Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR FROM A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, INDIA: CONVENTIONAL METHODS-STILL A THUMBS UP?

INTRODUCTION: Malassezia furfur, the etiologic agent of pityriasis versicolor (PV), is a superficially occurring, benign, chronic, and recurring fungal infection of the stratum corneum with a worldwide distribution. There is limited data from North India regarding prevalence and epidemiology. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to give an overview of the prevalence of fungi-associated skin infections and its clinical profile, to find out the epidemiological characteristics over a period of 18 months, and to assess the use of conventional methods for diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, 300 patients suspected of having superficial mycoses, were evaluated clinically on Out Patient Department (OPD) basis in the Department of Dermatology, and diagnosis was confirmed mycologically in the Microbiology Department at Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi. The total duration of the study period was 18 months. RESULTS: In the present study, 36 (12%) patients were positive for PV. The majority of the patients were young adults. There is prominent seasonal variation of the patients with a peak in August, October, and November. The most of the lesions were hypopigmented macules (83.33%) and were potassium hydroxide positive. The most commonly involved sites were trunk (80.5%), scalp (5.5%), and arm (5.5%). Seborrheic dermatitis sometimes coexisted with PV. Rare areas like groin involvement (2.7%) were also seen. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 12% of studied population was positive for tinea versicolor, which is a high prevalence for this disease. The findings of this study indicated that PV is an important health problem, and diagnosis can be easily made on OPD basis using conventional methods.
On the uniform approximation problem for the square of the Cauchy-Riemann operator

Let X be a compact subset of the plane and / a continuous function on X satisfying the equation d / = 0 in the interior of X. It is unknown whether / can be uniformly approximated on X by functions g satisfying the equation d g = 0 in some neighbourhood (depending on g) of X. We show that this is the case under the additional assumption that / satisfies a Dini-type continuity condition.
Sexual divergence in diets and morphology in Fijian sea snakes Laticauda colubrina (Laticaudinae)

In the Fiji Islands, female yellow-lipped sea kraits (Laticauda colubrina) grow much larger than males, and have longer and wider heads than do conspecific males of the same body length. This morphological divergence is accompanied by (and may be adaptive to) a marked sex divergence in dietary habits. Adult female sea kraits feed primarily on large conger eels, and take only a single prey item per foraging bout. In contrast, adult males feed upon smaller moray eels, and frequently take multiple prey items. Prey size increases with snake body size in both males and females, but the sexes follow different trajectories in this respect. Female sea kraits consume larger eels relative to predator head size and body length than do males. Thus, the larger relative head size of female sea kraits is interpreted as an adaptation to consuming larger prey items. Our results are similar to those of previous studies on American water snakes (natricines) and Australian file snakes (acrochordids), indicating that similar patterns of sex divergence in dietary habits and feeding structures have evolved convergently in at least three separate lineages of aquatic snakes.
PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) GENOTYPES IN RESPONSE TO SYNTHETIC HORMONES

Hasanuzzaman , S.M. , Hossain, S.M. M. , Ali , M. O. , Hossain, M.A. and Hannan, A. 2007. Performance of Different Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes in Response to Synthetic Hormones. Int. J. Sustain. Crop Prod. 2(5): 78-84 A field study was carried out at the Horticulture Research Centre Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Jopdebpur, Gazipur during October 1998 to April 1999 to determine the performance of different bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes in response to synthetic hormones. Ten genotypes viz, CP0039, CP0041, CP0043, CP0044, CP0045, CP0053, CP0054, CP0055, CP0061 and CP0068 and two synthetic hormones Milstim and Litosen along with control (fresh water) were used as treatments in this study. It was found that, due to hormonal treatments significant variation exists among the genotypes in respect of morphological characters, physiological parameters, fruit yield and seeds per fruit. Genotype CP0039 produced the highest leaves (63.64), branches (7.36), plant height (24.23 cm), fruit (19) per plant and seed (150) per fruit. Highest fruit yield (18.69 t ha) was obtained from CP0045. Fruit weight was maximum (18.58 g) in CP0061. Seeds extracted from CP0041 fruits had highest (92%) germination. On the contrary, the lowest seed germination (22%) was recorded in CP0045. Genotype CP0039 plants treated Milstim and Litosen produced 20 and 18 fruits per plant resulting 20.37 t ha and 19.93 t ha yield, respectively. Lowest fruit bearing (4-fruits/ plant) and yield (4.14 t ha) were recorded in control plants of CP0068. So both Milstim and Litosen treated plants performed better than control plants regarding fruit bearing and yield.
Carbon partitioning in the food web of a high mountain lake: from bacteria to zooplankton

The organisms of the microbial loop in Lake Paione Superiore (LPS), a high mountain lake in the Italian Alpine region, were studied together with phytoplankton and zooplankton for three successive years. The biomass of bacteria, HNF (heterotrophic nanoflagellates), ciliates and phytoplankton, as mean carbon concentration in the three years, was 30 and 37 μg C l-1 near the surface (SUR) and the bottom (BOT) respectively. Under the ice-cover the mean biomass carbon decreased especially at the BOT, whereas at SUR the decrease was less evident due to the maintenance of higher phytoplankton biomass (mixotrophic flagellates). In LPS ~50% of the carbon was confined in bacteria, 20% in protozoa and 30% in phytoplankton. The ratio Autotrophs/Heterotrophs was lower than 1 (mean: 0,97 at SUR and 0,58 at BOT) thus indicating a system with a predominance of the heterotrophs. This might be the result of light inhibition of algal growth coupled to a production of dissolved carbon, utilized by bacteria. During late summer the peak of Daphnia longispina, the main component of the zooplankton of LPS, increased the carbon content in the lake to a total of 158 and 300 μg C l-1 in 1997 and 1998 respectively. At the late summer peaks, zooplankton represented from 78 to 89% of the total carbon of the pelagic communities. Furthermore, the presence of Daphnia could be responsible for a decrease in the biomass carbon of a variety of organisms (algae, protozoa and bacteria). It may be possible that this is an instance of zooplankton grazing on algae, protozoa and also bacteria, as Daphnia has very broad niches and may eat pico-, nanoplankton and small ciliates. In the oligotrophic LPS, a diet which also includes protozoa could give Daphnia a further chance of survival, as ciliates are an important source of fatty acids and sterols.
Testing the Double-Genocide Thesis for Central and Southern Rwanda

Results of a research project with household-level data on the demographic impact of genocide and civil war in Rwanda are reported. The survey includes demographic and criminological data on 352 peasant households that were part of a large household survey project before the genocide. The absolute number of Hutu killed in the sample is half of the number of Tutsi killed. The statistical and econometric results show that the killing pattern among Hutu and Tutsi was different; Tutsi members of the same household were often killed on the same day and in the same place. The effect of the arrival of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) at the survey sites on the survival chances of Hutu and Tutsi is estimated.
Lessons about the Design of State Accountability Systems.

Test based accountability systems are now a central feature of U.S. education policy. Accountability systems are implemented as a way of improving student outcomes through new, highly visible incentives. In analyzing the effectiveness of such state systems, the correct comparison is not accountability versus no accountability but the differential effects related to the type of system that is employed. The alternative systems that have developed have very different incentives. While research on the outcomes of accountability systems is growing rapidly, it still represents a young and highly selective body of work. The existing research suggests that schools definitely respond to the incentives of accountability systems, but the form and strength of such responses is highly variable. This paper characterizes the incentives of different systems and reviews the existing evidence about outcomes.
Remote Speech-Language Intervention, with the Participation of Parents of Children with Autism

The question about the possibility of identifying the best therapeutic approach for chil- dren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has also been discussed in the literature. The intervention should be individualized, in order to involve the current level of develop- ment of the child and to identify the profile of the facilities and difficulties of each child. The families are constantly involved in complex and changeable context and are aware of the importance of access and participation to the treatment chosen, since that service delays can directly affect efficacy. In general, studies on language acquisition and devel - opment in autism focus on the child’s communication, and some analyze the mother seeking to understand how the role of parents and caregivers influences the commu - nication of the children with autism. Observing the importance of the active inclusion of parents in the speech and language therapy of children with ASD, a Distance Speech Therapy Intervention project, was developed that would allow language stimulation of a greater number of children and adolescents with autism.
Low SAR Phased Antenna Array for Mobile Handsets ( Invited Paper )

A two-element phased antenna array for a mobile handset is investigated using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The array is designed to provide a spatial minimum in SAR in the near field zone inside the human head. The optimisation algorithms to obtain the minimum peak specific absorption rate (SAR) and minimum total absorbed power are addressed. It is found that these criteria are not seriously conflicting. The effects of the head-array spacing on the optimum array feeding voltages and the reduction in SAR are discussed. The results are compared with those from a normal single element handset, showing that the overall efficiency and azimuth coverage are improved and that peak specific absorption rate in the head can be reduced by at least 8 dB. Key words—Phased antenna array, Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD), Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
Cycling crashes: factors associated with head trauma, alcohol consumption and helmet use

Cycling is becoming one of the most common modes of transportation across the entire world, due to its simplicity, low cost, and health-related benefits. In a road crash, however, cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and they can suffer more severe consequences compared to users of motorised vehicles. Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for being involved in a crash and for the consequences of a crash. Few studies have analysed the role of alcohol in bicycle crashes and the corresponding severity of outcome. The aim of this study is to evaluate which cyclist and crash characteristics are associated with alcohol consumption among cyclists who have been involved in a crash. The data source is the German In-Depth Accident Study database. All cyclists that were involved in a road crash between 2000-2010 and on whom an alcohol test was conducted were selected. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the association between the riderrs blood alcohol level and cyclist and accident characteristics. Female bicycle riders were less likely to have consumed alcohol compared to men; cyclists who did not wear a helmet were more likely to have consumed alcohol; cyclists who were not responsible for causing the road crash were less likely to have consumed alcohol compared to cyclists who were partially responsible. Cyclists who were involved in a crash when road conditions were dry or slippery were more likely to have consumed alcohol. Alcohol consumption is associated with unsafe cycling practices, for example not using a helmet or drive in bad road conditions, and with being the cause of a road crash. Preventing or limiting alcohol consumption and corresponding testing of cyclists must be improved.
Study on Availability of Various Macro and Micro-Minerals in Lactating Buffaloes under Field Conditions of Sabarkantha District of Gujarat

Abstract: A study was conducted in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat to assess the status of some macro and micro-minerals in lactating buffaloes. Feeds and fodder samples were collected from 17 representative villages of the district for analysis of macro and micro-minerals. Calcium content in cottonseed cake (0.17%), crushed maize (0.03%) and maize cake (0.22%) was found to be below the critical level (0.30%). The phosphorus content in concentrate ingredients was high (0.32-0.67%) but low in dry roughages (0.06-0.20%). Feeds and fodder were found to be adequate in magnesium (0.40%), sodium (0.29%) and potassium (1.15%). Straws were found to be deficient in sulphur (0.16%). Green roughages were good source of copper (12.31 ppm). Wheat straw was found to be low in zinc (19.71 ppm) but comparatively high in manganese (47.88 ppm) and iron (630.24 ppm). Lucerne and chikori green were found to be rich source of cobalt (>0.35 ppm). Selenium (0.68 ppm) was present in appreciable quantities in most of the feedstuffs. Lactating buffaloes were also found to be excess in energy and crude protein (70%), whereas, calcium and phosphorus were deficient in the ration (65%). Ration of lactating buffaloes was found to be deficient in Ca, P, S, Cu, Zn and Co. Supplementing the deficient minerals through area specific mineral mixture could alleviate the deficiency and improve productivity and reproduction efficiency of lactating buffaloes.
R&D capital and economic growth: The empirical evidence

This paper reviews the empirical literature on rates of return on R&D and interprets the economic significance of these estimates using a semi-endogenous growth model with a calibrated knowledge production sector. We analyse how R&D subsidies, a reduction of entry barriers for start-ups and increasing high-skilled labour would contribute towards raising productivity and knowledge investment in the EU. The simulation results show that substantial efforts will have to be made if Europe wants to come close to achieving the Lisbon productivity and knowledge-investment targets. Achieving US standards in all three areas would reduce the productivity gap by about 50 percent. Improving the quality of tertiary education and increasing competition in non-manufacturing sectors would also help the EU to get to the productivity frontier.
Psychosocial factors and multiple unhealthy behaviours in 25-to 64-year-old Belgian citizens by Roberfroid

Background: Correlations between lifestyles and health have been well-demonstrated. However, multiple unhealthy behaviour patterns and their determinants have been less studied. Do unhealthy behaviours occur independently, or do they exhibit clustering? What are the psychosocial, socioeconomic, and demographic determinants that may contribute to this clustering? How do multiple unhealthy behaviours relate to general health status? Aim: The aim of the present study was to analyse the distribution of multiple unhealthy behaviours and their association with psychosocial factors and health status indicators in the 25to 64-year-old Belgian population. 1 Corresponding author: Roberfroid D. , Public Health Department, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, 155 – 2000 Antwerp, Belgium – Tel: 32-3-247.63. 84, Fax: 32-3-247.65. 43, e-mail: droberfroid@itg.be 2 European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Bedford Square 50, WC1B 3DP London, UK. 282 Roberfroid D, Pomerleau J. Method: A secondary analysis of the 1997 Belgium Health Survey was performed. Associations between 5 selected unhealthy behaviours were analysed: smoking, heavy drinking, inactivity, non-use of a seat belt, and unhealthy diet. Psychosocial factors were derived from the data set. Confounding was controlled for socioeconomic status, sex, and age. Health status was assessed by self-rated health, functional health, and morbidity. Results: The 5 selected unhealthy behaviours do not occur independently, but aggregate. Marital status, social network, self-efficacy (as assessed by proxy), employment status, and religion membership are all significantly associated with the clustering of unhealthy behaviours and unhealthy clusters are related to poor health status. Relationships between psychosocial factors, health-related behaviours, and health status are discussed. Conclusions: Public health policies and interventions should acknowledge the aggregated pattern of unhealthy behaviours and the important links between multiple unhealthy behaviours and psychosocial factors.
Lagrangian cobordism and tropical curves

Abstract We study a cylindrical Lagrangian cobordism group for Lagrangian torus fibres in symplectic manifolds which are the total spaces of smooth Lagrangian torus fibrations. We use ideas from family Floer theory and tropical geometry to obtain both obstructions to and constructions of cobordisms; in particular, we give examples of symplectic tori in which the cobordism group has no non-trivial cobordism relations between pairwise distinct fibres, and ones in which the degree zero fibre cobordism group is a divisible group. The results are independent of but motivated by mirror symmetry, and a relation to rational equivalence of 0-cycles on the mirror rigid analytic space.
Ascorbate accumulation during sulphur deprivation and its effects on photosystem II activity and H2 production of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

In nature, H2 production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii serves as a safety valve during the induction of photosynthesis in anoxia, and it prevents the over-reduction of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Sulphur deprivation of C. reinhardtii also triggers a complex metabolic response resulting in the induction of various stress-related genes, down-regulation of photosynthesis, the establishment of anaerobiosis and expression of active hydrogenase. Photosystem II (PSII) plays dual role in H2 production because it supplies electrons but the evolved O2 inhibits the hydrogenase. Here, we show that upon sulphur deprivation, the ascorbate content in C. reinhardtii increases about 50-fold, reaching the mM range; at this concentration, ascorbate inactivates the Mn-cluster of PSII, and afterwards, it can donate electrons to tyrozin Z(+) at a slow rate. This stage is followed by donor-side-induced photoinhibition, leading to the loss of charge separation activity in PSII and reaction centre degradation. The time point at which maximum ascorbate concentration is reached in the cell is critical for the establishment of anaerobiosis and initiation of H2 production. We also show that ascorbate influenced H2 evolution via altering the photosynthetic electron transport rather than hydrogenase activity and starch degradation.
An Improved Design for Ka-Band Phase Shifter Using Distributed MEMS Transmission Line Structure

The paper presents a model which describes the stage circuit of Distributed MEMS Transmission Line (DMTL) phase shifter at Ka band and an approach for DMTL design utilizing the saw-shaped coplanar waveguide(CPW). The result of circuit simulation and full wave analysis prove that the model is in good agreement with theoretical analysis. The model can effectively simplify the design complexity after optimization. Simulation results show that the S11 and S21 can achieve -20 dB and -2.5 dB, respectively, and the phase shift arrives at −180 ◦ at Ka band. Comparing with literature data, it has been predicted that S11 improves about 8 dB and the phase shift can increase about 100 ◦ in the same condition.
North Atlantic climate variation influences survival in adult fulmars

There is increasing evidence that large scale climate variation influences reproductive parameters of seabirds, but fewer studies have investigated possible effects on adult survival. Previous work has shown that climate variation reflected by the winter North Atlantic oscillation (WNAO) influences reproductive success in northern fulmars. Here, we use a 34 year long (1962-1995) individual-based data set to investigate inter-annual and inter-individual variation in adult survival in this species. Breeding success in the previous and current seasons, and both the WNAO and one-year lagged WNAO indexes, were considered as potential sources of inter-annual variation in survival and recapture probabilities. Sex and an index of body size were considered as potential sources of inter-individual variation in survival and recapture probabilities. Body size effects were not significant, but males and females differed in both their survival and recapture probabilities. Probability of recapture of females was positively correlated with breeding success in both the current and previous breeding seasons, whereas male recapture probabilities were correlated only with previous breeding success. Male and female survival decreased over the study period, suggesting that there had been a degradation of environmental conditions. This hypothesis was supported by the detection of a negative correlation between survival and the WNAO, which, in turn, showed a positive increase over this period. The negative correlation between female adult survival and WNAO did not result only from the long term behaviour of the two time series, but persisted for higher frequency fluctuations. In contrast, the correlation between male survival and WNAO seemed to result only from the long term behaviour of the two time series. Despite uncertainties over causal mechanisms, these findings add to the body of evidence that large scale climate variation could dramatically affect seabird population dynamics. Furthermore our results suggest that climate variation can differentially influence individuals with distinct phenotypic characteristics.
Nurses and Staff Turnover Intentions in Private Hospitals

The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation of organizational justice, supervisor-employee relationship, and job satisfaction to nurse’ turnover intentions in private hospitals. A survey study with a total of 152 nurses from two hospitals. Technique of taking data using closed questionnaire. Data analysis using structural equation modeling. Organizational justice and supervisor-employee relationship have direct effect on job satisfaction, and influence nurse’s intentions turnover either directly or in regard to job satisfaction. The result can be used as a basis for decision making and future planning. The result also high light the need to emphasize on organizational justice and supervisor-employee relationship to enhance nurses’ job satisfaction and to brainstrom solution to improve nurse’s job satisfaction, which also to reduce nurses’ turnover intentions. Keyword : organizational justice, supervisor-employee relationship, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, nurse.