• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.267-279
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• 2020

Fig mosaic is a viral disease (FMD) that spreads in Palestinian common fig (Ficus carica L.) orchards. Recognizing the economic value of fig plants and the harmful nature of FMD, the disease poses a significant threat to the economy of the fig production in Palestine. We applied the reverse transcription and amplification (RT-PCR) and PCR technique to leaf samples of 77 trees and 14 seedlings of 17 fig cultivars. The samples were collected from orchards in the main fig-growing provinces of the Palestinian West Bank, to assess the prevalence of viruses associated with FMD, and confirm a possible link of symptoms with viruses detected. Four viruses were detected: Fig mosaic virus (FMV), Fig badnavirus-1 (FBV-1), Fig leaf mottle-associated virus 2 (FLMaV-2), and Fig fleck-associated virus (FFkaV). FMV and FBV-1 were found in all tested fig plants (100%), while FLMaV-2 and FFkaV were detected in 61.5% and 33% of the fig samples, respectively. The high incidence of FBV-1 in the newly propagated symptomatic and symptomless seedlings from different cultivars may be an indication that FBV-1 is integrated into the genome of the fig in a cultivar nondiscriminatory manner. Very weak or no association was detected between FMD symptoms severity in the 17 Palestinian fig cultivars with the various viruses' combinations observed (i.e., number of the viruses infecting the plant). These results support the notion that FMD symptom severity expression is likely to be controlled by a combination of FMV infection, cultivars, and environmental factors, rather than the number of viruses infecting the plant.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.42.1-42.16
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• 2021

Background: Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically important viral disease primarily affecting broiler and breeder chickens. All 12 serotypes of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) can cause IBH. Objectives: To characterize FAdV isolates based on phylogenetic analysis, and to study the pathogenicity of FAdV-8b in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens following virus inoculation via oral and intramuscular (IM) routes. Methods: Suspected organ samples were subjected to virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for FAdV detection. Hexon gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on FAdV-positive samples for serotype identification. One FAdV-8b isolate, UPM/FAdV/420/2017, was selected for fiber gene characterization and pathogenicity study and was inoculated in SPF chickens via oral and IM routes. Results: The hexon gene phylogenetic analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to FAdV-8b. The fiber gene-based phylogenetic analysis of isolate UPM/FAdV/420/2017 supported the grouping of that isolate into FAdV species E. Pathogenicity study revealed that, chickens infected with UPM/FAdV/420/2017 via the IM route had higher clinical score values, higher percent mortality, higher degree of the liver lesions, higher antibody response (p < 0.05), and higher virus shedding amounts (p < 0.05) than those infected via the oral route. The highest virus copy numbers were detected in liver and gizzard. Conclusions: FAdV-8b is the dominant FAdV serotype in Malaysia, and pathogenicity study of the FAdV-8b isolate UPM/FAdV/420/2017 indicated its ability to induce IBH in young SPF chickens when infected via oral or IM routes.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2021

PURPOSE. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of silane and universal adhesive applications on the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of different resin-matrix ceramics (RMCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 120 slides (14 × 12 × 1 mm) were produced from 5 different RMC materials (GC Cerasmart [GC]; Brilliant Crios [BC]; Grandio blocs [GB]; Katana Avencia [KA]; and KZR-CAD HR 2 [KZR]) and sandblasted using 50 ㎛ Al₂O₃ particles. Each RMC material was divided into six groups according to the surface conditioning (SC) method as follows: control (G1), silane primer (G2), silane-free universal adhesive (G3), silane-containing universal adhesive (G4), silane primer and silane-free universal adhesive (G5), and silane primer and silane-containing universal adhesive (G6). Three cylindric specimens made from resin cement (Bifix QM) were polymerized over the treated surface of each slide (n = 12). After thermal cycling (10000 cycles, 5 - 55℃), µSBS test was performed and failure types were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = .05). RESULTS. µSBS values of specimens were significantly affected by the RMC type and SC protocols (P < .001) except the interaction (P = .119). Except for G2, all SC protocols showed a significant increase in µSBS values (P < .05). For all RMCs, the highest µSBS values were obtained in G4 and G6 groups. CONCLUSION. Only silane application did not affect the µSBS values regardless of the RMC type. Moreover, the application of a separate silane in addition to the universal adhesives did not improve the µSBS values. Silane-containing universal adhesive was found to be the best conditioning method for RMCs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1794-1801
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• 2021

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, carcass yield, size of digestive organs and nutrient utilization in Mexican Creole chickens, using four diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME, kcal/kg) and crude protein (CP, %). Methods: Two hundred thirty-six chickens, coming from eight incubation batches, were randomly distributed to four experimental diets with the following ME/CP ratios: 3,000/20, 2,850/19, 2,700/18 and 2,550/17. Each diet was evaluated with 59 birds from hatching to 12 weeks of age. The variables feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion (FC), mortality, carcass yield, size of digestive organs, retention of nutrients, retention efficiency of gross energy (GE) and CP, and excretion of N were recorded. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design with repeated measures using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, with covariance AR (1) and adjustment of degrees of freedom (Kendward-Roger), the adjusted means were compared with the least significant difference method at a significance level of 5%. Results: The productive performance variables BWG, mortality, carcass yield, fat and GE retention and excretion of N were not different (p>0.05) due to the diet effect. In the 3,000/20 diet, the chickens had lower values of FI, FC, crop weight, gizzard weight, retention, and retention efficiency of CP (p<0.05) than the chickens of the 2,550/17 diet. Conclusion: The Mexican Creole chickens from hatching to 12 weeks of age can be feed with a diet with 2,550 kcal ME and 17% CP, without compromising productive parameters (BWG, mortality, carcass yield) but improving retention and retention efficiency of CP.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.12
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• pp.31.1-31.10
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• 2018

Background: Research on loci influencing milk production traits of dairy cattle is one of the main topics of investigation in livestock. Many genomic regions and polymorphisms associated with dairy production have been reported worldwide. In this context, the purpose of this study was to identify candidate loci associated with milk yield in Argentinean dairy cattle. A database of candidate genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for milk production and composition was developed. Thirty-nine SNPs belonging to 22 candidate genes were genotyped on 1643 animals (Holstein and Holstein x Jersey). The genotypes obtained were subjected to association studies considering the whole population and discriminating the population by Holstein breed percentage. Phenotypic data consisted of milk production values recorded during the first lactation of 1156 Holstein and 462 Holstein ${\times}$ Jersey cows from 18 dairy farms located in the central dairy area of Argentina. From these records, 305-day cumulative milk production values were predicted. Results: Eight SNPs (rs43375517, rs29004488, rs132812135, rs137651874, rs109191047, rs135164815, rs43706485, and rs41255693), located on six Bos taurus autosomes (BTA4, BTA6, BTA19, BTA20, BTA22, and BTA26), showed suggestive associations with 305-day cumulative milk production (under Benjamini-Hochberg procedure with a false discovery rate of 0.1). Two of those SNPs (rs43375517 and rs135164815) were significantly associated with milk production (Bonferroni adjusted p-values < 0.05) when considering the Holstein population. Conclusions: The results obtained are consistent with previously reported associations in other Holstein populations. Furthermore, the SNPs found to influence bovine milk production in this study may be used as possible candidate SNPs for marker-assisted selection programs in Argentinean dairy cattle.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.11
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of whitening mouth rinses alone and in combination with conventional whitening treatments on color, microhardness, and surface roughness changes in enamel specimens. Materials and Methods: A total of 108 enamel specimens were collected from human third molars and divided into 9 groups (n = 12): 38% hydrogen peroxide (HP), 10% carbamide peroxide (CP), 38% HP + Listerine Whitening (LW), 10% CP + LW, 38% HP + Colgate Plax Whitening (CPW), 10% CP + CPW, LW, CPW, and the control group (CG). The initial color of the specimens was measured, followed by microhardness and roughness tests. Next, the samples were bleached, and their color, microhardness, and roughness were assessed. Data were analyzed through 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; microhardness and roughness) and 1-way ANOVA (color change), followed by the Tukey post hoc test. The Dunnett test was used to compare the roughness and microhardness data of the CG to those of the treated groups. Results: Statistically significant color change was observed in all groups compared to the CG. All groups, except the LW group, showed statistically significant decreases in microhardness. Roughness showed a statistically significant increase after the treatments, except for the 38% HP group. Conclusions: Whitening mouth rinses led to a whitening effect when they were used after conventional treatments; however, this process caused major changes on the surface of the enamel specimens.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.125-133
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• 2019

Objective: To compare the postural control between non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) subgroups and healthy people during dynamic balance performance using a modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighteen NSCLBP subjects (9 active extension pattern [AEP], 9 flexion pattern [FP]), and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All subjects performed mSEBT on their dominant leg on a force plate. Normalized reach distance and balance parameters, including the center of pressure (COP) displacement and velocity, were recorded. Results: There were significant differences in mean reach distances in both posterolateral and posteromedial (PM) reach directions between AEP and healthy subjects (p<0.001) and between FP and healthy subjects (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the anterior reach direction. Also, the results showed no significant differences in mean COP variables (velocity and displacement) between pooled NSCLBP and healthy subjects. However, the subjects were reclassified into AEP, FP and healthy groups and the results showed a significant difference in mean COP velocity in the PM direction between AEP and FP subjects (p=0.048), and between AEP and healthy subjects (p=0.024). Conclusions: The findings in this study highlight the heterogeneity of the individuals with NSCLBP and the importance of identifying the homogenous subgroups. Individuals with AEP and FP experience deficits in dynamic postural control compared to healthy controls. In addition, the findings of this study support the concept of the Multidimensional Classification System.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.426-432
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• 2019

Background The mandible is an important structure that is located in the lower third of the face. Large mandibular defects after tumor resection cause loss of its function. This study assessed the outcomes and tumor recurrence after immediate mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap following radical resection of ameloblastoma. Methods This is a retrospective non-randomized study of outcomes and tumor recurrence of all patients diagnosed with mandibular ameloblastoma from August 1997 until August 2017 (20 years) requiring free fibula osteocutaneous flap reconstruction at a single institution. The patients were identified through an electronic operative database; subsequently, their medical records and photo documentation were retrieved. Results Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. Eighteen patients were male, while nine were female. The majority of the patients (48.1%) were in their third decade of life when they were diagnosed with ameloblastoma. All of them underwent radical resection of the tumor with a surgical margin of 2 cm (hemimandibulectomy in cases with a large tumor) and immediate mandibular reconstruction with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap. Two patients required revision of a vascular anastomosis due to venous thrombosis postoperatively, while one patient developed a flap recipient site infection. The flap success rate was 100%. There was no tumor recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 5.6 years. Conclusions Mandibular ameloblastoma should be treated with segmental mandibulectomy (with a surgical margin of 2 cm) to reduce the risk of recurrence. Subsequent mandibular and adjacent soft tissue defects should be reconstructed immediately with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.715-726
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• 2019

Several municipal seismic vulnerability investigations have been identified pounding of adjacent structures as one of the main hazards due to the constrained separation distance between adjacent buildings. Consequently, an assessment of the seismic pounding risk of buildings is superficial in future adjustment of design code provisions for buildings. The seismic lateral oscillation of adjacent buildings with eccentric alignment is partly restrained, and therefore a torsional response demand is induced in the building under earthquake excitation due to eccentric pounding. In this paper, the influence of the eccentric seismic pounding on the design demands for adjacent symmetric buildings with eccentric alignment is presented. A mathematical simulation is formulated to evaluate the eccentric pounding effects on the seismic design demands of adjacent buildings, where the seismic response analysis of adjacent buildings in series during collisions is investigated for various design parameters that include number of stories; in-plan alignment configurations, and then compared with that for no-pounding case. According to the herein outcomes, the effects of seismic pounding severity is mainly depending on characteristics of vibrations of the adjacent buildings and on the characteristics of input ground motions as well. The position of the building wherever exterior or interior alignment also, influences the seismic pounding severity as the effect of exposed direction from one or two sides. The response of acceleration and the shear force demands appear to be greater in case of adjacent buildings as seismic pounding at different levels of stories, than that in case of no-pounding buildings. The results confirm that torsional oscillations due to eccentric pounding play a significant role in the overall pounding-involved response of symmetric buildings under earthquake excitation due to horizontal eccentric alignment.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.281-291
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• 2021

The Islamic jurisprudential legal system represents an essential component of the Islamic religion, that governs many aspects of Muslims' daily lives. This creates many questions that require interpretations by qualified specialists, or Muftis according to the main sources of legislation in Islam. The Islamic jurisprudence is usually classified into branches, according to which the questions can be categorized and classified. Such categorization has many applications in automated question-answering systems, and in manual systems in routing the questions to a specialized Mufti to answer specific topics. In this work we tackle the problem of automatic categorisation of Islamic jurisprudential legal questions using deep learning techniques. In this paper, we build a hierarchical deep learning model that first extracts the question text features at two levels: word and sentence representation, followed by a text classifier that acts upon the question representation. To evaluate our model, we build and release the largest publicly available dataset of Islamic questions and answers, along with their topics, for 52 topic categories. We evaluate different state-of-the art deep learning models, both for word and sentence embeddings, comparing recurrent and transformer-based techniques, and performing extensive ablation studies to show the effect of each model choice. Our hierarchical model is based on pre-trained models, taking advantage of the recent advancement of transfer learning techniques, focused on Arabic language.