Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ozone Improves Pain, Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Before-After Study

Background: The study was conducted to: 1) demonstrate the effectiveness of a treatment protocol with Ozone therapy in pain, function, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis; and 2) apply Ozone as a conservative treatment option with a demonstrable level of scientific evidence. Methods: This prospective quasi-experimental before-after study was conducted on 119 patients with knee osteoarthritis, having Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or more, who were referred to hospital of Santa Cristina’s University, from January 2012 to April 2016. The protocol consisted of an intra-articular infiltration of a medical mixture of Oxygen-Ozone (95% 5%) 20mL, at a 20ug / mL concentration, during a total number of 4 sessions (once per week). Pain and quality of life were measured by visual analogical scale (VAS) and Western Ontarion and Mc Master Universities Index for osteoarthritis (WOMAC) at the beginning and end of the treatment. Results: The mean age of participants was 66.29 years. The sample was composed of 70.5% Women (n = 84) and 29.5% men (n = 35). The severity of OA according to Kellgren-Lawrence scale was 2.94°. Post-puncture erythema was 8.4% (n = 10). Pain measured by VAS significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) from the score 7.89 to 2.1. The scores of WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness, and WOMAC-function subscales decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) from 15.9 to 4.4, 3.5 to 0.9, and 49.5 to 17.6, respectively. The WOMAC total score decreased from 68.9 to 22.9 (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Ozone is a safe medical treatment that can improve significantly pain relief, stiffness, and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study shows a good level of evidence as well as a good grade of recommendation that allows us to consider Ozone as a conservative therapeutic option in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Meat production and maintaining biodiversity: Grazing by traditional breeds and crossbred beef cattle in marshes and grasslands

QUESTIONS: Sustainable rangeland utilization considering traditions and economic reasons is compulsory for harmonising the needs of the agricultural and nature conservation sectors. For proper rangeland management it is crucial to compare the grazing effects of traditional breeds and crossbred animals of the same species that might have different effects on the rangelands. To fill this knowledge gap, in a grazing experiment, we investigated the effect of cattle breeds on the vegetation to test the effects on nature conservation value and agricultural production value. We hypothesized that the effects of cattle grazing on habitat conservation values and forage quality depend on the grazing breed, because breeds differ in selectivity, body size and trampling effect. LOCATION: Marshes and alkaline wet grasslands in Hortobagy National Park, Hungary. METHODS: We recorded the percentage cover of vascular plants in three consecutive years in a total of 60 plots in 12 areas grazed by traditional (0.61 AU/ha) and large‐sized crossbred beef cattle (0.68 AU/ha). RESULTS: We found that the effect of cattle breed on the habitat conservation values and forage quality is dependent on the habitat type. The traditional breed maintained a significantly higher species number and Shannon diversity in marshes than the crossbred beef cattle. Grazing of crossbred cattle led to decreasing moisture indicator values in marsh habitats. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that traditional breeds should be prioritized in the management of wet alkaline grasslands and marshes. Crossbred beef cattle might be a substitute but only in case traditional breeds are not available for the management of alkaline wet grasslands. In marshes, however, we recommend prioritizing the traditional breeds as they maintain higher diversity compared to crossbred beef cattle.
In vitroAnticancer Evaluation of Saponins Obtained From Spirulina platensis on MDA, HepG2, and MCF7 Cell Lines

Introduction: Microalgae are known for their bioactive compounds with potential applications as antimicrobial, antiaging, and anticancer activities. Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) is a filamentous and photosynthetic microorganism that has 25 kinds of vitamins and minerals that contain many compounds with biotic activity such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and saponins. Saponins are mainly present in plants; while there are few studies about their role in microalgae. This study aims to investigate the anticancer potential of extracted saponins from S. platensis. Methods: Saponins were extracted; using distilled water and n-butanol. The total extracted saponin was dried and weighed. The cellular viability of HepG2, MCF-7, and MDA- MB-123 cell lines was evaluated; using MTT assay after 24 h treatment with 0.02-2 mg/ ml of saponins extracted from S. platensis. Morphology of cell lines was evaluated by invert microscopy. Results: Total saponin extracted from S. platensis was estimated at 28±0.0005 mg/g dry wt. Thin-layer chromatography profiles showed four bands for saponins with Rf values of 0.44, 0.48, 0.50, and 0.55. The cytotoxic activity after 24 h treatment with 0.02-2 mg/ml of saponins was a concentration-dependent manner. The highest toxicity of saponins with IC50=0.22 mg/ml was observed in MDA-MB-123 cells. In HepG2 and MCF-7 cells IC50 value was obtained in 0.35 mg/ml and 0.4 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first report to evaluate the anticancer effects of saponins from S. platensis in liver and breast cancers. The result showed that saponins from Spirulina decrease cancer cellular viability. Therefore, these compounds can be a candidate for anticancer agents.
Cognitive Flexibility, Relativistic Appreciation, and Ethnocultural Empathy Among Chinese International Students

Based on Berry’s (1997) framework, we investigated the mediating effect of cognitive flexibility and the moderating effect of relativistic appreciation on the association between acculturative stress and ethnocultural empathy. A total of 199 Chinese international students from two Midwestern universities in the United States participated. Results indicated support for both hypotheses. First, cognitive flexibility significantly mediated the association between acculturative stress and ethnocultural empathy. Second, relativistic appreciation significantly moderated the effects of acculturative stress on ethnocultural empathy. Specifically, the effect of acculturative stress on ethnocultural empathy was significantly negative for those with relativistic appreciation levels below the 26th percentile. Conversely, this effect was not significant for those with relativistic appreciation levels above the 26th percentile. Our results offer a new perspective on acculturative stress, provides tools for clinicians working with Chinese international students who are coping with acculturative stress, and advocates for culturally appropriate coping strategies.
The Rust Belt, the Sunbelt, and the Concentration of Poverty Within Large U.S. Cities

Previous research that has quantified the dispersion of U.S. urban poverty has often focused on metropolitan areas rather than on central cities themselves. Detroit, for example, shares a region with wealthy suburbs and thus appears to have concentrated poverty, but the city itself is uniformly poor and has few pockets of wealth. This study calculates four measures of household poverty concentration across block groups inside 74 U.S. cities, finding poor Rust Belt cities such as Detroit to have diffuse poverty. We also isolate a group of low-poverty, high-concentration cities in the U.S. South and West, as well as outliers that include Sunbelt cities with more diffuse poverty than predicted. Regression analysis finds the poverty rate itself to explain most of the variation in poverty concentration, with ethnic composition and the share of service employment also playing a potential role. Calculating changes in tract level poverty distributions from 2010 to 2015, we find that the concentration of poverty has decreased overall and that growth in the share of Hispanic residents might help explain these decreases.
Comparison of variable selection methods in partial least squares regression

Through the remarkable progress in technology, it is getting easier and easier to generate vast amounts of variables from a given sample. The selection of variables is imperative for data reduction and for understanding the modeled relationship. Partial least squares (PLS) regression is among the modeling approaches that address high throughput data. A considerable list of variable selection methods has been introduced in PLS. Most of these methods have been reviewed in a recently conducted study. Motivated by this, we have therefore conducted a comparison of available methods for variable selection within PLS. The main focus of this study was to reveal patterns of dependencies between variable selection method and data properties, which can guide the choice of method in practical data analysis. To this aim, a simulation study was conducted with data sets having diverse properties like the number of variables, the number of samples, model complexity level, and information content. The results indicate that the above factors like the number of variables, number of samples, model complexity level, information content and variant of PLS methods, and their mutual higher‐order interactions all significantly define the prediction capabilities of the model and the choice of variable selection strategy.
The Model of Spiritual Leadership in Transforming the Millennial Generation Economy in Bali

The spiritual leadership model is a guide between genetic theory, social theory, ecological theory, and the divine theory in transforming the millennial generation economy. The problem examined in this article is how the model of spiritual leadership in transforming the millennial generation economy in Bali? The methodology used is qualitative with data collection techniques, namely participatory observation, interviews, literature reviews, case studies, and documentation.Data sources refer to the concept of leadership in Blimbingsari Village as well as a comparison with the economic changes of the millennial generation, specifically the millennial generation that relies on business in the tourism sector in Bali. The results of the study show that the model of spiritual leadership can transform the millennial generation economy in Bali through the cultivation of spiritual values, work ethic, social capital, and entrepreneurial spirit. The spiritual leadership model can be applied to all sectors of Indonesian society's life in the economic, social and cultural fields.
Culture, corruption, and women in government

Previous studies have posited that women are less tolerant of unethical behaviors than men and have found that countries with a greater percentage of women in government are associated with lower levels of corruption. Nonetheless, recent studies have hypothesized that the effect of women on corruption is dependent on institutional and cultural environments in which they work. The aim of this study is to empirically test if the effect of women in government on country-level corruption is dependent on culture using cross-country data. Through a series of regressions, moderating terms between women in government and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are added to empirically test the moderating effect of culture. This study offers empirical evidence that the effect of women in government on corruption is dependent on Hofstede’s individual cultural dimension, supporting recent claims that the effect of women on corruption is indeed dependent on cultural contexts.
COMPARING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO DIFFERENT DOSES OF INTRAVENOUS LIGNOCAINE IN REDUCING THE INCIDENC E OF PAIN ON PROPOFOL INJECTION

INTRODUCTION: Propofol in spite of its advantages as an induction agent has the drawback of pain on injection which can be very distressing to the patients. Pain on Propofol injection is estimated to be around 28-90%. Many drugs have been tried to attenuate the pain of Propofol injection. Lignocaine has been the most studied drug in varying dosages, as a mixture with Propofol, given alone and with and without venous occlusion. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of two doses of Lignocaine 25mg,50mg and a placebo in attenuating the pain of propofol injection with 60 seconds of venous occlusion using a tourniquet to a pressure of 100 mmHg. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a prospective randomized double blinded study of ASA I and II patients divided into three groups. Group 1(n=20) received 5 ml normal saline, group 2 (n=20) received 25 mg lignocaine diluted to 5ml, group 3 (n=20) received 50 mg lignocaine diluted to 5ml. All patients had a tourniquet applied for venous occlusion for 60 seconds at 100 mmHg. After propofol injection pain was evaluated using verbal rating scale and behavioral changes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The obtained data was analyzed statistically using the one way analysis of variance test and the chi-square test for the pain score. RESULTS: Propofol produced pain on injection in 80% of patients which was reduced to 45% with 25mg of lignocaine with venous occlusion and further reduced to 25% with 50 mg lignocaine with venous occlusion. None of the lignocaine treated patients had severe pain. CONCLUSION: Lignocaine with venous occlusion is effective in attenuating the pain on propofol injection. 50 mg of intravenous lignocaine with venous occlusion being more effective than 25 mg of intravenous lignocaine with venous occlusion.
Incorporation of winter grasses suppresses summer weed germination and affects inorganic nitrogen in flooded paddy soil

ABSTRACT Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate how incorporation of the winter grasses foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis) and milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus) into flooded paddy soil affects the germination of summer weeds and soil inorganic nitrogen (N) levels. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) vessels (10.0 × 8.0 × 15.0 cm) were filled with 0.7 kg air-dried soil that had been collected from organic paddy fields located in Tochigi, Japan. Foxtail and milk vetch were then independently incorporated into the soil at rates of 0% (untreated control), 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, with four repetitions per treatment. The PET vessels were placed in a growth chamber (Biotron) set to day/night temperatures and humidities of 27/18°C and 70%/65%, respectively, and with an illuminance of 40,000 lx (12 h) for 28 days, and the total number of weeds and changes in the electrical conductivity (EC) of the surface water were investigated throughout this period, while changes in soil inorganic N were determined at the ends of the experiments. The incorporation of both foxtail and milk vetch significantly suppressed the germination of summer weeds by 56% and 50%, respectively, at incorporation rates of 1% and by 78% and 77%, respectively, at incorporation rates of 1.5% compared with their respective controls. There was a high and significant positive correlation between both the rate of winter grass incorporation and the degree of growth suppression and EC. Incorporation of foxtail at rates of 0.25% and 0.5% significantly increased the inorganic N contents of the sub-layer by an average of 68% compared with the control but had no significant effect in the top layer, whereas the incorporation of milk vetch at a rate of 1% significantly increased the inorganic N contents of both the top layer and sub-layer by 200% and 316%, respectively, compared with the control. Furthermore, the effect of milk vetch on inorganic N significantly increased with an increase in the rate of incorporation. These findings demonstrate that incorporation of the winter grasses foxtail and milk vetch into flooded organic paddy soil can suppress weed growth and act as a source of inorganic N.
Developments in educational neuroscience: implications for the art and science of learning

ABSTRACT Learning is a complex phenomenon where a learner constitutes a system operating at neural, physiological, cognitive and social levels, with interactions between and across processes and levels, effecting neural to cognitive to social levels and vice versa. In tracing historical paradigms, theories of learning have been traditionally fragmented in nature, typically focusing on sub-process or sub–levels of the system. For example, theories of cognitivism focuses on internal processes and connections that take place during learning, negating observed behaviours or outward behaviours of learning, while theories of social constructivism place strong emphasis on human development and knowledge construction that is socially situated, with less attention paid to individual differences and variations. In recognizing inherently complex interrelated learning systems, a more integrated and comprehensive understanding of learning is necessary. Such an understanding entails research endeavours that can harness multiple, complex parameters of the learner system through mapping and understanding interactions between and across learning processes and levels. Such endeavours entail the use of multiple sources of scientific evidence, across multi-modal data capture modes and multi-levels of analyses, informed by multi-disciplinary theoretical framings. In this paper, we argue that an overarching scientific ethos towards learning optimizations need artful implementations of pedagogies and interventions that close the circle—from scientific findings translated into practical applications in education and back to addressing problems in education as impetus for evidence-informed theorizations of learning.
Ascites due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a oocyte donor: A case report

We are reporting a case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a oocyte donor. Imaging findings are discussed here. As number of in vitro fertilization procedure are on the rise, knowledge of this condition can avoid delay in diagnosis to prevent, progression to life threatening complications, and unnecessary surgery. Keywords: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, Vascular permeability, Gonadotropin, Ascites
ZnO for performance enhancement of surface plasmon resonance biosensor: a review

This paper reviews Kretschmann-based SPR sensor utilizing ZnO thin films and nanostructures for performance enhancement. The advancement in surface plasmon resonance technology relies on low-cost, high sensitivity and high selectivity sensor. Metal oxide has been incorporated in SPR sensor to be used for detection of biological and chemical compounds. ZnO as one of the metal oxides is an attractive material due to its unique physical and optical properties. Numerous techniques for fabrication and characterization of ZnO on SPR gold substrate have been studied. The mechanism for gas and biomolecules detection depends on their interaction with ZnO surface, which is mainly attributed to the high isoelectric point of ZnO. There are several types of ZnO nanostructures which have been employed for SPR application based on the Kretschmann configuration. In future, the thin film and nanostructures of ZnO have potential applications for miniature design, robust, high sensitivity, and low-cost portable type of SPR biosensor to be used for on-site testing in real-time and label-free manner.
Impact of stored red cells on clinical outcome in critically ill

Background: The use and benefit of fresh blood and leuco-reduced blood for critically ill patients has been inconclusive. In this study we have tried to observe the same, in patients admitted to intensive care unit. Study Design and Methods: Prospective study was done to observe the effect of transfusion in critically ill patients in a tertiary care hospital. Clinical condition in cases and controls was assessed with the help of Simplified Acute Physiology Score II scoring tool. Clinical outcome among patients who received blood was compared using two cutoffs, 14 and 21 days of shelf life to delineate fresh from old blood. Length of hospital stay, length of stay in ICU, number of days on ventilator and number of hospital acquired infections were used as the surrogate markers for morbidity. Results: Of the 558 critically ill patients admitted during the study period, 427 received (cases) while 131 did not receive the transfusion (controls). Mean SAPS II scores of cases and controls were comparable. We observed a significantly higher rate of mortality among patients who received RBC units over 21 days. However morbidity parameters were affected even when the cutoff of 14 days is considered. Buffy-coat reduced blood did not influence the outcome in the study group. Conclusion: Critically ill patients may be prioritized for receiving fresher units of packed red cells preferably less than 21 days old. Transfusion is an independent risk factor for morbidity. Hence the risk to benefit ratio should be carefully assessed for every red cell transfusion in critically ill patients.
A Review on Human-Computer Interaction and Intelligent Robots

In the field of artificial intelligence, human–computer interaction (HCI) technology and its related intelligent robot technologies are essential and interesting contents of research. From the perspective of software algorithm and hardware system, these above-mentioned technologies study and try to build a natural HCI environment. The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of HCI and intelligent robots. This research highlights the existing technologies of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and other senses, which are widely used in human interaction. Based on these same technologies, this research introduces some intelligent robot systems and platforms. This paper also forecasts some vital challenges of researching HCI and intelligent robots. The authors hope that this work will help researchers in the field to acquire the necessary information and technologies to further conduct more advanced research.
What is the efficacy of nonestrogen therapy for treating AV in postmenopausal women?

Postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis may benefit from various nonestrogen therapies such as oral ospemifene (30–60 mg daily) (SOR: A, metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials) or topical gels containing oxytocin (1 mg daily), dehydroepiandrosterone (6.5 mg daily), or hyaluronic acid (5 mg daily) (SOR: B, individual trials). Copyright © 2020 by Family Physicians Inquiries Network, Inc. DOI 10.1097/EBP.0000000000000637
Diversity and distribution of nitrogen fixation genes in the oxygen minimum zones of the world oceans

Abstract. Diversity and community composition of nitrogen (N) fixing microbes in the three main oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) of the world ocean were investigated using operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analysis of nifH clone libraries. Representatives of three of the four main clusters of nifH genes were detected. Cluster I sequences were most diverse in the surface waters, and the most abundant OTUs were affiliated with Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria. Cluster II, III, and IV assemblages were most diverse at oxygen-depleted depths, and none of the sequences were closely related to sequences from cultivated organisms. The OTUs were biogeographically distinct for the most part – there was little overlap among regions, between depths, or between cDNA and DNA. In this study of all three OMZ regions, as well as from the few other published reports from individual OMZ sites, the dominance of a few OTUs was commonly observed. This pattern suggests the dynamic response of the components of the overall diverse assemblage to variable environmental conditions. Community composition in most samples was not clearly explained by environmental factors, but the most abundant OTUs were differentially correlated with the obvious variables, temperature, salinity, oxygen, and nitrite concentrations. Only a few cyanobacterial sequences were detected. The prevalence and diversity of microbes that harbor nifH genes in the OMZ regions, where low rates of N fixation are reported, remains an enigma.