Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the therapeutic potentials of adipose Derived stem cells in comparison to hyaluronic acid in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis A multi assessment study

Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis (TMJ /OA) is a progressive degenerative disease with concomitant inflammation[1]. It gradually advances giving rise to condylar cartilage degradation, cortical bone erosion, subcortical cysts, osteophytic changes, joint space narrowing and synovitis. Patients usually complain of impaired quality of life as they all suffer from tormenting pain, stiffness in the jaw with marked decrease in joint movements together with joint sounds mainly crepitations (grating sounds) which are sometimes allied by clicking[2 3].
Alpha and beta components of diversity of freshwater nematodes at different spatial scales in subtropical coastal lakes

Small organisms usually occur in large numbers and are easily dispersed by passive means. Accord- ingly, one could expect these assemblages to exhibit low spatial structure, at least at small (m) and intermediate (1-100 km) scales. We assessed the community structure of freshwater nematodes (0.063 - 0.5 mm) associated with five spatial scales (ranging from 10 cm to 10 - 35 km) in three coastal lakes in southern Brazil. We assessed whether dissimilarities among assemblages are structured according to spatial scales, using an NMDS ordination. We also tested the hypothesis that most of the total diversity is associated with the intermediate (2 - 2.5 km) spatial scale that reflected distinct habitats (lakeshores), using additive partitioning of total species richness and two null models. We obtained 13,358 individuals and 59 morphospecies of nematodes. The NMDS ordination indicated that the nema- tode assemblages were mostly structured according to the spatial hierarchical sampling design. Lakes harbored dis- tinct nematode assemblages, and within-lake ordination indicated that the type of lakeshore (protected or exposed) and areas within lakeshores were important. The mean number of morphospecies recorded for the core sampling units (α1) was 12.26 -16.90, and represented 30 - 33 % of the total species richness found in the three lakes. Accord- ingly, beta diversity accounted for most of the total diversity. The partitioning for individual-based randomization over all lakes revealed that the observed local richness (14.19 species) was significantly lower than expected. The magnitude of the observed beta diversities in relation to the expectation for the lowest scales depended on the null model used. The observed beta diversity at high spatial scales, reflecting distinct lakes and habitat types, tended to be larger than the expected. The nematode assemblages showed intraspecific aggregation and low beta diversity at fine spatial scales, but high beta diversity at coarse spatial scales. We conclude that despite their microscopic size, the spatial distribution of nematode assemblages in lakes is mostly similar to the general pattern observed for macroscopic organisms.
GFP expressing bacterial biosensor to measure lead contamination in aquatic environment

A bacterial biosensor is reported that responds to Pb 2+ in the range of 50-400 μM by expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP). The genetic element that senses Pb 2+ includes the regulatory protein gene (PbrR) along with operator/promoter (PbrO/P) of the lead resistance operon from plasmid pMOL30. PbrO/P also controls the gfp reporter gene expression. Escherichia coli DH5α is the host organism. GFP response to induction by Pb 2+ peaked at 250 pM. Decline in fluorescence beyond 250 μM was related to drop in copy number of the biosensor plasmid in the cells. A formula that estimates available Pb 2+ concentration in test samples with 95 % accuracy was derived by multiple regression of fluorescence and cell density values at various Pb 2+ concentrations at 12 h growth. The biosensor was tested for co-inducibility by Cd 2+ , Zn 2+ and Hg 2+ . Only Zn 2+ showed mild induction at high concentrations and the highest fluorescence obtained was 8.5 times lower than that obtained with Pb 2+ . The induction method used here allows water collected from natural resources to be directly tested by using it to prepare the growth medium for the biosensor. This biosensor offers a simple and quick method for detection of available lead in the aquatic environment.
Evaluation of nutritive value of fermented de-oiled physic nut, Jatropha curcas, seed meal for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

Jatropha curcas seed meal was fermented with Bacillus licheniformis (LFJSM) and Bacillus pumilus (PFJSM) separately using the solid-state fermentation. After fermentation, the crude protein and the total hydrolysed amino acid contents were increased in LFJSM and PFJSM, while fibre content, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor and saponins were decreased. An 84-day feeding experiment was designed for the nutritional evaluation of LFJSM and PFJSM in Nile tilapia. Seven isonitrogenous (305.47 g kg−1 crude protein) and isocaloric (18.21 MJ kg−1 gross energy) diets were formulated by replacing 0% (control diet), 25% (LFJSM-25), 50% (LFJSM-50), 75% (LFJSM-75) and 25% (PFJSM-25), 50% (PFJSM-50) and 75% (PFJSM-75) of protein from fish meal with LFJSM and PFJSM. The higher weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio were found in fish fed control diet, PFJSM-25 and PFJSM-50, which were insignificantly different. Apparent digestibility coefficient values of dry matter, crude protein, lipid and digestible energy reached a plateau in fish fed PFJSM-25 and PFJSM-50. No significant differences were found in haematocrit, haemoglobin, serum alternative complement pathway components, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and triglycerides between the control diet, LFJSM-25, LFJSM-50, PFJSM-25 and PFJSM-50 treatment groups. Therefore, these findings suggest that up 50% of fish meal can be replaced by PFJSM in Nile tilapia diets.
Alternatives to the publication subsidy for research funding

Government policy on research funding has a direct impact on the behaviour of academics, so we need to ask what sort of behaviour should be encouraged in South Africa. Instead of an emphasis on the number of publications, our focus should rather be on a subsidy system that inspires our institutions to aim for a level of scholarship that is able to withstand the scrutiny of an international audience. Perhaps now is the time to grasp the nettle and to consider using the National Research Foundation's rating system instead of the publication count.
Differences in Dry Matter Production and Root System Development between Soybean Cultivars under Deficient Soil Moisture Conditions

In the previous paper, it was clarified that the decrease in dry matter and grain productions under deficient soil moisture conditions differed between cultivars classified into the same ecotype, and it was suggested that root system development might be responsible for the varietal differences. To investigate causal factors of the differences in dry matter production and yield between the cultivars, ecophysiological characters and root system development were compared between the populations of Enrei and Tachinagaha in the field. The net assimilation rate was high in Tachinagaha compared with Enrei because of the high leaf xylem water potential and low leaf diffusive resistance during the daytime, and the less decrease in the photosynthetic rate with senescence. This resulted in high dry matter production and high grain yield in Tachinagaha. Root length density measured by the core sampling method and root length measured by the minirhizotron method were both larger, especially in the deep soil layers, in Tachinagaha. The amount of soil water depletion was also larger, especially at the deep soil layers in Tachinagaha, probably due to greater water absorption by the plants. These results indicated that the root system was well developed in the deep soil layers in Tachinagaha compared with Enrei as soil moisture was depleted. The root system development might be responsible for the differences in the ecophysiological characters between Enrei and Tachinagaha.
Strong genetic differentiation among populations of the freshwater shrimp Caridina cantonensis in Hong Kong: implications for conservation of freshwater fauna in urban areas

Freshwater organisms generally exhibit strong genetic structuring. Although understanding the level and spatial distribution of genetic diversity is crucial for conservation management planning, such information has received little attention until recently in highly developed cities where local extinction attributed to habitat destruction and urbanisation is intense. We compared the genetic divergence in mitochondrial COI of the freshwater shrimp Caridina cantonensis collected from 32 sites in Hong Kong, to determine the connectivity among populations and the levels of genetic diversity of the shrimp. We found that shrimp from different streams are genetically highly differentiated and each stream always has its own unique haplotype groups, even though some of the streams are separated only by a few kilometres, indicating very limited gene flow across streams. Moreover, genetic diversity within each stream is very low, usually with a single haplotype dominating the entire population, and genetic differentiation was observed among tributaries from the same drainage. The high genetic diversity of these species over short distances has significant conservation implications because a substantial amount of biodiversity may have already been lost as a result of past development. Careful conservation planning is essential for future development in Hong Kong and other cities.
PREPARATION AND APPLICATION OF GLUTARALDEHYDE CROSS-LINKED CHITOSAN COATED BENTONITE CLAY CAPSULES: CHROMIUM(VI) REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION

New sources in literature have explained that more efficient biosorbents can be developed from natural adsorbents. One of the methods to make these natural adsorbents more efficient is preparation of composites. Hydroxyl (-OH) and amino (-NH2) groups within the structure of chitosan leads adsorbents to have a binding potential with heavy metals. In this study, a composite adsorbent made of chitosan and bentonite clay was prepared. Bentonite clay and chitosan-coated Bentonite clay composite capsules (BC) were characterized in terms of FTIR and SEM analysis. (BC) composite adsorbent was used for the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. The effects of some parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration, temperature and contact time on the adsorption of Cr(VI) on BC were investigated. In order to evaluate the experimental data, Langmuir, Freundlich, Scatchard and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) adsorption isotherm models were used for the analysis of adsorption equilibrium. The adsorption process was well fitted to Scatchard adsorption isotherm. While bentonite clay had 11,076 mg/g maximum adsorption capacity, BC composite had 106.444 mg/g maximum adsorption capacity for the removal of Cr(VI) ions (25 °C, pH 2, contact time 60 minutes). It was concluded that chitosan-bentonite composite adsorbent can be effectively used for the removal of Cr(VI).
Acute Effect of Chest Physical Therapy on Arterial Blood Gases for Mechanical Ventilated Patients

Background: Patients receiving mechanical ventilation have an increased risk of complications resulting in excess morbidity and mortality. Aim of Study: This study aimed to identify the acute effect of chest physical therapy on arterial blood gases of mechanically ventilated patients. Material and Methods: Sixty mechanically ventilated patients participated in the study. Their age ranged from 40 to 60 years. The patients were assigned into one study group including both sexes who received a chest physiotherapy protocol in form of (manual hyperinflation, vibration, percussion, suctioning, upper and lower limbs exercise and ending position) for one session. Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) including (pH, PaO 2 , SO2 , PaCO2 and HCO 3 ) were assessed by arterial blood sample analysis through the Laboratory GEM premier 3000 device. All the assessment was done for every patient pre and post chest physiotherapy protocol. Results: The results revealed a marked improvement in arterial blood gas exchange as compared to base line reflected by a highly significant statistical increase in PaO 2 and SaO2 (p<0.001) and a significant decrease in PaCO 2 (p<0.001) while with no significant changes regarding pH and HCO 3 (p=0.36 and 0.15 respectively). Conclusion: Chest physiotherapy protocol is an effective method for improving arterial blood gases of mechanical ventilated patients acutely.
Contribution of the Root System to Nitrate Assimilation in Whole Cotton Plants.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a species in which most nitrate is assimilated in the green shoot. A physiological role for the small amount of nitrate reductase activity in the roots can be questioned on the basis of relative magnitude. In this investigation, cotton plants were grown on nutrient solutions containing either 1 or 5 mM nitrate, and balance sheets were developed for the transport and metabolism of nitrate and reduced nitrogen in the root and shoot during exponential growth. At either nitrate level, assimilation in the roots was adequate to supply all the nitrogen for root growth. However, some of the reduced nitrogen was exported in the xylem, leaving a net deficit of about 10% at 1 mM nitrate and 36% at 5 mM nitrate. This deficit was presumably satisfied by reduced nitrogen from the shoot. Thus, at these two nitrate concentrations, root growth apparently depended more upon nitrogen assimilated in the roots themselves than upon nitrogen from the shoot. The different fates of nitrogen assimilated in the root and in the shoot may be related to the demonstrated differential regulation of nitrate reductase activity in these two sites.
Biochemical and histopathological ultrastructural changes caused by ZnO nanoparticles in mice

Five week-old mice were divided into a vehicle control group, and groups exposed to ZnO nanoparticles at low (0.5 g/kg), middle (1 g/kg), high (3 g/kg), and exceptionally high-dose (5 g/kg). After the first, second, third, and fourth weeks’ of exposure, blood biochemistry, histopathology, and electron microscopic ultrastructural changes in liver, kidney and spleen were investigated. Increased alkaline phosphatase activities were observed in all treated mice being statistically significant at higher dose. No changes were observed in the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and lipid levels. During the first and second weeks of the treatment, effects on the cytoarchitecture of liver, kidney, and spleen were not perceived while during the third and fouth weeks of treatment sporadic mild effects were seen. Ultrastructural electron microscopic changes in liver, kidney, and spleen were not observed for the low-dose group on the first, second, third, and fourth weeks, suggesting that exposure to ZnO nanoparticles at low dose is safe. Long-term (i.e., more than 28 days) exposure to the exceptionally high-dose resulted in sporadic changes in nuclear chromatin condensation, irregular nuclear membrane, polymorphic mitochondria, mitochondrial swelling, and vacuolation. ZnO nanoparticles could be well tolerated and no death occurred in any group of treated mice.
Population dynamics of an invasive species Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq

The population dynamics of the crucian carp, Carassius auratus in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq was studied from November 2015 to October 2016 with monthly samples collected by different fishing gears. The FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FiSAT II) software was used for the mathematical analysis. Length-weight relationship was calculated as W= 0.0149L3. 065 for fish length 4.6 to 26.8 cm. Growth parameters L∞, K and O were computed as 29.1 cm, 0.51 and 2.635. The total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were 2.69, 1.09 and 1.60, respectively. Exploitation rate (E) was 0.59. Length at first capture (Lc) was found to be 10.04 cm. C. auratus displayed one main pulse of annual recruitment. The relative yield per recruit analysis revealed that the exploitation rate (E) of C. auratus was higher than the biological target reference points E0.1 and equivalent to Emax. It could be concluded that the C. auratus stock in the Shatt Al-Arab River is operating nearby the exploited situation and needs some precautionary measures to avoid the overexploitation by activating the national law of fishing, exploiting and protecting aquatic resources, in particular preventing illegal fishing methods and follow up the execution of the closed season to prevent the decline of our fish resources.
Beyond Arbitrage: Good‐Deal Asset Price Bounds in Incomplete Markets

One often wants to value a risky payoff by reference to prices of other assets rather than by exploiting full‐fledged economic models. However, this approach breaks down if one cannot find a perfect replicating portfolio. We impose weak economic restriction to derive usefully tight bounds on asset prices in this situation. The bounds assume that investors would want to buy assets with high Sharpe ratios‐“good deals”‐as well as pure arbitrage opportunities. We show how to calculate the price bounds in one‐period, multiperiod, and continuous‐time contexts. We show that the multiperiod problem can be solved recursively as a sequence of one‐period problems. We calculate bounds in option pricing examples including infrequent trading and an option written on a nontraded event, and we use the bounds to explore the economic significance of option pricing predictions. We find that much variation in S&P 500, index option prices over time and across strike prices fits within the bounds.
A bespoke low‐cost system for radio tracking animals using multi‐rotor and fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Due to the costs of related technologies, tracking studies typically use low numbers of animals as representative samples for whole group or species analysis, often without clear knowledge as to how representative these numbers are. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has the potential to considerably improve radio‐frequency (RF)‐based tracking systems. This includes improved line‐of‐sight visibility, access and range in difficult terrain and an increase in achievable spatial accuracy. This paper presents details of a fully custom‐built active RF identification tag and receiver system bespoke to UAVs, compatible with both multi‐rotor and fixed‐wing platforms. Using sheep as a model, we show the suitability of this system for tracking large terrestrial mammals. During static testing using both platform types, we calculated a spatial accuracy of 58.5 m (based on 95th percentile/R95 parameter) for this system using data from 14 flights (n = 175 tag interactions). When tested on sheep, working tags were detected 93% of the time over seven conducted flights. We provide practical considerations for operating this system on a UAV platform, address concerns relating to the system and identify future areas of research both for this system and other UAV‐based RF tracking systems.
Modelling effort levels in a sequential fishery

Developing bioeconomic models of sequential fisheries is complicated when the two (or more) fisheries overlap temporally. In such cases, each fishery will be affected by the other, so both cannot be properly modelled as separate activities. This has recently become an issue for the Northern Prawn Fishery, in which bioeconomic modelling is used to set management limits. Modelling has focused on the tiger prawn component of the fishery, which mostly occurs in the second half of the year. However, successful management leading to stock recovery has resulted in this fishery now overlapping temporally with the banana prawn fishery, which occurs in the first half of the year. Ideally, an integrated model covering the whole year would be developed, but this is not practical for a number of reasons. In this study, we model the factors driving the level of fishing effort in the banana prawn fishery, which affects, and is affected by, the tiger prawn fishery. As expected, banana prawn fishing effort is driven largely by stock size, fleet size, catch rates, prices, and fuel costs. Effort increases with fleet size, but at a decreasing rate. Further, we find evidence that opportunity cost, namely the ability to fish in the tiger prawn fishery and the price of tiger prawns, also affects the level of effort in the banana prawn fishery.
Sequential Banking

We study environments in which agents may borrow sequentially from more than one lender. Although debt is prioritized, additional lending imposes an externality on prior debt because, with moral hazard, the probability of repayment of prior loans decreases. Equilibrium interest rates are higher than they would be if borrowers could commit to borrow from at most one bank. Even though the loan terms are less favorable than they would be under commitment, the indebtedness of borrowers is greater. Further, additional lending causes the probability of default to increase. The results apply to markets for consumer, corporate, and international debt.
Effect of 1- MCP on Physico-Biochemical Properties and Delayed Ripening of ‘Ambul’ Banana at Ambient Conditions

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations and exposure periods of 1-MCP on physiological and biochemical qualities of ‘Ambul’ banana at ambient conditions. Combinations of 0.5 and 1 ppm concentrations of 1-MCP and 12 and 18 h of exposureperiods were used. Ethylene production, respiration rate, ascorbic acid content, pH, titratable acidity (TA), sugar content and pulp-to-peel ratio were measured at initial stage and during the storage period. 1-MCP treated ‘Ambul’ banana fruit significantly (p≤0.05) delayed the peak ofethylene production. Fruits treated with 0.5 ppm of 1 MCP for 12 and 18 h delayed the peak of ethylene emission by 13 days, while the fruit exposed to the higher dose (1 ppm)for 12 and 18 h delayed the same by 17 and 19 days respectively. Non-treated control fruits exhibited peak ethylene emission on day 5. Pulp-to-peel ratio of banana increased from 2.42 to 7.58 with ripening. Fruits treated with the higher dose of 1 MCP for 18 h showed the least rate of increase in pulp-to-peel ratio indicating the delayed ripening. Pulp pH significantly (p≤0.05) decreased within first five days in the control compared to treatments. All the treatments and control exhibited increase in sucrose, fructose and glucose contents during storage period while the lowest change in sugar content during storage period was shown by fruits treated with the higher dose of 1 MCP for 18 h. In conclusion, exposing banana fruits to 1-MCP at the dose of 1 ppm for 18 h extended the shelf life of ‘Ambul’ banana for 19 days under ambient conditions with a desirable marketable quality.