Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC PRETREATMENTS FOR BETTER SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR IN SANTALUM

Santalum album also known as East Indian sandalwood is an internationally renounced timber species because of its scented heartwood and essential oil. Propagation through the seed is the cheapest and easiest method to propagate this species. The present investigation focuses on influence of various organic and inorganic seed pretreatment on germination and seedling vigour in sandal. The mature seeds of sandal were collected from Marayoor Nachivayal forest of Idukki district, Kerala. The seeds were subjected to 16 pretreatments, which included soaking in tap and boiling water, acid scarification and soaking in GA3, cow dung slurry and cow urine in different concentration and duration. The results of the study indicated that the highest germination percentage (74.33) was observed in T8 (Soaking of seeds in 500 mg l -1 GA3 for 24 h) and lowest (44.33) in T5 (Soaking of seeds in H2SO4 for 5 minutes). Acid scarification and boiling water treatments decreased the germination percentage of the seeds than control. With regards to germination energy, soaking the seeds in 1000 mg l-1 GA3 for 24 hours (T9) recorded the highest germination energy (44.67%) followed by seeds soaked in 500 mg l -1 GA3 (T8). Soaking in cow dung slurry for 24 hours (T10) also recorded comparable germination energy (38%). The treatment with GA3 produced the highest germination index of the seeds and the lowest values were recorded in H2SO4 treatments. In the present investigation, pretreatment with GA3 emerged as the best pretreatment as proven by earlier workers, but the second best treatment was soaking in cow dung slurry, especially 24 hours duration. This is a low cost pretreatment compared to GA3 and hence can be widely used by farmers in nurseries. However, the no definite pattern of influence of pretreatments visible in seedling traits observed after one month.
Chinese firms entering China's low-income market: Gaining competitive advantage by partnering governments

This paper investigates poverty alleviation efforts in China and the nature of governmententerprise partnerships there. We argue that firms partnering central and local governments can be an effective strategy to overcome resource-based obstacles in low-income markets. In China, local and central governments are owners of rare and valuable resources, thus offering better access to finance, infrastructure, technical and planning expertise, advocacy through government marketing and distribution channels, and links to other stakeholders. The findings are based on 16 case studies of firms entering the low-income market in China, of which two cases in the agricultural and telecommunication sector are studied in depth.
The Effect of Wine Tourism Experiences on Wine Brands

Wine tourism takes on a clear hedonic dimension, being especially prone to the design of experiences. The characteristics of wine tourism make this product quite compatible with the rural areas and with an evident capacity of sustainable development. Most of the studies that characterize the wine tourism experiences have a clear focus on the demand side. This paper aims at obtaining a greater insight into the leverage of the wine brands through positive experiences associated with wine tourism. Sustained on the Grounded Theory, a deep analysis of the perception that the cellars/farms have about the effect of their touristic offer on their wine brands was carried out. While there is no use of concrete measures on the supply-side, we found that there is the conviction of a reciprocal leverage effect between wine tourism experiences and wine brands. Despite the exploratory nature of this paper we conclude that wine experiences and brand value and awareness reinforce which other in an interactive and dynamic way.
Measuring Financial Covenant Strictness in Private Debt Contracts

We examine the measurement of financial covenant strictness in private debt contracts. Based on descriptive analysis of detailed underlying covenant definitions, for each Dealscan covenant type we specify a “standard” covenant definition that can be computed using readily available data in Compustat. For most covenants, the average error induced by using our standard definition rather than using the precise covenant definitions is insignificant. Applying these findings, we compute a single Dealscan-based comprehensive measure of financial covenant strictness that utilizes information about slack, volatility of underlying covenant parameters, and their covariance across the entire set of financial covenants included in a contract. We provide evidence that this measure is superior to alternative measures of covenant strictness used in prior literature. Although measurement error undoubtedly exists, our evidence endorses a comprehensive approach to measuring covenant strictness using the full breadth of covenant slack data available in Dealscan.
Design of Low Noise 10 GHz divide-by-16…511 Frequency Divider

In this paper design and simulation of a 10 GHz, divide‑by‑16…511 programmable frequency divider based on ETSPC and TSPC logic flip-flops in 65 nm CMOS are presented. Main blocks of the divider are three-stage dual modulus divide by 2/3 divider chain, 6-bit counter, jitter removal and synchronisation flip-flops. Extended True Single Phase Clock (ETSPC) logic is used for 2/3 dividers to achieve high input frequency and low power and TSPC logic is used for 6-bit counter. Simulation of the divider was made using Cadence software. Divider’s operation frequency is up to 10 GHz. Resulted phase noise is -143.7 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz offset from output frequency and power dissipation is 29.35 mW when input frequency is 10 GHz, division ratio is set to 23, supply voltage 1.2 V. The main application of such divider is as feedback divider in frequency synthesizer for wireless communication systems. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 19.6. 4570
Title : CSF ß-amyloid and phospho-tau biomarker interactions on brain structure in preclinical

Objective: To assess the relationships between core cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and cortical thickness (CTh) in preclinical Alzheimer ́s Disease (AD). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Normal controls (n=145) from the Alzheimer ́s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) underwent structural 3T-MRI and lumbar puncture. CSF amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42) and phospho-tau (ptau181p) levels were measured by Luminex assays. Samples were dichotomized using published cut-offs (Aß+/Aßand p-tau+/ptau-). CTh was measured by Freesurfer. CTh difference maps were derived from interaction and correlation analyses. Clusters from the interaction analysis were isolated to analyze the directionality of the interaction in an ANCOVA analysis. Results: We found a significant biomarker interaction between CSF Aß1-42 and CSF p-tau181p levels on brain structure. Cortical atrophy only occurs in subjects with both Aß+ and p-tau+. The stratified correlation analyses showed that the relationship between p-tau181p and CTh is modified by Aß1-42 status and the relationship between Aß1-42 and CTh is modified by p-tau181p status. P-tau181p dependent thinning was found in different cortical regions in Aß+ subjects but not in Aßsubjects. Cortical thickening was related to decreasing CSF Aß1-42 values in the absence of abnormal p-tau181p, but no correlations were found in p-tau+ subjects. Interpretation: Our data suggest that interactions between biomarkers in AD result in a two-phase phenomenon of pathological cortical thickening associated with low CSF Aß1-42, followed by atrophy once CSF p-tau181p becomes abnormal. These interactions should be considered in clinical trials in preclinical AD, both when selecting patients and when using MRI as a surrogate marker of efficacy. Page 2 of 26 John Wiley & Sons Annals of Neurology
Genetic structure and differentiation of Gentiana atuntsiensis

The Hengduan Mountains are the core region of the Himalaya hotspot, and are renowned for their high levels of endemism. Gentiana atuntsiensis and G. striolata are two closely related and morphologically similar species endemic to this region. In this study, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic structure within these two species, as well as the differentiation between them. An analysis of molecular variance-derived estimate demonstrated only 13.5% of genetic differentiation between the two species. Considering their adjacent distribution patterns, low genetic divergence, and clear clustering into two groups, it is hypothesized that the two species arose from a rapid and recent speciation event induced mainly by geographical isolation. A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed in each species (Shannon’s index of diversity: H sp = 0.324 and 0.391; H pop = 0.225 and 0.274; for G. atuntsiensis and G. striolata , respectively). Most of the genetic variation was partitioned within populations ( Ø ST = 0.232 and 0.226 in G. atuntsiensis and G. striolata , respectively). The large population sizes, outcrossing breeding system, and small, light seeds that disperse widely may explain the genetic structure in both species. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 154 , 225–232.
Therapeutic implications of microRNAs in human cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that modulate gene expression. Several studies have shown that the expression of miRNAs is deregulated in human malignancies. For ncRNAs and miRNAs, such gene-profiling studies in tumorigenic tissues have identified significant signatures that are of both diagnostic and prognostic value. Addressing the functions of ncRNAs not only give insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie complex genetic processes, but may also elucidate novel mechanisms that contribute to early stages of tumor development, progression and metastasis. MiRNA-based novel approaches target the ncRNAome, including, for instance, miRNA expression levels and improved designs of miRNA-mimics or more precise target-predictions, prevent off-target effects of novel drugs and make miRNAs become a highly efficient class of therapeutics. For miRNA-based therapeutic studies two direct strategies are currently under investigation, viz. (i) the overexpression of given miRNAs to inhibit the expression of protein-coding genes or (ii) the inhibition of target miRNAs with antisense constructs like antagomiRs. Indirect strategies include the use of novel drugs that modulate miRNA expression levels by directly targeting their processing or transcription. Further, miRNA-based biomarkers have a significant impact on the development of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents, a concept known as theranostics and are highly relevant for drug development and personalized medicine.
Surface treatments in each group Group Surface treatment IE Intact enamel SB Sandblasted AE Acid etched SBAE Sandblasted and acid etched AEB Acid etched and bonded SBAEB Sandblasted , acid etched

S64 Introduction: The purposes of this study were to characterize enamel surfaces treated with sandblasting, acid etching, or sandblasting followed by acid etching for bonding of orthodontic adhesives and to evaluate the enamel-adhesive interfaces. Methods: Buccal premolar surfaces were sandblasted, acid etched, sandblasted and subsequently acid etched, or left intact. For 2 treatments (acid etching and sandblasting plus acid etching), orthodontic brackets were bonded for resin infiltration assessment. Surface roughness and enamel loss were evaluated by optical profilometry, and surface morphology and elemental composition were examined by lowvacuum scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive x-ray analysis, whereas interfacial resin infiltration was assessed by high-vacuum scanning electron microscopy. Differences were statistically analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramermultiple comparison tests or t tests (a5 0.05). Results:The sandblasted and sandblasted-plus-acid-etched groups showed higher surface roughness values than the acidetched group. Sandblasting plus acid etching removed more enamel than did sandblasting or acid etching alone. Sandblasting plus acid etching demonstrated a more uniform type I etching pattern, without alumina particles implanted in the enamel, unlike sandblasting. No difference was found in the extent of resin infiltration between the bonded acid-etched and sandblasted-plus-acid-etched groups, although the latter showed improved infiltration characteristics. Conclusions: Sandblasting-plus-acid-etching treatment creates a rough enamel surface, typical of type I etching, with the greatest extent of enamel loss, free of alumina interferences, demonstrating the same extent of resin infiltration as acid etching, but exhibiting improved infiltration quality. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2015;147:S64-75)
Rare gas flow structuration in plasma jet experiments

Modifications of rare gas flow by plasma generated with a plasma gun (PG) are evidenced through simultaneous time-resolved ICCD imaging and schlieren visualization. The geometrical features of the capillary inside which plasma propagates before in-air expansion, the pulse repetition rate and the presence of a metallic target are playing a key role on the rare gas flow at the outlet of the capillary when the plasma is switched on. In addition to the previously reported upstream offset of the laminar to turbulent transition, we document the reverse action leading to the generation of long plumes at moderate gas flow rates together with the channeling of helium flow under various discharge conditions. For higher gas flow rates, in the l min−1 range, time-resolved diagnostics performed during the first tens of ms after the PG is turned on, evidence that the plasma plume does not start expanding in a laminar neutral gas flow. Instead, plasma ignition leads to a gradual laminar-like flow build-up inside which the plasma plume is generated. The impact of such phenomena for gas delivery on targets mimicking biological samples is emphasized, as well as their consequences on the production and diagnostics of reactive species.
Edaravone Mitigates Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Depletion of Antioxidant Enzymes while Estrogen Restores Antioxidant Enzymes in the Ovary in F1 Offspring Running Title: Edaravone and estradiol protect the ovary from chromium toxicity. Summary sentence: Free radical inhibitor eda

Environmental contamination of drinking water with chromium (Cr) has been increasing in more than 30 cities in the United States. Previous studies from our group have shown that Cr affects reproductive functions in female rats. While it is impossible to completely remove Cr from the drinking water, it is imperative to develop effective intervention strategies to inhibit Cr-induced deleterious health effects. Edaravone (EDA), a potential inhibitor of free radicals, has been clinically used to treat cancer and cardiac ischemia. This study evaluated the efficacy of EDA against Cr-induced ovarian toxicity. Results showed that lactational exposure to CrIII in rats increased follicular atresia, decreased steroidogenesis, and delayed puberty in F1 offspring. CrIII increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant (AOX) enzyme levels in the ovary. CrIII increased follicle atresia by increased expression of cleaved caspase 3 (Casp3), and decreased expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 in the ovary. EDA mitigated or inhibited the effects of CrIII on follicle atresia, pubertal onset, steroid hormone levels, and AOX enzyme activity, as well as the expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 in the ovary. In a second study, CrIII treatment was withdrawn, and rats were injected with estradiol (E2) (10 μg in PBS/ethanol per 100 g body weight) for a period of two weeks to evaluate whether E2 treatment will restore Cr-induced depletion of AOX enzymes. E2 restored CrIII-induced depletion of glutathione peroxidase1, catalase, thioredoxin2 and peroxiredoxin3 in the ovary. This is the first study to demonstrate the protective effects of EDA against any toxicant in the ovary. BOR Papers in Press. Published on May 7, 2014 as DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.113. 113332 Copyright 2014 by The Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Partial least squares regression in the social sciences

Partial least square regression (PLSR) is a statistical modeling technique that extracts latent factors to explain both predictor and response variation. PLSR is particularly useful as a data exploration technique because it is highly flexible (e.g., there are few assumptions, variables can be highly collinear). While gaining importance across a diverse number of fields, its application in the social sciences has been limited. Here, we provide a brief introduction to PLSR, directed towards a novice audience with limited exposure to the technique; demonstrate its utility as an alternative to more classic approaches (multiple linear regression, principal component regression); and apply the technique to a hypothetical dataset using JMP statistical software (with references to SAS software).
Running title : Chromatin dynamics in differentiating spermatids

Much of spermatid differentiation takes place in the absence of active transcription, but in the early phase, large amounts of mRNA are synthesized, translationally repressed, and stored. Most nucleosomal histones are then degraded, and chromatin is repackaged by protamines. For both transcription and the histone-to-protamine transition in differentiating spermatids, chromatin must be opened. This raises the question whether two different processes exist. It is well conceivable that for initiation of the histone-to-protamine transition simply the already accessible, actively transcribed chromatin regions are utilized or vice versa. We analyzed the enrichment of different canonical TATA-box-binding protein-associated factors and their variants in murine spermatids and of diverse bromodomain-containing proteins and components of the Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1 and PRC2 using quantitative PCR. We compared the enrichment of corresponding proteins in human and murine spermatids and analyzed the time frame of post-meiotic transcription and expression of histones, transition proteins, and protamines in human and murine spermatids using immunohistology. We correlated the expression of different transcription factors and bromodomain-containing proteins and the pattern of acetylated histones to active transcription and to the histone-to-protamine transition in both human and murine spermatids. Our findings suggest that differentiating spermatids use both common and specific features to open chromatin first for transcription and subsequently for histoneto-protamine transition. BOR Papers in Press. Published on May 11, 2016 as DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.115. 137620 Copyright 2016 by The Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Major ions and radionuclides in aerosol particles from the South Pole during ISCAT-2000

As part of ISCAT 2000, bulk, high-volume, aerosol samples were collected at the South Pole (SP) nominally over 24-h intervals, and they were analyzed for major ions, several trace elements, and three naturally occurring radionuclides. The mean concentrations of Na (o17 ngm ), sulfate (98 ngm ), and methanesulfonate (MSA, 4.4 ngm ) all were lower in ISCAT 2000 compared with ISCAT 1998, suggesting weaker marine influences during the latter study. In contrast, the Pb activity (0.20mBqm ) was more than two-times higher in ISCAT 2000 than in 1998, and nitrate concentrations (150 ngm ) were approximately four-times higher, suggesting stronger continental influences in the second study. These differences between experiments are consistent with an analysis of meteorological transport and exchange. Be activities were generally comparable for ISCAT-1998 and 2000, suggesting that there were, on average, similar upper tropospheric/lower stratospheric influences on surface air during the two experiments: longterm records of Be, however, show pronounced annual and lower-frequency cycles. The concentration ratios of MSA to nss-sulfate (R) were similar in the two campaigns, and a regression analysis suggests that a non-biogenic source or sources account for up to B30% of the nonsea-salt sulfate. Various possible explanations for the low values of R (1⁄4 0:08) relative to other Antarctic sites are discussed, including differences in R due to where the oxidation of DMS takes place (that is, in the marine boundary layer or in the buffer layer/free troposphere), chemical fractionation during transport, and the transport of sulfur compounds from lower latitudes and possibly from Mt. Erebus. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
EXTERNAL APPROXIMATION OF FIRST ORDER VARIATIONAL PROBLEMS VIA W 1,p ESTIMATES

Here we present an approximation method for a rather broad class of first order varia- tional problems in spaces of piece-wise constant functions over triangulations of the base domain. The convergence of the method is based on an inequality involving W �1,p norms obtained by Necas and on the general framework of Γ-convergence theory.
Estimating and Forecasting Conditional Risk Measures with Extreme Value Theory: A Review

One of the key components of financial risk management is risk measurement. This typically requires modeling, estimating and forecasting tail-related quantities of the asset returns’ conditional distribution. Recent advances in the financial econometrics literature have developed several models based on Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to carry out these tasks. The purpose of this paper is to review these methods.
Title : Chronic acrylamide exposure in male mice results in elevated DNA damage in the germline and heritable induction of CYP 2 E 1 in the testes 1 Running title : Chronic acrylamide exposure and the male germline

Acute acrylamide exposure in male rodents results in reduced reproductive performance and dominant lethality. However, the reproductive effects of low dose chronic exposure, which better reflects the nature of human exposure, remain far less certain. Human dietary consumption of acrylamide has been estimated at an average of 1-4 μg/kg bw/day. In order to simulate this exposure, male mice were provided with acrylamide (1 μg/ml) via their drinking water continuously for six months, which was equivalent to a human dose of 10.5 μg/ kg bw/day. This exposure regime increased DNA damage in the spermatozoa, without affecting a concomitant reduction in overall fertility. The offspring of acrylamide treated mice did not have an increased incidence of skin papilloma formation following the two-stage tumor induction protocol. However, the male offspring of acrylamide treated fathers had significantly increased levels of DNA damage in their spermatozoa, despite having had no direct toxicant exposure. It was also found that the F0, and most crucially, F1 mice had increased levels of CYP2E1 protein in their germ cells. This is significant as CYP2E1 is the sole enzyme responsible for conversion of acrylamide to its harmful metabolite glycidamide. This altered expression may be due to epigenetic alterations. Additionally, the F0 and F1 mice had increased oxidative adducts in the DNA of their germ cells, which was hypothesized to arise as a byproduct of increased CYP2E1 activity. Therefore, chronic paternal acrylamide exposure in mice has consequences for their offspring, and raises concerns for the effects of acrylamide exposure in the human population and the accumulated effects with multiple generations of exposure. Summary Sentence: Chronic acrylamide exposure in male mice induces CYP2E1, the enzyme responsible for acrylamide’s toxicity, in the testes, and causes DNA damage in spermatozoa which is propagated to the F1 generation.