Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival of rhizobia on seeds , nodulation and growth of soybean as influenced by synthetic and natural seed-applied fungicides

Soybean seeds (cv. Aldana) were treated with a synthetic seed dressing composed of carboxin (20%) and thiuram (20%) as the active ingredients or with a natural fungicidal preparation containing 23.8% of natural oil extracted from tea tree, and next day untreated (control) and treated with the above mentioned preparations soybean seeds were pelleted with inoculant containing Bradyrhizobium japonicum – the symbiotic bacterium of this plant. Shortly (within 1–2 hours) after seed inoculation and after 24 hours storage of the inoculated seeds at room temperature seed samples were collected to count rhizobial numbers on seeds. At the same sampling times seeds were also sown into pots filled with perlite moistened with water solution of plant nutrients (without N). After 4 weeks of plant growth in a growth chamber numbers of root nodules were counted and fresh and dry mass of shoots were determined. The studied chemical seed dressings had no significant effects on numbers of soybean rhizobia on seeds, and on nodulation and growth of soybean plants when seeds were analyzed or planted shortly after their inoculation with B. japonicum. However, the studied preparations significantly reduced numbers of soybean rhizobia on seeds stored for 24 h at room temperature, but only the synthetic one affected adversely nodulation and some growth parameters of soybean plants that developed from the stored seeds. key words: soybean, carboxin, thiuram, tea tree oil, seed dressings, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, nodulation
Distinct Mechanical Stimuli Differentially Regulate the PI3K/Akt Survival Pathway in Endothelial Cells

Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are among the longest-lived cells in the body and are quiescent in the normal adult mammal, except in the context of certain well-regulated physiologic processes (e.g., growth, female reproductive cycles) and pathophysiologic states (e.g., tumor progression, diabetic retinopathy). 1,2 As a result of their unique location, endothelial cells are constantly exposed to mechanical forces that can control endothelial cell biology and modulate vessel wall function.3 Of these forces, wall shear stress, the tangential component of blood flow, has been implicated in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Wall shear stress is highly variable in magnitude, frequency, and direction in different regions of the vascular tree. Interestingly, the focal pattern of early atherosclerotic lesions, in human subjects and experimental animals, correlates with branch points, curvatures, and regions of altered blood flow.4 Increased endothelial cell turnover is observed in these “lesion prone” areas,5 suggesting an important link between local hemodynamics and endothelial cell survival. Recently, the intracellular signaling pathways by which growth factors promote cell survival began to be elucidated.6 In several cell lines, the protection against apoptosis provided by growth factors is due to stimulation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) pathway, which results in phosphorylation and activation of the protein kinase Akt (also known as protein kinase B, PKB), and subsequent phosphorylation of BAD and Caspase-9. These series of events ultimately result in cell survival.7,8 Since laminar shear stress inhibits apoptosis of human endothelial cells in vitro9 and these effects are in part mediated by Akt phosphorylation,10 we explored the possibility that distinct mechanical stimuli namely, laminar shear stress and turbulent shear stress, may differentially regulate the PI3K/Akt pathway in endothelial cells.
Inequality of opportunity in an outermost region: the case of the Canary Islands

: This article estimates the inequality of opportunity (IO) for the Canary Islands archipelago, a European outermost region of seven islands, including two capital islands and five peripheral islands. To achieve this goal, a survey has been designed to cover a wide range of circumstances, including type of household, socioeconomic background, health status, type of school, family environment, and instilled values during childhood. This new database is one of the main contributions of the paper. For all of the Canary Islands, IO represents approximately 12.4% of total inequality, which is in line with the values found for the South European countries in related studies. However, when we distinguish by type of island, the IO in the peripheral islands accounts for almost 20% of total inequality, which is more in line with Latin American economies. This difference may affect the origin of significant migration flows from the peripheral to the capital islands and future divergence in their development.
Excitation of Continuous and Discrete Modes in Incompressible Boundary Layers

This report documents the full details of the condensed journal article by Ashpis & Reshotko (JFM, 1990) entitled "The Vibrating Ribbon Problem Revisited. " A revised formal solution of the vibrating ribbon problem of hydrodynamic stability is presented. The initial formulation of Gaster (JFM, 1965) is modified by application of the Briggs method and a careful treatment of the complex double Fourier transform inversions. Expressions are obtained in a natural way for the discrete spectrum as well as for the four branches of the continuous spectra. These correspond to discrete and branch-cut singularities in the complex wave-number plane. The solutions from the continuous spectra decay both upstream and downstream of the ribbon, with the decay in the upstream direction being much more rapid than that in the downstream direction. Comments and clarification of related prior work are made.
Changes in Some Quality Properties after Different Storage Periods of Potato Tubers Grown under Well and Deficit Irrigation Conditions

SAHIN, Ustun, Fatih M. KIZILOGLU and Ilker ANGIN, 2006. Changes in some quality properties after different storage periods of potato tubers grown under well and deficit irrigation conditions. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 12: 673-682 In present study, the effect of different storage periods (1, 2, 3 and 4 months) on some quality parameters of potato tubers grown under well and deficit irrigation conditions was examined. Irrigation water levels were selected as 100% (well-irrigated), 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 0% (nonirrigated) of usable soil water, respectively. Potato tubers stored under dark including air temperature and relative humidity control units. Increasing water deficit levels significantly increased the specific gravity, dry matter and starch ratio of potato tubers. However, weight loss of potato tubers significantly reduced with water deficit levels. The effects of storage periods on all searched parameters were found significant. Increasing storage period increased the water loss, specific gravity, dry matter, starch ratio and pH, while decreased the vitamin C. Significant increases in water loss increasing storage periods were observed for potato tubers under grown well irrigation conditions according to deficit irrigation conditions. After four month storage periods the weight losses were between 6.87% and 9.29% for non-irrigated and well irrigated conditions, respectively.
Task-based Assessment of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis : Effect of Anatomy from Multiple Anthropomorphic 3 D Printed Phantoms by Charles

Task-based Assessment of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Effect of Anatomy from Multiple Anthropomorphic 3D Printed Phantoms by Charles Simmons Cowart Graduate Program of Medical Physics Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Joseph Y. Lo, Supervisor ___________________________ Ehsan Samei ___________________________ Robert Reiman An abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Graduate Program of Medical Physics in the Graduate School of Duke University 2017 Copyright by Charles Simmons Cowart 2017
BANKRUPTCY USING OPTION THEORY by

This study builds on, and extends, option-pricing theory to explain financial distress based on a sample of 420 distressed U.S. firms for the period 1986-2001. Our results indicate that the primary option variables, such as firm volatility, play an important role in explaining distress up to five years prior to bankruptcy filing. When the model is extended to account for the probability of default on interest and debt repayments due at intermediate times prior to debt maturity (due to voluntary equityholder default or due to cash flow problems), an option-motivated transformation of the cash flow coverage is shown to have incremental explanatory power, while the primary option variables remain statistically significant. Our theory-driven models have significant explanatory power in the years tested. JEL codes: G33, G3, G0, M4
Intra-operative microwave ablation of liver malignancies with tumour permittivity feedback control: a prospective ablate and resect study.

BACKGROUND Tumour permittivity feedback control is a novel method for microwave ablation (MWA) that theoretically allows for larger, more predictable ablations. This prospective case series evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of MWA of liver malignancies using a device with tumour permittivity feedback control. METHODS Ten consecutive patients initially determined to be candidates for surgical resection of a liver malignancy underwent intra-operative MWA with tumour permittivity feedback control followed by a surgical resection. A 14-gauge Medwaves microwave antenna was used to deliver a single treatment according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Tumours were assessed grossly as well as by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and tetrazolium chloride staining. The primary end point was per cent tumour necrosis. RESULTS The median maximum ablation diameter measured was 4.1 cm (range 3.0-6.8). The median ablation volume was 8.7 cm(3) (range 4.84-17.55). Six of the 10 tumours demonstrated a pathological complete response (CR). Six of seven tumours ≤ 3 cm demonstrated a pathological CR. Zero of the three tumours ≥ 3 cm had a pathological CR, but all had ≥ 50% tumour necrosis. All patients survived and there were no ablation-related morbidities. DISCUSSION MWA of liver tumours with tumour permittivity feedback control is feasible and appears effective for the treatment of small (< 3 cm) liver tumours.
Apoptotic cell death in formation of vesicular skin lesions in patients with acquired zinc deficiency

We investigated the role of apoptotic cell death in the production of skin lesions in patients with acquired zinc deficiency. Nuclear condensation of keratinocytes was observed at an early stage of skin lesions in patients with zinc deficiency, especially around vesicular lesions. Nuclei of keratinocytes in perivesicular lesions of the epidermis were positively stained by the nick‐end labeling specific for fragmented DNA. Lewis Y antigen was also expressed on perivesicular lesions. On the other hand, there were no such positively stained cells in hyperkeratotic skin lesions of the patients. Therefore, it was suggested that apoptotic cell death might play a role in the formation of vesicular skin lesions in patients with zinc deficiency, but not in the formation of hyperkeratotic skin lesions.
Emergency procedure skills of graduating medical doctors

In the present study final-year medical students' degree of theoretical knowledge and rate of successful performance of emergency procedures was assessed. A questionnaire was sent to all final-year medical students in Finland in 1997 (n=504) in all five medical faculties. The response rate was 80.2% (n=404). The questionnaire included questions on theoretical knowledge and successful performance of 10 emergency procedures. Over 90% of the final-year medical students knew the theory of emergency procedures, with the exceptions of chest tube insertion (84%), pericardiocentesis (47%), and planning and starting fluid infusion for an infant (83%), and over 90% had successfully performed insertion of an intravenous line (100%) and intubation of an adult (90%). However, fewer than 7% of the students had successfully performed chest tube insertion, planned fluid infusion for an infant, or pericardiocentesis. Males had significantly higher odds ratio than females for performing insertion of the intravenous line and intubation of an infant. Students with working experience had higher odds ratios for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The highest overall frequency of the procedure performance was at the university in which a student logbook was systematically used. Conclusions are that final-year medical students have good theoretical knowledge of emergency procedures, but practical teaching should be encouraged, since even in emergency procedures students' experience of practical measures was low.
LOADING THE DICE IN FAVOUR OF THE FARMER: REDUCING THE RISK OF ADOPTING AGRONOMIC INNOVATIONS

SUMMARY Agricultural development projects frequently promote new crop production technologies for adoption at scale on the basis of research and pilot studies in a limited number of contexts. The performance of these production technologies is often variable and dependent on context. Using an example from the Agroforestry for Food Security Project in Malawi, that promoted agroforestry technologies for soil fertility enhancement, we explore the nature and implications of variation in performance across farmers. Mean effects of these technologies, measured by differences in maize yield between agroforestry and sole maize plots, were modest but positive. However, there was large variation in those differences, some explained by altitude, plot management and fertilizer use but with much unexplained. This represents risk to farmers. Those communicating with farmers need to be honest and clear about this risk. It can be reduced by explanation in terms of contextual factors. This should be an aim of research that can often be embedded in scaling up the promotion of agronomic innovations.
PIP3EA and PD‐168077, two selective dopamine D4 receptor agonists, induce penile erection in male rats: site and mechanism of action in the brain

PIP3EA (2‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)piperazin‐1‐yl‐methyl]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine) and PD‐168077 (N‐[4‐2‐cyanophenylpiperazin‐1‐ylmethyl]‐3‐methylbenzamide maleate), two selective dopamine D4 agonists, administered systemically, intracerebroventricularly or into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus induce penile erection in male Sprague–Dawley rats. A U‐inverted dose–response curve was found with either compound when given subcutaneously (1–100 µg/kg) or intracerebroventricularly (0.1–20 µg/rat), but not into the paraventricular nucleus (10–200 ng/rat). The pro‐erectile effect of PIP3EA and of PD‐168077 occurs concomitantly with an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the paraventricular nucleus, as measured by the increased concentration of nitrites and nitrates found in the dialysate obtained from the paraventricular nucleus by intracerebral microdialysis. These effects of PIP3EA and PD‐168077 were reduced by L‐745,870 (3‐[4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)piperazin‐1‐ylmethyl]‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridine trihydrochloride), a selective dopamine D4 receptors antagonist, by ω‐conotoxin, a blocker of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels of the N‐type, by S‐methyl‐thiocitrulline, a neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and by d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)2‐Orn8‐vasotocin, an oxytocin receptor antagonist, given into the lateral ventricles, but not into the paraventricular nucleus. Comparison of the dose–response curves of PIP3EA and PD‐168077 revealed that PIP3EA is as potent as PD‐168077 when given into the paraventricular nucleus, but more potent when given systemically. However, both compounds are less efficacious (e.g. induce a lower number of penile erection episodes) than apomorphine, a classical mixed dopamine receptor agonist, irrespective of the route of administration. These results confirm previous findings showing that central D4 receptors mediate penile erection and show that dopamine D4 receptor agonists act in the paraventricular nucleus to facilitate penile erection by increasing central oxytocinergic neurotransmission.
Stocking density , growth and growth variation in juvenile turbot , Scophthalmus maximus ž /

Although high stocking densities of turbot have been achieved in culture using supplementary oxygenation, this rearing strategy ignores the possibility that high densities may interfere with behavioural interactions between individuals and thereby affect biomass gain. This study describes the effect of stocking density on the growth of juvenile turbot populations. Groups of juvenile Ž 2. turbot were reared at four different densities initial densities: 0.7, 1.1, 1.5 and 1.8 kgrm for 45 days. Treatment density had a significant effect on turbot growth rates over the experimental period. Fish held at the highest density showed lower growth rates and mean weights at the conclusion of the study than fish held at lower densities. The dispersion in fish weights was also affected by stocking density. The variation in fish weights was greatest in the highest density group and as stocking densities increased the growth of some individuals was suppressed. It is concluded that growth of juvenile turbot can be significantly increased and more homogeneous weights achieved by stocking the fish at lower densities than previously reported. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Effects of Walking Exercise Program on Chemotherapy Induced Fatigue , Physical Functional Status , and Symptoms Distress Among Cancer Patients

Numerous studies declared that exercise (including slightto moderate-intensity walking exercise) has potential profits for people with cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of walking exercise program on chemotherapy induced fatigue, physical functional status, and symptoms distress among cancer patients. Methodology; A quasi experimental design, pre and post intervention was used. A convenience sample of fifty eight cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly assigned to either control group (no 28), which received ordinary ward care or to a study group (no 30), which received walking exercise for 12-minutes per day, 5 days /week for 3 sequential weeks. Effects of the proposed walking exercise were assessed by four parameters; fatigue intensity, fatigue interference as measured by Brief Fatigue Inventory, physical functional status as measured with walking distance in twelve minute, and symptom distress, that measured by Symptom Distress Scale. Data were collected four times: before (baseline or day 1), day 7, day 14, and day twenty one of intervention. The results showed that, patients in the three-week WEP group had a significantly reduction in fatigue intensity and fatigue interference, significantly increase the space walked in twelve -minute, and reduction in symptom distress than the participants in control group. Conclusion; initial results suggest that the walking exercise program was socially accepted and successfully reduce fatigue, improve physical functional status, and reduce symptoms distress among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Nurses should recognize that physical activity is also an efficient intervention for managing several dimensional symptoms in cancer patients receiving therapy.
Physiologic Features of Brain Death

Brain death is known to be associated with physiologic derangements but their incidence is poorly described. Knowledge of the changes that occur during brain death is important for management of the potential organ donor. Thus, we sought to characterize the pathophysiology that occurs during brain death in patients with traumatic injuries. All brain-dead patients over a 10-year period were identified from the trauma registry at a level 1 urban trauma center. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and clinical data for defining organ dysfunction were reviewed for the 24 hours surrounding brain-death declaration. Three hundred and seventy-three patients were identified. Mean age was 37 years (617.2). Seventy-five per cent were male. Major mechanism of injury was blunt trauma in 66 per cent. Median injury severity score was 34 (IQR 25–43) with a median head abbreviated injury scale score of 5. The most common physiological disturbance was hypotension with 91 per cent of subjects requiring vasopressors. Thrombocytopenia and acidosis both had an incidence of 79 per cent. The next most common disturbances were hypothermia and moderate-to-severe respiratory dysfunction in 62 per cent. Myocardial injury was seen in 91 per cent but only 5.7 per cent of patients manifested severe cardiac dysfunction with an ejection fraction of <35. Diabetes insipidus was diagnosed in 50 per cent of patients. Interestingly, coagulopathy was noted in only 61.3 per cent, and hyperglycemia was seen in 36 per cent despite widespread belief that these occur universally during brain death. This is the first and largest study to characterize the incidence of pathophysiological disturbances following brain death in humans. Appropriate management of these dysfunctions is important for support of potential brain-dead organ donors.
FINAL REPORT Title : Long-term effects of restoration fire and thinning on soil fungi , fine root biomass , and litter depth JFSP PROJECT ID : 12-1-0120 January 2017

7 Objectives . 8 Background . 8 Materials and Methods . 10 Study Area . 10 Experimental Design . 11 Plot establishment and re-establishment . 13 Soil Sampling . 13 Soil Chemistry Analysis . 13 Fine Root Processing of Mycorrhizas . 14 Molecular Analysis . 14 Statistical Analysis . 14 Results and Discussion . 15 Project Overview . 15 Soil Physical Properties . 16 Soil Chemical Properties . 17 EMF Communities . 19 Conclusions and Implications for Management . 25 Literature Cited . 27 Appendix A: Contact Information for Key Project Personnel . 34 Appendix B: Deliverables . 35
Yield of Maize-Soybean Intercrop and Soil Properties as Influenced by Fertilizer in the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi to determine the effect of fertilizer on soil properties and yield of maizesoybean intercrop. The experimental design consisted of two factors: cropping system at two levels (sole and intercrops) and fertilizer rates at three levels (0, 150 and 300 kg/ha of NPK 20:10:10). The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The cropping systems were assigned to the main plots while the fertilizer rates were in the sub plots. A composite soil sample was obtained from a plough layer (0-15 cm) at the beginning and at the end of the experiment according to the treatments and analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable cations [Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Na + and K + ] as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC). Data collected for the yield parameters of maize and soybean for both cropping seasons were subjected to the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) after which significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at P<0.05. Results showed that Intercropping reduced the yields of maize and soybean compared with their sole crops. Soybean yields were generally low due to the shading effect of the maize component. Application of fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) increased the yield of the component crops in both seasons. Intercropping resulted in yield advantage; the land equivalent ratio (LER) was (1.53) in 2013 and (1.35) in 2014 showing 35 % and 26 % land saved in 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons respectively. Based on yield and productivity advantage obtained from the intercropping, the effect of different rates of NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize and soybean intercrop deserve further investigation using higher fertilizer rates. It is recommended that soybean should be integrated into the maize production system to enhance increased soil organic carbon content, N, CEC, Ca, Mg and P level.