Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Water Stress on the Ratoon Crop ( Oryza sativa L . )

The research was conducted at “Los Palacios” Base Scientific and Technological Unit, from 2014 to 2017, on a Gleysol Nodular Ferruginous Petroferric soil, to know the effect of water stress on the ratoon crop in the medium cycle variety J-104. The results showed that the new variant of water managing (water stress with ratoon) significantly outperformed the control production variant. It produced the highest agricultural and industrial yields of the grain. They ranged between 4.7 and 5.8 t. ha-1 and 63.3 and 67.3% whole grains respectively for a height of cut of the plant of 5 cm. The lowest agricultural and industrial yields ranged between 3.1 and 4.4 t.ha-1 and 60.0 and 67.8% of whole grains respectively for the control variant with a height of cut of the plant 20 cm. Water consumption was always lower in the new variant than in the control variant during the years of study. This indicator is very important as a concept of irrigation water economy, a decisive resource for rice production. The industrial quality of the grain was always higher in the variant with water stress in the ratoon crop compared to the control variant; parameters that decide if a rice variety is accepted commercially.
DOSING OF ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS POORLY PREDICTS DRUG EXPOSURE IN TB PATIENTS WITH EXTENSIVE DISEASE

Background: Isoniazid and rifampicin are first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs that are dosed on total body weight (TBW). Due to the variability in clinical condition related to low TBW, we hypothesized that TBW may not be the best parameter for dosing. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of different patient related parameters with drug exposure. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TB patients treated with isoniazid or rifampicin and for whom an area under the concentration-time curve over 24h (AUC0–24) of isoniazid or rifampicin was available. We collected demographic, clinical and biochemical data from the medical records. The correlation of clinical variables with drug exposure was determined. Results: 66 patients were included. Univariate analysis showed no correlation between isoniazid dose/TBW and exposure (adjusted R2=0.008, P=.232). A weak positive association was shown between rifampicin dose/TBW and exposure (adjusted R2=0.102, P=.006) and between gender and exposure (adjusted R2=0.194, P<.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant, small, independent and positive association of isoniazid AUC0–24 with the dose/TBW, body mass index (BMI) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (adjusted R2=0.162, P=.010). A significant, independent and positive association of rifampicin AUC0–24 was shown with the dose/TBW, gender, BMI and CRP level (adjusted R2=0.354, P<.001). Conclusions: Dose/TBW showed no correlation with isoniazid exposure and only a weak correlation with rifampicin exposure. Patients with a BMI < 16 kg/m2 received a higher dose/TBW but showed similar exposure as patients with a higher BMI. To accurately estimate isoniazid and rifampicin exposure, TDM should be performed. 6.
Chapter 8 M-Learning in the Middle East : The Case of Bahrain

The introduction of e-learning in higher education has brought radical changes in the way undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed and delivered. University students now have access to their courses anytime, anywhere, which makes e-learning and m-learning popular and fashionable among university students globally. Nevertheless, instructors are now challenged, as they have to adopt new pedagogies in learning and teaching. This chapter explores the adoption of m-learning at universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the relevant current developments and challenges related to the major stakeholders (educators and students) in higher education. It mainly investigates the educators’ views and perceptions of m-learning, as well as its future potential in higher education. Most of the educators use m-learning tools to some limited extent, and there is still opportunity to reach full integration with curriculum and the blended learning approach. Further, it is proposed that professional development should be provided to instructors to enable them to use the available new technologies in an appropriate and effective way.
Effect of tiotropium bromide on the cardiovascular response to exercise in COPD

nt matter & 2007 2007.03. 008 thor. Tel. : +1 613 donnell@post.que Summary Introduction: Exercise limitation and exertional dyspnea are important symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which may be partially relieved by tiotropium. Although the mechanism of relief is multifactorial, improved dynamic ventilatory mechanics appear to be important. It is not however known whether tiotropium may also act by improving cardiovascular function during exercise. Methods: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study in 18 COPD subjects with a FEV1 4073% predicted (mean7SEM). Subjects inhaled either tiotropium 18 mg or placebo once daily for 7–10 days then the other intervention for a further 7–10 days after a 35-day washout period. Subjects performed constant work rate cycle exercise at 75% of maximum after each treatment period. Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake, operating lung volumes and breathing pattern were measured. Results: Heart rate was 7 beats/min lower at rest and throughout exercise with tiotropium compared to placebo (p 1⁄4 0.001). Oxygen uptake was unchanged throughout exercise. Oxygen pulse on exercise was greater by 7.4% (po0.01) and systolic blood pressure was lower by 7mmHg (p 1⁄4 0.03). The cardiac rate pressure product was reduced by 7.6% (po0.01) with tiotropium. Exercise endurance tended to be greater with tiotropium. Reduction in heart rate on exercise correlated with an increase in inspiratory reserve volume (r 1⁄4 0.50, p 1⁄4 0.04). Conclusion: Tiotropium may improve cardiac as well as pulmonary function during exercise in COPD. We suggest that this effect may be due, in part, to improved cardiopulmonary interaction as a result of mechanical unloading of the ventilatory muscles however further study is required. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00274027. & 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ready , Set , Rotate : The Relationship Between Working Memory Capacity and Mental Rotation Speed

Higher working memory capacity has been linked to greater accuracy and speed on mental rotation tasks (Hyun & Luck, 2007; Kaufman, 2007; Pardo-Vasquez & Fernandez-Rey, 2012). In general, participants are slower to respond to mental rotation stimuli that are rotated at more extreme angles from each other or from “normal” orientation. The present study added to the research in this area by examining how this angular deviation reaction time effect varied as a function of working memory capacity (as measured by operation span [OSPAN]) across both 2D and 3D mental rotation tasks. Participants completed a computerized OSPAN task, to determine their working memory capacity, as well as computerized 2D and 3D mental rotation tasks. Inconsistent with previous research (e.g., Hyun & Luck, 2007; Pardo-Vasquez & FernandezRey, 2012), higher working memory capacity participants were not faster than those with lower working memory capacity. However, only lower working memory capacity participants exhibited the typical angular deviation reaction time effect. The current results imply that working memory is utilized for mental rotation, and situations of higher processing demand do not impede the mental rotation speed of those with higher capacities to the extent of those with lower capacities. These results could imply that people with higher working memory capacity approach mental rotation tasks differently than those with lower working memory capacity.
Diagnostic performance of urinary proteins as biomarkers in evaluating Henoch Schonlein purpura nephritis

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate diagnostic performance of urinary proteins as biomarkers in evaluating pathological damage of children with Henoch Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). Methods: Forty-five children who received renal needle biopsy and were diagnosed with HSPN were retrospectively analyzed from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017 from North China Petroleum Administration Bureau General Hospital. Of the included 45 cases, pathology grade I was in 9 cases, grade II in 14 cases, and grade III in 22 cases. The urinary microalbumin (MAlb), Transferrin (TfR), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG), and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) were recorded and compared among the four groups. Diagnostic performance of urinary proteins as biomarkers in evaluating the pathological damage of children with HSPN was assessed. Results: Urinary MAlb, TfR, and NAG level were significantly different for grade I, II and III disease. With the development of pathology grading, the urinary β2MG, MAlb, TfR and NAG level were also elevated. The distribution of simple hematuria, mild proteinuria, moderate proteinuria, and severe proteinuria in grade I, II and III were statistical different (p < 0.05). For grade I HSPN, most of the cases were simple hematuria (66.7%) and mild proteinuria (33.3%) disease. There were no cases of moderate proteinuria and severe proteinuria in the grade I HSPN group. However, for grade II and III HSPN, most cases were moderate proteinuria and severe proteinuria. Furthermore, there were no cases of grade simple hematuria in grade HSPN. Pearson correlation test showed significant positive correlation between urinary protein levels except for urinary β2-MG and NAG (P > 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of urinary MAlb, TfR, β2-MG, and NAG as biomarkers for HSPN grading ranged from 64.29% to 95.45% and 70.00% to 100.00%. Conclusions: Urinary MAlb, TfR, β2-MG, and NAG were increased with the increase of renal pathological grade. These can be used as promising biological markers for reflecting the degree of renal pathology damage in children with HSPN.
Field Testing Bacterial Wilt-resistant Tomato

‘Healani’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) somaclones were tested in a bacterial wilt ( Pseudomonas solanacearum E.F. Smith) infected field. Survival percentages of selected somaclonal lines were from 40% to 100%, whi the original ‘Healani’ had a survival rate of 0% and resistant ‘Kewalo’ had 30%. Eighteen bacterial wilt resistant somaclonal lines were selected and tested for retention of horticultural characters in a noninfected field. ‘Healani significantly outyielded all tested somaclonal lines in total fruit weight and total number of fruit per plant. ‘Healani’ had greater fruit diameter than seven of the lines, greater width of the outer wall of the fruit pericarp than seventeen of the lines, and fewer locules in the fruit than seven of the lines. r k i a point crops eseed been ts in rable tance 978; l wilt ible f this
Efficacy of C 1-C 2 Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide ( SNAG ) Versus Posterior Anterior Vertebral Mobilization ( PAVMs ) in the Management of Cervicogenic Headache

Objectives: To determine the effect of a C1-C2 sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) as compare to posterior anterior (PA) vertebral mobilization on cervicogenic headache. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Method: The study was conducted on 60 patients with CGH. In this study, patients were divided into two groups, group A and group B equally. Group A of 30 patients received SNAG and at the same time Group B of 30 patients were treated with PAVMs. A pre tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS 19. Outcome Measures: Pain and disability was measured on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (0-10) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) before and after the treatment. Results: The study showed significant results for both the interventions in the treatment of CGH but SNAG mobilization has been more effective in reducing pain in CGH patients. Conclusions: On the basis of this study, it is proved that cervical SNAGS is more effective for the treatment of cervicegenic headaches as compared to PAVMs.
11240 Empowering Women under Social Constraints : Evidence from a Field Intervention in Rural Egypt DECEMBER 2017

IZA DP No. 11240 DECEMBER 2017 Empowering Women under Social Constraints: Evidence from a Field Intervention in Rural Egypt* Women in the MENA region are economically and socially disempowered. High youth unemployment rates together with discriminatory social norms drive them to limit their investment in human capital. We evaluate a large-scale intervention attempting to relax human capital constraints for women by offering vocational, business and life skills training in 30 villages in rural Egypt. Relative to women in the control villages, the intervention increased the likelihood of treated women engaging in income-generating activities, driven by an increase in self-employment. Treated women also became more likely to have future business aspirations. However, their intra-household decision-making and gender equality attitudes were not affected by the intervention. We show that these results mask heterogeneous effects in terms of background characteristics and initial levels of social empowerment. We find no evidence of positive spillover effects for the program within treated villages and, more importantly, no evidence of different pre-trends in employment between the treated and control groups prior to the intervention. JEL Classification: I25, J24, O12
WILLINGESS TO CONSUME GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD IN CHINESE PERSPECTIVE

Almost after investing 25 years in research and development, China has reached to the decisional stage to either continue or discontinue or at least reduce the introductory speed of the genetically modified (GM) food production. The current study integrates the Benefit-Risk Analysis (BRA) framework and trust to study the consumer willingness to consume GM food. A structured survey conducted in nine major cities of China among 345 qualified samples analyzed through structural equational modeling-smart partial least square (SEM-Smart PLS). The statistical results lead to the following conclusions: The proposed psychological-persuasive model highlights the “trust in institutions” holds the least explanatory power while communicating about GM food-related risks in society. In the case of mapping perceived benefits, the trust in technology should be improved; as in the overall view of BRA, the perceived benefits hold less explanatory abilities in contrast to perceived risks. In other words, a secure communication strategy can change the public acceptance trend of GM food in China
1 EFFECT OF FREEZE-DRYING PROCESS ON THE 2 PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL 3 PROPERTIES OF MEXICAN KEFIR GRAINS 4

Alicia Águeda Conde-Islas1, Maribel Jiménez-Fernández2, Denis Cantú-Lozano1, Galo Rafael 5 Urrea-García1 and Guadalupe Luna-Solano1* 6 7 1 Instituto Tecnológico de Orizaba, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Oriente 9 No. 852 8 Orizaba, Veracruz, México 9 2 Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Dr. Luis Castelazo s/n. Col. Industrial Animas 10 Xalapa, Veracruz, México 11  Corresponding author: Guadalupe Luna Solano, Full Professor, E-mail: lupitals@hotmail.com; Phone: 01 12 (272) 72 5 70 56 13 14
Multidrug resistant uropathogens : Some scope today , no hope tomorrow ! ! !

Introduction: Multidrug resistant urinary pathogens are on a rise in the hospitals posing a tough challenge to the physicians at large. As they are resistant to most of the drugs available in the hospital, empirical treatment protocols have been rendered almost ineffective. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of urinary isolates helps to choose appropriate antibiotics and monitor epidemiological trends. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of various urinary pathogens in a tertiary care hospital, determine their susceptibility patterns and to suggest possible treatment options in the context of present scenario. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a super specialty hospital in New Delhi. Study design was retrospective. Eight hundred and five uropathogens isolated from 3,931 urine samples cultured over a period of one year (October 2014 October 2015) were included in the study. The samples had been received from both in-patients and out-patients of the hospital. All these isolates had been identified by appropriate biochemical tests and Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby Bauer method as per the CLSI guidelines. Observations and results: Eight hundred and five (805) urinary pathogens had been isolated in significant counts (>10cfu/ml) from 3930 urine samples cultured. The most prevalent isolate was Escherichia coli (34.16%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (18.76%) and Enterococcus spp. (15.40%). Other bacterial isolates were Proteus spp. (8.20%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.95%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.98%), Acinetobacter spp. (3.11%), Morganella spp. (2.61%), Citrobacter spp. (2.48%), CoNS (1.99%) and Enterobacter spp. (1.37%). Majority of these isolates were Multidrug resistant. Eighty to Ninety percent of the gram negative bacteria viz E.coli, Enterobacter spp. , Proteus spp. , Pseudomonas spp. and Citrobacter spp. were susceptible to Imipenem. 7296% of E.coli, Enterobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin and Piperacillin-Tazobactam. All the gram positive cocci, S. aureus, CoNS and Enterococcus spp. were sensitive to Teicoplanin and Linezolid. Conclusion: In view of high degree of MDRs amongst the uropathogens, clinicians are left with very few therapeutic options. Judicious use of reserve wonder drugs, strengthening the infection control program and implementation of a proper antibiotic policy are our only saviours.
Towards accurate indoor localization using iBeacons, fingerprinting and particle filtering

—In this paper we present preliminary results of an experimental work aiming to exploit Bluetooth Low Energy technology for accurate indoor localization in highly structured environments. In the described experiment 31 iBeacons were placed in a small museum and their fingerprinting was modelled via progressively dense sampling, interpolation and Monte Carlo simulation. An accuracy of 2 meters was reached at an average density of about 0.3 samples square meter, and further increased with denser sampling in proximity of singularities of structural elements. Limits of two locate algorithms were analyzed. k-NN takes advantage of presence of near reference points but is fooled by minima of the distance function spatially apart from current location. Particle Filter takes advantage of accumulated evidence of locality but looses accuracy in areas where the distance field has low gradient values. Optimal beacons positioning is expected to improve accuracy of particle filtering in areas where the field is poorly structured.
Single Amino Acid Substitutions in HXT 2 . 4 from Scheffersomyces stipitis Lead to Improved Cellobiose Fermentation by Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Suk-Jin Ha, Heejin Kim, Yuping Lin, Myoung-Uoon Jang, Jonathan M. Galazka, Tae-Jip Kim, Jamie H. D. Cate, Yong-Su Jin Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA; Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
On structural shifts and stationarity of the ex ante real interest rate

New evidence supporting the Fisher effect is obtained from tests for long-run reversion in the ex ante real interest rate, constructed using the Michigan Survey data on inflation expectations. This study finds that the real interest rate may appear nonstationary when in fact it is stationary and a process shift is responsible. Interestingly, the allowance for simply a mean shift is adequate to reject the unit-root hypothesis for both real preand after-tax interest rates. The mean shift coincides with the dramatic reversal of inflation psychology around late 1980 or early 1981. The timing and the cause of the structural shift identified for ex ante real rates differ from that for ex post real rates discussed in previous studies. D 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. JEL classification: F43; F32
Time variability of prevalent mesozooplankton at Montevideo coast , Río de la Plata , and its relationship with physico-chemical drivers

Rio de la Plata estuary (RPE) is the widest in the world but temporal variability patterns of its mesozooplankton assemblages are unknown. Surveys were conducted at the coast of Montevideo from January to November 2003 in order to study the abundance of most prevalent mesozooplankton populations, and their relationship with the changes in salinity, temperature, chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and phaeopigments (PHA). Mean temperature and salinity at the study site were 19.25 ± 4.8oC and 9.25 ± 6.18 respectively. Chl-a ranged from 0.41 to 66.39 mg.m (median = 3.63 mg.m); the ratio of Chl-a to PHA (RCP) ranged from 0.27 to 8.13 (median = 0.53). Temperature, Chl-a, RCP varied much as seasons changed, but not salinity. Mesozooplankton abundance ranged from 70 to 15381 ind/m, median = 4805 ind/m. Copepod (e.g. Acartia tonsa, Paracalanus parvus), larval stages of barnacles Balanus sp. and bivalves were among the most prevalent populations of the mesozooplankton assemblage. Species evenness of copepod the community remained unaffected by variability of the physico-chemical variables studied. Copepod Acartia tonsa, Paracalanus parvus abundances did not follow any clear seasonality. At the onset of spring, abundance of Acartia tonsa increased with availability of fresh food in the study site, which could be an indication of grazing, growth and production rates limited by food quality. Paracalanus parvus abundance remained unaffected by the fluctuations of the physico-chemical variables analysed. Abundance of Balanus sp. rose high as the water temperature increased in RPE, especially in spring-summer. Overall, the results suggest that the most prevalent mesozooplankton of RPE are possibly resilient to environmental fluctuations.
AModel for the Formation of Eskers

We develop a mathematical model for esker formation by the continuous deposition of sediments near the mouth of water-filled subglacial tunnels. We assume a retreating ice sheet margin and prescribe meltwater and sediment supply to a channelized subglacial drainage system. The hydrodynamic model for the subglacial channel has its cross section governed by wall melting, creep closure, and sediment deposition. Sediment-carrying capacity typically increases downstream, before decreasing rapidly near the margin, suggesting that most deposition occurs there. This can lead to “choking” near the margin, which is offset by enhanced melting to keep the channel open. The model shows that the deposition rate varies roughly quadratically with sediment supply and inversely with water flux. For given sediment supply, the model suggests esker formation is most prevalent in smaller channels. Larger ice sheet melt rates likely produce more closely spaced eskers, but with smaller cross sections.