Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of monitoring techniques for detecting small mammals and reptiles in arid environments

Abstract Context. Accurate surveying and monitoring of biodiversity provides essential baseline data for developing and implementing effective environmental management strategies. Land managers in arid zones face the challenge of managing vast, remote landscapes that support numerous cryptic species that are difficult to detect and monitor. Although researchers and land managers are using an increasingly wider variety of monitoring techniques to detect and monitor species, little is known of the relative effectiveness and comparative costs of these techniques. Aims. The present study simultaneously assessed the efficacy of three popular monitoring techniques utilised in the spinifex sand plains of arid Australia, namely, live trapping, sign surveys and passive infrared (PIR)-camera trapping. Methods. We explored variations in capture rates and species richness for each technique and compared initial and on-going costs of the techniques over time. Key results. Sign surveys detected the greatest number of species and groups overall. Detectability of small mammals and reptiles, as a target group, was greater using PIR cameras, although the probability of detection by each technique varied among specific species. PIR cameras were initially the most expensive technique; however, the low ongoing costs of maintaining cameras in the field meant that they became the most cost effective after eight survey periods. Conclusions. Each of the techniques tested here showed biases towards the detection of specific groups or species in the spinifex sand-plain habitat of Australia. Regardless, PIR cameras performed better at detecting the greatest diversity of target species and financially over time. Implications. To accurately survey species across vast areas and climate variations, studies often extend over long time periods. Many long-term studies would be likely to benefit financially from the increased deployment of PIR cameras alongside or in place of live trapping surveys, with little impact on the ability to monitor the presence of most species in the region.
Animal models of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A machine-assisted systematic review and meta-analysis

We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of research using animal models of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). We systematically searched 5 online databases in September 2012 and updated the search in November 2015 using machine learning and text mining to reduce the screening for inclusion workload and improve accuracy. For each comparison, we calculated a standardised mean difference (SMD) effect size, and then combined effects in a random-effects meta-analysis. We assessed the impact of study design factors and reporting of measures to reduce risks of bias. We present power analyses for the most frequently reported behavioural tests; 337 publications were included. Most studies (84%) used male animals only. The most frequently reported outcome measure was evoked limb withdrawal in response to mechanical monofilaments. There was modest reporting of measures to reduce risks of bias. The number of animals required to obtain 80% power with a significance level of 0.05 varied substantially across behavioural tests. In this comprehensive summary of the use of animal models of CIPN, we have identified areas in which the value of preclinical CIPN studies might be increased. Using both sexes of animals in the modelling of CIPN, ensuring that outcome measures align with those most relevant in the clinic, and the animal’s pain contextualised ethology will likely improve external validity. Measures to reduce risk of bias should be employed to increase the internal validity of studies. Different outcome measures have different statistical power, and this can refine our approaches in the modelling of CIPN.
Double emulsions (W/O/W): physical characteristics and perceived intensity of salty taste

Summary This study addressed the correlation between physical characteristics of double emulsions and sensory perception, as the microstructure of these systems may provide the mechanism to understanding the initial cause of the altered salty taste. Thus, double emulsions (W/O/W) were prepared using different volumes of the internal aqueous phase while maintaining the same fat and sodium contents in the evaluated systems. Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and tween 80 were used as hydrophobic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively. After preparation, the samples were stored at 25 °C for 4 days and submitted to analysis of optical microscopy, distribution and polydispersity of the oil droplets size, electrical conductivity, rheological behaviour and sensorial analysis. It was found that the use of different emulsifier concentrations (PGPR) did not influence the physical characteristics of the emulsions with the same formulation, but emulsions with different internal aqueous phase concentrations presented different results. These distinct characteristics may have influenced sensorial perception, as the emulsion with higher internal phase concentration was considered saltier. Thus, it can be concluded that structural differences of the double emulsions can be used to decrease the sodium contents without perceivable changes in salty taste.
Effect of Strengthening Family Coping Resources on Emotion Regulation of Family Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Strengthening the coping resources as an instruction for anxiety-regulation may affect the emotion-regulation of families. Regarding the significant role of families in health of these patients, it seems that interference in strengthening coping resources affects their emotion-regulation. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of strengthening family coping resources on the emotion-regulation of schizophrenic patients' caregivers. Method: This quasi-experimental research was conducted on families with hospitalized schizophrenic patients in one of the most prominent psychiatric centers in the Northeast of Iran in 2018. The participants were assigned to intervention (n=29) and control (n=31) groups. A short revised form of Emotion-Regulation Questionnaire was utilized as data collection tool. The intervention based on strengthening family coping resources (SFCR) was administered in three modules and 15 group sessions (groups of 6-8 individuals) according to the instructions of the multi-family model of Kisser et al. On the other hand, the controls received routine cares in hospital wards.The data were analyzed in SPSS software version (16) using independent and paired t-tests. Results: The groups were homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics. The result of independent t-test demonstrated a significant difference in the mean score of revaluation (P=0.001) and suppression (p=0.001) in the intervention group, compared to the control group, after the intervention. Implications for Practice: This intervention can guide clinicians on how to implement a family-centered care program to reduce the burden of caring schizophrenic patients through gaining family support in the efficient care of these patients.
Anion-Exchange Chromatography for Determining Empty and Full Capsid Contents in Adeno-Associated Virus

that higher concentration of NaCl may cause conformational or structural changes of the empty capsids, resulting in changes in surface charge. These results are consistent with previously published AAV-AEX purification results, which shows that empty, full, and partially full AAV are observed throughout the AEX elution of several serotypes.
Cardiac Adaptation in White Athletes

Athletes may occasionally succumb to sudden cardiac arrest because of a quiescent cardiac abnormality. These catastrophes are rare, affecting between 1 in 17,000 to 1 in 50,000 athletes, depending on the sporting discipline. Most deaths affect male athletes participating in explosive sports of a start–stop nature, such as basketball and soccer, and occur during or immediately after exercise. The visibility afforded by such deaths generates considerable concern in the lay public, because young athletes are considered to represent the healthiest segment of society. Furthermore, there are several acceptable interventions to modify the natural history of these diseases and minimise the risk of sudden cardiac death.
PROCESSING AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF HALLOYSITE FILLED POLYAMIDE-6 NANOCOMPOSITES

Reinforcing thermoplastic polymers with nanotubes or nanoplatelets to form nanocomposites is a way to increase the usage of polymeric materials by improving their mechanical properties, namely Young's modulus or yield stress with filler content s as low as 2–6% by weight [1-2]. Effects of fillers on the mechanical performances of composites strongly depend on their property, shape, dimension, size an d aggregate degree, surface characteristics and concentration [2]. Nonetheless, most of the reporte d literature indicates that there is a significant reduction in the elongation at break and impact strength in these materials when the nanofiller content increases and therefore, the use of nanocomposites can be limited by the losses in toughness. Thus, considerable efforts have been given to overcome this problem [2].
Tsonga widow ’ s mourning rituals practices in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa : A ritual-liturgical exploration

The research discussed in this article consists of data on mourning rituals collected from six individual widows and a focus group consisting of seven widows. The collected data were analysed and interpreted to study the conflict between cultural practices regarding death and mourning and Christianity in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa (EPCSA). According to tradition, the rituals designed for Tsonga widows are not meant to harm widows or women but rather to protect them. Mourning ritual practices are common in most African cultures. According to Aransiola and Ige in Akinbi (2015:69), in the Yoruba culture (Nigeria), when a husband passes away, his wife is often suspected as the cause of his death. To prove her innocence and to protect her from the wrath of her husband’s spirit, a widow is made to go through various traditional rituals the moment her husband dies, as expected by his family. Some scholars consider these rituals to be evil and inhumane. These widowhood practices vary widely in different countries and among different tribes. The authors have observed that there are similar rituals that are also performed by members of the EPCSA. The EPCSA has not as yet responded in any way to these practices. There is a current liturgical hiatus concerning rituals of mourning for widows by the EPCSA in Tsonga culture.
Effects of catechol on growth, antioxidant enzyme activities and melanin biosynthesis gene expression of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA

Abstract Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA is one of the most important fungal pathogens that causes severe yield losses in rice-growing regions worldwide. Catechol (1, 2-benzenediol) is a natural catecholamine which can induce melanization of fungi and contribute to enhanced virulence and fungal resistance to diverse environments. In this study, the effects of catechol on growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione S-transferase (GSH-ST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as expression of melanin biosynthesis genes in R. solani AG-1 IA, were evaluated by culturing the fungus in catechol-containing nutrient media. The results showed that the activities of CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-ST, GSH-PX and GR were decreased in the presence of 12.5–50 μg mL−1 catechol, while GSH-PX activity was significantly increased (by 310%) in the presence of 50 µg mL−1 catechol. The growth rates of R. solani AG-1 IA on potato dextrose agar (PDA) containing catechol were significantly decreased, whereas the pathogenicity to rice of R. solani AG-1 IA cultured on PDA containing different concentrations of catechol was enhanced when compared with the catechol-free control. Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that the expression of four melanin biosynthesis genes, i.e. protein tyrosine phosphatase (Ptp), chorismate mutase (Cm), peroxidase (Per) and phenol hydroxylase (Ph), was significantly down-regulated in R. solani AG-1 IA cultured in catechol-containing PDB at 100 µg mL−1. These results suggest that catechol was utilized by the fungus to synthesize melanin, and it could also induce the activities of antioxidant enzymes and melanization in R. solani AG-1 IA. Our results provide strong evidence to support the view that melanin contributes to virulence directly through fungal antioxidant defence systems in which melanization is induced by oxidative stress.
Syrphidae (Diptera) of Surinam:Eristalinae and synthesis

The fauna of Eristalinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Surinam is reviewed. Accounts are given for 81 species of Eristalinae. These include larval rearing records for species of Ceriogaster Williston, 1888, Copestylum Macquart, 1846, Lepidomyia Loew, 1864, Ornidia Lepeletier & Serville, 1828, and Quichuana Knab, 1913. Keys are given for the Surinamese species of Meromacrus Rondani, 1848 and Palpada Macquart, 1834. Two new species are described: Lepidomyia adriaanpeteri sp. n. and Meromacrus doesburgi sp. n. A new synonymy is proposed: Meromacrus fucatus Hull, 1930 = Meromacrus ceres Hull, 1942 jun. syn. n. All species are figured with photographs. Compared with the checklist of Van Doesburg (1966), 26 species are added and four are removed. Several possibly new species are left unnamed, pending required taxonomic revisions. In total, 183 species of Syrphidae are now known from Surinam: 60 Syrphinae, 42 Microdontinae, and 81 Eristalinae. Concluding remarks are made on the number of species expected to occur in the country.
Phytochemical, Physiochemical and Mineral Contents of Domesticated and Non Domesticated Populations of Momordica charantia L. Seeds Harvested at Two Maturity Stages

Momordica charantia L. is a therapeutically important medicinal plant belonging to family Cucurbitaceae and extensively consumed as a vegetable and used as a treatment for an array of ailments in Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka. Seeds of Momordica charantia contain an array of bioactive molecules including phenolics, carotenoids and rich source of physiochemical constituents, minerals, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) and hence seeds possess anticancer, antitumor, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic activities. Phyto-constituents and therapeutic activities are depend on plant species or variety, their genetic makeup and maturity stages. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine phytochemical physiochemical and mineral composition of six populations of Momordica charantia seeds harvested at two different maturity stages. Physiochemical composition was determined according to official AOAC method. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) were determined using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method respectively. Mineral content was determined using Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometric method. There were significant differences (PMomordica seeds were varied between maturity stages as well as different populations. The highest mineral content was observed in undomesticated population. TAC and TPC decreased when maturity progressed and the highest TAC and TPC were observed in mature stage of Momordica seeds. Therefore, it is suggested to exploit undomesticated M. charantia populations with elevated phytonutrient contents for pharmaceutical and neutraceutical industries.
Moderation

operation-performing. Now the cortex forms conceptual patterns in responsible relation to sensory patterns. That is what cognitive intelligence consists in. Much the same holds for valuative intelligence, though it is more personal in import, Here, also, I am an empirical rationalist. Man is a creature who, as a result of cortical development, can stand back and analyze his mistakes and, often, make improvements if he has a second chance. Language and the differentiated concepts that go with words are intrinsic to this operation-performing mechanism leading up to decisionmaking. It is interesting to note how science is paralleling such categories. I see no reason not to take pretty literally such terms of our natural languages as trying, purpose, choice. Clearly, they fit in with the task confronting human organisms. As I see it, intelligence evolved because it helped man to survive. The moral I drew was that nature here reached the level of at least semirational causality, that is, causality guided and directed by reason. Decisions are not pre-determined in the old cosmic, necessitarian way, as C. D. Broad seems to think. Already, Peirce had challenged this outlook. "Free-will" is a rather ambiguous expression for decision-making. The expression, "I could have chosen otherwise" is a model analytic of the causal economy of choice as a temporal affair opposed to cosmic predetermination. It expresses causal pluralism; for the organism is a going concern of a high causal order. Here we are in the context of agential causality and moral agency. Thus we end in a non-reductive materialism which accords with the texture and demands of human living. I would contend that the emotional and categorial objections to materialism are, in principle, met. But into the further reaches of the "metaphysics of ethics" I cannot here enter.
Conjunctival cytology assessment in dogs and cats. Sampling, diagnostic techniques and findings

Ο eπιπeφυκότας λeιτουργeί ως φυσικός και φυσιολογικός φραγμός έναντι μικροοργανισμών και ξένων σωμάτων, συμμeτέχοντας ταυτόχρονα στην ανοσολογική άμυνα του οφθαλμού. Aποτeλeί ένα eύκολα προσβάσιμο βιολογικό υλικό για δeιγματοληψία και eξέταση. Η συλλογή του κυτταρολογικού υλικού συνιστάται σe παρουσία οφθαλμικού eκκρίματος, eρυθρότητας ή μάζας καθώς και σe πιθανή eντόπιση παθογόνων παραγόντων. Στις τeχνικές συλλογής, ανάλογα μe τις eξeτάσeις που θα ακολουθήσουν και τις πιθανές eπιπλοκές, πeριλαμβάνονται κυρίως τα ξέσματα, η παρακέντηση μe λeπτή βeλόνα, τα eντυπώματα και η λήψη ιστοτeμαχίου. Οι διαγνωστικές μέθοδοι που συνήθως eφαρμόζονται eίναι η μικροσκοπική eξέταση του ληφθέντος κυτταρικού υλικού, η καλλιέργeια και το αντιβιόγραμμα, η δοκιμή απομόνωσης ιού, οι μοριακές τeχνικές (PCR), η δοκιμή άμeσου ανοσοφθορισμού για την ανίχνeυση αντιγόνου καθώς και η ιστοπαθολογική eξέταση των ιστοτeμαχίων. Τα eυρήματα των eξeτάσeων αυτών όπως η παρουσία φλeγμονικών, νeοπλασματικών ή άλλων μη τυπικών κυττάρων, eνδοκυτταρικών έγκλeιστων αλλά και η ανίχνeυση παθογόνων μικροοργανισμών, συνeισφέρουν στη διάγνωση όχι μόνο παθολογικών καταστάσeων του οφθαλμού αλλά και συστημικών νοσημάτων.
Effect of antibiotics and synbiotic on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and faecal microbial shedding in growing-finishing pigs

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the efficacy of antibiotics and a synbiotic in growing-finishing pigs. One hundred twenty-eight pigs (25.29 ± 1.33 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments: (1) control, basal diet throughout the experiment (CON); (2) basal diet during days 0–42 and basal diet supplemented with synbiotic (1 g/kg probiotics and 1 g/kg prebiotic) during days 42–119 (CS); (3) basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg antibiotics during days 0–42 and basal diet during days 42–119 (AC); (4) basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg antibiotics during days 0–42 and basal diet supplemented with synbiotic during days 42–119 (AS). During days 0–42, pigs fed the AC and AS diets had higher average daily gain and gain to feed ratio compared with pigs offered CON and CS diets (P < 0.05). Pigs offered the AC and AS diets had greater (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and gross matter (days 40–42) and lower (P < 0.05) counts of lactic acid bacteria (day 42) compared with those fed the CON and AC diets. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that supplementation with synbiotic in pigs had no effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and faecal microbial shedding after supplementation with or without antibiotics in growing phase.
Implications of Ĭd-al-Fitr and Adha on the Spiritual and Moral Lives of Muslims in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study explored the implications of ‘Ĭd-al-Fitr and Adha (Islamic Festivals) on the spiritual and moral lives of Muslims in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. The study raised and answered 3 questions. The descriptive research design of a survey type was adopted while the population comprised all adolescents and adult Muslims in all the 4 traditional districts of Abeokuta (Ake, Oke-Ona, Agura and Owu). A total sample of 400 respondents was selected using stratified and convenient sampling techniques. A validated self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages, and bar charts were used for data analysis. Results revealed that Muslims in Abeokuta were ambivalent with regards to the celebration of Islamic festivals according to Shari’ah dictates on the ethics of festivals. It was also revealed that Islamic festivals have impacted on the religious and moral lives of Muslims in Abeokuta. This study, therefore, concluded that to some extent, the actions of Muslims in the area unstudied during Islamic festivals are not totally in tandem with Islamic dictates. Based on these findings, the study recommended among others that Islamic festive periods should be times of sober reflection about the teachings of Islam and Sunnah (traditions) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) therefore; Imams should include Adaab (etiquettes) of ‘Ĭd in their Friday sermons periodically. Keywords: Implications, spiritual, moral, ‘Ĭd-al-Fitr,‘Id-al-Adha.
Screening for Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous extract of Tridax procumbens

The plants are producing different types of secondary metabolites and are employed either indirectly or directly in the pharmaceutical industries. The chemical constituents of secondary metabolites improve the primary health and physiological activity in human systems. Tridax procumbens is belonging to Asteraceae family. T. procumbens is classi ied as a weed. In traditional medicine, the leaves, root, and stem of T. procumbens were used to treatment of stomach pain, diarrhoea, colds, in lammations, hepatopathies, bacterial and skin infections. The main objectives of present study were to screen the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of weed plant (T. procumbens). The phytochemical screening was carried out using the strandedmethods. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity for aqueous extract of T. procumbens was done by agar well diffusion method using bacterial and fungal pathogens such asBacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Fusarium oxysporium and Trichoderma reesei. All the phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, phenolic groups, glycosides, tannin, alkaloids, saponin, lavonoids and steroids were present in the extract of T. procumbens and were con irmed by phytochemical analysis. The aqueous extract has not shown antibacterial and antifungal activity against tested pathogens. Other evaluation process is to be done on isolation of phytochemicals and chemical structure determination of bioactive compounds.