Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variability in Food and Feed Traits of Early Maturing Desi Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) for Multi-Dimensional Improvement

This study aimed to determine whether straw traits can be integrated into multi-trait improvement of chickpea. Twenty-four improved varieties and one local variety released for high grain yield were replicated 4-times in a randomized complete block trial in two locations in Ethiopia. Straw of the local variety was treated with 4% urea on DM basis and the change in nutritive value was used as a baseline to qualify enhancement of nutritive value as a result of varietal variation. All straw samples were evaluated for proximate analysis and ME using a combination of conventional nutritional laboratory analyses and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Effect of variety, location and variety×location interaction on grain yield, straw yield and straw nutritive value was significant (P<0.05). Urea treatment significantly (P<0.001) improved straw content of CP and ME by 49 and 4%, respectively. The average exploitable genotypic range was higher than the effect of urea treatment by 8.3 units for CP and 0.35 units for ME. Correlation between grain yield and straw traits was weak in all locations. It is concluded that there is a possibility to simultaneously improve grain yield and straw traits of chickpea using appropriate breeding programs. Genetic improvement of the nutritive value of chickpea straw would provide farmers with a sustainable alternative to urea treatment.
Yield and composition of milk and detection of plasma ghrelin and IGF - 1 in dairy buffalo fed with Moringa oleifera leaf leal (MoLM) supplement

The study investigated the nutritive effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MoLM) in terms of milk yield and composition and detection of putative plasma ghrelin and IGF-1 in dairy buffalo. A total of eight (8) lactating dairy buffalo in mid lactation stage were randomly allotted to two treatments (T1-Control and T2-30% MoLM + 70% Concentrate). Milk samples were analyzed using MilkoScan FT-1 milk analyzer. Data on the milk yield and milk composition were analyzed using factorial analysis in CRD by means of Statistix 10. Blood samples were collected before the during the feeding trial to test the presence of ghrelin and IGF-1 concentration using SDS-PAGE. In terms of milk yield and composition, no significant differences were noted between treatments but significant difference was noted in terms of milk collection on milk protein, lactose, TS and SNF. Both hormones (ghrelin and IGF-1) were detected in the blood of experimental animals before and after the feeding trial. This study demonstrated that MoLM can be a good alternative for commercial feed for dairy buffaloes.
OXYGEN REDUCTION REACTION ON PALLADIUM-COBALT ALLOY CATALYSTS FOR POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS

The Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activity in acid medium on Pd-Co was studied in this work. The catalysts were synthesized by two techniques; physical vapor deposition technique and ultrasonic spray reaction technique. The last technique was developed for the first time in our laboratory for the supported electro catalyst preparation and direct deposition onto the carbon paper or gas diffusion electrode the for PEMFC applications. The electrochemical properties such as the amount of hydrogen adsorption/desorption, the oxide formation/reduction of Pd-Co alloy catalyst have not been sufficiently studied before. Therefore these electrochemical properties were investigated by using the Pd-Co thin films prepared by sputtering method. A thin film catalyst cannot be directly used as an electrode of working PEMFCs, however the sputtering method is very useful since the chemical composition of alloy and surface area of the electrode can be controlled easily. Thus the fundamental electrochemical properties such as the amount of hydrogen adsorption/desorption, oxide formation/reduction and oxide reduction peak position on thin films of Pd-Co alloy, Pd and Pt catalysts were determined and their correlations to ORR catalytic activities in acid medium were studied. Enhancements of the catalytic activities for ORR by Pd-Co binary alloys were found to be in agreement with results obtained in previous studies. The electro catalytic performance of the ORR on the various electrodes studied here is: in the order Pd16Co84 < Pd42Co58 < Pd < Pd50Co50 < Pd75Co25 < Pd65Co35. This result clearly shows that alloying Pd with a specific composition of Co enhances significantly the electro-catalytic properties of the ORR on Pd-Co alloys in comparison to Pd alone. Pd65Co35 alloy exhibited the highest ORR activity followed by Pd75Co25 and Pd50Co50 alloys. No obvious activity enhancements were found for Pd42Co58 and Pd16Co84, which have higher Co content. A linear correlation between hydrogen charges and ORR catalytic activities on Pd-Co alloys was obtained. Catalysts having more Co content have lower ORR activities. With regard to the correlation between the amount of oxide formation/reduction and ORR activities, no linier correlation was found. However the results of this work indicated that the optimized atomic ratio between Pd and Co for ORR in acid medium was found to be around Pd:Co = 3:1. Ultrasonic spray reaction method was developed for the first time in our laboratory for carbon supported nano-scale catalyst for PEMFC application. Fine catalyst particles supported on high surface area carbon powder are required to apply the catalyst as the PEMFC cathode materials for
Facteurs associés au mauvais contrôle glycémique chez des diabétiques de type 2 au Nord-Est du Maroc : à propos de 80 cas

Malgre les efforts deployes dans la prise en charge du diabete, une proportion encore elevee de diabetiques connait un mauvais controle glycemique qui constitue le facteur le plus determinant des complications et du deces premature lies au diabete 2. L’objectif de ce travail etait d’identifier les facteurs de risque potentiels qui seraient associes au mauvais controle glycemique chez des diabetiques au niveau de la ville de Nador. A ce propos, une enquete a ete entreprise aupres de ces patients en prenant comme indicateur biologique les taux d’hemoglobine glyquee « HbA1c ». Les femmes representaient 90% des enquetes et l’âge moyen etait de 59,96 ± 2,07 ans. Les niveaux de HbA1c etaient superieurs a 9% pour pres de 54%. La population en question se caracterise par un bas niveau d’instruction (90%), un statut socioeconomique fragile, des taux inquietants de surpoids (47%) et d’obesite (44%) et par des comportements hygieno-dietetiques insatisfaisants. Agir sur les determinants socioeconomiques et reformer la prise en charge des diabetiques amelioreraient leur etat de sante et limiteraient la survenue precoce des complications liees a cette maladie.
EFICIÊNCIA in vitro DE UMA FORMULAÇÃO OLEOSA DE Metarhizium anisopliae SENSU LATO NO CONTROLE DE Rhipicephalus microplus

ABSTRACT. Marciano A.F. , Fiorotti J.P., Souza L.A. , Camargo M.G. , Perinotto W. M.S., Angelo I.C. , Golo P.S. , Sa F.A. , Coutinho-Rodrigues C.J.B. , Quinelato S. & Bittencourt V.R. E.P. [Efficiency in vitro of a oil formulation of Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato in the control of Rhipicephalus microplus. ] Eficiencia in vitro de uma formulacao comercial de Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato no controle de Rhipicephalus microplus. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 35(Supl.2):28-34, 2013. Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinaria, Anexo 1, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Seropedica, BR 465 Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23897-970, Brasil. E-mail: vaniabit@ufrrj.br Rhipicephalus microplus is an ectoparasite responsible for great economic losses in cattle industry. In an effort to reduce the use of chemical acaricides, which causes many environmental problems, the research for alternative ways to control ticks, in special the use of formulations of entomopathogenic fungi, has been attracting attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oil-based formulations in different oil concentrations of a commercial product of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metarril WP Organic®) against eggs, larvae and engorged female of R. microplus. Eight groups were formed: an aqueous control group treated only with sterile distilled water and 0.1% Tween 80, a group treated with the aqueous suspension Metarril WP Organic®, three control groups containing 1, 3 or 5% mineral oil and three groups treated with the oil-based formulations Metarril WP Organic® containing 1, 3 or 5% mineral oil. The formulations had a concentration of 108 conidia.mL-1. The treatment consisted of the immersion of the specimens in one mL of suspension tested for three minutes. The biological parameters of engorged females were significantly affected by the oil-based formulations Metarril WP Organic®, leading to 97.35% efficacy control in the group treated with the fungal oil-based formulation containing 5% mineral oil. In the treatment of eggs, oil-based formulations Metarril WP Organic® decreased 55 times larvae hatching when compared to the control groups. In the treatment of larvae mortality was 100% at fifth day after the treatment with the fungal formulations containing 3 and 5 % mineral oil. These results suggest that the formulations of Metarril WP Organic® containing 1, 3 or 5 % mineral oil are effective in vitro against tick developmental stages of R. microplus.
Plan – Do – Check – Act? Stand der Evaluation von Qualitätssicherungs-Richtlinien des G-BA

Der Grundsatz `Plan - Do - Check - Act` sollte auch für die Erstellung und Umsetzung von Qualitätssicherungs-Richtlinien des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses (G-BA) gelten. Nachdem viele Jahre eine systematische Evaluation dieser Richtlinien fehlte und damit auch hilfreiche Informationen für deren Weiterentwicklung, hat sich der G-BA in jüngster Zeit verstärkt diesem Thema gewidmet. Im folgenden Beitrag wird der Stand der Evaluationsaktivitäten des G-BA im Bereich der Qualitätssicherung quantitativ und qualitativ beschrieben. Darüber hinaus werden die grundsätzlichen methodischen Instrumentarien, die im Rahmen der systematischen Evaluationen zum Einsatz kommen, erörtert.
Soil greenhouse gas, carbon content, and tree growth response to biochar amendment in western United States forests

Restoring overstocked forests by thinning and pyrolyzing residual biomass produces biochar and other value‐added products. Forest soils amended with biochar have potential to sequester carbon (C), improve soil quality, and alter greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without depleting nutrient stocks. Yet, few studies have examined the effects of biochar on GHG emissions and tree growth in temperate forest soils. We measured GHG emissions, soil C content, and tree growth at managed forest sites in Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. We applied biochar amendments of 0, 2.5, or 25 Mg/ha to the forest soil surface. Flux of carbon dioxide and methane varied by season; however, neither were affected by biochar amendment. Flux of nitrous oxide was not detected at these nitrogen‐limited and unfertilized forest sites. Biochar amendment increased soil C content by 41% but did not affect tree growth. Overall, biochar had no detrimental effects on forest trees or soils. We conclude that biochar can be used harmlessly for climate change mitigation in forests by sequestering C in the soil.
Cyto-architecture constrains a photoactivation induced tubulin gradient in the syncytial Drosophila embryo

Drosophila embryogenesis begins with nuclear division in a common cytoplasm forming a syncytial cell. Morphogen gradient molecules spread across nucleo-cytoplasmic domains to pattern the body axis of the syncytial embryo. The diffusion of molecules across the syncytial nucleo-cytoplasmic domains is potentially constrained by association with the components of cellular architecture, however the extent of restriction has not been examined so far. Here we use photoactivation (PA) to generate a source of cytoplasmic or cytoskeletal molecules in order to monitor the kinetics of their spread in the syncytial Drosophila embryo. Photoactivated PA-GFP and PA-GFP-Tubulin within a fixed anterior area diffused along the antero-posterior axis. These molecules were enriched in cortical cytoplasm above the yolk-filled center suggesting that the cortical cytoplasm is phase separated from the yolk-filled center. The length scales of diffusion were extracted using exponential fits under steady state assumptions. PA-GFP spread to greater distance as compared to PA-GFP-Tubulin. Both gradients were steeper and more restricted when generated in the center of the embryo probably due to a higher density of nucleo-cytoplasmic domains. The length scale of diffusion for PA-GFP-Tubulin gradient increased in mutant embryos containing short plasma membrane furrows and disrupted tubulin cytoskeleton. The PA-GFP gradient shape was unaffected by cyto-architecture perturbation. Taken together, these data show that PA-GFP-Tubulin gradient is largely restricted by its incorporation in the microtubule network and intact plasma membrane furrows. This photoactivation based analysis of protein spread across allows for interpretation of the dependence of gradient formation on the syncytial cyto-architecture.
The Relic Trochodendron aralioides Siebold & Zucc. (Trochodendraceae) in Taiwan: Ensemble Distribution Modeling and Climate Change Impacts

Trochodendron aralioides Siebold & Zuccarini (Trochodendraceae) is a famous relic tree species. Understanding the comprehensive spatial distribution and likely impacts of climate change on T. aralioides in its main habitat—Taiwan—is of great importance. We collected occurrence data and bioclimatic data to predict the current and future (year 2050) distribution by ensemble distribution modeling on the BIOMOD2 platform. Visualization of occurrence point data revealed that the main population of T. aralioides was concentrated at medium altitudes and extended to both ends of Taiwan, being especially rich in the northern low mountains. A similar distribution pattern of occurrence probability was shown by ensemble prediction of the true skill statistic >0.8 models. Comparing the current and future distribution of T. aralioides, the overlay analysis with profile display demonstrated spatial turnover that revealed a discrepancy between different latitudes and altitudes. In the future climate, T. aralioides at the middle altitudes of central Taiwan could migrate upward, but its population in northern Taiwan could lose most of its habitat. Consequently, T. aralioides in the low mountains of northern Taiwan could be particularly in need of further conservation research, which is urgently required to mitigate climate change impacts.
Property-based testing of a financial market platform

One of the biggest challenges in the context of software engineering is the avoidance of program crashing. We know for sure that all programs eventually tend to fail, but we can always try to avoid the presence of certain errors in the code that will produce failures on a piece of software. This can be lessen through a continuous testing task, of manually defining testing examples that try to catch the maximum number of failures in the program, before the program reaches the end user. This process is not only tiresome but it is also unmanageable considering the ever growing complex programs appearing in the market. With this thesis we propose a different alternative, where test cases are automatically generated to test properties of programs. If a test case fails during a test run, an output is returned containing the smallest counter-example proving that the program does not comply with a given property. For this to work, we only have to setup a model that mimics the same part of the software that we want to test. This methodology is called property based testing and it was used to test the entry gateway of a financial market platform. We decided to test one specific property of the program, and we found, after several test case runs, a failure in the program as it did not comply with the property defined by us.
Drivers Behind the Financial Insolvency: An Empirical Study on the Textile Industry in Bangladesh

The main purpose of the research study is to assess the financial soundness of the textile industry in Bangladesh. The effects of financial ratios have also been examined. The research has been designed based on published quantitative data in the stock market. 35 listed companies that consist of A-Category, B-Category and Z-category companies were analyzed. In this research study, five financial ratios have been analyzed and tested using the Altman Z-score model. Statistical correlation among the financial ratio was examined to depict the picture of financial distress among the different categories of companies in Textile industries in Bangladesh. Most of the A category companies are in Safe Zone or financially sound, B category companies are into Grey Zone and Z category companies are in distress zone. The outcome of the study can be valuable for the financial managers to take important managerial as well as financial decisions, the shareholders to take appropriate investment decisions and bankers to evaluate the prospective borrowers’ credit risk an d renew loans of the concerned textile manufacturers of the country. Contribution/Originality: This study is one of the very few studies which have examined the direct relationship of financial ratios with Z-score values regarding different categories of listed textile companies in the stock exchange by using panel data analysis.
Detecting Malicious Social Robots with Generative Adversarial Networks

Malicious social robots, which are disseminators of malicious information on social networks, seriously affect information security and network environments. The detection of malicious social robots is a hot topic and a significant concern for researchers. A method based on classification has been widely used for social robot detection. However, this method of classification is limited by an unbalanced data set in which legitimate, negative samples outnumber malicious robots (positive samples), which leads to unsatisfactory detection results. This paper proposes the use of generative adversarial networks (GANs) to extend the unbalanced data sets before training classifiers to improve the detection of social robots. Five popular oversampling algorithms were compared in the experiments, and the effects of imbalance degree and the expansion ratio of the original data on oversampling were studied. The experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved better detection performance compared with other algorithms in terms of the F1 measure. The GAN method also performed well when the imbalance degree was smaller than 15%.
Impact of SULT1A3/SULT1A4 genetic polymorphisms on the sulfation of phenylephrine and salbutamol by human SULT1A3 allozymes

Objectives Phenylephrine and salbutamol are drugs that are used widely to treat diseases/disorders, such as nasal congestion, hypotension, and asthma, in individuals of different age groups. Human cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) SULT1A3 has been shown to be critically involved in the metabolism of these therapeutic agents. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms of human SULT1A3 and SULT1A4 genes on the sulfation of phenylephrine and salbutamol by SULT1A3 allozymes. Materials and methods Wild-type and SULT1A3 allozymes, prepared previously by site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with bacterial expression and affinity purification, were analyzed for sulfating activity using an established assay procedure. Results Purified SULT1A3 allozymes, in comparison with the wild-type enzyme, showed differential sulfating activities toward phenylephrine and salbutamol. Kinetic studies showed further significant variations in their substrate-binding affinity and catalytic activity toward phenylephrine and salbutamol. Conclusion The results obtained showed clearly the differential enzymatic characteristics of SULT1A3 allozymes in mediating the sulfation of phenylephrine and salbutamol. This information may contribute toward a better understanding of the pharmacokinetics of these two drugs in individuals with distinct SULT1A3 and/or SULT1A4 genotypes.
Reverse Bias Current Eliminated, Read-Separated, and Write-Enhanced Tunnel FET SRAM

The reverse bias current of the tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) could cause serious damage to static random-access memory (SRAM) circuit performance. To address this issue, a novel reverse bias current eliminated, read-separated, and write-enhanced TFET 12T SRAM bitcell is proposed for ultra-low power applications in this brief. It can prevent reverse bias currents, increase the hold/read static noise margin (H/RSNM) and dramatically decrease the static power consumption. The static power consumption of the proposed bitcell is reduced by four orders of magnitude compared with that of the 7T bitcell, demonstrating its great potential for ultra-low power applications. At a supply voltage of 0.6 V, the H/RSNM of the proposed bitcell is 25% larger than that of the 7T bitcell. It also includes a write assist circuit, thus increasing its write static noise margin (WSNM) and considerably decreasing its write power consumption. The WSNM of the proposed bitcell is more than twice that of the 7T bitcell, and is 60% larger than that of the combinational access bitcell. In addition, the write power consumption of the proposed bitcell is reduced by 95% compared with that of the combinational access bitcell at a supply voltage of 0.6 V. In terms of layout, the area of the proposed 12T bitcell is 92% larger than that of the 7T bitcell, but is 6% smaller than the area of the combinational access bitcell.
Perturbed Biochemical Pathways and Associated Oxidative Stress Lead to Vascular Dysfunctions in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a vascular insult that accompanies the hyperglycemic state. Retinal vasculature holds a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the retina, and any alteration to retinal vasculature affects retinal functions. The blood retinal barrier, a prerequisite to vision acuity, is most susceptible to damage during the progression of DR. This is a consequence of impaired biochemical pathways such as the polyol, advanced end glycation products (AGE), hexosamine, protein kinase C (PKC), and tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) pathways. Moreover, the role of histone modification and altered miRNA expression is also emerging as a major contributor. Epigenetic changes create a link between altered protein function and redox status of retinal cells, creating a state of metabolic memory. Although various biochemical pathways underlie the etiology of DR, the major insult to the retina is due to oxidative stress, a unifying factor of altered biochemical pathways. This review primarily focuses on the critical biochemical pathways altered in DR leading to vascular dysfunctions and discusses antioxidants as plausible treatment strategies.
Analysis of computational thinking skill predictors on information technology education students

Computational thinking is a skill that must be possessed by everyone, especially students. Factors that affect computational thinking skills must be properly identified to support the development of computational thinking. This study aims to analyze the effective factors, namely gender, mathematical ability, ICT literature, and language skills as predictors of computational thinking. The research subjects were 34 Unesa information technology education students. Analysis of predictor factors using linear regression and concluded that that the level of computational thinking sequentially is effected by mathematical ability, language skills, gender, and ICT literacy.