Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Hedge Fund Performance

In this article, the authors briefly review the potential market factors affecting various hedge fund strategies. The market factors affecting hedge fund returns are based on the underlying securities held and the trading philosophy behind each strategy. A simplified multi-factor model is used to capture the market factors driving various hedge fund strategies, and the actual performances of various hedge fund strategies relative to these market based factors are presented. The market factors are also used to illustrate the relative performance of various hedge fund strategies conditional on extreme values of these market factors. The empirical relationship between the measured market factors and various hedge fund strategies over time is also explored. Results show that while for style pure indices of hedge fund performance the factor relationships remain fairly constant, for diversified funds of funds, which may dramatically change their strategy, the factor loadings that explain fund of fund returns change. These results imply that for funds of funds, which emphasize market timing, their benefit in terms of systematic asset allocation is also time varying.
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION IN LINARIA VULGARIS

Vegetative propagation in Linaria vulgaris is obtained by the development of numerous adventitious buds on its roots. Each bud originates exogenously on the parent root, and it is always associated with a lateral root which arises in the pericycle opposite a protoxylem point. Buds capable of vegetative propagation are not found on either the hypocotyl or the stem. This appears to be correlated with the absence in roots of the typical open type of lenticels and of any significant accumulation of starch. Soil disturbance seems to have a deleterious effect on the production of buds on roots.
Effect of a single posthatch intubation of nutrients on subsequent early performance of broiler chicks and turkey poults

Abstract The effects of intubation of various nutrients immediately after hatching on subsequent growth was studied in poultry raised for meat. Two short-term experiments were conducted with turkey poults and two with broiler chicks to market age. In each experiment a solution containing glucose, starch, oil, or a mixture of these was administered, and subsequent growth performance was measured. The intubation of single nutrients into the crop of posthatch turkey poults promoted subsequent growth as compared with controls. This effect was most prominent with the intubation of carbohydrates. Intubation of the mixture promoted growth consistently to market age in broiler chickens. Enhanced growth was associated with increased feed consumption. Intubation of the mixture reversed the depressive effects on body weight of increased posthatch holding time, as well as the negative effects on offspring derived from young maternal flocks, as compared with controls. Results indicate that a single intubation of nutrients immediately after hatching has a tremendous effect on subsequent performance of chicks or poults, especially in birds with delayed access to feed and water. This is probably due to early stimulation of the digestive system in the intubated birds.
Prediction of the Spatial Distribution of Bovine Endemic Fluorosis Using Ordinary Kriging

Abstract The aim of the studies was to develop an alternative method which could overcome the lack of sampling to improve the efficiency of control efforts for bovine endemic fluorosis. The spatial distribution characteristics of the disease were analysed and a prediction model for the estimation of fluorosis distribution in some districts in northwest Liaoning province in China was established. The model used ordinary kriging, and was evaluated using cross-validation. Analysis showed that the distribution of the disease was spatial autocorrelation. The prediction error of the cross-validation (ME = -0.0092, PMSE = 0.627, AKSE = 0.597, and RMSP = 1.007) and comparison with the actual disease distribution indicated that the prediction map accurately distributed bovine endemic fluorosis. It is feasible to predict bovine endemic fluorosis in the area by using ordinary kriging and limited data.
Structural and Functional Studies with Antibodies to the Integrin β2 Subunit

To establish a structure and function map of the β2 integrin subunit, we mapped the epitopes of a panel of β2 monoclonal antibodies including function-blocking, nonblocking, and activating antibodies using human/mouse β2 subunit chimeras. Activating antibodies recognize the C-terminal half of the cysteine-rich region, residues 522–612. Antibodies that do not affect ligand binding map to residues 1–98 and residues 344–521. Monoclonal antibodies to epitopes within a predicted I-like domain (residues 104–341) strongly inhibit LFA-1-dependent adhesion. These function-blocking monoclonal antibodies were mapped to specific residues with human → mouse knock-out or mouse → human knock-in mutations. Combinatorial epitopes involving residues distant in the sequence provide support for a specific alignment between the β-subunit and I domains that was used to construct a three-dimensional model. Antigenic residues 133, 332, and 339 are on the first and last predicted α-helices of the I-like domain, which are adjacent on its “front. ” Other antigenic residues in β2 and in other integrin β subunits are present on the front. No antigenic residues are present on the “back” of the domain, which is predicted to be in an interface with other domains, such as the α subunit β-propeller domain. Most mutations in the β2 subunit in leukocyte adhesion deficiency are predicted to be buried in the β2 subunit I-like domain. Two long insertions are present relative to α-subunit I-domains. One is tied down to the back of the I-like domain by a disulfide bond. The other corresponds to the “specificity-determining loop” defined in β1 and β3 integrins and contains the antigenic residue Glu175 in a disulfide-bonded loop located near the “top” of the domain.
Seedling dynamics and life histories in clonal plants

Recruitment from seedlings is generally considered to be infrequent in many clonal plants. This study examines the extent to which new genets are so recruited within established populations of adult genets in species with different growth form and dispersal characteristics, and living in different habitats. In 40% of the 68 species for which information was compiled, evidence for seedling recruitment in established populations was reported. Seedling establishment within populations of adult genets was more common in species inhabiting grasslands than among woodland species, in species growing clonally above ground than in species growing clonally below ground, and it was more common in species lacking features that promote long distance seed dispersal than among species that possess such features. No differences was found in the pattern of seedling recruitment between plants possessing guerilla vs phalanx growth forms. On the basis of a hypothesized spectrum of variation in the extent clonal plants recruit by seedlings in established populations, predictions are made concerning clonal life histories, and structure and dynamics of genet populations.
Evaluation of resistance to bacterial wilt and Verticillium wilt in eggplants (Solanum melongena L.) collected in Malaysia

Sixty accessions of eggplants collected in Malaysia were evaluated for their resistance to bacterial wilt, Verticillium wiilt and Fusarium wilt, caused by Pseudomonas sola-nacearum, Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum, respectively. In the evaluation of the field infected with P. solanacearum, more than 60 % of the accessions were resistant. Based on the evaluation at the seedling stage of the resistant accessions, LS1934 was judged to be the most resistant accession to bacterial wilt, but most of the same acces-sions were not resistant to Verticillium wilt. LS2436 was the only accession with a re-latively high resistance to Verticillium wilt. LS1934 and LS2436 were also resistant to Fusarium wilt.
Interferon γ (IFNγ) and Tumor Necrosis Factor α Synergism in ME-180 Cervical Cancer Cell Apoptosis and Necrosis

We investigated the molecular mechanism of the synergism between interferon γ (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) documented in a variety of biological occasions such as tumor cell death and inflammatory responses. IFNγ/TNFα synergistically induced apoptosis of ME-180 cervical cancer cells. IFNγ induced STAT1 phosphorylation and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) expression. Transfection of phosphorylation-defective STAT1 inhibited IFNγ/TNFα-induced apoptosis, whereas IRF-1 transfection induced susceptibility to TNFα. Dominant-negative IκBα transfection sensitized ME-180 cells to TNFα. IFNγ pretreatment attenuated TNFα- or p65-induced NF-κB reporter activity, whereas it did not inhibit p65 translocation or DNA binding of NF-κB. IRF-1 transfection alone inhibited TNFα-induced NF-κB activity, which was reversed by coactivator p300 overexpression. Caspases were activated by IFNγ/TNFα combination; however, caspase inhibition did not abrogate IFNγ/TNFα-induced cell death. Instead, caspase inhibitors directed IFNγ/TNFα-treated ME-180 cells to undergo necrosis, as demonstrated by Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide staining and electron microscopy. Taken together, our results indicate that IFNγ and TNFα synergistically act to destroy ME-180 tumor cells by either apoptosis or necrosis, depending on caspase activation, and STAT1/IRF-1 pathways initiated by IFNγ play a critical role in IFNγ/TNFα synergism by inhibiting cytoprotective NF-κB. IFNγ/TNFα synergism appears to activate cell death machinery independently of caspase activation, and caspase activation seems to merely determine the mode of cell death.
Role of non‐digestible carbohydrates in colon cancer protection

The contribution of non‐digestible carbohydrates to colon cancer protection is becoming more clearly established. While the causes of colon cancer are multifold, experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that various dietary components play a significant role in the mitigation of various colon cancer‐inducing factors. Recent developments in the characterization and quantification of these components, which include fructooligosaccharides, dietary fiber and resistant starch, indicate an association between their intake and colon cancer prevention. Considerable physicochemical modifications occur in the colon with the presence of non‐digestible carbohydrates, primarily because these carbohydrates act as selective prebiotic fermentation substrates for beneficial colonic probiotic bacteria to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These SCFA elicit effects such as alteration in preneoplastic lesions, enzyme induction, suppression of mutations, and binding of potential carcinogens. Prebiotic‐probiotic interaction and activity is therefore key in colon cancer protection by non‐digestible carbohydrates.
Stereological Evidences of Epithelial Hypoplasia of Seminiferous Tubules Induced By Mesterolone in Adult Sprague-Dawley Rats

BACKGROUND: Anabolic-androgenic steroid compounds are one of the most widely abused drugs by athletes and muscle builders with the goal of improving performance/ability, appearance, or muscle mass. In addition, these steroids are widely used in the treatment of male infertility and subfertility. However, increasing concern has been shown that these compounds may not only offer unappreciable benefits to infertile and subfertile males, but might have deleterious effects on both human and animal physiology and sperm quality. There is a dearth of knowledge on the structural and quantitative changes of the testis secondary to this group of compounds. Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mesterolone (proviron), an anabolic-androgenic steroid, on some of the histomorphometric and stereological parameters of the seminiferous tubules in Sprague-Dawley rat. Materials and Methods: Two groups of 10 adult male rats were used. The treated group was given 0.06 mg/kg body weight/day of mesterolone by gavage for six weeks while the control group received equal volume of 0.9% normal saline per day. Five μm of uniformly random serial sections of the processed testicular tissues were analyzed using un-biased stereological and histomorphometric studies. Results: The results showed that the percentage mean volume density of both the tubular lumen and epithelial height increased by 35% (p Keywords: Testis, Mesterolone, Seminiferous tubules, Stereology
Studies on the chemical nature of feeding stimulants for the juvenile European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.)

A study has been made of the chemical nature of feeding stimulants for juvenile European eels, Anguilla anguilla. Mixtures of L-amino acids were stimulatory, while neither the corresponding. D-amino acids nor the non-amino acid components were effective. Synergistic effects were observed both between L-amino acids and between L-amino acids and non-amino acid constituents. The results are discussed in the context of results obtained from electrophysiological and behavioural studies with other species.
THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF CANOLA MEAL FOR SOYBEAN MEAL IN POULTRY DIETS

The effects of replacing between 0 and 100% of dietary soybean meal with canola meal was investigated using broiler chicks and laying hens. At the highest inclusion levels, canola meal accounted for 38 and 25% of the diet of broilers and layers, respectively. For broiler chicks, there was no effect of the dietary treatments on feed intake, weight gain or feed efficiency (P > 0.05). Canola meal replaced 100% of dietary soybean meal without any significant effect on protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus or magnesium retention and energy utilization. There was also no significant effect of replacing soybean meal with canola meal on fecal soap concentration, bone ash and bone calcium, phosphorus and magnesium content. There was no significant effect of replacing all dietary soybean meal with canola meal on performance, nutrient retention and bone mineralization in laying hens (P > 0.05). These results suggest that canola meal can replace soybean meal without any adverse effects on general performance, nutrient re.
Economic Benefits from Virus Screening: A Case Study of Grapevine Leafroll in the North Coast of California

Viruses and related pathogens have no cure and impose high costs on nurseries and specialty crop producers. These diseases are typically spread through infected planting stock and plant propagation material. For some viruses, field spread after planting is also important in determining vineyard health. However, virus spread can be minimized if clean stock is planted. This paper presents the costs and benefits of a virus screening program for Grapevine Leafroll associated Virus-3 (GLRaV-3) in the North Coast region of California. Grower costs and benefits from using GLRaV-3-free vines were computed and extrapolated to the North Coast winegrape industry as a whole. Economic benefits from the GLRaV-3 testing, therapy, and distribution programs were in excess of $20 million/yr for the region and substantially outweighed the costs. The results showed potential benefits from removing and replacing diseased vines, rather than leaving them in the vineyard where they can be foci for disease spread. Significant costs were also associated with disease entering from infected vines on neighboring properties.
A Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) for Rivers of the Tennessee Valley

Invertebrate data from rivers in the Tennessee Valley were used to: (1) evaluate the utility of 18 characteristics of invertebrate assemblages (attributes) to assess the biological condition of streams and (2) develop a comprehensive benthic invertebrate index that reflects important aspects stream biology and responds to the effects of human society in detectable ways. We used data from the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) fixed—station monitoring program established in 1986 to evaluate water resources in the Tennessee Valley. The streams covered sites with various types and levels of human disturbance. TVA biologists sampled riffles and pools using quantitative methods. To evaluate attributes we determined (1) the ability of each attribute to distinguish among sites (analyses of variance), (2) the associations among attributes (correlation coefficients), (3) the concordance of assessments of sites using each attribute with two independent site assessments (water quality and analysis of fish assemblages based on the index of biotic integrity), and (4) the variability of each attribute across habitats (riffles and pools) and ecoregions. Thirteen attributes (total taxa richness and taxa richnesses of intolerant snails and mussels, mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies; relative abundances of Corbicula, oligochaetes, omnivores, filterers, grazers, and predators; dominance; total abundance) were valuable in discriminating sites, exhibited concordance with other methods of assessment, and were relatively uncorrelated among themselves. Five attributes (sediment—surface taxa richness; relative abundances of shredders, gatherers, detritivores, and chironomids) were not acceptable for inclusion in the index because they either were not in concordance with other methods of assessment or were strongly correlated with other attributes. Based on the results of this evaluation, 13 attributes were included in a benthic index of biotic integrity (B—IBI). The B—IBI was evaluated using a more extensive fixed—station data set and was tested using an independent data set where samples were taken above and below the release of an industrial effluent to the North Fork Holston River. The fixed—station sites were correctly ranked, although rankings were not always consistent for pool and riffle habitats. B—IBI also distinguished the industrial impact. The B—IBI has potential as an assessment tool for streams, although more testing and evaluation of both the attributes and the index are warranted.
Spatial and temporal variation in the density of northern cod and a review of hypotheses for the stock's collapse

L'effondrement des stocks de morue, Gadus morhua, au large de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador est associe a des changements spatio-temporels nets de densite et de biomasse. Entre 1981 et 1992, les traits de denombrement a faible densite de capture ( 500 kg par trait) sont restes sensiblement constants (1,5%) jusqu'en 1992 avant de tomber a zero. Vers le sud, les changements spatio-temporels de la biomasse des stocks ne se sont pas accompagnes d'une modification de la repartition de la morue. Un modele simple de composition par densite offre un fondement biologique aux changements observes relativement aux taux de capture au moyen d'engins mobiles et d'engins fixes, a la capturabilite accrue de la morue a mesure que la biomasse des stocks diminue, et a la mortalite par peche, qui est en hausse rapide. Un modele d'agregation a plusieurs degres decrivant un petit nombre constant de denses concentrations de morue, chacune circonscrite par des zones de concentration moindre d'ou se fait le recrutement dans les concentrations elevees, permet d'expliquer comment la vulnerabilite a la peche de la morue peut s'intensifier a mesure que la biomasse du stock diminue. Une recherche documentaire montre que la tres forte mortalite par peche est l'unique cause importante de l'effondrement des stocks de morue. Il est logique de penser que pour eviter l'effondrement des peches, on doit s'attaquer a la question centrale que cette recherche a fait apparaitre: quels sont les effets de la peche sur le comportement, le cycle biologique et la biologie des populations exploitees?
The comparative biology of pollination and mating in flowering plants

The diversification of many flowering plant families has been attributed to adaptive radiation of pollination and mating systems accompanying changes in ecology and life history. Reproductive traits in seed plants therefore provide a potentially rich source of diversity for comparative and phylogenetic studies. Here we address three topics in reproductive biology: floral allocation strategies, mating systems and life history, and the origin of complex reproductive syndromes using various comparative methods. Results from these studies generally complement and inform those obtained from previous micro-evolutionary work at the population level. Historical inferences concerning reproductive character evolution in some taxa can be hampered by topological uncertainties in tree reconstruction and a lack of resolution in molecular phylogenies. Future insights into the ecology and evolution of plant reproductive adaptations using comparative approaches will require well resolved phylogenies, particularly at the species level.
Expression Analysis of the nrdHIEF Operon fromEscherichia coli

Escherichia coli has two aerobic ribonucleotide reductases encoded by the nrdAB andnrdHIEF operons. While NrdAB is active during aerobiosis, NrdEF is considered a cryptic enzyme with no obvious function. Here, we present evidence that nrdHIEF expression might be important under certain circumstances. Basal transcript levels were dramatically enhanced (25–75-fold), depending on the growth-phase and the growth-medium composition. Likewise, a large increase of >100-fold in nrdHIEF mRNA was observed in bacteria lacking Trx1 and Grx1, the two main NrdAB reductants. Moreover, nrdHIEFexpression was triggered in response to oxidative stress, particularly in mutants missing hydroperoxidase I and alkyl-hydroperoxide reductase activities (69.7-fold) and in cells treated with oxidants (up to 23.4-fold over the enhanced transcript level possessed by cells grown on minimal medium). The mechanism(s) that triggers nrdHIEFexpression remains unknown, but our findings exclude putative global regulators like RpoS, Fis, cAMP, OxyR, SoxR/S, or RecA. What we have learned about nrdHIEF expression indicates strong differences between its regulation and that of thenrdAB operon and of genes coding for components of both thioredoxin/glutaredoxin pathways. We propose that E. colimight optimize the responses to different stimuli by co-evolving the expression levels for its multiple reductases and electron donors.
Eurasian milfoil invasion in estuaries: physical disturbance can reduce the proliferation of an aquatic nuisance species.

Biological invasions are among the most pervasive yet least understood of the con sequences of the urbanization of estuarine ecosystems. In Mobile Bay, Alabama (USA), the construction of a transportation corridor, locally known as the Mobile Bay Causeway, has been hypothesized to have modified natural disturbance regimes to the point that numerous invasive species now persist in oligohaline reaches of this estuary. Here, we provide the results of field surveys and experiments designed to determine if the causeway facilitated the proliferation of the dominant invasive species, Eurasian milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum Linnaeus, 1753, throughout the Mobile-Tensaw Delta (MTD). Field surveys showed that the composition of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) varies greatly with location in the MTD; SAV south of the causeway is dominated by a single native species, wild celery Vallisneria americana Michaux, 1803, while milfoil and canopy-forming native species dominate areas north of the causeway. We found no evidence that the differences in species composition were related to differences in salinity, sediment grain size composition along the causeway, or competitive exclusion of the dominant native species by milfoil. We did, however, find a strong negative relationship between milfoil biomass and maximum wave force. These results suggest the causeway functions as a breakwater, reducing the penetration of large, wind-driven waves into oligohaline embayments north of the causeway. Counter to current thinking, these findings suggest that reductions in the intensity of physical disturbances will create opportunities for invasive milfoil to proliferate in the estuarine waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.