Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aquatic and terrestrial resources are not nutritionally reciprocal for consumers

Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are connected through reciprocal fluxes of energy and nutrients that can subsidize consumers. Past research on reciprocal aquatic–terrestrial subsidies to consumers has generally focused on subsidy quantity while ignoring major differences in the nutritional composition of aquatic and terrestrial resources. Because aquatic resources contain substantially more highly unsaturated omega‐3 fatty acids (HUFAs) than terrestrial resources, aquatic subsidies may play a unique role by supplying these critical compounds to both aquatic and terrestrial consumers. Here, we first characterized nutritional quality in terms of HUFA content in aquatic and terrestrial insect prey. We then used bulk stable isotope analyses to estimate subsidy use by stream and riparian consumers coupled with compound‐specific stable isotope analyses, which allowed us to document consumer HUFA sources. Finally, in order to understand the nutritional importance of aquatic‐derived HUFAs for riparian consumers, we conducted manipulative diet experiments on Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) chicks in the laboratory. Aquatic insects were significantly enriched in HUFAs, mainly in terms of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), compared with terrestrial insects. Stream fishes relied mainly upon aquatic resources, while insectivorous birds varied in their use of aquatic subsidies across sites. However, like stream fishes, Eastern Phoebe chicks received HUFAs from aquatic insects, even when they were heavily reliant upon terrestrial insects for their overall diet. In the laboratory, dietary HUFAs, such as those supplied by aquatic insects, increased the growth rate and condition of Eastern Phoebe chicks. This study demonstrates that aquatic and terrestrial subsidies are not nutritionally reciprocal from the perspective of consumers because aquatic resources are the main source of critical fatty acids for both stream and riparian consumers. It also confirms previous findings on the nutritional importance of HUFAs for riparian birds, demonstrating that an insectivorous riparian lifestyle influences avian nutritional needs. Finally, our findings raise the possibility that birds and other riparian insectivores may experience nutritional mismatches with terrestrial prey if they do not have access to high‐quality aquatic subsidies as a consequence of aquatic habitat degradation or shifts in consumer and resource phenology. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Composição química, valores energéticos e aminoácidos digestíveis verdadeiros de farinhas de vísceras para aves

It was aimed to determine energetic and amino acidic composition, coefficients of metabolizity of energy and digestibility of viscera meal for poultry. The method of forced feeding with cecectomized adult cockerel was used. A completely randomized design was used, with 4 different viscera meals (3 of poultry, one from swine, and one in fast), six replications and one cecectomized cockerel per experimental unit. The apparent metabolizable energy values were the following: 2,878; 3,179; 3,005 and 2,145; the values of aparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance were the following: 3,017; 3,487; 3,155; and 2,414 kcal/kg of natural matter, the values of aparent metabolizable energy corrected were: 3,720, 4,016, 3,840 and 2,981kcal/kg of natural matter and the values of aparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance were 3,239, 3,367, 3,350 and 2,372 kcal/kg of natural matter. According to energetic values and gross energy, the apparent metabolizable coefficients were 53.65; 61.96; 60.20 and 46.13; for the correct apparent metabolizability they were 56.22; 67.96; 63.22 and 51.91; for the real metabolizity they were 69.33; 78.28; 76.94 and 64.1; and the values for corrected real metabolizability were 60.36; 65.62; 67.12 and 51.01, for poultry and swine viscera meal. The real digestibility average coefficients of essential and non essential amino acids for poultry and swine viscera meal are 81.20 and 74.55; 75.73 and 67.15; 88.45 and 85.20; 89.27 and 84.35, respectively.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with Callistemon citrinus Phenolics Exhibited Anticancer Properties against Three Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Fruit and vegetable diets rich in phenolic compounds reduce the risk of various cancers and offer multiple other health benefits due to their bioactivity and powerful antioxidant properties. However, the human health benefits of most phenolic compounds are restricted due to their limited aqueous solubility, low absorption, restricted passive cellular efflux, and poor gastrointestinal stability. Nanotechnology has been used to deliver various therapeutic drugs to specific targets overcoming many of the limitations of direct treatments. This study was designed to develop poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoencapsulated phenolic-rich extracts from Callistemon citrinus and berberine and to evaluate their effectiveness against extremely invasive MDA-MB 231, moderately invasive MCF-10A, and minimally invasive MCF-7 breast cancers. We have achieved about 80% encapsulation of phenolics from C. citrinus. Most encapsulated nanoparticles were polygonal with particles sizes of 200 to 250 nm. Release of phenolics from encapsulation during storage was biphasic during the first week and then levelled off thereafter. Nanoencapsulated phenolics from C. citrinus extract, berberine, and combination of both enhanced their bioactivity against the three breast cancer cell lines by nearly 2-fold. Growth inhibition of cells was a linear curve relative to phenolic concentration, with a maximum inhibition of nearly 100% at 0.1 mg/ml compared to control.
Possibilities of Preventing Deterioration in Reproductive Performance while Improving Milk Production Traits in Holstein Friesian Cattle, Via Using Restricted Selection Indexes

Genetic and phenotypic parameters of productive (305-day yields of milk, MY; fat, FY and protein, PY) and reproductive (days open, DO; number of service per conception, NSC and age at first calving, AFC) traits were estimated from 1180 first lactation records on Holstein dairy cows, daughters of 93 sires and 650 dams, using multi-trait animal model. Seven selection indexes aiming to improve 305-day yields of milk, fat and protein were considered using various combinations of these three traits as sources of information. The full index (I1), being the most accurate index, had the highest correlation with the true breeding value (rTI = 0.629). Comparable accuracy (rTI = 0.607) would be expected from the single trait index involving milk yield alone. At each round of selection, such a single trait index is expected to result in advantageous productive traits in terms of higher yields of milk (+727.24 kg), fat (+22.10 kg) and protein (+20.68 kg), and disadvantageous reproductive performance in terms of DO (+4.41 day), NSC (+0.01 service) and AFC (+0.15 month). To prevent deterioration in DO, NSC and AFC, separate restrictions were imposed to the full index (I8(DO), I9(NSC) and I10(AFC) respectively). The optimum balance between production and fertility was obtainable via using (I9(NSC)) instead of I1 with slight reduction in accuracy of selection (rTI = 0.590 vs. 0.629) and in expected gain in yields of fat (20.60 vs. 25.12 kg) and protein (19.36 vs. 23.63 kg) but with seemingly tolerable sacrifice in milk yield gain (709.13 vs. 774.07 kg).
An Investigation of the Effect of Beat and Iconic Gestures on Memory Recall in L2 Speakers

Previous studies have showed that iconic hand gestures aid memory recall and support comprehension in adults and children native speakers. In this paper, we investigate whether gestures might have an assisting role in second language acquisition. Repeating a previous experiment formed on native speakers, we used three types of stimuli (list of words accompanied by iconic gestures, beat gestures and no gestures) in order to test in which state the participants remember the most words. The result was that iconic gestures, compared to the other two states, provided significant support in memory recall and comprehension. However such an effect was not found with beat gestures whose presence gave worse results than the condition where no gestures were provided. This may indicate that beat gestures augmented the cognitive load of L2 speakers who have not learned yet how to interpret them.
Evaluation of Proximate and Mineral Constituents in Different Commercial Cultivars and Local Varieties of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. from Kerala

ABSTRACT There are different commercial cultivars and local varieties of pineapple in Kerala. Little information is available on the nutritional quality of these commercial cultivars and local varieties. The physicochemical properties such as moisture content, total ash, pH and titratable acidity, biochemical characteristics such as total carbohydrate, total sugar, reducing sugar, nonreducing sugar, crude fiber, total protein, total lipid, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid, mineral contents were estimated in different varieties of pineapple from Kerala. In physicochemical analysis, cultivar MD2 had the highest pH and moisture content, but cultivar Kew had low pH but high titratable acidity. Ash content was the highest in the cultivar Amritha. In biochemical characteristics, the total carbohydrate, total sugar, reducing sugar and riboflavin contents were the highest in cultivar Kew. Crude fiber content was highest in cultivar Mauritius. Cultivar MD2 showed the highest lipid and vitamin C content. Non-reducing sugar and protein content was the highest in Ananas comosus var. bracteatus green. In addition, the elements K, Ca, Na, and Mg are the major minerals found in all cultivars. Traces of the elements Fe, Zn, Al, Mn, Cu, Cr, As Pb are also present.
Effects of Smiley Face Scales on Visual Processing of Satisfaction Questions in Web Surveys

Web surveys permit researchers to use graphic or symbolic elements alongside the text of response options to help respondents process the categories. Smiley faces are one example used to communicate positive and negative domains. How respondents visually process these smiley faces, including whether they detract from the question’s text, is understudied. We report the results of two eye-tracking experiments in which satisfaction questions were asked with and without smiley faces. Respondents to the questions with smiley faces spent less time reading the question stem and response option text than respondents to the questions without smiley faces, but the response distributions did not differ by version. We also find support that lower literacy respondents rely more on the smiley faces than higher literacy respondents.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Kenyan Bank Notes Circulating in Nyeri Town

Aims: The aim of this study was to characterize bacteria isolated from circulating Kenyan banknotes and also antibiotic susceptibility profiles within Nyeri County. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study and simple random sampling was used to collect 25 of each paper currency denomination. Place and Duration of Study: Samples analyses were done at Outspan Teaching and Referral Hospital (OTRH) laboratory, between March, 2019 and April, 2019. Methodology: Total of 125 currencies of five different denominations were collected from different marketing sources such as Butcheries, Restaurants, Health facilities, Mpesa outlets and Transport Saccos and dropped in sterile bags. The bacterial isolates were characterized on the basis of their morphology, staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results: Total of 19 different bacterial species were isolated from five Kenyan Bank note currencies. Of these, 37 (52.2%) was Staphylococcus aureus followed by Staphylococcus sciuri ssp.lentus 7 (9.9%), Staphylococcus gallinarum 2 (2.8%), Staphylococcus intermedius 6 (8.5%), Micrococcus sp. 1 (1.4%), Staphylococcus schleiferi ssp.coagulans 2 (2.8%), Staphylococcus sciuri ssp.rodentium 1 (1.4%), Kluyvera ascorbata 1 (1.4%), Proteus penneri 1 (1.4%), Aeromonas media 3 (4.2%), Burkholderia cepacia ssp.komplex (1.4%), Aeromonas enteropelogenes 1 (1.4%), Enterobacter cloacae 1 (1.4%), Klebsiella oxytoca 2 (2.8%), Leclercia adecarboxylata 1 (1.4%), Raoultella ornithinolytica 1 (1.4%), Vibrio metschnikovii 1 (1.4%), Myroides odoratus 1 (1.4%) and Yersinia pestis 1 (1.4%). Overall gram positive and gram negative bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to vancomycin, clindamycin and amoxycilin with percentages 40 (71%), 28 (50%), and 37 (66%) and 9 (64%), 8 (57%) and 6 (43%) respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that Kenyan banknote currencies circulating in Nyeri County were contaminated with different pathogenic and potential pathogenic bacteria including multi drug resistant strains. Hence, great care must be taken while handling money during the preparation and handling of food to avoid cross contamination.
Microbiological Impact Assessment of Air Environment of the Hides and Skin Processing Unit of NILEST Tannery, Zaria

Introduction: Microbial analysis of air is one of the most vital investigations of determining the microbial air pollution. The information on the microbial concentration of bacteria and fungi is necessary both to estimate the health hazard and to create standard for air quality control. Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the microbiological quality of the air environment in the hides and skin processing unit of NILEST Tannery, Zaria. Methodology: The analysis was carried out using the settle-plate method. The plates were exposed during passive and active sessions for 30 to 60 minutes. Results: The bacteria isolated and identified include Proteus mirablis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia whereas the fungi isolated include Sclerotium sp. , Fusarium sp. , Aspergillus niger,
Teaching, Learning & Technology: Instrumentatie van betekenisvolle interacties

Lectorale redeboek + presentatie van de verkorte vorm uitgesproken op 24 september 2015 bij de aanvaarding van de positie als lector Teaching, Learning & Technology bij Hogeschool Inholland. Zie ook: http://www.inholland. nl/onderzoek/Lectoraten/eLearning/Verslag+miniconferentie+2015.htm)
Endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans BSS6 assisted developments in phytoremediation potentials of Cucumis sativus under Cd and Pb stress

ABSTRACT In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the bioremediating potential of endophytic fungi during various heavy metals stresses to the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants. Preliminary screening showed that endophyte (Aureobasidium. pullulans BSS6) produced IAA and extra-cellular enzymes (phosphatase, cellulase and glucosidase). Therefore, BSS6 was inoculated to cucumber plants during short term (24 h) heavy metals stress (STM) and long-term (7 days) heavy metals stress (LTM). Results showed that antioxidant activities (catalase, peroxidase and reduced glutathione) were significantly enhanced and lipid peroxidation inhibited during stress conditions in A. pullulans BSS6 inoculated plants, particularly in LTM stress. The ameliorative effects of BSS6 were evident from the quantification of results and were found to significantly regulate soil enzymatic activities: including (β -glucosidase, phosphatases and cellulases) during STM and LTM. Hence, endophytic BSS6 proved to be efficient in improving cucumber tolerance during metal contamination via regulating soil enzymatic activities to reduce metal uptake and boost the antioxidant system.
Word recognition of Arabic as a foreign language by American learners : The role of phonology and script

This study reports an investigation into the role of phonological encoding (speech recoding) and visual processes in word recognition of American learners of Arabic as a foreign language (AFL). In a silent reading task, a total of 36 subjects, twenty-seven non-native readers of Arabic-- beginning, intermediate, and advanced--as well as nine native readers participated in two experiments identifying Arabic words at the word level (experiment I) and sentence level (experiment II). The word recognition task was either phonological or visual. Word recognition was measured by the type and rate of errors made. The results indicated that the level of student proficiency was significant (p <.0001) in both experiments; errors decreased as language proficiency increased with a significant interaction effect (p <.02) in experiment II. Moreover, results showed a predominance of visual errors in experiment I and phonological errors in experiment II. Although the topic requires further investigation, the findings indicated that American learners appear to misidentify Arabic words that either have a high visual similarity, or have certain sounds which are not existent in English such as (h, x, and c ).
Isoxaflutole and Metribuzin Interactions in Isoxaflutole-Resistant Soybean

Abstract Herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing concern globally; in response, new herbicide resistance traits are being inserted into crops. Isoxaflutole-resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] will provide a new mode of action for use in this crop. Ten experiments were conducted over a 2-yr period (2017, 2018) to determine herbicide interactions between isoxaflutole and metribuzin on soybean injury, weed control efficacy, and soybean yield on a range of soil types. Soybean leaf-bleaching injury caused by isoxaflutole was most severe at sites with higher levels of rainfall after application. Control of weed species with isoxaflutole (52.5, 79, and 105 g ai ha–1) and metribuzin (210, 315, and 420 g ai ha–1) differed by site based on amount of rainfall after application. At sites where there was sufficient rainfall for herbicide activation, isoxaflutole at all rates controlled common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Amaranthus spp. , common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) >90%; metribuzin at all rates controlled Amaranthus spp. and witchgrass (Panicum capillare L.) >80%. Control of every weed species evaluated was reduced when there was limited rainfall after herbicide application. The co-application of isoxaflutole + metribuzin resulted in additive or synergistic interactions for the control of C. album, Amaranthus spp. , A. artemisiifolia, A. theophrasti, Setaria spp. , barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv], and P. capillare. Isoxaflutole and metribuzin can be an effective management strategy for common annual broadleaf and grass weeds in Ontario if timely rainfall events occur after herbicide application.
Complexity, accuracy and fluency development through study abroad programmes varying in duration

Las estancias en el extranjero integradas en los estudios universitarios con frecuencia son consideradas por los estudiantes, docentes e instituciones academicas como una manera de mejorar las competencias en una lengua extranjera. Sin embargo, aun no se ha analizado a fondo cual habria de ser la duracion minima de una estancia con tal de permitir una mejora notable en el dominio de la L2. Este estudio examina el desarrollo oral de la L2 por parte de un grupo de 47 adultos que aprenden ingles como lengua extranjera. Todos los sujetos han participado en programas de intercambio academico de diferentes duraciones en paises de habla inglesa. El estudio compara el progreso de los aprendices que han participado en estancias de un trimestre (3 meses, aproximadamente) con el de los que han pasado un semestre en el extranjero (cerca de 6 meses). Tambien se evalua si la competencia linguistica inicial y experiencia previa en el extranjero tienen un efecto sobre el progreso linguistico conseguido al regresar de la estancia en cuestion. Con tal fin, hemos recogido muestras de la produccion oral de los participantes antes y despues de la estancia mediante una tarea en forma de `role play? A continuacion, hemos analizado la produccion oral aplicando medidas de complejidad sintactica y lexica, correccion y fluidez. De la misma manera 24 nativos de ingles han llevado a cabo la misma tarea que los aprendices, en este caso una sola vez, con tal de comparar su produccion con la de los aprendices. Los resultados indican que la fluidez oral en la L2 aumenta de forma significativa durante la estancia, independientemente de la duracion. La complejidad lexica progresa hacia un uso mas proximo al de los nativos de ingles. Por otro lado, el mismo progreso no se ha detectado en cuanto a las medidas de complejidad sintactica y las de correccion que se mantienen a pesar del periodo pasado en el pais de la lengua meta. No hallamos evidencia firme que permita asegurar que una duracion sea mas eficaz que la otra. En cuanto a otros resultados, hemos visto que el nivel de competencia linguistica inicial tiene un impacto destacable y altamente significativo en el progreso que los participantes evidencian al volver de la estancia. La experiencia en el extranjero previa a la actual estancia, es decir, el periodo estudiado, influye minimamente en el progreso.
Responses of Neurons in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM) of Conscious Felines to Anticipated and Passive Movements

Considerable evidence demonstrates that the vestibular system contributes to regulating sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure. Initial studies in decerebrate animals showed that presumed pre-sympathetic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) respond to small-amplitude (<10°) rotations of the body, as in other brain areas that process vestibular signals, despite the fact that such movements do not appreciably affect blood distribution in the body. However, a subsequent experiment in conscious animals showed that few RVLM neurons respond to small-amplitude movements. This study tested the hypothesis that vestibular inputs to RVLM neurons are modulated in conscious animals, such that vestibulosympathetic responses are only elicited when changes in body position are large enough to require changes in sympathetic nerve activity. The activity of approximately a third of RVLM neurons whose firing rate was related to the cardiac cycle, and thus likely received baroreceptor inputs, responded to vestibular inputs elicited by 40° head-up tilts in conscious cats, but not during 10° sinusoidal rotations in the pitch plane that affected the activity of neurons in brain regions providing inputs to the RVLM. These data suggest the existence of brain circuitry that suppresses vestibular influences on the activity of RVLM neurons and the sympathetic nervous system unless these inputs are physiologically warranted. We also determined that RVLM activity is not altered prior to tilts when a light cue is provided signaling the movement. The simplest interpretation of this findings is that feedforward cardiovascular responses are associated with active movement such as occurs during exercise, but not passive movements that require cardiovascular adjustments.
The Characteristics of Creep in Metallic Materials Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation

Processing through the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD), as in equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), provides an opportunity for achieving exceptional grain refinement to the submicrometer or even the nanometer level. After SPD processing, these materials may be conveniently used for evaluating the effect of a reduced grain size on the creep behaviour at elevated temperatures under testing conditions of constant load or constant stress. This report provides an overview of the creep properties of ECAP-processed metals with an emphasis on the microstructural characteristics developed by SPD, on their thermal stability and especially on the creep mechanisms that control their flow behaviour. For convenience, these properties are generally compared with the creep behaviour of coarse-grained (CG) samples of the same materials tested under identical conditions. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MF201924]