Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF SLEEPER STRETCH AND CROSS BODY STRETCH FOR IMPROVING POSTERIOR SHOULDER TIGHTNESS, PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS – A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL"

Background: Adhesive Capsulitis usually involves the posterior capsule tightness, which can be stretched either by sleepers or cross-body stretch techniques. The present study aimed to compare and see the effectiveness of two stretching techniques on horizontal adduction and internal rotation range of motion along with pain and disability. Methodology: The study was conducted on 30 subjects diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis (12 females and 18 males) of age group 40-65 years and meeting the inclusion as well as the exclusion criteria. Subjects were divided into three groupsCross body stretch group (Group 1), Sleeper Stretch group (Group 2), and Control group (Group 3) randomly. Both groups 1 & 2 received the intervention given to group 3 along with the different stretching techniques three times a week for four weeks. Clinical outcome measures were horizontal adduction and internal rotation as measured with a goniometer, pain intensity on a numeric pain rating scale, and shoulder disability with the help of shoulder pain and disability index. Result: Data was collected at baseline and after four weeks of intervention in all three groups. Data were checked for normal distribution. For non-normally distributed data, Kruskal Wallis test-Pain (p-value> 0.419) and Function (p-value>0.665) and for normally distributed data, one-way repeated measure ANOVA-Shoulder Horizontal Adduction (p-value>0.284) and Internal Rotation (p-value>0.334) was used and the p-value was fixed to < 0.05. Conclusion: Both the type of stretches were equally effective for four weeks.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Fungus Associated with Oak Wilt Mortality in South Korea, Raffaelea quercus-

The fungus Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae is the causal agent of Korean oak wilt, a disease associated with mass mortality of oak trees (e.g., Quercus spp.). The fungus is vectored and dispersed by the ambrosia beetle, Platypus koryoensis. Here, we present the 27.0-Mb draft genome sequence of R. quercus-mongolicae strain KACC44405. Oak wilt disease has emerged rapidly across South Korea since 2004, and the putative causal agent of the disease has been identified as a filamentous ascomycetous fungus, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae (1). This fungus has a symbiotic relationship with an insect vector, Platypus koryoensis (ambrosia beetle), which attacks oak trees (e.g., Quercus mongolica, Q. aliena, and Q. serrata) (2). After the fungus has been vectored into a beetle gallery of an oak tree, it can cause sapwood discoloration and disrupt sap flow in the host. Thus, R. quercus-mongolicae is considered to be the putative cause of wilt and blight symptoms that subsequently cause tree mortality. Previously, to evaluate the cause of mass mortality of oak trees in South Korea, the virulence of R. quercus-mongolicae on oak trees was assessed; however, these previous pathogenicity tests were inconclusive (3). Molecular biological investigations on the pathogenicity of R. quercus-mongolicae have not been addressed, largely due to the need for genomic information. Here, we present the draft genome sequence to assist further genome-based analyses of R. quercus-mongolicae and its host interactions. The isolate of R. quercus-mongolicae (KACC44405) originated from discolored sapwood of Platypus koryoensis-infested Q. mongolica that was displaying pronounced symptoms of oak wilt (collected by K. H. Kim at Gwangreung Experimental Forest, Pocheon, South Korea, 12 May 2005). The fungal isolate was cultured on potato dextrose agar, and genomic DNA was extracted using a standard phenol-chloroform
CORE-PERIPHERY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The article deals with growing regional economic differentiation in the Czech Republic and analyses both causes and consequences of this unfavourable process. Increasing socio-economic polarisation between the capital and the rest of the country that resembles traditional regional model core-periphery appears to be the most striking problem. It becomes apparent that contemporary spatial developmental trends in the Czech Republic can be only hardly sustainable in the long run.
Development of a highly efficient in vitro Culture system for Ugandan adapted sorghum Genotypes

World over sorghum genetic transformation is limited by its recalcitrance to tissue culture and genotype dependent regeneration and Ugandan adapted sorghum genotypes may not be exceptional. This study intended to develop an efficient in vitro culture system for Ugandan adapted sorghum genotypes and identify genotypes amenable to in vitro culture under different test conditions. Ages of IZE and phytohormone callus induction medium composition were optimized. Twenty Ugandan adapted sorghum genotypes were screened on two medium types; Murashige and Skoog and L3 basal medium. Optimum in vitro culture responses were achieved at 2, 4-D level of 2.5 mg/l supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of kinetin hormone. Inclusion of kinetin hormone in callus induction medium at low 2, 4-D levels gradually reduced the callus induction frequency while higher 2, 4-D levels exhibited inhibitory effects. The best age of IZE for in vitro culture was between 16-18 days post anthesis. IZE physiological state of different genotypes at the same age varied. Strong genotype by medium type influenced in vitro culture responses rather than the genetic control only. MUC007/194 and MUC007/193 have been earmarked as model genotypes for in vitro culture and can be systems to introgress useful genes into recalcitrant but commercially viable genotypes.
Effect of ozone on qualities of fruits and vegetables in cold storage

Ozone at the concentration of 0.04 mL L–1 appears to have potential for extending the storage life of broccoli and seedless cucumbers stored at 3°C. Response to ozone was minimal for mushrooms stored at 4°C and cucumbers stored at 10°C. Ozone generators producing 0.04 mL L–1 ozone reduced the ethylene level in vegetable storage rooms from 1.5–2 mL L–1 (as produced by apples placed in the room) to a non-detectable level. At concentrations of 0.4 mL L–1, ozone was effective in removing ethylene from the atmosphere in an apple and pear storage room. The ozonized and non-ozonized apples and pears showed no difference in fruit quality. This study explored a potential use of ozone application in wholesale storage rooms where ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive fruits and vegetables may be stored together. Key words: Ozone, ethylene, fruit, vegetable, apple, pear, broccoli, cucumber, mushroom, storage
Improving the utilization factor of a PEM electrolyzer powered by a 15 MW PV park by combining wind power and battery storage-Feasibility study

So far, the biggest photovoltaic park in Belgium has been injecting all its energy into the electric distribution grid through a power purchase agreement with an electricity supplier. Due to decreasing and volatile wholesale electricity prices, the industrial partners/owners of the photovoltaic park are considering hydrogen storage in an attempt to increase the value proposition of their renewable energy installation. A major objective of the present work is to show how the utilization factor of the electrolyzer is affected by the design of the power supply system when the latter consists only of renewable energy sources instead of using the electric grid. Different hybrid designs were developed, by combining the existing photovoltaic source with wind power and state-of-the-art energy storage technologies (Vanadium Redox Flow or Lithium NMC). Finally, four scenarios were investigated, all considering a 1 MW PEM electrolyzer: A) 15MW PV, B) 15MW PV, 2MW Wind, C) 15 MW PV, 2 MW Wind, Battery, D) 15 MW PV, 15 MW Wind. The utilization factor was found as follows, for each scenario respectively: A) 41,5 % , B) 65,5 %, C) 66,0 86,0 %, D) 82,0 %. Furthermore, the analysis was extended to include economic evaluations (i.e. payback period, accumulated profit), specifically concerning scenario B and C. The results of this study lead to a number of conclusions such as: i) The utilization of the electrolyzer is limited when its power supply is intermittent. ii) Compared to PV, wind power makes larger contribution to the increase of the utilization factor, iii) 100% utilization can be achieved only if an energy storage system co-exists. iv) With a utilization factor at 65,5% scenario B can deliver a payback period in less than 8 years, if hydrogen is sold above 5e/kg. An analytic overview of all conclusions is presented in the last section of the paper.
Evaluate the susceptibility of probiotic lactobacilli strains to antibiotics

The present study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of 13 Lactobacillus strains to 14 antibiotics and to evaluate the impact of some gastrointestinal stressful conditions, particularly acid and bile stress, as well as acid adaptation on their antibiogram profiles. The strains tested were 2 of Lactobacillus acidophilus , 1 Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus , 2 Lb. casei , 1 Lb. casei paracasei subsp. paracasei , 1 Lb. delbrueckii subsp. lactis , 4 Lb. plantarum and 2 Lb. rhamnosus . In control trails, the majority of the strains tested were susceptible to ampicillin, penicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, novobiocin and nisin A, but resistant to vancomycin, kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin and nalidixic acid. Lactobacilli strains showed variable susceptibility to cloxacilline and tetracycline. Acid-adaptation (strains adapted to grow at pH 4.0) resulted in increased resistance to cloxacilline, erythromycin and tetracycline, in strain dependent manner. Acid-stressed (exposure to pH 2 for 90 min at 37˚C) lactobacilli appeared to be more resistant to ampicillin, cloxacilline, chloramphenicol and tetracycline compared with un-stressed strains. In the presence of 0.3% (w/v) oxgall, lactobacilli became more susceptible to aminoglycosides and slightly resistant to cell wall-targeted antibiotics. However, oxgall stress (exposure to 0.3% (w/v) oxgall for 90 min at 37˚C) slightly modified antibiogram profile depending on the strain tested. Results reported in this study showed that acid and oxgall stresses could substantially modify antibiotic susceptibility/resistance profile of lactobacilli, which may thus affect their probiotic capacity especially when used along with antibiotics.
Dietary Tryptophan Effects on Growth Performance and Blood Parameters in Broiler Chicks

In order to study the effect of Tryptophan (Tip) on growth performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens, an in vivo experiment was conducted. A corn-soybean meal based diet containing different levels of Trp (0, 0.10 and 0.20) for the starter, (0, 0.07 and 0.15) for the grower and (0, 0.05 and 0.13) for the finisher was used. In a completely randomized design with three treatments of five replicates each and 10 chickens per replicate, 150 Cobb500 male broiler chickens from 0-49 days of age were subjected to Trp diet. Growth performance (body weight gain, feed intake and feed, gain ratio) and blood serum (albumin, total protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, uric acid, aspartate amino-transferase, alanine amino-transferase, alkalin phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and creatine. e kinase) parameters were measured at 27 and 49 days of age. As the result showed the increase of dietary Trp elevated (p 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake, albumin, total protein, glucose, urea and uric acid and decreased (p>0.05) feed gain ratio, aspartate amino-transferase, lactic dehydrogenase, triglyceride and cholesterol. Therefore, we conclude that dietary Tip might have positive effects on health status of the broiler chickens.
DIET OF WEANED PUPS AND SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN BODY CONDITION OF JUVENILE BARENTS SEA HARP SEALS PHOCA GROENLANDICA

Data on blubber depth, body condition, and diet were collected from young of year and juvenile harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in the Barents Sea in the periods February-April and June-October 1990–1997. Harp seal pups feed independently shortly after weaning. In the southern parts of the Barents Sea the diet of harp seal pups consisted mainly of euphausiids (“krill”) Thysanoessa sp. and amphipods of the genus Parathemisto. The change in body condition of harp seal pups between weaning (mid-March) and June indicated that considerable amounts of blubber energy, deposited during suckling, were mobilized. This suggests that the early food intake of weaned pups was insufficient to meet the energy requirements. The pattern of low spring and earlysummer body condition, followed by a subsequent rapid improvement in condition during late summer and autumn appeared to occur not only among pups-of-the-year, but also in one- and two-year old harp seals.
Cell‐permeable peptide antioxidants as a novel therapeutic approach in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. They are important contributors to necrotic and apoptotic cell death. A major proportion of cellular ROS is generated at the inner mitochondrial membrane by the respiratory chain. In the present study, we investigated a novel peptide antioxidant (SS‐31) targeted to the inner mitochondrial membrane for its therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). SS‐31 protected against cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro in neuronal cells stably transfected with either wild‐type or mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Daily intraperitoneal injections of SS‐31 (5 mg/kg), starting at 30 days of age, led to a significant improvement in survival and motor performance. In comparison with vehicle‐treated G93A mice, SS‐31‐treated mice showed a decreased cell loss and a decrease in immunostaining for markers of oxidative stress in the lumbar spinal cord. This further enhances the concept that pharmacological modification of oxidative stress is a therapeutic option for the treatment of ALS.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Schistosoma mansoni from Africa

The ability of microsatellite loci to reveal genetic diversity between individuals of the digenean trematode Schistosoma mansoni was investigated. A total of 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and optimized, allowing the variability at each locus amplified within 12 individuals from three African populations to be assessed. Allelic diversity and observed heterozygosity (HO) figures ranged from 2 to 6 and 0.33 to 1.00, respectively. These results indicated high variability both between individuals and populations, highlighting the suitability of these microsatellites for future population genetic surveys.
A Novel Hybrid Method for Segmentation and Analysis of Brain MRI for Tumor Diagnosis

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Received: 01 January, 2020 Accepted: 11 April, 2020 Online: 03 May, 2020 It is difficult to accurately segment brain MRI in the complex structures of brain tumors, blurred borders, and external variables such as noise. Much research in developing as well as developed countries show that the number of individuals suffering tumor of the brain has died as a result of the inaccurate diagnosis. The proposed article, a novel hybrid method improves segmentation accuracy. The proposed research includes three basic steps. In the first step, the adaptive filter based on mean and local variance is utilized for noise removal in the input images. It helps in de-noising to a different orientation and scale, creates numerous responses for all components in the medical images while preserving the edges. In the second step, the development of a hybrid method takes place. It is the combination of extended K-mean clustering and fuzzy C-mean clustering. The purpose of the research is to develop a hybrid segmentation structure of single-channel T1 MR Images for multiform benign and malignant tumors. It removes the limitation of prefixed cluster size which helps in improving the segmentation accuracy by reducing the sensitivity of the clustering parameters. In the third step, the morphological non-linear operation performed for the removal of the non-tumor part. The proposed approach is evaluated against various statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation, entropy, correlation, homogeneity, smoothness and variance. The parameters result predicts a greater balance between the automated tumor areas extracted by radiologists with the tumor areas extracted by the proposed method. The findings show that the proposed hybrid method achieves a 98% level of segmentation accuracy.
Retreat Intervention Effectiveness for Female Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Purpose: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread issue that can have detrimental effects on adult well-being. As demand for CSA treatment is high, it is important for clinicians to understand what forms of interventions are effective. Method: This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of a 4-day retreat intervention for 986 adult female CSA survivors. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to analyze treatment group effects, and paired-sample t tests were used for the wait-list group. Results: The intervention significantly reduced post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (Cohen’s d = 0.69) and increased life satisfaction (Cohen’s d = 0.98), social support (Cohen’s d = 0.20), and coping self-efficacy (Cohen’s d = 1.14); these changes were maintained 1-year postintervention. The wait-list group did not report statistically significant changes across time. Discussion: Findings suggest retreat interventions may be a promising form of CSA treatment and encourage more empirical work on retreat interventions across diverse samples and settings.
Spray application factors and plant growth regulator performance: II. Foliar uptake of gibberellic acid and 2,4‐D

Effects of droplet size and carrier volume on foliar uptake and translocation of gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and 2,4-D were investigated. Simulated spray droplets were applied to primary leaves of 10-day-old Phaseolus vulgaris (cv Nerina) in droplet sizes and carrier volumes ranging from 0.5 to 10 μl and 10 to 200 μl per leaf, respectively. Doses of GA 3 (2 μg per leaf) and 2,4-D (100 μg per leaf) were held constant. Total uptake of GA 3 approached a penetration equilibrium within 24h after application, but uptake of 2,4-D continued to increase. Decreasing droplet size and/or increasing carrier volume increased GA 3 and 2,4-D uptake. Translocation to stem and roots was positively related to total uptake. A positive linear relationship between the logarithm of the total droplet/leaf surface interface area and 2,4-D uptake or translocation was found, but for GA 3 this relationship was quadratic. Potential mechanisms of the effects of spray application factors on foliar uptake are discussed.
Managing tensions as paradox in CEO succession: The case of nonfamily CEO in a family firm

An increasing number of family firms choose to select a nonfamily CEO for the highest executive office. However, appointing a nonfamily CEO in a family firm tends to give rise to tensions that need to be managed for effective work relationships between the nonfamily CEO and the family owners. We draw on insights from the paradox literature to better understand these tensions and how they are managed. We performed real-time, in-depth longitudinal research into one family firm, which appointed a nonfamily CEO, and studied tensions in the work relationships between the nonfamily CEO and the family owners for a period of three years. We identified tensions arising in four specific areas after the transition from a family to a nonfamily CEO: professionalisation, collaboration, resource allocation and role transition. We found new insights regarding how an advisory board can provide support for the family owners in building work relationships with the nonfamily CEO, which makes the tensions salient and possible to manage through a paradox approach. These results inform a perspective of paradox management that shows by whom and how the different tensions are managed, that is, through changes in behaviour and/or through changes in the underlying subsystems of the family firm.
West Coast Forecast Challenges and Development of Atmospheric River Reconnaissance

Water management and flood control are major challenges in the western United States. They are heavily influenced by atmospheric river (AR) storms that produce both beneficial water supply and hazards; for example, 84% of all flood damages in the West (up to 99% in key areas) are associated with ARs. However, AR landfall forecast position errors can exceed 200 km at even 1-day lead time and yet many watersheds are <100 km across, which contributes to issues such as the 2017 Oroville Dam spillway incident and regularly to large flood forecast errors. Combined with the rise of wildfires and deadly post-wildfire debris flows, such as Montecito (2018), the need for better AR forecasts is urgent. Atmospheric River Reconnaissance (AR Recon) was developed as a research and operations partnership to address these needs. It combines new observations, modeling, data assimilation, and forecast verification methods to improve the science and predictions of landfalling ARs. ARs over the northeast Pacific are measured using dropsondes from up to three aircraft simultaneously. Additionally, airborne radio occultation is being tested, and drifting buoys with pressure sensors are deployed. AR targeting and data collection methods have been developed, assimilation and forecast impact experiments are ongoing, and better understanding of AR dynamics is emerging. AR Recon is led by the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes and NWS/NCEP. The effort’s core partners include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, NCAR, ECMWF, and multiple academic institutions. AR Recon is included in the “National Winter Season Operations Plan” to support improved outcomes for emergency preparedness and water management in the West.
CIRCULAR DEFECTED GROUND MICROSTRIP BAND-REJECT FILTER DESIGN FOR RADAR COMMUNICATION

In this paper, a novel narrow band microstrip band-reject filter is designed using three circular shape defected ground structure (DGS). Three circular shape defected ground structure are linked by a path in the ground plane where etching process is applied. The path length of middle DGS cell is 8 mm and the path length of corner DGS cell is 11 mm whereas the path width of all three DGS cell is 0.6 mm and the radius of circular shape defected ground structure is 2.1 mm. The mid-stop band frequency of the designed filter is 1.61 GHz which is applicable for the satellite and radar communication for the purpose of S-Band. The stop bandwidth of proposed filter is 1 GHz to 2.2 GHz which is useful for narrowband communication. The proposed filter has minimum return loss of 0.11 dB and maximum insertion loss of 60 dB at mid stop-band frequency 1.61 GHz. IE3D 14.1 EM simulation tool is applied for finding out the desired outcome. The proposed microstrip band stop filter has a coverage area of (35.1 mm× 14.4 mm) 505.44 mm2 for the top layer and (16.6 mm× 19 mm) 315.4 mm2 for the ground layer which is more compact as compared to other existing band stop filter designs.