Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poor COVID-19 Preventive Practice among Healthcare Workers in Northwest Ethiopia, 2020

Background. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak affects the global social, economic, and political context and becomes a significant threat to healthcare providers who are among the exposed groups to acquire and transmit the disease while caring and treating patients. It is crucial to comply with prevention recommendations so as to stay safe and protected. Therefore, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 preventive practice and associated factors among healthcare workers in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 630 healthcare workers in Northwest Ethiopia from March to April 2020. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pretested and structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered using Epi Info 7 and analyzed using STATA 16 statistical software. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to determine independent predictors of COVID-19 preventive practice. In multivariable analysis, a variable with a value of less than 0.05 was considered as statically significant. Result. Among 630 healthcare workers participated in the study, the overall good preventive practice towards COVID-19 was found to be 38.73% (95% CI: 34.8, 42.5). Being a male healthcare provider (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.10), having work experience of 6–10 years (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.23, 4.00), and having poor attitude towards COVID-19 (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.22) were found to be significantly associated with poor COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers. Conclusion. Overall compliance towards COVID-19 preventive practice among healthcare workers was found to be low. Multiple education and training platforms with focus on COVID-19 preventive measures and adequate personal protective equipment and supplies should be provided for healthcare providers.
Suitable reference genes for real-time quantitative PCR in Salsola laricifilia under five abiotic stresses

Salsola laricifolia, a typical C3-C4 intermediate desert plant, is an important for understanding gene evolution and mechanisms for drought resistance. The reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a preferred choice for gene expression studies, but it requires stable reference genes for normalization. Therefore, we tested the expression stability of five candidate reference genes in S. laricifolia: EF1α (elongation factor 1-α), ACT (actin), GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), TUB (tubulin), and 18S (18S ribosomal RNA). The expressions were tested in different tissues and under five stresses caused by abscisic acid (ABA), NaCl, NaHCO3, darkness, and osmotic stress (polyethylene glycol 6000, PEG). Four commonly used software programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) were used. The results show the following most stable reference genes: GAPDH for ABA and dark treatments; EF1a for NaCl, PEG; and all samples; TUB for NaHCO3; and 18S for the controls. The ACT was not ranked first in any group, and was the least stable reference gene under the dark, NaHCO3, and PEG. Moreover, pairwise analysis by the geNorm algorithm shows that two best reference genes were 18S and EF1a for the controls, GAPDH, and 18S for the ABA and dark treatments, EF1a and TUB for the NaCl treatment, TUB and 18S for the NaHCO3 treatment, EF1a and GAPDH for the PEG treatment, and EF1a and 18S for all samples. The reference genes for RT-qPCR in S. laricifolia identified in our study will facilitate future work on targeted gene expression.
Influence of organic cultivation on growth, yield and quality of Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. grossum)

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic manures on growth, yield, seed production and fruit quality of Bell Pepper. Among various treatment combinations, treatment T14 (FYM = 25 t ha−1, 120 kg Nitrogen, 90 kg Phosphorus and 30 kg potash ha−1) significantly increased the plant height (70.20 cm), plant spread (49.25 cm), number of fruits plant−1 (13.20), fruit length (5.90 cm) and fruit width (7.23 cm), average fruit weight (54.67 g), fruit yield plant−1 (0.723 kg), fruit yield plot−1 (17.333 kg), total fruit yield hectare−1 (256.807 q) and seed plant-1 (227.66) as compared to other treatments. T14 also recorded least number of days to first flowering (41.13), days to first fruit set (50.26) and days to first fruit harvest (78.00) after transplanting. However Treatment T7 (Vermicompost @ 12 t ha−1 + Azotobacter) recorded significantly higher vitamin C content (121.50 mg/100g), dry matter (10.16 g/100g), total chlorophyll content (161.083 mg/100g), total soluble solids (4.98°Brix) and total carotenoids (0.767mg/100g) of Capsicum fruits.
On the spectral properties of Non- selfadjoint Elliptic Differential Operators in Hilbert space

The non-self-adjoint operators appear in many branches of science, from kinetic theory and quantum mechanics to linearizations of equations of mathematical physics. Non-self-adjoint operators are usually difficult to study because of the lack of general spectral theory. In this paper, our aim is to study the resolvent and the spectral properties of a class of non-self-adjoint differential operators.
Seismicity in a Transpressional Volcanic Arc: The Liquiñe‐Ofqui Fault System in the Puyuhuapi Area, Southern Andes, Chile (44°S)

Understanding the relationship between crustal faults and volcanic activity in transpressional environments is a main goal in geosciences and could help to understand geothermal resources and evaluate geological hazards. In the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ), Chile, recorded seismicity is scarce, and few studies have evaluated the relationship between volcanic activity and crustal faults from seismic observations. Thus, in this study, we deployed a seismic network for almost 1 year to understand the brittle deformation of the upper crust within the Puyuhuapi area, located at ~44°S in the SVZ. We analyzed the location and kinematics of seismicity together with previously published field structural geological data. Considering these results, we developed an integrative tectonic model for the area and discussed which faults facilitate magma transport through the crust. Our results indicate the existence of two NNE‐oriented seismogenic dextral to dextral‐reverse regional faults that generate a duplex in a continental‐scale fault setting. Inside the duplex, we observed normal to strike‐slip normal focal mechanisms which recurrently have NE trending nodal planes. At a regional scale, a strike‐slip tectonic environment has a N60°E/18° shortening direction and a N151°E/03° extension direction. We conclude that stratovolcanoes are located inside the duplex in a local transtensional environment where NE oriented normal faulting may occur. These faults facilitate magma transport since they represent the preferential orientation for dilatational fractures. Conversely, in local transpressional environments such as the Puyuhuapi fault (NNE oriented dextral to dextral‐reverse kinematics), only minor eruptive centers of small volume are emplaced, suggesting a less productive magma transportation process.
Crown‐fire severity is more important than ground‐fire severity in determining soil fungal community development in the boreal forest

Wildfire shapes the structure, dynamic and functioning of boreal forests. With predicted warmer and drier summers, increased incidence and intensity of crown‐fires may affect plant–soil interactions with consequences for post‐fire fertility and forest productivity. We assessed how severity of crown‐ and ground‐fire in boreal pine forests affected post‐fire responses of soil fungal communities and their associated enzyme activities, and how variation in fire severity interacts with salvage (post‐fire) logging in impacting soil fungi. Crown fire‐induced tree mortality had a stronger impact on fungal biomass and community composition than did ground‐fire‐induced loss of soil organic matter. Severe crown‐fire led to replacement of ectomycorrhizal‐ and litter‐associated fungi by stress‐tolerant ascomycetes. Elevated activities of hydrolytic enzymes in burned areas were correlated with root‐associated ascomycetes and moulds, suggesting opportunistic exploitation of labile organic substrates. Fire did not, however, increase the abundance of more potent basidiomycete decomposers in the organic layer, nor did it enhance organic matter oxidation by fungal peroxidases, indicating that the potential for major post‐fire losses of carbon due to stimulated decomposition is limited. Rather, peroxidase activity was low in burned areas, likely reflecting the absence of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Post‐fire salvage logging induced larger shifts in fungal communities in areas with low crown‐fire severity. Synthesis. Historically, boreal pine forests have been shaped by low‐severity ground‐fires. Our study highlights a risk that increasing occurrence of high‐severity crown‐fire as climate warms will have detrimental effects on mycorrhizal‐mediated functions that are pivotal for maintaining organic matter turnover, soil fertility and forest resilience.
Comparative analysis between dynamic hip screw with trochanteric stabilisation plate and dynamic hip screw alone in the management of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures

Background: Intertrochanteric fractures of the femur are difficult to manage because of the complex patterns they present with. A dynamic hip screw (DHS) and a DHS supplemented with a trochanteric stabilisation plate (TSP) are among a variety of fixation methods used in the management of such injuries. We compared the efficacy of DHS with TSP to DHS alone in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures. Methods: 30 patients of intertrochanteric femur fractures (mean age 72 years) were included in the study, 14 were treated using DHS with TSP while 16 were treated using DHS alone, they were followed up till 16 weeks and the progress was recorded according to the parameters in the Salvati and Wilson score. Results: 14 patients were treated using DHS with TSP, 11 of them had excellent Salvati and Wilson scores, 3 patients recorded good scores, 11 patients were able to walk with no pain while 3 needed aids for walking due to pain, normal function was restored in 12 patients while very little restriction was seen in 2 patients Of the16 patients treated using DHS alone, 10 had excellent scores, 6 recorded a good score, 10 patients walked with no pain while 6 needed aids for walking due to pain, normal function was re-stored in 11 patients, very little restriction was seen in 4 patients while 1 patient had restricted nor-mal activity. Conclusions: DHS with TSP appears to provide better fixation and functional outcome in unstable inter trochanteric fractures over DHS alone.
Minimum inhibitory concentrations and resistance for selected antimicrobial agents (including imipenem, linezolid and tigecycline) of bacteria obtained from eye infections

Objective: To determine bacteria obtained from eye infections, both resistance and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, tigecycline, linezolid and imipenem, in vitro. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undergone with 50 samples from 50 eyes of patients diagnosed with keratitis or endophthalmitis, who came to a consultation at the Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander (Floridablanca, Colombia) from August to November 2014. The MICs of the isolated microorganisms were established through Etest® strips (BioMérieux SA, Marcy-l'Etoile - France). Results: Of the 50 samples in total, 17 different bacteria species or groups were isolated. The main isolate for gram-positives was Methicillin Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (17 samples), and for gram-negatives was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6 samples). The susceptibility percentages sorted from highest to lowest for gram-positive isolates (n=38) were: imipenem 90.3%, linezolid 87.9%, tigecycline 78.1%, gatifloxacin 68.8% and moxifloxacin 68.8%. For gram-negative isolates (n=12), they were: imipenem 72.7%, gatifloxacin 70%, moxifloxacin 66.7% (no reference cut-off points were found for Pseudomonas aeruginosa), tigecycline 22.2%, and linezolid 0% (as expected according to its inhibition spectrum). Conclusions: Although fourth generation fluoroquinolones are currently the preferred initial empirical monotherapy in our practice, given the increasing bacterial resistance, in cases in which gram-positive bacteria were isolated in the initial staining imipenem, linezolid or tigecycline could be used as an alternative. On the other hand, for cases of gram-negative bacteria, no antimicrobial susceptibility exceeded 80%, so using two antimicrobials looking for a synergy between them could be a better option. Abbreviations: S = Susceptibility, IS = Intermediate susceptibility, R = Resistance
Spider diversity across an elevation gradient in Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica

Throughout the Neotropics, temperature and precipitation change with elevation and these changes affect the assemblage of species at any particular elevation. We documented the diversity of litter‐inhabiting spiders, (Arachnida: Araneae) along a Costa Rican elevational gradient as it relates to covarying abiotic factors such as temperature and precipitation. The spiders we collected were principally unidentifiable juveniles, and so we used Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) derived from DNA barcodes as proxies for species‐level interim names. We contrasted these taxon‐based estimates with phylogenetic measures of alpha‐ and beta‐diversity derived from both the mitochondrial DNA barcode region and a multi‐gene phylogeny of spiders and found that neither the abundance nor the species richness of spiders was significantly correlated with elevation, temperature, or precipitation. However, we did find that spider assemblages in the upper elevation cloud forests were phylogenetically clustered, (and this pattern was unrelated to whether the phylogenetic patterns were derived mitochondrially or from a multi‐gene analysis). One standard explanation for such a pattern is that harsh abiotic conditions in higher elevation forests have selected for particular spider lineages; however, this remains to be tested fully. The diversity of leaf‐litter spider species we uncovered was high and further sampling of spider abundance and diversity across the ACG is likely to yield many new species.
The Prevalence of Oral Lesions among Palestinian Dental Patients Attending Oral Medicine Dental Clinics at Al-Quds University

Objectives: In Palestine, there are no data about the prevalence of oral lesions or their associated risk factors. Thus, this study came to assess the prevalence and the risk factors of oral lesions among adult dental patients visiting Al-Quds University (AQU) Dental Clinics. Materials and Methods: Three hundred Twenty patients were diagnosed clinically for the presence of oral lesions at oral medicine clinics at Al-Quds University in the period between 2015 to 2016. Their age ranged from 21 to 60 years old (mean age: 40.2 ± 17.6). Senior students were trained to conduct the oral exam under the direct supervision of Oral Medicine specialist. Trained students also collected data on patients’ demographics, dental history, medical history and other health related habits. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were generated to describe lesions prevalence and associations with other suggested factors. Results: A total of 68 lesions were found in this study (29.4% of study’s sample). Recurrent aphthous ulcer, traumatic ulcer and geographic tongue were the most common oral lesions. Ten oral potentially malignant lesions were diagnosed (8 cases were Leukoplakia, 2 cases were erythroplakia). Non filtered smoking cigarettes were associated with reported lesions. Oral lesions were noticed to increase with age. Oral lesions were more common on the Tongue, labial and buccal mucosain this study. Conclusions: This study revealed high prevalence of apthous and traumatic ulcer while potentially malignant lesions like leucoplakia and erythroplakia were also seen in patients who were smokers. Dentists should have a high level of awareness during oral examination and intervention should be performed to raise awareness among the population about the harmful effects of smoking on oral health.
EFFECTS OF GREEN MANURES AND NPK FERTILIZER ON SOIL PROPERTIES, TOMATO YIELD AND QUALITY IN THE FOREST-SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA

SUMMARY Green manures (GM) as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer offer considerable potential as a source of plant nutrients and organic matter (OM). Hence, field experiments were carried out during 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to compare impacts of GM and NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer on soil properties, growth, fruit yield, mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). GMs were composed by green tender stems and leaves of pawpaw (Carica papaya L.), neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. ) and applied at 5 Mg ha−1, whereas NPK was applied at 300 kg ha−1 and there was a no fertilizer plot (control). Application of GMs reduced soil bulk density and increased soil OM, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, growth, number of fruits and fruit yield of tomato compared with the control. NPK fertilizer had no effect on soil bulk density and soil OM, but it increased soil fertility and tomato yield as compared with the control. When comparing treatments, the highest tomato yield and best cost:benefit ratio were obtained with gliricidia as GM. The GMs and NPK fertilizer increased mineral, lycopene and vitamin C contents in tomato fruits and the highest K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, lycopene and vitamin C contents in tomato fruits were found with moringa as GM. Our results revealed that GM has potential to improve soil properties, tomato yield and quality, being an alternative for cropping management.
Usage Behaviors on Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp: Between-Group Analyses

The main objective of this research is to investigate usage behaviors of different age groups across popular social-media platforms and show what usage behavior is mostly utilized in each social media platform. A sample of 2,883 social media users was used to run a series of t-tests to support the research hypotheses. The findings show that young users (compared with old users) are more likely to use social media platforms for social and personal needs. In addition, across platform analyses indicate that users of WhatsApp (compared with Snapchat and Instagram) are more likely to use the platform for socially integrative needs (e.g., connecting with friends and family and talking), while Instagram and Snapchat users are more likely to use the platforms for affective needs (e.g., entertaining), personally integrative needs (e.g., enhancing self-expression and getting to know new people), tension release (e.g., escaping from boredom), and cognitive needs (e.g., seeking information). A more detailed analysis of age groups across the platforms are further discussed.
Variable survival ability of rhizobacteria in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) rhizosphere.

A study was undertaken to compare the survival efficacy of two native, previously characterized bacterial biovars viz. Bacillus subtilis BCU5 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PCU17 with Bacillus subtilis strain MTCC1789 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain MTCC4828, procured from Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh,India in cumin rhizosphere and bulk soil. All the four bacterial types were made rifampicin resistant and the mutants were applied as inoculants at the dosage of 6 log, 7 log and 8 log colony forming units (cfu) g-1 dry soil weight in pots containing cumin seedlings. The cfu of rhizosphere and bulk soil of pots was observed per week for four weeks. The results show that the initial population decline is a common feature of bioinoculants. In rhizosphere and bulk soil, the native bacterial biovars survived better than their procured counterparts. The population of P. fluorescens strain MTCC4828r in rhizosphere soil declined faster and reached below detection limit whereas the P. fluorescens biovar PCUr rhizosphere final population dropped to 3.1 log, 2.9 log and 2.13 log cfu g-1 soil dry weight with 8 log, 7 log and 6 log cfu g-1 soil dry weight inoculum treatment, respectively. In contrast to P. fluorescens strain MTCC4828r, the population of B. subtilis strain MTCC1789r stabilized after some decline and was comparable with B. subtilis biovar BCU5 population. Study concludes that the inoculant population decline in soil was the result of lower microbial load carrying capacity of soil than the provided inoculum densities. Also, the native bacteria survived better than procured ones in rhizosphere soil.
Mathematical Models for Leaf Area Estimates of Guava

The aim of this work was to compare methods of determining the leaf area of guava (leaf discs and scanned images) and to model leaf area as a function of linear dimensions. Four areas of guava ‘Paluma’ were selected (12, 15, 20 and 24 months of age) for the experiment in the municipality of Pedro Canário, ES, Brazil. We randomly collected samples from 15 plants in each area. Ten leaves were chosen among the lower, middle and upper thirds of each plant to ensure that leaves of all sizes were collected, for a total of 600 leaves. Subsequently, we determined the leaf area by the methods of digital imaging and leaf discs. Linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were used to compare the methods. Linear, quadratic and power models of leaf area, as a function of the length or width and/or the product of length and width were adjusted. The methods of leaf discs and scanned images are discordant. The method of digitised images was a better fit to the width of the leaf, while the method of leaf discs was a better fit for length.
Perceived Usefulness, Reputation, and Tutors' Advocate as Predictors of MOOC Utilization by Distance Learners: Implication on Library Services in Distance Learning in Eswatini'

Abstract This study investigated predictors of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) utilization by distance education librarians and drew out implications on library services in distance learning in Eswatini'. Eswatini is a small country in the Southern part of Africa where only a few studies on MOOCs have been conducted focusing on perceived usefulness, institutional reputation, and tutors/advocacy as they exert influence on MOOCs utilization. Therefore, a census of all available 41 librarians running distance education through MOOCs platform was taken as a sample for the study. The questionnaire was used for the collection of data while data collected from the respondents were analyzed using multiple correlation, ANOVA, and multiple regression. The results demonstrated that the three variables perceived usefulness, institutional reputation, and tutors’ advocacy had a significant positive impact on distance education librarians’ utilization of MOOCs and these have significant implications on library services provision in distance education and for distance learners.