Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Electron-Beam Irradiation of the Diet on Microbial Population, Intestinal Morphology, Ileal Digestibility and Performance of Broilers

A total of 300 one-day old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into four treatment groups. The groups comprised of 15 birds each, and were defined by diet and the birds in each group were fed 0 (control), 3, 5, or 7 kGy electron-beam irradiated diets. A total of 5 replicates were performed. The chemical composition of the diet was not affected by irradiation. Irradiation doses of 5 and 7 kGy completely eliminated microbial load in diets (P<0.05) and decreased the total aerobic and coliform counts in ileum and cecum at increasing rate at 14, 28 and 42 days of age (L: P<0.001; Q: P<0.0001). Total coliforms of the ileum decreased with the increased irradiation dose at 21 and 42 days of age (Q: P<0.0001). Lactobacillus counts improved with increased EBI dose, except for lactobacillus in cecum at 42 days of age. There was a linear increase in villus height (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) with higher irradiation doses at 21 and 42 days of age. Additionally, a linear increase and a decrease in villus height:crypt depth were observed in the jejunum at 21 and 42 days of age, respectively (P<0.05). The villus height:crypt depth of duodenum and jejunum followed a linear increasing rate (Q: P<0.001) with the increased irradiation dose. Feed intake, mortality (all periods), body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were similar between treatments at 1-14 and 14-28 days of age. Body weight gain, however, increased at a rising rate (Q: P<0.001), and feed conversion ratio decreased at a diminishing rate (Q: P<0.01) with higher irradiation doses during 28-42 and 142 days of age. The ileal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, ether extracts, gross energy, and apparent metabolizable energy increased with the irradiation dose (Q: P<0.001). Our results indicated that electron-beam diet irradiation reduces microbial coliform counts and supports lactic acid producers in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the ileal digestibility of nutrients, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio improve with irradiation.
Comparing repeat and first visit patients' satisfaction with service quality at Medunsa Oral Health Centre

Methods: A pretested routinely used standardised SerVQUAL questionnaire was used to collect data from study participants at Medunsa Oral health centre. It consisted of 16 questions which rated mainly positive statements of six dimensions of service quality using a five response categories Likert scale. the categories were strongly agree, agree, unsure, disagree and strongly disagree and the scale was anchored from -2 through to 2. the benchmark score for an overall satisfied patient was 16 out of a total possible score of 32.
High-dynamic-range extinction mapping of infrared dark clouds. Dependence of density variance with sonic Mach number in molecular clouds

Measuring the mass distribution of infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) over the wide dynamic range of their column densities is a fundamental obstacle in determining the initial conditions of high-mass star formation and star cluster formation. We present a new technique to derive high-dynamic-range, arcsecond-scale resolution column density data for IRDCs and demonstrate the potential of such data in measuring the density variance - sonic Mach number relation in molecular clouds. We combine near-infrared data from the UKIDSS/Galactic Plane Survey with mid-infrared data from the Spitzer/GLIMPSE survey to derive dust extinction maps for a sample of ten IRDCs. We then examine the linewidths of the IRDCs using 13CO line emission data from the FCRAO/Galactic Ring Survey and derive a column density - sonic Mach number relation for them. For comparison, we also examine the relation in a sample of nearby molecular clouds. The presented column density mapping technique provides a very capable, temperature independent tool for mapping IRDCs over the column density range equivalent to A_V=1-100 mag at a resolution of 2". Using the data provided by the technique, we present the first direct measurement of the relationship between the column density dispersion, \sigma_{N/ }, and sonic Mach number, M_s, in molecular clouds. We detect correlation between the variables with about 3-sigma confidence. We derive the relation \sigma_{N/ } = (0.047 \pm 0.016) Ms, which is suggestive of the correlation coefficient between the volume density and sonic Mach number, \sigma_{\rho/ } = (0.20^{+0.37}_{-0.22}) Ms, in which the quoted uncertainties indicate the 3-sigma range. When coupled with the results of recent numerical works, the existence of the correlation supports the picture of weak correlation between the magnetic field strength and density in molecular clouds (i.e., B ~ \rho^{0.5}).
Vaccines for adults: a review of recent literature

Vaccinations in adults and older patients are of special importance due to two main reasons: physiological and anatomical alterations in the body as it ages, making diseases more serious and possibly fatal, and so that adult individuals have a decreased immunological response when they are exposed to infections. Major adult vaccination includes influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis. In this study, our aim was to understand the recent updates on adult immunization and their efficacy in disease prevention. We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE from January 1994 to March 2017. The following search terms were used: adult vaccination, adult immunization, influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, preventive measures, infection prevention. Several communicable diseases that affect the elderly population which can cause significant morbidity and mortality along with excessive costs on the health care system are easily preventable with the use of vaccination. Therefore, using vaccines to prevent these diseases should be updated and encouraged by all family health care practices.
Secure State Estimation Against Integrity Attacks: A Gaussian Mixture Model Approach

We consider the problem of estimating the state of a linear time-invariant Gaussian system using <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$</tex-math></inline-formula> sensors, where a subset of the sensors can potentially be compromised by an adversary. In this case, locating the compromised sensors is of crucial importance for obtaining an accurate state estimate. Inspired by the clustering algorithm in machine learning, we propose a Gaussian-mixture-model-based (GMM-based) detection mechanism. It clusters the local state estimate autonomously and provides a belief for each sensor, based on which measurements from different sensors can be fused accordingly. When a subset of the sensors are under the optimal innovation-based deception attacks, we derive the remote estimation error covariance recursions under different detection mechanisms, e.g., distributed <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\chi ^2$</tex-math></inline-formula> false-data detector, centralized <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\chi ^2$</tex-math></inline-formula> false-data detector, and GMM-based detection algorithm. The performance of the proposed GMM-based detection algorithm is further evaluated through average belief in the same attack scenario. Moreover, we discuss applications of GMM-based detection algorithm on other attack scenarios, e.g., false-data injection attack, replay attack, and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\epsilon$</tex-math></inline-formula>-stealthy attack. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the developed results.
Title A novel role for osteopontin in macrophage-mediated amyloid-beta clearance in Alzheimer ' s models

Osteopontin (OPN), a matricellular immunomodulatory cytokine highly expressed by myelomonocytic cells, is known to regulate immune cell migration, communication, and response to brain injury. Enhanced cerebral recruitment of monocytes achieved through glatiramer acetate (GA) immunization or peripheral blood enrichment with bone marrow (BM)-derived CD115 monocytes (Mo) curbs amyloid b-protein (Ab) neuropathology and preserves cognitive function in murine models of Alzheimer’s disease (ADtg mice). To elucidate the beneficial mechanisms of these immunomodulatory approaches in AD, we focused on the potential role of OPN in macrophage-mediated Ab clearance. Here, we found extensive OPN upregulation along with reduction of vascular and parenchymal Ab burden in cortices and hippocampi of GA-immunized ADtg mice. Treatment combining GA with blood-grafted Mo further increased OPN levels surrounding residual Ab plaques. In brains from AD patients and ADtg mice, OPN was also elevated and predominantly expressed by infiltrating GFPor Iba1-CD45 monocytederived macrophages engulfing Ab plaques. Following GA immunization, we detected a significant increase in a subpopulation of inflammatory blood monocytes (CD115CD11bLy6C) expressing OPN, and subsequently, an elevated population of OPN-expressing CD11bLy6CCD45 monocyte/ macrophages in the brains of these ADtg mice. Correlogram analyses indicate a strong linear correlation between cerebral OPN levels and macrophage infiltration, as well as a tight inverse relation between OPN and Ab-plaque burden. In vitro studies corroborate in vivo findings by showing that GA directly upregulates OPN expression in BM-derived macrophages (MU). Further, OPN promotes a phenotypic shift that is highly phagocytic (increased uptake of Ab fibrils and surface scavenger receptors) and antiinflammatory (altered cell morphology, reduced iNOS, and elevated IL-10 and Ab-degrading enzyme MMP-9). Inhibition of OPN expression in MU, either by siRNA, knockout (KO), or minocycline, impairs uptake of Ab fibrils and hinders GA’s neuroprotective effects on macrophage immunological profile. Addition of human recombinant OPN reverses the impaired Ab phagocytosis in KO-MU. This study demonstrates that OPN has an essential role in modulating macrophage immunological profile and their ability to resist pathogenic forms of Ab. 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Are alpine lake outlets less harsh than other alpine streams

We investigated the intra-annual chemical and physical properties of 16 lotic systems situated in the Swiss Alps that comprised alpine lake outlets and streams of kryal and rhithral origin. A primary goal of the study was to examine whether alpine lake outlets are less harsh lotic habitats than alpine non-outlet streams, as expected from studies of lowland lake outlets. The presence of a glacier and associated seasonality in glacial melt were primary determinants of environmental conditions in alpine lotic systems through the influence on flow regime, water temperature, and seasonal changes in chemical variables. Lake outlets exhibited higher maximum water temperatures and lower daily temperature fluctuations compared to non-outlet streams. Channel stability of the lotic systems was analyzed using estimates of shear stress, the Pfankuch score (PSI) and a multivariate habitat index (MHI). Indices using shear stress characterized channels with stream slopes ≥15 % as least stable and lake outlets with slopes ≤4 % as most stable. PSI and MHI mainly separated rhithral sites as stable and kryal sites as unstable, resulting from differences in discharge patterns. None of the indices resulted in distinct differentiation between the habitat stability of lake outlets and respective streams. Assessment of these indices suggested that it is necessary to incorporate both spatial and temporal changes in habitat parameters to provide a valid measure of the stability of a particular alpine stream type. Our results indicated that the habitat characteristics of alpine lotic systems are mainly controlled by the presence of a glacier and its seasonality, and on a lower hierarchical level by the presence of an upstream lake.
Evaluation of affinity constants of Cu, Cd, Ca and H for active soil surfaces for a solid phase-controlled soil ligand model

Environmental context. The speciation of metals in soils is controlled by the equilibrium between the solid and aqueous phases and by several parameters such as pH and total metal concentrations. The integration of affinity constants between several cations and active soil surfaces of different soils in the chemical equilibrium modelling software MINEQL+ allows a good evaluation of the chemical speciation of the metals. Abstract. A new approach, derived from the concept of the biotic ligand model, was used for the determination of the affinity constants of Ca, Cu, Cd and H to the active surfaces of different kinds of soils. This approach allowed us to obtain consistent data and to integrate these values in the chemical equilibrium modelling software MINEQL+ and eventually into a solid phase-controlled soil ligand model. This could then very easily be transformed into a terrestrial biotic ligand model by adding constants for biological components. We obtained the chemical speciation of the metals of interest by integrating the initial characteristics of the soil (pH; cation exchange capacity, CEC; total metal concentrations in soil extracts; ionic strength; and CO2 pressure). Comparison of the predicted and measured values of free Cu2+ is excellent using soil-specific affinity constants as well as average values. The average affinity constants between the active soil surfaces (S) and the target cations are log KCa–S = –0.84 (±0.01), log KCu–S = 5.3 (±0.1), log KCd–S = 4.4 (±0.2) and log KH–S = 4.1 (±0.2). External soils have been used to validate the conceptual model and the results show a very good correlation between the predicted and the measured free Cu (pCu) except for an acidic soil (pH < 5.2), highlighting the importance of integrating Al into the model.
Character displacement and release in the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes javanicus

In western parts of its native range, the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is sympatric with one or both of two slightly larger congeners. In the eastern part of its range, these species are absent. The small Indian mongoose was introduced, about a century ago, to the West Indies, the Hawaiian islands, Mauritius, the Fijian islands, and Okinawa. All introductions except possibly that to Mauritius were from the region of Calcutta and Bangladesh, where it is sympatric with both congeners. No other mongoose is present on any of these islands. In each instance, the introduced population derived from a small propagule. We examined size variation in the maximum diameter of the upper canine tooth (the prey-killing organ) and skull length. In the eastern (allopatric) part of its native range, males of the small Indian mongoose are much larger in both traits than in the western (sympatric) regions, approaching the size of the smaller of its absent two congeners, Herpestes edwardsii. Females from the allopatric part of the range are also larger than those of the source region. The species is more sexually dimorphic in the region of allopatry. On all islands to which it has been introduced, in 100-200 generations the small Indian mongoose has increased in male size and in sexual dimorphism; changes in female size have been slight and inconsistent. In general, sizes of island individuals are approx- imately intermediate in size between those in the region of origin (where they are sympatric and small) and those in the region of allopatry. Sexual dimorphism is greatest for canine diameter. Thus, H. javanicus shows variation consistent with ecological release from com- petition with its congeners. There is no evidence on whether this variation is genetic, nor on what dietary items might be partitioned between species and between sexes. However, morphological variation is consistently smaller for both traits and both sexes on the islands of introduction than in any part of the native range, consistent with idea of a genetic bottleneck imposed by the small propagule size. Neither of the two congeneric mongooses shows morphological variation consistent with ecological release from competition with H. javanicus in the southern part of their ranges, where the latter species is absent.
Comparative analysis of fatty acid composition of yolk lipids in indigenous and conventional chicken eggs.

Eggs of the indigenous laying hens are preferred by consumers to those obtained from commercial breeds. The present study aimed to compare the fatty acid (FA) composition of yolk lipids of indigenous eggs (Indigenous; n = 20) and conventional eggs (Conventional; n = 20). Indigenous and conventional eggs were collected from Lori layer hens reared under free-range condition and an commercial farm respectively. The FA composition of yolk lipids in indigenous and conventional eggs was determined by gas chromatography. Lori eggs (48.7 g) were significantly lighter than conventional eggs (59.6 g). Total fatty acid content (g/100 g fresh yolk) was similar in Lori and conventional egg yolk with 27.7 and 28.6 respectively. Lori eggs had significantly higher docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6n3), α-linoleic (ALA, C18:3n3) and oleic acid (C18:1n9cis) levels and lower linoleic (C18:2n6cis) levels than conventional eggs. Lori eggs had significantly higher content of n-3 and lower content of n-6 FA than the conventional eggs. In conclusion, the n-6/n-3 ratio in Lori eggs (8.1) was significantly lower than that in conventional eggs (17.4) proposing that indigenous eggs may be healthier for the consumers than the conventional eggs.
Bereavement Trauma and the Coping Ability of Widow/Ers: The Nigerian Experience

Abstract This study investigated the perception of death by the bereaved, the process of mourning and grief, the psychological and social malfunctioning which arise as a result of bereavement and the process of ‘grief work’ and the coping ability displayed by various victims of bereavement, particularly widow/ers. The study employed the instrumentation of quantitative and qualitative research strategy to gather relevant data from the study. The data were analysed using the appropriate statistical methods. Results obtained from the research study revealed major findings in support of the psychological and social dysfunctions that arise as a result of the loss of a spouse, but no significant difference existed between the coping strategies adopted by both middle aged and old aged widows. However a significant difference existed in the coping abilities of the middle age and old age widow/ers. Similarly, a significant gender variation was recorded in the coping abilities of the old age widow/ers. Widow/ers did express conviction that the coping strategy adopted by them actually worked and were therefore considered effective. Recommendations were made for further research activities in the study area.
Urban water restrictions: Attitudes and avoidance

In most urban cities across Australia, water restrictions remain the dominant policy mechanism to restrict urban water consumption. The extensive adoption of water restrictions as a means to limit demand, over several years, means that Australian urban water prices have consistently not reflected the opportunity cost of water. Given the generally strong political support for water restrictions and the likelihood that they will persist for some time, there is value in understanding households' attitudes in this context. More specifically, identifying the welfare gains associated with avoiding urban water restrictions entirely would be a nontrivial contribution to our knowledge and offer insights into the benefits of alternative policy responses. This paper describes the results from a contingent valuation study that investigates consumers' willingness to pay to avoid urban water restrictions. Importantly, the research also investigates the influence of cognitive and exogenous dimensions on the utility gain associated with avoiding water restrictions. The results provide insights into the impact of the current policy mechanism on economic welfare.
THE SKID RESISTANCE PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT NEW ZEALAND AGGREGATE TYPES

Road safety is a major concern for road engineers. Skid resistance, which is one of the surface pavement characteristics, is a major component of road safety and should be managed such that it is adequately present at most times. There are a number of factors that affect skid resistance and one of them is the geological properties of surfacing aggregates and how resistant they are to polishing and abrasion. For example, aggregates which have poor resistance to abrasion will usually worn out very quickly even though some of these aggregates provide good skid resistance during their lifespan. Ideally, it is desirable to be able to predict the long term skid resistance performance in terms of equivalent standard axle loadings. This research project forms part of a PhD research programme that aims to assess alternative laboratory based methods to better reflect in-field skid resistance performance.
S Methylated spirit versus 4 % chlorhexidine gel in neonatal umbilical cord infection : A short report of a randomized , open-labelled , parallel-group trial

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a known leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Aim: To compare the efficacies of 96% methylated spirit and 4% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel in the treatment of umbilical stump of neonates. Method: This was a randomized, open labelled, parallel group trial of CHX gel and Methylated spirit for neonatal umbilical cord care in Jos, between 2/6/17 and 16/7/17. Inclusion criteria were term, newly born 0 to 6 hours old, with no known risk for sepsis and written informed parental consent. Eligible subjects were randomized to receive methylated spirit or 4% CHX gel. Outcome measures were cord separation time, omphalitis, neonatal sepsis and neonatal mortality by day 28. Results: A total sample of 51 of 58 met enrolment criteria. Thirtytwo (62.7%) where delivered in JUTH, 33(64.7%) were males with a mean birth weight of 3.7kg (CI 3.04 – 3.30). Mean cord separation times were 7.96 ± 4.07)days in the methylated spirit group vs 6.43 ± 3.13days in the CHX comparator group, (p=0.078). Omphalitis was0% vs2(8.3%) and NNS 2 (7.4%)vs2(8.3%) in methylated spirit and CHX treatment groups respectively. There was 1(3.7%) mortality in the methylated spirit treatment group. Conclusion: Methylated spirit and 4% CHX gel have comparable umbilical stump treatment efficacy. Methylated spirit may be a safe alternative in clinical settings where topical 4% CHX gel is unavailable or unsafe.