Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nutritive Value Assessment of the Alternative Feed Resources by Gas Production and Rumen Fermentation In vitro

In vitro gas production and rumen fermentation characteristics were measured to evaluate some alternative feed resources e.g. rice straw, tropical shrubs (Artiplex semibacata, Artiplex halimus, Leucaena), Artichoke leaves and Artichoke stems in comparison with berseem hay. A gas test technique was performed using fistulated sheep rumen fluid. Cumulative gas production was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation and gas production constants (b, c, L) were described using the equation Gas(t)= b(1-exp ). -c(t-L) Ammonia-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration were determined at 0,1,3 and 6 hr. of incubation. The NDF, ADF and ADL were significantly different among roughages used in this study. The rice straw contain highest level of NDF and ADF, while Leucaena contain the highest level of ADL. The lowest fiber constitutes were observed in artichoke leaves or stems. The maximum gas volume (b) was highest for Artichoke stems followed by artichoke leaves, bereem hay, rice straw, Atriplex semibacata and Leucaena and lowest for Atriplex halimus. The maximum rate of gas production (c) was highest for both artichoke stems and leaves and berseem hay and lowest for rice straw. The fermentation end products either ammonia-N or total volatile fatty acids varied significantly among the roughages. There were significant (P<0.05) differences between forages in terms of metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE) (MJ/kg DM) and organic matter digestibility (OMD). The organic matter digestibility values ranged from 41.48-67.57% and the highest value was that of artichoke stems and the lowest value was that of rice straw. The leaves or stems of artichoke showed the highest (P<0.05) values for ME, NE and OMD than all of the other roughages used in this study. All tropical shrub plants and rice straw had lower in vitro fermentation characteristics, cumulative gas production and kinetics parameters than berseem hay used as standard hay. The in vitro gas production technique can be used to determine the nutritive value of the roughages and to identify differences among their potential digestibility and energy contents. This study concluded that artichoke was considered as high quality roughage in comparison with berseem hay according to nutritive quality and gas production parameters. Key word: Nutritive value, roughages, gas production, fermentation, in vitro
Using space syntax analysis in detecting privacy: a comparative study of traditional and modern house layouts in Erbil city, Iraq

Abstract The aim of this paper is, firstly, to examine the parameters which have a role in achieving privacy in using the interior domestic spaces and to what extent it influences on the way of distribution of these spaces; secondly, to investigate the relationship between house layout morphology and the privacy of inhabitants. In this paper, space syntax theory is used to examine the spatial morphology of both types (traditional and modern) house layouts in Erbil city, in order to detect the level of privacy in their configurations, through an analytical comparative approach. After a sample of house layouts has been analyzed morphologically, it has been researched as to whether the house layout pattern affects the level of privacy and to what degree. The results shows that the traditional house layouts offer better design solutions in terms of privacy because it carries a higher value of (RRA) with a higher tendency towards asymmetry structure comparing with modern house layouts. It is believed that the data that is collected will be valuable in the design process of the future house layouts at least in the city of Erbil.
Lifetime measurements and calculations in singly ionized ytterbium

New radiative lifetimes, measured by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, are reported for five Rydberg states of singly ionized ytterbium. Free Yb+ ions were produced in a laser-induced plasma. The experimental results have been compared with HFR calculations, taking core-polarization effects into account, and a good agreement (within 25%) between theory and experiment is observed for four levels. HFR results are also proposed for np (n ≤ 7) and nf (n ≤ 8) Rydberg states and compared with available data.
MACROPHYTE STRUCTURE IN LOTIC-LENTIC HABITATS FROM BRAZILIAN PANTANAL

The goal of this study was to compare the vegetation structure of macrophytes in an anabranch-lake system. Sampling was carried out at flood in three types of aquatic vegetation, (wild-rice, floating meadow and Polygonumbank) in anabranch Bonfim (lotic) and in lake Mandiore (lentic) in plots along transects, to estimate the percent coverage and record life forms of species. We collected 59 species in 50 genera and 28 families. Fabaceae and Poaceae were the most representative and emergent plants predominated (62%). In the anabranch, with 48 species, Polygonum acuminatum and Paspalum repens (7%) were more frequent (8%); in the lake, with 39 species, the most frequent were Polygonum ferrugineum (7%) and Hymenachne amplexicaulis (9%). Both evaluated ecosystems have low floristic similarity (66.6%), which was repeated among the communities analyzed by environment: wild-rice (0.33%), Polygonumbanks (0.37%); floating meadows (0.32%). The anabranch was richer and more diverse than the lake; wild-rice community was the most diverse compared to other ones in anabranch, while in the lake the Polygonum bank community was the most diverse. The life forms of species varied in relation to the environments (lotic and lentic) studied.
Efficient evolutionary particle swarm optimization approach for nonconvex economic load dispatch problem

The main objective of economic load dispatch (ELD) is to allocate the output power generator at minimum cost while satisfying all the operation constraints. This paper presents a new hybrid method by integrating particle swarm optimization with time varying acceleration coefficients and evolutionary programming (TVAC-EPSO) for solving nonconvex ELD problem. The competition, sorting and selection in EP method are used to determine the best particle in PSO for finding the optimum solution efficiently. The proposed TVAC-EPSO has been tested on three different power system benchmarks. The simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in solving nonconvex ELD problem. Streszczenie. W artykule przedstawiono hybrydową metode ekonomicznie uzasadnionego określenia zalozen dotyczących generowanej energii elektrycznej (ang. Economic Load Dispatch - ELD). Algorytm oparty jest na wykorzystaniu metody optymalizacji roju cząstek ze wspolczynnikami zmiennymi w czasie i programowaniu ewolucyjnym. (ang. TVAC-EPSO). Proponowana metoda zostala poddana weryfikacji na trzech roznych systemach energetycznych. Wyniki symulacyjne potwierdzają jej efektywnośc w analizie problemu ELD. (Zagadnienie ekonomicznie uzasadnionego określenia wytwarzanej energii elektrycznej o charakterystyce niewypuklej - wykorzystanie metody optymalizacji roju cząstek).
Pool of endoglucanase genes in Schizophyllum commune Fr.:Fr. (Basidiomycetes) on the territory of Ukraine

Pool of intracellular endoglucanases of the fungus Schizophyllum commune on the territory of Ukraine was studied. Two loci of endoglucanase (Eg1, Eg2) were found. The polymorphic locus Eg2 controls the expression of four alleles. Alleles Eg293, Eg296 and Eg2102 are rare and peculiar to certain populations. Amino acid sequence of the locus Eg2 in databases of NCBI (XP_003031634.1) and UniProt (D8Q439) was probably identified. It is classified among the family 5 (GH5) and consists of 333 amino acid residues.
Midgut bacterial diversity analysis of laboratory reared and wild Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Kenya

Midgut symbiotic bacteria are known to play fundamental roles in the biology of mosquitoes, however knowledge of midgut bacterial communities associated with mosquitoes is scanty due to limitation of the isolation techniques based on culturing. In this study, the composition and diversity of midgut bacteria in field collected and lab reared adult female Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes was explored using the Illumina sequencing. Deoxyribonucleic acid was isolated from the pooled midgut extracts and their 16S rRNA gene sequenced using Illumina sequencing platform. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analyzed using QIIME 1.8. 0; taxonomy was assigned using BLASTn against SILVA 119 and hierarchical clustering was done using R program software. Out of the total number of sequence reads obtained, 145 OTUs were realized at 3% genetic distance. The 145 OTUs spanned 12 phyla; Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Gemmatimonadetes, Spirochaetae, Archeabacteria Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi, Bacteriodetes, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria. Microbial community composition based on OTUs showed significant difference between field collected and lab reared mosquitoes (aµa2 = 45.0799, p = 3.2 × 10-5). Similarly, there was a significant difference in community composition at OTU level between Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus (aµa2 = 31.2257, p = 7.7 × 10-4). The bacterial composition and diversity appeared to be influenced by the environment and the species of the mosquitoes. Key words: Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus, midgut, DNA, diversity.
Political Institutions and Economic Policies: Lessons from Africa

Scholars, activists, and policy makers have argued that the route to economic growth in Africa runs through political reform. In particular, they prescribe electoral accountability as a step toward economic reform, seeing it as inducing the choice of publicly beneficial as opposed to privately profitable economic policies. To assess the validity of such arguments, we first characterize a set of political institutions that render political elites accountable and derive their expected impact on the policy choices of governments. Using ratings of macro-economic policy produced by the World Bank and ratings of corrupt practices produced for private investors, we explore the relationship between institutional forms and policy choices on both an African and global sample. While key elements of the model find empirical support, the central argument receives mixed support in the data. Political institutions have a stronger influence on policy making in Africa than elsewhere and variation in African institutions and in the structure of African economies account for differences between policy choices in Africa and those made in the rest of the world. Political accountability however does not influence the choice of macro-economic policies in the manner suggested by reformist arguments; although it does appear to lead to less political predation.
Sensitivity of Commercial & Industrial Loans to Regional Economic & Banking Conditions: An Analysis Across the Midwest

Commercial banking is a substantial industry with over 5,000 commercial banks in the United States. An important feature of a bank’s activity is lending for different purposes. Different types of loans distributed by banks are crucial to propel an economy forward. My research focuses on the commercial banking industry in the Midwest region of the United States. Specifically, I will examine Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Missouri (MS), Ohio (OH), and Wisconsin (WI). In 2013, these 10 states together housed 2,446 of the 5,865 banks in the nation, which is 42% of the nation’s total banks. Specifically, this paper will analyze how regional economic indicators and bank-specific indicators impact commercial and industrial (C&I) loans. Analyzing C&I loans is relevant because understanding the underlying factors that affect C&I lending is important from a bank’s risk management perspective. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu. edu/parkplace/vol23/iss1/16 Sensitivity of Commercial & Industrial Loans to Regional Economic & Banking Conditions: An Analysis
Empirical ferric iron corrections: necessity, assumptions, and effects on selected geothermobarometers

Abstract The ferromagnesian silicate minerals, such as garnets, pyroxenes, micas, and amphiboles, appear in a variety of geothermometers and geobarometers. Where complete chemical analyses are available and regardless of bulk composition (metamorphosed pelitic or mafic), the aforementioned minerals commonly contain ferric iron. In mineral analyses using the electron microprobe, ferric and ferrous iron are not distinguished, and all the iron is treated as FeO. In ferric Fe-bearing minerals, this treatment results in (1) low analytical sums and (2) excess cations in the mineral formulae. Assuming ideal stoichiometry (ideal formula cations and oxygens) allows direct ferric estimates in garnets and pyroxenes; amphiboles require additional assumptions concerning site occupancies, and, for micas, no acceptable constraint exists for a ferric estimate. Based on ferric iron determinations for some metamorphic ferromagnesian silicates, the proportion of ferric to total iron increases at higher X Mg values. The influence of ferric estimates on T and P calculations depends on the model used and on the extent the ferric estimate alters the relative proportions of end-members. Several examples suggest that, in general, if ferric estimates (or determinations) are made, they should be made for all the relevant minerals.
Post-Soviet residential neighbourhoods in two second-order Ukrainian cities: Factors and models of spatial transformation

Post-socialist urban transformation constitutes an important segment of the contemporary urban studies. In this paper we focused on transformation processes in two typical post-Soviet residential neighbourhoods, built in the period of mass construction in the second half of XX century and located in the Ukrainian cities of Vinnytsia and Kherson. Our goals were to reveal the spatial and temporal transformation patterns, to identify the factors of transformation, and to delineate certain transformation mechanisms and models. The assessment of morphological and functional changes of urban objects was carried out via field observation according to a specially developed methodology with the further comparison of results with urban planning documents reflecting the reality in the beginning of 1990s. Our findings permitted to identify key transformation processes (deindustrialization, commercialization, revitalization, functional diversification), to list a set of factors promoting more intense transformations, and to explain mechanisms defining existing spatial pattern of transformations within the test neighbourhoods. Private commercial activity, including rapid development of retail sector, was the main source of transformation, thus defining its partial, fragmented and somewhere controversial nature. Since the probability of further transformation in each point of the territory is determined by the already existing pattern, the existing heterogeneities tend to enhance with a lapse of time, and therefore the initial stages of transformation are especially important for the further development of the neighbourhood. Despite the similar starting conditions, two neighbourhoods demonstrated different outcomes in terms of modernization, explained by the differences in the urban spatial structure, spatial and sectorial structure of industrial zones, position (importance) of the neighbourhood in the whole city, as well as the economic dynamics of the city. Based on detected factors and mechanisms, we proposed models for further transformation intended to maximize the level of modernization within the entire test neighbourhoods.
Persistence of antibacterial resistance and virulence gene profile of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from humans and animals.

The persistence of antibacterial resistance and virulence gene profile of well characterized MRSA isolated from animals and human was determined using antibiotic susceptibility testing and PCR amplification of virulence and methicillin resistance gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a general reduction in the rate of resistance to antibiotics previously tested. Isolates were currently susceptible to minocycline a tetracycline derivative, amikacin and gentamicin respectively. Resistance to cefoxitin and oxacillin were currently observed in 64 and 79% of all the isolates which in the case of cefoxitin it was less than the 86% while a bit higher in oxacillin as reported in the previous study. In addition, currently 57%, 43% and 36% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin which is less than the isolates previous resistance profile to amoxicillin and erythromycin whereas unchanged in the case of tetracycline. Four (29%) of the isolates were also currently resistant to vancomycin, doxycycline and amoxicillinclauvulanic acid; while only two isolates were resistant to vancomycin and three isolates were resistant to doxycycline in the previous study. No changes were observed in the number of isolates resistant to amoxicillin-clauvulanic acid. Resistance to more than one class of antibiotics was observed in 64% of the isolates. Currently we observe loss of methicillin resistance determinants mecA and susceptibility to all antibiotics tested in three isolates and reduced susceptibility in two isolates.
Battling with Rising Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Screening and Diagnosis

Introduction: Gestational diabetes affects 2 to 4% of all pregnancies, with an increased risk of developing diabetes for both the mother and the child. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in India varied from 3.8 to 21% with the geographical locations and diagnostic methods used. Objective: To study the differences in the type of tests and timing of tests; failure to screen and diagnose; this could explain the varying prevalence reported from different centers indicating that there could be an underestimation due to missed diagnosis. Materials and methods: A 15-question online survey (www.abcofobg.com) was developed to assess providers’ knowledge; practices and attitudes related to the screening and management of GDM. All data were entered into an electronic database without personal identifiers, to maintain confidentiality. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Results: A total of 584 respondents were participated in the survey. Overall, 82.14% of doctors screened all their antenatal patients for GDM. A total of 65.48% of them ordered for a blood glucose test during first antenatal visit even in first trimester. During screening, 39.29% of doctors preferred 50 gm glucose challenge test and 26.19% of doctors preferred 75 gm glucose and 2-hour reading. When the test was positive, 47.62% of doctors ordered for 100 gm oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 38.1% for 75 gm OGTT. A total of 40.48% of doctors used C and C criteria, 26.4 % used National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria and 32.14% took 140 at 2 hours for 75 gm OGTT criteria of cutoff to diagnose the GDM. Conclusion: Preventive measures against type 2 diabetes (T2DM) should start with proper screening and diagnosis during pregnancy. Many tests with varied criteria are in use. There is an urgent need to institute uniform standards for the timing and type of tests done for identifying the cases of GDM. This is crucial to reduce the burden of T2DM in India for now and for generations to come.
Miniaturized low-power electro-optic modulator based on silicon integrated nanophotonics and organic polymers

We design and demonstrate a compact, low-power, low-dispersion and broadband optical modulator based on electro-optic (EO) polymer refilled silicon slot photonic crystal waveguide (PCW). The EO polymer is engineered for large EO activity and near-infrared transparency. The half-wave switching-voltage is measured to be Vπ=0.97±0.02V over optical spectrum range of 8nm, corresponding to a record-high effective in-device r33 of 1190pm/V and Vπ×L of 0.291±0.006V×mm in a push-pull configuration. Excluding the slow-light effect, we estimate the EO polymer is poled with an ultra-high efficiency of 89pm/V in the slot. In addition, to achieve high-speed modulation, silicon PCW is selectively doped to reduce RC time delay. The 3-dB RF bandwidth of the modulator is measured to be 11GHz, and a modulation response up to 40GHz is observed.
Differential Expression of Two Different EeSTM Genes of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) and Root-directed Expression from EeSTM Promoter in Leafy Spurge and Arabidopsis

SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) encodes a member of the class I KNOX homeodomain protein family that is required for meristem development and maintenance. Leafy spurge is a model perennial weed that produces adventitious meristems on its roots and hypocotyl. These buds are capable of displaying para-, endo- and ecodormancy. We have cloned two different full length cDNAs of STM (EeSTM1 and EeSTM4) from leafy spurge that displays different tissue specific expression patterns. EeSTM1 gene appears to be expressed only in young root and hypocotyl tissue. EeSTM4 is co-expressed with EeSTM1, but it is also expressed highly in the shoot apical meristem and in mature roots. An EeSTM promoter was able to drive GUS expression in the roots, hypocotyl, and shoot apical meristem of Arabidopsis, whereas the AtSTM promoter only produced GUS expression in the shoot apical meristem. Expression analysis indicates that EeSTM expression is detectable in dormant adventitious buds but is up-regulated within three days following defoliation, a treatment that initiates bud regrowth. Seasonal changes in expression of EeSTM correlated to dormancy status in underground leafy spurge buds were observed.
The European Commission as Network Broker

Recent transformations in the European Union have been putting significant pressure on the management function of the European Commission. Examining its brokerage position in policy networks, this article asks what kind of role does the Commission have in the political interactions in Brussels after the year 2000. Developing a conceptual framework about brokerage roles in EU policy, the article uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative data in an empirical analysis of two very different cases where the Commission has been embattled the past years. The article argues that previous reports of the Commission's demise are much exaggerated, because it continues playing a leading role in managing interaction between multiple actors at different levels of governance. The empirical results show that the Commission is a resilient central network broker.
Material properties of chitosan from shells of Egeria radiata: Drug delivery considerations

Stephen Olaribigbe Majekodunmi, Emmanuel Oluwatoyin Olorunsola, Uche Collins Ofiwe, Aniefiok Sunday Udobre, Ekefre Akpan Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, P.M. B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Centre of Excellence, Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Uyo, P.M. B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2017; 5(7): 321-324