Effects of cover crops on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in cereal cropping

More than 60% of anthropogenic nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are attributed to agricultural activities. N2O production in soils highly depends on the N availability along with other factors such as soil moisture content, which provide suitable conditions for nitrification and denitrification. Cover crops (CCs) are used in agriculture to take up the excess N from the field to reduce nitrate leaching and assimilate carbon, which has been reported to result in increased soil organic carbon stocks. Despite these promising benefits, high N2O emissions are recorded from agricultural soils containing CCs, particularly during winter and early spring. The freeze and thaw cycles in these off-seasons may not only cause the release of trapped N2O, but also stimulate its de novo formation. Hence, due to high off-season emissions, the benefit of carbon capture by the CCs can be offset. The aims of this thesis were to investigate the effect of different cover crop types (legumes, non-legumes, brassicas, and herb mixture) on N2O emissions, and to assess potential trade-offs between carbon accretion by CCs and N2O emissions. N2O fluxes of approximately one year were analyzed to assess seasonal and treatment effects of CCs. The results showed that the effect of having CCs in the cereal cropping system was species dependent. Ryegrass (Italian and perennial) and a herb mixture suppressed N2O emissions compared with the control, particularly during winter, while oilseed radish increased N2O emissions. Legumes (winter and summer vetch, Phacelia) grew poorly and had no effect. Nitrous oxide emissions showed strong seasonal patterns with off-season emissions accounting for more than 80% of the annual emission. Among the different cover crop species, the highest cumulative N2O emissions were recorded from oilseed radish (10.5–14.2 kg N2O-N ha-1 y-1), which is frost-killed and has a low C/N ratio. Perennial ryegrass (2.6 kg N2O-N ha-1 y-1) and the herb mixture (3.54 kg N2O-N ha-1 y-1) had the lowest emissions. Assuming an extra C sequestration by CCs of 320 kg C ha-1 yr-1, increase in N2O emissions by CCs must be kept below 2.5 kg N2O-N ha-1 y-1 to avoid offsetting the expected C gain. Oilseed radish increased N2O emissions by more than 2.5 kg N2O-N ha-1 y-1, mainly because of large winter emissions, and can therefore not be recommended for enhancing soil C sequestration under Nordic conditions. All other CCs had no effect or reduced N2O emissions, supporting the idea that cover crops can be used to combat GHG emissions by “carbon farming”

Hosting Customer Clustering Based On Log Web Server Using K-Means Algorithm

To compete in global industries, a company must have a good business strategy. Especially for domain and hosting company that has many competitors there. The business strategy could be found with hosting customer behavior based on log web server analytics. The most important log web server associated with customer access is recorded in the access.log file. Potential customers were read from access activity in the form of request method /pesan on access.log. One of popular method for data mining from log server is Clustering with K-Means Algorithm. This algorithm was chosen because K-Means has a fast execution time, easy to implement, and good for a big numeric data. The evaluation technique determining the optimal value of K is used Elbow Method and the Calinski Harabasz Index. K-Means algorithm can be used to determine the pattern of hosting customers based log web server. The results of this research indicate that the clustering process based on web server log with K-Means Algorithm can be used to know the pattern of customer hosting. There are total 5 clusters for data by week and data access time. The pattern of hosting customers that are formed in ordering a succession of clusters 1,2,3,4,0. The most ordered areas are Jakarta in cluster 1, Bandung Semarang, Surabaya on cluster 2 and Medan, Tangerang, Malang, Yogyakarta on cluster 3. The frequency of booking is mostly done at the beginning of the month at 12.00 - 23.59. This customer behavior could be a reference to know the best business strategy to expand the marketing in cluster 4 and 0 and help any other stakeholder for making some policy to develop the company

Evaluation of Some Serum Biochemicals that Associated with Antioxidant Status in Periodontitis Patient in Relation with Gestational Diabetes

Periodontal disease is inflammatory disease that characterized by oxidative stress and inversely associated with antioxidants. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs with variable severity in 3%-5% of all pregnancy may be associated with oxidative stress and impairment of antioxidant defense. In previous cross –sectional or case control studies,clinical periodontal disease has been associated with GDM .This study was carried out to assess the association between the periodontal disease and (GDM). 80 pregnant women were participated in this study, 40 of them were diagnosed with GDM. Full mouth periodontal examination with some serum biochemical that associated with antioxidant status: uric acid, bilirubin, and total protein parameters were performed for all participants. The results of the study showed a significant decrease in serum uric acid and bilirubin in periodontitis groupsas compared with non-periodontitis groups in both pregnant women with and without GD, while serum total protein decreasednon-significantly in periodontitis groups than in non-periodontitis. The results of this study support the hypothesis of the association of periodontal disease with GDM. Keywords: Periodontitis, Gestational diabetes mellitus, serum antioxidants

Risk factors leading to pulmonary exacerbation in patients with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

Objective: To ascertain major risk factors associated with pulmonary exacerbation and pulmonary function decline in cystic fibrosis.Methods: The systematic review was conducted at Aga Khan University, Karachi, in September 2018, and comprised electronic search of PubMed, Ovid, Science Direct and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases of studies conducted from January 1990 to September 2018 which were categorised into 3 sets; 1990-98, 1999-2007 and 2008-18. Studies included for review focussed on articles with pulmonary exacerbation as the health outcome indicator, and had diagnosis of cystic fibrosis as the inclusion criteria, while risk factors were the exposure terms used in the search process. References in bibliographies of the included studies were also systematically searched for relevant documents.Results: Of the 60 studies obtained, 31(51.7%) were selected; 2(6.45%) from 1990-98, 7(22.58%) from 1999-2007 and 22(70.96%) from 2008-18. Overall, 17(54.83%) were cohort studies, 7(22.5%) were cross-sectional studies, 3(9.6%) were case-control studies, 3(9.6%) were randomised controlled trials and 1(3.2%) was systematic review and meta-analysis. In terms of major risk factors, genetic mutations were cited by 4(12.9%) studies, infections and inflammatory biomarkers by 15(48.4%), nutritional deficiencies by 9(29%) and geographical and socioeconomic status by 3(9.6%) studies.Conclusions: Early identification and recognition of risk factors associated with pulmonary exacerbation can have an explicit impact on its management, leading to decreased morbidity and mortality burden in cystic fibrosis cases

Vitamin D status and pulmonary exacerbations in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: Experience from a tertiary care center

Background: The function of Vitamin D in preventing inflammation and infection has been studied previously for different pathologies in different populations globally. Relationships between serum Vitamin D levels and its effect on pulmonary exacerbations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population are not well studied in our part of the world. Therefore, we aimed to ascertain the Vitamin D status in pediatric and adolescent CF patients and its association with pulmonary exacerbations.Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital from 2015 to 2018. Patients of CF with sweat chloride value \u3e60 mmol/l and who had at least one measurement of 25 hydroxy Vitamin D (25 OHD) were included in the study. Annual serum Vitamin D levels were documented for enrolled patients and their past 1-year data were analyzed for pulmonary exacerbations, average length of stay, and tracheal/airway colonization with organisms.Results: 69 patients were included in the study. 28 patients (40.57%) were found to be Vitamin D deficient, 22 patients (31.88%) were Vitamin D insufficient and 19 patients (27.53%) were labeled as Vitamin D insufficient. The average number of exacerbations per year was significantly high in Vitamin D deficient group (3.71 ± 0.96) in comparison with insufficient (3.18 ± 1.09) and sufficient groups (2.26 ± 0.93) (P \u3c 0.001).Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is related to an increased number of annual pulmonary exacerbations and pseudomonas infections

Outcome of Men Presenting with Clinical Breast Problems: The Role of Mammography and Ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of men presenting with clinical breast problems for breast imaging and to evaluate the role of mammography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast problems. We retrospectively reviewed clinical, radiographic, and pathologic records of 165 consecutive symptomatic men presenting to Breast Imaging over a 4 year period. We assessed the clinical indication for referral, mammographic findings, sonographic findings, histologic results, and clinical outcomes. Patients ranged in age from 22 to 96 years. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 and 5 mammograms and solid sonographic masses were considered suspicious for malignancy. Six of 165 men (4%) had primary breast carcinoma, which were mammographically suspicious in all 6 (100%). Five were invasive ductal carcinoma and one was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Of 164 mammograms, 20 (12%) were suspicious. Six were cancer and 14 were benign. Clinical follow-up for 2 years or biopsy results were available for 138 of the 165 men (84%). Twelve with benign mammographic findings had benign biopsies. All men with benign mammography not undergoing biopsy were cancer free. Sensitivity for cancer detection (mammography) was 100% and specificity was 90%. Positive predictive value (mammography) was 32% (6 of 19) and the negative predictive value was 100%. Sonography was performed in 68 of the 165 men (41%). Three of three cancers (100%) were solid sonographic masses. There were 9 of 68 false-positive examinations (13%). Sensitivity and negative predictive value for cancer detection (ultrasound) was 100% and specificity was 74%. The most common clinical indication for referral was mass/thickening (56%). Mammography had excellent sensitivity and specificity for breast cancer detection and should be included as the initial imaging examination of men with clinical breast problems. The negative predictive value of 100% for mammography suggests that mammograms read as normal or negative need no further examination if the clinical findings are not suspicious. A normal ultrasound in these men confirms the negative predictive value of a normal mammogram.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74705/1/j.1075-122X.2006.00298.x.pd

Radiolucencies Associated with the Second Molar Adjacent to the Impacted Third Molar in the Maxilla in Comparison to the Mandible

OBJECTIVES To find the frequency radiolucencies associated with the second molar adjacent to an impacted third molar in the maxilla as compared to the mandible. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 385 Orthopantomograms (OPG) of patients visiting Sharif Medical and Dental College (SMDC), Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) and Institute of Dentistry, CMH, Lahore Medical College, Lahore over a period of three months from December 2020 to February 2021. Patients above the age of 21 years were included in this study. Grossly carious third molars with inadequate tooth structure to be evaluated and patients with missing maxillary and mandibular third molars were excluded from the study. RESULTS The association between periapical radiolucencies (p=0.140), pericoronal radiolucencies (p=1.000) and external root resorption (p= 0.157) with the arch type (mandible/ maxilla) were not statistically significant but that of caries with the arch was significant (p≤0.001). CONCLUSION The periapical and pericoronal radiolucencies, caries and external root resorption associated with the second molar in the presence of an impacted third molar were higher in the mandible as compared to the maxilla

Leishmaniose Cutanées À Ain Dfali, Aspects Épidémio-Cliniques Comparatifs De 132 Cas

Since the end of the 19th century, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been regarded as a public health problem in our country, Morocco. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile and posttherapeutic evolution of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Ain Dfali’s health center. We carried out a study based on the use of records and the observation of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis between January 2006 and December 2015. Also, we collected 132 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mean age of patients was 19.8 years with extremes from 6 months to 61 years. The sex ratio was 0.76 M / F. The mean duration of lesions was 1.6 months with extremes of 2 weeks to 10 months. Fall preponderance was noted (41.6%). The most frequent clinical appearance was that of a single ulcero-pulmonary nodule (61%) (71.9%) and was seated on the face (57.5%). The diagnosis was mentioned clinically and confirmed by direct parasitological examination. Glucantime® was the treatment of choice that was used intralesionally. The post-therapeutic evolution was favourable with almost a complete disappearance of lesions. This took place in a period varying from 3 to 8 weeks at the price of unsightly scars in 19 patients. Cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to pose a real public health problem in our country. The emergence of severe and resistant forms throughout the world should encourage the multiplication and strengthening of prophylactic measures

Profil Epidemiologique De La Leishmaniose Cutanee Dans La Region Du Gharb- Maroc De 2006 À 2014

Between 2006 and 2014, 439 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded in the region of Gharb Chrarda Beni Hssen in the north-west of Morocco. With an annual incidence of 49.1 cases per year and a sex-ratio (M / F) of 0.71. The disease has affected all age groups. The most stricken population is children and young people between the ages of 6 months and 30 years with more than 60.26 % of cases. Therefore, Cutaneous leishmaniasis almost hits the rural and urban areas but with an uneven impact. It is higher in rural areas where they are registered with a percentage of 56.7% of cases in contrast to a percentage of 43.3% in urban areas

Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies on some novel s-substituted aliphatic analogues of 5-{1-[(4- chlorophenyl) sulfonyl]-3-piperidinyl}-1, 3, 4-oxadiazol-2-yl sulfide

Purpose: To study the structure-activity relationships of synthetic multifunctional sulfides through evaluation of lipoxygenase and anti-bacterial activities.Methods: S-substituted derivatives of the parent compound 5-(1-(4- chlorophenylsulfonyl) piperidin-3- yl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-thiol were synthesized through reaction with different saturated and unsaturated alkyl halides in DMF medium, with NaH catalyst. Spectral characterization of each derivative was carried out with respect to IR, 1H - NMR, 13C - NMR and EI - MS. The lipoxygenase inhibitory and antibacterial activities of the derivatives were determined using standard procedures.Results: Compound 5e exhibited higher lipoxygenase inhibitory potential than the standard (Baicalein®), with % inhibition of 94.71 ± 0.45 and IC50 of 20.72 ± 0.34 μmoles/L. Compound 5b showed significant antibacterial potential against all the bacterial strains with % inhibition ranging from 62.04 ± 2.78, 69.49 ± 0.41, 63.38 ± 1.97 and 59.70 ± 3.70 to 78.32 ± 0.41, while MIC ranged from 8.18 ± 2.00, 10.60 ± 1.83, 10.84 ± 3.00, 9.81 ± 1.86 and 11.73 ± 5.00 μmoles/L for S. typhi, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and S. aureus, respectively. Compounds 5d, 5e and 5g showed good antibacterial activity against S. typhi and B. subtilis bacterial strains.Conclusion: The results suggest that compound 5e bearing n-pentyl group is a potent lipoxygenase inhibitor, while compound 5b with n-propyl substitution is a strong antibacterial agent. In addition, compounds 5d, 5e and 5g bearing n-butyl, n-pentyl and n-octyl groups, respectively, are good antibacterial agents against S. typhi and B. subtilis.Keywords: Sulfides, Antibacterial activity, Lipoxygenase activity, Spectral analysi