Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil fertility management strategies and practices by smallholder farmers in semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe

Indigenous soil fertility management strategies in semi-arid Communal Areas of Zimbabwe have largely been driven by an extensive use of resources. The shrinking of common property resources (CPRs) due to expansion of cultivated lands, the general loss of productivity in natural ecosystems (e.g., poor grazing) and increasing demand for nutrient sources due to the increased number of farming households have resulted in a critical scarcity of the traditional sources of nutrients. Although farmers use many locally derived fertilizers (e.g., leaf litter, manure or termitaria), they do so more in desperation than by choice. Because of their low quality and declining availability, locally derived fertilizers fall short of satisfying crop growth requirements for the current market-oriented economy. Such inputs also require a lot of labor for collection and transport, often for little return in soil fertility improvement. There should therefore be a limit to which we can expect to manipulate farmer innovativeness or exploit indigenous knowledge systems in order to sustainably manage soil fertility. Farmers have probably done their best under the prevailing circumstances. The study by Scoones et al. (1996) gives examples of how farmers have adopted and fine-tuned technologies to suit a variety of circumstances. This raises a major issue of whether indigenous soil fertility management and practices in semi-arid Communal Areas can be improved without introducing major changes to the farming systems. The answer depends on the level of production that it is hoped farmers can achieve. If yields above subsistence production levels are expected, then the idea of low-input agriculture in these marginal environments is nonsensical. As population pressure continues to increase, the major challenge in semi-arid communal Areas is that of transforming an extensive management system into an intensive one. This involves changes in extension strategies, farmers attitudes and perceptions and a concomitant change in resource utilization. It therefore requires an interdisciplinary and integrated approach and should be expected to take time. Current indigenous soil fertility management practices are dependent on CPRs. Net nutrient outflows from these ecosystems are likely to result in declining productivity of CPRs. Households in semi-arid areas get significant income from forestry products (Clarke et al. 1996) e.g., crafts and wood carvings. Intensification of soil fertility management on arable lands will save forestry resources and spare these ecosystems from degradation. Under the current management practices, the only viable nutrient sources are manure and crop residues
Fatores de risco associados a falhas de concepção ao primeiro serviço em vacas leiteiras de alta produção - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v31i3.4108

This study investigated the risk factors for failure in the conception to the first post-parturition service (CFS). Holstein cows (n = 427) had their reproductive, health and nutritional status monitored from the period of pre-parturition to the CFS. Occurrence of diseases and body condition scores (BCS), at pre- and post-parturition, as well as milk composition, were recorded. Logistic regression models were used to isolate the risk factors and associations among the several risks for success or failure in CFS. The variables studied were lactation number, season of the first service, occurrence of peripartum diseases (PD), ratio of fat and protein of milk (RFP) and alterations in BCS. Primiparous cows presented larger success chance for first service than multiparous specimens. The inseminated cows in the winter presented, approximately, five times more chances of CFS than the cows inseminated in the summer. Cows that presented PD had smaller conception success than healthy cows. The animals that presented a better ruminal condition, determined by RFP, had better conception than the animals with reduced RFP. BCS, appropriate in the different productive phases, proved to be an important tool to identify cows with failure risk in the CFS.
Bark Beetles: Biology and Ecology of Native and Invasive Species

Bark Beetles: Biology and Ecology of Native and Invasive Species provides a thorough discussion of these economically important pests of coniferous and broadleaf trees and their importance in agriculture. It is the first book in the market solely dedicated to this important group of insects, and contains 15 chapters on natural history and ecology, morphology, taxonomy and phylogenetics, evolution and diversity, population dynamics, resistance, symbiotic associations, natural enemies, climate change, management strategies, economics, and politics, with some chapters exclusively devoted to some of the most economically important bark beetle genera, including Dendroctonus, Ips, Tomicus, Hypothenemus, and Scolytus. This text is ideal for entomology and forestry courses, and is aimed at scientists, faculty members, forest managers, practitioners of biological control of insect pests, mycologists interested in bark beetle-fungal associations, and students in the disciplines of entomology, ecology, and forestry. * Provides the only synthesis of the literature on bark beetles* Features chapters exclusively devoted to some of the most economically important bark beetle genera, such as Dendroctonus, Ips, Tomicus, Hypothenemus, and Scolytus* Includes copious color illustrations and photographs that further enhance the content
The Role of Otx2 in Bypassing Restrictions of Hindbrain Progenitor Cell Proliferation and the Mechanisms of its Dysregulation in Medulloblastoma

The Role of Otx2 in Bypassing Restrictions of Hindbrain Progenitor Cell Proliferation and the Mechanisms of its Dysregulation in Medulloblastoma by Matthew Jeremy Wortham Department of Pathology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Hai Yan, Supervisor ___________________________ Robin Bachelder ___________________________ Oren Becher ___________________________ Sridharan Gururangan ___________________________ Salvatore Pizzo An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Pathology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2012 Copyright by Matthew Jeremy Wortham 2012
Efeito do n´umero de endÓsporos de Pasteuria penetrans e do método de promoção da adesão sobre a penetração de Meloidogyne javanica e produção da bactéria em tomateiro

The effect of Pasteuria penetrans on penetration of Meloidogyne javanica in tomato roots was studied in the growth chamber. The tomato plants were inoculated with 1000 J2 carrying 0, 10, 30, 60 and 90 endospores attached to their cuticle by bubbling juvenile and endospore water suspensions. The inoculated plants were incubated for 10 days at 12-hour photoperiod and 27°C. The root system was collected and stained with acid fucsin to evaluate the number of juveniles that penetrated the roots. Attachment of 10 endospores/J2 reduced penetration by 50% compared to endospore-free J2, and was further reduced with increased number of attached spores. Subsequently, the attachment-promoting methods of air bubbling, shaking, centrifugation and being stationary were compared by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV) of attachment among juveniles in plastic tubes containing 15 mL suspension of 500 M. javanica J2 and endospores (1x10 5 /mL). To evaluate the effect of attachment on the P. penetrans multiplication, plants in the greenhouse were inoculated with 1000 J2 carrying an average of 10 endospores each. The attachment was promoted through air bubbling, centrifugation or shaking. Seventy days after the inoculation, roots were collected and the egg and gall numbers were evaluated, before drying the roots to determine the dry weight and the number of endospores produced. A high variation in endospore number/J2 and number of galls and eggs per plant were observed using the air bubbling method. Even though the shaking method yielded more uniform attachment, the number of endospores produced was lower than that obtained in centrifugation and air bubbling methods (P<0.01).
Physical activity and physical fitness in adults with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objectives. This study examines the awareness and self-report knowledge of physical activity (PA) guidelines among adults with rheumatic conditions and evaluates rates of adherence to PA recommendations. Secondary aims include (i) investigating perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and (ii) exploring correlates associated with PA. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved adults attending an outpatient rheumatology clinic completing a questionnaire. Closedand open-ended questions enquired about awareness and knowledge of PA guidelines, and a single-item self-report measure of PA was included. Perceptions of exercise were assessed using the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale. Descriptive statistics described participant characteristics and age-adjusted bivariate analyses explored associations between socio-demographic and condition-related factors and PA. Results. A total of 401 adults (134 males, 267 females) completed the questionnaire. Only 17.6% of respondents were aware of national PA guidelines and 17.4% accurately identified the frequency and duration of the recommendations. A quarter of respondents (26.7%) reported adherence to the guidelines, while 30.5% reported no weekly PA. Higher perceived benefits and lower perceived barriers to exercise were positively associated with PA behaviour. Conclusion. A large majority of respondents were not aware of PA guidelines and self-report knowledge of PA recommendations was largely inaccurate. Despite the role of PA in health promotion and in the management of rheumatic conditions, adherence to PA recommendations was low. Level of education, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and awareness and self-report knowledge of PA guidelines are associated with PA behaviour.
Fenestrasyon Tipi Periodontal Defektlerin Tespitinde Farklı Voksel Çözünürlüklerinin Etkisinin Değerlendirilmesi: İn Vitro Çalışma

AABBSSTTRRAACCTT OObbjjeeccttiivvee:: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the effect of two different voxel resolutions on the detection of in vitro periodontal defects. MMaatteerriiaall aanndd MMeetthhooddss:: The fenestration type defects located in the alveolar bone regions of 10 dry skulls which provided in The Department of Anatomy of Necmettin Erbakan University were investigated. Then, two different CBCT scans were obtained from the dry skulls in the resolution of 0.160 mm and 0.250 mm. The data obtained from the CBCT scans at two different voxel resolutions given through the dry skulls were statistically compared. RReessuullttss:: According to the results of analysis, it was determined that CBCT has sensitivity close to 100% in both voxel resolutions in detection of fenestration type defects. CCoonncclluussiioonnss:: Since the irradiation parameters used in CBCT scans affect the patient's radiation dose and screening duration, it is recommended to use the smallest possible field of view
MAIT cells in sterile and non-sterile inflammation

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an innate-like T cell subset that recognize bacteria-derived metabolites presented on MR1, but can also be stimulated in a T cell receptor (TCR)-independent manner by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, their role in both sterile and non-sterile diseases are of great interest and only just beginning to be explored. To understand the role of MAIT cells in non-sterile inflammation, we utilized a controlled human infection model of live Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A. We observed that at the time of diagnosis MAIT cells had an activated phenotype, which was maintained even after antibiotic treatment. We analysed the TCR repertoire of MAIT cells in diagnosed individuals to determine if the MAIT cell response to infection was antigen- driven. We found that infection led to redistribution of the repertoire, with transient contraction of the over-represented clones at the peak of infection. To understand the role of MAIT cells in sterile inflammation we examined cancer sections and found that MAIT cells infiltrate tumours derived from various tissues and that the source of MAIT cells was from tissue-resident MAIT cell subsets. We also determined that MAIT cells may respond to BCG immunotherapy of bladder cancer, as they are both present and activated in the bladder following treatment. Finally, we wanted to determine the extent to which both the TCRα and TCRβ usage affected MAIT cell responses. We found that the TRAJ usage, which relatively defines circulating versus tissue-resident MAIT subsets, has a large impact on the MAIT TCR response to both bacterial and ligand stimulation. We also investigated selected TCRβ clonotypes identified in Salmonella-infected individuals and found that the MAIT cell clonotypes that expanded after infection had stronger TCR-dependent activation than did contracted clonotypes from the same individual. In conclusion, we have characterised the function and phenotype of MAIT cells in human infection, cancer and cancer immunotherapy as well as provide insight into the usage and importance of the specific MAIT cells TCRα and TCRβ chains.
Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement Among Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Self-esteem is one of the most important psychological determinants. This study aimed to determine the level of self-esteem and its association with academic achievement among students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). This cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 students in KUMS in 2016. The sample population was selected using probability proportionalto-size method in all faculties. Participants filled out a self-reporting questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 with t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation statistical tests at 95% significant level. We found that MD students had higher selfesteem (P < 0.017). There was a significant relationship between mother’s education level and self-esteem (P < 0.001). In addition, self-esteem was significantly correlated with academic achievement (r = 0.292). From our results, it appears that planning psychological interventions to increase levels of self-esteem may be useful in promoting academic achievement.
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of the use of gazyva (obinutuzumab) for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the Russian Federation

: In this study, a pharmacoeconomic analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia therapy in previously untreated patients was conducted, using treatment regimens obinutuzumab (Gazyva) + chlorambucil and rituximab + chlorambucil. The results of the study showed that though the costs of the first treatment course with obinutuzumab + chlorambucil are significantly higher, this regimen reduces the cumulative cost of subsequent therapy lines in patients with CLL (due to a longer progression-free survival). In the end of the third year of therapy, cumulative costs become relatively similar: with the use of the obinutuzumab + chlorambucil regimen, the cumulative cost per 1 patient/year will be 38,390 rubles higher compared to the rituximab + chlorambucil regimen. At the same time, the obinutuzumab regimen showed a lower cost-effectiveness ratio, i.e. it had an advantage over the alternative technology.
Complications associated with carotid body tumor excision.

Background This study aims to evaluate associated complications of carotid tumor excisions and outcomes. Methods Between January 2013 and April 2016, a total of 29 patients (2 males, 27 females; mean age 55.2±4.4 years; range, 17 to 76 years) were operated with the preliminary diagnosis of a carotid body tumor. According to the Shamblin classification of carotid body tumors, 12 patients were type 1, 13 patients were type 2, and four patients were type 3. Results Main symptoms were dizziness, pain in the neck area, tinnitus, and headache. Headache was the most common symptom among them. Neurological and surgical complications developed in 10 patients (34.4%). Of operated patients, dysphagia developed in three (8.7%), facial hemiparesis in two (6.8%), hemorrhage in two (6.8%), hematoma-related respiratory distress in one (3.4%), left hemiparesis in one (3.4%), and transient bradycardia in one (3.4%). The patient who had respiratory distress associated with bleeding following extubation was reoperated. In the patients with facial and left hemiparesis, paresis was transient. Dysphagia also resolved in the subsequent follow-up outpatient visits. None of the patients experienced a permanent complication. Conclusion Surgical excision is the most appropriate choice of treatment in carotid body tumors, and postoperative complications can be minimized through careful dissections and retractions. A special attention should be paid to nerve-preserving surgery.
Prediction of Breast Cancer Risk Based on Profiling With Common Genetic Variants

Background: Data for multiple common susceptibility alleles for breast cancer may be combined to identify women at different levels of breast cancer risk. Such stratification could guide preventive and screening strategies. However, empirical evidence for genetic risk stratification is lacking. Methods: We investigated the value of using 77 breast cancer-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for risk stratification, in a study of 33 673 breast cancer cases and 33 381 control women of European origin. We tested all possible pair-wise multiplicative interactions and constructed a 77-SNP polygenic risk score (PRS) for breast cancer overall and by estrogen receptor (ER) status. Absolute risks of breast cancer by PRS were derived from relative risk estimates and UK incidence and mortality rates. Results: There was no strong evidence for departure from a multiplicative model for any SNP pair. Women in the highest 1% of the PRS had a three-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer compared with women in the middle quintile (odds ratio [OR] = 3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.95 to 3.83). The ORs for ER-positive and ER-negative disease were 3.73 (95% CI = 3.24 to 4.30) and 2.80 (95% CI = 2.26 to 3.46), respectively. Lifetime risk of breast cancer for women in the lowest and highest quintiles of the PRS were 5.2% and 16.6% for a woman without family history, and 8.6% and 24.4% for a woman with a first-degree family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: The PRS stratifies breast cancer risk in women both with and without a family history of breast cancer. The observed level of risk discrimination could inform targeted screening and prevention strategies. Further discrimination may be achievable through combining the PRS with lifestyle/environmental factors, although these were not considered in this report.
Mechanoepigenetics

Life in our planet has originated, evolved, and adapted in specific chemical and physical environments, which also changed locally or globally due to the activities of all living systems. Among the forces that influence biological functions, such as electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical ones, gravity, quantified by the universal constant g, is everpresent. It is not surprising, therefore, that mechanical forces influence many, if not all, biological processes. Changes in the value of g therefore might lead to dramatic physiological or epigenetic changes (Pardo et al., 2005; Singh et al., 2010). Forces are not observable but their action, that is deformations, are. At the whole organism and tissue level the science of biomechanics produced very useful results in understanding the physiology and pathology of almost all the tissues, organs and the whole organism. In the last 50 years biomechanics extended its research subject to include cells and subcellular components using appropriate tools, such as micropipette aspiration, atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers, et.al, mainly in-vitro. As imaging and force manipulating techniques, which would reveal events with spatiotemporal resolution at the nano-and pico-meter scale, have come into use recently new knowledge on how cellular processes work is emerging in the literature (Seo et al., 2016). While all of these new findings are exciting they have been mainly obtained using in-vitro systems. Indeed the challenges for applying those techniques in living cells in-vivo are not trivial (Dufrene et al., 2011). The force-deformation process results in what is known as mechanical signals. Mechanical signals are of different modalities, known as local strains due to tension, compression, bending, torsion, or shear rate due to flow, or combinations thereof. When one or more of such strains are sensed by the specialized cellular mechanosensors, such as integrins at the basal cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interface, or strain sensitive ionic channels at the cell's apical surface, or junction proteins at cell-cell interface, mechanobiological events are initiated, which cross into the cytoplasm. What are the exact events that take place during the transmission of the mechanical signals from, for example the integrin—ECM molecular junction, through the integrin(s), through the cellular membrane and into the inside end point of the integrin(s) is under intense investigation. Indeed, force is a signal that cells cannot ignore (Yusko and Asbury, 2014). The " biochemical dogma " up until very recently was that a series of biochemical reactions start at the junction of integrins and a …
Role of Antibiotics as Intracanal Medicament – A Literature Review

Antibiotics are an extremely valuable addition to the armamentarium available to health practitioners for management of bacterial infections. Due to the potential risk of adverse systemic effects of systemic applications and ineffectiveness of systemic antibiotics in the necrotic pulpless tooth and the periradicular tissues, local application of antibiotics will be more effective since it is directly acting against the microorganism in the infected root canal. This paper reviews the applications of antibiotics and antibiotics containing medicaments in endodontics.
Effects of Locomotion Training With Assistance of a Robot-Driven Gait Orthosis in Hemiparetic Patients After Stroke

Background and Purpose— The success of gait rehabilitation after stroke depends on active walking exercises. However, the disabling after-effects of stroke often make such exercises impossible at the onset of therapy. To facilitate treadmill training of paraparetic patients, a robot-driven gait orthosis (Lokomat) was developed. We investigated the effects of the Lokomat when used with hemiparetic patients. Methods— The authors conducted a randomized, controlled pilot study of 30 acute stroke survivors. The treatment group received 30 minutes of robotic training daily and the control group 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy daily in addition to 30 minutes of conventional physiotherapy for each group. Outcome measures were independence of gait, gait speed, gait parameters, and body tissue composition. Results— After 4 weeks of therapy, the walking ability of the Lokomat group and the control group expressed as the functional ambulation classification was significantly improved. The functional ambulati.