Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of endodontic treatment on salivary levels of CGRP and substance P: a pilot study

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of endodontic treatment on levels of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the saliva of patients with symptomatic apical periodontitis. Materials and Methods Twelve patients with mandibular molars with symptomatic apical periodontitis were enrolled in this study. An initial saliva sample was collected just before administration of anesthesia for root canal treatment, which was performed at the first visit. A second saliva sample was collected at a control visit 1 week after treatment. Salivary SP and CGRP levels were evaluated quantitatively using biochemical assays. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, the paired samples t-test, and the Mann-Whitney U test (p = 0.05). Results The postoperative salivary level of SP was significantly lower than the preoperative level (p = 0.005). However, the postoperative salivary level of CGRP was similar to the preoperative level (p = 0.932). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores of patients' subjective pain were found to be positively correlated with salivary levels of SP (r = 0.421; p = 0.040). No statistically significant correlations were observed between salivary levels of CGRP and VAS scores for patients' subjective percussion tenderness (p = 0.533) or VAS scores for patients' subjective pain (p = 0.459). Conclusions According to the results of the present study, salivary SP levels may be used as an objective indicator in the diagnosis and assessment of the degree of pain in endodontic diseases. Trial Registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: TCTR20161228001
FREQUENCY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND RISK FACTORS RELATED TO CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN UNDER 5–YEAR OLD HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN DUE TO DIARRHEA

Background: Recently Cryptosporidium has gained much attention as a clinically human pathogen in immunocompromised cases and young children. This study investigated frequency and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in under 5–year old children. Patients and methods: Stools were examined by ELISA method to detect Cryptosporidium surface antigen (CSA) using Remel Prospect Cryptosporidium (monoclonal) Microplate Assay. Stool samples were collected from children at admission and were kept at –70oC until examination. Data were collected by a standard questionnaire and analysed in Epi info 2002 software. Results: Of 171 children, 8(5%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. Most of the cases (6 cases) aged 2-12 months. Boys were more frequently infected than girls (p<0.05). Meanwhile, cryptosporidiosis was associated with less breastfeeding and lower birth weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results revealed that the frequency of cryptosporidiosis was similar to other parts of the world. Similarly, lower birth weight, less breast-feeding and male gender were associated with a higher frequency of cryptosporidiosis.
The effects of the rhizocephalan parasites Peltogaster paguri Rathke and Gemmosaccus sulcatus (Lilljeborg) on five species of paguridan hosts (Crustacea Decapoda)

Abstract The influence of rhizocephalan parasites on the external and internal morphology of their paguridan hosts was investigated in Anapagurus laevis, Pagurus prideauxii, and P. cuanensis infested by Gemmosaccus sulcatus, and in A. laevis, P. bernhardus, P. prideauxii, and P. pubescens infested by Peltogaster paguri. Parasitic castration, very often in combination with a modification of the secondary sex characters, was observed in all host species. The modifications of the secondary male characters mainly comprised a feminization of the pleopods through a prolongation of their endopodites, and sometimes also a development of an “extra pleopod” on the 2nd abdominal segment. In female hosts a retarded development of the pleopods, resulting in retention of the juvenile structure, was noted. The effects on the generative system were generally very profound. The male copulatory organ was often completely reduced in A. laevis, and in most species the gonopores were more or less affected. Entirely degenerate.
顔の物理的特徴，相貌印象，再認記憶の関係

本研究は，顔の物理的特徴，相貌印象，再認記憶の因果関係について分析することを目的とした．顔画像を対象に，顔の物理的特徴の計測，SD法による印象評定実験，再認記憶実験を行い，その結果得られた特徴の計測値の主成分得点，因子得点，Aプライム値を用いて，相関分析，偏相関分析，分散分析を行った．分析の結果，再認記憶への影響の及ぼし方として，顔の物理的特徴が相貌印象を形成し，その印象が再認記憶に寄与するというルートと，物理的特徴が相貌印象に関係なく，直接再認記憶に寄与するというルートの2つのルートがあることが明らかになった．さらに，相貌印象では個性の印象が再認記憶に寄与すること，物理的特徴では口やあごに関する特徴が寄与することが明らかになった．
Significance of Soil Organic Matter to Soil Quality and Health

Soil Quality, Soil Health, and Ecosystem Functions 1 Soil Quality Indicators, Perceptions, and Indices 2 Nature and Composition of SOM 3 Levels of SOC Accumulation in Relation to Global Greenhouse Effects 5 Influences on SOM Accumulation 6 Environmental Influences 6 Soil Management Practices That Influence the Balance between C Gains and Losses 9 SOM Influences on SQ Indicator Properties and Functions 10 Physical Properties Influenced by SOM 10 Soil Aggregation 11 Soil Water Availability 15 Chemical Soil Properties Influenced by Organic Matter 18 Nutrient Storage and Release 18 Microbial Enhancement of Nutrient Availability 20 Cation Exchange Capacity 20 Sorption of Organic Compounds 21 Anion Sorption 22 Metal Mobility 22 Soil pH Buffering and Amelioration 23 Growth-Regulating Substances 23 Biological Properties 24 Influence of Organic Residues and SOM Management on Crop Pests 28 Pools of Soil Organic Carbon 28 Relationship of SOM with Soil Productivity and Crop Yields 33 Conclusions 34 References 36
Physico-chemical and microbiological profile of bacterial and fungal isolates of Ikpoba River in Benin City: Public health implications

This study examined the physico-chemical and microbiological profile of bacterial and fungal isolates of Ikpoba River between February 2013 and March 2013. The mean bacterial count for upstream water sample obtained in February was 2 × 10 2 ±1 cfu/ml while 1.09 × 10 4 ±3.6 was the count for treated industrial effluent sample collected in March. The mean fungal counts for the downstream water sample in February was 2 ×10 2 ±1 cfu/ml while the count collected at the point of discharge of effluent into the river in March was 2.0 ×10 3 ±7 cfu/ml. There was a significant statistical difference observed in the mean bacterial and fungal counts (P<0.05). The total coliform counts recorded for samples obtained from downstream was 2 MPN/105 ml while 20 MP/ 105 ml was for sample collected at the point of effluent discharge respectively. Several bacterial and fungal genera were isolated from the River water samples. Water samples collected upstream and downstream points on the river were colorless while samples collected at the point of effluent discharge were light brown in color. The mean pH, turbidity and conductivity of the respective samples ranged from 5.63±0.05 to 6.78±0.05, 4.1±0.21 to 6.81±0.55 NTU and 3.3±0.25 to 73.3±6.56 μs/cm. The biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) varied from 2.6±0.5 to 305.19±43.2 mg/l, 5.5±0.3 to 6.1±0.6 mg/l and 15.8±0.6 to 883.8±28.5 mg/l respectively. The quality of Ikpoba River is being negatively impacted by the disposal of effluent as well as human activities around the area rendering the water unsafe for consumption. Keywords: Physico-chemical, microbiological profile, bacterial, fungal isolates
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIOLOGY OF CUTTLEFISH SEPIELLA INERMIS AT MANDAPAM

Sepiella inermis was found to grow to a size of 50 mm at the end of first year and 80 mm of mantle length at the end of second year. The size at first sexual maturity is 50 mm for males and 31 mm for females. Prawns were the main item of food of the species
Spatialising crop models

There are many incentives for applying a crop model at a regional scale, i.e. over an area larger than that for which it has been developed. This is what we call “spatialising” a crop model. These large areas can have very heterogeneous soil, climate and management practices. Consequently, spatialising a crop model can pose serious problems. One set arises from the fact that the basic concepts, hypotheses and validity domains of crop models are derived at the plot scale and may not apply at a larger scale. Another set arises from the lack of adequate and sufficient data to run the model at a regional scale. The workshop held in Toulouse (France) on 14–15 January 2002 dealt with the topic of spatialising crop models. The present paper is a comprehensive summary of the thoughts we had before, during and after the workshop.
Small‐Scale Features of Gravity‐Driven Flow in Unsaturated Fractures

Liquid flow through unsaturated fractures often proceeds as fingers or preferential flow paths. During the invasion of liquid fingers into an initially dry, nonhorizontal fracture, fingers may drain, forming a narrow thread of liquid called a rivulet that connects to a wider portion of liquid at the advancing front, defined as a blob. Experimental studies using idealized fractures were performed to investigate the effects of wettability, surface roughness, and aperture size on several important features of gravity‐driven flow in fractures: liquid drainage, blob migration, and rivulet flow. The experiments demonstrate that the critical length of the blob before drainage occurred was significantly longer on surfaces with intermediate wettability and on surfaces with roughness on the order of 100 μm than on a smooth, flat water‐wetting surface. However, drainage did not occur on surfaces with smaller‐scale roughness on the order of 10 μm. Blob velocities were also measured and were always less than the saturated gravity‐driven flow velocity, even when a liquid with a static contact angle of zero was used. This reduction in velocity was attributed to contact angle hysteresis. Rivulet widths measured as a function of flow rate between glass and acrylic parallel plates were generally larger on the acrylic plates than the glass plates for a particular flow rate, demonstrating the sensitivity of rivulet flow to wettability. In addition, the cubic law overpredicted the measured rivulet widths, except for the widths measured between the acrylic plates at 20°. The effect of aperture variability on rivulet flow was also examined. At a critical aperture ranging between 0.25 and 0.37 mm, the liquid in the rivulet did not completely span the aperture, forming two streamlets of liquid on either side of the fracture.
Shell Quality and Color Variation in Broiler Breeder Eggs

Abstract Hatching egg producers have often wondered if there could be a relationship between eggshell color and shell quality. In this experiment, eggshell color, specific gravity, and other shell quality characteristics were recorded in broiler breeders to determine the significance of variation in shell color on eggshell quality. Eggs were collected from four strains of birds (Avian 24K, Cobb 500, Hubbard Hi-Y, and Shaver Starbro) on three feeding programs (ad libitum, fast feed, and slow feed). Image-analysis software was used to assess shell color. A possible relationship between shell color and shell quality appeared with ad libitum feeding. The darker brown the eggshell, the higher the specific gravity and thus the greater the shell quality. While this correlation was small, it was highly significant. Strain appeared to have a greater effect on shell color than did feeding treatment. However, a relationship between shell color and shell quality, similar to that found in the ad libitum-fed birds, was not apparent.
The Emerging Era of Customer Advocacy

For decades, companies relied on push marketing to sell their products and services. Then, in the 1990s, the emphasis shifted to relationship marketing, as slogans such as ? delight your customers? became the mantra of many marketers. But those tactics have been losing their effectiveness, particularly as the power of customers continues to grow. Thanks to digital technologies like the Internet, today? s increasingly educated consumers expect companies to do more than just delight them. In response, innovative companies are now trying a different approach: They are providing customers with open, honest and complete information, and then finding the best products for them ? even if those offerings are from competitors. In short, they are truly representing their customers? best interests, essentially becoming advocates for them. The strategy is this: If a company advocates for its customers, they will reciprocate with their trust, loyalty and purchases ? either now or in the future. The firm might then command higher prices for its products and services, as many customers will be willing to pay for the extra value. And when people trust a company, they will often tell others about it, helping to reduce the organization? s costs for acquiring new customers.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF ANNONA MURICATA LINN ON SOME EARLY EVENTS IN CYCAS-INDUCED COLORECTAL CARCINOGENESIS IN RATS

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Annona muricata, ELAM on some early changes in cycas-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. 7 groups of male Wistar rats (10 rats /group) were used. Groups were fed either mash alone or mash mixed with 5 % (w/w) cycas leaf powder. ELAM (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered before, simultaneously with, or after exposure to 5 % (w/w) cycas, for 30 days. After sacrifice, colon sections were dissected out for histological and some biochemical analysis. Results showed that cycas alone caused significant decreases in colon total protein (p <0.05), but administration of cycas with ELAM (irrespective of which came first) led to reversal of these decreases, with colon protein restored to levels higher than values for controls. Cycas-induced increases in LDH were significantly (p <0.05) reduced by ELAM. Colon SOD, catalase and GPx activities were significantly decreased in the group fed cycas, while these enzymes were significantly increased above control values in the groups fed both cycas and ELAM (p <0.05). In addition, the cycas-treated group had significant elevation of colon MDA, but MDA levels were significantly lowered in the groups fed cycas and ELAM. Histology results revealed early cancer-related morphological changes in the cycas group, including mucosal erosion, oedema and glandular hyperplasia. These lesions were absent in the groups given ELAM and cycas, irrespective of the duration of ELAM exposure. These results demonstrate evidence for protective role of ELAM in early biochemical events associated with colorectal carcinogenesis in rats.
Small rivers behave like large rivers: effects of postglacial history on plant species richness along riverbanks

Similarity in longitudinal patterns of vascular plant species richness along riverbanks was tested by com- paring two small and two large, unimpounded rivers empty- ing into the Gulf of Bothnia in northern Sweden. Simply put, we asked whether small rivers behave like pieces or like miniatures of large rivers. All rivers exhibited a peak in species richness at the point where the rivers begin to cut down into sediments deposited during a higher coastal stage 9200 BP. This result supports the hypothesis that plant communities along riverbanks, irrespective of size, are given a similar shape by the postglacial history of the land- scape. The mechanisms producing such similarity may relate to intermediate disturbance, maximum heterogeneity, or immigration history.
Reducing the cost of beef production through genetic improvement in residual feed intake: Opportunity and challenges to application 1

There is considerable individual animal variation in feed intake above and below that expected or predicted on the basis of size and growth rate. This difference in intake is calculated as residual (or net) feed intake (RFI). Genetic variation in RFI of beef cattle exists both during growth (slaughter generation and replacement females; heritability estimates since 1996 range from 0.16 to 0.43) and in adult cattle (the breeding herd; the one published heritability estimate is 0.23). Evidence shows that selection for lower RFI measured postweaning will lead to a decrease in feed intake by young cattle and by cows, with no compromise in growth performance or increase in cow size. Results from a single generation of divergent selection on postweaning RFI between 8 to 12 mo of age demonstrated favorable correlated changes in average daily feed intake (9.2 ± 0.2 vs. 9.8 ± 0.2 kg/d), RFI (−0.20 ± 0.11 vs. 0.17 ± 0.10 kg/d), and feed:gain ratio (F:G; 7.0 ± 0.2 vs. 7.6 ± 0.2 kg/kg) in Angus feedlot steers. In Angus cattle, the genetic correlation between postweaning RFI with av- erage daily feed intake by the cow is high (0.64), and
Combining Ability for Yield and its Components in Chickpea

Combining ability analysis was made using a diallel cross of eight chickpea lines. It was noted that both additive and non-additive type of gene action were important for seed yield, 100-grain weight, seeds per pod and pods per plant with the preponderance of additive type of gene action. However, for the number of primary and secondary branches only additive type of gene action was presc nt. The parents T3 and L 345 were the best general combiners for seed yield, pods per plant and number of primary and secondary branches, and L 144 for 100-grain weight. Normal pedigree method for the exploitation of additive genetic variability and the diallel selective mating system for population building have been suggested for improvement of this crop.
Plant parasitic nematodes associated with vegetable growing greenhouses in Southeastern Anatolia Region, Turkey

In this study, plant parasitic nematodes determined in greenhouses of vegetables growing in some provinces of the Southeastern Anatolia Region (Batman, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Siirt and Şanliurfa) were examined faunistically and taxonomically. Nematode species obtained from soil and root samples were measured and identified by preparing their permanent preparations. The descriptions, synonyms, possible variations, distribution, habitats and literature records of each species are presented in this study. As a result of the study, totally, 18 species belonging to 10 genera of 7 families of superfamilies, Tylenchoidea, Hoplolaimoidea and Anguinoidea of suborder, Tylenchina were determined. This was first recorded since there was no literature record regarding the nematodes in greenhouses of vegetables growing in The Southeastern Anatolia Region. The most common nematode species in this study are Ditylenchus destructor Thorne (54.54%),Pratylenchoides alkani Yuksel (42.42%), Geocenamus brevidens Allen (Siddiqi) (24.24%), Pratylenchus thornei Sher and Allen (21.21%) and Boleodorus thyllactus Thorne (18.0%), respectively. Key words: Southeastern Anatolia Region, Turkey, plant parasitic nematodes, nematafauna, vegetable, greenhouse.
Role of the Coach: Dream Keeper, Supporter, Friend.

As I sit at lunch to plan with my school's external reform coach, she asks me to describe my role as an on-site reform coach. We revisit my initial job description, which has clearly evolved. I have played the part of dream keeper, instructional leader, supporter, teacher, facilitator, friend, and reformer. As an onsite coach, I have had to adjust to the needs of those with whom I work and the dynamic nature of my school. Over these two years, I have come to realize that there are three important aspects to surviving and thriving as a coach: disposition, process, and prioritization.
Seed Selection in Some North American Finches

Food selection and feeding "strategies" have recently received considerable theoretical attention. The models of MacArthur and Pianka (1966), Emlen (1966, 1968) and Schoener (1969a, b) focus on the evolution of dietary specialists and generalists, and highlight the importance of the relationship between food preferences and harvest yield. One important measure (but not the only one, Rozin and Mayer 1961) of harvest yield is caloric intake: do "predators" (seed-eating birds in this case) prefer "prey" (seeds) of high caloric content, those providing the most calories per unit time, or does preferred "prey" have other characteristics? How does food selectivity change in response to food density, hunger levels, and metabolic stresses? Food preferences and degree of selectivity might also be expected to vary with the ability of an animal to handle different sizes of prey. In birds, it has frequently been shown, and is generally assumed, that larger-billed birds tend to take larger food items than their smaller-billed relatives. (Lack 1947; Morris 1955; Cade 1960; Hespenheide 1966; Myton and Ficken 1967; Newton 1967; and Holyoak 1.970) and may also take a wider range of food sizes (Snodgrass 1902; but see Bowman 1961; Newton, op. cit. ). The present study deals with seed selection of several species of finches in relation to bill size, seed-husking speed, seed size, caloric content, and rate of caloric intake under two temperature regimes in the laboratory. The data provide evidence relevant to the theoretical models and additional evidence regarding the closeness of the correlation between bill size and food-size preference.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PRODUCTION OF ODOR CAUSING COMPOUNDS FROM ANAEROBICALLY DIGESTED BIOSOLIDS

The main objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that bioavailable protein, and, more specifically, the sulfur-containing amino acids within the protein, can be degraded by proteolytic enzymes to produce odor causing compounds, mainly volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), during biosolids storage. Another objective of this research was to examine the factors that affect protein and amino acid content from different full-scale treatment processes. To achieve these objectives, samples of digester effluent and cake solids were collected at 11 different wastewater treatment plants in North America and the samples were analyzed for protein and amino acid content as well as general protein degrading enzyme activity. Ten of the plants used mesophilic anaerobic digestion and one plant used thermophilic anaerobic digestion. At the same time, cake samples were stored using headspace bottles, and the concentration of VSCs were measured using GC/MS and olfactometry measurements were made by a trained odor panel. The results showed the bound cake protein content from the different sites was well correlated with VSC production as well as the detection threshold (DT) measured by the odor panel. In addition, the sulfur containing amino acid, methionine, was very well correlated with the VSC concentration and well correlated with DT. Protein degrading enzyme activity was not well correlated to odorant production. Operational parameters such as solids retention time generally did not correlate well with the biochemical constituents. However, the total iron content of a digester was negatively correlated with the bound protein concentration, suggesting greater amounts of Fe in the biosolids decreased the amount of protein that could be extracted from the cake.
Effect of source and level of nitrogen on growth, flowering and yield in African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.)

A study on the effect of different sources of nitrogen and their levels on vegetative and floral behaviour of African marigold (Tagetes erecta Linn.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda was undertaken to find out the effective sources and levels of nitrogen for growth and flower production of marigold. Three levels of each Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Urea (150,200,250 kgtti) were applied in marigold. Experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. CAN at 250 kg/ha exhibited better results compared to other treatments. However, CAN proved superior over Urea and resulted in maximum plant height (46.33 cm), leaf number per plant (52.00) and plant spread (25.33 cm) with maximum number of flowers per plant (49.66), flower size (8.1 cm) and flower weight (14.93 g).