, while median fiber intake was below the RDA. Patients met the recommended servings/day of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and protein but exceeded the recommended intake of fats and sweets. Most patients were non-active, with an inadequate level of serum vitamin D. Conclusion: We observed several risk factors previously associated with CRC, including low levels of physical activity, serum vitamin D, and fiber intake, and high BMI and fat intake among polypectomy patients.
Crop domestication disrupts a native tritrophic interaction associated with the sunflower, Helianthus annuus (Asterales: Asteraceae)

Abstract. 1. Crop domestication has been a largely overlooked factor that may explain why insect herbivores tend to be more abundant and less attacked in agricultural habitats than in native habitats. This study explores how domestication of the sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. , affects the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and its parasitoids.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum on Arabidopsis thaliana in Korea

In November 2008, typical powdery mildew symptoms were observed on leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Col-0 plants in a growth room under controlled laboratory conditions at Korea University, Seoul. The disease was characterized by the appearance of white powder-like fungal growth on the surface of infected leaves. As the disease progressed, infected leaves exhibited chlorotic or necrotic brown lesions, and leaf distortion and senescence. Conidiophores of the causal fungus were hyaline, unbranched, 3-4 celled, cylindrical, and in size. Singly produced conidia (pseudoidium type) were hyaline, oblong to cylindrical or oval in shape, and in size with a length/width ratio of average 3, angular/rectangular wrinkling of outer wall and no distinct fibrosin bodies. Appressoria on the hyphae were multi-lobed. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Oidium subgenus Pseudoidium, anamorph of the genus Erysiphe. The measurements of the fungal structures coincided with those of Erysiphe cruciferarum. The phylogenetic analysis using ITS rDNA sequences revealed that the causal fungus Erysiphe sp. KUS-F23994 is identical to E. cruciferarum. The isolated fungus incited powdery mildew symptoms on the inoculated Arabidopsis leaves, which proved Koch`s postulates. Taken all data together, we first report the occurrence of powdery mildew disease of A. thaliana caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum in Korea.
Isolation and Characterization of Antimony-Reducing Bacteria from Sediments Collected in the Vicinity of an Antimony Factory

To date, there is very little information available on the oxidation and reduction of antimony by bacteria. An antimonate-respiring bacterium was isolated from sediment samples collected in the vicinity of an antimony oxide-producing factory in Korea. This bacterium was isolated by application of the Hungate standard anaerobic culture technique. Temporarily named strain JUK-1, it was found to be a rod-shaped bacterium and occurred individually or in pairs. Antimonate (pentavalent antimony) was reduced to antimonite (trivalent antimony) in the presence of JUK-1 in an anoxic minimal medium containing 5 mM antimonate and 10 mM acetate. The organism grew optimally at an initial pH of 7.7 and a temperature of 30°C. A part of the antimonite which was produced in medium precipitated as a bio-mineral containing approximately 50.0% antimony, 33.5% oxygen, 12.7% carbon, 2.0% sodium and 1.9% magnesium by weight. Based on the phylogenetics of 16S rRNA gene sequence and DNA G+C content, JUK-1 appears to be a new strain of the Sinorhizobium genus. The results suggest that bacteria may play a significant role in changing the redox state of antimony in the environment.
Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons–Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Applicable in Biomedicine and Theranostics

In order to investigate the effect of graphene nanoribbons on the final properties of hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites, a solvothermal method was used at 180 °C and 5 h for the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons–hydroxyapatite nanopowders by employing hydrogen gas injection. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and diammonium hydrogenphosphate were used as calcium and phosphate precursors, respectively. To synthesize the powders, a solvent containing diethylene glycol, anhydrous ethanol, dimethylformamide, and water was used. Graphene oxide nanoribbons were synthesized by chemical unzipping of carbon nanotubes under oxidative conditions. The synthesized powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering methodat 950 °C and a pressure of 50 MPa. The powders and sintered samples were then evaluated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Vickers microindentation techniques, and biocompatibility assay. The findings of this study showed that the final powders synthesized by the solvothermal method had calcium to phosphate ratio of about 1.67. By adding a small amount of graphene nanoribbon (0.5%W), elastic modulus and hardness of hydroxyapatite increased dramatically. In biological experiments, the difference of hydroxyapatite effect in comparison with the nanocomposite was not significant. The findings of this study showed that graphene nanoribbons have a positive effect on the properties of hydroxyapatite, and these findings would be useful for the medical and theranostic application of this type of nanocomposites.
COMPARISON OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AND NATURAL MATING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FIVE STRAINS OF SHEEP DURING THE ANESTROUS SEASON IN AN INTENSIVE SYSTEM

Synchronized estrus and ovulation were induced during the anestrous season (April–May 1974) in 373 ewes of three synthetic (one sire and two dam) strains and two unselected (Suffolk and Finnish Landrace) purebred strains by treatment with 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) impregnated in polyurethane intravaginal sponges for 12 days. Following sponge removal each ewe received 500 IU pregnant mares’ serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) IM. Of these, 167 were bred by artificial insemination (AI) at 48 and 60 h post sponge removal with 0.2 ml raw unextended semen collected by electroejaculation (EE). Five days after AI, ewes were exposed to a follow up ram for 16 days for subsequent mating if a second estrus occurred. The remaining 206 were exposed to rams for a period of 22 days for natural mating. Blood samples were collected from 69 ewes, 9, 19 and 27 days post sponge removal and analyzed for progesterone to ascertain if corpora lutea were formed and whether the ewes recycled. The age of ram by mating method interac.
Role of cuticular lipids and water-soluble compounds in tick susceptibility to Metarhizium infection

Abstract The arthropod cuticle acts as a physiochemical barrier protecting the organism from pathogens' entry. Entomopathogenic fungi actively penetrate the cuticles of arthropod hosts and are therefore directly affected by cuticle composition. Previously we have observed that Metarhizium spp. developing on resistant ticks ultimately die without penetrating tick's cuticle, suggesting that the cuticles of resistant ticks have antifungal compounds. In the present study, lipids and water-soluble cuticular components were extracted from engorged female tick cuticles, of one susceptible and one resistant tick species to Metarhizium spp. While conidia exposed to lipids from the susceptible tick, Rhipicephalus annulatus, germinated and differentiated into appressorium, conidia exposed to lipids from the resistant tick, Hyalomma excavatum, were inhibited. Soluble cuticular component extracts from both susceptible and resistant ticks stimulated conidial germination but not appressorium differentiation. A comparative analysis of the fatty acid profile in lipid extract of each tick exhibited similar compositions, but the relative abundance of C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9C and C20:0 was 2–5 times higher in the extracts from resistant ticks. All of these fatty acids inhibited conidial germination in vitro at 1% and 0.1% w/v concentration, but C20:0 stimulated appressorium differentiation at low concentration. This is the first report demonstrating a possible link between the presence of antifungal compounds in a specific concentration in tick cuticle and tick resistance to infection.
An API-first methodology for designing a microservice-based Backend as a Service platform

Over the last several years, cloud computing has imposed as a major paradigm in software development by providing computer resources over the Internet. Among various cloud service models, Backend as a Service (BaaS) stands out as a model that targets the specific needs of web and mobile developers. By providing the backend for applications, it facilitates and expedites the software development process. In order to prevent major problems with the use of third-party BaaS providers, this paper advocates building your own BaaS platform, as well as several works ahead of it. However, the development of a BaaS platform carries various challenges regarding architecture and design. This paper strives to define the core service offerings of a BaaS platform and propose a method for providing an architectural design of a BaaS platform based on a microservice architecture. Microservice architecture is the preferred architectural style for cloud solutions since it promotes loose coupling, ease of scaling and integration with third-party services, which are fundamental stipulations of BaaS platforms. The methodology adopted in designing a microservice-based BaaS platform was formed in accordance with an Application Programming Interface (API)-first approach, which strives to design a suitable, representative API of the platform. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper proposes the lowest-level design of a BaaS platform so far, describing the entity relations, integration patterns, and communication styles. Ultimately, the proposed design was implemented and tested for its functional requirements. In that regard, specific test cases that mirror the actual workflow of the BaaS platform were constructed.