Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender and local governance: Women’s participation in electoral politics, leadership positions, and decision-making process at local governments of Bench-Maji and Kaffa zones of southwest Ethiopia

The representation of women in administrative positions and local legislature in Ethiopia is very low. The average percentage of women in leadership positions and legislatures in the study area is 14.2% and 33.8% respectively. This study seeks to understand barriers to women’s participation in politics at the local government level in Ethiopia. To achieve this, cross-sectional research approach and probability sampling technique was used; accordingly, 399 sample households were selected. Quantitative data was gathered through a household survey questionnaire, and complimentary qualitative information was collected via key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics whilst thematic analysis technique was used to deal with the qualitative data. The study highlights the prevalence of negative views on the capacity of women in leadership roles which adversely affects women’s ability to distinguish and manage societal affairs. The cumulative effect resulted in the thinking of women’s position in governmental offices at the lower level. The barrier that female political aspirants emphasised were: lack of experience, lack of confidence, low level of educational status, and domestic and societal responsibilities. Thus, the research recommends the need for strengthening women’s associations and civil society groups and networks that focus on local governance and citizen participation.
Genetic Variance for Root Length in Arabidopsis thaliana

1 Efforts to identify loci underlying complex traits generally assume that most genetic variance is 2 additive. Here, we examined the genetics of Arabidopsis thaliana root length and found that the 3 narrow-sense heritability for this trait was statistically zero. This low additive genetic variance 4 likely explains why no associations to root length could be found using standard additive-model5 based genome-wide association (GWA) approaches. However, the broad-sense heritability for 6 root length was significantly larger, and we therefore also performed an epistatic GWA analysis 7 to map loci contributing to the epistatic genetic variance. This analysis revealed four interacting 8 pairs involving seven chromosomal loci that passed a standard multiple-testing corrected 9 significance threshold. Explorations of the genotype-phenotype maps for these pairs revealed 10 that the detected epistasis cancelled out the additive genetic variance, explaining why these loci 11 were not detected in the additive GWA analysis. Small population sizes, such as in our 12 experiment, increase the risk of identifying false epistatic interactions due to testing for 13 associations with very large numbers of multi-marker genotypes in few phenotyped individuals. 14 Therefore, we estimated the false-positive risk using a new statistical approach that suggested 15 half of the associated pairs to be true positive associations. Our experimental evaluation of 16 candidate genes within the seven associated loci suggests that this estimate is conservative; we 17 identified functional candidate genes that affected root development in four loci that were part of 18 three of the pairs. In summary, statistical epistatic analyses were found to be indispensable for 19 confirming known, and identifying several new, functional candidate genes for root length using 20 a population of wild-collected A. thaliana accessions. We also illustrated how epistatic 21 cancellation of the additive genetic variance resulted in an insignificant narrow-sense, but 22 significant broad-sense heritability that could be dissected into the contributions of several 23 . CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not . http://dx.doi. org/10.1101/008789 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online Sep. 4, 2014;
A Review on some dietary phytochemicals as potential cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapeutic agents

Cancer is a disease with multiple etiologies and has gained the interest of researchers in search for its prevention and therapeutic targets. Mammalian cells are constantly exposed to electrophilic/oxidative stresses that are considered to be part of the most essential and pervasive causes of cancer. The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is crucial in either inducing or suppressing angiogenesis. As a result, it has been implicated in numerous stages of carcinogenesis through association with several signaling pathways and molecules. This transcription factor may be regarded as key target for chemoprevention of cancer. As a transcription factor, Nrf2 exert a great function in ARE-driven genes expression. More so, it plays an important role in the up-regulation of these genes towards oxidative challenges. Numerous phytochemicals especially in fruits as well as edible vegetables have shown to activate Nrf2 and elicit antioxidant response. Inducing the synthesis of antioxidant/phase II detoxifying enzymes (UDP-glucuronyltransferase, Heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase and Glutathione-s-transferase) by natural compounds present in diet is among the most efficient approaches for cancer prevention in human. This review discusses Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway as a prime target for cancer chemoprevention, its underlying mechanisms and modulation by dietary phytochemicals as well as effects of combination of phytochemicals.
RHOJ Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition by IL-6/STAT3 to Promote Invasion and Metastasis in Gastric Cancer

Background: Recently, the molecular classification of gastric cancer (GC) promotes the advances of GC patients' precision therapy and prognosis prediction. According to the Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG), GC is classified as microsatellite instable (MSI) subtype GC, microsatellite stable/epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MSS/EMT) subtype GC, MSS/TP53- subtype GC, and MSS/TP53+ subtype GC. Due to the easy metastasis of EMT-subtype GC, it has the worst prognosis, the highest recurrence rate, and the tendency to occur at a younger age. Therefore, it is curious and crucial for us to understand the molecular basis of EMT-subtype GC. Methods: The expression of RHOJ was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in GC cells and tissues. Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) were conducted to examine the effects of RHOJ on the EMT markers' expression of GC cells. The GC cells' migration and invasion were investigated by transwell assay. The tumor growth and metastasis were demonstrated correspondingly in different xenograft models. Results: Firstly, it was noticed that RHOJ was significantly upregulated in EMT-subtype GC and RHOJ has close relationships with the EMT process of GC, based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Next, transwell assay and tail vein metastasis models were conducted to verify that RHOJ mediates the EMT to regulate the invasion and metastasis of GC in vitro and in vivo. In addition, weakened tumor angiogenesis was observed after RHOJ knockdown by the angiogenesis assay of HUVEC. RNA-seq and further study unveiled that RHOJ aggravates the malignant progression of GC by inducing EMT through IL-6/STAT3 to promote invasion and metastasis. Finally, blocking the IL-6/STAT3 signaling overcame RHOJ-mediated GC cells' growth and migration. Conclusions: These results indicate that the upregulation of RHOJ contributes to EMT-subtype GC invasion and metastasis via IL-6/STAT3 signaling, and RHOJ is expected to become a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for EMT-subtype GC patients.
Effects of Different Plyometric Training Frequency on Measures of Athletic Performance in Prepuberal Male Soccer P....

This study aimed to compare the effects of one vs. two sessions of equal-weekly volume 2 plyometric training (PT) across 8 weeks on measures of athletic performance (i.e., sprint-time, 3 change of direction [CoD], jumping ability, and muscle strength) in prepuberal male soccer 4 players. Thirty participants were randomly assigned either to one session PT group (1SPT 5 [n=15]) or two sessions PT group (2SPT [n=15]). Plyometric training was integrated into their 6 regular soccer training routine. Pre- and post-training tests for the assessment of sprint-time (e.g., 7 5-m, 10-m, 20-m, and 30-m), CoD (e.g., T-test and modified Illinois change of direction test 8 [MICODT]), jumping ability (e.g., standing long jump [SLJ], counter-movement jump [CMJ], 9 and squat jump [SJ]), muscle strength (reactive strength index [RSI]), and kicking distance were 10 conducted. Results showed a main effect of time for 5-m sprint-time performance (F (1,56) =4.00, 11 ES=0.53 [medium], p=0.05), T-test (F (1,56) =23.19, ES=1.28 [large], p<0.001), MICODT (F (1,56) = 12 5.72, ES=0.94 [large], p=0.02), SLJ (F (1,56) =16.63, ES=1.09 [large], p<0.001), CMJ (F (1,56) 13 =15.43, ES= 1.04 [large], p<0.001), SJ (F (1,56) =20.27, ES=1.20 [large], p<0.001), RSI 14 (F (1,56) =26.26, ES=1.36 [large], p<0.001), and kicking distance (F (1,56) =47.19, ES=1.83 [large], 15 p<0.001). There were no training group × time interactions in all the measured outcomes. In 16 conclusion, when an equated moderate volume of jumps is performed, higher PT frequency 17 across 8 weeks has no extra-effects on prepuberal male soccer players’ measures of athletic 18 performance. The present findings may help optimizing PT interventions dedicated to prepuberal 19 male soccer players. the 120 foot per-session) vs. 220 foot contacts per-session) volume on measures of athletic performance in prepuberal male soccer players (U-13) and revealed similar performance improvement in sprint-time, CoD, and jumping ability between the two programs. de Villarreal et al. studied different PT frequency in conjunction with various PT volume and intensity on measures of athletic performance in active physical education students (21 to 26 years) over 7 weeks. They showed that both moderate (i.e., 840 jumps, 2 sessions per-week) and low (i.e., 420 jumps, 1 session per-week) PT frequency induced greater gains in jumping and sprinting performance compared with high (i.e., 1680 jumps, 4 57 sessions per-week) PT frequency. To our knowledge, the effect of PT frequency (controlling for total volume) have been analyzed only by Yanci et al. comparing the effect of one vs. two of equal-weekly volume on measures of athletic performance in players The main findings of this study demonstrated that both PT frequencies were sprint-time, and horizontal
Spatiotemporal changes in small mammal community of Wenchi highlands, central Ethiopia

Small mammals show prominent spatial and temporal fluctuations. A study was conducted to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of small mammals in Wenchi highlands, central Ethiopia. Sherman and snap traps were used to capture small mammals from four forests (Qibate, Lakeshore, Erica and Albesa), Hagenia woodland and Erica scrub in two dry and wet seasons between August 2019 and January 2021. A total of 959 small mammals represented by 12 rodent species (Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys yaldeni, Mastomys natalensis, M. awashensis, Stenocephaylemys albipes, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, L. brevicaudus, L. chrysopus, Dendromus lovati, Lophiomys imhausi, Graphirius murinus and an unidentified murid rodent), and 3 shrew species (Crocidura bailey, C. fumosa and C. olivieri) were recorded. Small mammals showed spatiotemporal variations. More individuals were trapped during the dry (58.29%) than the wet (41.71%) season. Lakeshore Forest yielded the highest number of small mammals, whereas Erica Forest contributed the least during both seasons. More small mammal individuals were trapped in the second (52.24%) than the first (47.75%) trapping year. Small mammals also showed significant variations between the trapping periods (P<0.05). High number of small mammals was trapped during the morning (84.98%) than evening traps. Seasonal differences in sexes and age groups were non-significant (P>0.05). The density of small mammals varied between seasons and habitats. Small mammals had higher density during the dry (83.33 ha-1) than the wet (59.35 ha-1) season. In conclusion, Wenchi highlands supported a diverse small mammal community that displayed spatiotemporal changes. As a result, priority should be given to conserve the area.
small-molecule Bh3 mimetic and pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor AT-101 enhances the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin through inhibition of aPe1 repair and redox activity in non-small-cell lung cancer

: AT-101 is a BH3 mimetic and pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor that has shown potent anticancer activity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in murine models, but failed to show clinical efficacy when used in combination with docetaxel in NSCLC patients. Our recent study has demonstrated that AT-101 enhanced the antitumor effect of cisplatin (CDDP) in a murine model of NSCLC via inhibition of the interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. This study explored the underlying mechanisms for the enhanced anticancer activity of CDDP by AT-101. Our results show that, when compared with monotherapy, AT-101 significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of CDDP on proliferation and migration of A549 cells and on tube formation and migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. AT-101 promoted the proapoptotic activity of CDDP in A549 cells. AT-101 also enhanced the inhibitory effect of CDDP on DNA repair and redox activities of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) in A549 cells. In tumor tissues from nude mice treated with AT-101 plus CDDP or monotherapy, the combination therapy resulted in greater inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation than the monotherapy. These results suggest that AT-101 can enhance the antitumor activity of CDDP in NSCLC via inhibition of APE1 DNA repair and redox activities and by angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis, but other mechanisms cannot be excluded. We are now conducting a Phase II trial to examine the clinical efficacy and safety profile of combined use of AT-101 plus CDDP in advanced NSCLC patients. mean three and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The ne was obtained from a549 cells. To the reaction system, 12 µ g ne was included and treated with vehicle control (DMsO), 50 µ M aT-101, 20 µ M cDDP, or 50 µ M aT-101 plus 20 µ M cDDP for 6 hours. To determine aPe1/ sTaT3 interaction in a549 cells, we prepared a reduced aPe1/ref-1 solution (0.17 ng/ µ l) with 4 mM DTT at ratio of 9:1 for 10 minutes. The reduced aPe1/ref-1 was then added to NE for redox reactions, in which the final concentration of DTT was 0.04 mM. Data are the mean ± standard deviation of three independent experiments. ** P  0.01; *** P  0.001 by one-way analysis receptor pathway. in addition, aT-101 can induce or inhibit autophagy of cancer cells.
Methods versus Substance: Measuring the Effects of Technology Shocks

Calibration and modern (Bayesian) estimation methods for a neoclassical stochastic growth model are applied to make the case that the identification of key parameters, rather than quantitative methodologies per se, is responsible for empirical findings. For concreteness, the model is used to measure the contributions of technology shocks to the business cycle fluctuations of hours and output. Along the way, new insights are provided in the parameter identification associated with likelihood-based estimation, the sensitivity of likelihood-based estimation to the choice of structural shocks is assessed, and Bayesian model averaging is used to aggregate findings obtained from different DSGE model specifications. JEL CLASSIFICATION: C1, C8, E3
The Effect of Video Games and Video Game Playing Time on the Performance of Computerized Accounting Lesson

In this study, it is aimed to determine the effect of video game playing time on academic performance of students who play video games and take computerized accounting courses at Uşak University and attend computerized accounting courses. The data obtained with the questionnaire applied to a total of seventy students within the scope of the study were analyzed with the SPSS 26 statistical analysis program. The findings obtained from the study revealed that the majority of the students played video games for 1-2 hours a day on average and preferred Akınsoft software in the computerized accounting course. Other findings obtained from the study show that playing video games accelerates the learning process, using computer, keyboard, mouse, etc. in computerized accounting course. It has been revealed that it provides practicality in the use of technological tools, provides practicality in the creation of accounting slips, facilitates the detection of errors in incorrectly created accounting slips, and enables the different accounting package programs to be investigated curiously. In addition, another finding obtained within the scope of the study revealed that the duration of playing video games contributed to the academic performance of the computerized accounting course at a low level
A Novel Virtual Cosmetics Recommender System Based On Pre-Trained Computer Vision Models

The cosmetics industry has witnessed significant growth over the years, driven by changing beauty ideals, economic factors, and the rise of natural and organic beauty products. Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a crucial role in revolutionizing the cosmetics and personal care sector. This paper presents a virtual cosmetics recommender system that leverages AI and machine learning techniques to provide personalized cosmetic recommendations based on user images. The system utilizes a dataset comprising various well-known cosmetic brands, and the recommendation process involves image feature extraction, similarity analysis, and brand mapping. The proposed system aims to enhance decision-making and provide an interactive user interface for cosmetic brand classification. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in generating accurate cosmetic recommendations.
Water-quality data for Doughty Springs, Delta County, Colorado, 1903-1994, with emphasis on sulfur redox species

Doughty Springs are a series of radioactive springs of unusual chemical character that issue near the base of the Dakota Sandstone along the North Fork of the Gunnison River in western Colorado. These springs contain high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and barium. A large terrace of calcite and barite has formed from the spring waters along the banks of the river. This report summarizes the geological knowledge about the area around Doughty Springs, discusses the methods used to analyze springs samples, and compiles available water-quality data from 1903 to 1994.
Cumulative exposure to air pollution and subsequent mortality among older adults in China.

Background Research on the health effects of exposure to air pollution is growing. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the effects of long-term and cumulative exposure to air pollutants. Individual-level studies on the health consequences of air pollution in China are especially scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of cumulative exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2), an air pollutant of particular concern in China, on all-cause mortality in older Chinese adults. Methods Using a nationally representative sample of older adults in China (N = 11 199), we tracked mortality over an 11-year period (2000-11). Air pollution data were linked to respondents using provincial identifiers. To examine the effect of cumulative SO2 exposure on mortality, we employed multilevel multinomial logistic regression models that account for within subject clustering of observations over time and clustering at the province level. Results We found that every 10-μg/m3 increase in cumulative exposure to SO2 increased the odds of death by nearly 1% (OR = 1.008; 95% CI: 1.002-1.014), controlling for province- and individual-level social and economic characteristics. Conclusions Our analysis shows that air pollution is a risk factor for morality in older Chinese adults. Findings suggest that stronger SO2 regulations may enhance longevity.
Ensembling Arimax Model in Algorithmic Investment Strategies on Commodities Market

:: This paper presents the results of investment strategies based on predictions from an ARIMA with exogenous variables (ARIMAX/ARIMAX-Garch) model, using the prices of selected commodities and companies from the DJIA index as explanatory variables. The explained variables are four Invesco ETF funds (DBE, DBA, DBP, DBB) corresponding to baskets of energy, agricultural, precious, and industrial metals. The models are optimized using the Walk-Forward technique, and the selection of exogenous variables is based on Granger causality tests. By analyzing the results, we conclude that ARIMAX/ARIMAX-Garch models are not useful tools for making buy or sell decisions for the selected commodity baskets. Out of the 80 estimated models, 44 outperform the Buy & Hold strategy, however, none achieved statistically significant results. Combining individual models into an investment portfolio reduced the risk without significantly reducing the profit, enabling us to consistently beat the benchmark. We also observe that using returns of commodities listed on stock exchanges is more effective than using stock returns. Sensitivity analysis shows instability in results with changes in the length of the training and testing windows. The highest annual return rate of 15.37% from 02.01. 2008 to 01.12. 2022 was characterized by an ARIMAX model with one commodity exogenous variable.
Turbulent Energy Dissipation Rate and Turbulence Scales in the Blade
 Region of a Self-Aspirating Disk Impeller

Instantaneous radial and axial velocitieques of water in the tank with a self-aspirating disk impeller operating without gas dispersion were measured by the PIV method. A comparison of mean square velocity pulsations confirmed previous observations that the area in which turbulence is non-isotropic is small and extends about 3 mm above and under the impeller and radially 12,5 mm from the impeller blade tip. Based on velocity measurements, the distributions of energy dissipation rates were determined using the dimensional equation  = C·u’/D and Smagorinsky model. Adoption of the results of the dimensional equation as a reference value allowed us to determine the Smagorinsky constant value. This value appeared to be smaller than the values given in the literature. It has been shown that eddies in a small space near the impeller had sufficient energy to break up gas bubbles flowing out of the impeller. Based on the obtained energy dissipation rate distributions, appropriate turbulence scales were determined.
Targeting CDK2 overcomes melanoma resistance against BRAF and Hsp90 inhibitors

Novel therapies are undergoing clinical trials, for example, the Hsp90 inhibitor, XL888, in combination with BRAF inhibitors for the treatment of therapy‐resistant melanomas. Unfortunately, our data show that this combination elicits a heterogeneous response in a panel of melanoma cell lines including PDX‐derived models. We sought to understand the mechanisms underlying the differential responses and suggest a patient stratification strategy. Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) identified the protein targets of XL888 in a pair of sensitive and unresponsive cell lines. Unbiased proteomics and phosphoproteomics analyses identified CDK2 as a driver of resistance to both BRAF and Hsp90 inhibitors and its expression is regulated by the transcription factor MITF upon XL888 treatment. The CDK2 inhibitor, dinaciclib, attenuated resistance to both classes of inhibitors and combinations thereof. Notably, we found that MITF expression correlates with CDK2 upregulation in patients; thus, dinaciclib would warrant consideration for treatment of patients unresponsive to BRAF‐MEK and/or Hsp90 inhibitors and/or harboring MITF amplification/overexpression.