Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The legacy of war: The effect of militias on postwar repression

How do wartime legacies affect repression after the conflict ends? Irregular forces support the government in many civil wars. We argue that if this link continues after the war, respect for human rights declines. As “tried and tested” agents they are less likely to shirk when given the order to repress. Governments might also keep the militias as a “fall-back option”, which results in more repression. Analyzing data from 1981 to 2014 shows that pro-government militias that were inherited from the previous conflict are consistently associated with worse repression, but newly created ones are not. Wartime pro-government militias target a broader spectrum of the population and are linked to worse state violence. New militias usually supplement wartime ones and use violence primarily against political opponents. This study highlights the detrimental impact of war legacies.
Gastric residual volume as a measure of feed intolerance/necrotising enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants: an observational cohort study

The birth of a preterm baby is a nutritional emergency. After stabilization of respiratory status, nutrition is the next most urgent challenge for clinicians caring for newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In spite of extensive research in neonatal nutrition for very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight neonates, controversy exists about methods to provide optimal nutrition to improve both short term and long-term outcome. The landmark epidemiologic studies by Barker et al, have shown that in utero growth retardation predisposes to cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Effect of Synbiotics and Essential Oils in Ameliorating the Negative Drawbacks of Necrotic Enteritis and Coccidiosis in Broiler Chicks.

An experiment was conducted on 210 healthy one day old broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of synbiotics and/ or essential oils on induced necrotic enteritis (NE) and coccidiosis. The treated groups were, 1) ABAC group: challenged and fed basal diet with antibiotic and anticoccidial drugs; 2) SY group: challenged and fed basal diet with synbiotic; 3) EO group: challenged and fed basal diet with essential oils (EO); 4) SYEO group: challenged and fed basal diet with combination of synbiotics and essential oils; 5) CO group: fed basal diet and challenged with Eimeria spp. ; 6) NE group: fed basal diet and challenged with Eimeria spp. + C. perfringens, and 7) CN group: fed basal diet. All additives were given from 0 day (d) to 35 d. The results showed positive impact of synbiotic and EO treatments on lesion scoring and C. perfringens quantification in comparison with challenged non treated groups. The body weight did not show significant improvement (P>0.05) in SY group but the EO group increased the BW (P>0.05). The treatments significantly decreased the oocyst shedding, dropping scoring and litter scoring against coccidiosis infection in comparison with NE group (P 0.05). All treatments significantly improved the histopathological lesion scoring of intestine and liver as well as the coccidial infection score (P<0.05). Our data suggest that synbiotic and essential oils may be used as promising alternatives for antibiotic and anticoccidial feed additives.
A theoretical overview of heavy metal treatment with agricultural wastes

Tomato plant between Pb 2+, Cd 2+ with tomato waste having amino and the other functional groups waste contain cellulose materials(lignin), polysaccarides having functional groups having the ability of binding heavy metals as sorbents is commonly cultivated plant for its fruits. Aim of this study to determine the best alternative way to search the binding capacity of agriculturel waste as theoretical to remove heavy metals with tomato plant from waste waters as economically by comparing experimental results respectively. The capacities of adsorbtion for heavy metals (Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II)) of the tomato plant residue were 19.06, 33.87 and 26.76 mg/g sorbent. As theoretical, HF (Hartree-fock), lanl2dz methods were used for moleculer calculation. The theoretical calculations were carried out by means of the lanl2dz functional base. The chemical activities were calculated by using this method. The removal of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ found lower than Cu 2+ because of the strong complex formation as experimental and theoretical calculations supported this issue. Theoretical calculations important to prevent loss of time and cost.
Assessment of Moisture Susceptibility for Asphalt Mixtures Modified by Carbon Fibers

Moisture induced damage in asphaltic pavement might be considered as a serious defect that contributed to growth other distresses such as permanent deformation and fatigue cracking. This paper work aimed through an experimental effort to assess the behaviour of asphaltic mixtures that fabricated by incorporating several dosages of carbon fiber in regard to the resistance potential of harmful effect of moisture in pavement. Laboratory tests were performed on specimens containing fiber with different lengths and contents. These tests are: Marshall Test, the indirect tensile test and the index of retained strength. The optimum asphalt contents were determined based on the Marshall method. The preparation of asphaltic mixtures involved three contents of carbon fiber namely (0.10%, 0.20%, and 0.30%) by weight of asphalt mixture and three lengths including (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0) cm. The results of this work lead to several conclusions that mainly refer to the benefits of the contribution of carbon fibers to improving the performance of asphalt mixtures, such as an increase in its stability and a decrease in the flow value as well as an increase in voids in the mixture. The addition of 2.0 cm length carbon fibers with 0.30 percent increased indirect tensile strength ratio by 11.23 percent and the index of retained strength by 12.52 percent. It is also found that 0.30 % by weight of the mixture is the optimum fiber content for the three lengths.
Controlled-Release Fertilizer in the Production of Seedlings of Anonna cacans Warm

The use of controlled-release fertilizers is a promising alternative for supplying nutrients during the initial growth of nursery seedlings. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of different doses of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on initial growth and nutritional status in seedlings of Anonna cacans Warm. The seeds were originally sown in a seedbed and then, after initial seedling development, were transplanted into polyethylene bags containing a substrate of washed medium sand, to which different doses of CRF had been added before transplanting. The experimental design was completely randomised, with four treatments, five doses of Osmocote® NPK 19-06-10 formulation (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 g L -1 of substrate), with four replications, each replication comprising three seedlings (one in each container). Increases in root-collar diameter and plant height were determined throughout the experimental period (6 months) from data collected every 30 days after transplanting. At the end of the experiment the following were evaluated: height, root-collar diameter, N concentration, chlorophyll index, chlorophyll concentration (a, b and total) and leaf area. Root-collar diameter and height showed a positive linear response to increases in the fertilizer dose. From a 4 g L -1 dose of CRF, the nutrient supply added to the substrate of medium sand optimises the initial phase of plant growth and guarantees the adequate nutritional status of Anonna cacans , and can be suggested as a viable technique for use in forest nurseries, and one which results in efficient use of the input material and avoids fertilizer wastage.
Facebook as a communication tool: Use and perceptions amongst undergraduate students

: The study explored the perception of Colombian undergraduate students regarding the use of Facebook as a communication tool and interaction in the classroom. The findings suggest that Facebook in the classroom is fun, practical and an effective communication tool that fosters interaction and offers greater advantages in terms of reminders and ease of use while accompanying the training process and independent work of the students. All the while providing realistic learning activities that go beyond the confines of a classroom
EXPLORING PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR LECTURER (PMSL): COMPARISON AMONG THREE MODELS IN INDONESIA, SINGAPORE AND TURKEY

This study aims at exploring the Performance Measurement System for Lecturer (PMSL) through a comparison study in three countries, namely Indonesia (MY), Singapore (IT), and Turkey (IMU). We uses multiple case study approach by conducting a comparative study. The data are obtained mainly using interview. Those lecturers assuming some offices and play some roles in formulating the lecturer performance policy are chosen to be this study’s informants, they are: Management and Organization Chair, Chairman of the university senate, Vice Rector for Academic Affair, and Member of Information Systems Audit Control. The results reveal that there are different PMSL patterns from the three research objects, i.e. MY (Indonesia), IT (Singapore) and IMU (Turkey). MY have fairly aggressive PMSL policy as compared to the other two campuses since they have to work harder to improve the performance of their lecturers who in this case have relatively lesser academic experiences at international level. MY reward special incentives for certain performance target and hold a science camp mentoring to improve their lecturers’ capabilities. Meanwhile, IT perform PMSL by classifying lecturer’s performance measurement into two tracks, namely teaching and research tracks. This makes lecturers more focused on and satisfied with their job, and eventually leads to an optimal performance level. Additionally, at IMU Turkey, to achieve lecturer optimal performance, the university prepares a policy related to three aspects: pedagogic (mentoring), knowledge management, and administration easiness. This research result is expected to give real contribution to the refinement of PMSL policy model at universities in Indonesia to allow it to trigger globally-competitive lecturer performance improvement (Global Achievement). This study explains how PMSL as a derivative of goal setting theory is effectively successfully implemented at a University in three different countries which in this case have different organizational cultures.
Follicular development is controlled by various factors (Gonadotrophins, steroids, growth factors) of endocrine and paracrine origin (Ireland, 1987; Webb et al

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding insulin hormone at different levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 μg/ml) to maturation medium with or without exogenous hormones (FSH, LH and E17β) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of rabbit oocytes. Total of 20 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does (5.5-6 mo of age and 2.5 3 kg LBW) were used as oocyte donors. Oocytes were recovered from ovaries of slaughtered does using slicing technique. All oocytes with evenly granulated dark ooplasm were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with 6% bovine serum albumin. Eight types of TCM-199, four types without and other four with exogenous hormones supplemented with insulin (0, 5, 10 and 15 μg /ml) were used. Oocytes were fixed and stained for examination after 18 h at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and high humidity as a maturation period. Results showed significant (P<0.05) effect of insulin supplementation on IVM of rabbit oocyte only in terms of oocytes reaching MI, TI+MII and degenerated ones. Percentage of mature oocytes reaching MII was improved by all insulin levels as compared to un-supplemented media (42.1-44.6 vs. 34.1%), but the differences were not significant. Percentage of oocytes reaching both TI+MII increased (P<0.05) with insulin supplementation at a level of 5 μg/ml showing the best (P<0.05) improvement on oocyte maturation (51.0%) as compared to other insulin levels (45.5-47.6%) or the control medium (39.5%). Nuclear maturation of rabbit oocytes was not affected significantly when FSH, LH and E2 were deleted from the maturation medium, but Percentage of oocytes reaching both T1+MII stages was enhanced in the presence of hormones during the maturation period regardless of whether oocytes were treated with insulin or not. Maturation rate in term of oocytes reaching T1+MII was affected significantly (P<0.05) by the interaction between insulin and hormonal addition, reflecting improved percentage of oocytes reaching both T1+MII stages by addition of all insulin levels to hormone-TCM-199 medium. In this respect, insulin addition at a level of 5μg/ml showed the best result (58.7%). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the supplementation of the maturation medium with insulin improves the in vitro maturation rate of rabbit oocytes when oocytes are maturated in a defined maturation medium with or without hormones (FSH, LH and E2).
Visualising the health of communities: Using Photovoice as a pedagogical tool in the college classroom

Objective: To describe the use of Photovoice as a pedagogical tool to promote experiential learning and critical dialogue among participants on an undergraduate community health course. Design: A descriptive study of the use of the pedagogical tool Photovoice, based on three foundational education theories. Results: Based on teachers’ reflective evaluation of student responses, Photovoice emerged as a useful tool for encouraging dialogic engagement in the classroom, for experiential learning through interaction with the physical environment and for increasing student agency by reducing the teacher as authority model. Conclusion: Photovoice may be useful in a variety of college courses as a way to foster critical thinking, to promote agency among students, to enhance understanding of complex social phenomena and to expand the ways in which both students and teachers think about their physical and social worlds.
First report of Rhabdochona acuminata (Nematoda, Rhabdochonidae) in Astyanax aff. fasciatus (Characiformes, Characidae) from Lake Guaíba, southern Brazil

portuguesEspecimes de Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) acuminata (Molin, 1860) foram coletados em Astyanax aff. fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) do Lago Guaiba, municipios de Guaiba (30°08.28'S, 51°18.53'W) e, Barra do Ribeiro (30°17.11'S, 51°18.01'W), no sul do Brasil. No presente estudo, a prevalencia de R. (R.) acuminata foi baixa (1,43%) quando comparada com outros estudos realizados com especies de Astyanax no Brasil. Os especimes de R. (R.) acuminata apresentaram algumas diferencas morfologicas (principalmente nos deirideos) que nao haviam ainda sido registradas para esta especie. Este e o primeiro registro de R. (R.) acuminata para o Lago Guaiba, contribuindo para o conhecimento da distribuicao deste nematoide na America do Sul. EnglishSpecimens of Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) acuminata (Molin, 1860) were collected in Astyanax aff. fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) from Lake Guaiba, municipalities of Guaiba (30°08.28'S, 51°18.53'W) and Barra do Ribeiro (30°17.11'S, 51°18.01'W), southern Brazil. In the present study, the prevalence of R. (R.) acuminata was low (1.43%) when compared to other studies performed with Astyanax spp. from Brazil. The specimens of R. (R.) acuminata showed some morphological differences (mainly the deirids) that have not yet been reported for the species. This is the first report of R. (R.) acuminata from Lake Guaiba, filling a gap of occurrence of this nematode in South America.
Bioregulators Can Improve Biomass Production, Photosynthetic Efficiency, and Ornamental Quality of Gazania rigens L.

Gazania rigens L. is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family, widely used as bedding or ornamental potted plants. The environmental and economic sustainability of ornamental production can be enhanced using environmentally friendly bioregulators. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of key bioregulators gibberellic acid ((GA3) at 50, 100 or 150 mg L−1), humic acid ((HA) at 100, 300 or 600 mg L−1), and ascorbic acid ((AA) at 50, 100 or 200 mg L−1)), on the growth, leaf gas exchange, and ornamental quality of G. rigens. The results indicated that plants treated with foliar applications of GA3, HA, or AA exhibited higher plant fresh and dry biomass, plant height, leaf area, and leaf area ratio, root-shoot ratio, root-shoot mass fractions, and number of flowers, as well as the flowers display time. All bioregulator treatments enhanced the vegetative and floral characteristics of Gazania plants. The GA3 was the most efficient at the concentration of 100 mg L−1. The highest efficacy of HA and AA treatments was observed at the higher concentrations, 600 and 200 mg L−1, respectively. These results were associated with higher photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E) as well as stomatal conductance (gs), and water use efficiency (WUE). In conclusion, the results suggest that foliar-applied bioregulators to Gazania are promising and represent sustainable strategies to enhance growth, flowering, and flower display time of Gazania plants.
Investigating the First-Order Flotation Kinetics Models for Iranian Gilsonite

Kinetic models are the most important instruments to predict and evaluate the performance of flotation circuits. To determine the kinetic order and rate of flotation of a gilsonite sample, flotation experiments were carried out in both rougher and cleaner stages. Experiments conducted using the combinations of petroleum-MIBC, gas oil-pine oil, and one test without any collector and frother. Five first-order kinetic models were applied to the data obtained from the flotation tests by using the Matrix Laboratory software. Statistical analysis showed that the classic first-order model perfectly matched the rougher and cleaner results performed using the petroleum-MIBC combination. The kinetic constants (k) were calculated as 0.04 (s-1) and 0.01 (s-1) for the rougher and cleaner, respectively. Rougher and cleaner tests without collector and frother also matched with the modified gas/solid adsorption and rectangular models with the k values of 0.05 (s-1), and 0.01 (s-1), respectively. The relationship between flotation rate constant, maximum combustible recovery, and particle size were also studied. The results showed that the maximum flotation combustible recovery and flotation rate were ob ined with an intermediat particle size both in the rougher and cleaner flotation processes. The combustible recovery and flotation rate in the rougher flotation process were higher than that in the cleaner flotation process.
Prognostic Accuracy of SOFA, qSOFA, SIRS Criteria and Lactate Level in Infected Patients Admitted in ICU

Background: Sepsis is identified according to the Sepsis-3 consensus as an increase of at least 2 points in the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in patients who presented infection. The quick SOFA or qSOFA is considered as a predictive tool of sepsis and mortality when it is equal to 2 points or more. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria are of limited utility because of their low sensitivity. Hyperlactatemia, as known is a determinant of tissue hypoperfusion. Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic performance of SOFA > 2, SIRS > 2, qSOFA > 2 and lactate level > 2 mmol/l in infected patients. Methods: 9-month prospective cohort study. Patients aged 18 years or older who had a proven or suspected infection were included. SOFA scores, SRIS criteria, SOFA q and lactate levels were determined within the first 24 hours of infection. The primary endpoint was hospital mortality at 30 days. The predictive power of the studied parameters was determined using using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Results: A cohort of 71 cases was studied with mean age at 49.5 years. Bacterial pneumonia was the most common infection site (66%). In the first 24 hours of onset of infection the medians [IQR 25 75] of the SOFA, SRIS, and SOFA scores and lactate levels were respectively 6 [3 9], 3 [2 3], 1 [1 2] and 2.04 [0.65 3.4]. The progression to severe septic status was observed in 34 patients (48%) and norepinephrine was introduced in 32 cases. Median length of stay was 11 days [5 18] and mortality was 53%. Overall, the accuracy in predicting mortality of the 4 studied parameters was poor. An increase of SOFA score by at least 2 points had greater accuracy with AUROC = 0,762 [0,647 0,877], sensitivity = 74% and specificity = 79%. Conclusion: In infected patients, the SOFA score had greater prognostic accuracy than the SIRS criteria, the qSOFA score or the lactate level. These results suggest that SIRS, qSOFA, and high lactate level may be useful in screening for sepsis, but this utility is limited in predicting mortality.
Topical Update

In this topical update, Dr Eric Law reviews and updates on the current development in metabolomics and genomics and their integrated approach in the study of inherited metabolic disorders (IMD). We welcome any feedback or suggestions. Please direct them to Dr. Sammy Chen (email: chenpls@ha.org.hk) of Education Committee, the Hong Kong College of Pathologists. Opinions expressed are those of the authors or named individuals, and are not necessarily those of the Hong Kong College of Pathologists.
Towards the Promotion of Fuel Briquettes Using Municipal Solid Waste and Residual Biomass in Burundi

The issue of domestic energy is still a major concern in developing countries. A sound knowledge of fuel characteristics is a major asset for their acceptability and their distribution. Samples of briquettes made partially with Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) were collected in several companies with unknown characterization. This study intended first to characterize them for physical and chemical properties. Subsequently, energy content of the briquettes and the energy price are presented and compared to those of charcoal and peat, which is typically used by the local population as fuel. To classify the different briquettes according to their quality in terms of rate as well as their level in fire resistance, cooking tests and heating curves have been made. The calorific value of the studied briquettes varied from 12.3 to 18.6 MJ/kg compared to 32.5 MJ/kg for charcoal and 14.7 MJ/kg for peat. Consequently, their value as viable substitutes for charcoal or peat is apparent. However, some samples burn very quickly and do not provide prolonged heating while other samples have a slow rate of combustion and release little energy. Finally, the briquettes using MSW have a low price between $0.16 and $0.19/kg compared to the price of $0.53/kg for charcoal and $0.20/kg for peat. The promotion of these briquettes as a valuable substitution fuel is proved and contribute to sustainable development by reusing MSW and avoiding deforestation.