Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the aridity of Algerian steppe affect the Ewe's raw milk quality?

The microbiological and physico-chemical quality of milks varies from bioclimatic stage toanother. The latest has significant effect on Total Bacterial Count (TBC), Total and Fecal Coliforms(TC and CT) and reduction time (P<0.001). The effect is highly significant for TBC, faecalStreptococci (P< 0.01) and significant only for Yeasts (P<0.05). No effect was observed for othermicrobiological variables. The variability of the chemical composition is significant for density andprotein (P<0.05), highly for pH, Dornic acidity, freezing point and solids-non-fat (P<0.01). Lactose,fat and total solids are independent. The semi-arid zone contains milks with a high density, weakfreezing point and less loaded on TBC, TC, FC and Moulds. They are rich in protein, fat and totalsolids. They differ from those other zones by the highest frequency of faecal Streptococci and absenceof Staphylococcus aureus. The inferior-arid includes the poorest in protein, fat, total solids, solidsnon-fat and lactose. It contains the most acidic milks (lowest pH and highest acidity), the less densitymilks and having the highest freezing point and it had the most loaded on TBC, TC, FC and Moulds.However, there are less milk loaded in Yeast and distinguished by the absence of faecal Streptococciand Brucella. The middle and superior arid reassemble milks with same characteristics andintermediate between the two stages. It seems that the milks which come from superior arid are richerin fat. These two zones are differentiated by the level of presence of E. coli, S. aureus and Brucella.The superior-arid combines milks with the highest count of Yeast and mostly contaminated withanaerobic sulfito-reducing.
Descending Order Thermal Distribution Partitioning Algorithm for Flip-Chip Packaged 3-D ICs to Improve Heat Sinking and Reduce TSV Count

As the size of metal–oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is shrinking, there are new challenges at different stages of very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design flow. Several devices are densely placed compared to the older counterparts. 3-D integrated chip (3-D IC) packaging is one of the famous packaging technologies where in IC contains multiple dies having various modules or subsystems interconnected through silicon via TSVs. One of the major challenges in 3-D IC packaging is thermal management. This article proposes a descending order thermal distribution (DOTD) partitioning algorithm that helps to improve heat sinking in flip-chip based 3-D ICs along with reducing the number of TSVs. The proposed algorithm is run on thermal benchmark circuits from VLSI Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Lab of the University of California and results are compared with different partitioning algorithms. It shows that the proposed partitioning algorithm gives better thermal distribution facilitating improved heat sinking in 3-D ICs along with up to 14.54% reduction in TSV.
Sediment-related growth limitation of Elodea nuttallii as indicated by a fertilization experiment

1. A fertilization experiment was performed to identify the limiting nutrient for the growth of submerged vegetation in ditches of a peat-grassland system in the Netherlands, in which restoration measures involved ceasing fertilization, exporting nutrients by removal of above-ground plant mass and large-scale introduction of calcium-rich, nutrient-poor artesian water. 2. Growth of Elodea was significantly enhanced by enrichment with nitrogen alone, and by fertilization with nitrogen in combination with phosphorus, and by nitrogen in combination with phosphorus and potassium. 3. Plant tissue nutrient concentrations increased significantly, for nitrogen by enrichment with nitrogen alone, and with nitrogen in combination with phosphorus and potassium; for phosphorus by enrichment with phosphorus alone and with phosphorus in combination with nitrogen and potassium; tissue concentrations of potassium were not enhanced by any treatment. 4. The elemental ratios of treated plants indicated that nitrogen, rather than phosphorus, was limiting in all treatments, except in those involving nitrogen and NK enrichment (when phosphorus was limiting). 5. The efficiency with which plants used nutrients declined with increased supply of nitrogen and phosphorus, but was unchanged when potassium was increased. Efficiencies were similar to those of other aquatic macrophytes.
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Salmonella serotypes in cow raw milk and milk products in Nigeria

The presence of Salmonella and human pathogens in unpasteurized milk remains a public health hazard. The study reported the phenotypic and molecular characterization of Salmonella serotypes in cow raw milk, cheese and traditional yoghurt marketed for man’s consumption in Nigeria. Isolation of Salmonella was done on Salmonella and Shigella agar by pour plate method at 37°C. Susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the disc diffusion method. Molecular characterization of the Salmonella serotypes and detection of some target genes was done by the polymerase chain reaction. All the isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Resistance to antibiotics was in varying proportions with amoxicillin (95.2%), tetracycline (90.4%) and augumentin (28.5%). Ten (10) different multiple antibiotic resistance patterns were observed among the serotypes. The serotypes identified include Salmonella typhi , Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis , and the serogroups include D (28.6%), B (52.4%), D 1 (28.6%), respectively. The invA genes were amplified in all the Salmonella serotypes while fliC and fliB genes were absent. The rfbJ gene was detected only in S . Typhimurium. The recovery of multiple antibiotic resistant pathogenic Salmonella serotypes in cheese and yoghurt samples in the study is of great health concern. Keywords: Salmonella serotype, molecular characterization, virulence genes, antibiotics African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(37) 3774-3789
Are All Smiles Created Equal? How Emotional Contagion and Emotional Labor Affect Service Relationships

In this study, the authors examine the effects of two facets of employee emotions on customers’ assessments of service encounters. Drawing on emotional contagion and emotional labor theories, they investigate the influence of the extent of service employees’ display of positive emotions and the authenticity of their emotional labor display on customers’ emotional states and, subsequently, on customers’ assessments of the service interaction and their relationship with the service provider. To test the study hypotheses, 223 consumers participated in a simulated service encounter in which actors played the roles of service employees. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, the employees varied both the extent of their smiling behavior and their emotional labor display by engaging in surface or deep acting. The results show that the authenticity of employees’ emotional labor display directly affects customers’ emotional states. However, contrary to expectations, the extent of employee smiling does not influence customer emotions, providing no support for the existence of primitive emotional contagion in service interactions. Furthermore, employee emotions exert an influence on customer outcomes that are of interest to marketers.
A review on the improvement of stevia [Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)]

Yadav, A. K. , Singh, S. , Dhyani, D. and Ahuja, P. S. 2011. A review on the improvement of Stevia [Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni)]. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 1-27. Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a herbaceous perennial plant (2n=22) of genus Stevia Cav. , which consists of approximately 230 species of herbaceous, shrub and sub-shrub plants. Leaves of stevia produce diterpene glycosides (stevioside and rebaudiosides), non-nutritive, non-toxic, high-potency sweeteners and may substitute sucrose as well as other synthetic sweetners, being 300 times sweeter than sucrose. In addition to its sweetening property, it has medicinal values and uses. Stevia is self-incompatible plant and the pollination behaviour is entomophilous. Rebaudioside-A is of particular interest among the glycosides produced in the leaves of stevia because of the most desirable flavour profile, while, stevioside is responsible for aftertaste bitterness. Development of new varieties of S. rebaudiana with a higher content of rebaudioside-A and a reduced content of stevioside is the primary aim of plant breeders concerned with the improvement and utilization of this source of natural sweeteners. The proportions of rebaudioside-A and -C are controlled by a single additive gene known to be co-segregating suggesting synthesis by the same enzyme. Stevioside and rebaudioside-A are negatively correlated, while rebaudioside-A and -C are positively correlated. Conventional plant breeding approaches such as selection and intercrossing among various desirable genotypes is the best method for improving quality traits in a highly cross-pollinated crop like stevia. Various plant types with larger amounts of specific glycoside have already been patented, such as RSIT 94-1306, RSIT 94-75, RSIT 95-166-1 through selection and intercrossing. Composites and synthetics can be used to capture part of the available heterosis because of the high degree of natural out-crossing and the absence of an efficient system of pollination control. Synthetics and composites like “AC Black Bird“ and “PTA-444“ have already been developed. Polyploidy results in better adaptability of individuals and increased organ and cell sizes. Tetraploids have larger leaf size, thickness and have potential use in increasing biomass and yield in comparison with diploid strains. Characters of interest with low variability in the population may be improved through mutation breeding. Use of biotechnological approaches, such as tissue culture for the mass propagation of elite genotypes, anther culture for development of pure homozygous doubled haploid and molecular marker technology for identification of marker loci linked to rebaudioside-A trait, can create new opportunities for plant breeders. Understanding the mechanism and pathway of biosynthesis of steviol glycosides can help to improve the glycoside profile by up-regulation and down-regulation of genes.
Screening maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes by genetic variability of vegetative and yield traits using compromise programming technique.

The present study was made to develop a suitable procedure for selecting the most sustainable maize genotype to grow by considering genetic variability for vegetative, yield and yield components under irrigated farming. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm, College of Agricultural studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, during summer seasons of 2007/08 and 2008/09, respectively. Significant variability was observed for plant height, stem diameter, number of rows per cob and ear length during the first season 2007/08 and for days to 50% flowering and 100-seed weight during the second season 2008/09. Frantic genotype scored maximum seed weight (81.0g) while Baladi had least seed weight (57.48g). Frantic genotype had maximum grain yield (0.577 ton/ha), while minimum grain yield ton/ha was recorded in Baladi (0.473 ton/ha). Data recorded for heritability showed that days to 50% flowering had maximum heritability (79.1%) while the minimum heritability (4.46%) was recorded for 100 seed weight. The present study revealed considerable amount of diversity among the tested populations which could be manipulated for further improvement in maize breeding in Sudan. However, significant differences of grain yield were observed among varieties. Due to the observed variability multi objective compromise programming technique is employed to screen these Maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes according to their vegetative and yield traits for purpose of selecting the best one that suit irrigated farming conditions of Shambat area. The study ranked the different Maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes and recommends the best alternative. Ranking of alternatives was explored in reference to
Iron chelators as therapeutic iron depletion agents

The great promise of iron depletion as a therapeutic strategy for various diseases, including iron overload, cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, tuberculosis, HIV, and fungal and malaria infection, has stimulated research on the development of iron chelators as iron depletion agents. In November 2005, the FDA approved deferasirox (ICL670A; Exjade®), the first once-daily oral drug for treatment of chronic iron overload. So far, five iron chelators, deferoxamine, deferiprone, deferasirox, dexrazorane and ciclopirox, have been approved for use in iron overload, anticancer or antifungal therapy. Triapine® is in Phase I and II clinical trials for the treatment of various metastatic and solid cancers. A desferrithiocin analogue, deferitrin, is presently in a Phase I trial for the treatment of iron overload diseases. Among the iron chelators being evaluated in preclinical settings are the analogues of deferiprone, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone, desferrithiocin, deferoxamine, thiosemicarbazone, tachpyridine, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid and hydroxyquinoline. This review describes the comparative properties of iron chelators in clinical use and evaluates the patent status of the novel synthetic iron chelators in preclinical settings.
The CH1 and transmembrane domains of μ in the context of a γ2b transgene do not suffice to promote B cell maturation

Mice carrying a gamma2b transgene have been shown previously to be deficient in B cell development. In particular, a developmental block exists at the pre-B cell stage. The few B cells that develop all express endogenous micro heavy chains. The phenotype suggests that gamma2b exerts a strong feedback inhibition on endogenous Ig gene rearrangement, but, unlike micro, cannot support further B cell development. In this study we have created hybrid transgenes between gamma2b and micro. Transgenic mice with a C(H)1 domain of micro, or both a C(H)1 and transmembrane/cytoplasmic domain of micro replacing the respective domains of a gamma2b transgene, have the same B cell defect as gamma2b transgenic mice. Interestingly, the severity of the defect is correlated with the level of expression of the transgene, suggesting that the degree of feedback inhibition of Ig gene rearrangement depends on the level and timing of Ig production. Crossing the gamma2b/micro transgenes into a Bcl-x(L) transgenic line allows immature gamma2b B cells to survive, but not to develop to maturity. Therefore, the missing function of micro is not simply an anti-apoptotic effect.
Modern Machine-Learning Algorithms: For Classifying Cognitive and Affective States From Electroencephalography Signals

Estimating cognitive or affective states from brain signals is a key but challenging step in creating passive brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. So far, estimating mental workloads or emotions from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is only feasible with modest classification accuracies, which thus lead to unreliable neuroadaptive applications. However, recent machine-learning algorithms, notably Riemannian geometry-based classifiers (RGCs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have shown promise for other BCI systems, e.g., motor imagery BCIs. However, they have not been formally studied and compared for cognitive or affective states classification.
Some chemical properties of oil palm decanter meal

The aims of this study were to investigate the rancidity and chemical properties of oil palm decanter meal (OPDM) after been kept over an extended period of time. Samples were collected daily and analyzed for some rancidity properties, including peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and for chemical composition, including proximate analysis, fiber, mineral and fatty acid (FA) content. The correlation coefficient between time of storage and the rancidity (PV and TBA) of OPDM were positive with R 2 of 0.9792 and 0.9678, respectively. During ten days of observation, the compositions of longchain FA, including stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic except for palmitic were significantly (P<0.05) different. The compositions of short-chain FA, including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butiryc, isovaleric and valeric, were also significantly (P<0.05) different. Furthermore, PV and TBA were significantly (P<0.05) different during the extended time of 10-days storage. The correlation coefficient between PV and long-chain FA (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic) were 0.61, 0.16, -0.82, -0.3 and -0.84, respectively, and the correlation composition between TBA and the composition of long-chain FA (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic) were 0.40, 0.34, -0.91, -0.02 and 0.62, respectively. It could be summarized that physically and chemically, the fresh OPDM might be used as an alternative feed, especially for ruminant.
Comparison of genetic (co)variance matrices within and between Scabiosa canescens and S. columbaria

In the current study, we used bootstrap analyses and the common principal component (CPC) method of Flury (1988) to estimate and compare the G‐matrix of Scabiosa columbaria and S. canescens populations. We found three major patterns in the G‐matrices: (i) the magnitude of the (co)variances was more variable among characters than among populations, (ii) different populations showed high (co)variance for different characters, and (iii) there was a tendency for S. canescens to have higher genetic (co)variances than S. columbaria. The hypothesis of equal G‐matrices was rejected in all comparisons and there was no evidence that the matrices differed by a proportional constant in any of the analyses. The two ‘species matrices’ were found to be unrelated, both for raw data and data standardized over populations, and there was significant between‐population variation in the G‐matrix in both species. Populations of S. canescens showed conservation of structure (principal components) in their G‐matrices, contrasting with the lack of common structure among the S. columbaria matrices. Given these observations and the results from previous studies, we propose that selection may be responsible for some of the variation between the G‐matrices, at least in S. columbaria and at the between‐species level.
Invasive Meningococcal Disease: What We Should Know, Before It Comes Back

Abstract Background Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), sepsis and/or meningitis continues to be a public health problem, with mortality rates ranging from 5% to 16%. The aim of our study was to further knowledge about IMD with a large series of cases occurring over a long period of time, in a cohort with a high percentage of adult patients. Methods Observational cohort study of patients with IMD between 1977 hand 2013 at our hospital, comparing patients with only sepsis and those with meningitis and several degrees of sepsis. The impact of dexamethasone and prophylactic phenytoin was determined, and an analysis of cutaneous and neurological sequelae was performed. Results A total of 527 episodes of IMD were recorded, comprising 57 cases of sepsis (11%) and 470 of meningitis with or without sepsis (89%). The number of episodes of IMD decreased from 352 of 527 (67%) in the first to 20 of 527 (4%) in the last quarter (P < .001). Thirty-three patients died (6%): 8 with sepsis (14%) and 25 with meningitis (5%) (P = .02). Cutaneous and neurological sequelae were present in 3% and 5% of survivors of sepsis and meningitis, respectively. The use of dexamethasone was safe and resulted in less arthritis, and patients given prophylactic phenytoin avoided seizures. Conclusions The frequency of IMD has decreased sharply since 1977. Patients with sepsis only have the highest mortality and complication rates, dexamethasone use is safe and can prevent some arthritis episodes, and prophylactic phenytoin might be useful in a selected population. A rapid response and antibiotic therapy may help improve the prognosis.
Comparing acoustic model predictions to in situ backscatter measurements of fish with dual‐chambered swimbladders

Lavnun Mirogrex terraesanctae have a dual-chambered swimbladder and are the dominant fish species in Lake Kinneret, Israel. Bi-monthly acoustic assessments are used to monitor lavnun abundance but the relation between the amount of reflected sound and organism morphology is not well described. Predictions from Kirchhoff-ray mode (KRM) backscatter models show a sensitivity of echo amplitude to fish length and fish aspect. Predicted mean KRM target strengths matched maximum in situ target strength measurements of eight tethered fish within 2.5 dB at 120 kHz and within 7 dB at 420 kHz. Tilt and roll of lavnun during tethered measurements increased variance of backscatter measurements. Accurate abundance and length frequency distribution estimates cannot be obtained from in situ acoustic measurements without supplementary net samples.
Scalability Challenges of an Industrial Implicit Finite Element Code

LS-DYNA is a well-known multiphysics code with both explicit and implicit time stepping capabilities. Implicit simulations rely heavily on sparse matrix computations, in particular direct solvers, and are notoriously much harder to scale than explicit simulations. In this paper, we investigate the scalability challenges of the implicit structural mode of LS- DYNA. In particular, we focus on linear constraint analysis, sparse matrix reordering, symbolic factorization, and numerical factorization. Our problem of choice for this study is a thermomechanical simulation of jet engine models built by Rolls-Royce with up to 200 million degrees of freedom, or equations. The models are used for engine performance analysis and design optimization, in particular optimization of tip clearances in the compressor and turbine sections of the engine. We present results using as many as 131,072 cores on the Blue Waters Cray XE6/XK7 supercomputer at NCSA and the Titan Cray XK7 supercomputer at OLCF. Since the main focus is on general linear algebra problems, this work is of interest for all linear algebra practitioners, not only developers of implicit finite element codes.
Physiological ecology of photosynthesis in Prasiola stipitata (Trebouxiophyceae) from the Bay of Fundy, Canada

The physiological ecology of Prasiola stipitata was examined in situ from two supralittoral sites in the Bay of Fundy (Nova Scotian, Canada) during November 2011, when the population was undergoing major expansion. Photosynthetic parameters (effective quantum yield, ΦPSII, maximum quantum yield, Fv/Fm, and relative electron transport rate, rETR) were evaluated using chlorophyll fluorescence of PSII. A largely shaded and continuously moist population showed no change in ΦPSII from one hour after sunrise to sunset in which natural irradiance varied between 3 and 300 μmol photons m−2 s−1. High irradiance (up to 1800 μmol photons m−2 s−1) had no apparent negative impacts on either quantum yield or rETR, but high desiccation in the field reduced quantum yield to almost zero. When thalli were brought into the laboratory, no change in Fv/Fm was observed up to 60% dehydration; however, there was a steep decline in Fv/Fm between 60% and 85% dehydration. Thalli showed complete recovery of Fv/Fm within one hour of reimmersion in seawater after 2 days of desiccation. After 15 days of desiccation full recovery required 24 h and after 30 days of desiccation thalli showed only partial recovery. These observations confirm the adaptation to photosynthesis in high irradiances and the rapid recovery following extreme desiccation observed in other Prasiola species.