Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Differential Impact of High-Intensity Swimming Exercise and Inflammatory Bowel Disease on IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 Gene Expression in the Small Intestine and Colon in Mice

Background and Objective We aimed to examine the impact of high-intensity swimming exercise and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 gene expression in the small intestine and colon of mice. Material and Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups: the control group (CON), swimming exercise group (EX), 50% ethanol (EtoH) control group (50%EtoH CON), and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid group (TNBS). The EX group performed 4 weeks of exercise. Intrarectal TNBS injection induced IBD in the TNBS group; the 50%EtoH CON group received control injections. Reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to examine IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 mRNA expression in the small intestine and colon. Results IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the EX group compared to that in the CON group (p’s<0.05). IL-1β and COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the TNBS group compared to that in the 50%EtoH CON group (p’s<0.05). Conclusion Thus, inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and COX-2 expression in the small intestine and colon was increased in both high-intensity swimming exercise and IBD models. However, TNF-α was increased only in the swimming exercise model. Further research is required to confirm these observations and establish swimming exercise regimes appropriate for patients with IBD.
The Impact of Source Credibility on Saudi Consumer’s Attitude toward Print Advertisement: The Moderating Role of Brand Familiarity

An endorser or a spokesperson is frequently used by marketers in their product advertisements as a credible source that is hoped to influence the attitude of consumers in the marketplace toward the shown advertisement, the brand and most importantly their purchase intentions. Corporate credibility C/C – the reputation of a company for honesty and expertise is another type of source credibility that is said to influence consumers’ reaction to the shown product advertisements and shape their attitudes to brands. The present study assessed the impact of both source credibility (corporate credibility (C/C) and endorser credibility En/C) on Saudi consumers’ attitude toward advertising (Aad), attitude toward brand (Ab), and purchase intention (PI) when brand familiarity is tested. A study carried out in Saudi Arabia using 150 respondents as consumers who used cover head product of (AL-Bassam). Path analysis confirmed that, attractiveness of endorser had strengthened impact on (Aad), then expertise, while no effect for endorser trustworthiness on (Aad). While trustworthiness is significant in all C/C relations with the other variables (i.e. Aad, Ab and PI), there is no effect for PAB on relationship between (Aad) and (Ab). In this study, the said relationships amongst the six variables are revisited. The difference lie in the use of Saudi consumers, a developing country compared to developed countries in past studies, in addition to the use of a real advertisement including (product, endorser and company) rather than make believe advertisement. This will provide the first insight on Saudi consumer’s behavior.
Inventory of Activities of Learning Technologies at University: Cross-Cultural Adaptation in the National Context of Russia

Introduction UNESCO ICT competency framework for teachers (UNESCO, 2011) emphasizes that it is not enough for teachers to have Technology Information and Communication (ICT) competencies and be able to teach them to their students. Evaluation of professional competence is performed by comparing the obtained results with some norms and averages, as well as with the results of previous diagnosis to identify the nature of the advance in the development and professional growth of a teacher and leader (Simonov, 2010). In addition, the fact of having extensive skills in ICT use has not been linked to their use in academic activities: the abilities developed through using the computer do not seem to be transferred – or at least not to the degree expected – to learning (Romero, Guitert, Sangrà, & Bullen, 2013). According to Marcelo & Yot (2015), to incorporate technologies into their teaching, teachers need to design teaching-learning experiences based on three interrelated TPACK components. These are the content to be taught (content knowledge), the pedagogical model upon which teaching is based (pedagogical knowledge), and the technological resources that teachers select at a given moment (technological knowledge). This subject is considered to be an important research issue, since adopting a new type of learning requires a specific study on whether the audience and the teachers are ready for new forms of education. It is impossible to introduce new technologies if the target audience is not ready to absorb the information presented by new methods (Yanuschik, Pakhomova, & Batbold, 2015). In fact, it is necessary to understand how technology is taught and implemented in order to improve the developed competency and the technology used in learning (Lemon & Garvis, 2016). Over the last years, researchers have made efforts to identify the competencies that prospective teachers need in relation to technology (Lee & Lee, 2014; Valtonen, Kukkonen, Kontkanen, Sormunen, Dillon, & Sointu, 2015; van den Beemt & Diepstraten, 2015), and ICT instruments have been developed in order to assess the effective strategies to prepare prospective teachers for technology integration (Tondeur, van Braak, Siddiq, & Scherer, 2015; Arki, Kiss, & Gastelù, 2015; R. Martínez-López
Organic and Conventional Chicken Meat Produced In Uruguay: Colour, Ph, Fatty Acids Composition and Oxidative Status

The organic chicken meat is present in the market and accepted by consumers in Uruguay. However, no information about its quality is available. The study of organic meat showed a higher lightness (L*) and lower yellowness (b*) than conventional chicken meat. For redness (a*), the results were inconclusive. Haem iron content was higher in organic meat and the lipids content was not different between organic and conventional meat. The fatty acids composition showed that the organic meat presented 31-34 %, 49-53 % and 12-14 % of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), respectively. The limited uses of corn and soybean to fed organic chickens, probably explain the unexpected low level of PUFA in organic meat. The organic meat also showed a lower TBARs level and a similar level of protein carbonyl in comparison to the conventional one. Catalase presented a higher activity in organic meat compared to the conventional one. No differences were observed for superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Effect of nitrogen application on forage yield and quality of maize sown alone and in mixture with legumes.

A field experiment to study the effect of nitrogen application on forage yield and quality of maize sown alone and in mixture with legumes was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Maize variety Afgooi sown in mixture with cowpea and sesbania was given nitrogen at the rate of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha. The growth characteristics of maize like plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem diameter and leaf area were influenced significantly by nitrogen application and were increased with increase in nitrogen levels. The crude protein was also increased with increase in nitrogen levels; however crude fibre and ether extractable fat contents were decreased with increase in nitrogen levels. The growing of maize in mixture with legumes significantly reduced plant height and number of leaves per plant of maize. Dry matter yield showed significant differences and maximum dry matter yield was recorded in maize + sesbania combination (13.25 t ha). The maize grown in mixture with sesbania may be given nitrogen at the rate of 150 kg ha for getting higher forage yield of good quality.
Interplay of Regeneration, Structure and Uses of Some Woody Species in Chilimo Forest, Central Ethiopia

Studies on the regeneration, structural and uses of some woody species in Chilimo Forest, one of the dry Afromontane Forests of Ethiopia were conducted. To gather vegetation and environmental data from the study forest, a 900 m2 (30 m x 30 m) quadrat was laid following the homogeneity of vegetation. Investigation of the seedling density and regeneration of target species has been carried out using the same quadrat size, 30 m x 30 m. In each of these quadrats, the numbers of all seedlings that are up to the height of 150 cm were recorded. Individuals attaining 150 cm and above in height but less than 10 cm thick were considered as sapling and counted. Interview was conducted for the investigation of the various pressures exerted on different species. All together the plant species recorded from Chilimo Forest are 213 which can be categorised into 83 families. Of these, the highest proportion is the angiosperm (represented by 193 species) followed by pteridophyta (16 species); the least represented being the gymnosperms (represented by 2 exotic and 2 indigenous species). Structural and regeneration studies of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. To provide a better management and monitoring as well as to maintain the biodiversity, cultural and economic values of the forest unsustainable utility of the forest would be controlled with the various conservation activities in place.
Preconditioners for linear parabolic optimal control problems

In this thesis, we consider the computational methods for linear parabolic optimal control problems. We wish to minimize the cost functional while fulfilling the parabolic partial differential equations (PDE) constraint. This type of problems arises in many fields of science and engineering. Since solving such parabolic PDE optimal control problems often lead to a demanding computational cost and time, an effective algorithm is desired. In this research, we focus on the distributed control problems. Three types of cost functional are considered: Target States problems, Tracking problems, and All-time problems. Our major contribution in this research is that we developed a preconditioner for each kind of problems, so our iterative method is accelerated. In chapter 1, we gave a brief introduction to our problems with a literature review. In chapter 2, we demonstrated how to derive the first-order optimality conditions from the parabolic optimal control problems. Afterwards, we showed how to use the shooting method along with the flexible generalized minimal residual to find the solution. In chapter 3, we offered three preconditioners to enhance our shooting method for the problems with symmetric differential operator. Next, in chapter 4, we proposed another three preconditioners to speed up our scheme for the problems with non-symmetric differential operator. Lastly, we have the conclusion and the future development in chapter 5.
A NUMERICAL STUDY FOR THE BUCKLING CAPACITY OF WIND TURBINE BLADES: GEOMETRY, LOADING AND MATERIAL INFLUENCE

In this paper the composite load-carrying support structure of wind turbine blades is investigated. The buckling behavior of wind turbine blades is studied numerically by using the finite element method, as experimental experience shows that local buckling is a major failure mode that dominantly influences the total collapse of the blade. Significant advantages are derived from the combination of different fiber-reinforced polymers in hybrid material structures, but also from kevlar-fiber blades.
Sensory Quality and Acceptability of Fresh Juices

Abstract The study evaluated consumer acceptance of the appearance, aroma, taste and overall acceptability of fresh juices to support the development of fresh juices designed to exploit the sensory characteristics and nutritional advantages of fresh vegetables and to meet the needs of modern consumers, who increasingly buy products to save time, without abandoning a healthy diet. Carrot, wheat grass, and bitter gourd juices were assessed for the total moisture content, total solids, total soluble solids and sensory analysis.
Cow serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG1) concentration of five suckler cow breed types and subsequent immune status of their calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cow breed type on (a) cow serum and colostrum immunoglobulin (IgG 1 ) concentrations and (b) subsequent calf serum IgG 1 concentration and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units. Five cow breed types were examined: LF (Limousin × Friesian), LLF (Limousin × (Limousin × Friesian)), L (Limousin), C (Charolais) and SLF (Simmental × (Limousin x Friesian)). Three blood samples were taken by jugular venipuncture from the cows at approximately 90, 60 and 30 days pre partum, at parturition and at 15 days or more post partum and from the calves at 48 (40 to 56) h post partum. Prior to suckling a 20 ml sample of colostrum was obtained. Milk yield was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. The decrease in serum IgG 1 concentration in cows between 90 days pre partum and parturition was greater (P < 0.01) for LF cows than all other breed types, except SLF. There was no difference between LLF, L, C and SLF cows. There was no effect of cow breed type on colostrum IgG 1 concentration. Milk yield was higher (P < 0.001) for LF cows than all other breed types, while that of SLF was higher than the three remaining breed types, which were similar. Calf serum IgG 1 concentration and ZST units were higher (P < 0.01) for the progeny of LF cows than all others except SLF. There was no difference between the progeny of LLF, L, C and SLF cows. Calf serum IgG 1 was affected by cow breed type and showed a positive relationship with cow serum IgG 1 decreases in late pregnancy.
Temperature in a Peierls-Boltzmann treatment of nonlocal phonon heat transport

In nonmagnetic insulators, phonons are the carriers of heat. If heat enters in a region and temperature is measured at a point within phonon mean free paths of the heated region, ballistic propagation causes a nonlocal relation between local temperature and heat insertion. This paper focusses on the solution of the exact Peierls-Boltzmann equation (PBE), the relaxation time approximation (RTA), and the definition of local temperature needed in both cases. The concept of a non-local "thermal susceptibility" (analogous to charge susceptibility) is defined. A formal solution is obtained for heating with a single Fourier component $P(\vec{r},t)=P_0 \exp(i\vec{k}\cdot\vec{r}-i\omega t)$, where $P$ is the local rate of heating). The results are illustrated by Debye model calculations in RTA for a three-dimensional periodic system where heat is added and removed with $P(\vec{r},t)=P(x)$ from isolated evenly spaced segments with period $L$ in $x$. The ratio $L/\ell_{\rm min}$ is varied from 6 to $\infty$, where $\ell_{\rm min}$ is the minimum mean free path. The Debye phonons are assumed to scatter anharmonically with mean free paths varying as $\ell_{\rm min}(q_D/q)^2$ where $q_D$ is the Debye wavevector. The results illustrate the expected local (diffusive) response for $\ell_{\rm min}\ll L$, and a diffusive to ballistic crossover as $\ell_{\rm min}$ increases toward the scale $L$. The results also illustrate the confusing problem of temperature definition. This confusion is not present in the exact treatment but is fundamental in RTA.
Expressing Food through Art: Evidence for a Nutrient-Specific Effect on Mood

Background: Brain imaging studies show evidence of selective brain reward responses to high calorie foods. Behavioral studies extend this research by showing that such foods can enhance emotions, even for sweet-tasting low calorie foods (i.e., fruits). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that participants will show more positive emotional change when drawing pictures of foods that are high fat or taste sweet compared to bitter-tasting foods—as a possible behavioral intervention for enhancing mood. Method: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four art groups: high fat-high sugar (HFHS; stimulus food: cupcakes), high fat-low sugar (HFLS; stimulus food: pizza), low fat-high sugar (LFHS; stimulus food: strawberries), or low fat-low sugar (LFLS; stimulus food: peppers). Participants used three colors (red, green, black) in their art, were required to use all three colors, and told that the colors they use must reflect actual colors that are natural for the food depicted. Participants drew images of a stimulus food and prepost measures of mood and arousal were recorded. Results: Consistent with the hypothesis, the results show that drawing pictures of high fat foods (cupcakes, pizzas) and a food that tastes sweet (strawberries) results in greater increases in mood compared to drawing a bitter-tasting food (peppers). Changes in mood were independent of BMI, daily sugar intake, daily fat intake, arousal, and hunger. Conclusion: These results extend a growing body of biobehavioral research on the positive impact of food images on mood by showing that this impact can be applied to enhance mood when expressing food images through art.
Effects of Iron Overload on Growth and Intestinal Mucosa in Rats

Objective: To detect the mechanism of excess iron intake on growth and intestinal mucosa in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Low Iron Group, Normal Iron Group, Medium Iron Group and High Iron Group upon daily iron intake of 7mg/kg, 16.8mg/kg, 35mg/kg, 70mg/kg respectively via fodder for eight weeks. The general condition, body weight and food intake were documented simultaneously. Serum level of Ferritin, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected using ELISA. The observation of morphology of intestine was also included concurrently. Results: The weight obtained was significantly lower in the High Iron Group compared with the other three groups while the average weight of the rats in the High Iron Group was lower than the Normal Iron Group. Meanwhile, the average amount food uptake of the High Iron Group had slightly decreased in the eighth week. In addition, the level of IL-6 in small intestine of the High Iron Group is higher than that of the Normal Iron Group (P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 in small intestine of the High Iron Group is lower than that of the Normal Iron Group (P<0.05). The histopathology results showed that normal morphology was found in Low Iron Group and Normal Iron Group, but the mucosa showed a slight injury in the Medium Iron Group with apical microvilli slightly off. Irregular shape of microvilli and necrosis were found in some epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa in the High Iron Group. Conclusion: Excessive dietary iron intake plays a negative effect on the normal growth and development, and resulted in intestinal inflammatory injury in rats.
Modelling the combined effect of binaural hearing and reverberation

To study the interaction between the intelligibility advantage in rooms due to the presence of early reflections and due to the binaural blocking of interferers from undesired directions, a series of speech reception threshold (SRT) experiments was performed in a simulated room and with a single early reflection of the frontal target speech source as a function of its delay ranging from 0 to 200 ms. From the data and the model considerations given here, one can conclude that binaural unmasking and temporal integration of reflections seem to be comparatively independent from each other, thus providing evidence for a model with a binaural processing stage as a frontend and a reverberation compensation stage (like the MTF model) as the subsequent, independent stage. However, a blocking effect was found for reflections ipsilateral to the noise direction and a release from the deterioration effect at 200 ms delay was found for all non-blocked reflections from azimuths deviating from the midline. These findings are at odds with three versions of a model of binaural speech intelligibility in rooms described here.
The Linkage of Employee Satisfaction and Loyalty In Hotel Industry in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Many organizations in the hotel industry face difficulties in retaining employees since they are unable to identify the factors that contribute to both employee satisfaction and loyalty. This study, covers 13 satisfaction variables and 3 loyalty variables. Employment tenure, employee future plan with the company, and recommending employment in the company would be taken as the 3 loyalty indicators in this study. This study sought to identify factors which could lead to increased tenure, in addition, any linkage between employee satisfaction and employee loyalty was investigated. In order to do that, a business model, called the Service Profit Chain was used and applied in hotels in the Klang Valley area in Malaysia. A portion of the model that measures employee satisfaction and employee loyalty was adopted for this study. The findings indicate the existence of a correlation between employee satisfaction and employee loyalty. Four of the thirteen satisfaction variables, namely, relationship with supervisor, recognition and rewards, working conditions, teamwork and cooperation showed the strongest correlation with the three loyalty variables afore mentioned. It is hoped that the findings could be used by managers in the service industries in developing effective employee training programmes by placing emphasis on the four satisfaction variables which correlated strongly with the three loyalty variables. However, since the sample of this study comprises only the front line employees, it is hoped that a future extended study would be carried out which would include the back of the house staff as well. If the findings are similar, then the theories of employee satisfaction and loyalty would apply equally to the entire hotel staff and this would greatly assist hotels in organizing uniform, effective and cost saving training programmes for all the staff to increase the level of employee satisfaction and loyalty for the mutual benefit of the employee and the organization.
Pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin after single intravenous and intracrop bolus administrations to broiler chickens

The pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight was evaluated after single intravenous (i.v.) and intracrop (i.c.) bolus administrations in broilers. An HPLC assay using pure clarithromycin base as a standard was used to measure its concentrations in plasma. Following an i.v. bolus injection, the plasma concentration-time curves of clarithromycin were best represented by two-compartment open models. The drug was rapidly distributed and moderately eliminated with half-lives of distribution ( t 1/2α ) and elimination ( t 1/2β ) of 0.38 and 4.58 h, respectively. The volume of distribution was large with (V dss ) value of 6.89 L. The total body clearance ( Cl B ) was 1.2 L/h. After i.c. bolus administration of the same dose, clarithromycin was moderately absorbed in broilers with an intermediate absorption half-life ( T ½ab ) of 0.72 h with peak plasma concentration ( C max ) of 1.69 μg/ml attained at 1.7 h ( T max ) and systemic bioavailability of 66.54%. The elimination half-life following i.c. administration was 2.11 h. The extent of plasma protein binding percent was 52%. The study recommends the use of clarithromycin in broilers because of its good pharmacokinetic profile indicated by good absorption, bioavailability and plasma concentrations ≥ MICs of many sensitive microorganisms.