Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomical Variation of a Communicating Branch between the Musculocutaneous and the Median Nerve: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE The aim of our paper is to depict an anatomical variation of the brachial plexus, concerning a communicating branch between the median and the musculocutaneous nerve and its clinical significance. Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus and especially those of the musculocutaneous nerve are quite common. Awareness of these variations is of paramount importance in clinical practice, mainly in achieving best results in minimal invasive or surgical procedures. CASE REPORT After dissection in upper extremities in a 89-year-old male cadaver, a communicating branch between the median and the musculocutaneous nerve was found. This communicating branch was formed before the musculocutaneous nerve perforated the coracobrachialis muscle. It also derived from the level of the ansa medianis and its course was of an approximately 2cm length. CONCLUSION The clinical significance of our study is the entrapment of the musculocutaneous nerve that may cause clinical findings similar to those of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
Head and Neck Manifestations of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Retrospective analysis of 19 Patients and Review of the Literature

Abstract Introduction Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a small vessel vasculitis characterized by a necrositing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and focal/proliferative glomerulonephritis. In more than 70% of the cases, the presenting symptoms are head and neck manifestations that are often misdiagnosed as infectious or allergic in etiology. Objective The present study provides an analysis of head and neck manifestations in a series of patients diagnosed with GPA. It also evaluates their medical and surgical treatment and provides a review of the relevant literature. Methods A retrospective analysis of 19 patients diagnosed with GPA at a public tertiary care hospital between 2006 and 2017 was performed. Results A total of 19 patients were included in the present study, and 16 of them presented head and neck manifestations. Sinonasal symptoms were the most common, affecting 56% of the patients, followed by laryngotracheal (31.25%) and ear (25%) symptoms. In 7 patients, sinonasal symptoms were the first manifestation of the disease (43.75%). Four patients underwent surgery at some stage of the disease. Conclusions Head and neck involvement is common in GPA and may stand for the first or the only manifestation of the disease. The otolaryngologists play a central role in the diagnosis and long-term treatment of these patients, and they have to keep this pathology in mind when treating patients with ENT symptoms that do not respond as expected to the treatment.
In vitro antifungal potency of some plant extracts against Fusarium oxysporum

In an approach towards the development of ecofriendly antifungal compounds for controlling plant diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum, different extracts of three weed plants, namely, Capparis decidua, Lantana camara and Tridax procumbens, were tested for their antifungal potential. The spore germination/spore counting technique was followed for the evaluation of the antibiotic properties of the extracts at three different concentrations. Results revealed that the free flavonoids and sterols of T. procumbens (flower) and bound flavonoids of C. decidua (fruit and stem) totally inhibited spore germination of the fungi (100%). The antifungal components from these plants could be used in developing novel fungicides (biopesticides) for the diseases caused by F. oxysporum (plant pathogen). Key words: Capparis decidua, Fusarium oxysporum, Lantana camara, percentage spore inhibition, Tridax procumbens
Development and Evaluation of a Bioenergetics Model for Bull Trout

Abstract We conducted laboratory experiments to parameterize a bioenergetics model for wild Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus, estimating the effects of body mass (12–1,117 g) and temperature (3–20°C) on maximum consumption (C max) and standard metabolic rates. The temperature associated with the highest C max was 16°C, and C max showed the characteristic dome-shaped temperature-dependent response. Mass-dependent values of C max (N = 28) at 16°C ranged from 0.03 to 0.13 g·g−1·d−1. The standard metabolic rates of fish (N = 110) ranged from 0.0005 to 0.003 g·O2·g−1·d−1 and increased with increasing temperature but declined with increasing body mass. In two separate evaluation experiments, which were conducted at only one ration level (40% of estimated C max), the model predicted final weights that were, on average, within 1.2 ± 2.5% (mean ± SD) of observed values for fish ranging from 119 to 573 g and within 3.5 ± 4.9% of values for 31–65 g fish. Model-predicted consumption was within 5.5 ± 10.9% of observe.
A Workflow Management System to Facilitate Reproducibility of Scientific Computing Applications

by Peter Ivie Reproducibility is becoming an increasingly challenging requirement of the scientific process. Compared to more human intensive scientific procedures, it would seem that scientific applications executed on computers could easily produce identical results despite slight changes to hardware, software, or simply timing. However, implicit dependencies on data and execution environment, coupled with ambiguous definitions of identity and equivalence throughout the process, make reproducibility rarely possible. To address this problem, I created PRUNE, the Preserving Run Environment. In PRUNE, every task to be executed is wrapped in a functional interface and coupled with a strictly defined environment. With this information PRUNE can directly execute each task. As a scientific workflow evolves in PRUNE, a growing but immutable tree of derived data is created. The provenance of every item in the system can be precisely described, facilitating sharing and modification between collaborating researchers, along with efficient management of limited storage space. I show that with a minimal amount of overhead, these capabilities can be available for large scale and complex workflows, such as an analysis of high-energy physics data, a bio-informatics application, and processing of U.S. census data. PRUNE also minimizes the cost of collaborative development of computational science.
Resistance in rice to Rice yellow mottle virus and evidence of non-seed transmission

Nine rice cultivars were evaluated under screenhouse conditions for resistance to Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) and possible seed transmission. Completely randomised design with three replications was used. In Experiment 1, the seedlings were inoculated with the virus at two weeks after planting. In Experiment 2, the seeds collected from Experiment 1 were dried for four weeks before planting. For each genotype, the seeds from healthy plants were planted as a control. Disease incidence and severity (scales 1–9), yield and yield components were recorded. Statistical analyses included Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) and independent t test. The cultivars FARO 37, FARO 52 and Gigante were highly resistant, whereas WAB189-B38HB was resistant. Paddy yield was highest (3.6 g) in FARO 37. There were no symptoms of virus disease in all the plants originating from the seeds of RYMV-infected plants. The differences between the seeds from infected and healthy plants for all the measured traits were not significant (p > 0.05). The number of days to seedling emergence was uniform (5.5 days) in all the cultivars. Plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of days to heading and paddy yield from the seeds of virus-infected plants varied from 54.8 to 68.4 cm, 17 to 21, 85.3 to 96 days and 2.7 to 4 g, respectively. Conversely, a range of 54.9–68.7 cm, 17–22, 83–95 days and 2.8–4.1 g was found in the seeds of healthy plants. Selection and cultivation of high-yielding, resistant and healthy seeds would enhance food security.
Effects of photoperiod and temperature on ovarian activity in the Indian murrel, Channa (Ophiocephalus) punctatus (Bloch)

Channa punctatus (Bloch) is a seasonal breeder and spawns during the monsoon season. Ovarian regression occurs at a time when day length begins to shorten and temperature reaches a seasonal minimum, while the ovarian recrudescence coincides with the increase in day length and temperature. The close relationship between increasing day length and temperature suggests that these two factors are in some way involved in inducing gonadal recrudescence. Responses of the ovary to various combinations of photoperiod and temperature were studied during the postspawning and preparatory periods. Temperatures of 25 °C and above, regardless of photoperiod, were more favorable for the formation of yolky oocytes and ovarian development occurred as a function of warm temperature even under conditions of continuous darkness or continuous light. These studies have revealed that ovarian recrudescence, which normally occurs during the prespawning period, can be advanced by photothermal manipulations. It was concluded that pho.
Effectiveness of a On-Site Medicalization Program for Nursing Homes with COVID-19 Outbreaks

Abstract Background Nursing homes are highly vulnerable to the occurrence of COVID-19 outbreaks, which result in high lethality rates. Most of them are not prepared to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods A coordinated on-site medicalization program (MP) in response to a sizeable COVID-19 outbreak in four nursing homes was organized, with the objectives of improving survival, offering humanistic palliative care to residents in their natural environment, and reducing hospital referrals. Ten key processes and interventions were established (provision of informatics infrastructure, medical equipment, and human resources, universal testing, separation of 'clean' and 'contaminated' areas, epidemiological surveys, and unified protocols stratifying for active or palliative care approach, among others). Main outcomes were a composite endpoint of survival or optimal palliative care (SOPC), survival, and referral to hospital. Results 272 out of 457 (59.5%) residents and 85 out of 320 (26.5%) staff members were affected. The SOPC, survival, and referrals to hospital, occurred in 77%, 72.5%, and 29% of patients diagnosed before MP start, with respect to 97%, 83.7% and 17% of those diagnosed during the program, respectively. The SOPC was independently associated to MP (OR=15 [3-81]); and survival in patients stratified to active approach, to the use of any antiviral treatment (OR=28 [5-160]). All outbreaks were controlled in 39 [37-42] days. Conclusions A coordinated on-site medicalization program of nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks achieved a higher survival or optimal palliative care rate, and a reduction in referrals to hospital, thus ensuring rigorous but also humanistic and gentle care to residents.
Evaluation of inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) through line × tester method

Maize inbred lines were evaluated by using line × tester method involving 11 lines and 3 testers for grain yield and its components through estimation of general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) effects. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed indicated wide range of variability present among the genotypes. The crosses with high sca effect for grain yield were evolved from high × low general combiner parents which reveled additive × dominance type of gene action. The cross combinations 9MS4-1 × L22, 9MS4-1 × L486, 9MS4-2 × L431, 9MS4-11 × L486 and 9MS4- 15 × L431 with high positive sca effect having high mean values might be used for obtaining high yielding hybrids. The information on the nature of gene action with respective variety and characters might be used depending on the breeding objectives. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjar.v39i4. 22547 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(4): 675-683, December 2014
Prospective study comparing deep-throat saliva with other respiratory tract specimens in the diagnosis of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Abstract Background Self-collected specimens has been advocated to avoid infectious exposure to healthcare workers. Self-induced sputum in those with a productive cough, and saliva in those without a productive cough have been proposed, but sensitivity remains uncertain. Methods We performed a prospective study in two regional hospitals in Hong Kong Results We prospectively examined 563 serial samples collected during the virus shedding periods of 50 patients: 150 deep-throat saliva (DTS), 309 pooled-nasopharyngeal (NP) and throat swabs, and 104 sputum. DTS had the lowest overall RT-PCR positive rate (68.7% vs. 89.4% [sputum] and 80.9% [pooled NP and throat swabs]), and the lowest viral RNA concentration (mean log copy/mL 3.54 vs. 5.03 [sputum] and 4.63 [pooled NP and throat swabs]). Analyses with respect to time from symptom onset and severity also revealed similar results. Virus yield of DTS correlated with that of sputum (Pearson correlation index [95% CI]: 0.76 [0.62 – 0.86]). We estimated the overall false-negative rate of DTS could be 31.3%, and increased 2.7 times among patients without sputum. Conclusion DTS produced the lowest viral RNA concentration and RT-PCR positive rate compared to conventional respiratory specimens in all phases of illness. Self-collect sputum should be the choice for patients with sputum.
Experimental and Field Studies of Mesocyclops notius (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from a Subtropical Chinese Lake, Lake Donghu

This paper reports experimental and field studies on the cyclopoid Mesocyclops notius from subtropical Lake Donghu close to the Yangtze river. Mesocyclops notius, a dominant crustacean Zooplankter throughout tropical Australia, was previously considered to be endemic to Australia, but recently, Mesocyclops leuckarti in Lake Donghu was re-identified as M. notius. Laboratory culture experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25 and 30 degreesC) on the development, growth and reproduction of M. notius. Temperature was inversely related to development times of eggs, nauplii and copepodites, body length and physiological longevity of adults, and brood size. Body length and physiological longevity of females were greater than those of males at the same temperature. No reproduction took place at 15 degreesC. Production and seasonal cycles of M. notius during 1980-1982 were studied at two sampling stations of Lake Donghu. At the mid-lake station, the annual production and production/biomass (P/B) ratio of M. notius varied between 6.0 and 18.0 g dry wt m(-2) year(-1) and 74.6 and 95.5, respectively. Mesocyclops notius reached their highest density peaks in the warm months (July-October), with a maximum density of 1256 individuals l(-1) at a littoral site. No reproduction and recruitment by AL notius took place during the cold months (December March) when the temperature of the lake water was < 15 degreesC. Mesocyclops notius were more abundant at a littoral station than at a pelagic station, possibly due to different food availability. The higher male:female sex ratio of M. notius at the littoral station was most likely caused by size-selective fish predation on larger females.
Evaluation of noise pollution caused by vehicles in the city of Tokat, Turkey

Noise pollution and its influence on environment and life quality of human beings may be considered as a hot topic in scientific research. Since there are no sufficient studies on noise pollution in Turkey, this study was carried out to determine motorway noise levels in Tokat city centre, located at the northern part of Turkey. Noise measurements were taken in the evening to determine noise pollution all over the city as motorway transportation noise. The equivalent sound levels - Leq- were measured at 65 points, between 17 and 19 p.m. in the city. High noise levels on these streets were observed throughout the city. At fifty of sixty-five measurement points (76.9%), noise values exceeded 65 dB(A), limit value according to Turkish noise control regulation, while at fifteen points (23.1%) this value was under this value. Statistical analysis revealed that, there were significant differences in noise levels amaong the streets (P < 0.05). The results showed that noise should be mentioned among the major environmental problems and studies aim at preventing it should have great priority. Keywords: Tokat, noise, motorway, noise pollution, survey.
EFFECTS of SEMPERFRESHTM and JOHNFRESHTM FRUIT COATINGS ON POSTSTORAGE QUALITY of “ANKARA” PEARS

Pears were coated with different concentrations of Semperfresh or with Johnfresh edible coatings after storage for five months at OC to determine the effects of coatings on poststorage quality. Coating levels were effective for extending the poststorage life and delaying ripening. Both Semperfresh and Johnfresh treated pears had better color, firmness, ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, soluble solid retention than control pears. Although Semperfresh was effective for the reduction of respiration and weight loss, Johnfresh was determined to be the most efficient coating for the same purpose.
Urban climates

a large and growing proportion of the world’s population. Many areas of the earth’s surface are covered by a variety of building materials whose thermal, radiative and aerodynamic properties create a unique climatic environment. The rapid pace of urbanization on a worldwide scale therefore demands a knowledge of atmospheric processes within cities in order to exploit the beneficial effects and minimize those
Spatial distribution patterns of Rhynchostegium megapolitanum at the landscape scale – an expanding species?

ABSTRACT Question: Is Rhynchostegium megapolitanum an expanding species? Location: Viennese Basin (120–220 m a.s.l.), Austria. Methods: 121 dry grasslands, were investigated for the occurrence of R. megapolitanum. Nineteen environmental variables at 50 randomly selected sites, species composition at sites with and without R. megapolitanum and the spatial patterns of distribution of the species at the landscape scale were analysed. We compared actual distribution data of three rare species (Didymodon acutus, Pleurochaete squarrosa R. megapolitanum) and a common one (Brachythecium rutabulum) with the distribution obtained by vouchers that were collected between 1860 and 1940 in the investigated area. We calculated a GIS based model pattern and compared it with the actual distribution. Results: R. megapolitanum was detected in 28 of these sites, almost 50 % of its populations produced sporophytes. We found significant differences between sites with and without R. megapolitanum with regard to grassland size, the percentage of silt and of sand in the soil. There were fewer occurrences of historic herbarium vouchers of R. megapolitanum than our current field survey discovered. The GIS based analyses of distribution patterns at the landscape scale showed a clustering of sites in which R. megapolitanum was present or absent. Simulations with a spatially realistic expansion model showed high similarities to the actual distribution of the species. Conclusions: All these analyses suggest that R. megapolitanum has been expanding in the investigated area. A significant increase in temperature and nitrogen deposition within the last hundred years might be the underlying cause for the species' spread. Nomenclatural reference: For bryophyte species Corley et al. (1981); for vascular plants Adler et al. (1994). Abbreviations AFLP = Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism; GIS = Geographic information system; NHM = Natural History Museum Vienna; ZAMG = Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics
Crescimento inicial do milho sob diferentes concentrações de biofertilizante bovino irrigado com águas salinas

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation with water of high and low salinity on the initial growth of corn plants grown in soil fertilized with bovine bio-fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the Department of Soil Science - UFC. The seeds were planted in vessels with a 12 kg capacity, containing Alfissol as substrate and one plant per pot. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, in a 5x2 factorial scheme, with four replications, referring to five concentrations of bio-fertilizer: C1 = 50% biofertilizer + 50% water (1:1), C2 = 33.33% biofertilizer + 66.67 + water (1:2), C3 = 25% biofertilizer + 75% water (1:3), C4 = 20% biofertilizer + 80% water (1:4) and C5 = 11.12% biofertilizer + 88, 88% water (1:5) and two salinity levels of irrigation water for S1 = 0.8 dS m-1 (low salinity) and S2 = 3.4 dS m-1 (high salinity). We analyzed the early growth of plants as compared to the readings of electrical conductivity of water saturated soil extracts (ECse) by using the collected data on plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, shoot dry matter, root dry matter and total dry matter. Irrigation with low salinity water was found more efficient in promoting the initial growth of plants under increasing concentrations of biofertilizer, except for root dry matter. Under the same concentrations of biofertilizer, plus irrigation with saline water, soil salinity increased, but did so with less intensity in soil irrigated with low salinity water.
Secondary Succession and Indigenous Management in Semideciduous Forest Fallows of the Amazon Basin 1

To the discussion on secondary succession in tropical forests, we bring data on three under‐addressed issues: understory as well as overstory changes, continuous as opposed to phase changes, and integration of forest succession with indigenous fallow management and plant uses. Changes in vegetation structure and species composition were analyzed in secondary forests following swidden agriculture in a semideciduous forest of Bolivian lowlands. Twenty‐eight fallows, stratified by four successional stages (early = 1–5 yr, intermediate = 6–10 yr, advanced = 12–20 yr, and older = 22–36 yr), and ten stands of mature forests were sampled. The overstory (plants ≥5 cm diameter at breast height [DBH]) was sampled using a 20 × 50 m plot and the understory (plants <5 cm DBH) in three nested 2 × 5 m subplots. Semistructured interviews provided information on fallow management. Canopy height, basal area, and liana density of the overstory increased with secondary forest age. The early stage had the lowest species density and diversity in the overstory, but the highest diversity in the understory. Species composition and abundance differentiated mature forests and early successional stage from other successional stages; however, species showed individualistic responses across the temporal gradient. A total of 123 of 280 species were useful with edible, medicinal, and construction plants being the most abundant for both over‐ and understories. Most of Los Gwarayo preferred mature forests for making new swidden, while fallows were valuable for crops, useful species, and regenerating timber species.