Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Evaluation of Soybean Extracts in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

In the present study, antidiabetic potential of Soybean extracts (chloroform and alcohol) has been evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Twelve healthy, male rabbits were divided into four different groups including, Normal control, Diabetic control, treated with soybean chloroform extract and soybean alcohol extract, with 3 rabbits in each group. The extracts were given orally for 24 days, 50ml extract per rabbit per day. At every 3 day blood sample was collected, serum separated and glycemic level, total cholesterol rd level, urea level, uric acid level were determined by kit method. The body weight was recorded on every 6 day's interval. The data obtained revealed that soybean chloroform and alcohol extracts reduced the glucose th level, 42.53% and 49.78% respectively. The treatment with these extracts also reduced the cholesterol level, urea level significantly and increased uric acid level and body weight as compared with normal and diabetic groups. Therefore, it is concluded that the soybean possess significant antidiabetic activity.
Space Occupation by the Polychaetous Annelid Perinereis Cultrifera: Influence of Substratum Heterogeneity and Intraspecific Interactions on Burrow Structure

Spatial analysis, laboratory experiments and field observations in the intertidal zone of La Ranee Estuary (northern coast of Brittany, France) of the infaunal polychaete Perinereis cultrifera indicate that the distribution and the abundance of this species appear to be related to the availability of cobbles. Individuals build U-shaped galleries with a surface gutter network protected by a cobble which acts as a roof. The study of spatio-temporal evolution of P. cultrifera burrows showed experimentally that density is important in space-sharing modalities within the sediment. Effects of increased density lead to modifications in the shape and size of the burrows. The absence of connections between burrows, as observed in ‘sandwich aquaria’ and in resin casts, suggest that the gallery is defended against intruders. The study of the distance between individuals in the laboratory did not reveal a regular distribution pattern. These results probably mean that the area around the burrow opening is not defended and, therefore, does not constitute a territory. Perinereis cultrifera is probably competing for burrow space while food may be shared. Territoriality is certainly the main factor involved in the organization and the spatial arrangements of individuals within a population.
Colour and Pattern in Predator-Prey Interactions: The Bright Body Colours and Patterns of a Tropical Orb-Spinning Spider Attract Flower-Seeking Prey

1. We used grass shields to manipulate the visibility of a large, brightly coloured, orb web-spinning spider. The shields hid spiders from prey approaching from one direction but spider visibility was enhanced, owing to the great contrast between the spider and the shield background, for prey approaching from the opposite direction. Open rings were positioned in front of spiders designated as controls. 2. Early in the rainy season, prey capture was slightly but significantly higher at webs where the visibility of one side of the spider was enhanced (or hidden). Later in the rainy season when insect abundance dropped, more pollinating insects were attracted by the spider's ultraviolet (UV)-reflecting, dorsal surface than the spider's brown and yellow venter. 3. These data suggest that the coloured and patterned body surfaces of Argiope argentata affect the rate and types of prey spiders capture. The importance of the colour patterns, however, varies with the abundance and type of insects in the area in which the spider is foraging.
Studying the effects of CFRP and GFRP sheets on the strengthening of self-compacting RC girders

One method of retrofitting concrete structures is to use fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). In this research, the shear, torsional and flexural strengthening of self-compacting reinforced concrete (RC) girders are fulfilled with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. At first, for verification, the experimental results were compared with numerical modeling results obtained from ABAQUS software version 6.10. Then the reinforcing sheets were attached to concrete girders in one and two layers. Studying numerical results obtained from ABAQUS software showed that the girders stiffness decreased with the propagations of cracks in them, and then the extra stresses were tolerated by adhesive layers and GFRP and CFRP sheets, which resulted in increasing the bearing capacity of the studied girders. In fact, shear, torsion and bending strengths of the girders increased by reinforcing girders with adding GFRP and CFRP sheets. The samples including two layers of CFRP had the maximum efficiencies that were 90, 76 and 60 percent of improvement in shear, torsion and bending strengths, respectively. It is worth noting that the bearing capacity of concrete girders with adding one layer of CFRP was slightly higher than the ones having two layers of GFRP in all circumstances; therefore, despite the lower initial cost of GFRP, using CFRP can be more economical in some conditions.
Inhibin B Levels in Relation to Obesity Measures and Lipids in Males with Different Numbers of Metabolic Syndrome Components

Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria. Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria. Department of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria. Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria. Department of Medical Social Services, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria. Department of Dietetics, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria. Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye 120005, Nigeria. General out Patient Unit, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200212, Nigeria.
Bionomics and control of Abraxas suspecta

The feeding,bionomics,occurrence regularity and parasites on the larva of the first generation of Abraxas suspecta Warren were observed.The result indicated Abraxas suspecta only fed on Euonymus japonicus and its variants.It had 4 generations a year and overwintered as pupa.The larva of the first generation caused most serious damage and the parasitization on it was the highest.Integrated control measures were suggested.
Mechanisms linking obesity,chronic kidney disease and fatty liver disease

Obesity is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Recent studies identify mechanisms common to both disease linked through an interorgan communication orchestrated by Fetuin-A,Adiponectin and 5'-AMP activated protein kinase(AMPK). In liver and kidney,the energy sensor AMPK is pivotal to directing podocytes and hepatocytes to compensatory and potentially deleterious pathways,leading to inflammatory and profibrotic cascades culminating in end-organ damage.Regulation of these early upstream pathways may provide new therapeutic targets for these common sequelae of obesity.
Acute toxicity and safety assessment of five fungicides to three aquatic organisms

In order to evaluate the safety of five fungicides to aquatic ecosystem, three standard test methods were applied to assess the toxicity effects of Pyraclostrobin, Boscalid, Azoxystrobin, Tebuconazole and Propiconazole on the three aquatic organisms: Selenastrum capricornutum, Daphnia magna and Donio rerio. The results indicated that the 48 h-EC50 of Pyraclostrobin to D. magna was 0.0230 mg/L(a.i.) and the 96 h-LC50 to D. rerio was 0.0311 mg/L, both were very high toxicity. The 72 h-EC50 of Pyraclostrobin to S. capricornutum was 0.451 mg/L, was medium toxicity. The 48 h-EC50 of Boscalid to D. magna was 9.26 mg/L and the 96 h-LC50 to D. rerio was 2.90 mg/L, both were medium toxicity. The 72 hEC50 of Boscalid to S. capricornutum was 13.1 mg/L, was low toxicity. The 72 h-EC50 of Azoxystrobin to S. capricornutum was 0.165 mg/L, the 48 h-EC50 to D. magna was 0.221 mg/L and the 96 h-LC50 to D. rerio was 0.817 mg/L, all were high toxicity. The 72 h-EC50 of Tebuconazole and Propiconazole to S. capricornutum were 1.95 mg/L and 0.772 mg/L respectively, were medium toxicity. The 48 h-EC50 of Tebuconazole and propiconazole to D. magna were 4.83 mg/L and3.88 mg/L, respectively, were medium toxicity. The 96 h-LC50 of Tebuconazole and Propiconazole to B. rerio were 4.66 mg/L and 2.47 mg/L respectively, were medium toxicity.
Infection of Wolbachia in three planthopper species in China

The infection of the bacterial symbionts Wolbachia in 3 planthoppers was detected by PCR method. Laodelphax striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera were found to be infected with Wolbachia. The gene wsp, encoding the outer membrane protein of the symbiotic bacteria, was cloned and sequenced. The RFLP analysis confirmed that those planthoppers were infected with the single Wolbachia strain. The cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) induced by Wolbachia in Laodelphax striatellus and the distribution of Wolbachia in this insect from different regions were studied. A parasitic wasp, Haplogonatopus apicalis, which can parasitize the planthoppers, was found to be infected with the same Wolbachia. Wolbachia might transfer between different insect horizontally via this wasp.
Expression analysis of ABA- and GA-related genes during four stages of bud dormancy in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc)

ABSTRACT Seasonal dormancy in deciduous fruit trees is a complex physiological state, which is regulated by many plant hormones and genes. Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) are known to be particularly important in controlling dormancy. We measured the concentrations of these two hormones in flower buds (collected during para-, endo-, and eco-dormancy, and at the dormancy-release stage) and vegetative buds (collected monthly from 20 November 2012 to 20 February 2013) of two cultivars of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc), ‘Bungo’ and ‘Taoxingmei’, using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Levels of expression of two zinc-finger family genes CCCH and C2H2 and the GA20ox (gibberellin 20 oxidase) gene (GenBank Accession No. Pm013607), as candidates for dormancy-controlling genes, were analysed at each sampling time using real-time RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Expression analyses indicated that both zinc-finger family genes exhibited high transcript levels in flower buds of both cultivars during para-dormancy, concomitant with high ABA concentrations. The zinc-finger family genes were relatively highly expressed in vegetative buds of both cultivars on 20 November 2012 (autumn). In addition, high concentration of GA3 in flower buds at the dormancy-release stage suggested that GA3 plays an important role in controlling the release of bud dormancy. High levels of expression of the GA20ox gene during eco-dormancy and at the dormancy-release stage might have a prominent effect on dormancy-release by regulating gibberellin (GA) signalling in Japanese apricot. These results will contribute to increasing our understanding of ABA- and GA-mediated seasonal dormancy mechanisms in Japanese apricot.
The Mesozoic megafossil genus Linguifolium

The plant megafossil genus Linguifolium Arber 1917 is chiefly known from the Middle and Upper Triassic of Gondwana. The range of Linguifolium extended beyond Gondwana by the Late Triassic, persisting there through the earliest Jurassic (Hettangian). The parent plants probably grew in a well-watered, canopied environment. Diagnoses of the genus and four of its species – Linguifolium tenison-woodsii (Shirley 1898) Retallack 1980, L. waitakiense Bell in Bell et al. 1956, L. parvum Holmes & Anderson in Holmes et al. 2010, and L. steinmannii (Solms-Laubach 1899) Arber 1917 – are emended with particular reference to venation and leaf morphology; consequently, the stratigraphic ranges of the species have been more precisely defined. Coalescent venation has previously been reported in some species of Linguifolium and is identified in new material described herein. Although the vast majority of specimens assigned to the genus are from the Upper Triassic, none shows coalescent venation. This character is entirely restricted to the Middle Triassic, in particular to two species: L. waitakiense and L. parvum. Linguifolium tenison-woodsii is restricted to the Carnian–lowermost Norian of Australia and South Africa and is recorded here for the first time from the Tarong Basin (upper Carnian), Queensland. Confusion regarding assignment of specimens to this species from the Middle Jurassic of Queensland is resolved.
Impact of the Requirement of Bone Mineral Density Evidence on Utilization of Anti-osteoporosis Medications, Clinical Outcome and Medical Expenditures of Patient With Hip Fracture in Taiwan

Background: Since 2011, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) issued a regulation on the reimbursement to anti-osteoporosis medications (AOMs). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of this regulation in reimbursement on the utilization of AOMs, clinical outcomes and associated medical expenditures of patients with incident hip fractures. Methods: By using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), patients with incident hip fracture from 2006 to 2015 were identified as our study cohort. Patients younger than 50 years old or prescribed with AOMs within one year prior to incident fracture were excluded. Outcomes of interest were quarterly estimates of the proportion of patients who received bone mineral density (BMD) examination, who were prescribed AOMs, as well as who encountered subsequent osteoporotic fracture-related visits and associated medical expenditures. Particularly, age- and gender specific estimates were reported. An interrupted time series study design with segmented regression model was used to quantitatively explore the impact of the changes of the reimbursement criteria on the level (immediate) and trend (long-term) changes of these outcomes. Results: Our study enrolled 118 493 patients with incident hip fracture with those patients aged older than 80 years old accounting for the largest proportion. A significantly decreased trend of AOMs prescription rates was observed immediately post regulation except for female aged between 65 and 80, while the long-term pattern showed no significant difference. However, the percentage of patients encountered subsequent osteoporotic fracture-related visit was not statistically different between pre- and post-regulation periods. Noteworthy, the policy regulation was associated with an increasing trend of osteoporotic fracture associated medical expenditures, especially for patients older than 80 years old. Conclusion: The regulation on the reimbursement for AOMs decreased the prescribing rate of AOMs immediately although the effect did not sustain thereafter. However, higher subsequent osteoporotic fracture-related medical expenditures were introduced, especially among those very old population.
Safe Method of Using Silica Aerogel to Control Stored-Product Beetles in Dwellings

Coatings of a silica aerogel insecticide applied to five adhesive substrates anchored the particles and prevented them from floating in air. Adults of the merchant grain beetle, Oryzaephilus mercator Fauvel, exposed for 3 and 24 h to light and heavy coatings of silica aerogel died after exposure to light coatings up to 35 d old. Adults of the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, were less susceptible, but on one adhesive, 100% mortality occurred on heavy coatings up to 14 d old after a 3-h exposure, and up to 35 d old after a 24-h exposure. For both species, effectiveness depended on the type of adhesive, duration of insect exposure, and amount of silica aerogel particles. The method is safe for use in dwellings or similar confined spaces.
Compartilhamento do módulo DVS para redução de área no pixel

Essa dissertacao apresenta um estudo dos sensores de imagem biomorficos com enfase em um sensor de imagem assincrono baseado no tempo. Cada pixel do sensor detecta a variacao da intensidade da luz incidente sobre o mesmo. Caso esta variacao ultrapasse um valor de referencia, o valor da intensidade da luz sobre aquele pixel deve ser capturado. Para coordenar o funcionamento assincrono, e utilizado um circuito de arbitragem que permite que os pixels da matriz acessem, de forma ordenada, barramentos de comunicacao compartilhados. Alem disso, os pixels biomorficos sao capazes de capturar informacoes independentemente, ou seja, sem o uso de sinais externos ao imageador. A leitura das capturas realizadas pelo imageador baseado no tempo e feita atraves de pulsos de tensao, denominados eventos, permitindo transmissao de dados em alta velocidade e sem o uso de valores quantizados de tensao. Nessa dissertacao propomos o compartilhamento, por alguns pixels, de um mesmo circuito para deteccao da variacao da intensidade de luz, com o objetivo de reduzir o numero total de componentes e, consequentemente, a area do pixel. A modificacao afeta a qualidade da imagem, mas os resultados mostram que a perda de qualidade e pequena para compartilhamento dentro de blocos de 2x2 pixels. A dissertacao apresenta resultados simulados, a nivel de sistema, obtidos para o imageador implementado. As simulacoes mostram a relacao entre o compartilhamento do circuito de deteccao por um numero variavel de pixels e a qualidade das imagens capturadas. Tambem sao mostradas simulacoes eletricas, a nivel de diagrama esquematico, e sao avaliados os efeitos da polarizacao de transistores sobre o funcionamento do imageador.
Microplastic pollution: A macro problem

Microplastics are the particles of size <5 mm, which originate from successive degradation of larger plastic debris or are manufactured as small granules and used in many applications. These are the emerging pollutants of increasing environmental concern. These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the environment the plastic might disintegrate into pieces too small to be caught in. The plastic sinking in sediment could be eaten by plankton or fish from where it enters the food chain and finally it climbs to the top of the pyramid into human body. An important source of microplastic appears to be through sewage contaminated by microfibers from washing clothes. This review outlines the current studies on the effects of plastic pollution in the marine environment and the possible deleterious effects of their presence in the marine food web.
Two new deep-sea muricids (Gastropoda) from Argentina

Two new species of muricids belonging in the genus Trophon are described from the upper slope off the Atlantic coast of Argentina. Both species have a small size for the genus. The radulae show similarities with those of Antarctic species of the same genus. Trophon columbarioides new species has a smooth shell with spines pointed adapically and was collected at 37–38° S, in 209–382 m. Trophon fasciolarioides new species has prominent spiral cords and was collected at Burwood Bank in 286–292 m depth and off Bahia Blanca in ca. 1000 m depth. Additional Keywords: Mollusca, Muricidae, Trophon, Southwestern Atlantic, Gastropods, Taxonomy, Patagonia
A K-Chart based implementation framework to attain lean & agile manufacturing

Lean manufacturing has always ensured production optimization by eliminating wastes, and its implementation has helped in improving the operational performance of the organization since it eliminates the bottlenecks from the processes, thus making them efficient. In lean scenarios, the focus is on “waste” elimination, but in agile manufacturing, the focus is on the ability of comprehension of changing market dynamics and the resilience. One of the major factors in the combined implementation of lean and agile approaches is inadequate planning, monitoring and lack of awareness regarding changing market trends, and this can be countered by utilizing the effective tool of K-Chart. Through a systematic literature review, the authors establish the requirement of effective planning and monitoring in the implementation of integrated lean and agile approach, concluding that K-Chart is a handy tool to adopt for their effective implementation. The result provides a new vision of lean implementation through K-Chart, whereas it provides clarity to practitioners by presenting a K-chart based implementation framework for achieving favourable results. Being a literature review the research work can be validated through a case study approach in future through a comparative analysis between various implementation techniques and K-Chart.
Expansion of the Actin Gene Family in Amphioxus

Actins are a small family of ubiquitous proteins that are essential cytoskeletal components and are highly conserved during evolution. Actins are usually divided into two classes, the cytoplasmic and muscle actins, which have different functional roles. Here we systematically analyzed the actin genes in the genome of the primitive chordate amphioxus ( Branchiostoma floridae ). We found that amphioxus contains more than 30 actin genes, many of which are linked. Phylogenetic analysis suggests the amphioxus actin genes have clearly undergone extensive expansion through tandem duplications. The actin genes' structure also varies a lot, containing 2 to 7 exons. We also cloned two muscle type of actin genes from the amphioxus (B. belcheri) and compared their expression patterns during early development. The slight difference in their expression suggests functional diversification of these actin genes. Our results shed light on the evolution both of actin genes themselves and their functional roles in chordate development.
Supplier Relationships in Quality Management

This paper investigates the relationship between supply chain strategy and TQM practices. We empirically test the relationships among strategic quality planning, supplier based relationships, product design, product innovation, dependable deliveries, and value to customer quality. The findings suggest that the success of some TQM practices, as reflected in the value-to-customer are influenced by supply chain principles such as developing appropriate supplier relationships. In addition, the present study verifies positive linkages between certain TQM practices like product design and innovation, and value to customers. Structural equation modeling is used for finding and testing relationships between the various constructs.
Courtship and Mating Behavior of Shinisaurus crocodilurus Bred in Luokeng Nature Reserve,Guangdong

The courtship and mating behavior of Chinese Crocodile Lizard(Shinisaurus crocodilurus) were studied by using direct observation methods and video camera recorder in Luokeng Nature Reserve of Guangdong Province.A behavior inventory defining 20 distinctive postures/ gestures were recorded and the general pattern of courtship and mating behavior in S.crocodilurus was:(1) displaying,(2) approaching,(3) licking,(4) neck bite hold,(5) embracing,(6) copulation,(7) detaching.Duration of each behavior is 157.29±33.81 s,15.57±1.59 s,10.86±3.05 s,169.28±31.99 s,66.14±16.08 s,2 417.14±229.30 s and 26.86±9.15 s respectively.The mating system of S.crocodilurus is promiscuity possibly.The courtship and mating pattern of S.crocodilurus is similar to their affinitive relatives.