Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bulk density and water tensions in the soil on corn root production

Inadequate management of soil and water can cause changes in soil physical characteristics, resulting in lower root development. Thus the objective of the present study was to evaluate the dry matter production of corn roots under combinations of levels of bulk density and water tension in the soil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a randomized block design, based on a modified central composite design of a 52 fractional factorial scheme, of combinations of bulk densities (1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 Mg m-3) and water tensions in the soil (10, 20, 30 40 and 50 kPa), resulting in 13 treatments with four replicates. An Oxisol collected in the layer of 0-0.2 m was used. The pots were made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tube with compacted soil in the middle layer. The tensiometers were installed at a depth of 0.15 m, remaining in the central region of the compacted layer. The experiment was collected 104 days after sowing. Root dry matter production of corn was limited by increased water stress and bulk density.
Characterization of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptors Mediating Circular Smooth Muscle Contraction in the Human Umbilical Artery

The study was performed to characterize pharmacologically the contractile 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in the circular smooth muscle of the isolated human umbilical artery. Effects of agonists and antagonists for different 5-HT receptor subtypes were studied in intact endothelium vessel segments. All agonists induced concentration-dependent circular smooth muscle contractions. The potency was in declining order 5-HT > α-methyl-5-HT > sumatriptan ≥ 2-methyl-5-HT. The effects of 5-HT and α-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by ketanserin, as well as methiothepin. The contractile effect of sumatriptan was antagonized by methiothepin but not by ketanserin. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, MDL 72222, did not affect the contraction by any of the agonists, including 2-methyl-5-HT. It is concluded that the 5-HT-induced contraction in the circular smooth muscle of the human umbilical artery seems to be mediated by a mixed population of 5-HT1-like receptors and 5-HT2 receptors.
Accumulation of caspase-3 messenger ribonucleic acid and induction of caspase activity in the ovine corpus luteum following prostaglandin F2alpha treatment in vivo.

Caspase-3, a vertebrate homologue of the protein encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans cell death gene, ced-3, induces apoptosis when overexpressed in eukaryotic cells. Since apoptosis occurs during corpus luteum (CL) regression in many species, including the ewe, these studies were conducted to 1) isolate a cDNA encoding ovine caspase-3, 2) measure steady state amounts of caspase-3 mRNA in the CL during luteolysis induced by prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and during the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy, and 3) measure changes in caspase activity during PGF2alpha-initiated luteal regression. Oligonucleotide primers corresponding to a human caspase-3 cDNA sequence were combined with total RNA from ovine CL in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based procedure to amplify a 640-base pair partial cDNA with a nucleotide sequence 86% and 81% identical to the human and rat caspase-3 cDNAs, respectively. CL were collected from ewes at 0, 12, or 24 h after treatment with PGF2alpha on Day 10 of the estrous cycle and from nonpregnant and pregnant ewes on Day 12 or Day 14 of the cycle. Northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA from ovine CL and a radiolabeled ovine caspase-3 cRNA probe indicated the presence of a single mRNA transcript of approximately 2.5 kilobases. Levels of caspase-3 mRNA were approximately 3-fold higher (p < 0.05) in CL at 12 h and 24 h after PGF2alpha in comparison to those levels measured in matched CL from untreated ewes. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in amounts of caspase-3 mRNA in CL on Day 12 or Day 14 of the estrous cycle compared to Day 12 or Day 14 of pregnancy, respectively. Caspase activity in CL (measured by the ability of CL lysates to cleave an artificial caspase substrate) was also significantly (p < 0.05) increased in CL collected after treatment with PGF2alpha compared to CL collected from nontreated ewes. We conclude that physiological cell death during PGF2alpha-induced luteal regression in the ewe is mediated, at least in part, via increased expression and activity of the caspase family of pro-apoptotic proteases.
Evolutionary dynamics of mating system shifts in Arabidopsis lyrata

Outcrossing is the prevalent mode of reproduction in plants and animals despite its substantial costs, while selfing and mixed mating occur at much lower frequency. Comparative research on plants has demonstrated the lability of self‐incompatibility, but there is little information about the transition on a within‐species level from self‐incompatibility to predominant selfing. We studied variation in mating system among 18 populations of Arabidopsis lyrata within a phylogenetic context to shed light on the evolution of selfing. Realized and potential mating systems were assessed by genetic analysis with microsatellite markers and hand‐self‐pollinations on 30 plants from each population. The fraction of self‐incompatible plants in a population was highly correlated with the outcrossing rate, showing that the spread of self‐compatibility is accompanied by or soon followed by an increase in the rate of selfing. The four predominantly selfing populations (outcrossing rates < 0.25) fell into more than one phylogenetic cluster, suggesting that the transition to selfing occurred more than once independently. Hence, A. lyrata offers an opportunity for the comparative analysis of outcrossing as a predominant mode of reproduction in plants and of the causes of the shift to selfing.
Variation of surface soil quality parameters by intensive Donkey-Drawn tillage on steep slope

Few direct measurements are made to quantify the erosion from upslope to lower field boundaries by intensive tillage, We conducted 50 plowing operations over a 5-d period using a donkey-drawn mold-board-plow on steep backslope in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Topographic changes at different slope positions were quantified using differential global positioning system (DGPS). Soil organic matter (SOM), extractable P and N, and soil bulk density were measured along a down-slope transect after each 10-tillage series. Fifty operations resulted in a decrease in maximum soil surface level (SSL) of 1.25 m in the upper slope position and an increase of 1.33 m at the bottom of the slope. Slope gradients decreased from 37 to 14° at the upper position and from 18 to 0° at the lower position. Surface soil bulk density increased from 1.14 to 1.28 Mg m -3 in the upper slope and decreased from 1.10 to 1.03 Mg m -3 in the middle slope. Mean SOM concentrations in the upper and middle positions of the slope decreased from 8.3 to 3.6 g kg -1 , mineral N from 43.4 to 17.4 mg kg -1 , and Olsen-P from 4.5 to 1.0 mg kg -1 . Intensive tillage resulted in a short-term increase in SOM and available nutrients in the lower portion during the tillage operations. Geomorphologic evolution and landscape variability of dissected hillslopes are attributable to soil movement and resulting physical and fertility degradation induced by intensive tillage.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in cancer: a review

The stressor criterion for Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been recently modified to include life‐threatening illnesses, such as cancer, as precipitating traumatic events. We sought to examine the empiric evidence for cancer's inclusion as a traumatic stressor. Nine published studies assessing PTSD in cancer survivors and/or family members were identified in the literature. The studies were predominantly small (n<100) and cross‐sectional. Study target groups included one or more of the following: children cancer survivors, parents of pediatric survivors and adult cancer survivors. There was considerable inter‐ and intra‐study variability in the type and stage of cancer diagnosed and in the type of treatment regimens participants had undergone. Only three studies utilized a validated PTSD diagnostic tool to evaluate the disorder. Evidence of full‐blown PTSD was found for adults and parents, and for children in all but one instance. These results suggest that a PTSD symptom assessment provides valuable clinical information concerning the post‐treatment adjustment of cancer survivors and their immediate family members. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement of Renal Function in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients Treated with Low-Dose Calcineurin Inhibitor and Mycophenolate Mofetil

Background. Renal dysfunction is a major complication in heart transplant recipients treated with calcineurin inhibitors. The goal of the study was to investigate the effect of a reduction of calcineurin inhibitor dosage with the concomitant introduction of mycophenolate mofetil on both renal function and cardiac allograft function. Methods. Fourteen of 52 consecutive pediatric cardiac allograft recipients experienced a progressive decrease of renal function. A renal biopsy was performed before the dose of calcineurin inhibitors was reduced by 50% and azathioprine was replaced by mycophenolate mofetil. Renal function was evaluated by inulin clearance and maximal urinary osmolality before and yearly after the therapeutic changes. Acute rejection was monitored clinically, by echocardiography and endomyocardial biopsies. Results. Inulin clearance in the fourteen children decreased from 84.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 at one year posttransplantation to 46.5±9.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the time of the change in immunosuppressive therapy. Significant renal lesions were observed in the renal biopsies performed before the change. At 1 year, inulin clearance had increased by 67%. In six patients who had a second determination 2 years after the switch, inulin clearance was not significantly different from the value at 1 year. There were three reversible acute rejection episodes in three patients. The incidence of rejection episodes was not different from a control group of patients whose treatment was not changed. Conclusion. The reduction of calcineurin inhibitor dosage and replacement of azathioprine by mycophenolate mofetil is a safe way to improve renal function in children with heart transplants and calcineurin inhibitor induced nephrotoxicity.
Self-expanding metal esophageal stent with anti-reflux mechanism.

BACKGROUND When deployed across the gastroesophageal junction, self-expanding metal esophageal stents can predispose to gastroesophageal reflux. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a self-expanding metal esophageal stent that was modified to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS The polyurethane coating of a metal Z-stent was extended beyond its lower end to form windsock-type valve. The anti-reflux property of this stent was studied in vitro by submerging the stent under water and measuring the pressure required to invert the valve. Esophageal acid exposure time was measured in 5 dogs with a standard and the modified stent placed across the gastroesophageal junction. The modified stent was also placed in 11 patients with cancer of the gastroesophageal junction who were prospectively followed. RESULTS The pressure required to invert the valve was directly proportional to the thickness of the valve membrane (48 +/- 0.4 cm water for a 0.0067-inch thick membrane). Esophageal acid exposure time was significantly less with the modified stent as compared with a standard stent (1% +/- 0.3%, 49% +/- 11%, respectively, p = 0.03). Dysphagia score in patients improved from 3.4 +/- 0.1 to 1.1 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.001). Daytime heartburn and regurgitation scores were less than 1 (score 10 = severe). No patient complained of nocturnal reflux symptoms. Karnofsky performance status scale did not improve significantly. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of the modified stent in relieving dysphagia is comparable with a standard stent. It also effectively prevents gastroesophageal reflux.
Dramatic Improvement of Long Lasting Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation by Oral and Topical Tranexamic Acid

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common problem, but its treatment still remains challenging. Tranexamic acid has been used to treat or prevent excessive bleeding loss in various medical conditions. There have been some reports of the effect of oral and topical tranexamic acid for treatment of pigmented disorder. Herein we report on a case of female patient who showed improvement of PIH after oral and topical tranexamic acid administration.
Geographical variation and factors associated with colorectal cancer mortality in a universal health care system.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the geographical variation and small geographical area level factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. METHODS Information regarding CRC mortality was obtained from the population-based Manitoba Cancer Registry, population counts were obtained from Manitoba's universal health care plan Registry and characteristics of the area of residence were obtained from the 2001 Canadian census. Bayesian spatial Poisson mixed models were used to evaluate the geographical variation of CRC mortality and Poisson regression models for determining associations with CRC mortality. Time trends of CRC mortality according to income group were plotted using joinpoint regression. RESULTS The southeast (mortality rate ratio [MRR] 1.31 [95% CI 1.12 to 1.54) and southcentral (MRR 1.62 [95% CI 1.35 to 1.92]) regions of Manitoba had higher CRC mortality rates than suburban Winnipeg (Manitoba's capital city). Between 1985 and 1996, CRC mortality did not vary according to household income; however, between 1997 and 2009, individuals residing in the highest-income areas were less likely to die from CRC (MRR 0.77 [95% CI 0.65 to 0.89]). Divergence in CRC mortality among individuals residing in different income areas increased over time, with rising CRC mortality observed in the lowest income areas and declining CRC mortality observed in the higher income areas. CONCLUSIONS Individuals residing in lower income neighbourhoods experienced rising CRC mortality despite residing in a jurisdiction with universal health care and should receive increased efforts to reduce CRC mortality. These findings should be of particular interest to the provincial CRC screening programs, which may be able to reduce the disparities in CRC mortality by reducing the disparities in CRC screening participation.
Effect of farmers' characteristics on onion yield

This study was conducted during July 2005 in four villages of Swat district with the objective to examine the effect of farmers’ circumstances on onion yield. It was observed that farmers in the research area allocated thirty two percent of cropped area to onion crop by cultivating Swat-I and local varieties. The study revealed that farmers having small land holdings, high education level, onion transplanted during the first half of December, more farming experience and have contacts with agriculture department for new technology, received higher yield of onion.
Architectural (FIGO) grading, nuclear grading, and other prognostic indicators in stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma with identification of high‐risk and low‐risk groups

We studied 164 cases of Stage I endometrial adenocarcinoma to determine the relative prognostic value of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and nuclear grading systems. Other factors known to be of prognostic value in endometrial carcinoma also were evaluated. Both the FIGO and nuclear grading systems correlated with five‐year mortality rate from cancer. Nuclear Grade 3 proved to be a superior predictor of fatal outcome (nine of 13 [69%]) over FIGO Grade 3 (four of 13 [31%]). We advocate the combined use of FIGO and nuclear grading systems, along with other prognostic parameters, for the detection of most patients with fatal cancer.
A comparison of susceptibility of two allopatric populations of Glossina pallidipes for stocks of Trypanosoma congolense

Abstract. A colony of Glossina pallidipes Austen which originated from Nguruman, Rift Valley Province, Kenya, was significantly more susceptible to infection (19.3%) with a stock of Trypanosoma congolense Broden isolated from G. pallidipes in Nguruman than a colony of the same species which originated from Shimba Hills, Coast Province, Kenya (5.6%). Male G. pallidipes from Nguruman were significantly more susceptible than females to this T. congolense stock whilst the susceptibility of both sexes of G. pallidipes from Shimba Hills did not differ significantly. All six goats on which six infected G. pallidipes fed singly (three tsetse per colony) became infected. Similarly, the G. pallidipes colony of Nguruman origin was significantly more susceptible to infection (16.4%) with a stock of T. congolense isolated from G. pallidipes in Shimba Hills than the colony of Shimba Hills origin (4.9%). The susceptibility of the sexes of G. pallidipes from both the colonies to this stock of T. congolense did not differ significantly. Again, all six goats on which six infected G. pallidipes fed singly (three tsetse per colony) became infected. If the observed differences in susceptibility of the two G. pallidipes colonies reflect transmission of trypanosomes by the two allopatric populations of tsetse in the field, then the epidemiology of congolense‐trypanosomiasis in livestock must differ between these two areas of Kenya endemic for trypanosomiasis.
{beta}-Cell secretory capacity and demand in recipients of islet, pancreas, and kidney transplants.

CONTEXT beta-Cell secretory capacity, a measure of functional beta-cell mass, is often impaired in islet transplant recipients, likely because of a low engrafted beta-cell mass, although calcineurin inhibitor toxicity is often cited as the explanation. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether use of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus was associated with reduced beta-cell secretory capacity or with increased beta-cell secretory demand independent of engrafted islet mass. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS We compared metabolic measures in five intraportal islet recipients vs. 10 normal controls and in seven portally-drained pancreas-kidney and eight nondiabetic kidney recipients vs. nine kidney donor controls. All transplant groups received comparable exposure to tacrolimus, and each transplant group was matched for kidney function to its respective control group. INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All participants underwent glucose-potentiated arginine testing where acute insulin responses to arginine (5 g) were determined under fasting (AIR(arg)), 230 mg/dl (AIR(pot)), and 340 mg/dl (AIR(max)) clamp conditions, and AIR(max) gives the beta-cell secretory capacity. Insulin sensitivity (M/I) and proinsulin secretory ratios (PISRs) were assessed to determine whether tacrolimus increased beta-cell secretory demand. RESULTS Insulin responses were significantly lower than normal in the islet group for AIR(arg) (P < 0.05), AIR(pot) (P < 0.01), and AIR(max) (P < 0.01), whereas responses in the pancreas-kidney and kidney transplant groups were not different than in the kidney donor group. M/I and PISRs were not different in any of the transplant vs. control groups. CONCLUSIONS Impaired beta-cell secretory capacity in islet transplantation is best explained by a low engrafted beta-cell mass and not by a deleterious effect of tacrolimus.
Algorithms for Automated Arrival Time Estimation of Partial Discharge Signals in Power Cables

Partial discharges within power cables can indicate damages of the cable insulation or incorrect installed joints. Therefore the location of such discharges is a reasonable maintenance tool to identify defective cable parts in time. The location of partial discharges in shielded cables can be done with the Time Domain Reflectometry method. There, delay times between pulses set off by a partial discharge and traveling through the cable are used to determine the origin of the partial discharges. For this delay times the arrival times of the traveling pulses are needed which can be estimated by different approaches. The most commonly used arrival time estimation technique is the peak detection. But frequency-dependent attenuation and distortion of fast pulses within power cables can lead to location failures rising with the cable length. To avoid this problem pulse onsets should be detected. This paper describes the application of the Energy Criterion and the Akaike Information Criterion as onset detection methods for simulated partial discharge pulses.
The Utility of the Random Controlled Trial for Evaluating Sexual Offender Treatment: The Gold Standard or an Inappropriate Strategy?

This paper examines the scientific, practical, and ethical issues surrounding the employment of the Random Controlled Trial (RCT) in the evaluation of sexual offender treatment. Consideration of these issues leads us to conclude that the RCT design is not suitable for determining the effectiveness of sexual offender treatment. We also examine the RCT study by Marques et al. (Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment and Evaluation 17:79–107, 2005) that is often held up as the model for the evaluation of sexual offender treatment. We found several problems with this study that, in our opinion, reduce its relevance for deciding whether treatment is effective with these clients. Finally, we examine two alternative strategies for evaluating treatment that may allow treatment providers to more readily examine, and report, the results of their programs.
Design of miniaturized common-mode filter by multilayer low-temperature co-fired ceramic

A miniaturized common-mode filter composed of multiple substrates with positive and negative coils formed on alternate substrates is proposed in this paper. The pattern of each positive coil is interlaced with that of each negative coil, whereby when the positive and negative coils are alternately stacked, the positive coils do not overlap the negative coils. With such offset configuration, the parasitic capacitance introduced between positive and negative traces is reduced, so the thickness of each substrate can be decreased and the size of the entire filter is effectively reduced. Good agreements between simulated and measured results are demonstrated. Further, the effectiveness of this filter is confirmed by eye diagram and radiation emission measurements.
Evaluation of the OECD QSAR Application Toolbox and Toxtree for estimating the mutagenicity of chemicals. Part 2. α-β unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes

The OECD QSAR Application Toolbox versions 1.1. 01 and 1.1. 02 and Toxtree version 1.60, which were developed for facilitating the practical use of (Q)SAR approaches by regulators, include a mechanistic SAR model for predicting the mutagenicity of α-β unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes. The aim of this study was to estimate the interest and limitations of this model. First, the model was re-computed to check its transparency and to verify its statistical validity. Then, the model implemented in the two software tools was tested on 34 chemicals not previously used for its design and for which experimental mutagenic activity data were available in the literature. A critical analysis of the results was performed and the practical interest of the model was discussed.
Romanian experiences in lifelong learning process and e-learning

This paper generally presents the Romanian experiences in lifelong learning process and e-learning, and particularly the University of Craiova experiences in lifelong learning and e-learning. The new regulations about lifelong learning in Romania stipulated by 2011 Romanian Education Law are presented too. The paper brings forward the benefits of e-learning and of learning through competition obtained by authors' faculty.