Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'Acidic gut syndrome': is it a problem for animals and humans?

Summary Acid accumulation in the gut occurs when a number of dietary factors and animal digestive responses interact to deliver readily fermentable carbohydrate to parts of the digestive tract colonised by bacteria capable of rapid fermentation and multiplication. Lactic acidosis is a well documented condition characterised by the absorption of lactic acid from the rumen or hind gut, the slow metabolism of D-lactic acid, and the effect of these processes on the acid-base balance in the animal’s tissues. It is suggested that a new condition, ‘acidic gut syndrome’ (AGS) should be recognised. This is characterised by the accumulation of acid in the gut at concentrations that have not previously been considered harmful to animals or humans. The detrimental effects initiated by lactic acid and low pH may be mediated through direct action on the gut wall, through the production of bacterial endotoxin, through the combination of acid and endotoxins or through other factors. The adverse effects associated withAGS are not conclusively defined but may include behavioural changes, increased risk of gut infections, skin and respiratory conditions and a range of other problems which have traditionally been attributed to food allergies or reactions to stress. It is likely that acidic gut syndrome acts through the immune system and in this way may form a basis for understanding a range of secondary diseases of previously unknown origin. These factors are discussed to highlight the possibility of acid accumulation in the gut of at least a proportion of animals and humans, under a wide range of dietary conditions. Acute lactic acidosis is still acknowledged as a serious problem in extreme circumstances, but it is possible that acidic gut syndrome may be more common and that it may affect production, health and welfare in significant ways.
Further Specification Analysis of the Unique Path Constraint Effect: From the Perspective of Spatial Extension

It has been argued that a single clause may not include a change of state expression and a change of location expression (e.g., * Sam kicked Bill black and blue out of the room. ). This co-occurrence restriction is known as the Unique Path Constraint effect. The purpose of this paper is to show that this constraint comes from the nature of event structure ― assuming that an event structure can be composed of at most two internal events, a single event may not include more than one distinct change. I argue that apparent counterexamples (e.g., John broke the egg into the bowl. ), which are presented in the literature, can also be explained under the event-based analysis provided in this paper. The co-occurrence of a change of state expression and a change of location expression in a single clause is possible when they are in a further specification relation. In such a case, the two expressions refer to different aspects of a single unified change, so they can be licitly associated with a single subevent. In this paper, I show that a further specification relation is satisfied when an event that is expressed by a change of state expression involves spatial extension, and the spatial extension is specified by a change of location expression. This paper provides empirical evidence for the event-based analysis of the Unique Path Constraint effect, and consequently provides empirical support for the idea that human language is devised as sensitive to event structure.
Mentoring Toward Technology Use

Abstract This paper investigates the mentoring practices of 16 cooperating teachers as they prepared student teachers to integrate technology into teaching and learning activities. Data were gathered from multiple sources during a semester of student teaching. A complex variety of contextual and conceptual factors influencing the integration of technology into student teaching experiences are presented, including access to technology, on-site support, and beliefs about mentoring. Findings describe the practices of cooperating teachers in mentoring student teachers toward technology use. In order for student teachers to learn how to support student-centered lessons with technology, they need knowledgeable mentor teachers and adequate access to technology to practice and develop those lessons. Recommendations for other school district/university partnerships attempting to integrate technology in field experiences include the implementation of frequent professional development sessions for mentors that help them build knowledge about how to teach in reform-minded ways with technology and how to mentor student teachers to teach in ways consistent with reform standards. Mentors should be introduced to new practices integrating technology with curriculum-based, student-centered activities that expose them to new models for teaching and learning and learn to encourage novices to teach in similar ways through modeling, practicing, and analyzing teaching together.
Overview of biomass pretreatment for cellulosic ethanol production.

Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol is significantly hindered by the structural and chemical complexity of biomass, which makes these materials a challenge to be used as feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulose and hemicellulose, when hydrolyzed into their component sugars, can be converted into ethanol through well established fermentation technologies. However, sugars necessary for fermentation are trapped inside the crosslinking structure of the lignocellulose. Hence, pretreatment of biomass is always necessary to remove and/or modify the surrounding matrix of lignin and hemicellulose prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) in the biomass. Pretreatment refers to a process that converts lignocellulosic biomass from its nativ form, in which it is recalcitrant to cellulase enzyme systems, into a form for which cellulose hydrolysis is much more effective. In general, pretreatment methods can be classified into three categories, including physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment. The subject of this paper emphasizes the biomass pretreatment in preparation for enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation for cellulosic ethanol production. It primarily covers the impact of biomass structural and compositional features on the pretreatment, the characteristics of different pretreatment methods, the pretreatment study status, challenges, and future research targets. Keywords: lignocellulosic biomass, pretreatment, cellulosic ethanol, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin DOI: 10.3965/j.issn. 1934-6344.2009. 03.051-068 Citation: Yi Zheng, Zhongli Pan, Ruihong Zhang. Overview of biomass pretreatment for cellulosic ethanol production. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(3): 51
Comparison of Redemption of Print and Electronic Coupons

Promotion via coupons is one of wide-spread marketing tools on Internet. But despite the growth of E-business printed coupons remain in use. We, therefore, compare the performance of printed and electronic coupons as measured by their redemption rates. The coupons come in different set-ups: The consumer can be granted a fixed discount, a certain percentage off the purchase price, or a gift. Therefore, it is also of interest what works better in terms of redemption and, in the case of discount offers, how the size of the discount influences the redemption rate. We estimate response functions based on empirical data of 185 coupon campaigns distributed over various print outlets and web sites. Preliminary results indicate that E-coupons did not perform significantly better than off-line coupons. The inverted U-shape of the redemption curve could be confirmed for print coupons.
Analyzing Burnout Syndrome at Bingol University

Burnout syndrome resulting in dissatisfaction and physical illnesses due to continuous and long-term stress exposure at work is a common problem at governmental institutions in Turkey. A survey was carried out in 2015 on 121 staff at Bingöl University, Turkey to measure the burnout level and compare Maslcah Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) scales. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, regressions and correlations methods are used to analyze data. All items of the survey had 0.915 Cronbach Alfa reliability score and MBI and CBI groups had 0.799 and 0.904 Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy. The total mean of all items was 2.45 with 1.48 minimum from “Impersonal objects item” and 3.826 maximum from “Have enough energy during leisure time”. Moreover, strong correlations were found between EE (Emotional Exhaustion) and DP (Depersonalization), WRB (Work-related Burnout) and PB (Personal Burnout) CRB (Clients-related Burnout) groups and DP has strong correlations with WRB and PB-CRB groups. Position and working more hours had a significant relationship with burnout syndrome while other important factors such as experience, age, gender and having children had moderate effects on burnout. Moreover, the CBI scale was found to be more suitable to measure burnout with higher reliability and validity values. © 2016 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.uk
The increase in renal sodium excretion in response to Angiotensin II infusion in exercised female rats is dependent on a rise in renal perfusion pressure.

Prior studies in this lab have shown that chronically exercised female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats excrete a greater amount of sodium in response to angiotensin II infusion than do sedentary rats. The current study determined if the difference in renal sodium excretion persisted when the renal perfusion pressure (RPP) was held constant. Female SHR and female WKY rats were separated into sedentary and exercise groups at 4 weeks of age. The exercise group voluntarily exercised for at least eight weeks using an exercise wheel and time/distance monitor. At 13 weeks of age or older, rats were anesthetized and catheters were placed into the jugular vein, and carotid and femoral arteries. A noose, placed around the abdominal aorta, was continually adjusted to maintain a constant RPP during Ang II infusion. Ang II was infused at 0, 0.125, 0.5, and 2µg/ml saline, each for 15 minutes. MAP and RPP were measured continually. Urine was collected during each 15 minute period and analyzed for sodium excretion. Sodium excretion did not significantly increase with the Ang II infusions when RPP was held constant, and no difference was found between the exercised and sedentary rats. The increase in renal sodium excretion observed in exercised female rats compared to sedentary appears to be due to a difference in the pressure natriuresis response. Funding: Department of Biological Sciences, MSU, M.
Genetic diversity in Chinese natural zoysiagrass

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) is extensively used in turf establishment and livestock herbage due to its many outstanding characters. Native Zoysia sp. are widely distributed in China. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and genetic relationships of 81 Chinese wild zoysiagrass accessions and three commercial cultivars. The results show that 33 ISSR primers produced 388 clear bands, among which 375 were polymorphic. The genetic similarity coefficients (GSCs) among 84 zoysiagrass accessions or cultivars ranged from 0.644 to 0.866 with an average of 0.751. The GSCs within species were significantly higher than that among species. Cluster analysis using an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method showed that the 84 zoysiagrass accessions could be classified into 10 major groups. Accessions from similar geographic regions were generally clustered together, which indicated a correlation between molecular groupings and the geographical origin. The investigation demonstrated the genetic diversity of different germplasm, and that ISSR markers are an effective tool for the study of genetic variation in zoysiagrass.
Obtaining Pulsatile Flow Rate Using a 360-Degree Bend

360-degree bend flowmeters were applied to determine pulsatile flow rates in water. Experiments were performed using bend flowmeters with curvature radius ratios of 7, 10 and 30 under the conditions of Womersley numbers of α=2.1−18, mean Reynolds numbers of Reta=800−5×104 and oscillatory Reynolds numbers of Reos=600−1.6×104. The pressure difference across the bend was found to be independent of the pulsation frequency and to conveniently vary with almost the same phase as the instantaneous flow rate. A method for measuring the instantaneous flow rate is proposed as well as a method for estimating the time-mean and amplitude values of the pulsatile flow rate. It is concluded that 360-degree bend flowmeters can be used to measure the pulsatile flow rate.
Automated wavelet-based damage identification in sandwich structures using modal curvatures

Recently, damage assessment of composite structures being in operation has been one of crucial problems in industries such as aircraft, aerospace, automotive, etc. Following this, rapid development of non-destructive testing methods has been observed over the last decades. One of the promising approaches is vibration-based one, which in general is based on identification of a damage using singularities in modal shapes of vibration. The identification procedure requires application of advanced signal processing techniques, where the wavelet transform is used the most commonly. Due to the high sensitivity of wavelet-based approach to changes of parameters of an analysis, e.g. a type of applied wavelet and its order, it was decided to develop an algorithm, which allows automating this process by using multi-objective meta-optimization of the mentioned parameters. The presented approach allows selecting optimal parameters for wavelet-based damage identification procedure without neither a priori knowledge on values of wavelet parameters, nor the parameters of an optimization algorithm. The proposed approach was tested on composite sandwich structures with damaged core as well as damaged face sheets. Obtained results confirm the effectiveness of automated damage identification mainly in the context of the high convergence to the optimal solution.
Colonization, population dynamics, predatory behaviour and cannibalism in Heterocypris incongruens (Crustacea: Ostracoda)

We followed the artificial colonization of a temporary pond in Northern Italy by the freshwater ostracod Heterocypris incongruens. The species had not been found in the pond in previous years. In May 2009 we released five laboratory reared, genetically identical, parthenogenetic females and observed the population during colonization and growth until desiccation (MayJuly 2009) and two subsequent hydro-periods (February-March and May-July 2010). High population density was always reached in few weeks, although in late winter 2010 no ovigerous female was observed and in spring 2010 the population was recruited only from resting eggs. In all three hydro-periods swarms formed every day and could be easily seen near the border of the pond to the eye around the median time of the sun path. In laboratory observations, individuals sampled from the swarm forming population showed predatory behaviour: H. incongruens attack, kill and consume live, actively self-defending organisms (Chironomid and mosquito larvae). We also observed cannibalism among adult females. We found low fecundity and high mortality in females sampled from the crowded population and kept in low density laboratory conditions. We discuss how cannibalism, delayed egg hatching, fecundity loss and high mortality by crowding regulate high density populations of H. incongruens, a typical r strategy species.
Integrated Marketing Communications and Customer Loyalty in Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry

This study focused on integrated marketing communications and customer loyalty in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. Lagos State, Nigeria constitutes the scope of the study being that it is the commercial hub of Nigeria and there resides a huge population of telecoms subscribers. Survey design was adopted for the study. Cross-sectional data were collected across the twenty local government areas in Lagos State with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire administered on 600 telecommunications subscribers yielded 82.3% response rate. Using descriptive statistics, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity, the data collected were analyzed. The findings reveal that integrated marketing communications (IMC) has a significant positive effect on customer loyalty. The result further shows that each of the proxies of IMC studied influenced customer loyalty at varying degrees, ranging from high to weak extent. It can therefore be inferred that implementation of IMC in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria enhances customer loyalty. Some recommendations were made and the managerial implications highlighted.
Exploring the debate on short-termism: a theoretical and empirical analysis

The debate on short-termism has focused on the economic factors of capital markets and performance measurement systems. Laverty (1996) has advocated the inclusion of individual and organizational dimensions to extend the debate. We reorient Laverty's extended debate by drawing upon a broad management and accounting literature and thereby develop testable theoretical explanations of short-termism. The resulting hypotheses are tested in a telecommunications company. Our findings provide support for Laverty's (1996) argument that individual and organizational factors are important determinants of short-termism.
Use of the Fakopp TreeSonic acoustic device to estimate wood quality characteristics in loblolly pine trees planted at different densities

A Fakopp TreeSonic acoustic device was used to measure time of flight (TOF) impulses through sample trees prior to felling from 27-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations established at different planting densities. After felling, the sample trees were sawn into lumber and the boards subjected to edgewise bending under 2-point loading. Bending properties evaluated included MOR (modulus of rupture) and MOE (modulus of elasticity). Regression methods were used to relate these bending properties to the TOF measurements collected from the standing trees. Results suggest TOF measurements alone are unlikely to be adequate when predicting MOR and MOE of loblolly pine lumber from standing trees growing at different planting densities.
Interactive comment on “ Little Ice Age climate reconstruction from ensemble reanalysis of Alpine glacier fluctuations ” by

To evaluate the role of precipitation, the gridded precipitation reconstruction form Pauling et al. (2006) was used, with average values of precipitation from 12 grid cells over the Alpine area. The comparison with the reconstructed ELA record (Fig. 2 in the paper) is shown below in Figure 1 (with 3-year smoothing to alleviate the signal-tonoise problem). Three low-ELA phases in 1712-17, 1747-52 and 1767-77 seem to coincide with high-precipitation years. For the other periods there seems to be no correlation. Also summer precipitation is mostly uncorrelated with the reconstructed ELA and therefore not shown.
Status of and Future Recommendations for Country-of-Origin Research

This research investigates whether country-of-origin (COO) cues have an effect on consumer purchase intentions, based on a review of prior literature published in the EBSCO and Summon databases. The findings of these articles show that COO cues do not, on their own, have an effect on consumer purchase intentions; but do have some effect on consumer attitudes/feelings toward the product. Future research has much to offer in terms of identifying whether COO cues have an effect on consumers’ purchase intentions for specific products, or specific types of products.
Regional tectonic stress near the San Andreas fault in central and southern California

Throughout central and southern California, a uniform NNE‐SSW direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress is observed that is remarkably consistent with the superposition of stresses arising from lateral variations in lithospheric buoyancy in the western United States, and far‐field Pacific‐North America plate interaction. In central California, the axis of maximum horizontal compressive stress lies at a high angle to the San Andreas fault (SAF). Despite relatively few observations near (±10 km) the fault, observations in the greater San Francisco Bay area indicate an angle of as much as 85°, implying extremely low fault strength. In southern California, observations of stress orientations near the SAF are rotated slightly counter‐clockwise with respect to the regional field. Nevertheless, we observe an approximately constant angle between the SAF and the maximum horizontal stress direction of 68 ± 7° along ∼400 km of the fault, indicating that the SAF has moderately low frictional strength in southern California.
Measuring ice- and liquid-water properties in mixed-phase cloud layers at the Leipzig Cloudnet station

Abstract. An analysis of the Cloudnet data set collected at Leipzig, Germany, with special focus on mixed-phase layered clouds is presented. We derive liquid- and ice-water content together with vertical motions of ice particles falling through cloud base. The ice mass flux is calculated by combining measurements of ice-water content and particle Doppler velocity. The efficiency of heterogeneous ice formation and its impact on cloud lifetime is estimated for different cloud-top temperatures by relating the ice mass flux and the liquid-water content at cloud top. Cloud radar measurements of polarization and Doppler velocity indicate that ice crystals formed in mixed-phase cloud layers with a geometrical thickness of less than 350 m are mostly pristine when they fall out of the cloud.
Cranial osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Hamadasuchus rebouli (Crocodyliformes: Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Cretaceous of Morocco

This paper presents a detailed description of the skull and part of the mandible of the crocodyliform reptile Hamadasuchus rebouli from the Kem Kem beds (Upper Cretaceous: Albian–Cenomanian) of south-eastern Morocco. This taxon of deep-snouted ziphodont crocodyliform can be diagnosed by a number of autapomorphies. Phylogenetic analysis of a diverse array of crocodylomorph taxa found strong support for a clade comprising H. rebouli, Peirosauridae, and Sebecus. The name Sebecia nom. nov. is proposed for this grouping, which is diagnosed by numerous characters, including the participation of the quadratojugal in the mandibular condyle. The distribution of this diverse and long-lived clade lends further support to the biogeographical hypothesis that faunal connections existed between Africa and South America well into mid-Cretaceous times. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149, 533–567.