Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of Antibacterial Silver Nanoparticles by Endophytic Fungus Nemania sp. Isolated From Taxus baccata L. (Iranian Yew)

Objectives: Inthisstudy,themycosynthesisof silvernanoparticleswasinvestigatedusingtheendophyticfungiisolatedfrom Taxus baccata L. (Iranian Yew). Methods: Endophyticfungiwereisolatedfrom Taxusbaccata L. (IranianYew)andweresubjectedtomycosynthesisof silvernanopar-ticles (AgNPs), extracellularly. The characterization of produced AgNPs was done using UV-V spectroscopy, TEM, and FTIR. Further antimicrobialactivityof synthesizedAgNPswastestedagainst Bacillussubtillis , Pseudomonasaeruginosa , Escherichiacoli , Staphylococcus sp. , and Salmonella typhi , using the agar well diﬀusion assay method. To identify the fungal isolate, the ITS region was ampliﬁed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using universal primers ITS1 and ITS4. For obtaining closely related phylogenetic sequences, sequence analysis of ITS- rDNA was run using the BLAST algorithm of the NCBI database. Results: The endophytic fungus, Nemania sp. , was found to be a good producer of AgNPs. The surface plasmon resonance band in UV-Vis spectroscopy was at 460 nm, which conﬁrmed the formation of AgNPs. The size range of the synthesized AgNPs was 5 to 70 nm, according to the TEM analysis. The FTIR study of AgNPs showed major peaks around 1035, 1392, 1514, 1644, 2922, and 3443 cm -1 , which were responsible for diﬀerent functional groups possibly involved in the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. Antibacterial activity showed maximum zone of inhibition of 17 mm against B. subtilis . Conclusions: Nemania sp. can be a fungal system for extracellular mycosynthesis of AgNPs, which is a simple and ecofriendly method for nanoparticle synthesis.
Public Health Impact of Environmental Pollution in Areas with Gas Flares

Background: A variety of pollutants are discharged during gas flaring and these are detrimental to animals and the environment. These pollutants are linked to a range of adverse health impacts including cancer, neurological, reproductive and developmental effects. Furthermore, some of the pollutants such as sulphur dioxide cause environmental issues including acid rain as well as the production of greenhouse gases and this contributes to climate change. This article evaluates the public health impact of environmental pollution in areas with gas flares. Methodology: This research followed a mixed method approach of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Descriptive statistics were followed with frequency distribution of respondents to the Likert scaled questions. The nominal knowledge level of respondents was determined from their Likert scaled responses to questions. ANOVA comparisons were made between the subgroups of demographic factors to determine differences in knowledge level. MANOVA was also carried out to determine the influence of educational and social levels as well as duration of stay in the community. Outcome: Evaluation of the nominal knowledge level of respondents determined from Likert scale shows no statistically significant differences between demographic subgroups. Further, ANOVA of nominal knowledge between educational subgroups shows gradient increase but no statistical difference. Conclusion: The community has knowledge on the negative impact of gas flaring. This report increases understanding of community awareness about the effects of gas flares on the environment and health.
CORRELATION BETWEEN HIGHER TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL AND HIGH BARTHEL INDEX SCORE IN PATIENTS

Among all deaths, 40-50% are due to vascular events and out of these 10% are due to stroke. More than 66% of the global stroke occurrence is in developing countries, where the average age of patients with stroke is 15 years less than in developed countries. Objectives: To determine the correlation between higher total cholesterol level and high Barthel Index score(estimate of functional daily independent activity level) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Design: Cross sectional study. Period: May 2013 to Apr 2014. Setting: Medical Units of DHQ and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Methodology: Sample size of 200 patients was collected and patients were included through Consecutive (non-probability) sampling technique. All patients underwent CT scan Brain from the radiology department of the hospital to determine the respective changes (hypo dense area) of the ischemic stroke. Fasting serum cholesterol was measured in all patients after an overnight fast of 12 hours. Then patients were assessed by using Barthel Index score (BI). The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Spearman Rank correlation coefficient was calculated to BI score in patients with ischemic stroke. Results: The mean age of the patients was noted as 61.76±11.55 years. In this study 55.50% were males and 44.50% patients were females. The mean total cholesterol value of patients was noted as 251.58±71.15 mg/dl. Out of 200 patients, 111(55.5%) patients had high cholesterol (>200mg/dl) whereas 89(44.5%) patient had low cholesterol of(<200mg/dl). In statical analysis the results showed that the mean value of total Barthel index score was 57.50±19.52. The study results described that 51.50% patients had high Barthel index score (>53) whereas 48.50% patients had low Barthel index score (<53). Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated between high TC and high BI score as r= 0.641. This value was statistically significant i.e. p-value=0.000*. Conclusions: With the help of this study, we found a significant positive relationship between high TC and high BI score in patients presented with ischemic stroke. Now we can better prognosticate the functional outcome of ischemic stroke in our patients.
Determining the Effectiveness of Different Reconstruction Method and Mandibular Implants for Fracture in the Mandible

Introduction: Every year, many people suffer from mandibular defects due to various reasons such as trauma or malignant tumors. Various techniques for reconstructing mandibular defects have always been considered by surgeons and maxillofacial specialists to select the best option and achieve the desired results for the patient. In this study, various articles and their techniques for reconstruction of mandibular defects were reviewed and their results were reported. Materials and Methods: The present study is a systematic review study in which the keywords implants, mandibular, trauma, reconstruction of the desired articles in two databases pubmed and science direct from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2018 And were selected and then examined. Results: 33 articles met the inclusion criteria on which the final review was performed. 17 articles were clinical studies, 9 articles were case reports and 7 articles were reviews. In these 33 studies, various techniques were examined, including the use of free vascularized fibular flap, the use of computer software, and the prototyping technique. Conclusion: Among the existing methods, the use of free vascularized fibular flap has been approved as a widely used and reliable method in various studies, and many researchers believe that this technique is the gold standard for the reconstruction of mandibular defects. The use of computer software was also used as a complementary technique to improve surgical outcomes.
Effect of Expanded Polystyrene Particle Size on Engineering Properties of Clayey Soil

The particle size of expanded polystyrene (EPS) has an effect on engineering properties of EPS-clay blends. However, the effect of differences between EPS particle size groups subdivided within 1–3 mm on engineering properties is usually ignored. In this study, different particle sizes of EPS pellets have been considered to separately investigate the effect on the optimum water content (OWC), maximum dry density (MDD), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), ductility, coefficient of permeability, and compression index of EPS-clay blends. Results show that the MDD, ductility, hydraulic conductivity, and compression index of EPS-clay blends do not increase with the increase in the EPS particle size in the range of 0.3–3 mm, while the OWC and UCS do not decrease. For a given EPS content, among samples with the EPS particle size of 0.3–1 mm, 1-2 mm, and 2-3 mm, the MDD and UCS of EPS-clay blends with 1-2 mm in EPS particle size are the largest, while the OWC, ductility, coefficient of permeability, and compression index are the smallest. Microstructure analyses reveal that, for samples with the EPS particle size of 1-2 mm, the pore volume is lower and the microstructure is denser, which are the main reasons why the EPS particle size can influence engineering properties of EPS-clay blends.
Performance Evaluation of a Rice (Oryza sativa) Thresher

A paddy thresher supplied to the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Bayero University, Kano Nigeria as part of its takeoff equipment for teaching and learning was evaluated to determine its performance indices in terms of threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, output capacity, mechanical damage and scatter loss. The variables used were two levels of moisture content (20% and 14%), two levels of speed (500 rpm and 700 rpm) and feed rate at two levels (100 kg/hr and 150 kg/hr). The factorial experiments were run in a complete randomized design in three replications. Two local Rice varieties Sipi (variety 1) and Jemila (variety2) were used. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and LSD were used to assess the effects of the independent variables on the performance indices of the paddy thresher. The mean values for cleaning efficiency, mechanical damage, scatter loss and output capacity ranges from 59.28 – 87.82%, 0.02 - 0.23%, 0.02 - 0.05% and 25.26 - 58.82 kg/h respectively. ANOVA results showed that moisture content, feed rate and speed significantly affected cleaning efficiency, mechanical damage and the output capacity at 5% probability for the two paddy varieties. Keywords— Efficiency, output capacity, performance, rice, threshing machine.
Effect of citric acid in low nutrient diet on growth and bone mineral metabolism of broiler

The study was conducted to observe the performance of broiler in low level of dietary nutrients but using citric acid (CA) as feed additive. A total of 240 day old straight run broiler chicks (COBB 500) were randomly distributed into eight groups, with three replicate cages having 10 birds in each. Control diet (Group 1) was formulated with corn-soybean based ingredients contained 22.7% CP and 3213 kcal ME/kg. Other dietary Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were control+0.5% CA, control+4% low protein and energy, control+4% low protein and energy with 0.5% CA, control+8% low protein and energy, control+8% low protein and energy with 0.5% CA, control+12% low protein and energy and 12% low protein and energy with 0.5% CA, respectively. At the age of 31 days 8% lowering the protein and energy could compensate by the addition of citric acid (group 6). There was no significant difference of total feed intake among the groups. As live weight 8% lowering the protein and energy could compensate the feed efficiency when addition of CA. Tibia ash was determined in first four groups that were 44.2, 49.5, 46.8 and 47.1% in group 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The mortality was 0.0% during the whole experimental period. The cost of production (BDT/kg broiler) was lowest in group 8, that means lowering protein and energy reduces feed cost. It may be concluded that diets containing low protein and energy up to 8% but addition of 0.5% citric acid would compensate the performance of broiler, but 12% reduction of energy and nutrients is cost effective. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2021. 50 (1):36-42
Selenium Valence-to-Core X-ray Emission Spectroscopy and Kβ HERFD X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy as Complementary Probes of Chemical and Electronic Structure

Selenium X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has found widespread use in investigations of Se-containing materials, geochemical processes, and biologically active sites. In contrast to sulfur Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), which has been found to contain electronic and structural information complementary to S XAS, Se Kβ XES remains comparatively underexplored. Herein, we present the first Se Valence-to-Core (VtC) XES studies of reduced Se-containing compounds and FeSe dimers. Se VtC XES is found to be sensitive to changes in covalent Se bonding interactions (Se–Se/Se–C/Se–H bonding) while being relatively insensitive to changes in Fe oxidation states as selenide bridges in FeSe dimers ([Fe2Se2]2+ vs [Fe2Se2]+). In contrast, Se Kβ HERFD XAS is demonstrated to be quite sensitive to changes in the Fe oxidation state with Se Kβ HERFD XAS demonstrating experimental resolution equivalent to Kα HERFD XAS. Additionally, computational studies reveal both Se VtC XES and XAS to be sensitive to selenium protonation in FeSe complexes.
Properties of Electrosynthesized Cobalt Doped Zinc Selenide Thin Films Deposited at Varying Time

Time optimized cobalt-doped zinc selenide thin films have been successfully electrodeposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates. The films were deposited at the varying time of 1 min, 3 mins, and 5 mins respectively. Film thickness, optical, structural, electrical, and morphological properties of the deposited thin films were evaluated. Film thickness estimated using the gravimetric method increased from 294.35 nm to 399.62 nm as deposition time increased. Optical properties showed that the absorbance of the films ranged from 13.58% to 83.15% and was found to increase as deposition time increased. Transmittance ranged from 24.40% to 73.15% and was found to decrease as deposition time increased. The reflectance of the films was found to be low while the energy band gap ranged between 2.10 eV and 2.85 eV. Structural properties confirmed the deposition of ZnSe thin film with crystallite size values that fall between 14.68 nm and 18.60 nm. Dislocation density is ranged from 4.66 × 1015 lines/m2 to 2.97 × 1015 lines/m2 while microstrain ranged between 8.53 × 10-3 and 5.83 × 10-3. Crystallite sizes of the films were found to increase as deposition time increased while dislocation density and microstrain were found to decrease as deposition time increased. Electrical properties showed that the deposited films are semiconducting films with electrical resistivity values of 1.54 × 105 Ω cm-1.83 × 104 Ω cm and electrical conductivity values of 6.30 × 10-6 S/cm-5.47 × 10-5 S/cm. The micrograph of the films showed that the films were made up of nanoparticles and nanofibres of different dimensions. Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) spectra of the films confirmed the presence of cobalt, zinc, and selenium.
COPD_A_325419 2895..2900

Service de pneumologie, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada Introduction: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging Gram-negative MDR bacteria. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is mostly found in those with severe exacerbation of COPD requiring mechanical ventilation. The significance of S. maltophilia when detected in the sputum of ambulatory patients with COPD is uncertain. Objective: To access the prevalence and the risk factors of the presence of S. maltophilia in the sputum of ambulatory patients with COPD and to determine whether it was associated with prognosis. Methods: All consecutive unselected ambulatory patients with GOLD 2–4 COPD were recruited between January 2017 and September 2019 from the COPD clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Presence of S. maltophilia was defined by a positive sputum culture for S. maltophilia. Demographics, COPD characteristics, comorbidities and known predisposing risk factors associated with S. maltophilia were collected from medical records. Results: S. maltophilia was detected in the sputum of 41/393 (10%) of study participants. Comorbidities, exacerbation, use of oral steroids and carbapenems in the previous year were risk factors for the presence of S. maltophilia. After adjusting on confounding factors associated with mortality including age, Charlson comorbidity index and FEV1, S. maltophilia was significantly associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–4.9). Conclusion: In the current study, we found that 10% of ambulatory patients with GOLD 2– 4 COPD had S. maltophilia detected in their sputum. In addition, S. maltophilia may represent a marker of overall morbidity in patients with COPD.
Voices of Future Educators: Graduate Students’ Conceptions about Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Teaching and learning as a process and concept is often researched through the viewpoint of graduate students as future educators in their respective fields. The aim of this study was to explore graduate students’ conceptions, experiences, and advice about teaching and learning as they embark on their journey as educators. Through purposive sampling, data were collected from students in the final year of their master’s program in education at a large university in Saudi Arabia. A qualitative content analysis of students’ written responses revealed three main themes: 1) definitions of teaching and learning were either teacher-led (predominant) or student-focused; 2) practical activities and assignments framed students’ memorable experiences; and, 3) updated, diverse methodologies including practical applications formed the main advice for educators. Student conceptions of teaching and learning, while predominantly teacher-led, illustrated elements of student-centered learning. An underlying trend throughout the data was an awareness and description of the ongoing transition from teacher-centered/led to student-centered classrooms in their higher education experiences. Implications of this study include reflection on teaching and student-centered learning as a concept and process in graduate-level education programs and faculty academic development and reconsideration of the traditional faculty-student relationship to a more cooperative and involved one, particularly at the graduate level. Received: 12 July 2021 / Accepted: 20 August 2021 / Published: 5 September 2021
Biochemical Composition and Anti-anemic Potential of Solanum torvum (Solanaceae) Berries in Albino Wistar Rats

Solanum torvum (Solanaceae) is a food plant commonly used in some regions of Côte d’Ivoire to treat anaemia. This study was therefore conducted to highlight some biochemical constituents and the anti-anaemic potential of cooked berries of this plant in Wistar rats. To this end, the berries were cooked for 30 minutes and then the constituents were evaluated using standard biochemical methods. For the study of the anti-anaemic potential, four (4) groups of eight (8) rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing on average 105 g were used. The rats were made anaemic by phenylhydrazine and then received 1ml/100g/d of distilled water (negative control), the aqueous extract of the berries at concentrations of 3.2 and 6.4 mg/ml. The positive control batch of rats received Vitafer (reference drug for the treatment of anaemia). The anaemia was assessed by means of a haemogram performed on blood samples taken on days 0, 3, 7 and 15. The analysis showed that the berries had a moisture content of 12.085%. The dry matter content was 87.915% with an ash content of 16.310%. Vitamin C was estimated at 14.810 mg/100g. The mineral values were 4.175 mg/100g for iron, 1.915 mg/100g for zinc, 1.245 mg/100g for magnesium and 134.780 mg/100g for potassium. For the evaluation of the anti-anemic properties, the results showed that the administration of the aqueous extract of S. torvum berries at the concentrations of 3.2 and 6.4 mg/ml would promote recovery rates of red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit similar to those of the reference anti-anaemic product "Vitafer".
Influence of Age and School Type on Reform Practices Performed by School Heads

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of implementing reform practices and their resulting stress and to explore the influence of age, gender, school type and tracking type on performing reform practices and the perceived stress in implementing reforms among school leaders. A quantitative research design was used with respondents sampled from among senior high school heads. The data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression to examine the influence of demographic (age and gender) and school variables (school type and tracking type) on implementing reform and its perceived stressfulness. The findings showed that on implementing reforms and its inherent stressfulness, a majority of school heads ‘always’ perform reform duties and a greater proportion reported high-stress levels in implementing reforms from 'somewhat causes’ stress to ‘causes great’ stress. Regarding demographic and school variables, age was a significant negative predictor of implementing reforms, indicating that younger heads were more likely to perform reform functions than older heads while school type significantly influences stress level in implementing reforms, implying that heads in boarding schools were more likely to experience higher stress levels in implementing reforms than heads in day schools. The authors recommended continuous in-service training for school heads, the practice of distributive leadership style and provision of infrastructure to phase out the double-track (shift system) in some schools. Received: 4 June 2020 / Accepted: 20 August 2021 / Published: 5 September 2021
Study of the Effect of Concurrent Therapy of Spironolactone With Levodopa on Depression Disorder in Male Rats

Background: Depression has a high prevalence and high mortality and a tremendous negative impact on people’s quality of life. This study was considered to examine the effect of levodopa and spironolactone (SPIR) in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced depression-like behavior. Methods: Parkinson was induced by the unilateral intra-nigral injection of 6-OHDA (8 µg/2 µL/rat) in the central region of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). In the levodopa treatment group, 21 days after the injection of 6-OHDA, the rats were treated with (i.p.) injections of levodopa (15 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. In the other group, only SPIR (25 mg/kg) was added to levodopa (15 mg/kg) as a concurrent therapy according to the treatment protocol. Anxiety and depression-like behavior were assessed by behavioral tests such as passive avoidance task (PAT), open field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST). Results: Intra-nigral injection of 6-OHDA in the SNc increased anxiety and depression-like behavior. Our results showed that the use of levodopa (15 mg/kg) treatment significantly attenuated depression-like behavior induced by 6-OHDA in FST (P<0.001) and TST (P<0.001) in rats. Moreover, levodopa (15 mg/kg) + SPIR (25 mg/kg) significantly reduced the symptoms of depression-like behavior induced by 6-OHDA in OFT (P<0.05), FST (P<0.001), and TST (P<0.001) tests in rats. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the intra-nigral injection of 6-OHDA into rats could cause anxiety and depression-like behavior in the fourth week onwards. Treatment with levodopa was able to attenuate stress and depressive symptoms. Additionally, our results revealed that SPIR could improve the effect of levodopa on depression-like behavior. Base on the results of this study, it is suggested that levodopa and SPIR could have some improving effects on 6-OHDA-induced depression-like behavior in parkinsonian rats.