Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In-situ and ex-situ multi-scale physical metrologies to investigate the destructuration mechanisms of lignocellulosic matrices and release kinetics of fermentescible cellulosic carbon

In the context of biofuels and chemicals production of petroleum substitutes from renewable carbon, bioconversion of lignocellulose biomasses is currently a major challenge. The limited knowledge of liquefaction and saccharification mechanisms stands as the main factor which penalizes bio-refinery progress. The present work is centred on the development of in-situ(viscosimetry, focus beam reflectance measurement) and ex-situ (rheometry, diffraction light scattered, morphometry, decantation…) physical and biochemical analysis to expand our understanding of the destructuration mechanisms of lignocellulose fibres and to characterise the release kinetics of fermentable cellulosic carbon. Model (microcrystalline cellulose,Whatman paper) and industrial (paper-pulp, sugarcane bagasse) lignocellulose matrices under a large range of hydrolysis conditions (1% up to 30%w/v and 0.1 up to 0.5mL enzyme/g cellulose) were studied during 24h hydrolysis experiments (pertinent period to appreciate transfer limitations). Our scientific results allow:- to propose and validate the in-situ measurements of the suspension viscosity and chord length distribution together with its conversion into particle size distribution. - to demonstrate the impact of the substrate nature and concentration and of the enzymatic ratios on the evolution of physical- and biochemical parameters during hydrolysis. Their impacts on transfer phenomena were quantified. - to establish phenomenological models for rheological behaviour of initial suspensions. - to describe all physical (viscosity, particle size) and biochemical (substrate and product) kinetics by second order reaction models. - to demonstrate that, for high dry matter concentration hydrolysis, a cumulative feeding substrate strategy allows considerably reducing the transfer limitations linked to high concentrations and to control the glucose production kinetics.
Use of Basta 150 SL in strawberries

The experiment was carried out in the strawberry plantations of the Polli Horticultural Institute during two years, 2000-2001. 'Bounty' was the strawberry cultivar studied. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicide Basta 150 SL for problematic weeds and strawberry daughter plants. The strawberry plants were set in spring 1999, using black plastic mulch. In the experiment, the plot size was 30 m 2 (2 x 15 m) and planting scheme 1.2 x 0.3 m. The following treatment variants were used: 1. Untreated (control); 2. Basta 150 SL 3l/ha; 3. Basta 150 SL 5l/ha. Each variant was represented with 4 replications. The herbicide was applied twice by means of a backpack sprayer: in May before blooming and in August when new weeds had grown. The results of the experiment indicated that due to Basta 150 SL weed infestation in strawberry plantation was decreased. It was noted that, in both treatment variants, Basta 150 SL destroyed nearly 90-96% of strawberry daughter plants. The results also showed that Basta 150 SL did not cause damage to strawberry plants and berries. The herbicide applied in two doses (5 l/ha and 3 l/ha) did not affect the strawberry yield negatively. It was established that in both treatment variants yields were increased by 26.9 and 29.2%, respectively. We noted that it was practical to use Basta 150 SL at the rate of 5 l/ha only in the case of appearing perennial weeds (Taraxacum officinalis, Cirsium arvense, Viola arvensis) in an orchard. For other weeds, the rate of herbicide 3 l/ha suited well.
AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEWLAP IN MALE MATING SUCCESS IN THE LIZARD ANOLIS SAGREI

One component of the courtship display of males in the lizard genus Anolis is the extension and retraction of a large and often colorful throat fan (the dewlap). However, the relative importance of displaying the dewlap during courtship in terms of male mating success is controversial. For this reason, I tested the hypothesis that the display of the male's dewlap during courtship affects male mating success in the lizard Anolis sagrei. The hypothesis was tested in the laboratory by comparing the mating success of experimental males that were surgically prevented from extending their dewlaps to control males that were not prevented from extending their dewlaps. Males in the two treatment groups were housed in individual cages for one week before being used in mating tests. One day prior to the mating tests, I visually exposed a male from each treatment group to the female that it would be paired with during the mating test. On the day of the mating test, each male was removed from its cage and placed into the cage housing the female that it had been able to view. The behavior of the paired males and females was videotaped for two hours. The results did not support the hypothesis. Experimental males did not differ significantly from control males in number of copulations. Moreover, experimental and control males did not differ significantly in the latency period to copulation, copulation duration, or in the sexual receptivity of their female partners. These results provide no evidence that dewlap extension during courtship affects male mating success in Anolis sagrei, at least when males and females are in relatively close physical proximity to each other.
Allelopathic effects of decomposing garlic stalk on some vegetable crops

This study was carried out to examine the allelopathic effects of decomposed stalk of three garlic cultivars on the growth of the receiver vegetable crops: namely tomato, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, carrot, cucumber and hot pepper in a pot trial. The results showed that all three garlic cultivars have different allelopathic effects and each cultivar showed different allelopathic effects upon different vegetable crops or the same vegetable crop at different concentrations of decomposed garlic stalk. The activities of protective enzyme SOD in receiver vegetable crops appeared first, increased and then decreased with the increasing content of decomposed garlic stalk. The MDA contents in the receiver vegetable crops showed an increasing trend; however, there was no apparent regularity on POD and CAT contents. In general, the decomposed stalk of three garlic cultivars showed allelopathic inhibitory effects on all the index of carrot and lettuce but promotion effects on Chinese cabbage. Therefore, among all the receiver vegetable crops in this study, Chinese cabbage was concluded to be optimal successive crop for garlic.
Epidemiology of Trichostrongylid Nematode Infections in Sheep Under Traditional Husbandry System in Pakistan

Some epidemiological aspects of Trichostrongylid nematodes infecting gastrointestinal tract of sheep were studied in a part of agro–ecological zone of Pakistan. Six different species of Trichostrongylid nematodes viz., Haemonchus (H.) contortus, Trichostrongylus (T.) axei, T. colubriformis, Ostertagia (O.) trifurcata, O. circumcincta and Cooperia (C.) curticei were identified from 960 gastrointestinal tracts of sheep slaughtered at local abattoir of Faisalabad. Haemonchus contortus was the highest in prevalence (61.5%) followed by Trichostrongylus species (46.1%), Ostertagia species (33.0%) and C. curticei (18.5%). A majority (94.6%) of the infected sheep harbored more than one species of nematode parasites, having minimum two and maximum three Trichostrongylid nematode species in each host. The highest prevalence was recorded in the months of July, August and September. A trend of higher prevalence was recorded in young animals and in females. An association of prevalence, worm burden, arrested larvae, availability of nematode larvae on pasture and periparturient period was observed. The results warranted development of a strategic worm control program in the area of study, which at present is not in practice anywhere in Pakistan.
USE OF DISTILLERS DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES (DDGS) AS RAPLACEMENT FOR YELLOW CORN IN LAYING HEN DIETS.

A total number of 288 Bovans Brown laying hens 37 weeks of age was used in this study. Hens were randomly distributed into 8 treatments, each containing 36 hens in 3 replicates of 12 hens each. Four levels of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and two levels of enzyme preparation were used in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement. The distillers dried grains with solubles levels were 0, 20, 40 and 60 % as replacement for yellow corn. A commercial enzyme preparation (Polytec Binder Plus®) was added at 0 and 500 g/ ton of the diet. Each gram contained 1500 IU Xylanase, 1500 IU Beta- glucanase, 1500 IU Protease, and 1500 IU Amylase. Water and feed in mash form were offered ad-libitum, under a total of 16 hours light /day regimen during the experimental period (20 weeks, 5 periods of 4 weeks each) from 37 to 57 weeks of age. The overall results showed that feeding laying hens on diets containing more than 20 % DDGS replacement significantly (P<0.05) decreased the average values of egg production, egg mass and feed intake. Also, there were improvement on egg production, egg mass and feed conversion values due to feeding laying hens on diets supplemented with enzyme mixture. While, there were no significant differences in egg weight values due to either different levels of DDGS or enzyme supplementation. The interaction between DDGS level and enzyme supplementation showed that the best findings of egg mass and feed conversion were obtained by layers fed diets supplemented with enzyme mixture and contained 20 % and 40 % DDGS as replacement for yollow corn, respectively. Data showed that there were no significant (P<0.05) differences in the average values of egg quality as measured by Haugh units, shell weight, egg shape, yolk color and yolk index due to feeding laying hens on diets containing either different levels of DDGS or supplemented enzyme as well as their interaction. While, there was a significant decreasing in egg shell thickness value with increasing dietary DDGS levels. The results showed that there were no significant differences in digestion coefficient values of crude protein (CP). While, there were significant differences in organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility values without clear trend, except for ether extract, which was improved due to increasing DDGS levels. Results showed an improvement in average values of net revenue, economical efficiency and relative economical efficiency due to feeding laying hens on diets containing graded levels of DDGS and supplemented with enzyme preparation. In conclusion, the present results showed that the use of DDGS can be successfully fed at levels up to 40 % as replacement for yellow corn or 24% of laying hen diet supplemented with enzyme supplemented without adverse effect on laying hen performance, egg quality and economical efficiency.
Isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria associated with frozen mackerel fish (Scomber scombrus) in a humid tropical environment

Aquaculture products can harbour pathogenic bacteria, which are part of the natural micro-flora of the environment. An in-vitro assay was carried out to ascertain and identify major bacterial contaminants of frozen fish, which hitherto had constituted an important dietary intake of the people of Nsukka, Nigeria. Fish samples collected were identified and bacterial load of the samples determined using agar plate method. Differentiations and characterizations of various isolates were based on biochemical reactions and gram-staining technique. Frozen mackerel fish (Scomber scombrus) was used for the study. In-vitro assay result revealed that the samples were predominantly contaminated by three bacteria species viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum. Incidences of the various isolates in the culture were found to be 60, 20 and 15%, respectively. The mean bacteria load of the isolates was 1.135 x 106 CFU g-1. This value was found to be markedly higher than the recommended public health and safety standard value of between 5.0 x 105 CFU g-1, approved by Nigerian National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Key words: Isolation, identification, pathogenic bacteria, Scomber scombrus.
Shariah Compliance and Corporate Cash Holdings

Abstract This study investigates the influence of Shariah compliance status on cash holding levels and the speed of adjustment of non-financial listed firms in six Gulf Cooperation countries from 2005 to 2016. The results show that Shariah compliance status has a significant effect on firms’ cash holding decisions. Shariah-compliant firms have significantly higher cash holding levels than non-Shariah-compliant firms. Further, Shariah-compliant firms adjust more quickly towards their target cash holdings than their conventional counterparts. In our view, Shariah-compliant firms are subject to multiple restrictions that limit their external financing channels. Therefore, holding larger cash reserves is important as it helps gain from the transaction cost motive of holding cash. The findings of this study have important implications for regulators, investors and managers. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to compare the effect of Shariah compliance on firms’ cash holdings and the speed of adjustment towards the trade-off theory’s optimal cash holding target.
Synchronous Vibration Suppression of Magnetically Suspended Rotor System Using Improved Adaptive Frequency Estimation

The rotor system of magnetically suspended control moment gyro (MSCMG) inevitably has unbalanced amount due to errors in its materials and processing accuracy. The mass unbalance of the rotor will cause the system to generate synchronous vibration and then transmit it to the spacecraft platform through the base, which will seriously affect the imaging quality. The realization of synchronous vibration suppression depends seriously on the rotor speed signal. When the Hall speed sensor has a large measurement error or fails, it is necessary to adaptively estimate the rotor speed to suppress the unbalance vibration of the rotor system. This paper proposes an improved adaptive frequency estimation (IAFE) method. This algorithm uses the characteristics of the rotor radial displacement sensor signal to adaptively estimate the rotor speed, and then suppress the synchronous current generated by the control system. It maintains the stability of the system by changing the phase shift angle at different frequencies, and the residual displacement stiffness force is also compensated. The simulation results show that the proposed method is easy to be implemented, and it can achieve high-precision suppression of unbalanced vibration.
EGG QUALITY AND EGGSHELL QUALITY CHARACTERS OF COMMERCIAL CHICKEN LAYERS BY THE DIETRY INCLUSION OF ENZYME PHYTASE

A study was carried out to find out the effect of enzyme phytase (One gram contained 2410 IU of phytase activity) supplemented at 300, 600, 900 and 1200 IU/kg in layer chicken diets containing available phosphorus at 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30 per cent from 21 to 52 weeks of age. A control group fed with diet containing 0.50 per cent available phosphorus alone was also maintained. During the laying period the data on egg quality traits viz. egg weight, specific gravity, shell percentage, shell thickness, broken shell, albumen index, Haugh unit and yolk index were measured at the end of every week. The egg quality characteristics viz. specific gravity, shape index, albumen index, Haugh unit and yolk index did not show any significant difference among treatments. Where as egg weight and egg mass significantly (P<0.05) increased after 40 weeks of age. Higher shell percentage and shell thickness (P<0.01) of layer chicken eggs were observed in enzyme phytase supplemented groups than in unsupplemented control. The incidence of broken eggs was more pronounced in low (0.2 per cent) available phosphorus group and that could be minimized by increasing levels of phosphorus with or without phytase.
A stochastic rate‐calibrated method for time‐scaling phylogenies of fossil taxa

Applying phylogeny‐based analyses of trait evolution and diversification in the fossil record generally involves transforming an unscaled cladogram into a phylogeny scaled to geologic time. Current methods produce single time‐scaled phylogenies with no indication of the uncertainty in the temporal relationships and, under some methods, artificial zero‐length branches. Here, I present a stochastic algorithm for time‐scaling phylogenies of fossil taxa by randomly sampling node ages from a constrained distribution, with the ultimate goal of producing large samples of time‐scaled phylogenies for a given data set as the basis for phylogeny‐based analyses. I describe how this stochastic approach can be extended to consider potential ancestral relationships and resolve polytomies. The stochastic selection of node ages in this algorithm is weighted by the probability density of the total inferable unobserved evolutionary history at single divergence events in a tree, a distribution dependent on rates of branching, extinction and sampling in the fossil record. The combined time‐scaling method must be calibrated with explicit estimates of three rates: branching, extinction and sampling, and thus is named the cal3 time‐scaling method, included in the r library paleotree. I test the time‐scaling capabilities of the cal3 and older time‐scaling methods in simulations. cal3 produces samples of time‐scaled trees that better bracket the uncertainty in the true node ages than existing time‐scaling methods. This is true even in simulations under a ‘terminal‐taxon’ model of differentiation that violates many of the assumptions of the cal3 method. The cal3 method provides a new approach for time‐scaling palaeontological cladograms, calibrated to estimated sampling and diversification rates, allowing for better estimates of uncertainty in the phylogenetic time‐scaling. The cal3 method is robust to relaxation of at least some model assumptions. Additional work is needed to analyse the impact of time‐scaling approaches on macroevolutionary analyses and to integrate time‐scaling with phylogenetic inference.
Protective Effect of Linseed Oil on Hyperlipidemia in Experimental Animals

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Linseed oil (LO) rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA, C 18 : 3 n-3), on lipid profile and some growth parameters in rats fed high saturated fat diet (HSF). Thirty two rats were divided into 4 groups control, HSF, HSF + LO and LO. Methods: Measured parameters were nutritional (liver and body wt), biochemical in serum (T. chol, LDL-C, HDL-C, TAG, total lipids) and liver (total lipids, total and free cholesterol, TAG, phospholipids) and histolological sections of hepatic tissues. Result showed that LO supplementation significantly prevent the marked increase body and liver weight gain, hepatic lipids as well as it caused limitation of the negative effect on lipoprotein parameters caused by HSF supplementation. Histological examinations of rats’ livers revealed hepatic protection against fatty liver by LO ingestion. No adverse effect of LO on growth parameters and plasma lipids was noticed in rats fed with normal diet. These data suggest that LO participate in the normal regulation of plasma lipid and cholesterol levels in liver, demonstrating that LO may be developed as useful popular and commercial oil for protection against hyperlipidemia.
First Heat Detection in Relation to Moment of First Insemination in Lactating Cows

Genetic parameters for the fertility traits interval between calving and first heat (ICH) and interval between calving and first insemination (ICI) were estimated. Data on ICH was derived from the Ovalert® system introduced by CRV. This system is using pedometers and registers the activity pattern of a cow. From this pattern the moment of estrus can be derived. The average ICH was at 55 days, ranging from 15 to 200 days. The average ICI was 78 days, ranging from 15 to 308 days. The heritability for ICH was 0.06, for ICI the heritability was 0.10. The genetic correlation between ICH and ICI was very strong (0.95). The correlation shows that the moment of first insemination is a close representation of the moment of the first heat.
Evaluation of the Level of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations Constituting the American Academy of Dermatology Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations used by physicians to improve patient care. These guidelines provide the physician with an assessment of the benefits and harms of a treatment and its alternatives. Therefore, it is essential that the clinical practice guidelines be based on the strongest available evidence. Numerous studies in a variety of different fields of medicine have demonstrated that recommendations supported by weak evidence are a common theme in clinical practice guidelines. A clinical guideline based solely on weak evidence has the capability to reduce the quality of care provided by physicians. Objective: Our primary objective is to evaluate the levels of evidence supporting the recommendations constituting the American Academy of Dermatology clinical practice guidelines. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, authors SM and RO located all current clinical practice guidelines on the American Academy of Dermatology website on June 10, 2017, and December 11, 2019. Each recommendation and its corresponding evidence rating were extracted in a duplicate and blinded fashion. A consensus meeting was planned a priori to resolve disagreements in extractions or stratifications. Results: In total, 6 clinical guidelines and their subsections were screened and 899 recommendations were identified. Our final data set included 841 recommendations, as 58 recommendations contained no level of evidence and were excluded from calculations. Many recommendations were supported by a moderate level of evidence and therefore received a B rating (346/841, 41.1%). Roughly one-third of the recommendations were supported by a strong level of evidence and were given an A rating (n=307, 36.5%). The clinical practice guideline with the highest overall strength of evidence was regarding the treatment of acne, which had 17 of 35 (48.6%) recommendations supported by strong evidence and only 2 (5.7%) supported by weak evidence. The clinical practice guideline with the fewest recommendations supported by strong evidence was melanoma (13/63, 20.6%). Conclusions: Clinical practice guidelines that lack strong supporting evidence could negatively affect patient care, and dermatologists should be mindful that not all recommendations are supported by the strongest level of evidence. An increased quantity of quality research needs to be performed in the field of dermatology to improve the evidence supporting the American Academy of Dermatology clinical practice guidelines. (JMIR Dermatol 2020;3(1):e17370) doi: 10.2196/17370
Notes on the Helotrephini (Insecta: Heteroptera: Helotrephidae) from Thailand and Vietnam, with descriptions of three new species

Three new species of Helotrephini are described: Helotrephes trani sp.n. from Vietnam belonging to the H. sausai species group; Helotrephes vietnamensis sp.n. from Vietnam belonging to the H. australis species group; and Hydrotrephes sitesi sp.n. from Thailand belonging to the H. bouvieri species group. New records of the following species of Helotrephes from Thailand are presented: H. affinis ZETTEL & POLHEMUS, 1998, H. flaviceps ZETTEL & POLHEMUS, 1998, H. rompinensis KOVAC & PAPACEK, 2000 stat.n. (described as subspecies of H. flaviceps; first record from Thailand), H. senckenbergi PAPACEK & KOVAC, 2001, H. shepardi ZETTEL & POLHEMUS, 1998, H. tuberculatus ZETTEL & POLHEMUS, 1998. The female of H. affinis is described for the first time. Hydrotrephes schillhammeri ZETTEL, 1998 is recorded from Vietnam for the first time; the previously unknown female is described.