Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF DIETARY SELENIUM ENRICHED MICRO-ALGAE SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ANTI- OXIDATIVE STATUS OF RABBITS UNDER HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IN SUMMER SEASON

his study was carried out to investigate the effect of different levels of dietary selenium enriched micro-algae supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical constituents, and anti-oxidative status of rabbits under Egyptian summer conditions. Total of 90 male growing New Zealand White rabbits, six weeks old with an average initial body weight 757.5 g were used in this study. Rabbits were randomly allocated to six experimental groups, with 15 rabbits in each group. The first was a control group, the other five groups offered feed containing, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5 mg Sealgae /kg diet, respectively. The results showed that final body weight and average body weight gain were not affected (P>0.05) by selenium enriched micro-algae supplementation. Feed contain Se-algae at 0.2 mg significantly (P<0.011) improved feed conversion ratio, the best feed conversion ratio (2.28 g feed/g gain). Treatment with Se-algae caused significant increase in serum total protein, and globulin concentration while reduce albumin concentration, rabbits fed diet supplemented with 0.1 and 0.2 mg Se-algae were the highest groups in High density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration (55.26 and 54.33 mg/dl, respectively). Dietary treatments with Se-algae significantly (P<0.0001) reduced total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total lipids. There was a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) as Se-algae supplementation increased, additionally, rabbit fed diets supplemented with 0.2 and 0.4 mg Se-algae were the highest in T-AOC, (3.28 and 3.19 mMol/L, respectively). Also, rabbit fed diet supplemented 0.2 mg Se-algae recorded the best serum GSH-Px, SOD and CAT (2.68, 47.04 and 640.67mU/ml, respectively). Dietary selenium enriched algae significantly (P<0.0001) reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), compared with the control group. As rabbit fed diet supplemented with 0.4 mg Se-algae achieved the best hot carcass weight (1498.79g), dressing (63.20%), edible giblets (3.80%) and total edible parts (67.02%). In conclusion, selenium enriched spirulina supplementation improved growth performance, anti-oxidative status and rabbit utilized Se more efficiently in spirulina as organic form of selenium under hot conditions. Accordingly, rabbit meat can be fortified with selenium through dietary supplementation of selenium enriched micro-algae.
Proteinuria, a marker of cardiovascular risks

The presence of CKD is a powerful predictor of adverse clinical outcomes.2,3 cardiovascular disease is by far the most common cause of death in dialysis-dependent and renal transplant patients. Only a small minority of the CKD population progress to endstage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), with death prior to RRT being far more common. A 2010 meta-analysis with data for over 1 million subjects reported that stage 3 CKD (eGFR<60mL/ minute/1.73m2) was associated with both cardiovascular and allcause mortality.4 In a systematic review of associations between non-dialysis-dependent CKD and mortality, Tonelli et al reported that the absolute risk of death increased exponentially with declining renal function.5 Even the earliest, clinically silent stages of CKD have been associated with major cardiovascular disease. In addition to reduced eGFR, ACR and dipstick positive proteinuria have also been associated with graded cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, acting as risk multipliers across all levels of renal function.6,7 In a large Canadian study, Hemmelgarn et al found that heavy proteinuria independently increased risk of death, myocardial infarction (MI) and progression of CKD in particular patient groups.8
Interference from alkenes in chemiluminescent NOx measurements

Abstract. Nitrogen oxides (NOx=NO+NO2) are critical intermediates in atmospheric chemistry and air pollution. NOx levels control the cycling and hence abundance of the primary atmospheric oxidants OH and NO3 and regulate the ozone production which results from the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. They are also atmospheric pollutants, and NO2 is commonly included in air quality objectives and regulations. NOx levels also affect the production of the nitrate component of secondary aerosol particles and other pollutants, such as the lachrymator peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN). The accurate measurement of NO and NO2 is therefore crucial for air quality monitoring and understanding atmospheric composition. The most commonly used approach for the measurement of NO is the chemiluminescent detection of electronically excited NO2 (NO2∗) formed from the NO + O3 reaction within the NOx analyser. Alkenes, ubiquitous in the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources, also react with ozone to produce chemiluminescence and thus may contribute to the measured NOx signal. Their ozonolysis reaction may also be sufficiently rapid that their abundance in conventional instrument background cycles, which also utilises the reaction with ozone, differs from that in the measurement cycle such that the background subtraction is incomplete, and an interference effect results. This interference has been noted previously, and indeed, the effect has been used to measure both alkenes and ozone in the atmosphere. Here we report the results of a systematic investigation of the response of a selection of commercial NOx monitors to a series of alkenes. These NOx monitors range from systems used for routine air quality monitoring to atmospheric research instrumentation. The species-investigated range was from short-chain alkenes, such as ethene, to the biogenic monoterpenes. Experiments were performed in the European PHOtoREactor (EUPHORE) to ensure common calibration and samples for the monitors and to unequivocally confirm the alkene levels present (via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – FTIR). The instrument interference responses ranged from negligible levels up to 11 %, depending upon the alkene present and conditions used (e.g. the presence of co-reactants and differing humidity). Such interferences may be of substantial importance for the interpretation of ambient NOx data, particularly for high VOC, low NOx environments such as forests or indoor environments where alkene abundance from personal care and cleaning products may be significant.
Heterogeneity, Leveling the Playing Field, and Affirmative Action in Contests

The heterogeneous abilities of the players in various competitive contexts often lead to undesirable outcomes such as low effort provision, lack of diversity, and inequality. A range of policies are implemented to mitigate such issues by enforcing competitive balance, i.e., by leveling the playing field. Some of those policies, known as affirmative action (AA) policies, are practiced in an ethical response to historical discrimination against particular social groups, and are also aimed at increasing competition. This survey summarizes the rapidly growing literature of contest theory on AA and other policies that level the playing field. Using a general theoretical structure, we outline research on contest outcomes under a multitude of such policy mechanisms; and discuss the theoretical, experimental, and empirical findings in relation to some of the common debates surrounding AA.
Digital Commons@Georgia Southern Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse: The Effects of Perpetrator Age, Rural Status, and Rape Myth Acceptance

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global issue, affecting many children in the short- and long-term. Despite the high prevalence of CSA, factors affecting adults’ perceptions of CSA are still in question. Research focuses on CSA committed by adults, but there is disproportionately less research examining perceptions of CSA committed by juveniles. Research shows a higher incidence of juvenile-perpetrated CSA than adult-perpetrated CSA in the lifetime of 17-year-olds (Finkelhor, Shattuck, Turner, & Hamby, 2014). The current study aimed to fill the gaps in the literature concerning adult perceptions of CSA cases considering victim and perpetrator characteristics and rape myth acceptance. More specifically, the current study examined adult perceptions of the depiction of abuse, severity of CSA, culpability, revictimization, and future well-being of the victim based on perpetrator age using vignettes. Consistent with predictions, participants rated sexual abuse perpetrated by older offenders as more severe than abuse committed by younger perpetrators and non-rural participants rated CSA depictions as more severe than rural participants. Contrary to hypotheses, the community sample rated CSA as more severe compared to students. In addition, non-rural participants blamed the victim more and endorsed rape myths more than rural participants. This study also examined the interaction between the age of the perpetrator/initiator and acceptance of rape myths, such that the effect of perpetrator/initiator age on participants’ perceptions of the sexual contact in the vignettes depended on stereotyped attitudes about sexual assault. Results showed the effect of perpetrator age on perceptions of severity of abuse strengthened and weakened in relation to changes in the moderating variable (i.e., rape myth acceptance). Finally, this study explored participants’ adherence to crime stereotypes. As hypothesized, of participants who misremembered the perpetrator in the vignette as being depicted with a gender, most misremembered the perpetrator’s gender as male. Implications for these findings are provided.
Agaricus blazei extract (FA-2-b-β) induces apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells

Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) is a mushroom belonging to the Basidiomycetes family, which is believed to have antitumor and antioxidative activities. Proteoglycans and ergosterol are considered the key compounds of AbM for antitumor properties and so are used in complementary and alternative medicine as an anticancer drug. AbM is used to avoid serious side effects that would inevitably affect patients. Currently, the efficacy of AbM against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has not been established. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor activities of the acidic RNA protein complex, FA-2-b-β, extracted from wild edible AbM. The CML K562 cells or primary CML bone marrow (BM) cells were treated with FA-2-b-β at different concentrations and time points. CML cell line proliferation and apoptosis were determined using the CCK-8 assay or Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) labeling, RT-qPCR and western blotting was performed to determine the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin-associated apoptotic pathway. The results of the present study demonstrated that FA-2-b-β has a high anti-proliferative potency and strong pro-apoptotic effects. Thus, daily intake of mushrooms containing FA-2-b-β may be an adequate source as an alternative medicine in the management of CML, and may provide useful information for the development of a novel therapeutic target in this area.
NEPSC2, the North Ecliptic Pole SCUBA-2 survey: 850-μm map and catalogue of 850-μm-selected sources over 2 deg2

We present an 850-μm mosaic map and extracted catalogue of submillimetre sources in the extended North Ecliptic Pole (NEP) region over about 2 deg2. The 850-μm map is constructed using newly obtained observations by SCUBA-2 at the East Asian Observatory’s James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, carried out using the observatory’s large programme opportunities. The recent 850-μm survey has extended the submillimetre data coverage by almost a factor of 4 compared to previous surveys, with a depth of $\sigma _\text{rms}\, {=}\, 1.0$–$2.3\, {\rm mJy}\, {\rm beam}^{-1}$. The catalogue contains 549 sources selected above a significance level of 4σ, where the false-detection rate is 10 per cent; a higher threshold of 4. 5σ is required in order to achieve a false-detection rate below 3 per cent, which results in 342 sources being selected. Despite the large spatial variation of the noise, the deboosted flux density of sources is comparable to results from the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey, which covered the central 0.6 deg2 of our survey area with better sensitivity. We construct the source counts at 850 μm, finding results in agreement with other 850-μm surveys in cosmological blank fields over S850 = 4–15 mJy. We find a slight excess of bright galaxies ($S_{850}\, {\gt }\, 15$ mJy), which can be considered to be at $z_\text{phot}\, {=}\, 2$–4. The 850-μm data add valuable long-wavelength information to mid-infrared-selected sources from the AKARI NEP-deep and NEP-wide surveys, which will be helpful in preparing for future near-infrared to millimetre wavelength observations in the NEP region. Our 850-μm mosaic map and source catalogue will be made publicly available.
Albanian Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery AJTES Official Publication of the Albanian Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery -ASTES Chairman of the editorial board:

Prof. Arben GJATA MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Xheladin DRAÇINI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Nikollaq KAÇANI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Etmont ÇELIKU MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Arben BEQIRI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Ilia MAZNIKU MD, PhD University “Alexander Xhuvani”, Elbasan, Albania Prof. Arvin DIBRA MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Skënder TOPI MD, PhD University “Alexander Xhuvani”, Elbasan Albania Prof. Edvin PRIFTI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Asc. Prof. Edmond NUELLARI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Asc.Prof. Sokol XHEPA MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Asc.Prof. Aleksander HOXHA MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Asc. Prof. Ridvan ALIMEHMETI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Prof. Pirro PRIFTI MD, PhD University “Alexander Moisiu”, Durres, Albania Asc.Prof. Sokol BUBA MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Asc. Prof. Edmond ZAIMI MD, PhD University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania Ilir ALIMEHMETI MD, PhD (Albania) Artan Bano MD, (Albania)
Studies on Hybrid Vigour in Egg Plant (Solanum Melongena Linn.)

The manifestation of hybrid vigour in 30 Fj hybrids was studied for five characters viz. yield per plant (marketable), fruit weight, fruit length and fruit girth. Crosses BR-112 × Aushey, PBR-61 × K 202-14, PBR-91-1 × K 202-14 and K T 3 × K 102-14 showed significant positive heterosis over best parent K 202-9 for yield. Crosses KT3 × Vijai, PBR-91-1 × K 202-14 and PBR-91-1 × Aushey for number of fruits, BR-112 × Arka sheel for fruit weight, PBR-61 × Azad Kranti for fruit length showed significant and positive heterosis over better parent. None of the crosses displayed significant and positive heterosis for number of fruits, fruit weight and fruit girth over best parent.
Assessment of heavy metal’s in Atlantic sea fish sold in Benin

Marine space is constantly threatened by various sources of pollution that may reduce its economic potential and have negative repercussions on human health. This study aims to assess heavy metals contamination of eight fish species and their impact on human health. Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in fresh, cooked and fried fish. The results found in fresh fish (cadmium: 0.002 to 0.005 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.031 mg / kg, copper: 0.0045 to 0.305 mg / kg, zinc: 0.1245 to 0.6195 mg / kg), in cooked fish (cadmium: 0.0035 to 0.005 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.01 mg / kg, copper: 0 to 0.021 mg / kg, zinc: 0.171 to 0.327 mg / kg) and in fried fish (cadmium: 0.004 mg / kg, lead: 0 to 0.007 mg / kg, copper: 0 to 0.016 mg / kg, zinc: 0.0875 to 0.5065 mg / kg) showed that heavy metal levels are all below the standard values accepted by FAO / WHO. The consumption of these fish could therefore have no negative effect on the population’s health. Both types of cooking have both positive and negative effects on the heavy metal reduction in fish species. Although the concentrations of heavy metals are not worrying, the vigilance of the populations and a variation of the diet are important to guarantee a better health.Keywords: Heavy metals, health impact, Atlantic see fish, Cotonou.
Weed dynamics, nutrient uptake and yield in Indian mustard ( rassica juncea) weed ecosystem as influenced by nitrogen levels, planting geometry and herbicides

A field experiment was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during the winter seasons of 1996 97 and 1997 98, to find out the effect of nitrogen, planting geometry and herbicides on weed dynamics, yield and nutrient uptake in Indian mustard [Brassica juneea (L.) Czernj. Cosson]. Treatments comprised combinations of 4 N levels (0,40,80 and 120 kglha) and 2 planting geometry (uni and bi direction) in main plots, 2 herbicides, viz. lsoproturon 1.0 kg and Oxadiazon 0.75 kglha, as pre emergence were compared with hand weeding 30 days after sowing and weedy check in subplots. Weed population declined, whereas weed dry matter increased with advancement in age of the crop. Increasing levels of nitrogen and change in planting geometry did not influence the weed population, whereas weed dry matter at harvest declined significantly at 120 kg Nlhg compared with no nitrogen application. Seed yield and nutrient uptake also increased significantly at 120 kg Nlha. Both the herbicides significantly increased the nutrient uptake by checking the weed growth compared to weedy check. lsoproturon being at par to oxadiazon resulted in the highest seed yield. Application of 120 kg Nlhg and lsoproturon gave the highest net return and benefit : cost ratio.
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES DURING GERMINAL VESICLE BREAKDOWN OF PECTINARIA GOULDII WITH VITAL DYES, CENTRIFUGATION AND FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY

1. Living eggs of Pectinaria gouldii were stained with vital dyes and vital fluorochromes before and after germinal vesicle breakdown. Observations were made with the bright field, dark field and fluorescence microscopes. Changes in the germinal vesicle, nucleolus and chromosomes of the living eggs were followed.2. Other eggs were vitally dyed and centrifuged in order to stratify the cell particulates. Cell granules were identified, based upon their specific staining and their stratified position in the centrifuged egg. These included lipid droplets, lipid granules, mitochondria, proteid yolk, basophilic and cortical granules. Limited cytochemical tests were made to verify their identity.3. Two kinds of metachromatic granules were seen. With toluidine blue, the granules occur at the centripetal pole just beneath the lipid cap. When Nile blue sulphate was applied, a different metachromatic band stratified just centripetal to the heavier yolk granules. Astral granules originate from the latter metachromatic.
Influence of tillage practices on soil physical chemical and biological properties under cotton maize cropping sequence

To study the soil quality changes in the important cropping sequence cotton maize under different tillage and land configuration methods, field experiments were conducted in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during the year 2012-15. Tillage practices are minimum, conventional and zero tillage combined with land configuration methods viz., furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) and flat bed with permanently for both crops and for individual crops were the treatments. After three years of experimentation, analytical report of post harvest soil samples reveals, tillage practices do not have influence on soil physico chemical properties. But favorable physical environment of maximum porosity of 47.2 % was recorded in the minimum tillage (MT)-furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB) which was on par with zero tillage (46.1%) and minimum tillage (MT)-flat bed (45.7%). Higher population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes of 74 cfu x 10-6 g/soil, 35 cfu x 10-4 g/soil and 21 cfu x 10-3 g/soil recorded respectively in the zero tillage. The zero tillage also recorded high dehydrogenase activity of 101 mg TPF/kg/24hours. The soil carbon pool reveals that minimum tillage with FIRB treatment recorded higher water soluble carbon (WSC). But zero tillage recorded higher potassium permanganate oxidisable organic carbon (PMOC) (797mg/kg) and WBC (6920 mg/kg). Among the treatments, zero tillage recorded higher carbon stock value of 13.12 Mg/ha These results indicated that zero tillage can be recommended for maintaining soil fertility as well as store more carbon to protect our environment.
Comparative Evaluation of Two Hyaluronic Acid Gel Products for the Treatment of Interdental Papillary Defects

Objectives The aim was to investigate the efficacy of single injections of two different hyaluronic acid products, Flex Barrier and Revident, in reducing the size of black triangles to treat Nordland-Tarnow Class I and II recessions. Materials and Methods Forty adult patients were recruited with at least two upper and two lower interdental papilla defects in the front region between canine teeth. According to the Nordland-Tarnow classification of papillary defects, both Class I and Class II recessions were included in the investigation. Patients were randomly assigned to experimental groups to receive single injections of two different hyaluronic acid products, either Flex Barrier or Revident. The untreated sites served as controls. Photographs were taken before and immediately after the treatment, and again after one week and one month. To determine the size of the black triangles, Image J software was used. For statistical analysis, a mixed-design ANOVA was applied. Results Both Flex Barrier and Revident significantly decreased the size of the treated defects immediately after the treatment and also one week later (p<0.001). The beneficial effect of Revident lasted longer than Flex Barrier as it remained significant even after one month in Revident-treated patients, however, not in the Flex Barrier-treated group. Furthermore, Nordland-Tarnow Class I lesions generally showed a greater improvement than Class II lesions. Conclusion In this proof-of-concept, randomized clinical trial we have demonstrated the clinical applicability of both Flex Barrier and Revident, although Revident gave longer-lasting improvements than Flex Barrier. Further trials are needed to optimize multiple-application protocols for treating gingival black triangles.
Serum leptin and 25 Hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Background: Vitamin D and Leptin appears to play a range of roles in beta cell growth and insulin secretion and most importantly interaction with other hormonal mediators and regulators of energy and metabolism. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure serum leptin and vitamin D levels and to investigate their relationships with vitamin D and other clinical laboratory parameters in patients with type II diabetes. Subjects and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 80 patients with type II diabetes mellitus encountered during their attending the Internal Medicine clinic consultancy in Ramadi Teaching Hospital and the National Diabetes Center for Treatment and Research at Al-Mustansiriya University and 60 healthy subject. From December 2014 to November 2015. Investigations included serum Leptin, 25OHD, Insulin, HbA1c using ELISA and biochemical test.Results: The median concentration of serum 25 OH vitamin D of patients (15.70 ng/ ml) was significantly lower than healthy controls (20.27 ng/ ml). The rate of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was significantly higher in patients (82.5%) than healthy controls (48.3%). The serum insulin and HOMA-IR were significant increase in patients had vitamin D < 20 ng/ml when compared with an insufficient/normal group. There were no significant differences in leptin levels between type II DM and healthy control. Conclusion: These results strongly support the role of vitamin D deficiency and serum leptin in pathogenesis of type II diabetes.