Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF PUMICE AMENDMENT ON PHYSICAL SOIL PROPERTIES AND STRAWBERRY PLANT GROWTH

We report the results of a research carried out in Turkey in 2004 to determine the effectiveness of different levels of pumice amendments to soil using strawberry plants. Two grades (2-4 mm and 4-8 mm) of pumice were added to soil and three amendment levels (15%, 30% and 45% by volume) were applied. Finally 6 different growing media types were formulated. The amount of moisture retained at different tensions and distribution of pore size of these growing media were determined. Some plant properties such as the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry root weight, most developed root length and increasing fresh weight of day-notr strawberry plants cv. Fern grown on these media were determined. The best plant growth was observed on media including 4-8 mm pumice grade and 45% pumice amendment ratio with soil.
Molecular data reveal isolation by distance and past population expansion for the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn) in West Africa

While the genetic structure of many tree species in temperate, American and Asian regions is largely explained by climatic oscillations and subsequent habitat contractions and expansions, little is known about Africa. We investigated the genetic diversity and structure of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa,) in Western Africa, an economically important tree species in the Sudano‐Sahelian zone. Eleven nuclear microsatellites (nuc) were used to genotype 673 trees selected in 38 populations. They revealed moderate to high within‐population diversity: allelic richness ranged from Rnuc = 3.99 to 5.63. This diversity was evenly distributed across West Africa. Populations were weakly differentiated (FSTnuc = 0.085; P < 0.0001) and a pattern of isolation by distance was noted. No phylogeographic signal could be detected across the studied sample. Additionally, two chloroplast microsatellite loci, leading to 11 chlorotypes, were used to analyse a sub‐set of 370 individuals. Some variation in chloroplast allelic richness among populations could be detected (Rcp = 0.00 to 4.36), but these differences were not significant. No trend with latitude and longitude were observed. Differentiation was marked (GSTcp = 0.553; P < 0.0001), but without a significant phylogeographical signal. Population expansion was detected considering the total population using approximate Bayesian computation (nuclear microsatellites) and mismatch distribution (chloroplast microsatellites) methods. This expansion signal and the isolation by distance pattern could be linked to the past climatic conditions in West Africa during the Pleistocene and Holocene which should have been favourable to shea tree development. In addition, human activities through agroforestry and domestication (started 10 000 bp) have probably enhanced gene flow and population expansion.
Respiratory, cardiovascular and other physiological consequences of smoking cessation

ABSTRACT Background: Smoking cessation is associated with substantial reductions in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Based on the current literature, the beneficial effects of quitting are particularly evident on pulmonary and cardiovascular function, but the negative physiological effects of cessation are less well documented. Scope: The objective of this article was to review systematically data on the physiological effects of smoking cessation. Articles based upon clinical trials, randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses were selected from titles and abstracts obtained via a MEDLINE search (May 2003–May 2008). Additional studies were identified from the bibliographies of reviewed literature. Findings: Smoking cessation is associated with improved lung function and a reduction in the presence and severity of respiratory symptoms. These changes, apparent within months of quitting, are sustained with long-term abstinence. The underlying pathophysiologies of smoking-induced airway inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are partially reversed following cessation in healthy ex-smokers, but not in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking cessation is also associated with substantially improved cardiovascular function and reduced risk of primary and secondary cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although the overall long-term health benefits are unquestionable, smoking cessation is also associated with other possible undesirable short-term physiological effects such as weight gain, hypertension, constipation and mouth ulcers; and altered activity of the enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), which metabolises many commonly used drugs. Conclusion: The negative physiological effects of smoking cessation may adversely affect a smoker's attempt to quit, and physicians should provide their smoking patients with motivation and regular encouragement and support when attempting to quit, whilst educating them on the health benefits of abstinence. Additionally, since cigarette smoke is a potent inducer of CYP1A2, patients attempting to quit smoking should have their dosages of drugs metabolised by this enzyme closely monitored.
Perceiving L2 Phonological Contrasts: Korean and English Sibilants

Two perceptions of Korean and English sibilants by two different L2 groups were examined: the identification of Korean (KO) contrast /s-s*/ by American English (AE) learners of Korean and the identification of English (EN) contrast /s-ʃ/ by Korean ESL learners. The results of the first experiment showed that AE beginning learners of Korean poorly identified the Korean contrasts (with chance accuracy) and AE advanced learners of Korean showed perceptual improvement, but not as good as those of native speakers of Korean. However, the results of the second experiment showed that both Korean ESL beginning and advanced learners identified the English contrast with native-like accuracy. The conclusion is that L2 experience made a difference in perceptual improvement in L2 phonology acquisition. However, the contradictory results in terms of the dramatically different degrees of improvement may result from different phonetic similarity between L1 and L2 sounds and each sound of an L2 contrast.
Effects of In-ovo Injection of Different Nutrients on the Hatchability and growth Performance in Broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in ovo injections of albumin, amino acid and dextrose into the amnion on the hatchability, growth performance and slaughter yield of Ross 308 broiler chicks. Fertile eggs (n=360) were assigned to 6 treatment groups (4 replicates of 15 eggs each) including: non-injected eggs (control), and eggs injected with 0.7 ml distilled water (sham), amino acids, albumin 20%, dextrose 20% and dextrose 10% . The injections were made on d 17.5 of the incubation period, and the hatch rate of fertilized eggs were recorded. Post-hatch performance of was determined weekly up to day 42. On d 42 of age, the weight of carcasses, thighs, wings, breast muscle, back and neck were determined. The results showed that in ovo injection of albumin increased body weight (P<0.05) on the first day of hatch compared to the control and shame groups. There were no significant effects of treatments on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and slaughter yields.
Increasing Dialysis Sodium Removal on Arterial Stiffness and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a mild increase in dialysis sodium removal on cardiovascular system in hypertensive hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS Sixty four HD patients with pre-HD plasma sodium level higher than 138mmol/l, were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The dialysate sodium was reduced from 138mmol/l to 136mmol/l in the intervention group, while remained at 138mmol/l in the control group. During the study course, home systolic blood pressure (BP) target of 140mmHg was used in all patients, and bioimpedance measurements to guide ultrafiltration were performed monthly. 44-hour ambulatory BP, aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), pre-HD plasma sodium concentration, interdialytic weight gain, and dietary sodium intake, were measured. RESULTS Better BP control was achieved by 2 groups, with no significant differences. However, less annual averages of antihypertensives were used in the intervention group. The PWV values significantly decreased from 11.8±2.4 to 10.9±2.6m/s in the intervention group (P<0.001), and from 11.6±2.5 to 11.1±2.2m/s in the control group (P=0.012). LVMI regressed from 151±19 to 139±16 g/m2 (P<0.001) in the intervention group only. In addition, values for interdialytic weight gain and pre-HD plasma sodium decreased in the intervention group only. There were no significant differences in annual averages of dietary sodium intake and the frequency of adverse events between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Increasing dialysis sodium removal was associated with improvements in arterial stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy, and better BP control in hypertensive HD patients.
Flip the classroom

Abstract Given the huge expansion in medical knowledge it is both practical and expedient to make better use of students’ time with aids for effective learning, rather than by increasing the length of time it takes to earn a medical degree. Embracing a ‘flipped classroom’ approach is a way to free-up classroom time to promote active learning through opportunities such as case-based and team-based exercises.
Survival after pulmonary edema due to enterovirus 71 encephalitis

Background: A distinctive pattern of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, characterized by fever, exanthem, acute pulmonary edema (PE), brainstem encephalitis, and flaccid paresis, affects infants and young children. Most die rapidly owing to respiratory failure and fulminant PE. Method: The authors report short- and long-term outcome of six survivors of the acute illness. Results: In the context of acute PE and widespread weakness, recognition of the underlying neurologic disorder was facilitated by the distinctive pattern of MRI signal abnormalities in posterior pons and medulla. EV71-specific PCR of clinical samples helped confirm the diagnosis. Acute PE was managed with mechanical ventilation, afterload reduction, and inotrope support, and resolved completely over days. One patient with minimal neurologic recovery died 9 weeks after disease onset. The other patients have residual neurologic dysfunction, varying from subtle monoparesis to severe bulbar dysfunction, central and peripheral respiratory failure, and flaccid quadriparesis. Faster neurologic recovery was associated with less long-term deficit. Long-term outcome was similar in patients treated with and without pleconaril or IV immunoglobulin. Three long-term survivors treated with IV corticosteroids had less severe long-term neurologic disability than two not treated with steroids. Conclusion: Acute pulmonary edema and encephalomyelitis occurs with EV71 infection in infants. Long-term neurologic outcome varied from minor, focal weakness to profound, global motor dysfunction with respiratory failure.
Age-Dependent Changes in the mRNA Levels of Neuropeptide Y, Proopiomelanocortin, and Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in the Hypothalamus in Growing Broiler Chicks

Lines of evidence suggest that hypothalamic neuropeptides have a physiological role in the regulation of food intake in mammals. However, little is known about the age-dependent change of hypothalamic neuropeptides in chicks. In this study, we investigated the age-dependent changes in hypothalamic mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY, an orexigenic neuropeptide), proopiomelanocortin (POMC, the precursor of anorexigenic neuropeptides), and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, a possible mediator in the POMC-induced anorexigenic pathway) in growing broiler chicks. The weights of body and abdominal adipose tissue of chicks were measured at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of age, and the hypothalamic mRNA levels of NPY, POMC, and CRF were analyzed by real-time PCR. Hypothalamic NPY mRNA levels at 14 and 28 days of age were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that at 7 days of age. Hypothalamic POMC mRNA level at 28 days of age was significantly lower than that at 7 days of age. Hypothalamic CRF mRNA level was not affected throughout the experimental period. Abdominal adipose tissue weight was significantly increased after 14 days of age in chicks. Our findings demonstrated that the expressions of NPY and POMC are dependent on age in boiler chicken hypothalamus.
Pattern of Pediatric Mortality in a Tertiary Hospital in Oman

Pattern of Pediatric Mortality in a Tertiary Hospital in Oman Mohamed El-Naggari, Anas-Alwogud Abdelmogheth, Hashim Javad, Khalfan Al Senaidi, and Ibtisam El Nour Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamed El-Naggari, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman. Tel: +968-98178236, E-mail: mnaggari@yahoo.com
Forecasting Containerboard Prices

In this report, we analyzed the pattern of containerboard price movement, including the existence of trend and seasonality component, the stationarity property, and the casualty relationship between price and inventory. Price forecasts based on various time series forecasting methods are produced and compared with the published forecasts. We also conducted a forecasting excise to produce quarterly price forecasts using selected methods for year 2003-2005. Forecasting Containerboard Prices
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and posttransplantation rituximab.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but fatal demyelinating disease of the brain caused by the JC papovavirus (JCV), affecting mainly immunocompromised patients. Recently, an association between PML and the application of rituximab after autologous stem cell transplantation (S
[Increasing incidence of wasp stings in otorhinolaryngological practice].

BACKGROUND Wasp sting injuries can be lethal due to generalized reactions and edematous obstruction of the upper respiratory system. Due to media reports and our own observations, the consequences of the 2004 "plague of wasps" should be examined for the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region. PATIENTS AND METHODS Wasp sting injuries treated during the years 2002 to 2004 were evaluated in a retrospective study with respect to frequency, localization, therapy, occurrence of allergic reactions, and other complications. RESULTS In 2002 to 2004, the number of patients with wasp sting injuries tripled. The occurrence of stings in the ENT region increased from 20% to more than 40%, with a strong rise in enoral and endolaryngeal stings after accidental swallowing or inhalation of wasps. The medical treatments employed proved the existence of sufficient therapeutic strategies. CONCLUSIONS The treatments demonstrate a clear increase in wasp sting injuries in the year 2004. The main climatic cause was the European record summer of 2003, in which wasps multiplied.
PROLONGED ANOXIC SURVIVAL DUE TO ANOXIA PRE-EXPOSURE: BRAIN ATP, LACTATE, AND PYRUVATE.

Rats subjected to a brief anoxia can survive go sec in a second anoxia, compared to a 60-sec survival time of control animals. Slower disappearance of ATP concentration in the brain during the second exposure indicates this longer survival is due to an altered cerebral energy metabolism. Initial cerebral ATP concentration is no higher in pre-exposed animals than in controls. When glycolysis is inhibited by iodoacetate before testing in anoxia, the advantage of pre-exposure disappears, suggesting the longer survival may be due to increased anacrobic glycolysis. Lactate accumulates faster during anoxia in the brains of pre-exposed animals than in controls, suggesting that increased anaerobic glycolysis is the cause of the prolonged survival. This effect is not due to increased cerebral glucose concentration. A possible reason for this increased glycolysis, and thus the prolonged survival, could be an increase of a compound, such as pyruvate, capable of oxidizing NADH. The initial pyruvate is higher in pre-exposed animals than in controls and injection of pyruvate increases the survival time slightly.
Human single muscle fibre function with 84 day bed‐rest and resistance exercise

Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after 84 days of bed‐rest from six control (BR) and six resistance‐exercised (BRE) men to examine slow‐ and fast‐twitch muscle fibre contractile function. BR did not exercise during bed‐rest and had a 17 and 40% decrease in whole muscle size and function, respectively. The BRE group performed four sets of seven maximal concentric and eccentric supine squats 2–3 days per week (every third day) that maintained whole muscle strength and size. Slow (MHC I) and fast (MHC IIa) muscle fibres were studied at 15°C for diameter, peak force (Po), contractile velocity (Vo) and force–power parameters. SDS‐PAGE was performed on each single fibre after the functional experiments to determine MHC isoform composition. MHC I and IIa BR fibres were, respectively, 15 and 8% smaller, 46 and 25% weaker (Po), 21 and 6% slower (Vo), and 54 and 24% less powerful after bed‐rest (P < 0.05). BR MHC I and IIa Po and power normalized to cell size were lower (P < 0.05). BRE MHC I fibres showed no change in size or Vo after bed‐rest; however, Po was 19% lower (P < 0.05), resulting in 20 and 30% declines (P < 0.05) in normalized Po and power, respectively. BRE MHC IIa fibres showed no change in size, Po and power after bed‐rest, while Vo was elevated 13% (P < 0.05). BRE MHC IIa normalized Po and power were 10 and 15% lower (P < 0.05), respectively. MHC isoform composition shifted away from MHC I fibres, resulting in an increase (P < 0.05) in MHC I/IIa (BR and BRE) and MHC IIa/IIx (BR only) fibres. These data show that the contractile function of the MHC I fibres was more affected by bed‐rest and less influenced by the resistance exercise protocol than the MHC IIa fibres. Considering the large differences in power of human MHC I and IIa muscle fibres (5‐ to 6‐fold), the maintenance of whole muscle function with the resistance exercise programme is probably explained by (1) the maintenance of MHC IIa power and (2) the shift from slow to fast (MHC I → MHC I/IIa) in single fibre MHC isoform composition.
ANTITUBERCULOSIS ACTIVITY IN THE PHENAZINE SERIES. ISOMERIC PIGMENTS OBTAINED BY OXIDATION OF O‐PHENYLENEDIAMINE DERIVATIVES

INTRODUCTION THE products obtained on oxidation of derivatives of o-phenylenediamine with ferric chloride or p-benzoquinone have been under investigation in these laboratories for some years. The main products formed are derivatives of anilinoaposafranine (2-anilino-3 : 5-dihydro-3-imino-5phenylphenazine), I (R = Ph), and its isomer, 2-amino-3 : 5-dihydro-3phenylimino-5-phenylphenazine, I1 (R = Ph). R R
The Effect of Acid Activation on Some Physicochemical Properties of a Bentonite

A white calcium bentonite (CaB) from the K\"{u}tahya region/Turkey was activated by heating it for 6 hours at 97°C in H2SO4 solution. The mass percentage of H2SO4 in the bentonite-acid mixture was varied from 0 to 70%. The chemical analysis (CA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the prepared samples were determined. The specific surface area (A) and the specific micropore-mesopore volume (V) were calculated respectively from the adsorption and desorption data of N2 obtained at liquid N2 temperature. How the calcium montmorillonite (CaM) layers in the CaB were decomposed during the preservation of the crystal structure is discussed by using CA, CEC, DTA and XRD data. The variations in the porosity of CaB during acid activation were related to the variations in the crystal structure and are discussed. Although the values of A and V were 43 m2g-1 and 0.107cm3g-1 respectively for the original bentonite, these values reached a maximum and were 134 m2g-1 and 0.295 cm3g-1 respectively after activation by 40% H2SO4
Rotor induced harmonic voltages caused by supply voltage distortion, the interaction and its influence on the overall energy efficiency of Line Start Permanent Magnet Machines

The demand for ever increasingly efficient electromechanical energy conversion has resulted in the commercialization of medium power Line Start Permanent Magnet Motors. Similar to the standard Direct On line induction machines are these machines susceptible to grid voltage distortion. As LSPMM are to become a mature technology, the influence of voltage distortion on their efficiency should be addressed. The grid voltage distortion is composed of multiple harmonic components and in this paper it will be elucidated that, due to the synchronous operation, a specific interaction of rotor harmonic currents induced by different stator harmonic orders can be noticed. Although straight forward adaptation of harmonic loss mechanisms for standard squirrel cage induction motors to the LSPMM seems logic, this research will reveal that harmonic loss models of induction machines are unsuitable to give accurate or even reasonable estimations of the influence supply voltage distortion on the energy efficiency of LSPMM.
Study of RF window for X- band linac at frequency 9.3 GHz

This paper deals with the study of pillbox type RF window for X-band frequency, which is capable of handling peak and average powers of 2 MW and 2 kW, respectively at spot frequency 9.3 GHz with VSWR and insertion loss of 1.1 and 0.1 dB, respectively. The HFSS software is used for computation of diameter and thickness of ceramic and other required parameters.
Factors Related to Self-Efficacy for Use of Condoms and Birth Control Among Women at Risk for HIV Infection

ABSTRACT Many women who are at risk for HIV do not regularly use condoms, particularly with their main partners. In this paper we examine factors related to self-efficacy for condom use with main and other partners and self-efficacy for birth control in 2864 women interviewed in five urban high-risk communities. Limited social and economic resources, dependence on a main partner, and risk factors, including ex-changing sex for money or drugs and binge drinking, were found to be negatively related to self-efficacy. Segmentation analysis identified groups of women with low self-efficacy who should be the focus of preventive interventions.
DESIGN , SYNTHESIS , CHARACTERIZATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF NOVEL COPPER COMPLEXES OF SUBSTITUTED 1 H-BENZIMIDAZOLES *

In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion in research and development of novel metal-based anticancer drugs to improve clinical effectiveness and to reduce general toxicity and also to broaden the spectrum of activity. Hence,in this studies, an attempt has been made to Design, Synthesize, Characterize novel Copper complexes of substituted 1H-Benzimidazoles and their pharmacological evaluation for in vitro Cytotoxic activity by Brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Thereafter, results were estimated in terms of LC50 as compared with the standard drug Cisplatin. All complexes showed significant cytotoxic activity. Among all complexes, complex (4c) showed more cytotoxic activity and it is more cytotoxic than Cisplatin. Complex (4e) was found to possess least cytotoxic activity. Complexes (4b, 4d and 4h) showed moderate cytotoxic activity.