Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbial Profile in Asymptomatic Gallstones

There are few studies on the changes of gut microbiota in patients with gallstones, especially in patients with asymptomatic gallstones, and there are some deficiencies in these studies, for instance, the effects of metabolic factors on gut microbiota are not considered. Here, we selected 30 asymptomatic gallstone patients from the survey population, and 30 controls according to the age and BMI index matching principle. The 16SrDNA technology was used to detect and compare the structural differences in the gut microbiota between the two groups. Compared with healthy controls, the abundance of gut microbiota in patients with gallstones increased significantly, while the microbiota diversity decreased. At the level of phylum, both groups were dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. At the genus level, there were 15 species with significant differences in abundance between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis found that only unclassified Lactobacillales showed differences in the intestines of gallstones patients with hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or patients with elevated BMI (≧24). The structure of gut microbiota in patients with gallstones changed significantly, and this might be related to the occurrence of gallstones, rather than metabolic factors such as hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity.
Different Stories from Different Approaches in Evaluating Property Value Uplift: Evidence from the Gold Coast Light Rail System in Australia

Increases in land value, known as value uplift, follow from improvements in accessibility arising from new transport infrastructure. This paper investigates how different approaches in evaluating property value uplift could lead to different results. The case study of the light rail transit system in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, is the context for this study. This paper addresses two of the critical aspects of the value uplift literature—how many of the results are determined by the method adopted and, perhaps more importantly, if there is a method which provides the best results. Historical data on private property sales are used to evaluate the timing, shape, and conditions for increases in land value or value uplift employing two of the most widely used modeling approaches: difference-in-differences and multilevel regression models. The more recent literature has also identified that the choice of control area is pertinent and so this study uses two different approaches for the selection of catchment areas: conventional distance-based methods and propensity score matching. The model results do confirm the increases in property prices because of better accessibility to Gold Coast light rail transit, but the amount of uplift does appear to depend both on the model approach and the method to select catchment and control areas. The paper discusses the implications of this for literature which has a variety of different methods established for research.
Evaluation of the occupational hazard perception of building construction workers from a psychometric paradigm and considering sociodemographic variables

DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.17. 3.436 Historically, the construction industry has presented high accident rates, and in order to get a deeper understanding and making right decisions, it is interesting to consider the risks from a worker’s point of view. This research addresses the perception of risks by construction workers from a psychometric paradigm and considering some sociodemographic variables. The study considered a sample consisted of a group of workers who belong to the Chilean construction industry, particularly from the building construction sector. Relevant risks associated with a high accident rate were identified through an extensive literature review. In addition, the relative risk related to physical overexertion and that related to the exposure to physical and chemical agents are considered. Based on a psychometric approach for the evaluation of qualitative attributes, a measurement instrument was applied; results were then statistically analyzed. Additionally, the incidence of sociodemographic variables was evaluated: age, profession, experience and educational level in relation to the perceived risk level. Statistically significant differences of the perceived risk associated to noise exposure, depending on the age of the workers were obtained. On the other hand, it was determined that workers with the most experience consider that those jobs that involve uncomfortable or forced postures constitute a relevant physical risk. Meanwhile, jobs such as: rebar workers, bricklayers and concrete workers, perceive the gravity and immediacy of the effect associated to risk significantly more in activities that involve repetitive movements.
Research for anti - Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in free-living ducks (Cairina moschata) from Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis determined by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii with wide geographic distribution, which affects homeothermic animals, with felids being their definitive hosts and other mammals and birds being their intermediate hosts. Regarding the Latin American bird species Cairina moschata, there are few reports in Brazil of the exposure of these animals to this protozoan. Based on the above, this study aimed to report for the first time the exposure of C. moschata to infection by this parasite in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, determining the serological frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in birds of this species. Sixty-seven specimens of C. moschata were captured in the vicinity of the Rio de Janeiro Zoo, and these animals at the time of capture were sorted by gender and type of feather. Blood samples from these animals were obtained by venipuncture to obtain the serum. The serum samples were subjected to IFAT for anti-T. gondii IgG. In general, the frequency of positive results was 58.21% (n=39), with a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between the animals with adult plumage and seropositivity. The exposure of ducks to T. gondii in the vicinity of the Zoo may indicate contamination of this area with protozoan oocysts.
DETERMINATION OF SEED-BORNE FUNGI IN SOME MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

The aim of this study was to identify as well as to determine and pathogenicity of fungi, using the agar plate and blotter method, associated with the seeds of anise (Pimpinella anisum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), flax (Linum usitatissimum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). A total of six fungi namely Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Arthrinium arundinis, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Penicillium spp. isolated from seeds of the medicinal and aromatic plants. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that A. alternata was pathogenic in lemon balm and fenugreek seeds at the rates of 70 and 75%, respectively. B. cinerea was determined as a pathogen in lemon balm seed at the rate of 35%. A. arundinis was detected at rates of 96 and 67% pathogen in coriander and lemon balm seeds, respectively. A. niger was determined as pathogen in coriander seed at the rate of 100%. C. sphaerospermum was found as pathogen in fennel and flax seeds at the rates of 86 to 90%, respectively. To our knowledge this is the first report on A. alternata, B. cinerea and A. arundinis isolated from melissa seeds in Turkey. This study also represents the first reported cases of C. sphaerospermum in flax and fennel seeds and A. alternata in fenugreek seeds and A. niger and A. arundinis on coriander seeds for Turkey.
Analysis of the Association between Teachers' Classroom Teaching Behaviors and Students' Knowledge Acceptance Based on Psychological Data Analysis

This paper adopts the method of psychological data analysis to conduct in-depth research and analysis on the correlation between teachers' classroom teaching behaviors and students' knowledge acceptance. Firstly, this paper proposes a health factor prediction model, which is specifically divided into clustering and then classification model and a clustering and classification synthesis model. The classroom learning process is coded, sampled, and quantified to obtain data on students' learning behaviors, and a visualization system based on classroom students' learning behaviors is designed and developed to record and analyze students' behaviors in the classroom learning process and grasp students' classroom learning. These two models use algorithms to fine-grained divide the dataset from the perspective of subject users and mental health factors, respectively, and then use decision tree algorithms to classify and predict the mental health factor information by the subject user base information. Second, based on the collected datasets, we designed comparison experiments to validate the clustering-then-classification model and the integrated clustering-classification model and selected the optimal model for comparison. Teachers should increase effective praise and encouragement behaviors; teachers should increase meaningful teacher-student interaction behaviors; teachers should be proficient in teaching media technology to reduce unnecessary time wastage. Strategies to enhance teachers' TPACK include enriching teachers' knowledge base of CK, TK, and PK; developing teachers' integration thinking; and enriching teachers' types of activities for integrating technology.
Calibration of Gipps’ car‐following model for trucks and the impacts on fuel consumption estimation

Calibration of car-following models plays an important role not only in traffic simulation but also in the estimation of traffic-related energy consumption. However, the majority of calibration studies only focus on errors on position or speed, whereas these models are used to evaluate environmental parameters associated with road traffic (e.g. pollutant emissions, energy consumption). Then, this study focuses on the ability of Gipps’ car-following model calibrated on trajectory parameters to estimate properly the fuel consumption of a heavy vehicle. First, the shape of one of the most used Goodness-of-Fit function, Theil's inequality coefficient, is investigated. It will be demonstrated that optimal domains are flat and large, and so many combinations of parameters could accurately reproduce the vehicle trajectory. Then, the authors found that Gipps model, calibrated via a multi-objective particle swarm optimisation is relevant to simulate the trajectory of a heavy vehicle, but fuel consumption estimation resulting of these trajectories exhibits large discrepancies. To solve this issue, it is proposed to add the fuel consumption estimation directly in the calibration process as a further dimension. The results show an improvement in the value of energy consumption estimation without increasing too much the error on the trajectory.
GSEPIM: A roadmap for software process assessment and improvement in the domain of global software development

Software development firms have begun adopting the practice of global software development (GSD). The main reason for the shift toward globalization is the various benefits received by software development firms. However, there are several issues faced by GSD organizations, particularly those associated with software process improvement (SPI). It has been noticed that a formal process improvement approach could assist in successfully executing development activities in GSD. The core objective of this research work is to develop a global software engineering process improvement model (GSEPIM) to assess and improve software process activities in a GSD environment. The proposed model will be developed based on existing models in other domains, an empirical study conducted with GSD practitioners, and an understanding of critical success factors and challenges of SPI. In this study, the first step in the development of GSEPIM is completed by identifying the challenges of SPI in GSD and presenting a solution in the form of a robust framework.
C1 lateral mass reduction screws for treating atlantoaxial dislocations: Bringing ease by modification

ABSTRACT Objective: The C1-C2 fixation technique revolutionized the management of complex craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies. Presently used polyaxial screw and rod systems have inadvertent technical difficulties in rod fitting and reduction of atlantoaxial dislocations (AAD) requiring forceful joint handling. The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of a specially designed “reduction screw” in C1 lateral mass in C1-C2 fixation for treating AAD with or without basilar invagination (BI). Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study in which long lateral mass reduction screws were used for C1-C2 fixation. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients diagnosed with congenital AAD with or without BI treated with C1-C2 fixations using C1 reduction lateral mass were included in the study. The outcome was measured clinically by the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score and radiologically by conventional craniometric indices. Results: Among all cases included in the study, 72% (13/18) are males and 18% (5/18) are females with average age at presentation of 33.5 years. Among 18 cases of AAD, 84% (15/18) of patients have BI, 22% (4/18) have Chiari Type 1 malformation, and one patient has Klipple–Feil syndrome. Symptomatic improvement is noted in all patients following surgery. Adequate reduction of AAD with normalization of radiological indices was also achieved in all 18 (100%) patients. Conclusion: C1 lateral mass reduction screw in C1-C2 fixation helps in reduction of AAD and BI (Type A) even in difficult cases of CVJ anomalies with intraoperative technical ease, reduced operative time, no need for special instruments or complex maneuvers, and avoiding potential neurological injury.
How Agricultural Extension Services Improve Farmers’ Organic Fertilizer Use in China? The Perspective of Neighborhood Effect and Ecological Cognition

Improving farmers’ usage of organic fertilizer is critical for the green and high-quality development of China’s agriculture. Based on 492 mango farmers’ survey data in Hainan Province, this paper uses an endogenous switching regression (ESR)model, empirically analyzes the impact of agricultural extension services on farmers’ willingness to use organic fertilizer, and further investigates the mediating role of ecological cognition and the moderating role of neighborhood effect in the influence mechanism. Results show agricultural extension services have a significant positive effect on farmers’ willingness to use organic fertilizer, ecological cognition has a partial mediating effect in the influence mechanism, which accounts for 17.84% of the total effect. The neighborhood effect has a positive moderating effect in the influence mechanism of ecological cognition on farmers’ willingness to use organic fertilizer. These results imply that agricultural extension services play a significant role in China’s sustainable agricultural development and by improving their awareness and taking advantage of the neighborhood effect, we can stimulate farmers’ willingness to green production. The study also puts forward policy recommendations on further promoting farmers’ use of organic fertilizer.
DMSO-Quenched H/D-Exchange 2D NMR Spectroscopy and Its Applications in Protein Science

Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange combined with two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy has been widely used for studying the structure, stability, and dynamics of proteins. When we apply the H/D-exchange method to investigate non-native states of proteins such as equilibrium and kinetic folding intermediates, H/D-exchange quenching techniques are indispensable, because the exchange reaction is usually too fast to follow by 2D NMR. In this article, we will describe the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-quenched H/D-exchange method and its applications in protein science. In this method, the H/D-exchange buffer is replaced by an aprotic DMSO solution, which quenches the exchange reaction. We have improved the DMSO-quenched method by using spin desalting columns, which are used for medium exchange from the H/D-exchange buffer to the DMSO solution. This improvement has allowed us to monitor the H/D exchange of proteins at a high concentration of salts or denaturants. We describe methodological details of the improved DMSO-quenched method and present a case study using the improved method on the H/D-exchange behavior of unfolded human ubiquitin in 6 M guanidinium chloride.
Debt restrictions and municipal indebtedness in American cities: evidence from the Roaring Twenties

Abstract Widespread municipal defaults in the late 19th century prompted U.S. states to pass laws restricting the amount of debt cities could incur. These restrictions generally did not bind until the 1920s, when suburban growth spurred local governments to invest in infrastructure, most of which was financed by bonds. We study the relationship between several major debt restrictions – debt limits, supermajority voting referenda, and debt exceptions – and municipal indebtedness in the Roaring Twenties. We find that cities that faced more restrictive debt rules were less indebted by 1929. We also find that debt limits reduced the amount of capital spending in cities during the 1920s and 1930s, while stricter voting rules reduced the likelihood of municipal default in the 1930s. These rules thus determined not only the degree of debt accumulation in early 20th century cities, but also their infrastructure investment and financial health.
Effect of Polysaccharides on the Physical, Rheological and Thermal Properties of a Balanced Canine Food

The structuring of food is mainly done through a complex set of various food materials, such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, minerals, and water. Among these components, proteins and polysaccharides are the most used materials in food processing. In extrusion processing, the molecular interactions between its main components play a synergistic role in the achieved structure by performing specific functions in food that affect the sensory, physicochemical, and functional properties. In this research, food for pet animals based on beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), fodder corn (Zea mays L.), polished rice (Oryza Sativa), and polysaccharides as inulin, sodium alginate, and/or a native microbial exopolysaccharide from mining waste, was designed and evaluated. To produce the pellet, a single-screw extruder at 140 rpm and 140°C at the exit zone and the effects of the moisture content [13-18%] and concentration of each polysaccharide [0.3-0.9%] on the physicochemical properties of the food were evaluated. The obtained responses were: 1.16-1.4 for expansion index, 0.8-1.7 g/cm3 for bulk density, 1.5-7.4 g/g for water absorption index, 8.8-12.6% for water solubility index, and 8.8-35 N for hardness. According to the recorded values, native exopolysaccharides can provide better physicochemical characteristics than commercial polysaccharides.
Current Knowledge on the Lagune Cattle Breed in Benin: A State of the Art Review

This paper summarizes the information on the Lagune cattle breed and its production systems in Benin available in peer-reviewed journals, conference papers and research reports covering the period from 1970 to 2020. Lagune cattle are kept in two production systems in Benin: the improved ranching system established at the Governmental farm of Samiondji, where most of the published studies on this breed have been achieved, and the village traditional production system. This breed has a small size with short horns. Reported adult weight varied from 140 to 180 kg for male and from 100 to 140 kg for female. Lagune cows are bad dairy. The breed plays an important role in the livelihoods of the rural people and has many functions, including cultural, ecological, socio-economic, savings and income provision roles. Most of the reports emphasizes its low productivity, which might rather be more related to its poor management conditions than to its genetic potential. The Lagune breed is reported to have adaptive traits such as tolerance to drought and heat, and resistance to ticks and diseases. In 1975, the Government of Benin, having realized the risk of the disappearance of this breed, devoted the Samiondji Farm to its ex situ conservation and set up a purebred multiplication herd. Since then, there have been very few efforts to comprehensively characterize this breed and its productivity under smallholder production systems. Consequently, the opportunities for its in situ conservation, management and sustainable use by the rural communities are not sufficiently explored.
Illumination-Insensitive Skin Depth Estimation from a Light-Field Camera Based on CGANs toward Haptic Palpation

A depth estimation has been widely studied with the emergence of a Lytro camera. However, skin depth estimation using a Lytro camera is too sensitive to the influence of illumination due to its low image quality, and thus, when three-dimensional reconstruction is attempted, there are limitations in that either the skin texture information is not properly expressed or considerable numbers of errors occur in the reconstructed shape. To address these issues, we propose a method that enhances the texture information and generates robust images unsusceptible to illumination using a deep learning method, conditional generative adversarial networks (CGANs), in order to estimate the depth of the skin surface more accurately. Because it is difficult to estimate the depth of wrinkles with very few characteristics, we have built two cost volumes using the difference of the pixel intensity and gradient, in two ways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our method could generate a skin depth map more precisely by preserving the skin texture effectively, as well as by reducing the noise of the final depth map through the final depth-refinement step (CGAN guidance image filtering) to converge into a haptic interface that is sensitive to the small surface noise.
Methods of Improving Reproductive Parameters in Sheep and The Major Genes Associated with Prolificacy: A Review

Farm profitability is heavily influenced by reproductive capacity. Fertility, prolificacy, and fecundity are all indicators of reproductive efficiency. In sheep with high economic value, prolificacy is a key reproduction parameter (Notter, 2008). Because most sheep breeds are monotocous, similar to Mouflon wild sheep (Garel et al., 2005), improving fecundity is a serious concern (Tang et al., 2019). This review aims to study genes and the genetic means of improving sheep reproduction parameters. Numerous mutations in the transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily have been reported to influence sheep reproductive parameters. As a result, molecular genetics and marker-assisted selection (MAS) are essential in improving reproduction efficiency. If these mutations are not present in the population, introgression of the beneficial mutations to indigenous breeds is possible. Because within-breed selection has been considered relatively inefficient, due to the low heritability of the trait, crossbreeding of native breeds with prolific breeds has been the major means of genetically improving prolificacy. Studying fecundity genes is important in order to increase production efficiency and stabilizing optimal litter sizes. Different studies based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which are called genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and also proteomic studies, transcriptome analysis, and mitochondrial DNA analysis have revealed further genetic variation with medium or minor effects on reproduction.