Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Xylazine-Ketamine Anesthetic Dose in Mice with Chronic Liver Injury

Objective:The aim of the present study was to find the safest and appropriate intraperitoneal injection dose of Ketamine-Xylazine cocktail for short to the medium-duration surgical procedure (ultrasound-guided liver biopsy) in rats suffering chronic liver injury. Methods:Four anesthetic doses of Ketamine-Xylazine combination were compared for their safety and efficacy (death rate and surgical tolerance), using observations and reflex tests. Anesthesia evaluated during ultrasound-guided liver biopsy procedure. The reactions of physiological parameters to surgical stimuli were used to determine anesthesia depth and were correlated with reflex test results. Results: Full dose of Ketamine-Xylazine (87 mg/ kg- 13 mg/ kg) rapidly induced a deep state of anesthesia that lasted for about 70 minutes followed by complete cessation of respiration and death. Three-quarters dose of the cocktail also, rapidly induced a deep state of anesthesia that lasted 45 minutes. Anesthesia was adequate to perform the procedure. Recovery was long. No postoperative complications detected. Half dose of the Ketamine-Xylazine cocktail was short acting. Very good analgesia and muscle relaxation were recorded. Anesthesia lasted for about 30 minutes that was adequate for performing the procedure. Physiological parameters decreased followed by rapid stabilization. Smooth recovery noted. No postoperative complication recorded. Quarter dose produced a state of sedation. Analgesia and muscle relaxation were poor. Animals showed pain during manipulation. The procedure could not be achieved. Conclusions:The optimal intraperitoneal dose of Ketamine-Xylazine cocktail for balanced anesthesia in lab rats suffering chronic liver injury is (43.5 mg/kg and 6.5 mg/kg) respectively.
Survey of Termite Infested Houses, Indigenous Building Materials and Construction Techniques in Pakistan

Termite cause significant economic damage to wooden structures in Pakistan, thus makes termites of public interest. Eleven out of the 53 termite species described in Pakistan are of significant threat to timber-in-service. Still the fact remains that there is not much public awareness regarding what measures they may take or who to contact in order to safeguard their precious property against the termite attack and damage. Termite control measures are important to take necessary and timely actions to save excessive damage and increase service life of the property. Increased termites problem are also related to construction material and techniques. Before treatment, there is a need to understand building materials and construction well enough. Building fabric once treated must be examined annually to test the efficacy of insecticide and the Inspector must be familiar with the biology of termites and building materials.
Early Physiological Mechanisms of Weed Competition

Abstract Early physiological mechanisms that occur in crop plants in response to neighboring weeds are not well understood. In this experiment, it was hypothesized that, in the absence of direct competition for resources, low red to far red ratio (R∶FR) reflected from neighboring weeds will modulate the phenylpropanoid pathway, increase hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and up-regulate the expression of ethylene biosynthesis and auxin transport genes. Laboratory experiments were conducted under conditions of nonlimiting resources using perennial ryegrass as a model weed species. We discovered that the detection by phytochrome (Phy) of low R∶FR signals reflected from both biological and nonbiological sources triggered an up-regulation of ethylene biosynthesis genes and stimulated an auxin transport gene. The low R∶FR also modulated the phenylpropanoid pathway resulting in a reduction in anthocyanin content and an enhancement of lignin synthesis. The presence of neighboring weeds also caused an accumulation of H2O2 in the first leaf and crown root tissues of the maize seedling. Stomata were observed to be closed as H2O2 accumulated in leaf tissue. This is the first study to report the modulation of phenylpropanoid pathway and the accumulation of H2O2 attributed to low R∶FR. We further suggest that these physiological changes that occur in response to early weed competition result in a physiological cost to the crop plant, which contributes to the rapid loss in yield observed in weed competition studies conducted under field conditions. Nomenclature: Maize, Zea mays L. , perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L. , red to far-red, R∶FR, hydrogen peroxide, H2O2.
Comparison of weed control strategies in glyphosateresistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in Atlantic Canada

Glyphosate-resistant soybean cultivars with low corn heat unit requirements have only recently become available in the Atlantic region of Canada. In a field experiment near Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in 1998 and 1999, we evaluated the effect of time of application of glyphosate and application of selected herbicides, flumetsulam, metolachlor, imazethapyr, metribuzin, and bentazon on weed control and tolerance and yield of three glyphosate-resistant soybean cultivars having different maturity ratings. Glyphosate was applied at 0.90 kg ai ha-1 at the first, second or third trifoliate leaf stage, and sequentially at the first and third or second and third trifoliate stages. The sequential treatments of glyphosate resulted in 89 to 100% weed control, and yields achieved with glyphosate applied at the second or third trifoliate stages did not usually differ from sequential treatments. The other selected herbicides did not injure the cultivars and within the group, all treatments resulted in comparabl.
Role of direct immunofluorescence on Tzanck smear and plucked hair in the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris

Objective To determine the diagnostic value of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings on Tzanck smear and plucked hair in patients of pemphigus vulgaris and to compare the diagnostic value of both the tests. Methods Thirty consecutive patients of pemphigus vulgaris confirmed histopathologically were enrolled in the study. Tzanck smear from the blisters/ erosions was performed. Hair were plucked in a similar manner to that of trichogram. Approximately, 4 to 5 selected anagen hair were processed. Both the Tzanck smear and hair were stained with antihuman IgG, IgM, IgA and C3 fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugate. DIF findings were recorded and compared. Results Out of 30 patients, there were 21 (70%) males and 9 (30%) females. DIF was positive on Tzanck smear in 23 (76.7%) patients. Intercellular deposition of IgG was seen in the outer root sheath of anagen hair in 27 out of 30 (90%) patients. Conclusion DIF on Tzanck smear and plucked hair is a simple, painless and non-invasive test in diagnosing pemphigus vulgaris. DIF on hair is more reliable as compared to DIF on Tzanck smear.
RECENT ADVANCES IN FERTILIZATION ECOLOGY OF MACROALGAE 1

Our understanding of natural patterns of fertilization in seaweeds has increased substantially over the last 10 years due to new approaches and methods to characterize the nature and frequency of fertilization processes in situ, to recognize the conditions and mechanisms enhancing fertilization success, and to anticipate population and community consequences of the patterns of natural fertilization. Successful reproduction in many species depends on a delicate juxtaposition of abiotic and biotic conditions. Important abiotic factors are those triggering gamete release (e.g. single or interacting effects of light quality and water movement) and those affecting gamete viability or concentrations (e.g. salinity effects on polyspermy blocks; gamete dilution due to water movement). Examples of important biotic components are synchronous gamete release, efficiency of polyspermy‐blocking mechanisms, population density of sexually fertile thalli, interparent distances, and male‐to‐female ratios. Field data indicate fertilization frequencies of 70%–100% in broadcasting‐type seaweeds (e.g. fucoids) and 30%–80% in brooding‐type (red) algae. Red algal values are higher than previously thought and challenge presently accepted explanations for their complex life histories. Important population and community questions raised by the recent findings relate to the magnitude of gene flow and exchange occurring in many micropopulations that seemingly breed during periods of isolation, the physiological basis and population effects of male‐to‐male competition and sexual selection during fertilization of brooding seaweeds, and the effects of massive gamete release, especially in holocarpic seaweeds, on benthic and planktonic communities. Comparative studies in other algal groups are now needed to test the generality of the above patterns, to provide critical pieces of information still missing in our understanding of natural fertilization processes, and to elucidate the evolutionary consequences of the different modes of reproduction (e.g. brooders vs. broadcasters).
Global Social Policy Forum

This issue of Global Social Policy is focused on health and health policies. The Forum presents national case studies on the impact of globalization on health care, especially its impact on equity, both in terms of access and financing. This issue introduces also a new section, namely the one called ‘Policy Briefs’, which gives short reviews of important policy developments. Traditionally, analyses of health policies have primarily focused on the national contexts with little emphasis on the influence of international forces that shape such policies. Globalization processes outside the health sector redefine the framework for health policies that countries can put into practice, influencing the capacities to allocate resources to the health sector, the structures and modes of functioning of the health care system, as well as the extent to which countries can practice healthy public policies outside the health sector. These processes are often mainly about reducing public spending, and about introducing health care reforms that include the decentralization of health care systems and broadening of health financing options. These global trends are bound to affect the developing countries much more adversely than the developed countries due to conditionalities linked to development funding and the less formal negotiating leverage with the bilateral and international agencies that provide external assistance. Nevertheless, these trends concern more than just development policies and aid; similar trends are also seen in the developed countries, as is shown in the Finnish case study. While private medical practice and the dispensing of medical care for a fee have existed for a long time, the commercialization, ‘corporatization’ and ‘marketization’ of health care at the global level are phenomena of the last quarter of the 20th century. The commercialization of health services raises serious concerns for equity of access and relegates health care to the status of a ‘private’ rather than a ‘public’ good. In order to ensure equal access of the different strata of society, health services will be dependent on the contributions and participation of those more affluent and healthy. The principles of public health that emphasize universality, G S P F O R U M 243
Physico-chemical properties of oil from some selected underutilized oil seeds available for biodiesel preparation

In the past few decades, there has been increasing demand for reduction on the reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, there is an increasing search for renewable resources for biodiesel production. In this study, the feasibility of using some selected tropical seeds: palm kernel, breadfruit, groundnut, bambara groundnut, pumpkin, African oil bean, melon, sesame, coconut, soybean, Cucumeropsis manii, and Dacryodes edulis as sources of biodiesel production were investigated. These results suggest that these seeds (with the exception of breadfruit, African oil bean, coconut and dacryodes edulis ), could be used as sources of biodiesel production, going by their yield. Physico-chemical analysis revealed that tested parameters were within the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard specifications for biodiesel production. In actual fact, the iodine values of palm kernel, groundnut, bambara groundnut, pumpkin, African oil bean and sesame, show that they could be used as lubricants and hydraulic brake fluid. Key words: Oil seeds, biodiesel, properties, extraction.
Hepatoprotective Activity of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Water Extract against D-Galactosamine-Induced Hepatitis in Rats

School of Food and Life Science, Food Science Institute, Biohealth Products Research Center, Inje University, Gimhae 621-749, KoreaAbstractThis study aimed to investigate the protective effect of dandelion water extract (DWE) on liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifty rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (C), DWE-control (DWE-C: saline injection after feeding 3% DWE diet), GalN-control (GalN-C: GalN injection after normal diet), DWE Ⅰ (GalN injection after feeding 1.5% DWE diet), and DWE Ⅱ (GalN injection after feeding 3% DWE diet). After 2 weeks, the acute hepatitis was induced by GalN (650 mg/kg, i.p.) and 24 hrs later, all rats were sacrificed. The DWE supplement ameliorated the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, ALT) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities, such as catalase, GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) were slightly or significantly elevated by the treatment of DWE. Moreover, the histological examination corresponded with these biochemical observations. According to these findings, dandelion could be used as a potential therapeutic material for treating chemically induced acute hepatitis.Key words: dandelion water extract, D-galactosamine, hepatitis, antioxidative enzymes
Primary Productivity and Water Use in Native Forest, Grassland, and Desert Ecosystems

The relationship between abovegound net primary production (ANPP) and water use varies significantly among ecosystem types. For both hot deserts and shortgrass prairie—cold deserts which are water limited, ANPP is linearly related to annual water use above minimum amount of water, estimated at 38 and 170 mm, respectively, needed annually to sustain each system. Once the minimum water too sustain ANPP is reached, ANPP increases an estimated 0.38 g and 1.09 g per 1000 g of additional water in the hot desert and the shortgrass prairie—cold desert. In forest systems not water stressed, ANPP was not related to water use. For grasslands representing a gradient from water stressed toward not water stressed, ANPP correspondingly declined per unit of water used. Classically evaluating water—use efficiency as annual ANPP divided by annual evapotranspiration, forests are the most efficient, 0.9 to 1.8 g ANPP/1000 g water, followed by shortgrass prairie, 0.2 to 0.7, then hot deserts, 0.1 to 0.3. See full-text article.
A Re-Examination of Generic Concepts of Baeomycetoid Lichens Based on Phylogenetic Analyses of Nuclear ssu and Lsu Ribosomal Dna

Abstract The lichen symbiosis has evolved several times within the fungal kingdom, although the total number of lichenization events leading to extant taxa is still unclear. Two lichenized families, the Icmadophilaceae and Baeomycetaceae have been classified in the Helotiales. Because the Helotiales are predominantly nonlichenized, this suggests that these families represent independent evolutionary episodes of lichenization from the Lecanorales. As a first step towards understanding the evolution of the lichen symbiosis within this order, we tested recent hypotheses concerning the segregation of lichen genera between the two lichen families. Specifically, we used phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data from nuclear small-subunit and large-subunit ribosomal DNA to test the morphology-based hypotheses that Dibaeis is a distinct genus from Baeomyces and that Dibaeis is a member of the Icmadophilaceae rather than the Baeomycetaceae. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear SSU rDNA and combined SSU and LSU rDNA data support the hypothesis that Dibaeis is more closely related to IcmadophUa than it is to Baeomyces. Therefore, these data support the resurrection of Dibaeis from its previous synonymy with Baeomyces based on the characters of ascocarp colour and ascus morphology. The recognition of two distinct genera is also consistent with character state distribution of unique lichen acids.
HERITABILITIES OF AND CORRELATIONS AMONG QUALITY TRAITS IN WHEAT

Quality data from Western Canadian Cooperative Wheat Tests were analyzed. Standard deviations of 25 different quality measurements were determined and will allow wheat breeders to assess the significance of differences in their material. Estimates of heritability indicated that protein content and remix loaf volumes were highly heritable while gassing power, diastatic activity and other measures of amylase activity appeared to be influenced mainly by environmental factors. It was recognized that estimates of heritability were probably biased upward due to the nature of the data, and a need for studies designed for the purpose of estimating heritability of quality traits was expressed. Correlations among quality measurements were estimated. Prediction of loaf volumes on the basis of measurements on flour were quite successful, and indicated the importance of measurements such as protein content, farinograph development time and gassing power in early generation selection for quality.
SynLight: Synthetic Light Emission for Fast Transmission in COTS Device-enabled VLC

Visible Light Communication (VLC) systems relying on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices have gathered momentum recently, due to the pervasive adoption of LED lighting and mobile devices. However, the achievable throughput by such practical systems is still several orders below those claimed by controlled experiments with specialized devices. In this paper, we engineer SynLight aiming to significantly improve the data rate of a practical VLC system. SynLight adopts COTS LEDs as its transmitter, but it innovates in its simple yet delicate driver circuit wiring an array of LED chips in a combinatorial manner. Consequently, modulated signals can directly drive the on-off procedures of individual chip groups, so that the spatially synthesized light emissions exhibit a varying luminance following exactly the modulation symbols. To obtain a readily usable receiver, SynLight interfaces a COTS Photo-Diode with a smartphone through the audio jack. The evaluations on SynLight are both promising and informative: they demonstrate a throughput up to 60 kbps, more than 50× of that achieved by state-of-the-art systems, while suggesting various potentials to further enhance the performance.
Modelling global terrestrial vegetation–climate interaction

By coupling an atmospheric general circulation model asynchronously with an equilibrium vegetation model, manifold equilibrium solutions of the atmosphere–biosphere system have been explored. It is found that under present–day conditions of the Earth's orbital parameters and sea–surface temperatures, two stable equilibria of vegetation patterns are possible: one corresponding to present–day sparse vegetation in the Sahel, the second solution yielding savannah which extends far into the south–western part of the Sahara. A similar picture is obtained for conditions during the last glacial maximum (21 000 years before present (BP)). For the mid–Holocene (6000 years BP), however, the model finds only one solution: the green Sahara. We suggest that this intransitive behaviour of the atmosphere–biosphere is related to a westward shift of the Hadley–Walker circulation. A conceptual model of atmosphere–vegetation dynamics is used to interpret the bifurcation as well as its change in terms of stability theory.
Diet of the Invasive Lizard Chamaeleo jacksonii (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae) at a Wet-Forest Site in Hawai‘i 1

Abstract: We assessed diet from a sample of Jackson's chameleons inhabiting wet forest in Volcano Village, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i. Most lizards contained food in their gastrointestinal tract, diet was broad, and large numbers of invertebrates, mostly insects, were consumed. Native insects composed the largest component of dietary items, and these spanned most of the body-size range found in the native invertebrate community. Taxonomic composition of diets does not conform to expectations for iguanian lizards inasmuch as hymenopterans form only a small portion of consumed items. Insect chemical or stinging defenses did not preclude consumption by lizards. The study site is a mixture of native and alien vegetation. Chameleons collected from alien plants contained larger numbers of native prey items than did those lizards removed from native plants, suggesting that lizard residency on non-native plants will not reduce their predation impact on native invertebrates in mixed forest. Our results confirm the finding of a similar study in dry-forest habitat on Maui that Jackson's chameleons are likely to pose a substantial threat to a broad range of native invertebrate biodiversity in Hawai‘i.
Academic Capitalism

The large institutes of medicine or natural science are ‘‘state capitalist’’ enterprises, which cannot be managed without very considerable funds. Here we encounter the same condition that is found wherever capitalist enterprise comes into operation: the ‘‘separation of the worker from his [or her] means of production. ’’ The worker, that is, the assistant, is dependent upon the implements that the state puts at his [or her] disposal: hence he [or she] is just as dependent upon the head of the institute as is the employee in a factory dependent upon management. Thus, the assistant’s position is often as precarious as is that of any ‘‘quasi-proletarian’’ existence. An extraordinarily wide gulf, externally and internally, exists between the chief of these large, capitalist university enterprises and the full professor of the old style. Inwardly, as well as externally, the old university constitution has become fictitious. ’’ Weber 1918 [1946], 131
Notes on the biology of Anagrus breviphragma (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), natural enemy of the corn lefhopper Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) and others plant diseases vectors in South America

Anagrus breviphragma Soyka 1955 is a wide distributed and polyphagous species that, in northern Argentina is a common egg parasitoid of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus Maidis De Long & Wolcott. Considering the lack of information about this wasp and the economic significance of its hosts, the purpose of this contribution was to provide data of its biology. A. breviphragma culture was established in a climatic cell (25 ± 2°C, 7075% RH and 14L:10D h of artificial photoperiod). Data obtained from distinct maturation stages of the exposed host eggs were analyzed. The eggs-laying behavior was described. This wasp is solitary and proovigenic, without a preovipositional period. A. beviphragma parasitized eggs that were only 1 -3 day-old, and was not able to mature in eggs containing advances embryos. In laboratory, the measured average of parasitims was 66.5%. The developmental time of A. breviphragma is around 16.5 days, and females reached the adult stage significantly faster than males. This species also developed faster in one-day-old eggs than in two-old, and in those of two-days-old faster than in three-days-old eggs. Adult longevity averages 5 days while few individuals surviving more than 12 days; females lived longer than males. The obtained sex ratio showed a predominance of melaes over males.