Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of cry2A-type Gene(s) from Pakistani Isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxic to Lepidopteran and Dipteran Insects

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) δ-endotoxin crystal (Cry) proteins are known to have toxicity against a variety of insects and have been exploited to control insect pests through transgenic plants and biopesticides. Genotyping of 56 local Bt isolates revealed 11 strains harboring cry2 gene(s). LC50 values of these cry2 positive strains ranged from 62.5 µg/ml to 775 µg/ml for Helicoverpa armigera and 124 µg/g to 1172 µg/g for Musca domestica. Subtyping of these isolates showed multiple cry2A-type genes in most of the isolates. Primer pairs were designed to amplify the full length cry 2A genes. The PCR products (1.9 kb) were cloned in pTZ57R/T vector, sequenced and submitted to EMBL DNA database. Eight new toxin genes viz., cry2Ab11, cry2Ac7, cry2Ac8, cry2Ac9, cry2Ac11, cry2Ac12, cry2Ad3, and cry2Ad4, have been added to the Bt toxins database. These Bt isolates and Cry2A- type toxins can provide better control of insects either in the form of Bt-formulation or when the cry2A-type genes are expressed in transgenic plants.
Effect of calcitonin in the outcome of distal radial fractures in elderly patients

Background: Distal radial fractures are common and produce significant morbidity in elderly osteoporotic individuals. Calcitonin prevents bone resorption in osteoporotic individuals and hence can reduce morbidity in the immediate post fracture period. But scientific evidence regarding its efficacy in improving pain and functional abilities is lacking. Hence this study is being done to assess the clinical and radiological parameters after calcitonin usage in immediate post fracture period. Methods: 50 elderly patients with distal radial fractures treated conservatively with plaster application were randomly divided into two groups. One group received 400 IU of nasal salmon calcitonin daily for 6 months and the other group did not receive it. Demographic data of patients, co-morbid illnesses, and AO type were recorded. Patients were followed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks post fracture. Their pain score (VAS), functional abilities with Mayo wrist score and radiological union were assessed. Statistical analysis was done with student t test and pearson correlation. Results: VAS score improved significantly from 9.57 to 2 in calcitonin group compared to 9.31 to 4.42 in non-calcitonin group. Mayo wrist score showed significant difference in calcitonin group. Fracture union and radiological parameters were comparable in both groups with no statistical significance. CRPS was less frequent in patients who took calcitonin. Conclusion: Calcitonin improves pain and functional outcome in elderly patients with distal radial fractures, reducing the incidence of CRPS. We recommend its routine usage in osteoporotic individuals with distal radial fractures predisposed for CRPS.
Diversity in Broadcast Television: An Empirical Study of Local News

The relation between the structure of a market and the diversity of its product offering has been extensively explored by theorists. We develop 2 measures of diversity and explore the content of local news for 60 stations and 20 designated market areas (DMAs) in the United States. Using a relative station-level diversity metric, ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates imply that relative diversity of local news content decreases as market concentration increases. This result is not, however, robust to an instrumental variables specification. Using a total market diversity metric, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (Hirshman, 1964) is significant in OLS and robust to instrumental variable estimation. Because the total market diversity metric is arguably superior to the incremental metric as a measure of overall diversity, this result is useful-it suggests that the total diversity of local news content within a DMA is sensitive to the level of concentration.
Effect of okra seed in treatment of hypoglycemia: A research framework using STZ induced rat

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal elevated levels of blood glucose due to complete or relative insufficiency of insulin secretion or insulin resistance as well as disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism Abelmoschus esculentus, AE (okra or lady’s finger) is flowering plant and cultivated throughout the tropical and temperate region in the world. Okra is an important tropical vegetable and source of dietary medicine. This plant is popular with various health benefits which include anti-diabetic properties. This paper will provide the overview of the research framework and give an insight of the experimental procedure to be implemented to investigate the differential parameter in the blood of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat in response to Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) treatment.
Performance and carcass yield of broilers fed with different digestible amino acid profiles recommended by nutrients requirements tables

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different digestible amino acid profiles on the performance of broilers in two phases: from 1 to 21 days and from 22 to 42 days of age. At the end of the experiment, carcass yield and cut percentages were evaluated. Nine hundred and sixty AgRoss birds were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (four digestible amino acid profiles): Rostagno et al. (2000), Baker & Han (1994b), Degussa (1997) and those recommended by AgRoss (2000), with six repetitions and 40 birds per repetition (20 males and 20 females). The results showed that the four diets were able to provide the requirements of the birds, since no significant differences were seen among the treatments on the performance in the two phases and on the carcass yield and cuts at 42 days of age. Males had better yields of feet, head and neck, and lower percentage of abdominal fat (p<0.05). The best cost/benefit ratio was seen for the profile established by Rostagno et al. (2000) when diets were evaluated in an ideal protein situation.
The Influence of Resources, Market Opportunities and Strategic Orientation towards Company Strategy and Its Impact on Performance

Digital transformation in industrial revolution 4.0 affects the dynamics of globalization process on many business sectors. Some of these companies had closed their operation down. The others have to survive due to the increased global competition. The competition is not only within industry but also among industries. The managers should have the strategic orientation in managing their resources and maximizing market opportunities to achieve better company performance through setting the proper strategy. The objective is to analyze the influence of resources, market opportunities and strategic orientation towards strategy and also to analyze the influence of strategy on company performance. It is a quantitative research which have the conceptual model consisted five constructs. These were resources, market opportunities, strategic orientation, strategy and performance. There are 4 hypotheses. The unit of analysis were the companies’ managerial level. The data is collected through distributed questionnaires. The collected questionnaire is 47 out of 83 distributed questionnaires. The data set is analyzed by using the PSPP (Public/social/private partnership) statistical software for reliability test, validity test, normality test and hypothesis tests. The result is all hypothesis supported by the data. The contribution on theoretical manner is the empirical evident of the influence of resources, market opportunities and strategic orientation towards strategy and also the influence of strategy on company performance. The managerial implication of this research is the managers of companies should have the proper strategic orientation in managing resources and market opportunities to set strategy in order to achieve the better company performance. Keywords—resources; market opportunities; strategic orientation; strategy; performance
Density and Structure of Homomorphism-Critical Graphs by Evelyne Smith-Roberge

Let H be a graph. A graph G is H-critical if every proper subgraph of G admits a homomorphism to H, but G itself does not. In 1981, Jaeger made the following conjecture concerning odd-cycle critical graphs: every planar graph of girth at least 4t admits a homomorphism to C2t+1 (or equivalently, has a 2t+1 t -circular colouring). The best known result for the t = 3 case states that every planar graph of girth at least 18 has a homomorphism to C7. We improve upon this result, showing that every planar graph of girth at least 16 admits a homomorphism to C7. This is obtained from a more general result regarding the density of C7-critical graphs. Our main result is that if G is a C7-critical graph with G 6∈ {C3, C5}, then e(G) ≥ 17v(G)−2 15 . Additionally, we prove several structural lemmas concerning graphs that are H-critical, when H is a vertex-transitive non-bipartite graph.
An Econometric Model of Network Formation With Degree Heterogeneity

I formulate and study a model of undirected dyadic link formation which allows for assortative matching on observed agent characteristics (homophily) as well as unrestricted agent level heterogeneity in link surplus (degree heterogeneity). Similar to fixed effects panel data analyses, the joint distribution of observed and unobserved agent-level characteristics is left unrestricted. To motivate the introduction of degree heterogeneity, as well as its fixed effect treatment, I show how its presence can bias conventional homophily measures. Two estimators for the (common) homophily parameter, beta0, are developed and their properties studied under an asymptotic sequence involving a single network growing large. The first,tetrad logit (TL), estimator conditions on a sufficient statistic for the degree heterogeneity. The TL estimator is a fourth-order U-Process minimizer. Although the fourth-order summation in the TL criterion function is over the i = 1.N agents in the network, due to a degeneracy property, the leading variance term of hat-beta_TL is of order 1/n, where n = N*(N-1)/2 equals the number of observed dyads. Using martingale theory, I show that the limiting distribution of hat-beta_TL (appropriately scaled and normalized) is normal. The second, joint maximum likelihood (JML), estimator treats the degree heterogeneity as additional (incidental) parameters to be estimated. The properties of hat-beta_JML are also non-standard due to a parameter space which grows with the size of the network. Adapting and extending recent results from random graph theory and non-linear panel data analysis (e.g., Chatterjee, Diaconis and Sly, 2011; Hahn and Newey, 2004), I show that the limit distribution of hat-beta_JML is also normal, but contains a bias term. Accurate inference necessitates bias-correction. The TL estimate is consistent under sparse graph sequences, where the number of links per agent is small relative to the total number of agents, as well as dense graphs sequences, where the number of links per agent is proportional to the total number of agents in the limit. Consistency of the JML estimate, in contrast, is shown only under dense graph sequences. The finite sample properties of hat-beta_TL and hat-beta_JML are explored in a series of Monte Carlo experiments.
Vertical Change in Extinction and Atmospheric Particle Size in the Boundary Layers over Beijing: Balloon-borne Measurement

Aerosol size and number concentration were observed in the atmospheric boundary layer over Beijing (from near the ground to 1,200 m) on March 15 (a clear day) and 16 (a dusty day), 2005. The results were further compared with lidar measurements in order to understand the dependency of extinction on the particle size distribution and their vertical changes. The boundary layer atmosphere was composed of several sub-layers, and a dry air layer appeared between 400 and 1,000 m under the influence of dust event. In this dry air layer, the concentration of the fine-mode particles (diameter smaller than 1.0 ㎛) was slightly lower than the value on the clear day, while the concentration of coarse-mode particles (diameter larger than 1.0 ㎛) was remarkably higher than that on the clear day. This situation was attributed to the inflow of an air mass containing large amounts of Asian dust particles and a smaller amount of fine-mode particles. The results strongly suggest that the fine-mode particles affect light extinction even in the dusty atmosphere. However, quantitatively the relation between extinction and particle concentration is not satisfied under the dusty atmospheric conditions since laser beam attenuates in the atmosphere with high concentration of particles. Laser beam attenuation effect becomes larger in the relation between extinction and coarse particle content comparing the relation between extinction and fine particle content. To clarify this problem technically, future in situ measurements measurements such as balloon-borne lidar are suggested. Here extinction was measured at 532 ㎚ wavelength. Measurements of extinction at other wavelengths are desired in the future.
Modification of Artificial Oliogosaccharides in Recombinant Escherichia coli Cells

Artificial oligosaccharides were modified using recombinant Escherichia coli cells that overexpress sialidase. Based on the principle of the saccharide primer method by using bacterial cells overexpressing enzymes related to oligosaccharide modification. Problem statement: It is very hard to obtain oligosaccharides, because they have complex and diverse structures with different linkage patterns and monosaccharide components. Approach: It had been known that various oligosaccharides can be synthesized in mammalian cells from saccharide primers. We attempted to modify oligosaccharides by using bacterial cells overexpressing enzymes related to oligosaccharide modification instead of mammalian cells. Results: The glycosphingolipid-like derivative GM3 was absorbed by the cell and desialylated by the expressed sialidase and the desialylated product was then secreted into the medium. The GM3-type oligosaccharides were not detected from the cell fraction of recombinant E. coli cells that overexpress sialidase differently from recombinant E. coli carrying only vector DNA (pET-19b). Conclusion/Recommendations: E. coli as well as mammalian cells may be used as a biocatalyst for oligosaccharide modification and production of artificial functional oligosaccharides.
Serum biomarkers for lymph node metastasis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer by proteomics

The present study was aimed to investigate the differences of serum proteins in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with and without lymphatic metastasis for identification of serum biomarkers for TNBC lymphatic metastasis. Thirty pairs of serum samples from TNBC patients with and without lymphatic metastasis were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Differentially expressed proteins were screened using PDQuestTM software and identified by using Mascot software search engine. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis profiles were obtained. A total of 14 differentially expressed protein spots were found in the sera of two study groups. Among them, 10 were identified by mass spectrometry. By combing database searching and literature review, it is speculated that the upregulated protein transthyretin and clusterin may be the candidate biomarkers for early diagnosis of lymphatic metastasis of TNBC patients. Thus, the 14 differentially expressed proteins, especially transthyretin and clusterin, might provide useful information to early serologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lymphatic metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer.
Higher Food Prices in Sub-Saharan Africa : Poverty Impact and Policy Responses

The spike in global food prices in 2008 led to significantly higher food prices across the developing world. Global commodity prices have since fallen but remain volatile, and local food prices remain high in many countries. The authors review the evidence on the potential impact of higher food prices on poverty, focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, and examine the extent to which policy responses are able to protect the poor. They show that rising food prices are likely to lead to higher poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa as the negative impact on net consumers outweighs the benefits to producers. A recent survey shows that the most common policy response in Sub-Saharan African countries in 2008 was reducing taxes on food, while outside the region subsidies were the most popular measure. Sub-Saharan African countries also have a higher prevalence of foodbased safety net programs, some of which were scaled up to respond to rising prices. The review suggests that the benefits from reducing import tariffs on staples are likely to accrue largely to the nonpoor. Safety net programs can be more effective, but geographic targeting and other investments to strengthen safety nets are necessary to ensure that fewer people are affected by future crises. JEL codes: I32, D1, Q12
EFFECT OF THYME AND ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OILS ON THE SHELF LIFE OF MARINATED RAINBOW TROUT

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of essential oils (EO) (thyme and rosemary) on the quality of marinated rainbow trout during storage at 4oC. Three different treatment were tested: C1; (control samples), C2; (marinating with 1% [v/w] rosemary EO added) and C3 (marinating with 1% [v/w] thyme EO added). Fillets were subjected to microbiological (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and mould), chemical (pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-TBARS, total volatile base nitrogen-TVB-N) analyses and sensory quality testing throughout the storage period. Difference in microbiological and chemical changes between samples was found to be significant (p<0.05) during storage period. In conclusion, essential oils treatment to marinated had positive effect on shelf life rainbow trout, especially thyme oil showed more positive effect when compared with rosemary oil.
EVALUACIÓN DE LA SOSTENIBILIDAD DE LA INDUSTRIA DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN MEDIANTE UN INDICADOR COMPUESTO

th , 2012, accepted April 17th, 2013, final version May, 24 th , 2013 ABSTRACT: As a result of the Agenda 21, presented nearly two decades ago, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) were set and must be met by the year 2015. Nowadays, governments, researchers, engineers, environmental scientists and other stakeholders involved in the industry are working more jointed for improving environmental and socio-economic indicators for sustainability of the Building Industry. The relevance of the residential building sector is evident for its fast growing rate during the last two decades. This paper presents an analysis on the sustainability of the residential building sector in two different countries: Colombia and Spain, by measuring and evaluating a composite indicator (CI). A factor analysis (FA) with principal components extraction was employed to calculate the CI in order to evaluate the evolution of the residential building sector in two core aspects: socio and economic conditions.
Reflections on internet research ethics from language-focused research on web-based mourning: revisiting the private/public distinction as a language ideology of differentiation

Abstract The present article addresses ethical issues and tensions that have arisen in the context of language-focused research on web-based mourning. It renders explicit the process of ethical decision-making in research practice, illustrating key aspects of a process approach to research ethics, which calls for reflection on ethical issues as an integral and dynamic part of the project (Markham and Buchanan 2015. Ethical considerations in digital research contexts. In James Wright (ed.) Encyclopedia for Social & Behavioral Sciences. Elsevier Press. 606–613; Page et al. 2014. Researching Language and Social Media: A student guide. Oxon: Routledge). In addition, the article draws attention to some vexing ethical tensions raised in research practice and, in particular, to the uses of the terms private and public in research ethics frameworks and in discipline-specific discussions. Based on Gal’s (2005. Language ideologies compared: metaphors of public/private. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology 15 (1): 23–38) semiotic investigation of the private/public opposition, it is shown how the two categories are used as a language ideology of differentiation that discursively contrasts spaces and forms of emotional communication. It is argued that such metaphorical uses of the terms limit their currency in internet research on language, mourning, and death online, which tends to feature the construction and staging of a public self in semi-public contexts. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the issues raised in language-focused research on web-based mourning for research ethics as method (Markham 2004. Method as ethic, ethic as method. Journal of Information Ethics 15 (2): 37–55) and calls for the critical study of the key concepts that underlie research ethics stances as a key step in rethinking – or ‘undoing’ – ethics (Whiteman 2012. Undoing Ethics: Rethinking Practice in Online Research. London: Springer).
Seasonal and diurnal variations in gene expression in the desert legume Retama raetam

Studying plants growing naturally within their habitat can contribute greatly to our understanding of molecular and biochemical processes involved in the response of plants to changes in environmental conditions. Seasonal and diurnal variations in the expression of several transcripts involved in the defence of plants against abiotic stresses, i.e. transcripts encoding dehydrins, heat shock proteins, and antioxidative enzymes, were followed in Retama raetam plants that grow naturally within an arid dune ecosystem. These were associated with changes in environmental parameters simultaneously recorded at the research sites. It was found that the expression pattern of some transcripts correlated with changes in environmental conditions in the different plants during the year. In contrast, the expression pattern of other transcripts appeared to be plant specific and may be associated with phenotypic variability (plasticity). Transcripts encoding different heat shock proteins were induced in a co-ordinated manner, suggesting that their corresponding products function as a chaperone network. Measurements of photosynthetic activity revealed a diurnal cycle in R. raetam . Photosynthesis was highest during early morning, declined toward the stressful midday hours and recovered at late afternoon. The present analysis suggests that R. raetam uses a combination of different avoidance strategies in co-ordination with active defence mechanisms to withstand the stressful conditions that prevail within the desert ecosystem.