Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of Enterprise stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of intracranial wide necked aneurysms by magnetic resonance angiography

Use of stent-assisted coil seems to facilitate endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, while difficulty of deployment and stent thrombogenicity are the main drawbacks of the system. Thus, the objective of this present study was to assess the role of Enterprise stent-assisted coil embolization using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) on patients with intracranial wide necked aneurysms. Patients were confirmed by digital angiography and MRA with intracranial wide necked aneurysms (n = 108) after which they were assigned into the Enterprise and non-Enterprise groups. Preoperative digital angiography and MRA examinations were recorded for observing the therapeutic effects, complications and prognosis of the two groups. MRA re-examination was performed post operation, and the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRA on efficacy of intracranial wide necked aneurysms (efficacy of coil residual blood, aneurysm neck residual blood, parent artery patency, and adjacent artery patency) were calculated using ROC curve in accordance with the digital angiography results. In comparison with the non-Enterprise group, incidence of clinical symptoms including headache, drowsiness, oculomotor nerve palsy, stiff-neck and mental confusion significantly decreased, while the operation time and length of stay were shorter, and the incidences of ruptured aneurysm, shifting, prolapsing and unwinding of spring coil during operation declined in patients of the Enterprise group (all P < 0.05). According to the results of MRA re-examination, the postoperative Se, Sp, PPV and NPV of coil residual blood in patients of the Enterprise group were 85.7%, 97.9%, 85.7% and 97.9%, respectively, while the values of aneurysm neck residual blood were 88.9%, 95.6%, 80.0% and 97.7%, separately. The Se and PPV of parent artery patency were 92.6% and 100.0%, respectively, whereas those of adjacent artery patency were 90.0% and 100.0%, respectively. Considering digital angiography as the gold standard, ROC curve results of MRA diagnosing of patients with intracranial wide necked aneurysms were as follows: the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.705, the sensitivity was 84.2%, and the specificity was 56.8%. Our results indicated that the efficacy of Enterprise stent-assisted coil embolization was superior than non-Enterprise stent-assisted coil embolization in treating intracranial wide necked aneurysms, while MRA was of high sensitivity and specificity in predicting the efficacy of Enterprise stent-assisted embolization in the treatment of intracranial wide necked aneurysms and could be used as an important tool and could aid in predicting the efficacy of endovascular interventional therapy for patients with wide necked intracranial aneurysms.
Antioxidants, Free Radicals Scavenging and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Potentials of Ajuga iva L. Extracts.

Introduction: Antioxidant effects of Ajuga iva L extracts (AIE), a traditionally used plant in Algerian folk medicine, were investigated. This plant is widely used to treat diabetes, gastric ulcer, dysuria, painful joints of the limbs and other free radicals related disorders. Methods: In order to determine the antioxidant activities of AIE, the shoot extracts were prepared using solvents of varying polarity. Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) was purified from bovine milk. Anti-radical activities were determined by enzymatic and non enzymatic methods: The enzymatic methods were realised by either production of uric acid or reduction of cytochrome c. The non enzymatic methods were conducted using in vitro techniques: NBT test, s-carotene linoleate acid, 1,1- diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging, ferric reducing /antioxidant power (FRAP) and Ferrous ion chelating activity. Results: All extracts showed inhibitory properties on xanthine oxidase, the IC 50 (µM / quercetin equivalen) ranges from 3.878 ± 0.717 to 5.835 ± 0.468), with an additional superoxide scavenging capacity. These extracts showed a potent DPPH radical scavenging activity and a powerful scavenging activity of superoxide anion more than that of gallic acid using NBT test. They possess a similar inhibition ratio of the linoleic acid oxidation to that of the BHT, and gave a reduction power better than rutin in Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assay (FRAP). However, they were weaker than EDTA in Fe 2+ chelating activity. Conclusion: Ajuga iva L. appears to be a valuable plant and could be used to treat conditions where inhibition and free-radicals scavenging of XO is warranted.
Information-field differentials and HIV/AIDS notional inclinations of mobility-differentiated population groups: clues from a Lagos study

This paper aims at filling identified perspective-cum-analytical-framework gap on sexuality-risk analysis between mobile and immobile population groups. It originated from a multi-dimensional study on itinerancy-cum-sexuality-risk study on Lagos, Nigeria, which employed stratified random sampling. It compared the subscription levels of two mobility-differentiated trader-groups to local sexuality-risk notions given their assumed theoretically-differentiated information-fields. The first analysis compared the study populations’ HIV/AIDS’ awareness-duration profiles, as well as their risky-sexuality-condoning notional inclinations. Thereafter, it contrasted their categorized hearsays and notions. Further analyses compute and compare their respective notional-transition scores before examining how HIV/ AIDS’ awareness-duration associate with current notional stances. Among other findings, the mobile group exhibit earlier access to HIV/AIDS information, but differs in the degree to which the time-awareness advantage stimulates them towards health-conducing/safe-sexuality notions. Discussion of policy-cumresearch findings followed.
Differences in fibre properties in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) genetic entries grown at different spacing and sites.

In forest breeding, stem volume growth and sawn timber quality indicators have been used as the most important selection traits for Scots pine, whereas less attention has been given to characteristics such as fibre properties. In the above context, we investigated the differences in fibre properties (i.e. fibre length, fibre width and coarseness) in 20 year old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) genetic entries as affected by spacing and site, but also the phenotypic correlations between fibre properties, yield and wood density. The study was based on materials harvested from 10 genetic entries grown in a spacing trial (site 1) in central Finland, with a current stand density of 2000 (spacing 1), 2000–2500 (spacing 2) and 4000 trees/ha (spacing 3). In order to study the effects of site, we harvested additional material (4 of 7 genetic entries same as on site 1) from a trial located in southern Finland with a corresponding stand density of 2000 trees/ha (site 2). On site 1, spacing 1 and 3, all average values for analysed fibre properties were similar. In spacing 2 average values were slightly higher. On site 2, the average values for different fibre properties were similar compared to the corresponding spacing 1 on site 1. Spacing affected (p < 0.05) all average fibre properties on site 1; as did also site, when comparing same genetic entries grown on both sites. Regardless of spacing and site, the phenotypic correlations between average fibre length, fibre width and coarseness showed, on average, moderate to strong correlation (p < 0.05). Fibre width showed, in general, low and positive phenotypic correlation with diameter at breast height, stem volume and wood density on site 1. However, as a whole, the ranking of genetic entries changed depending on the trait and spacing considered. Thus, no overall ranking between genetic entries was possible.
Supercritical CO2 Extracts and Volatile Oil of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Comparison with Conventional Methods

Interest in new products from aromatic plants as medical and nutritional compounds is increasing. The aim of this work was to apply different extraction methods, including the use of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, and to test the antioxidant activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) extracts. In vitro efficacy assessments were performed using enzymatic assays. Essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation and volatile oil obtained from supercritical fluid extraction were analyzed by gas chromatography to quantify components. The total phenolic content in the extracts ranged from 35.5 ± 2.9 to 85.3 ± 8.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents and the total flavonoid content ranged from 35.5 ± 2.9 to 93.3 ± 3.9 micromole catechin equivalents per gram of dry weight of extract. All the extracts showed an antioxidant activity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and the reducing power test. Extracts obtained from methanol had a higher antioxidant capacity per the DPPH test results (IC50 = 3.05 ± 0.36 mg/mL) and the reducing power test assay 306.8 ± 21.8 μmol of trolox equivalents per gram of extract (TE/g) compared with ethanolic or supercritical fluid extracts. However, using the ABTS assay, the extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction had a higher antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 1.74 ± 0.05 mg/mL. Finally, the examined extracts showed practically no acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity and a slight inhibitory activity against tyrosinase.
Modeling the long-range transport of particulate matters for january in East Asia using NAQPMS and CMAQ

ABSTRACTTwo regional chemical transport models were applied to simulate high concentrations of particulate matters (PM) observed in East Asia in January 2015; the first model is the Nested Air Quality Prediction Modeling System (NAQPMS) and the second is the Community Multi-scale Air Quality Model (CMAQ). The variation of PM2.5 in both models showed well agreement with measurements over both eastern China and western Japan. Based on the model results and the aerosol compositions observed in Fukuoka in western Japan, three types of PM long-range transport (LRT) were identified: N-, S-, and D-type. The N episode showed higher fine-mode nitrate (fNO3–) concentrations than fine-mode sulfate (fSO42–), indicating the importance of NO3– LRT. The S episode showed the highest fSO42– concentrations (28.9 µg m–3), which were 3.4-fold higher than fNO3–, due to high relative humidity. During the D episode, dust stagnated in Fukuoka for three days, due to the influence of low- and high-pressure systems; thus, dust LRT is also important in winter besides spring. Both models reasonable explained variations in aerosol components during both N and S episodes; however, both underestimated fSO42– especially during D episode, suggesting that they may miss certain emissions or chemical mechanisms. High coarse-mode NO3– (cNO3–) concentrations (maximum: 6.3 µg m–3), and high cNO3–/fNO3– ratios (maximum: 1.2) were observed during D episode. NAQPMS successfully captured this cNO3– peak after including heterogeneous reactions on dust. Our results emphasize the importance of such heterogeneous processes for understanding the LRT of dust and anthropogenic pollutants over East Asia.
Quantifying Hydrothermal Alteration: A Review of Methods

Hydrothermal alteration is proximal to many base and precious metal deposits, and its products can provide insights into the characteristics of hydrothermal systems. To be useful to exploration geologists and researchers, however, alteration needs to be typified and quantified. Alteration type informs on mineralising style (e.g., have we found a porphyry or a volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit? ), while quantification of its intensity helps position a sample within the system (e.g., how close are we to the main economic deposit? ). Numerous methods—all having their specific advantages and disadvantages—are dedicated to the characterisation of alteration. As alteration is a process that induces chemical and mineralogical changes in rocks, it can be studied using petrological (e.g., mineral recognition in thin sections, mineral chemistry), mineralogical (e.g., alteration indices that use normative minerals), and chemical (e.g., mass balance calculations) approaches. This short review provides an overview of the methods useful to researchers and that are also applicable in an exploration context.
Inter-annual variability of Baltic Sea water balance components and sea level

This paper discusses some estimates of the Baltic Sea water balance components for the period 1951-1990. A considerable discrepancy is found resulting from different causes. The features of the trends in the inter-annual variations of the vertical water exchange components are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the inter-annual oscillations of sea level. The most important large-scale regularities of these oscillations are demonstrated for the period 1892-1994.
Tropical Cyclone Evolution via Potential Vorticity Anomalies in a Three-Dimensional Balance Model

Abstract A new mechanism of vortex intensification by convectively forced vortex Rossby waves was proposed by Montgomery and Kallenbach. As demonstrated by them, the axisymmetrization process is described by vortex Rossby waves that eventually propagate outward before their symmetrization. Montgomery and Kallenbach were able to relate these waves to intensity changes in barotropic hurricane-like vortices. In the present work these ideas are applied to better understand structure change and intensification of hurricanes in a baroclinic setting. The work of Moller and Montgomery, who examined the wave kinematics and wave–mean flow interaction of vortex Rossby waves in a barotropic model, is extended here to three dimensions. The model is based on the asymmetric balance theory of Shapiro and Montgomery. A nonlinear prognostic model is used to examine the effect of convectively generated potential vorticity (PV) disturbances on the evolution of a hurricane-like vortex on an f plane. This investigation general.
Impact of tourism on water quality characteristics of Lidder Stream at Pahalgam , ( J & K ) , India

Perched securely among the lofty snow-sprinkled mighty Himalayan mountain chain, the emerald blue skies peeping through the chinks of the clouds, the tall Chinar trees swaying to the rhythm of the gusts of wind, all condense into a kindly smile, forming the lovely state of Jammu and Kashmir (Rashid and Romshoo, 2013). The tall mountains that surround the valley rising up to 16,000 feet ensure that the weather here is pleasant for most of the year and attract tourists from all over the world. But according to present scenario due to overpopulation, rapid soil erosion, inadequate tourism management and intensive deforestation have caused major destruction of environment. The alarming situation has aroused in the urban areas due to careless disposal of industrial waste and faulty drainage system that has badly affected the environmental quality and tourism industry. Although, tremendous work has been done on the various aspects of the Pahalgam, but hardly any information is available on the impact of tourism on the Pahalgam valley (Rashid and Romshoo, 2013). Tourism has emerged as one of the most important segment of the world economy. It is a major activity not only for developing countries but also for most developed countries. Today tourism is one of the world’s largest industries. Tourism has emerged as one of the chief industries in the world economy over the last Decade. Its total contribution comprised of 9% global GDP (US $6.6 trillion) and generated over 260 million jobs, 1 in 11 i.e. 10% of new job creation in the world’s total job market. Tourism industry showed faster growth than other notable industries such as manufacturing, financial services and retail (WTTC, 2013). Tourism can be a major tool for economic development but, if not properly planned, it can have destructive effects on biodiversity and pristine environments and can result in the misuse of natural resources such as freshwater, forests and marine life (Rabbany et al., 2013). The Lidder or the “Yellow” stream is formed by two mountains torrents which flowing from the north and north east, unite near Pahalgam and flow rapidly over the big boulders with milky color. Lidder stream comprising two streams flowing from Kolhoi Glacier and Sheshnag Lake make confluence at Nunwan. The stream is rich with indigenous brown trout fish attract the Anglers throughout the world. Rafting in Kolhoi Nallah is a charming activity of adventurous tourists. The Lidder valley opens into the south east end of Kashmir valley, giving passage to the Lidder stream. It extends in the northerly direction from near Islamabad to Pahalgam, a distance of about 35 km. At Pahalgam, the valley divides into defiles, which stretched obliquely, one towards the north-west towards the Sindh ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Determinants of Dental Caries in Primary School Going Children of Multan

Background: Dental caries is considered most common chronic childhood disease globally. Risk factors, for example, behavior, life style, social status, eating habits, hygiene and socio-demographic factors contribute to caries development. Daily activities are affected by oral diseases, among these activities; decreased performance and increased absenteeism in schools are most common. Aim: To assess the determinants of dental caries among primary school going children of Multan. Method: A cross-section study was conducted in Multan during November, 2015 in which 152 primary school children of Govt. Primary School Kotla Noor Shah, Muzaffarabad, Multan were included. Results: Out of 152 primary school children, 73% were male and 35.5% were aged 9-10 years. A large number (89.5%) of children brushed their teeth regularly. 98% children cleaned their teeth with toothpaste. 82.9% consumed sweet and toffees. 87.5% children had no gingivitis and 88.2% had no calculus deposits. Major proportion (91.4%) of children had no bleeding gums. Oral hygiene was observed satisfactory in 84.9% children. Among 136 children who brushed their teeth regularly, 84 had dental caries and among 126 children who used sweet and toffees, 84 had dental caries. Conclusion: Among children overall hygiene was found satisfactory. Dental caries was prevalent among 61.8% children. Majority of children who used sweet and toffees had dental caries.
Effect of oral vitamin D3 supplementation on growth and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of pigs up to 7 weeks of age

Beginning in the spring of 2011, investigations on farms across the United States led to the anecdotal observation that most weaned pigs tested were vitamin D deficient. Work began on developing an oral supplement to be given to piglets early in life, and a few farms immediately adopted its use. Reports from the field by veterinarians and farm staff described encouraging improvement in piglet performance. This case report describes the effects of oral vitamin D3 on one farm during the summer of 2011, where 387 piglets from 36 gilt litters were assigned to either a group supplemented with vitamin D3 at 2 days of age or a control group. Pigs in the supplemented group were heavier at weaning and 7 days post weaning, fewer lost weight during the first 7 days post weaning, and their serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were higher 26 days post weaning.
Recent rates of forest harvest and conversion in North America

Incorporating ecological disturbance into biogeochemical models is critical for estimating current and future carbon stocks and fluxes. In particular, anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest conversion and wood harvest, strongly affect forest carbon dynamics within North America. This paper summarizes recent (2000-2008) rates of extraction, including both conversion and harvest, derived from national forest inventories for North America (the United States, Canada, and Mexico). During the 2000s, 6.1 million ha/yr were affected by harvest, another 1.0 million ha/yr were converted to other land uses through gross deforestation, and 0.4 million ha/yr were degraded. Thus about 1.0% of North America's forests experienced some form of anthropogenic disturbance each year. However, due to harvest recovery, afforestation, and reforestation, the total forest area on the continent has been roughly stable during the decade. On average, about 110 m3 of roundwood volume was extracted per hectare harvested across the continent. Patterns of extraction vary among the three countries, with U.S. and Canadian activity dominated by partial and clear-cut harvest, respectively, and activity in Mexico dominated by conversion (deforestation) for agriculture. Temporal trends in harvest and clearing may be affected by economic variables, technology, and forest policy decisions. While overall rates of extraction appear fairly stable in all three countries since the 1980s, harvest within the United States has shifted toward the southern United States and away from the Pacific Northwest.
The Rurality of Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD)

Abstract This paper draws from a completed study that assessed the effectiveness of the current strategies for implementing CPTD programmes in rural junior secondary schools in a rural Education District of Eastern Cape Province. The researchers argue that the rurality of the continuing professional development of teachers resonates from the comprehensive failures of specific education policies in addressing various historical challenges of life in rural South Africa. Rural schools are confronted with poor schooling conditions, high levels of illiteracy, lack of parental participation, poor transportation, non-attendance and shortage of teachers. Resulting from the introduction of numerous new curriculums in South Africa, rural schools’ inadequacies alongside the inconsistencies in the ruralurban education policies’ dichotomy and implementation have been significantly exposed. The paper concludes that it would seem most plausible to suggest that the professional development needs of rural teachers should be addressed differently in rural areas. Some recommendations have been suggested.
Rapid population declines and mortality clusters in three Oriental white-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis colonies in Pakistan due to diclofenac poisoning

The population declines affecting Asian Gyps vultures are among the most rapid and geographically widespread recorded for any species. This paper describes the rates and patterns of mortality and population change over 4 years at three Oriental white-backed vulture Gyps bengalensis colonies in Pakistan: Dholewala (initially 421 pairs), Toawala (initially 445 pairs) and Changa Manga (initially 758 pairs). Vulture mortality led to the extirpation of two of these colonies (Changa Manga and Dholewala) in 3 years, and a decline of 54.3% in the third. Visceral gout, indicative of diclofenac poisoning, was the largest single cause of death in vultures examined. Annual adult mortality from diclofenac poisoning was significantly positively correlated with annual population declines at each colony indicating a direct causal relationship. Visceral gout occurred in temporal and spatial clusters suggesting multiple point sources of diclofenac exposure. The spatial and temporal distribution of dead vultures and approximate time since death were used to estimate minimum rates at which colonies encountered carcasses with sufficient diclofenac to cause mortality of 1.26–1.88 carcasses per colony per month. By estimating total carcass consumption at each colony, the percentage of carcasses contaminated with diclofenac was calculated as 1.41–3.02%, exceeding the minimum required to have caused the observed population decline. With populations declining by approximately 50% annually, the long term survival of Gyps vultures in South Asia will require the removal of diclofenac from vulture food and establishment of captive populations for future restoration once the environment is free from contamination.