Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Place of plasties in inguinal hernias repair : alloplasty or autoplasty ?

Plasties are treatments without tension, given the low rate of recurrence and chronic pain they cause. The aim of this study is to discuss the techniques and results of two types of plasty surgery in inguinal hernias in adults: the prosthetic plasty and fascial plasty. Patients and methods: this is a double study (Study A and Study B) made the General Surgery Service of the University Hospital Aristide Le Dantec. A The study is a prospective descriptive study of 7 years (March 2009-March 2016), involving 115 cases of treatment of uncomplicated inguinal hernia plasty of fascial oblique. They were 100 men (94.8%) and 6 women (5.2%) with a mean age of 42.7 years. Study B was a retrospective study of 11 years (from December 2003 to December 2013). They were 76 men and 3 women, average age 57.2 years. Results: In study A, the average operative time was 34.8 minutes. Morbidity was 8.5%. Chronic postoperative pain was noted in 11.3% of cases. Two cases of recurrence (1.7%) were observed with a mean of 73.08 months. In study B, morbidity was 12.6%. The rate of chronic pain and recurrence was similar (0.9%), with a mean of 76 months. Conclusion: plasty is in the treatment of inguinal hernias, the best surgical approach. The choice between autoplasty and alloplasty based on the ratio between the results of each techniques.
Soil organic matter availability and climate drive latitudinal patterns in bacterial diversity from tropical to cold temperate forests

Bacteria are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of micro-organisms and mediate many critical terrestrial ecosystem processes. Despite the crucial ecological role of bacteria, our understanding of their large-scale biogeography patterns across forests, and the processes that determine these patterns lags significantly behind that of macroorganisms. Here, we evaluated the geographic distributions of bacterial diversity and their driving factors across nine latitudinal forests along a 3,700-km north-south transect in eastern China, using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Four of 32 phyla detected were dominant: Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi (relative abundance>5%). Significant increases in bacterial richness and phylogenetic diversity were observed for temperate forests compared with subtropical or tropical forests. The soil organic matter (SOM) mineralisation rate (SOMmin, an index of SOM availability) explained the largest significant variations in bacterial richness. Variation partition analysis revealed that the bacterial community structure was closely correlated with environmental variables and geographic distance, which together explained 80.5% of community variation. Among all environmental factors, climatic features (MAT and MAP) were the best predictors of the bacterial community structure, whereas soil pH and SOMmin emerged as the most important edaphic drivers of the bacterial community structure. Plant functional traits (community weighted means of litter N content) and diversity resulted in weak but significant correlations with the bacterial community structure. Our findings provide new evidence of bacterial biogeography patterns from tropical to cold temperate forests. Additionally, the results indicated a close linkage among soil bacterial diversity, climate and SOM decomposition, which is critical for predicting continental-scale responses under future climate change scenarios and promoting sustainable forest ecosystem services. A is available for this article.
Student Ratings of Teaching Effectiveness: An Importance - Performance Analysis (IPA)

The aims of this study were to identify effective teaching attributes using the Students’ Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) questionnaire and evaluate students’ level of satisfaction using the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) technique. Data were collected from three groups of students enrolled in three different courses i.e. Business Ethics (BE), Business Presentation Skills (BPS) and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) at a Malaysian polytechnic. The total number of students involved were sixty seven and each course was taught by a different lecturer. A shorter version of the SEEQ questionnaire (22 items) was used to assess the teaching attributes according to students’ perceived satisfaction and importance. A five-point Likert-type scale ranging from “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied” was used to measure students’ perceived satisfaction. Similarly, a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from “not important at all” to “very important” was used to measure students’ perceived importance. By plotting the importance-performance rating of each lecturer in the four quadrants of the Importance-Performance Matrix, for the BE course, gaps were found in nine attributes related to motivational and pedagogical factors. Similarly, gaps were also found for BPS and IMC courses where these gaps were related to instructor’s friendliness, accessibility and instructor-student interaction. For all three courses, students were satisfied with the given assignments which they agreed facilitated their learning. The majority of the students also expressed satisfaction on the lecturers’ knowledge of the courses. The findings of this study have identified the less satisfactory teaching attributes and these could be used to modify teaching strategies to enhance students’ learning. Thus it is recommended that Malaysian polytechnics use the dual approach i.e. the SEEQ questionnaire and the IPA technique to assess teaching effectiveness. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2016. v6n3p33
Australian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): A study of high performance management practices

Abstract While there is extensive management and academic literature on the topic area of high performance management internationally, research on high performance management practices in the Australian context is limited. Furthermore, research on high performance management practices has focused predominantly on large organisations and is largely a new direction for research in SMEs. This study attempts to fill some of the gaps in existing studies by considering a wide range of high performance management practices in Australian SMEs. Owing to the dearth of national data on high performance management in Australian SMEs, the results of this study are used to determine whether there is any evidence of a ‘high performing’ scenario in relation to management practices in Australian SMEs. The results, reporting a national study (N = 1435) on employee management in Australian SMEs, reveal a moderate take-up of high performance management practices. The findings by themselves do not support a ‘high’ performing scenario in relation to management practices in SMEs; however the low application of participative practices in the context of low unionization, and a low incidence of collective relations, indicates that many SMEs need a makeover if they are to meet the demands of competition. It is evident from the findings in this study that high performance practices in SMEs stand to benefit from modernisation and improvement.
MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PTERION WITH ITS NEUROSURGICAL IMPLICATIONS IN PTERIONAL APPROACH

Address for Correspondence: Dr. K Ephraim Vikram Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad,500058, Telangana, India. Mobile Number: 09949353025 E-Mail: drvikram.anat@gmail.com, dr.ephraimvikram@gmail.com Introduction: Pterional approach is a minimally invasive procedure to reach the anterior and middle cranial fossae. Location of the pterion was observed to be race specific, which could be due to genetic or environmental factors affecting the craniometric indices of human skull. The present study aimed to find out the incidence of various sutural patterns of pterion and also to determine the location of pterion which would be of immense benefit while performing pterional approaches in micro neuro surgical procedures on south Indians. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 140 pterions of 70 dry human adult skulls of unknown sex. The sutural pattern of the pterion was determined on both sides of each skull, based on Murphy’s classification. Measurements were taken from the center of pterion to mid point on zygomatic suture, posterolateral aspect of frontozygomatic suture, anterosuperior margin of external auditory meatus and inferior margin of mastoid process. Results: The incidence of sphenoparietal pattern was predominant with 77.5%, frontotemporal type was 4.16 %, stellate type was 5.83 % and epipteric type was observed to be 12.5%. The average distance from the center of pterion to mid point on zygomatic arch was 37.40±3.92 mm, from the center of pterion to posterolateral aspect of frontozygomatic suture was 30.43±4.36 mm, from the center of pterion to anterosuperior margin of external auditory meatus was 51.67±3.96 mm, from the center of pterion to inferior aspect of mastoid process was 80.04±6.22 mm. There were no significant side variations in the distance from the midpoint of pterion to all the four anatomical landmarks. Conclusion: The location of pterion and the variations in the sutural patterns of pterion plays an important role while performing pterional approaches in neurosurgical procedures on south Indians.
Ecophysiological controls on the carbon balances of three southern boreal forests

Continuous measurements of carbon exchange using the eddy covariance (EC) technique were made at three boreal forest mature sites including Southern Old Aspen (SOA), Southern Old Black Spruce (SOBS) and Southern Old Jack Pine (SOJP) in 2000. Climatic conditions were slightly warmer than normal with precipitation exceeding evapotranspiration at each site. Annual ecosystem respiration ( R) derived from daytime analyses of EC data was 1141, 815 and 52 1 g C m−2 per year and was consistently lower than nighttime EC estimates of 1193, 897 and 57 8 g C m−2 per year for SOA, SOBS and SOJP, respectively. The differences, however, were not statistically significant given the large uncertainty associated with each analytical technique. The uncertainty in annual net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was assessed by randomly simulating missing data and gap filling using simple biophysical algorithms. The uncertainty analysis supports the finding that each site was a net sink, and that differences in NEP were only significant between SOA and SOBS. The annual NEP and uncertainty for SOA, SOBS and SOJP was 122 (64–142), 35 (18–53) and 78 (61–91 ) g C m−2 per year, respectively. These relatively old growth forests represent a weak to moderate carbon sink. Despite having the shortest growing period, carbon sequestration was greatest at SOA because of its relatively large photosynthetic capacity ( Amax). At the evergreen sites, Amax was marginally larger at SOBS; however, annual carbon sequestration was smaller as a result of greater R. The evergreen sites exhibited a pronounced mid-season reduction in NEP, which was attributed to a large increase in R wh le Amax had not reached its full capacity. Non-growing season R resulted in a carbon loss of 285, 120 and 6 4 g C m−2 and accounted for 70, 80 and 46% of the summertime NEP at SOA, SOBS and SOJP, respectively. Six years of EC data at SOA indicate that carbon sequestration at boreal aspen sites may benefit from warmer climatic conditions because R is r latively conservative and photosynthesis increases in response to a longer growing period. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The journey of QSO haloes from z ∼ 6 to the present

We apply a recently developed scaling technique to the Millennium-XXL, one of the largest cosmological N-body simulations carried out to date (3 × 1011 particles within a cube of volume ∼70 Gpc3). This allows us to investigate the cosmological parameter dependence of the mass and evolution of haloes in the extreme high-mass tail of the z = 6 distribution. We assume these objects to be likely hosts for the population of rare but ultraluminous high-redshift quasars discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Haloes with a similar abundance to these quasars have a median mass of 9 × 1012 M⊙ in the currently preferred cosmology, but do not evolve into equally extreme objects at z = 0. Rather, their descendants span the full range, conventionally assigned to present-day clusters, 6 × 1013–2.5 × 1015 M⊙ for the same cosmology. The masses both at z = 6 and at z = 0 shift up or down by factors exceeding 2 if cosmological parameters are pushed to the boundaries of the range discussed in published interpretations of data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe satellite. The main factor determining the future growth of a high-mass z = 6 halo is the mean overdensity of its environment on scales of 7–14 Mpc, and descendant masses can be predicted six to eight times more accurately if this density is known than if it is not. All these features are not unique to extreme high-z haloes, but are generic to hierarchical growth. Finally, we find that extreme haloes at z = 6 typically acquire about half of their total mass in the preceding 100 Myr, implying very large recent accretion rates which may be related to the large black hole masses and high luminosities of the SDSS quasars.
Biointensive Management of Okra Fruit Borers using Braconid Parasitoids (Braconidae: Hymenoptera)

Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is ravaged by many insect pests from germination to harvest. Sucking pests in the early stage and the fruit borers, Earias vittella Fabricius and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in the later stage causes extensive damage to fruits causing 69 per cent yield loss. In recent years, increased interest has been shown towards biological control following unsatisfactory results with the application of conventional insecticides. Horticultural crops, chiefly fruit crops, provide a stable environment offering good opportunity for biological control. Hence, investigations were carried out during 2007-2008 to assess the potential of braconid parasitoids against okra fruit borers. The results revealed that the combination of Trichogramma chilonis + Chelonus blackburni + Bracon brevicornis and C. blackburni + B. brevicornis were more effective to lower larval population of E. vittella and H. armigera which was next to Endosulfan 35 EC after three releases/spray. Similar trend was also observed for per cent fruit damage on both number and weight basis. Combination of T. chilonis + C. blackburni + B. brevicornis and C. blackburni + B. brevicornis recorded higher yield which was on par with endosulfan 35 EC. The results of the trials widened the scope of utilizing the braconid parasitoids in the biosuppression of fruit borers on okra. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/tar.v21i1. 2585 Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 21(1): 39-50 (2009)
The Role of Rhizobial ACC Deaminase in the Nodulation Process of Leguminous Plants

Symbiotic rhizobia-legumes associations are extremely important in terms of sustainable agricultural practices. This symbiosis involves a complex interaction between both partners, plant and bacterium, for bacterial infection and the formation of symbiotic N-fixing nodules. In this regard, the phytohormone ethylene plays a significant role in nodule formation, acting as an inhibitor of the nodulation process. Ethylene not only regulates nodule development but also regulates many other plant developmental cues, including various stress responses that inhibit overall plant growth. Some rhizobia produce the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, thus, being able to decrease ACC and, consequently, decrease deleterious ethylene levels that affect the nodulation process. This occurs because ACC is the immediate precursor of ethylene in all higher plants. Hence, rhizobia that express this enzyme have an increased symbiotic potential. In addition to the direct role that ACC deaminase plays in the nodulation process per se, in a limited number of instances, ACC deaminase can also modulate nodule persistence. This review focuses on the important role of rhizobial ACC deaminase during the nodulation process, emphasizing its significance to legume growth promotion.
Myocardial Performance Index in Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: Primary or idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is the most frequent form of Nephrotic Syndrome in children. There is an increased incidence of heart disease in patients with (PNS). Protein wasting and systemic inflammatory activation during PNS may contribute to cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Methods: This study was carried out in nephrology unit jointly with cardiology unit in El-Minia University Hospital at the period between March 2015 till December 2016 and included 30 PNS patients as group I and twenty age and sex matched healthy control as group II. Both groups are subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and lab studies, including serum albumin; renal function tests, 24 h urine protein, and serum cholesterol level. Doppler Echocardiography was used for evaluation of both ventricular hemodynamics, MPI (myocardial performance index) and LV function by LV end systolic diameter, LV end diastolic diameter, LV ejection fraction. Results: The difference between both groups in conventional echo is non-significant, while it is significant in tissue echocardiography in both ventricles including IVRT, IVCT, MPI, E/A, and DT. Ventricular diastolic dysfunction was detected in 30% of patients in whom; diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly higher than those with normal RV diastolic function. Also, DBP not affected by duration of illness and other biochemical parameters.
Reassessment of treatments to retard browning of fresh-cut Russet potato with emphasis on controlled atmospheres and low concentrations of bisulphite.

The cultivar Pacific Russet with high browning susceptibility was used for most testing. Controlled atmospheres (0.3%, 3% and 21% O 2 in combination with 0%, 6% or 12% CO 2 ) and anti-browning chemicals were studied in relation to quality retention and wound-induced phenolic metabolism of fresh-cut slices for up to 16 days at 5 °C. The 3% O 2 + 12% CO 2 atmosphere was most effective among those tested, and retarded increases in phenolics and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, but had only slight benefit on visual quality. A 1.25% ascorbic acid + 1.25% citric acid treatment was ineffective, but when combined with 3% O 2 + 12% CO 2 , it was comparable with 0.025% sodium bisulphite. Bisulphite concentrations from 0.05% to 0.25% provided similar effective control of discolouration. Bisulphite as low as 0.025% with 3% O 2 + 12% CO 2 resulted in a visual quality score at the limit of marketability after 8 days at 5 °C. Chemical treatments did not retard increases in phenolic concentrations or phenolic enzyme activities.
Simple shear flow in granular suspensions: inelastic Maxwell models and BGK-type kinetic model

The Boltzmann kinetic equation for low-density granular suspensions under simple shear flow is considered to determine the velocity moments through the fourth degree. The influence of the interstitial gas on solid particles is modeled by a viscous drag force term plus a stochastic Langevin-like term. Two independent but complementary approaches are followed to achieve exact results. First, to keep the structure of the Boltzmann collision operator, the so-called inelastic Maxwell models (IMM) are considered. In this model, since the collision rate is independent of the relative velocity of the two colliding particles, the forms of the collisional moments can be obtained without the knowledge of the velocity distribution function. As a complement of the previous effort, a Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK)-type kinetic model adapted to granular gases is solved to get the velocity moments of the velocity distribution function. The analytical predictions of the rheological properties (which are exactly obtained in terms of the coefficient of restitution and the reduced shear rate ) show in general an excellent agreement with event-driven simulations performed for inelastic hard spheres. In particular, both theoretical approaches show clearly that the temperature and non-Newtonian viscosity exhibit an shape in a plane of stress–strain rate (discontinuous shear thickening effect). With respect to the fourth-degree velocity moments, we find that while those moments have unphysical values for IMM in a certain region of the parameter space of the system, they are well defined functions of both and in the case of the BGK kinetic model. The explicit shear-rate dependence of the fourth-degree moments beyond this critical region is also obtained and compared against available computer simulations.
Light absorption by pollution, dust, and biomass burning aerosols: a global model study and evaluation with AERONET measurements

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol distributions from 2000 to 2007 are simulated with the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) model to attribute light absorption by aerosol to its composition and sources from pollution, dust, and biomass burning. The 8-year, global averaged total aerosol optical depth (τ), absorption optical depth (τa), and single scattering albedo (ω) at 550 nm are estimated at 0.14, 0.0086, and 0.95, respectively, with sulfate making the largest fraction of τ (37%), followed by dust (30%), sea salt (16%), organic matter (OM) (13%), and black carbon (BC) (4%). BC and dust account for 43% and 53% of τa, respectively. From a model experiment with "tagged" sources, natural aerosols are estimated to be 58% of τ and 53% of τa, with pollution and biomass burning aerosols to share the rest. Comparing with data from the surface sunphotometer network AERONET, the model tends to reproduce much better the AERONET direct measured data of τ and the Angstrom exponent (α) than its retrieved quantities of ω and τa. Relatively small in its systematic bias of τ for pollution and dust regions, the model tends to underestimate τ for biomass burning aerosols by 30–40%. The modeled α is 0.2–0.3 too low (particle too large) for pollution and dust aerosols but 0.2–0.3 too high (particle too small) for the biomass burning aerosols, indicating errors in particle size distributions in the model. Still, the model estimated ω is lower in dust regions and shows a much stronger wavelength dependence for biomass burning aerosols but a weaker one for pollution aerosols than those quantities from AERONET. These comparisons necessitate model improvements on aerosol size distributions, the refractive indices of dust and black carbon aerosols, and biomass burning emissions in order to better quantify the aerosol absorption in the atmosphere.