Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Turnitin®

Recently there has been an increasing interest in plagiarism detection systems, such as the web-based Turnitin system. However, no study has so far tried to look at how students react towards those systems being used. This exploratory study examines the attitudes of students on a postgraduate module after using Turnitin as their standard way of submitting work and getting feedback. Overall, students reacted positively towards the system. However, the study also found evidence of a group of students who were less positive, which seemed to be a result of their insecurity about how to quote correctly.
Antimicrobial Ellagitannin of Punica granatum Fruits

The ethyl acetate extract of Punica granatum fruits was fractionated by chromatographic techniques to afford the ellagitannin punicalagin. The substance was found to be active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and was identified by HPLC/UV and 1HNMR. The antibacterial assays which guided the isolation of the tannin were conducted using the disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the dilution method according to NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) procedure.
Potential use of Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) in alley cropping in the low rainfall-cropping zone of northwest Syria

This study was conducted in farmers’ fields in northern Syria to determine whether introduction of Mediterranean saltbush (Atriplex halimus L.) in barley fields could increase feed quantity without jeopardizing barley grain production. Seven representative farmers were selected and barley (cv. Arabi Aswad) was planted between the rows of Mediterranean saltbush. Each field has a control selected randomly where only barley was planted. The barley grain yield was increased by 25% when associated with rows of Mediterranean saltbush. There was a significant variation in barley yields with distance from the hedgerows, and no interactions with the site. The soil moisture at a depth of 35–55 cm also showed significant variation with distance from hedgerows.
INFECTION DEVELOPMENT AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

SUMMARY The response of mycorrhizal infection to changes in inoculum density was similar in form for Glomus tenuis and Glomus monosporus. Nevertheless, G. tenuis produced considerably more infection per propagule unit than did G. monosporus, probably due to a greater ability of G. tenuis to produce secondary infection points. When mixed inocula of the two fungi were used, both the time of harvest and the frequency of each fungus in the inoculum influenced the competitive effects. Glomus tenuis was slow to form infection points, and was less aggressive than G. monosporus at 12- and 24-day harvests. By 36 days the two fungi were equally aggressive and the amount of infection produced by each fungus was directly proportional to its frequency in the inoculum.
Leaf fluctuating asymmetry of Holm oak in response to drought under contrasting climatic conditions

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) can be defined as small, random deviations from bilateral symmetry in structures that, typically, are bilaterally symmetrical. In plants, FA has been used as a tool for monitoring levels of ecological stress. In this work, I analyse the FA response to drought in the Holm oak (Quercus ilex) in SE Spain, to test whether FA increases or diminishes when climatic conditions are more stressful. Leaves from three different cohorts, corresponding to one drought year (1995) and two wet years (1996 and 1997) were collected at five sites contrasting in rainfall conditions, from very low to rather high rainfall. In two of the zones, two different morphs of leaves were collected. Furthermore, one of the sites was chosen close to a river, to examine the effect of water enhancement in the trees during drought and post-drought conditions. The results revealed no differences in response to drought in terms of FA between leaf morphs. However, while plants from rainy sites showed a decline in leaf FA from drought to wet years, the water-enhanced site and the dry sites showed scant or negligible differences between years. There was a significant decrease in FA from rainy sites to dry sites. These results suggest that (1) plants living in the more stressful sites are more symmetrical, (2) the more symmetrical plants respond less to yearly variations in drought stress, and (3) the response to yearly variations in drought depend on the climatic conditions in which a tree is living.
A Phylogeny of Piptochaetium (Poaceae: Pooideae: Stipeae) and Related Genera Based on a Combined Analysis Including Trnl-f, Rpl16, and Morphology

Abstract The tribe Stipeae occurs in temperate and warm temperate grasslands of Eurasia, Australia, and America. Although generic circumscription within the tribe has recently undergone significant changes, the American genus Piptochaetium has been clearly defined by morphological and anatomical characters. It includes 36 species and 2 varieties, most of them widely distributed in temperate grasslands of South America. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in Piptochaetium and allied genera of the Stipeae, in order to test the monophyly of the genus, re-examine infrageneric taxa, and analyze relationships among species of this genus and allied genera of Stipeae. Two chloroplast molecular markers, trnL-F and rpl16, as well as morphology were used. Topology between morphological and molecular data mainly differs in the relationships of Piptochaetium with Anatherostipa and Piptatherum. Molecular and combined analyses yielded two major clades in the tribe: the x = 11 Clade with Piptochaetium, Aciachne, Anatherostipa, and Jarava vaginata, and the Aneuploid Clade with Jarava, Nassella, and Piptatherum. Monophyly of Piptochaetium was confirmed by morphological and total evidence (morphology and DNA data) analyses. Monophyly of sect. Podopogon, sect. Piptochaetium and Nassella were only supported by the total evidence analysis. Circumscription of Jarava is also discussed.
Una nueva especie de Spheniscus, aves: spheniscidae de la formación Pisco, Perú

Skulls and postcranial elements of a new Spheniscus species are described from the late Miocene and early Pliocene of the Pisco Formation, on the south-central coast of Peru. This new species is characterized by its great size and its broad anterior rostrum with a dorsoventral curve; relatively longer neurocranium than that found in extant species; and its sligthtly smaller size than in the S. megaramphus. The adaptative value of observed characters is briefly discussed.
Innate immune genes distinguish the immune microenvironment of early onset colorectal cancer

Despite a decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the last 40 years, the incidence of CRC in people under 50 years old is increasing around the globe. Early onset ([≤]50 years old) and late onset ([≥]65 years old) CRC appear to have differences in their clinicopathological and genetic features, but it is unclear if there are differences in the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that the immune microenvironment of early onset CRC is distinct from late onset CRC and promotes tumor progression. We used Nanostring immune profiling to analyze mRNA expression of immune genes in FFPE surgical specimens from patients with early (N=40) and late onset (N=39) CRC. We found three genes, SAA1, C7, and CFD, have increased expression in early onset colorectal cancer and distinct immune signatures based on the tumor location. After adjusting for clinicopathological features, increased expression of CFD and SAA1 were associated with worse progression free survival and increased expression of C7 was associated with worse overall survival. Our data demonstrate that the immune microenvironment in early onset CRC is unique, location dependent, and associated with worse outcomes.
Gibberellins control Arabidopsis hypocotyl growth via regulation of cellular elongation

GA-signalling mutants of Arabidopsis, have provided insights into the mechanisms of GA action (Swain and The gibberellins (GAs) are endogenous regulators of Olszewski, 1996; Harberd et al., 1998; Ogas, 1998). plant growth. Experiments are described here that test However, the eVects of GA on growth and development the hypothesis that GA regulates hypocotyl growth by have not been studied in Arabidopsis to the same extent altering the extent of hypocotyl cell elongation. These as have GA-responses in other species. experiments use GA-deficient and altered GA-res- In this paper detailed investigations of the role played ponse mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heyhn. It is by GA in the regulation of Arabidopsis hypocotyl growth shown that GA regulates elongation, in both light- and are described. Arabidopsis hypocotyl elongation is often dark-grown hypocotyls, by influencing the rate and used as a model for the genetic analysis of signalling final extent of cellular elongation. However, light- and pathways, such as those for light and ethylene ( Whitelam dark-grown hypocotyls exhibit markedly different GA and Harberd, 1994; Ecker, 1995; von Arnim and Deng, dose‐response relationships. The length of dark-grown 1996). Thus an improved understanding of the GAhypocotyls is relatively unaffected by exogenous GA, regulation of hypocotyl growth will add to the emerging whilst light-grown hypocotyl length is significantly picture of how plant growth is regulated via a complex increased by exogenous GA. Further analysis suggests network of internal and external factors. that GA control of hypocotyl length is close to satura- The Arabidopsis hypocotyl is of embryonic origin and tion in dark-grown hypocotyls, but not in light-grown is derived from the topmost of three cell layers, known hypocotyls. The results show that a large range of as the ‘low lower tier’, which are apparent at the early
Long-Axis In-Plane Approach Versus Short-Axis Out-of-Plane Approach for Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheterization in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial*

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of posterior wall puncture between the long-axis in-plane and the short-axis out-of-plane approaches in a randomized controlled trial of pediatric patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery under general anesthesia. Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Setting: Operating room of Osaka Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Patients: Pediatric patients less than 5 years old who underwent cardiovascular surgery. Interventions: Ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization using the long-axis in-plane approach and short-axis out-of-plane approach. Measurements and Main Results: The occurrence of posterior wall puncture was compared between the long-axis in-plane and short-axis out-of-plane approaches for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization. Patients were randomly allocated to a long-axis group or a short-axis group and underwent ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization in the internal jugular vein using either the long-axis in-plane approach (long-axis group) or the short-axis out-of-plane approach (short-axis group). After exclusion, 97 patients were allocated to the long-axis (n = 49) or short-axis (n = 48) groups. Posterior wall puncture rates were 8.2% (4/49) and 39.6% (19/48) in the long-axis and short-axis groups, respectively (relative risk, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.076–0.56; p = 0.0003). First attempt success rates were 67.3% (33/49) and 64.6% (31/48) in the long-axis and short-axis groups, respectively (relative risk, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.78–1.39; p = 0.77). Overall success rates within 20 minutes were 93.9% (46/49) and 93.8% (45/48) in the long-axis and short-axis groups, respectively (relative risk, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.90–1.11; p = 0.98). Conclusions: The long-axis in-plane approach for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization is a useful technique for avoiding posterior wall puncture in pediatric patients, compared with the short-axis out-of-plane approach.
Health effects of air pollution: a Southern European perspective

Abstract Objective To summarize the main updated evidence about the health effects of air pollution, with a special focus on Southern Europe. Data sources Literature was obtained through PubMed Central and the official websites of European Agencies and Scientific Societies. Study selection Recent shreds of evidence about the health effects of air pollution coming from international reports and original research were collected and described in this review. Results Air pollution is an avoidable risk factor that causes a huge burden for society, in terms of death, health disorders, and huge socio-economic costs. The southern European countries face a more threatening problem because they experience the effects of both anthropogenic pollutants and natural dusts (particulate matter [PM]). The European Environment Agency reported the number of premature deaths in the 28 countries of the European Union attributable to air pollutant exposure in the year 2016: 374,000 for PM2.5, 68,000 for nitrogen dioxide, and 14,000 for ozone. In Italy, time series and analytical epidemiological studies showed increased cardio-respiratory hospital admissions and mortality, as well as increased risk of respiratory diseases in people living in urban areas. Conclusions Based on abundant evidence, the World Health Organization, which hosts the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), the scientific respiratory societies, and the patients’ associations, as well as others in the health sector, must increase their engagement in advocacy for clean air policies.
Telemedicine approach for psoriasis management, time for application? A systematic review of published studies

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It has a chronic course with multiple evolving relapses and patients require long‐term treatment and follow‐up. Teledermatology was introduced for diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of chronic diseases. Thus, we performed a systematic review for collecting the evidence regarding the efficacy of telemedicine in psoriasis management. Out of 287 records, we included seven studies (four of which were randomized controlled trials). We found that telemedicine alone or combined with usual care had the same or higher efficacy of psoriasis management compared to usual care or control group. We recommend further studies for assessing the pros and cons of this intervention which can replace conventional strategies especially in pandemic times.
Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness explain the associations of COVID‐19 social and economic consequences to suicide risk

Abstract Objective The social and economic consequences of COVID‐19 and related public health interventions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus have been proposed to increase suicide risk. However, no research has examined these relations. This study examined the relations of two COVID‐19 consequences (i.e., stay‐at‐home orders and job loss) to suicide risk through thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and loneliness. Method Online data from a nationwide community sample of 500 adults (mean age = 40) from 45 states were collected between March 27 and April 5, 2020. Participants completed measures assessing thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, loneliness, and suicide risk, as well as whether they (a) were currently under a stay‐at‐home order and (b) had experienced a recent job loss due to the pandemic. Results Results revealed a significant indirect relation of stay‐at‐home order status to suicide risk through thwarted belongingness. Further, whereas recent job loss was significantly correlated with suicide risk, neither the direct relation of job loss to suicide risk (when accounting for their shared relations to perceived burdensomeness) nor the indirect relation through perceived burdensomeness was significant. Conclusions Results highlight the potential benefits of interventions targeting thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness to offset suicide risk during this pandemic.
Patterns of oral anticoagulation use with cardioversion in clinical practice

Background Cardioversion is common among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesised that novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) used in clinical practice resulted in similar rates of stroke compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) for cardioversion. Methods Using the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation II, patients with AF who had a cardioversion, follow-up data and an AF diagnosis within 6 months of enrolment were identified retrospectively. Clinical outcomes were compared for patients receiving a NOAC or VKA for 1 year following cardioversion. Results Among 13 004 patients with AF, 2260 (17%) underwent cardioversion. 1613 met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. At the time of cardioversion, 283 (17.5%) were receiving a VKA and 1330 (82.5%) a NOAC. A transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) was performed in 403 (25%) cardioversions. The incidence of stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) at 30 days was the same for patients having (3.04 per 100 patient-years) or not having (3.04 per 100 patient-years) a TOE (p=0.99). There were no differences in the incidence of death (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.28, p=0.61), cardiovascular hospitalisation (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.35, p=0.91), stroke/TIA (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.30 to 4.74, p=0.81) or bleeding-related hospitalisation (HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.66 to 2.52, p=0.45) at 1 year for patients treated with either a NOAC or VKA. Conclusions Cardioversion was a low-risk procedure for patients treated with NOAC, and there were statistically similar rates of stroke/TIA 30 days after cardioversion as for patients treated with VKA. There were no statically significant differences in death, stroke/TIA or major bleeding at 1 year among patients treated with NOAC compared with VKA after cardioversion.
Antibacterial activity of a novel quinone from the leaves of Pergularia daemia (Forsk.), a traditional medicinal plant

The antibacterial activity of an extract from Pergularia daemia leaves was tested against pathogenic bacteria. The test organisms were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract was determined using the disc diffusion method and the MIC of the isolated compound was tested by the broth microdilution method. The crude extract showed activity against Bacillus subtilis (15 mm) Staphylococcus aureus (17 mm) and Proteus vulgaris (20 mm). Minimum inhibitory concentrations for the ethyl acetate crude extract were determined against Staphylococcus aureus (300 µg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (200 µg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (500 µg/ml). The active extract was separated by column chromatography and six fractions were collected. Fraction V yielded a new compound, 6-(4, 7 dihydroxy-heptyl) quinone, which showed antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were recorded against Staphylococcus aureus (75 µg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (50 µg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (100 µg/ml). The crude ethyl acetate extract of Pergularia daemia and the compound isolated from this exhibited activity against the tested bacteria.
Comparative study of topical steroids vs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to control post-cataract surgery inflammation.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% in comparison with topical steroids following phacoemulsification cataract surgery, while specifically looking at differences in visual acuities, anterior chamber reaction, and central retinal thickness changes. SETTING Mission Nethralaya, India. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, investigator-masked, comparative clinical trial. METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: In Group I bromfenac was prescribed 3 times a day for 1 month; in Group II prednisolone acetate 1% eye suspension was prescribed 4 times a day for 1 month; and in Group III prednisolone acetate 1% was prescribed 4 times a day for 2 weeks and bromfenac 2 times a day for 1 month. All patients received anti-infective preoperative and postoperative standards of care. Study visit assessments included corrected distance visual acuity, biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, adverse events, and concomitant medication review. Optical coherence tomography was performed on postoperative days 7, 21, and 60. RESULTS Each group included 150 eyes. All treatment groups had similar baseline measurements. There was a significant difference in anterior chamber reaction observed between Group I and Group II (P < 0.001) and Group I and Group III (P < 0.001) on postoperative days 1 and 7. On postoperative day 21, thickening of the central fovea was observed in Group II as compared with Group I and Group III. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The combination of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids resulted in positive clinical outcomes following cataract surgery.
On the locomotion of ascidian tadpole larvae

This paper describes the locomotor movements of the tadpole larvae of the ascidians Ciona and Dcndrodoa and the associated electrical activity of the caudal muscle cells. Although very different in size and trunk shape, both larvae show essentially the same two movement patterns; symmetrical swimming and asymmetrical tail flicks. Swimming movements at tailbeat frequencies up to 40 Hz and forward speeds up to 10 L s (in the Reynold's number range 5·25) involve large lateral movements of the tail, and large yaw of the trunk. Tail oscillations are produced by muscle cells arranged in three segmented rows along the tail, coupled by gap junctions. Swimming is driven by axons innervating anterior ventral muscle cells. The second type of movement, single or multiple tail flicks, is driven by axons innervating dorsal muscle cells, all of which are innervated along the length of the tail. The middle row of muscle cells is not innervated. This small scale oscillatory swimming system is compared with those of chordates and larvacean tunicates, and it is concluded that both of these are very different from that of the ascidian tadpole.
Community-acquired pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Chinese adult

Abstract Rationale: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been established as an important cause of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with very high mortality. Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) producing MRSA has been reported to be associated with necrotizing pneumonia and worse outcome. The incidence of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) pneumonia is very low, as only a few CA-MRSA pneumonia cases were reported in the last few years. We present a case of severe CAP caused by PVL-positive MRSA with ensuing septic shock. Patient concerns: A 68-year-old male with no concerning medical history had developed a fever that reached 39.0°C, a productive cough that was sustained for 5 days, and hypodynamia. He was treated with azithromycin and alexipyretic in a nearby clinic for 2 days in which the symptoms were alleviated. However, 1 day later, the symptoms worsened, and he was taken to a local Chinese medicine hospital for traditional medicine treatment. However, his clinical condition deteriorated rapidly, and he then developed dyspnea and hemoptysis. Diagnosis: CA-MRSA pneumonia and septic shock. The sputum culture showed MRSA. Polymerase chain reaction of MRSA isolates was positive for PVL genes. Interventions: Mechanical ventilation, fluid resuscitation, and antibiotic therapy were performed. Antibiotic therapy included mezlocillin sodium/sulbactam sodium, linezolid, and oseltamivir. Outcomes: He died after 12 hours of treatment. Lessons: This is a report of severe pneumonia due to PVL-positive CA-MRSA in a healthy adult. CA-MRSA should be considered a pathogen of severe CAP, especially when combined with septic shock in previously healthy individuals.