Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of High Ambient Temperature on Small Intestinal Morphology and Colonic Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary Thermal stress (TS) is a critical challenge in the swine industry, but knowledge about the influence of TS on intestinal development and microbiota in piglets is still scarce. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of high ambient temperature on growth performance, small intestinal morphology, and colonic microbiota in weaned piglets. Our results showed that high ambient temperature had negative effects on growth performance and colonic microbiota of weaned piglets. Abstract A total of 16 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows, with an average initial body weight of 8.61 ± 0.24 kg (28 days of age), were randomly allotted into the control group (CON group) and high ambient temperature group (HT group) with 8 replicates per group, 1 pig per replicate. The ambient temperature of the CON group was controlled at 26 ± 1 °C, and the HT group was controlled at 35 ± 1 °C. The study lasted for 21 days. Our results showed that high ambient temperature significantly decreased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of piglets (p < 0.05), and the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The liver index, spleen index, and thymus index of piglets in the HT group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The villous height (VH) of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of piglets in the HT group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas the crypt depth (CD) of the duodenum was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the VH-to-CD ratio of the duodenum and ileum was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The piglets in the HT group showed a higher (p < 0.05) observed-species index, PD whole tree index, and Shannon index, indicating that there was a significant difference in species richness and diversity between the two groups. At the genus level, the piglets in the HT group showed a greater (p < 0.05) percent of Desulfovibrio, Occillibater, and Catenisphaera. HT reduced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, transport and catabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acids metabolism, secondary metabolites biosynthesis, aging, endocrine system, signaling molecules, and interaction of colon microbiota (p < 0.05), and increased signal transduction, cell motility, transcription, and genetic information processing (p < 0.05).
Morphological comparison of proventricular and gizzard in starling birds Sturnus vulgaris and pigeon Columba livia

The current study aimed to investigate the stomach of two species of starling Sturnus vulgaris and pigeons Columba livia . The experiment included 10 birds, it is distributed in two equal groups. The ages of birds were on average range 6-9 months (adult age). The observation has appeared the stomach in both the species, is divided into 2 chambers. The results showed the first stomach is called proventriculus. It's characterized as elongated in shape and expansion of the esophagus, located forward the gizzard to posterior at the esophagus in both species. Our study included some gross findings differentiate into two kinds. However, the proventriculus in starling S. vulgaris was characterized as cylindrical-like and had gastric papillae which it's appeared from an external surface of proventriculus with a long isthmus. Whereas our results in pigeon C. livia , the glandular stomach was tubular in shape and no protrudes of gastric papillae during the outer wall of it with the short isthmus. Either gizzard was spherical in the shape of starling and fusiform-like in pigeons, but it was a thin muscular wall and clear at fatty tissue with pale color comparatively with pigeon because the starling birds were represented at omnivores depend on the nutrition added to the grains. In the pigeons, the gizzard had an amount of adipose tissue it's covered most of the external wall of it. The situation of gizzard in pigeon was situated posterior toward proventriculus and had a thick muscular wall with dark-red in color according to nature of the diet, facilities of the grinding grain for indigestion, therefore the pigeons were considered from granivorous. Also, the study included anatomical statics measurements, length, weight, and volume in addition to weights of the birds. Where the study recorded no significant data mean between species of birds proventriculus and gizzard (table 1).
Differential Pharmacokinetics of Liver Tropism for Iron Sucrose, Ferric Carboxymaltose, and Iron Isomaltoside: A Clue to Their Safety for Dialysis Patients

Anemia is a major complication of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and intravenous (IV) iron are the current backbone of anemia treatment in ESKD. Iron overload induced by IV iron is a potential clinical problem in dialysis patients. We compared the pharmacokinetics of liver accumulation of iron sucrose, currently used worldwide, with two third-generation IV irons (ferric carboxymaltose and iron isomaltoside). We hypothesized that better pharmacokinetics of newer irons could improve the safety of anemia management in ESKD. Liver iron concentration (LIC) was analyzed in 54 dialysis patients by magnetic resonance imaging under different modalities of iron therapy. LIC increased significantly in patients treated with 1.2 g or 2.4 g IV iron sucrose (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test), whereas no significant increase was observed in patients treated with ferric carboxymaltose or iron isomaltoside (p > 0.05, Wilcoxon-test). Absolute differences in LIC reached 25 μmol/g in the 1.2 g iron sucrose group compared with only 5 μmol/g in the 1 g ferric carboxymaltose and 1 g iron isomaltoside groups (p < 0.0001, Kruskal–Wallis test). These results suggest the beneficial consequences of using ferric carboxymaltose or iron isomaltoside on liver structure in ESKD due to their pharmacokinetic ability to minimize iron overload.
Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Functional Recovery and Circulating miR-375 and miR-382-5p after Subacute and Chronic Spinal Cord Contusion Injury in Rats

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can stimulate processes to promote regeneration, including cell proliferation and modulation of inflammation. Specific miRNA expression panels have been established to define correlations with regulatory targets within these pathways. This study aims to investigate the influence of low-energy ESWT—applied within the subacute and chronic phase of SCI (spinal cord injury) on recovery in a rat spinal cord contusion model. Outcomes were evaluated by gait analysis, µCT and histological analysis of spinal cords. A panel of serum-derived miRNAs after SCI and after ESWT was investigated to identify injury-, regeneration- and treatment-associated expression patterns. Rats receiving ESWT showed significant improvement in motor function in both a subacute and a chronic experimental setting. This effect was not reflected in changes in morphology, µCT-parameters or histological markers after ESWT. Expression analysis of various miRNAs, however, revealed changes after SCI and ESWT, with increased miR-375, indicating a neuroprotective effect, and decreased miR-382-5p potentially improving neuroplasticity via its regulatory involvement with BDNF. We were able to demonstrate a functional improvement of ESWT-treated animals after SCI in a subacute and chronic setting. Furthermore, the identification of miR-375 and miR-382-5p could potentially provide new targets for therapeutic intervention in future studies.
Still Flying in the Face of Low-carbon Scholarship? A Final Call for the CSEAR Community to Get on Board

ABSTRACT Socio-ecological crises in the Anthropocene are shaking the assumptions, norms and practices of many disciplines. The climate emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic have substantially disrupted academic work and life with calls to return to normal, embrace change and many other options in between. Here, we invite critical discussion and reflection amongst the Centre for Social & Environmental Accounting Research (CSEAR) community on our collective reliance on international in-person conferences and associated air travel. In doing so, we seek to highlight the ways in which our intellectual and practical endeavours are increasingly being shaped by both the climate crisis and debates around post-pandemic academia. We also report on the results of a (pre-pandemic) survey of the CSEAR community, which reveals highly differentiated patterns of air travel, echoing global patterns of dependency and inequality. Following this, we outline various practical solutions that have been proposed or introduced at individual, institutional and community levels. These include recent grassroots campaigns which have sought to mobilise opinion around the issues and explore different practices and modes of organising knowledge production, as well as the work of other academic communities attempting to enact commitments to lower their carbon emissions. Finally, we briefly outline the wider contours around low carbon scholarship and conclude by considering whether this is sufficient to contribute to collective efforts for scholarship for sustainability.
Aging Affects the Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Alloimmunity

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are defined as a group of myeloid cells with potent immunoregulatory functions that have been shown to be involved in a variety of immune-related diseases including infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. In organ transplantation, MDSC promote tolerance by modifying adaptive immune responses. With aging, however, substantial changes occur that affect immune functions and impact alloimmunity. Since the vast majority of transplant patients are elderly, age-specific modifications of MDSC are of relevance. Furthermore, understanding age-associated changes in MDSC may lead to improved therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide a comprehensive update on the effects of aging on MDSC and discuss potential consequences on alloimmunity.
Close together or far apart? The geography of host-country knowledge sourcing and MNCs’ innovation performance

ABSTRACT We investigate the influence of different host-country knowledge sources on the quality and generality of multinational corporation (MNC) innovation. We suggest that the quality of MNC innovation increases with the geographical distance from local industrial organizations. We also argue that the generality of MNC innovation increases with the distance from local research institutions, but decreases after a certain threshold. We explain these relationships based on the different cognitive and geographical distances separating MNC innovation activities from industrial organizations and research institutions. We test our arguments on a sample of US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patents developed in the United States by foreign semiconductor MNCs.
Combination of Feature Selection and Resampling Methods to Predict Preterm Birth Based on Electrohysterographic Signals from Imbalance Data

Due to its high sensitivity, electrohysterography (EHG) has emerged as an alternative technique for predicting preterm labor. The main obstacle in designing preterm labor prediction models is the inherent preterm/term imbalance ratio, which can give rise to relatively low performance. Numerous studies obtained promising preterm labor prediction results using the synthetic minority oversampling technique. However, these studies generally overestimate mathematical models’ real generalization capacity by generating synthetic data before splitting the dataset, leaking information between the training and testing partitions and thus reducing the complexity of the classification task. In this work, we analyzed the effect of combining feature selection and resampling methods to overcome the class imbalance problem for predicting preterm labor by EHG. We assessed undersampling, oversampling, and hybrid methods applied to the training and validation dataset during feature selection by genetic algorithm, and analyzed the resampling effect on training data after obtaining the optimized feature subset. The best strategy consisted of undersampling the majority class of the validation dataset to 1:1 during feature selection, without subsequent resampling of the training data, achieving an AUC of 94.5 ± 4.6%, average precision of 84.5 ± 11.7%, maximum F1-score of 79.6 ± 13.8%, and recall of 89.8 ± 12.1%. Our results outperformed the techniques currently used in clinical practice, suggesting the EHG could be used to predict preterm labor in clinics.
Automatic Speech Emotion Recognition of Younger School Age Children

This paper introduces the extended description of a database that contains emotional speech in the Russian language of younger school age (8–12-year-old) children and describes the results of validation of the database based on classical machine learning algorithms, such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). The validation is performed using standard procedures and scenarios of the validation similar to other well-known databases of children’s emotional acting speech. Performance evaluation of automatic multiclass recognition on four emotion classes “Neutral (Calm)—Joy—Sadness—Anger” shows the superiority of SVM performance and also MLP performance over the results of perceptual tests. Moreover, the results of automatic recognition on the test dataset which was used in the perceptual test are even better. These results prove that emotions in the database can be reliably recognized both by experts and automatically using classical machine learning algorithms such as SVM and MLP, which can be used as baselines for comparing emotion recognition systems based on more sophisticated modern machine learning methods and deep neural networks. The results also confirm that this database can be a valuable resource for researchers studying affective reactions in speech communication during child-computer interactions in the Russian language and can be used to develop various edutainment, health care, etc. applications.
Racial differences in maternal risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes: a population-based study exploring urban and rural geographies in the United States

ABSTRACT This paper explores racial differences in maternal risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes across urban and rural geographies using 2019 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Bivariate chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed which showed statistically significant geographical differences among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black pregnant women across income levels (p = .016) and perceived health status (p = .003). Regression analyses indicated an increased racial gap between NH White pregnant women and other racial/ethnic groups. The findings support that there are statistically significant racial differences in maternal risk factors across urban and rural geographies for NH Black and Hispanic pregnant women.
Elliptic curves and related sequences

A Somos 4 sequence is a sequence (hn) of rational numbers defined by the quadratic recursion hm+2 hm−2 = λ1 hm+1 hm−1 + λ2 h 2 m for all m ∈ Z for some rational constants λ1, λ2. Elliptic divisibility sequences or EDSs are an important special case where λ1 = h 2 2, λ2 = −h1 h3, the hn are integers and hn divides hm whenever n divides m. Somos (4) is the particular Somos 4 sequence whose coefficients λi and initial values are all 1. In this thesis we study the properties of EDSs and Somos 4 sequences reduced modulo a prime power p. In chapter 2 we collect some results from number theory, and in chapter 3 we give a brief introduction to elliptic curves. In chapter 4 we introduce elliptic divisibility sequences, describe their relationship with elliptic curves, and outline what is known about the properties of an EDS modulo a prime power p (work by Morgan Ward and Rachel Shipsey). In chapter 5 we extend the EDS “symmetry formulae” of Ward and Shipsey to higher powers of p. We use this to find the period of (hn mod p ) in terms of the period of (hn mod p), confirming a conjecture by Shipsey for the r = 2 case. In chapter 6 we give an introduction to Somos 4 sequences and list several conjectures by Raphael Robinson on the modulo p periodicity properties of Somos(4). In chapter 7 we describe a recent result by Nelson Stephens relating a Somos 4 sequence (hn) to the sequence of points Q+ [n]P on an elliptic curve. We use this to prove that most of Robinson’s conjectures on the pattern of zeroes hold in the sequence (hn mod p ). In chapter 8 we consider prime powers p dividing some term of a given Somos 4 sequence (hn), and we find conditions under which Robinson’s periodicity conjectures hold for (hn mod p ) (although we do not always know if Somos(4) satisfies them). We do this by defining an equivalent sequence (`n), finding an EDS congruent to (`n) modulo p r and using our EDS results from chapter 4. Finally, in chapter 9 we use elliptic curves to prove that a weakened version of Robinson’s periodicity conjecture holds for prime powers which are coprime to λ1 and to every term of a given Somos 4 sequence.
Thyroid Hormones and Red Cell Indices of HIV Subjects at Enugu

Background: Thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body including red blood cells. Thyroid hormones are also important to proper development and differentiation of all cells of the human body. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that destroys certain cells in the immune system. The aim of this study was to determine free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (T4) and red cell indices level of HIV subjects attending clinic at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) clinic and Haematology Laboratory both of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, between August and October 2021. Methodology: Sixty HIV subjects and thirty apparently healthy individuals within the age range of 30 - 60 years were recruited for this study. Free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), hemoglobin (HGB), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width standard deviation (RDW-SD), red cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) were determined in HIV subjects and apparently healthy individuals. Results: There was significant difference in MCV (125.79+/- 7.57 vs 78.89+/- 5.71 fl), MCH (23.17+/- 2.10 vs27.21+/- 3.68 pg), MCHC (25.08+/- 2.74 vs30.09+/- 3.27 g/dl), RDW-SD (61.52+/- 7.55 vs46.23+/- 5.87 fl), RDW-CV (23.06+/- 5.78 vs43.87+/- 1.28 fl) and PCV (39.38+/- 3.06 vs31.75+/- 2.44 %) between patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ART-naïve patients respectively. There was significant difference in T4 (8.29+/- 1.29 vs 6.12 µg/dl), MCV (78.89+/- 5.71 vs 84.47 +/- 3.79 fl), MCH (27.21+/- 3.68 vs 29.20 +/- 2.27 pg), RDW-CV (43.87+/- 1.28 vs 12.51 +/- 1.08 fl) and PCV (31.75+/-2.44vs 37.63+/-2.95 %) on ART-naïve patients and apparently healthy subjects respectively. There was a positive correlation between FT3 and MCH in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (p= 0.016). Conclusion: In people taking antiretroviral therapy, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution width coefficient of variation significantly reduced, as well as raised mean cell volume and red cell distribution width standard deviation. This study also observed reduced mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration and mean cell volume in ART- naïve subjects.
Factors Influencing Parents’ Intention on Primary School Students’ Choices of Online Learning during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, online learning has become the norm. Primary school students require parental assistance and supervision due to their lack of digital media capabilities and safety concerns. This study uses the mixed research method to process and analyze the interview data of 10 primary school parents and 564 questionnaire data using topic coding and partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to explore the factors influencing primary school parents’ choice of online learning and the mechanism of these factors on choice intention. The results show that online learning continuity and learning attitude development risk are two new variables affecting parents’ cognition of online learning. They have a significant positive impact on performance evaluation and risk perception. Perceived ease of use, performance evaluation, and perceived cost affect parents’ assessment of their children’s satisfaction with online learning during the pandemic. Parents’ satisfaction with online learning positively affects their intention to choose online learning. The results of this study can provide a reference for education departments and schools on how to carry out online teaching with higher quality in case of emergencies.
An Improved Flux Observer Based Position Sensorless Single Stage BLDC Motor Drive With Regenerative Braking For Solar Powered LEV

In this paper, solar-PV array and battery assisted light electric vehicle (LEV) drive train with (brushless direct current) BLDC motor is designed considering Indian drive cycles. An improved flux observer is implemented for position sensorless commutation of BLDC motor, suitable for wide speed range with optimal torque and current control. The estimated rotor position is further improved using a PLL structure, which provides smooth commutation, thus reducing commutation torque ripples to a great extent. Regenerative braking is incorporated into the system by modifying the gate pulses to the VSI without additional external circuit arrangements. The overall drive structure, including solar and regenerative braking, helps to improve EV drive efficiency. The MPPT control is achieved in single stage, avoids an additional DC-DC converter, thus further reducing cost of the system. The system is designed in MATLAB/Simulink environment and analysed in detail for suitability in practical condition.
The rule of thumb: Private consumption as a driving force of the economic growth of Western Balkan countries

Private consumption is considered one of the main drivers of economic growth in Western Balkan countries. The main aim of this study is to estimate the impact of private consumption on the economic growth of the Western Balkans, including the North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Housing wealth was even the main driver of total private consumption in the European Union (EU) countries as a whole (Barradas, 2017). Based on an extensive literature review for panel data, this study uses econometric models with fixed effect, random effect, and Hausman-Taylor test. The data are taken from the World Development Indicators by country (The World Bank, n.d.) and cover the period 2010–2019. Based on the Hausman-Taylor test, the model that fits a small sample as in our case is chosen as the fixed effect. The results of the estimator show that a 1% increase in final consumption leads to a 0.43% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) growth and that, on the other hand, a 1% increase in the employment rate increases GDP by 0.11%. The most important domestic factor continues to be private consumption, driven by record levels in the labour market and further strengthening of household purchasing power (Bank of Slovenia, 2020). The study concludes that private consumption is the main driver of economic growth and sustainability in the case of the Western Balkans.