Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Duration of Stunting on Physiological Recovery of Stunted Milkfish Under Field Conditions: A Relevant Farmers' Advisory

ABSTRACT Lingam, S.S. ; Sawant, P.B. ; Chadha, N.K. ; Pani Prasad, K. ; Muralidhar, A.P.; Syamala, K. , and Martin Xavier, K.A. , 2019. Effect of duration of stunting on physiological recovery of stunted Milkfish under field conditions: A relevant farmers' advisory. In: Jithendran, K.P.; Saraswathy, R. ; Balasubramanian, C.P.; Kumaraguru Vasagam, K.P.; Jayasankar, V. ; Raghavan, R. ; Alavandi, S.V. , and Vijayan, K.K. (eds.), BRAQCON 2019: World Brackishwater Aquaculture Conference. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 86, pp. 32–42. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. A study was performed to explore the effect of duration of stunting on the physiological recovery of milkfish. Wild collected milkfish fry (weight of 1.25±0.03 g and length of 5.53±0.03 cm) were stocked in earthen ponds of 0.02 ha, in triplicate, for different durations of stunting, viz., 4 months (Treatment-1; T4), 8 months (Treatment-2; T8) and 12 months (Treatment-3; T12) and normal seed (Control; C). Post-stunting commenced immediately after completion of respective stunting duration. In post-stunting, fish stocking density was adjusted to 5000 fish/ha and was fed at the optimum level (3-5%). The study found that stunting and duration of stunting had significantly affected the physiological response and recovery of fish. Significant reduction in serum biochemical components were observed in T8 and T12 groups (protein- 2.23±0.05 & 1.55±0.32 g/dl; albumin- 1.32±0.018 & 0.89±0.055 g/dl; globulin-0.91±0.024 & 0.66±0.015 g/dl). At the end of the stunting phase, significant reduction in respiratory burst, myeloperoxidase and lysozyme activities and significant increase of super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), serum glucose and cortisol were recorded in all groups of stunted fish. However, significant improvement in immunological status of the stunted groups in terms of elevated serum protein (4.33±0.17 g/dl), globulin (2.10±0.019 g/dl), respiratory burst activity (1.319±0.050), myeloperoxidase (0.926±0.059) and lysozyme activity (64.26±2.34 U/ml), were recorded in T8 group during post-stunting phase. In contrast, an imbalance in reinstating catalase activity, serum glucose and cortisol levels were evident in fish stunted for a prolonged phase (T12 group), indicating that stunting of milkfish for 8 months can significantly reinstate the physiological recovery in stunted fish which in turn, will prove to be helpful for keeping the fish physiologically healthy during its captive rearing.
Assessment of Biomass and Carbon Stocks in Mangroves of Thalassery Estuarine Wetland of Kerala, South West Coast of India

ABSTRACT Vinod, K. ; Asokan, P.K. ; Zacharia, P.U. ; Ansar, C.P.; Vijayan, G. ; Anasukoya, A. ; Kunhi Koya, V.A. , and Nikhiljith, M.K. , 2019. Assessment of biomass and carbon stocks in mangroves of Thalassery estuarine wetland of Kerala, south-west coast of India. In: Jithendran, K.P.; Saraswathy, R. ; Balasubramanian, C.P.; Kumaraguru Vasagam, K.P.; Jayasankar, V. ; Raghavan, R. ; Alavandi, S.V. , and Vijayan, K.K. (eds.), BRAQCON 2019: World Brackishwater Aquaculture Conference. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 86, pp. 209-217. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The mangrove ecosystems render many goods and services ranging from coastal protection to climate regulation. These ecosystems are also reservoirs of carbon stocks, due to their ability to sequester and store carbon in their biomass and the underlying sediment, and therefore significant in view of the climate change mitigation. The present study attempted to assess the biomass and carbon stock of mangroves of Thalassery estuarine wetland of Kerala, south-west coast of India. We assessed the carbon stocks of three carbon pools viz., above-ground, below-ground (root) and sediment. A total of eight species of mangroves were recorded from the Thalassery estuarine wetland, and of these, Avicennia officinalis was the dominant species with an average tree density of 729.37 individuals ha-1 and contributed most (45.05±23.79 t ha-1) to the total carbon. The overall mean above-ground biomass was 189.26±97.80 t ha-1, while the overall mean root biomass was 83.06±40.48 t ha-1. The estimated mean above-ground carbon was 94.63±48.90 t C ha-1, while the mean carbon stock in root and sediment were 41.53±20.24 t C ha-1 and 17.48±7.30 t C ha-1, respectively. In the present study, the estimates of mean combined C-stocks in mangrove and sediment showed that the mangroves of Thalassery estuarine wetland stored 153.64 t C ha-1 which was equivalent to 563.86 t CO2 ha-1. The mangroves of Thalassery wetland cover an area of approximately 5.8 ha and thus it can be assumed that this wetland has the potential to sequester and store 891.11 t C, equivalent to an estimated amount of 3270.37 t CO2. The study reinforces the importance of mangrove forests as useful carbon sinks and the need for protection of these critical habitats in the light of climate change mitigation.
Influence of Toothpaste pH on Its Capacity to Prevent Enamel Demineralization

Aim: This study evaluated in vitro the remineralization capacity of commercial toothpastes with different fluoride (F) concentrations and their effectiveness when they are acidified. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twelve caries-free teeth were used to prepare enamel specimens, and the specimens were divided into 16 groups (n = 7). Baseline surface Vickers microhardness was measured for all the specimens and all the tested groups were subjected to the pH-cycling regime involved five demineralization challenges each day for 10 days, and surface Vickers microhardness was then measured. Once daily, specimens were exposed for 30 min after last demineralization challenge of the day to the slurry of each toothpaste containing 1450 ppm F, 1000 ppm F, 450 ppm F, and 0 ppm F. The slurry was in original pH or acidulated on 6.5, 6.0, or 5.5 pH. The difference among tested group was assessed by analysis of variance and Newman–Keuls test (P < 0.05). Results: The highest increase in microhardness was detected after treatment with toothpaste containing 1450 ppm fluoride (percentage of increase in microhardness was 6.20%), and the biggest loss was detected after treatment with toothpaste containing no fluoride (percentage of decrease was 6.82%), but there was no significant difference between tested groups. Conclusions: The highest increase in microhardness was detected after treatment with toothpaste containing more fluorides (1450 ppm F) regardless of the acidity.
Factors Contributing to Alcohol Relapse in a Rural Population: Lessons from a Camp-Based De-Addiction Model from Rural Karnataka

Context: Alcohol consumption is the third largest risk factor for disease and disability in developing countries. Globally, 4% of all deaths are related to alcohol consumption every year. De-addiction measures and rehabilitation strategies can sometimes be challenging in rural population as there is a potential for a higher rate of relapse due to socio-cultural barriers such as unemployment, limited entrainment activities, and peer pressure during social events. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the factors contributing to relapse in Bengaluru rural district. A total of 112 participants were interviewed, after attending de-addiction camp, using a semi-structured questionnaire containing instruments such as Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, self-efficacy scale, interpersonal support evaluation list, and presumptive stressful life events scale. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to determine the factors associated with relapse. Results: The relapse rate was 55.4% among the study participants. Education, self-efficacy, social support, and craving were associated with relapse in the bivariate analysis (P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression model, craving (odds ratio [OR] – 1.8, confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–2.5), good interpersonal tangible support (OR – 0.09, CI: 0.01–0.5), and desirable life events (OR – 0.03, CI: 0.02–0.6) in the past were associated with relapse. Conclusion: Relapse rate was 55.4% among the study participants which is comparable to the findings of the other long-term studies. Increased craving, low-self-efficacy, and poor social support were associated with relapse hence need to be addressed in follow-up counseling sessions.
Convertible Debt: Financing Decisions and Voluntary Conversion Under Ambiguity

This paper integrates ambiguity into a contingent claim model for convertible debt. We study how convertible debt valuation is affected by the ambiguity biases of equity holders and debt holders and provide sensitivity analysis of the bond value to changes in attitude toward ambiguity, firm and bond parameters. Our results, which are summarized into five main predictions, are consistent with recent empirical evidence and offer a possible interpretation of some corporate finance puzzles.
Effect of ultrasonic root-end cavity preparation on dentinal microcrack formation: A micro-computed tomography study

Background: Root-end preparation during surgical endodontics may produce dentinal microcrack formation and/or propagation, leading to vertical root fractures. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the microcrack formation and propagation during ultrasonic root-end cavity preparation, with diamond- and zirconium nitride-coated tips using micro-computed tomography (CT). Methodology: Twenty-eight extracted, mature, free-of-defect, mandibular premolars were decoronated and micro-CT scanned for the presence of preexisting microcracks. Samples were prepared till F4, were obturated, and were re-scanned to determine an increase in the number of microcracks. After 3 mm of root-end resection, the samples were randomly divided for ultrasonic root-end preparation into Group 1 (n = 12): preparation was done with ProUltra Surg tip, Group 2 (n = 12): preparation was done with KiS tip, and Group 3 (n = 4): no preparation was done. The samples were rescanned, and data collected were analyzed using ANOVA and Student's t-test. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Preexisting microcracks were observed in few samples. The mean percentage number increase of microcracks after root-end preparation in ProUltra Surg group was 1.25 and in KiS group, it was 0.5. The difference in mean percentage increase for the number of microcracks after root-end cavity preparation using ProUltra Surg tip and KiS tip was 0.75. However, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.34). Conclusion: Both diamond- and zirconium nitride-coated ultrasonic tips resulted in more number of dentinal crack formation and propagation when preexisting cracks were present.
Retention of pit and fissure sealant versus flowable composite: An in vivo one-year comparative evaluation

Introduction: Pits and fissures are extremely vulnerable to the development of caries. Resin-based materials for sealing pits and fissures (pit and fissure sealants and flowable composites) are helpful in caries control by physical barrier formation, which prevents metabolic exchange between fissure microorganisms and oral environment. Retention is one of the most important prerequisites for pit and fissure sealants. Debris and pellicle might not be removed by conventional prophylaxis and etching; therefore, air abrasion (AB) for fissure preparation has been advocated for sealant retention. This in vivo study was aimed to compare the retention of resin-based pit and fissure sealant to flowable resin composition occlusal pits and fissures of all first permanent molars with and without air-abrasion over a 12-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was done after obtaining ethical committee approval and informed and written consent. Thirty children with the age of 6–9 years, with all four caries-free first permanent molars without any hypoplasia/fracture but with pits and fissures prone to caries were included in this study. The four first molars were divided into the following four groups: Group A (tooth 16; sealant + AB), B (tooth 46; composite + AB), C (tooth 36; sealant), and D (tooth 26; composite). Assessments were made at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for partial or total loss of sealant and caries according to Modified Simonsen's Criteria. Results and Conclusions: Flowable composite was relatively better retained than sealant at 12 months' follow-up although results were statistically insignificant. AB followed by acid etching brought superior retention than acid etching. Mandibular teeth have shown relatively superior retention. Future studies should aim at investigating better techniques and materials for sealing pit and fissures.
Technical efficiency measures for small dairy farms in Southern Chile: A stochastic frontier analysis with unbalanced panel data

Este trabajo emplea fronteras de produccion estocasticas para medir la eficiencia tecnica y el cambio tecnologico en una muestra de predios de pequenos productores lecheros del Sur de Chile. Los datos consitituyen un panel altamente desbalanceado e incluyen 48 prediso con un total de 92 observaciones para los efercicios 1996/97 a 2001/02. Todos los agricultores de la muestra son miembrs del Centro de Gestion de Paillaco (GEGE-Paillaco). En el modelo seleccionado, el termino de ineficiencia tiene una distribucion seminormal, no hay efecto agroclimatico y la presencia tecnica es altamente significativa y variable en el tiempo.
Prevalence rates of chronic fatigue complaints in a probability sample of Arab college students

Objectives: Fatigue is a common complaint in the community. The twofold aims of the present study were (a) to estimate the prevalence rate of reported chronic fatigue syndrome-like (CFS-like) complains, and (b) to explore the sex-related differences in it. Methods: A probability non-clinical sample of 3,465 Kuwaiti volunteer undergraduate men (n = 1,745) and women (n = 1,720) was recruited. Their ages ranged between 16 and 43 years. They responded to the Arabic Scale of Chronic Fatigue (ASCF). It has good internal consistency, temporal stability, criterion-related validity, and factorial validity (its loading on a CFS factor = 0.81). Principal component analysis disclosed 2 factors: Mental fatigue and Physical fatigue. The prevalence rate was computed based on 2 criteria, i.e., the percentage of persons which have total scores greater than (a) the M + 1 SD, and (b) greater than the M + 2 SD. Results: Based on criterion (a), prevalence rates were 13.47% for men and 20.98% for women. As to criterion (b), the rates were 2.35% for men and 5.76 % for women. These rates lie in the rage of the international studies on CFS-like complaints (from 1.2% to 30.5%). Women obtained significantly higher mean score and prevalence rates than did their male counterparts. Conclusion: It is highly probable that the participants obtained the higher scores than did their M + 2 SD are in need of therapeutic intervention. It was concluded that psychological scales may be useful in screening disorders to detect the cases.
Apical extrusion of debris following the use of single-file rotary/reciprocating systems, combined with syringe or ultrasonically-facilitated canal irrigation

Aim: The aim of the study is to quantify the amount of debris extrusion after instrumentation with single-file rotary and reciprocating systems used either with conventional irrigation (CI) or passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) systems. Methodology: Sixty extracted human mandibular incisors were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 30); rotary single-file system, One Shape (OS-Group 1) and reciprocating single-file system, WaveOne (WO-Group 2) instruments. The two groups were further subdivided into two subgroups (n = 15); (A) PUI and (B) CI. The apically extruded debris was collected in preweighed glass vials as per the Myers and Montgomery method. After drying, the mean weight of debris was assessed with a microbalance and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and Student's t-test. Results: The reciprocating file system produced significantly more debris compared to the rotary file system using either of the irrigation systems (P = 0.04). CI produced significantly more (P = 0.02) debris extrusion compared to PUI irrespective of the file system used. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, both systems caused apical debris extrusion. Rotary single-file system produced less debris extrusion compared to reciprocating single-file system. Use of PUI may be advocated as an alternative to CI, as it causes lesser apical debris extrusion.
DEVELOPMENT OF HETEROGENEITY INDEX FOR ASSESSMENT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAND USE PATTERN AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of the heterogeneity in land use distribution pattern on the traffic congestion in rapidly urbanizing Ranchi city, capital of Jharkhand state, India. Traditionally, researchers have used the landscape metrics to determine the heterogeneity in the land use and land cover distribution pattern in both urban and non-urban areas. In the present study, the authors have introduced a new index: Heterogeneity Index to quantify the distribution pattern of the land use categories present along the various road segments whereas traffic congestion was determined through the Congestion Index Value. Based on the dominant land use categories existing in the study area, four heterogeneity indices were developed such as Residential Heterogeneity Index, Commercial Heterogeneity Index, Industrial Heterogeneity Index and Urban Services Heterogeneity Index, respectively. Finally, a Cumulative Heterogeneity Index was developed to determine the aggregate effect of the heterogeneity of the various land use categories present in the individual roads. Analytical Hierarchical Processing and knowledge-based weighting were used to rank the importance of different heterogeneity indices. The results of the investigation showed positive relationship between the degree of heterogeneity of the land use pattern and traffic congestion.
In vivo evaluation of painful symptomatology after endodontic treatment with or without the use of photodynamic therapy

Context: Postoperative pain control after endodontic treatment is important to maintain patient comfort. Aim: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the postoperative symptomatology of endodontic treatments performed in a single session, with or without photodynamic therapy (PDT), using Reciproc #40 file in necrotic unirradicular anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: In a prospective clinical study, 40 teeth indicated for endodontic treatment were treated by a single endodontist according to a preestablished protocol. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups (n = 20): control group (CG) and laser group (LG). After 24 h, 72 h, and 1 week of endodontic treatment, patients' pain symptomatology was evaluated through a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, in which 0 corresponds to no pain and 10 indicates extreme pain. In both workgroups, similar protocols were used for instrumentation with the Reciproc system (R40), irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and filling by the gutta-percha plastification technique, in which the CG did not use PDT, and the LG used PDT after the instrumentation sequence. After the visit, the patients were given a prescription for ibuprofen 400 mg to be taken every 6 h if they experienced pain. Results: The results of the study, analyzing the VAS, did not show any difference in pain symptoms between the groups at 24 h, 72 h, and 1 week (P > 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that there was no statistical difference between the groups.
Value Creation of Intellectual Capital: Financial Performance Analyses in Indonesian Publicly-Listed Consumer Goods Industry

A paradigm to knowledge-based economy has encouraged companies to increase their quality of employees to respond to the market transformation. Employees are often forgotten as valuable assets since employees are often only represented by wages and salaries, including other related employees’ expenses. A trend topic for the upcoming event on ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 2015 has increased influenced to many people to upgrade themselves as a way to compete with residence/citizens of other neighboring countries. For these reasons, this research stipulates to discover the importance of intellectual capital for any financial evidence toward the companies’ performance and market value. Since human capital is a part of intellectual capital, this research also analyzes the importance of structural capital and capital employed for companies. This research ascertains co-relational studies between intellectual capital towards companies’ performances, both from the perspectives of accounting and market values. The data is solely obtained from independently-audited financial statements of the Indonesian publicly-listed consumer goods companies. This study expects to provide financial evidence of intellectual capital within companies in Indonesia, including noting the ingredients in maximizing the most potential capitals toward survivability.
A Comparative Study of Nutrients and Mineral Molar Ratios of Some Plant Foods with Recommended Dietary Allowances

The proximate composition and mineral constituents of Asparagus officinalis stem and Momordica dioica R. fruit were evaluated in order to standard methods. The stem contained an ashes: 10.70%, crude protein: 32.69%, crude lipid: 3.44%, crude fiber: 18.50%, and carbohydrates: 34.67%. Stem also has high-energy value (384.27kcal/100 g) dry weight. The fruits contained an ashes: 9.1%, crude protein: 5.44%, crude lipid: 3.25%, crude fiber: 22.9%, and carbohydrates: 59.31%. Comparing proximate and minerals contents of the stem and the fruit, the results indicated that Asparagus officinalis stem could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as protein, potassium, and carbohydrates. The stem could be promoted as a carbohydrate supplement for cereal-based diets in poor rural communities, while Momordica dioica R. fruits could be a good supplement for some nutrients such as Fibre, Potassium, Zinc, lipid, Protein and Carbohydrates. A. officinalis is suitable for high-temperature food processes.
Evaluation of probabilistic precipitation forecasts determined from Eta and AVN forecasted amounts

Abstract This note examines the connection between the probability of precipitation and forecasted amounts from the NCEP Eta (now known as the North American Mesoscale model) and Aviation (AVN; now known as the Global Forecast System) models run over a 2-yr period on a contiguous U.S. domain. Specifically, the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF)–probability relationship found recently by Gallus and Segal in 10-km grid spacing model runs for 20 warm season mesoscale convective systems is tested over this much larger temporal and spatial dataset. A 1-yr period was used to investigate the QPF–probability relationship, and the predictive capability of this relationship was then tested on an independent 1-yr sample of data. The same relationship of a substantial increase in the likelihood of observed rainfall exceeding a specified threshold in areas where model runs forecasted higher rainfall amounts is found to hold over all seasons. Rainfall is less likely to occur in those areas where the models indic.