Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of tillage and phosphorus interaction on yield of mungbean ( Vigna radiata L . , Wilczek ) with and without moisture stress condition

114 ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of phosphorus levels (P) and tillage depths (T) on yield components and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata L., Wilczek) under irrigated (no moisture stress) and dryland (with moisture stress) conditions. Two field experiments were conducted: one under irrigated and second under dryland conditions at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan during summer 2012. The impact of tillage depths and phosphorus levels was investigated on yield components and grain yield of mungbean. Three tillage depths (45, 30 and 15 cm) were used as main plots factor, while four P levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg P ha -1 ) as subplots factor under both irrigated and dryland conditions. The results revealed that higher P levels resulted in earlier physiological maturity, increased number of nodules plant -1 , pods plant -1 , thousand grains weight and harvest index under both irrigated and dryland conditions. The higher P levels improved yield and yield components of mungbean irrespective of tillage depths. Under irrigated condition the shallow tillage depth (15 cm) was found more beneficial in terms of yield and yield components, while the deep tillage depth (45 cm) performed better under dryland condition. We concluded from this study that application of 90 kg P ha -1 and shallow tillage (15 cm) was more beneficial for improving growth, yield and yield components of mungbean under irrigated condition. Under dryland condition, application of 90 kg P ha -1 and deep tillage (45 cm) was found better for improving growth, yield and yield components of mungbean.
Implication of IL-2/IL-21 region in systemic sclerosis genetic susceptibility

Objective The interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 21 (IL-21) locus at chromosome 4q27 has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, and both genes are related to immune system functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the IL-2/IL-21 locus in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Patients and methods The case control study included 4493 SSc Caucasian patients and 5856 healthy controls from eight Caucasian populations (Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, USA, Italy, Sweden, UK and Norway). Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2069762, rs6822844, rs6835457 and rs907715) were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Results We observed evidence of association of the rs6822844 and rs907715 variants with global SSc (pc=6.6E-4 and pc=7.2E-3, respectively). Similar statistically significant associations were observed for the limited cutaneous form of the disease. The conditional regression analysis suggested that the most likely genetic variation responsible for the association was the rs6822844 polymorphism. Consistently, the rs2069762A-rs6822844T-rs6835457G-rs907715T allelic combination showed evidence of association with SSc and limited cutaneous SSc subtype (pc=1.7E-03 and pc=8E-4, respectively). Conclusions These results suggested that the IL-2/IL-21 locus influences the genetic susceptibility to SSc. Moreover, this study provided further support for the IL-2/IL-21 locus as a common genetic factor in autoimmune diseases.
Optimization of bipolar and tetrapolar impedance biosensors

Impedance detection plays a crucial role in the development of Lab-on-a-Chip (LOAC) technologies. Various types of impedance biosensors have been developed over the years, with the main focus being centered on interdigital sensors. Optimization of impedance sensors has only recently attracted interest. In this paper we present a conformal mapping approach to the optimization of bipolar and tetrapolar impedance sensors. This technique enables an analytic equation for the sensitivity of the sensors to impedance changes to be obtained. Optimization of these sensors using this analytic equation was performed and a number of optimized sensor designs are presented in this paper.
Beam Selection Gain Versus Antenna Selection Gain

We consider beam selection using a fixed beamforming network (FBN) at a base station with M array antennas. In our setting, a Butler matrix is deployed at the RF stage to form M beams, and then the best beam is selected for transmission. We introduce some properties of the noncentral chi-square distribution and prove the resulting properties of the beam selection gain verifying that beam selection is superior to antenna selection in Rician channels with any K-factors. Furthermore, we find asymptotically tight stochastic bounds of the beam selection gain, which yield approximate closed form expressions of the expected selection gain and the ergodic capacity. Beam selection has the order of growth of the ergodic capacity Θ(logM) regardless of user location in contrast to Θ(log(logM)) for antenna selection.
Comparison of Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Machines for Measuring Fat Distribution Changes of HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy

Background Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is regarded as a useful objective method for diagnosis of HIV-associated lipodystrophy (LD). Objective To determine whether the use of different DXA machines may affect the diagnosis of LD. Methods Body composition in 24 HIV-infected patients, 12 of whom had clinically diagnosed LD, was measured on two DXA machines (Lunar and Hologic). Results Hologic gave significantly higher values than Lunar DXA for total body fat percent (22.9 vs 20.5%, P<0.001), arm fat percent (27.9 vs 14.5%, P<0.001) and leg fat percent (23.4 vs 17.5%, P<0.001), and significantly lower values than Lunar for trunk fat percent (22.3 vs 24.7%, P<0.001) and trunk-to-limb fat percent ratio (0.89 vs 1.62, P<0.001). When measured by Lunar, patients with LD had significantly lower leg fat percent (13.5 vs 21.6%, P=0.04) and higher trunk-to-limb fat percent ratio (1.85 vs 1.38; P=0.012) than those without LD. When measured by Hologic, patients with LD had values of leg fat percent (20.1 vs 26.8%, P=0.11) and trunk-to-limb fat percent ratio (0.95 vs 0.85, P=0.43) that did not differ significantly from those without LD. There was a significant difference in the contribution to a composite LD score between Lunar and Hologic measurements. Conclusion DXA machines from different manufacturers give major differences in measurements of body fat content and distribution, and this may affect the ability to distinguish patients with LD from those without LD. Further standardization of DXA technology is needed before widespread application in the clinical diagnosis of LD.
Health-related quality of life in Indian patients with three viral sexually transmitted infections: herpes simplex virus-2, genital human papilloma virus and HIV

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been studied in Indian patients with viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs): herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. Furthermore, there is no reported study that compares HRQOL among these two viral STIs and HIV. Methods All consenting adults with any of the three viral infections attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. HRQOL was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument, which evaluates QOL under physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Data concerning demographic and socioeconomic status were collected. Results There were 65 (27.3%), 60 (25.2%) and 53 (22.3%) patients with HIV, HSV-2 and HPV, respectively, and 25 (10.5%) patients with mixed infections. The WHOQOL-BREF scores of patients in different STI groups were significantly lower than those of controls. The total HRQOL scores (mean±SD) were 280.1±83.56 (among controls), 196.9±72.41 (genital HPV), 141.0±50.50 (HSV-2), 101.0±75.25 (HIV) and 103.4±47.23(mixed infection groups). Mean HRQOL scores were lowest in the physical and psychological domains. HRQOL scores were least in HIV and mixed infections groups, while patients with genital HPV infection had significantly better HRQOL scores compared to other patient groups. Higher education and socioeconomic status had a positive influence on HRQOL. Conclusion Viral STIs were associated with a significant reduction in HRQOL scores. Among patient groups, the greatest impact on HRQOL was seen in those with HIV and mixed infections and the least impact seen in those with genital HPV infection. Comprehensive care including counselling services need to be implemented in STI clinics.
EXERCISE , ANTIOXIDANTS , AND CARDIOPROTECTION

Scott K. Powers, Ph.D., Ed.D. Professor Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences and Department of Physiology University of Florida Gainesville, Florida In addition to the cardioprotective effects of regular exercise, there is also a growing interest in nutritional antioxidant supplementation as a strategy to protect the heart during a heart attack. Indeed, the role that dietary antioxidants play in providing cardiac protection is a rapidly expanding field of research. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge regarding the cardioprotective effects of both exercise and dietary antioxidants
The effect of educational intervention on prevention of postpartum depression: an application of health locus of control.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of application of health locus of control in pregnant women for prevention of postpartum depression in Iran. BACKGROUND Nearly 10-15% of women suffer postnatal depression by the end of the second week after delivery, which creates problems in caring for the child that may affect child's future learning and concentration. DESIGN Pre-post experimental design. METHODS Two hundred and thirty volunteer women were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale and the Edinburg Depression Scale. Based on the associations found in the pretest, intervention programme was planned and carried out in the focused group discussion method. Data were collected after the end of scheduled sessions, immediately and one month later. The data were analysed with SPSS-16 using statistical methods including anova, chi-square test, Student's t-test and paired t-test. RESULTS Chance health locus of control significantly reduced and internal health locus of control significantly increased, immediately after intervention. Also, a month after intervention, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in reducing postpartum depression. CONCLUSIONS The planned participatory intervention led to empowerment and increased awareness and internalisation of health control beliefs and less tendency towards external health control beliefs, especially chance, improvement in general health leading to improved psychological health for prevention of postpartum depression in mothers. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Clinicians might assess chance and internal health locus of control to identify the women at risk of developing depression during their pregnancy and to develop prevention and treatment plans.
Slaves no longer: review on role assignment for human–robot joint motor action

This paper summarizes findings on the growing field of role assignment policies for human–robot motor interaction. This topic has been investigated by researchers in the psychological theory of joint action, in human intention detection, force control, human–human physical interaction, as well as roboticists interested in developing robots with capabilities for efficient motor interaction with humans. Our goal is to promote fruitful interaction between these distinct communities by: (i) examining the role assignment policies for human–robot joint motor action in experimental psychology and robotics studies; and (ii) informing researchers in human–human interaction on existing work in the robotic field. After an overview of roles assignment in current robotic assistants, this paper examines key results about shared control between a robot and a human performing interactive motor tasks. Research on motor interaction between two humans has inspired recent developments that may extend the use of robots to applications requiring continuous mechanical interaction with humans.
Chinese American adolescents: perceived parenting styles and adolescents' psychosocial health.

BACKGROUND Asian Americans are one of the fastest-growing minority groups in the USA, and Chinese constitute the largest group. Evidence suggests that Asian American adolescents experience higher levels of depressive symptoms than their same-gender white counterparts. Quantitative findings suggest associations between parenting factors and Chinese American adolescents' mental health. A qualitative understanding regarding Chinese American adolescents' perceived parenting styles and its relationship with adolescents' psychosocial health is warranted. AIM To gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese American adolescents' perceived parenting styles and how parenting styles might influence adolescents' psychosocial health. METHODS In this qualitative study, we recruited 15 Chinese American adolescents aged 12-17 years in a southwest metropolitan area. We conducted two focus group interviews. Participants also filled out a brief questionnaire that included their socio-demographic information, immigration history and level of acculturation. RESULTS Participants reported perceiving that parents had high expectations about academic performance and moral values. They also perceived stricter family rules regarding choices of friends compared with their non-Asian peers. Parents tended to be more protective of girls than of boys. Both Chinese American boys and girls reported poor or ineffective communication with their parents, which contributed to increased conflict between parents and adolescents and emotional distress of the adolescents. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide evidence for nurses to develop linguistically and culturally tailored resources (e.g. parent support groups, programs aimed to improving parent-child communication) or connect these families with existing resources to enhance parenting skills and consequently reduce emotional distress of their adolescent children.
Potential role of aquaporin 3 in gastric intestinal metaplasia

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a pre-cancerous condition and a pivotal step in the formation of gastric cancer (GC). Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) has been found to be expressed in goblet cells rather than mucus-secreting glands. To investigate the characteristics of GIM in non-cancerous tissues adjacent to GC, as well as the expression and role of AQP3 in GIM tissues, 16 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma of intestinal type located in the lesser curve of the antrum were consecutively enrolled in this study. A new pathological technology called “gastric mucosal sausage roll” was introduced. GIM was determined according to the updated Sydney system, and AQP3 expression in goblet cells was determined by immunohistochemistry. GIM was found in all stomach specimens, and its incidence increased with progression to GC (P < 0.001). GIM prevalence displayed remarkable association with the distance to GC in the anterior gastric wall tissues (P = 0.016) and tissues toward the cardia (P = 0.014), such that GIM was more common in the areas closer to GC (P < 0.001). AQP3 was found to be expressed in 67.71% of parts with GIM, and AQP3 immunoreactivity was identified more frequently in severe GIM areas (P < 0.001). In short, the incidence and severity of GIM correlated with the distance from GC, and AQP3 was differentially expressed in goblet cells, with most AQP3-positive goblet cells presenting in severe GIM. Together, this study suggests that AQP3 may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis from GIM.
Three essays on the spatial analysis of sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand

This Ph.D. thesis consists of three essays on the sustainable development of the New Zealand dairy industry. The first essay focuses on the relationship between dairy yields and intensive inputs. The second and third essays are concerned with farm-level management practices on nutrient pollution, the interactions between farmers, and the impact of farmer choice on the environment. Spatial spillover effects, which are considered as important issues at either the regional level or farm-level decision-making, are addressed in all three essays. As the New Zealand dairy industry faces the challenge of increasing productivity and dealing with public concerns over nutrient pollution, effective policy needs to address regional dependency and differences in productivity and fertiliser use. The first essay employs spatial panel data models to establish whether unobserved spatial effects exist and investigate how spatial effects influence the relationship between dairy yields and intensive farming inputs across regions. Results show positive spatial spillovers for most intensive inputs. The high level of effluent use and estimated negative yield response to nitrogen suggests that an opportunity exists for the greater use of effluent as a substitute for nitrogen fertiliser. Substitution has the potential to reduce dependence on fertilisers and contribute to a reduction in nutrient pollution. The second essay analyses spatial dependence in the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) to protect water quality. Bayesian spatial Durbin probit models are
Plasma dopamine in workers exposed to urban stressor

The aim of this study is to evaluate if the occupational exposure to urban stressor could cause alterations in dopamine (DA) plasma levels and related diseases in traffic police officers compared to a control group. After excluding subjects with principal confounding factors, 306 traffic police officers (139 female and 167 male) and 301 controls (134 female and 167 male) were included in the study. In traffic police officers, mean DA values were significantly higher compared with controls (P = 0.006 and P = 0.000 in male and female, respectively). The distribution of DA values in traffic police officers and controls was significant ( P = 0.000 and P = 0.000 in male and female, respectively). The number of male traffic police officers with a positive response to the questionnaire's items concerning anxiety, depression and panic attacks was higher than controls, though not significant (7.2% traffic police officers versus 4.2% controls). This difference was also not significant in female traffic police officers compared with controls. According to our previous researches on other neuro-immune-endocrine parameters, DA could be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group to be employed in occupational sets, even before the onset of pathology. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2007; 23: 421—427.
Critical Zone Structure Under a Granite Ridge Inferred From Drilling and Three‐Dimensional Seismic Refraction Data

Observing the critical zone (CZ) below the top few meters of readily excavated soil is challenging yet crucial to understanding Earth surface processes. Near‐surface geophysical methods can overcome this challenge by imaging the CZ in three dimensions (3‐D) over hundreds of meters, thus revealing lateral heterogeneity in subsurface properties across scales relevant to understanding hillslope erosion, weathering, and biogeochemical cycling. We imaged the CZ under a soil‐mantled ridge developed in granitic terrain of the Laramie Range, Wyoming, using data from five boreholes and a 3‐D volume (970 by 600 by 80 m) of seismic velocities generated by ordinary kriging of 25 two‐dimensional seismic refraction transects. The observed CZ structure under the ridge broadly matches predictions of two recently proposed hypotheses: the uppermost surface of weathered bedrock is consistent with subsurface weathering driven by bedrock drainage and subsurface topography defining the top of unweathered protolith is consistent with fracturing predicted from topographic and regional stresses. In contrast, differences in slope aspect along the ridge are too subtle to explain observed variations in regolith structure. Our observations suggest that multiple processes, each of which may dominate at different depths, work in concert to regulate deep CZ structure.
Noisy matrix decomposition via convex relaxation: Optimal rates in high dimensions

We analyze a class of estimators based on convex relaxation for solving high-dimensional matrix decomposition problems. The observations are noisy realizations of a linear transformation $\mathfrak{X}$ of the sum of an approximately) low rank matrix $\Theta^\star$ with a second matrix $\Gamma^\star$ endowed with a complementary form of low-dimensional structure; this set-up includes many statistical models of interest, including factor analysis, multi-task regression, and robust covariance estimation. We derive a general theorem that bounds the Frobenius norm error for an estimate of the pair $(\Theta^\star, \Gamma^\star)$ obtained by solving a convex optimization problem that combines the nuclear norm with a general decomposable regularizer. Our results utilize a "spikiness" condition that is related to but milder than singular vector incoherence. We specialize our general result to two cases that have been studied in past work: low rank plus an entrywise sparse matrix, and low rank plus a columnwise sparse matrix. For both models, our theory yields non-asymptotic Frobenius error bounds for both deterministic and stochastic noise matrices, and applies to matrices $\Theta^\star$ that can be exactly or approximately low rank, and matrices $\Gamma^\star$ that can be exactly or approximately sparse. Moreover, for the case of stochastic noise matrices and the identity observation operator, we establish matching lower bounds on the minimax error. The sharpness of our predictions is confirmed by numerical simulations.
A Novel Association between Lysyl Oxidase Gene Polymorphism and Intracranial Aneurysm in Koreans

Purpose Lysyl oxidase (LOX) controls the cross-linking and maturation of elastin and collagen fibers. In this study, we investigated the association between LOX gene polymorphisms and intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation in a homogeneous Korean population. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study involved 80 age-sex matched patients with IA and controls. Fisher's exact test was performed to analyze allelic associations between ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and IA, including 41 ruptured and 39 unruptured cases. Haplotype-specific associations were analyzed using the omnibus test estimating asymptotic chi-square statistics. Results Of ten SNPs, three SNPs (rs2303656, rs3900446, and rs763497) were significantly associated with IA (p<0.01). The C allele of rs3900446 was significantly related to increased IA risk with a significant threshold [odds ratio (OR)=20.15, p=4.8×10−5]. Meanwhile, the A allele of rs2303656 showed a preventive effect against IA formation (p=8.2×10−4). Seventeen of 247 haplotype structures showed a suggestive association with IA (asymptotic p<0.001). Of ten SNP haplotype combinations, the CG combination of rs3900446 and rs763497 reached Bonferroni-adjusted significant threshold in IA patients (minor haplotype frequency=0.113, asymptotic p=1.3×10−5). However, there was no association between aneurysm rupture and the LOX gene. Conclusion This preliminary study indicated that LOX gene polymorphisms, such as rs2303656, rs3900446, and rs763497, may play crucial roles in IA formation in the Korean population. Our novel findings need to be validated in a large-scale independent population.