Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE PULMONATE LAND SNAILS ZONITOIDES NITIDUS AND Z. EXCAVATUS

In this study, we investigated conchological and anatomical differences between two closely-related Zonitoides species: Z. nitidus and Z. excavatus. Although genital differences were not found, we observed clear conchological differences. Compared to Z. excavatus, Z. nitidus is larger, but has a narrower umbilicus. A parallel allozyme study revealed low variation within and between populations, and suggests that the two species most probably reproduce uniparentally. In contrast, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) revealed much more variation in Z. excavatus. In this species, at least nine homozygous multilocus genotypes exist and in all populations several of these strains co-occurred. Two animals contained a fresh spermatophore, which suggests that at least sperm transfer may not be completely absent. Moreover, in one Belgian population both species co-occurred and allozyme patterns suggest possible hybridization. Even if we do not know how much of the conchological differences can be attributed to phenotypic plasticity in relation to different environmental conditions, the species status of both taxa seems supported by the strong genetic differentiation suggested by the allozyme and RAPD data.
Influence of Adjunct Cultures of Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei or Lactobacillus plantarum on Cheddar Cheese Ripening

Abstract Cheddar cheeses were manufactured in open vats to study the influence of adjunct cultures of mesophilic lactobacilli on proteolysis and the development of sensory characteristics during ripening. Pairs of cheeses (one control and one experimental cheese) were manufactured on consecutive days using Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (experimental vat A) or Lactobacillus plantarum (experimental vat B) adjuncts. A duplicate cheese-making trial was carried out 1 wk later. Lactobacilli in the experimental cheeses reached maxima (10 8 to 10 9 cfu/g) after ∼2 mo and then decreased to 10 6 to 10 7 cfu/g at 6 mo. Numbers of lactobacilli in the control cheeses were lower than in the experimental cheeses until 6 mo of ripening. Thereafter, similar numbers of lactobacilli (∼10 6 cfu/g) were present in all cheeses until the end of the 9-mo ripening period. Assessment of primary proteolysis during ripening showed essentially no differences between the control and experimental cheeses. However, the experimental cheeses (particularly experimental cheese A) had consistently higher levels of total free amino acids than did their corresponding controls throughout ripening. Sensory analysis of the cheeses (at 3, 6, and 9 mo) showed significant differences between the control and experimental cheeses with respect to some important sensory attributes. Principal component analysis of the sensory data clearly differentiated between the aroma and flavor of control and experimental cheeses.
Job Satisfaction of Malaysian Nurses: A Causal Model

Turnover intention is a challenging issue for most of the developed and developing countries. Past studies revealed that there were two common approaches to enhance nursesâ€™ retention. The first approach is focus on recruitment and selection activities as well as establishes more schools and colleges of nursing that will produce more nursing graduate. The second approach is to attract and retain more dedicated and quality professional nursing staff. Substantial studies have confirmed that job satisfaction as a major predictor of turnover intention. Therefore, this paper is mainly focus on identifying significant predictors of job satisfaction which will subsequently reduce turnover intention among staff nurses in Malaysia healthcare industry.
Combinatorial aspects of key predistribution for resource-constrained networks

To secure a network of small devices using symmetric key cryptography is a non-trivial task. Nevertheless, it is important because public key cryptography is computationally expensive and therefore infeasible to implement on some small, battery-powered devices with limited memory. We study methods for allocating symmetric keys to devices before deployment, known as key predistribution schemes. Using combinatorial techniques, we analyse and design a variety of key predistribution schemes. We provide a correction to the previously stated formula for calculating the resilience of certain random key predistribution schemes, presenting instead a rigorously proved and widely applicable formula. We also present a simplified formula for calculating the connectivity. Next, we examine the role of expander graphs in key predistribution schemes. We demonstrate that good expansion is desirable for robust schemes, and discuss how this can be achieved. In particular, we examine the expansion of key predistribution schemes built from expander graph constructions, which provide perfect resilience. We show that if perfect resilience is not required, key predistribution schemes with higher connectivity and expansion can be created from hypergraphs and designs, and we explore the relationships between these constructions. We argue for the use of hypergraphs to represent and analyse key predistribution schemes, and identify open problems which, if solved, could lead to further suitable and robust constructions for key predistribution schemes. Finally, we study a class of schemes which we call ‘broadcast-enhanced key 4 predistribution schemes’. These are schemes which make use of a trusted base station and a broadcast channel to update and revoke keys in a network whilst it is operational. We explore the range of benefits which such schemes can provide, and present and analyse two constructions for particular scenarios: a scheme which allows efficient revocation of devices, and a scheme which creates hierarchy amongst the devices for efficient routing and battery consumption. We demonstrate that our schemes provide effective and flexible trade-offs between the conflicting parameters of connectivity, resilience, key storage and broadcast load.
Apoptotic signaling induced by Tiazofurin-an in vitro study

Summary Tiazofurin (TR), is a novel anticancer agent exhibiting potent cytotoxic activity in malignant cell lines. It exhibits at least two different mechanisms of action. First is by inhibition of inosine 5’ monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a rate-limiting enzyme for guanylate (GTP, dGTP) biosynthesis and second is by the induction of apoptosis. But the mechanism of induction of apoptosis is not clear. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the apoptotic signaling induced by TR in different human cancer cell lines. The effect of TR was studied on SiHa (human cervical cancer cell line), Hep2 (human laryngeal cancer cell line) and Ca Ski (human cervical cancer cell line) cells. Morphological examination, flowcytometry and Caspase-3 assay were used for detection of apoptosis. Expression of various proteins was seen by Western blotting. Our results reveal that TR at a dose of 100μM induces apoptosis in SiHa and Hep2 cells whereas for Ca Ski cells this dose is 150μM as studied by morphology and flow cytometry. A downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL was observed whereas the expression level of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax remained unaffected in all these cell lines. An upregulation of p53 was observed while no change was seen on the level of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). A moderate increase in caspase-9 activity was seen. There was a significant increase in caspase-3 activity, which was accompanied by PARP cleavage. Release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol was also observed. The findings suggest that TR induces apoptosis in SiHa, Hep2 and Ca Ski cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.
Comparative study of CAI and conventional method in attaining matrix algebra at undergraduate level

This study is designed to compare the effect of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) and Conventional Method in attaining Matrix Algebra at undergraduate level. For this, instructional and measuring tools on five units of Matrix Algebra were developed. Reliability and validity of these tools were examined in try-out phases. ThePre-test-Post-test Equivalent-Groups Design was used. Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices intelligence test was administered for the division of two groups assigned as control group (with conventional method) and experimental group (with CAI). SPSS v.16 was used to analyse the data. Results revealed that CAI is significantly more effective in attaining Matrix Algebra than Conventional Method. No significant difference was observed in attaining Matrix Algebra for rural and urban students in experimental group and control group. Findings supported CAI for better attainment of mathematical concepts.
Comparison of Anneroth’s and Broder’s grading systems in oral squamous cell carcinoma- A 5 year study

Background: Oral cavity is one of the leading site of cancer. The incidence of oral cancer in India is 3050% of whole body tumors . Histological grading is an important diagnostic tool to predict the clinical and biological behaviour of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of the prognostic factors is important for predicting prognosis and reducing mortality in these patients. 1927 Broder’s grading system was formed for grading of oral squamous cell carcinoma, this system was applied for many years, then in 1978 Anneroth’s multifactorial grading system was established by Dr Anneroth, for evaluation of prognosis and prediction of survival period for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Objective: To Compare Anneroth and Broder’s grading systems in oral squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate the Anneroth’s grading as a standard as compare to Broder grading system. Material and Method: Retrospective study was done on total 600 Biopsy and radical specimen cases which were reported as SCC in last 5yrs,were collected from record room of histopathology section in MGM Medical college & M.Y. Hospital Indore(M.P.) are included in study . All cases were reclassified according to Anneroth’s system. Broder’s system is based on only differentiation of cells while six parameters of Anneroth’s system gives a detail about degree of keratinisation, nuclear pleomorphism, number of mitosis/hpf, pattern of invasion, stage of invasion and lympho plasmacytic infiltration. Result: In this study ,according to Border’s grading system out of 600 cases 52% cases were grade I,40% cases were grade II and 8% cases were grade III while according to Anneroth’s grading system 37% were grade I,55% were gradeII,7.0% were grade III and 1.0% were grade IV. Anneroth’s grading system is more informative and gives better result regarding prognosis, action taking time and prediction of survival period than Broder’s System. Conclusion: Anneroth’s system of grading can be taken as standard system for evaluation of prognosis and prediction of survival period in patient of OSCC.
Invasion of vertebrate lungs by the polystomatid monogeneans Pseudodiplorchis americanus and Neodiplorchis scaphiopodis

SUMMARY Some unique features of monogenean biology have emerged from studies on 2 polystomatids which infect spadefoot toads in Arizona, USA: Pseudodiplorchis americanus in Scaphiopus couchii and Neodiplorchis scaphiopodis in S. multiplicatus and S. bombifrons. Transmission is confined to 1–3 nights each summer when the desert-adapted toads enter water to spawn. Encapsulated larvae complete development in utero and hatch within seconds of deposition; their body length (up to 600 μm) is 2–4 times greater than that of most other oncomiracidia, and their swimming life (over 48 h at 25–27 °C) is twice that usual amongst monogeneans. The ciliated oncomiracidia invade the nostrils, a target usually above the water surface and requiring migration over the exposed skin; remarkably they tolerate drying for up to 1 h (at 32 °C, 45% rel. hum.). The larvae migrate via the buccal cavity and glottis to the lungs where juvenile development occurs until early autumn. Migration from the lungs to the urinary bladder (by an as yet undetermined route) is followed by maturation and reproduction during host hibernation, and developing embryos accumulate in preparation for a period of transmission more restricted than that of any other monogenean. No other monogenean is known to exploit the lungs nor to inhabit, successively, anterior and posterior sites of the same adult host individual.
Genetic diversity among cultivated and wild chamomile germplasm based on ISSR analysis.

Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch. is a wide known herbal plant which has many medical attributes and find applications in pharmacy, nutritional and sanitary indus- tries. Estimating genetic diversity in population is very important to protect variety of chamomile species. The objective of this study was characterization of chamomile germ- plasm using ISSR markers. Among 20 screened ISSR primers, only 5 produced polymor- phic and repeatable fragments. In total primers produced 48 fragments out of which 41 (85.4%) were polymorphic. The average PIC value for the amplification products was 0.340. Based on ISSR markers the genetic similarity matrices were produced. The mean genetic similarity was calculated at 0.653. Present study demonstrated that ISSR markers provided a practical and effective method to evaluate the genetic similarity and relation- ships of chamomile genotypes. Analyzed chamomile genotypes were characterized by quite high genetic similarity; it suggested that there is necessity to find new sources of ge- netic diversity in chamomile in wild populations.
The Development and Validation of Quality of Life Scale for Iraqi Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Aim: The current trend for determining the effectiveness of new treatment or services provided for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients is based on assessing the improvement in both glycemic control and the patient quality of life. Many scales have been developed to assess quality of life among DM patients, but unfortunately, no one can be considered as gold standard. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a brief and specific scale to assess quality of life among Iraqi type 2 DM patients. Methods: An extensive literature review was done using Google-Scholar and PubMed to find out scales that utilized to assess quality of life among DM patients. Four relevant scales, three diabetes specific and one general, were selected. The selected scales were carefully evaluated to find out domains that are commonly used to assess quality of life and then the items within the selected domains were reviewed to choose relevant and comprehensive items for Iraqi type 2 DM patients. Ten items were selected to formulate the quality of life scale for Iraqi DM patients (QOLSID). The content validity of QOLSID was established via an expert panel. For concurrent validity QOLSID was compared to glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). For psychometric evaluation, a cross sectional study for 103 type 2 DM patients was conducted at the National Diabetes Center, Iraq. Test-retest reliability was measured by re-administering QOLSID to 20 patients 2-4 weeks later. Results: The internal consistency of the QOLSID was 0.727. All items had a corrected total-item correlation above 0.2. There was a negative significant correlation between QOLSID score and the HbA1C level (-0.518, P = 0.000). A significant positive correlation was obtained after re-testing (0.967, P = 0.000). Conclusion: The QOLSID is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used for assessing quality of life among Iraqi type 2 DM patients.
Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 Mediates Adhesion and Transmigration of Lymphocytes on Human Hepatic Endothelial Cells1

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an amine oxidase and adhesion receptor that is expressed by endothelium in the human liver. The hepatic sinusoids are perfused by blood at low flow rates, and sinusoidal endothelium lacks selectin expression and has low levels of CD31, suggesting that VAP-1 may play a specific role in lymphocyte recruitment to the liver. In support of this we now report the constitutive expression of VAP-1 on human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC) in vitro and demonstrate that VAP-1 supports adhesion and transmigration of lymphocytes across these cells under physiological shear stress. These are the first studies to report the function of VAP-1 on primary human endothelial cells. Under static conditions lymphocyte adhesion to unstimulated HSEC was dependent on VAP-1 and ICAM-2, whereas adhesion to TNF-α-stimulated HSEC was dependent on ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and VAP-1. Under conditions of flow, blocking VAP-1 reduced lymphocyte adhesion to TNF-α-treated HSEC by 50% and significantly reduced the proportion of adherent lymphocytes that transmigrated across cytokine or LPS-activated endothelium. In addition, inhibition of the amine oxidase activity of VAP-1 reduced both adhesion and transmigration of lymphocytes to a level similar to that seen with VAP-1 Ab. Thus, VAP-1 can support transendothelial migration as well as adhesion, and both functions are dependent on its enzymatic activity. In the absence of selectins and CD31, VAP-1 may play a specific role in lymphocyte recruitment via hepatic sinusoidal endothelium. Moreover, since VAP-1 is induced on nonhepatic endothelium in response to inflammation, its ability to support lymphocyte transendothelial migration may be an important systemic function of VAP-1.
Molecular serotyping of foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Ethiopia

This study was conducted in five regional states of Ethiopia from January 2011 to March 2012 with the objective of identifying the serotypes of foot and mouth disease by molecular technique in Ethiopia. Epithelial tissue samples were collected from cattle and swine found in the foot and mouth disease outbreak areas of the country and submitted to the National Veterinary Institute, DebreZeit, Ethiopia and World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease, Pirbright, UK. Thus, virus isolation and serotype identification were performed. From a total of 59 samples, cytopathic effect was observed in 43 (72.88%) samples in BHK-21 cell culture. Serotyping of foot and mouth disease viruses were done by applying agarose gel-based RT-PCR at the National Veterinary Institute, and by cell culture ELISA at World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease. Serotype O was recorded throughout the country where outbreaks occurred. Regular investigation of foot and mouth disease outbreaks is important to have more detailed information on the serotypes and topotypes circulating in Ethiopia and for effective vaccine development.
Impact of Social Distancing Measures on Coronavirus Disease Healthcare Demand, Central Texas, USA

Social distancing orders have been enacted worldwide to slow the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, reduce strain on healthcare systems, and prevent deaths. To estimate the impact of the timing and intensity of such measures, we built a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission that incorporates age-stratified risks and contact patterns and projects numbers of hospitalizations, patients in intensive care units, ventilator needs, and deaths within US cities. Focusing on the Austin metropolitan area of Texas, we found that immediate and extensive social distancing measures were required to ensure that COVID-19 cases did not exceed local hospital capacity by early May 2020. School closures alone hardly changed the epidemic curve. A 2-week delay in implementation was projected to accelerate the timing of peak healthcare needs by 4 weeks and cause a bed shortage in intensive care units. This analysis informed the Stay Home-Work Safe order enacted by Austin on March 24, 2020.
Bio safety Knowledge, Waste Disposal Practices and Identification of Parasites in Biomedical Wastes from Healthcare Establishments in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria

In Nigeria, the level of biosafety awareness is low among workers in Health Care Establishments (HCEs) and neither have pathogenic organisms in wastes from HCEs been identified. Studies were therefore carried out to examine the level of biosafety awareness and the biomedical waste disposal practices in selected HCEs in Abuja and Lagos respectively as well as identify parasites from HCE wastes from Lagos prior to final disposal. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered to HCE workers in Abuja and Lagos respectively for information on their knowledge of biosafety and how biomedical wastes are disposed. Also, samples of urine (40) and stools (50) from 90 HCEs in Lagos were examined for presence of parasites using standard parasitological methods comprising of direct wet mount and formol ether concentration techniques. Both urine and stool were examined with 5 % lugol iodine and kinyoun carbol fuschin stain. Result showed that HCE workers had knowledge of the basics of biosafety but those in Lagos understood more than the ones in Abuja. Trichomonas vaginalis was identified in one of the urine samples. Female stool (22 %) had the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites relative to males (4 %). Entamoeba histolytica (6 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (6 %) and Cryptosporidium spp. (6 %) were prevalent in the stool samples. These results underscore the need for more enlightenment and education for HCE workers in respect of biosafety. It further showed that the HCEs in Lagos disposed biomedical wastes improperly, which can lead to further transmission of pathogenic organisms.
Effect of root competition and nitrogen on growth and mineral content of Abiesfraseri

Three-year-old (3 + 0) Fraser fir seedlings (Abiesfraseri (Pursh) Poir. ) were grown in a controlled-environment chamber under four N regimes, with and without root competition from orchard grass (Dactylisglomerata L.) or white clover (Trifoliumrepens L.). New shoot, stem, and root growth of Fraser fir were harvested 30, 60, and 90 days after budbreak. In the absence of root competition, dry weight and N content increased in a significant curvilinear manner with increasing N. With root competition, dry weight decreased linearly with increasing N, while N content increased linearly with increasing N levels. Responses of P and K content varied with seedling part. Cal content was not affected by root competition, while Mg content decreased in all seedling parts for trees grown with root competition. Orchard grass decreased growth and nutrient accumulation more than white clover.
Increased drought reduces acorn production in Quercus ilex coppices: thinning mitigates this effect but only in the short term

Summary In order to explore the effects of climate change on Mediterranean regenerating forests, we experimentally assessed the effects of increased drought on the reproductive attributes of Quercus ilex over a 4-year period (2005 – 2008). We also investigated whether traditional thinning (selection of one to a few stems per stump) could mitigate the consequences of increased drought in oak coppices. Increased drought reduced the number of reproductive trees, mean number of female fl owers produced and acorn crop size, although most of these effects appeared only in the last 2 years of the experiment. In a different way, thinning enhanced all reproductive attributes, but its main effects were transient and covered only 1 or 2 years after the application of the treatments. Our results indicate that a moderate reduction in rainfall (15 per cent ) reduces the reproductive ability of Q. ilex . This may have long-term negative consequences for recruitment as well as for the fauna feeding on acorns. Although traditional thinning may mitigate the consequences of increased drought, it has a remarkably short-term effect. This highlights the need to re-examine traditional forestry practices as potential adaptive strategies for coping with climate change in Mediterranean regenerating forests.