Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Smoking among Sample of Kuwait Asthmatics and Its Impact on the Response of the Treatment

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common diseases in Kuwait. Smoking also is on the rise in Kuwait. We therefore conducted this study to at prevalence of smoking among sample of Kuwaiti patients and the impact on asthma control. Methods: Descriptive study of 50 outpatients who were prospectively assessed from single center (Al-Jahra Hospital) that diagnosed recently as bronchial asthma using American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) criteria definitions of asthma between the period of 1st of April and 20th may 2013. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A smokers and Group B non-smokers. Pulmonary function test using spirometer and asthma control test (ACT) was done for every patient at the time of visit and after 4 weeks to determine the effect of smoking on asthma control as a primary outcome using GINA guidelines definition for Asthma control and treatment. Results: At study entry 30% of sample size were smoker asthmatics. Smokers showed worse symptoms of wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath compared to non-smokers asthmatics whereas non-smokers asthmatics were more likely to have seasonal symptoms and use salbutamol MDI. Both groups showed similar spirometry findings at study entry. At 4 weeks from the first visit there was a significant difference in symptoms and signs of bronchial asthma between the 2 groups. Both measures of asthma control test and spirometer results favoured non-smokers. Smokers asthmatics were more likely to use rescue salbutamol MDI and non-compliant. No hospital admissions or acute exacerbations during the period of the study. Conclusion: Smoking was associated with worse asthma control and poor compliance among asthmatics.
Accumulation potential of lipids and analysis of fatty acid profile of few microalgal species for biodiesel feedstock.

High lipid content with adequate fatty acid profile is required for focusing any microalgal species as a renewable feedstock for biodiesel production. The present study examines the lipid accumulation potential of two green and two blue-green microalgal species, and analyzes the fatty acid profiles under various conditions for possible recommendation. Maximum lipid accumulation of ~ 40% of dry cell weight (dcw) was recorded under N and P starvation in the green microalgae, Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella vulgaris. For cyanobacterial species (Nostoc muscorum and Synechocystis PCC 6803), the response was poor under all the conditions studied. The relative percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was maximum in green as well as blue-green microalgal species under control and all the treated conditions. Oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acid, MUFA) content was increased, and the relative percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), i.e. linoleate and linolenate decreased against control in all the four microalgae under the treated conditions. The green microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus obliquus, are found to be the suitable feedstock for biodiesel production with lipid accumulation ~ 40% (dcw) under specific conditions. A significant rise in the relative percentage of SFA and MUFA, and fall in PUFA contents are desirable for production of good quality biodiesel. Keywords: Green and blue-green microalgae; lipids; monounsaturated fatty acids; polyunsaturated fatty acids; saturated fatty acids
The complementary RANS equations for the simulation of viscous flows

A complementary set of Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations has been developed for steady incompressible, turbulent flows. The method is based on the Helmholtz decomposition of the velocity vector field into a viscous and a potential components. In the complementary RANS solver a potential solution coexists with a viscous solution with the purpose of contributing to a fastest decay of the viscous solution in the far field. The proposed complementary RANS equations have been validated for steady laminar and turbulent flows. The computational results show that the complementary RANS solver is able to produce less grid‐dependent solutions than a conventional RANS solver. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of Strongyle</i. ova in goats and comparative studies of some faecal culture techniques in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major health problems affecting productivity of small ruminants worldwide. A dry season study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Strongyle ova in goats and their faecal egg counts, as well as to compare different faecal culture methods for larval counts and identification. Out of 200 faecal samples examined, 114 were from male and 86 from female goats. An overall prevalence of 42(21%) for Strongyle ova was observed with a mean EPG of 91.67 + 6.12. The prevalence was higher in the male 26(22.8%) than in female 16(18.6%) with mean EPG of 90.38 ± 7.35 and 93.75 ± 11.06 respectively (p > 0.05). It was also higher in adults 38(22.22%) compared with the young 4(13.79%). All positive goats were of the Sahelian breed. No significant difference (p > 0.05%) was observed between sexes and age but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between breeds. The infection was higher from samples collected in the abattoir 36 (25.35%) compared with 6(18.75%) in Mairi Village and none was positive from the University of Maiduguri Farm. A significant difference (p<0.05) was thus observed between locations. Only Strongyle ova was seen throughout the study and on subjection of the positive samples to larval recovery, Oesophagostomum columbianum was the only larva recovered. The test tube method yielded the highest larval recovery with mean larval count of 9.14 + 0.72 (p<0.05), compared with bottle with no charcoal; bottle with charcoal and Baermann’s techniques. Keywords: Goats, Strongyle ova, Faecal Culture Techniques, Prevalence
An Examination of the Sustainability of Indian Fiscal Policy

India has a long history of running fiscal deficits. This paper asks whether the magnitude of these deficits has involved a violation of India's intertemporal budget constraint. Times series evidence on Central government tax revenues and expenditures are examined for cointegration using procedures that are robust in the presence of structural change. We find no evidence of cointegration, a result that implies a violation of intertemporal solvency and that current fiscal policies are unlikely to be sustainable in the long-run.
Influence of functional traits on the demographic rates of 47 arboreal species in a tropical forest in northeastern Brazil

Influence of functional traits on the demographic rates of 47 arboreal species in a tropical forest in northeastern Brazil. Based on the premise that species use different strategies for acquiring and maintaining resources, it is possible to identify their similarities as determined by particular trade-offs between traits, the present work examined the specific leaf area (SLA), basic wood density (BWD), maximum height (Hmax) and seed shape (SS) of 47 arboreal species in an moist semi-evergreen tropical forest in northeastern Brazil and investigated the influence of those traits on plant mortality rates (MR) and growth (BAG). BWD and Hmax were the best predictors of mortality rates. Factorial analysis explained 70.4% of the total variability, distributed among three factors composed of traits and rates. MR and Hmax were found to be more readily observed when orthogonally rotated by the varimax method, with the first factor explaining 26.9% of the variance. Cluster analyses and principal component analyses, whose matrices contained the variables MR, BAG, SLA, and Hmax for each species, confirmed the discriminant analysis and allowed the identification of four functional groups. The fact that some of the correlations encountered differed from previously published results (such as the negative relationship between maximum height and mortality) may reflect regional climatic seasonality or indicate that this strategy benefits plant species that reach the upper canopy and thus become well-established.
Effect of the grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the free radical and energy metabolism indicators during the movement

In order to explore the mechanism of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) against exerciseinduced fatigue, the mice movement model was used, and the free radical and energy metabolism indicators during movement were measured. The results show that grape seed proanthocyanidin extract can improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GSH-Px in the liver in exercised mice, and lower the MDA content, which may produce the effect of anti-oxidation by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzyme in the body; GSPE can keep the blood glucose in exercised mice on a stable level, increase the liver glycogen and muscle glycogen reserves, and prevent the blood glucose content, as well as the liver glycogen and muscle glycogen content, reducing after long time exercise; Meanwhile, GSPE can improve the level of TC, TG and FFA in plasma in exercised - mice, influence the fat metabolism under different conditions and promote the fat utilization. All the results above may be the anti-fatigue mechanism of GSPE.
Study on the hydraulic conductivity by constant and falling head methods for pervious concrete

Resumo The main goal of this paper is to show the analysis of the permeability characteristics of three different mixes of pervious concrete produced with the variation of the coarse aggregate size. Two different test methods were used to achieve the hydraulic conductivity of the samples: falling head and constant head permeability tests. Based on test results it is concluded that the pervious concrete mixes have shown to be good drainable materials. Besides, it was found that the permeability of the mixtures does not seem to depend on the size and gradation of the coarse aggregate.
Vitamin C, iron and zinc levels of selected African green leafy vegetables at different stages of maturity

Nutrient level at harvest of vegetables is an important aspect in the efforts to combat food and nutrition insecurity in developing countries. However information on the nutrient levels at different maturity stages of most indigenous African green leafy vegetables is scanty. This study was undertaken to determine the levels of vitamin C, iron and zinc in Amaranthus cruentus, Cleome gynandra and Solanum villosum at different stages of maturity. The vegetables were planted on plots and harvested at 21, 28 and 35 days. At each stage, about 500 to 600 g of the edible part was harvested and standard chemical analyses procedures were followed to determine the levels of vitamin C, iron and zinc. Vitamin C increased significantly (p<0.05) with maturity in all vegetables except S. villosum Nduruma BG 16 which had similar values for stage I and II. Vitamin C content was highest (163.4 ± 2.3 mg/100 g) in C. gynandra stage III and lowest (27.7 ± 3.9 mg/100 g) in S. villosum SS 49 stage I. Iron content increased significantly (p < 0.05) at all maturity stages. Amaranthus cruentus Madiira Ex zim had the highest iron concentration (99.9 ± 3.7 mg/100 g) while S. villosum Olevolosi SS 49 had the lowest value (23.1 ± 1.5 mg/100 g). Zinc content decreased with plant age, highest values (7.8 ± 0.4 mg/100 g) were observed in C. gynandra at the first stage of maturity which was reduced to about half at the third stage of maturity (3.9 ± 0.0 mg/100 g). There were marked differences in nutrient content among the various varieties and cultivars involved in this investigation. Iron and vitamin C concentrations increased with plant age whereas levels of zinc decreased with plant maturity. Consuming the different vegetables varieties would be the best approach to get all the essential nutrients in adequate amounts. Further studies are needed to investigate organoleptic acceptability of these vegetables at the different stages of maturity. Key words: Iron, zinc, vitamin C, maturity stage, green leafy vegetables.
Caracterización de los hábitos de compra y consumo de vino en la ciudad de Chillán, Chile

espanolContinuamente la industria vitivinicola se preocupa de la alta competitividad del sector, creando productos mas sofisticados y de mayor calidad. Sin embargo, dejan de lado un punto relevante que es la division o segmentacion del mercado, generando estrategias comerciales generalizadas y no desarrollando productos y estrategias de marketing especificas diferenciadoras para mercados con caracteristicas distintas. La industria de los vinos debe estudiar mas en profundidad cuales son las necesidades y deseos de cada uno de los segmentos de consumidores, para otorgar una mezcla comercial especializada y direccionada a cada segmento.Este es un estudio exploratorio que muestra las diferencias en las preferencias de consumo y en el comportamiento de compra que presentaron los grupos etarios de una muestra de 488 consumidores de vino de la ciudad de Chillan, Chile. Los resultados indicaron que existen diferencias en las preferencias y en el comportamiento de compra de bebidas alcoholicas, segun la edad del consumidor. Tambien existe una correlacion positiva entre la razon de consumo “me gusta el vino por su sabor y olor” y las ocasiones preferentes de consumo de vino cotidiana (almuerzo o cena), formal (almuerzo o cena), barbacoas, reuniones familiares y en restaurantes. Esto muestra la importancia de que el sector vitivinicola desarrolle estrategias de comercializacion para cada uno de estos segmentos y tambien priorice que el sabor y olor del producto es fundamental en este mercado. EnglishStrong competitiveness in the wine industry are a matter of permanent concern for wineries, which react producing more sophisticated and higher quality products. Nevertheless, they set aside a relevant aspect such as the market segmentation. This exploratory study shows the wine consumption preferences and behavior of 488 subjects classified per age group in the city of Chillan. The results showed differences in both preferences and behavior in the purchase of alcoholic drinks per consumer’s age. There is also a positive correlation between the reason for consuming wine and the occasions in which wine is drunk. The wine industry should not only run segment marketing strategies but also focus in the test and smell of wine.
Symmetry of the Atlantic Niño mode

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific is asymmetric for warm and cold events with respect to amplitude, spatial patterns, and temporal evolution. Here the symmetry of the Atlantic Niño mode, which many previous studies have argued is governed by atmosphere‐ocean dynamics similar to those of ENSO, is investigated using two different ocean reanalysis products. Calculation of Bjerknes feedback terms for the Pacific reveals a pronounced asymmetry between warm and cold events, though unlike most previous studies, the largest asymmetry is found in the relationship between eastern Pacific thermocline depth and sea surface temperature anomalies. For the Atlantic, cold events are effectively mirror images of warm events with Bjerknes feedbacks of similar strength. The analysis supports not only the conclusion that Atlantic Niños are more symmetric than ENSO but also the hypothesis itself that the Bjerknes feedback is operative in the Atlantic given the strength of the relationship between the key variables involved.
Effects of hormones on lipids and lipoproteins

Levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins are strong predictors for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. In women, as in men, numerous factors contribute to variations in plasma lipoproteins that may affect cardiovascular disease risk. These include age, dietary components, adiposity, genetic traits, and hormonal changes. Each of these factors may operate to varying degrees in determining changes in plasma lipoprotein profiles accompanying menopause- Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have suggested increases in levels of cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins associated with menopause. High density lipoproteins (HDL), which are higher in women than men and are thought to contribute to relative protection of premenopausal women from cardiovascular disease, remain relatively constant in the years following menopause, although small, and perhaps transient reductions in the HDL{sub 2} subfraction have been reported in relation to reduced estradiol level following menopause. Despite these associations, it has been difficult to determine the role of endogenous hormones in influencing the plasma lipoproteins of postmenopausal women. In principle, the effects of hormone replacement should act to reverse any alterations in lipoprotein metabolism that are due to postmenopausal hormone changes. While there may be beneficial effects on lipoproteins, hormone treatment does notmore » restore a premenopausal lipoprotein profile. Furthermore, it is not dear to what extent exogenous hormone-induced lipoprotein changes contribute to the reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease with hormone replacement therapy. « less
Human Resource Strategy: A Tool of Managing Change for Organizational Excellence

Organizational excellence is at a crossroads today. The drastic change in the business scenario call for a speedy transformation of mission, vision, core values, core competence, management style, policy framework, management system, structures, process, renewal mechanism etc. of organization. Any change program would revolve around people - changing their mind set, behaviour and motivational level. Human resource (HR) strategy can play an important role in helping organizations achieve change. HR has always been central to organizations, to-day it has taken on an even more central role in building a firm's competitive advantage. Success increasingly depends on "people- embodied know-how". Thus, includes the knowledge, skills, and abilities imbedded in an organization's member. In fact, the key to a firm's success is based on establishing a set of core competencies - integrated knowledge sets within an organization that distinguishes it from its competitors and deliver values to customers. Globalised economy has resulted in new business concerns, where future and success depends on how well change is managed. The dynamic of change becomes one of the central facets of any business where the role, function and process of HR must be redefined in the context of change. HR Strategies and practices explain how to manage the transition smoothly, rapidly and successfully and make the organization competitive always. Competitiveness is the best parameter which determines the survival of enterprises and organizational excellence in this scenario.
Modifications of Bleomycin Induced Cytogenetic Damages by 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose on Normal and Tumor Cells

Abstract The radiomimetic drug bleomycin induced chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) were studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), as reference to normal cells and Glioma (BMG -1) as reference to tumor cells, with and without exposure to 2-deoxy D-glucose (2-DG, an analogue of glucose). Treatment with bleomycin increased both CA and MN frequency in a dose dependent manner in both cell types. The frequencies of CA are 2 fold higher than MN for a given concentration of bleomycin. Exposure to bleomycin predominantly induced exchange type chromosome aberrations. While in the presence of 2-DG the aberrations induced by bleomycin reduced significantly in PBL, the same was increased significantly in BMG cells (P<0.001) showing a protective effect and sensitizing effect on normal and tumor cells respectively. The dose modulatory factor (protection) for different concentration of bleomycin exposure varied between 0.38 and 0.72 for CA and 0.1 and 0.84 for MN in PBL. In the case of BMG-1 cells, the modulatory factor (sensitization) varied between 1.42 and 2.59 for CA, 1.25 and 1.66 for MN at different concentration of bleomycin exposure. The modulatory effect of 2-DG was also evidenced from the coefficients obtained for the dose-response curves of the aberrations studied. The paper discusses the types of aberrations induced by bleomycin and the mechanism involved for differential modifications of cytogenetic damage by 2-DG in normal (PBL) and tumor (Glioma) cells.
Landscape Transformation under Global Environmental Change in Mediterranean Mountains: Agrarian Lands as a Guarantee for Maintaining Their Multifunctionality

The analysis of past and present patterns of agrarian mountain areas allows researchers to characterize the influence of landscape heterogeneity on biodiversity, cultural heritage, and forest fire hazard. This process was mapped, quantified, and described through the use of digital mapping (GIS) and landscape indexes in a protected area in Alta Garrotxa (Catalonia, Spain). These areas require urgent management and modelling to provide alternative management scenarios, in order to maintain and recover habitats. A set of different scenarios have been designed using a multi-criteria evaluation and geospatial information available for the study area to identify the key areas for management action and to predict the potential effects on agricultural lands by prioritizing one or another management objective: biodiversity, landscape structure and perception, cultural heritage, fire hazard, and management cost. The observed progressive land abandonment of open areas with a small size and greater isolation will have a large impact on biodiversity and cultural heritage, and increase fire risk. Sustainable development will require planning objectives compatible with the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of Mediterranean features with support for agricultural activities. This methodology can contribute to and be easily implemented by land managers, which could help to strengthen the link between managers and stakeholders.
Influence of Symbiotic Interaction between Fungus, Virus, and Tomato Plant in Combating Drought Stress

The influence of the three-way interaction between the fungus (Curvularia protuberata), virus (CThTV), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in combating drought stress was evaluated in this study. The plants in this greenhouse experiment were grown under conditions of 400 ± 150 μmol·m-2·s-1 photon flux density, 45% to 50% relative humidity (RH), and 30°C ± 2°C. Tomato seeds were germinated and inoculated with the combination of the fungus and virus at the seedling stage. The plants were allowed to grow for two weeks and randomly selected individuals were utilized. The selected plants were grown in one gallon pots containing organic potting soil. The treatments included non-symbiotic (NS), virus-free (VF), and symbiotic (An) plants. Each treatment received twelve samples and each sample was allowed to grow for an additional two weeks under drought stress. At that time, plants were exhibiting drought stress symptoms including visible wilting. Six samples from each treatment were utilized in determining selected physiological responses of tomato at pre-anthesis stage. The remaining six samples from each treatment were re-watered once and allowed to grow until they reached the anthesis stage. When they showed visible signs of wilting, the same physiological responses measured during pre-anthesis were conducted. The samples of each treatment were utilized at the end of each stage in determining photosynthetic rate, stomata conductance, photosynthetic pigments, water potential, and soluble sugar content. Plant growth, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, photosynthetic rate, stomata conductance, water potential, and soluble sugar content were similarly affected by the various treatments. However, carotenoids were significantly higher at pre-anthesis in the symbiotic plants in comparison to other treatments. Additionally, photosynthesis appeared to be significantly higher at anthesis compared to pre-anthesis for all treatments.