Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endoscopy and central reading in inflammatory bowel disease clinical trials: achievements, challenges and future developments

Central reading, that is, independent, off-site, blinded review or reading of imaging endpoints, has been identified as a crucial component in the conduct and analysis of inflammatory bowel disease clinical trials. Central reading is the final step in a workflow that has many parts, all of which can be improved. Furthermore, the best reading algorithm and the most intensive central reader training cannot make up for deficiencies in the acquisition stage (clinical trial endoscopy) or improve on the limitations of the underlying score (outcome instrument). In this review, academic and industry experts review scoring systems, and propose a theoretical framework for central reading that predicts when improvements in statistical power, affecting trial size and chances of success, can be expected: Multireader models can be conceptualised as statistical or non-statistical (social). Important organisational and operational factors, such as training and retraining of readers, optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy, video quality, optimal or at least acceptable read duration times and other quality control matters, are addressed as well. The theory and practice of central reading and the conduct of endoscopy in clinical trials are interdisciplinary topics that should be of interest to many, regulators, clinical trial experts, gastroenterology societies and those in the academic community who endeavour to develop new scoring systems using traditional and machine learning approaches.
Chatbot technology: A possible means of unlocking student potential to learn how to learn

This paper explores the possibility of implementing a constructivist learning environment using chatbot technology as a basis of enabling students acquire global economy and technological information age skills and competencies (21 st century skills) within the context of a developing country. The suggested approach is to integrate chatbot technology into the prevailing teaching-learning environment taking into consideration enabling and constraining factors. Social constructivism provides the basis for concretization of this approach, where social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition, with mediation using cultural tools and scaffolding contributing to the process of learning.
Accessing word meaning: Semantic word knowledge and reading comprehension in Dutch monolingual and bilingual fifth-graders

Word knowledge is one of the key elements in reading comprehension and by extension in school success. At the same time, it is not quite clear which components of lexical knowledge play a role in reading. Is it enough to recognize the words we read? Do we need an in-depth understanding of their meaning? Is it also important how fast or easily we access meaning? The studies in this thesis investigated to what extent differences between children in word knowledge and in underlying lexical-semantic processes are predictive of differences in reading comprehension. In three quantitative studies, lexical-semantic skills and reading comprehension are investigated for Dutch monolingual and bilingual minority children. Previous research indicates disadvantages for bilingual minority children in both vocabulary and reading. The analyses in this thesis show delays for bilingual minority children in reading comprehension, semantic word knowledge and speed of accessing semantic and lexical information in the face of comparable word decoding. For both groups, semantic word knowledge is a relevant predictor of reading comprehension. Semantic classification speed but not priming makes a small additional contribution to reading comprehension. A final model shows that the differences between language groups are not fully mediated by semantic word knowledge and speed, leaving room for factors other than lexical-semantic differences. The findings suggest that sufficient semantic knowledge of word meaning and to a small extent fast access to meaning facilitate reading comprehension. This book is of interest to scholars in the field of psycholinguistics, second language acquisition and applied linguistics.
Feeding ecology of the Brazilian silverside Atherinella brasiliensis (Atherinopsidae) in a sub-tropical estuarine ecosystem

The feeding ecology of the Brazilian silverside, Atherinella brasiliensis, in a sub-tropical estuary of Brazil was investigated through the gut analysis of 1431 individuals. We described dietary composition and analysed seasonal, estuarine habitat, and body size variations in the diet; trophic level; feeding diversity; and gut fullness indices. Results reveal that A. brasiliensis is a typical, generalistic and opportunistic predator that makes use of a wide array of prey types (at least 89 different types), with zooplankton (mainly calanoids), diatoms, terrestrial insects, and plant detritus making up the bulk of the overall diet. The exotic calanoid Temora turbinata ranked as the primary prey. A wide feeding diversity (mean H′ = 2.26), low trophic level (mean TROPH = 2.57), and high gut replenishment were persistent across seasons and habitats. Diet composition varied largely and significantly with respect to habitat, season, and body size. A closer assessment showed that habitat and season had a stronger effect on diet than fish size.
Optical packet switching with distributed control for high performance data center networks

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Phytoremediation of heavy metals from municipal wastewater by Typhadomingensis

The use of plants for the removal of heavy metals from spillage sites, sewage waters, sludges and polluted areas has become an important experimental and practical approach. A study was carried out to investigate the phytoremediation of heavy metals from municipal wastewater by Typhadomingensis according to randomized complete block design (with three replications). Every Typhadomingensis was planted in pots containing 7 liter of municipal wastewater, and aeration was done. After 24 and 48 h, the samples were taken for testing. The concentrations in the root and shoot tissues were found in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cd. The evidences provided by this experiment indicated that the Typhadomingensis was capable to remove heavy metals from urban wastewater. These results also showed that most metal removal from wastewater by Typhadomingensis was after 48 h.
Solving Problems with The Percentage Bar

At the end of primary school all children more of less know what a percentage is, but yet they often struggle with percentage problems. This article describes a study in which students of 13 and 14 years old were given a written test with percentage problems and a week later were interviewed about the way they solved some of these problems. In a teaching experiment the students were then taught the use of the percentage bar. Although the teaching experiment was very short - just one lesson - the results confirm that the percentage bar is a powerful model that deserves a central place in the teaching of percentages.
The influence of food ration on sediment toxicity in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Annelida: Polychaeta)

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of food ration on observed toxicity in Neanthes arenaceodentata. Worms were fed one of three food rations: 0.25×, 1.0×, and 6.0×. The 1.0× ration was composed of 4 mg TetraMarin/worm/week and 2 mg alfalfa/worm/week. Worms in each food ration were exposed to one of two sediments: a clean control sediment collected from Sequim Bay, Washington, USA (SC) or a contaminated sediment collected from Black Rock Harbor near Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA (BRH) that was diluted with SC such that the final concentration of contaminated sediment was 12%. Survival and growth were monitored every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Sediment treatment and food ration had strong effects on survival and growth patterns in N. arenaceodentata. Most of the mortality within any given treatment combination occurred during the first 2 weeks of the experiment. This decline in survival was greatest for worms exposed to BRH. Survival was significantly lower for worms in BRH compared to SC at the 0.25× and 1.0× ration levels. Survival was not reduced for worms in BRH compared to SC at the 6.0× ration level. Worm size during the course of the experiment was positively related to ration level. Significantly reduced size in BRH worms was observed at each monitoring period within the 0.25× and 1.0× rations, but only at weeks 6 and 8 for the 6.0× ration level. The percent difference in size between worms exposed to BRH and SC, when those worms were fed the 0.25× or 1.0× rations, ranged between 55 and 66%. The percent difference in size observed between BRH and SC worms fed the 6.0× ration was much smaller (9–17%). The results of this study demonstrate that food ration has a strong influence on observed toxicity in N. arenaceodentata. The importance of food ration effects on toxicity must be considered while designing chronic sublethal bioassays. To ensure the relevance of bioassay results, the food ration used during a chronic bioassay should produce a pattern of growth in control animals that is similar to patterns of growth observed in nature.
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of pomegranate against thioacetamide toxicity in rats

Twenty five male albino rats used in the study were randomly divided into 5 groups as Group-I to Group-V each having 5 rats. The first group (Group-I) was used as control. Rats of Group II weretreated intraperitoneally (i.p) by thioacetamide (TAA) (50mg/Kg BW) twice weekly; Group III were treated orally with pomegranate peel powder (PPP) (100 mg/Kg BW) daily; Group IV were treated orally by PPP (100mg/Kg BW) two weeks before starting the experiment as a protective dose followed byi.p. injectionof TAA (50mg/Kg BW) twice weekly concomitant with PPP(100mg/Kg BW) daily. Rats of Group V were treated orally by PPP (100mg/Kg BW) daily as therapeutic dose and i.p by TAA (50mg/Kg BW) twice weekly. Rats were administered their relevant doses for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from median canthus of the eye at the end of the experiment.Pomegranate significantly decreased ALT, AST, ALP,LDH, triglycerides, cholesterol,urea, creatinine and improved total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and (T-AoC). Inaddition the tissue levels of SOD, catalase and GSH were markedly increased and MDA formation was significantly inhibited.moreover amerilorates fibrous tissue proliferation induced by thioacetamide, improve pathological alterations of hepatocyte. Overall results proved that pomegranate has hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity as it has the ability to countermeasure the hepatic oxidative damage
Two General Metapopulation Models and the Core-Satellite Species Hypothesis

This article describes two general metapopulation models with spatial variation in the sizes of habitat patches. The first model is a simple, nonstructured model that includes the mainland-island and Levins models as two limiting cases. The second model is a structured model explicitly including the size distribution of habitat patches, the size distribution of local populations, and migration among local populations. The models may have up to four equilibria, including two stable, positive equilibria. We discuss the core-satellite species hypothesis in light of these models. This hypothesis predicts that the distribution of patch-occupancy frequencies is bimodal in many species assemblages. We extend the original concept by demonstrating that the bimodal distribution of patch-occupancy frequencies can be generated by structurally more complex and more realistic metapopulation models than the original one; that the bimodal distribution is predicted by deterministic models, with no or infrequent switches of species between the core and the satellite state; and that metapopulation extinctions of rare species may be compensated by migration from outside the metapopulation (from a mainland), or metapopulation extinction may be prevented by low extinction probabilities of local populations in large or high-quality habitat patches. In every case the bimodal core-satellite distribution is due to the rescue effect, that is, the increasing migration rate and hence the decreasing probability of local extinction with an increasing fraction of patches occupied. We discuss how the metapopulation dynamic mechanisms described in this article may generate the bimodal core-satellite distribution in different kinds of communities.
Effect of high-pressure processing on myofibrillar protein structure

Modification of myofibrillar proteins induced by high-pressure processing has been investigated at pressures ranging from 50 to 600 MPa for 10 min at 20 °C. Analysis by spectroscopic methods and circular dichroism of myofibrillar proteins in phosphate buffer pH 6.0 containing 0.6 M KCl showed no changes in the secondary structure of proteins. However, study of protein conformation by quasielastic light scattering and gel filtration chromatography proved the emergence of aggregation after treatment at pressures higher than 300 MPa. This aggregation was accompanied by enhanced binding of anilino-1-naphthalene-8-sulphonic acid, which indicated an increase in hydrophobic bonding of myofibrillar proteins. Modification of the tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins may induce a molten globule state. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of Addition of Mugwort Powder on the Quality Characteristics of Emulsion-type Sausage

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of addition of mugwort powder (0.7%, 1%, 2%) on the quality characteristics of emulsion-type sausages. The pH, color, TBARS, textural properties, minerals content and sensory evaluation were evaluated. The pH values of sausage containing mugwort powder were significantly lower as compared to control during 20 days of storage, but there were higher than those of control at 40 days of storage. The L* and a* values of sausage containing mugwort powder were significantly lower as compared to control, but the b* values were significantly higher in the sausage containing mugwort powder. The TBARS values of sausage containing mugwort powder were significantly lower than those of control at 20 and 45 days of storage. The hardness values of sausage containing mugwort powder were significantly lower than those of control. The Na content of sausage containing mugwort powder were significantly lower as compared to control, but Mg, Ca, Mn and Fe contents were significantly higher in the sausage containing 2% mugwort powder. Sensory panels evaluated that sausage containing mugwort powder had the higher preference scores in mugwort flavor.
Fisheries biology of the edible crab (Cancer pagurus) in the Kattegat and the Skagerrak - implications for sustainable management

Movements of the edible crab Cancer pagurus were investigated from mark-recaptures in the Skagerrak and Kattegat. Crabs were released in 1968–1973 and in 2003 from six main areas along the Swedish west coast, and from one offshore bank in the Kattegat. Recaptures were reported for up to 7 years after the release. Sex-specific differences in migration were found: females migrated significantly longer distances than males, and higher proportions of males stayed within the area of release (60 and 48% of males versus 28 and 19% of females) were recaptured within 1 km of the release site: initial and recent mark-recapture studies, respectively. The movement direction varied with sampling location, however females tended to move in a net southerly direction. The range of mean rates of movement within the first month were 325–345md−1 for females and 202–299md−1 for males. Over longer time periods mean rates of movement were significantly lower. There was no significant impact of size class on the distance migrated. Short-term (2 months) movements of nine male edible crabs were studied with acoustic transmitters and active tracking. The movement pattern varied among individuals: some stayed in the same area for weeks whereas some made regular movements every day during the tracking period. The difference in migration pattern of females and males, and the largely southward migration of females is consistent with the hypothesis that the migration is related to reproduction. By moving to the south to release their larvae, females may compensate for larval dispersion in the northbound current along the Swedish west coast. The observed migration pattern indicates advisable management options in Sweden for this commercially fished species: protection of areas with high proportion of egg-bearing females from fishing, especially in the Kattegat. Significantly, local management only on a small spatial scale is not recommended as the resource is seasonally shared, if not the effect on the crab population is monitored. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Control of the mushroom pests Lycoriella auripila (Diptera: Sciaridae) and Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) by Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) in field experiments

Summary The nematode Steinemema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) was tested for its ability to control two main mushroom pests i.e. the sciarid Lycoriella auripila (Diptera: Sciaridae) and the phorid Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) in growing-rooms filled with spawned compost. A clear difference between female and male sciarid control was observed. A nematode application 1 day after casing preceded by an application 1 day before casing on the compost caused an almost complete control (97%) of the F1-generation of female sciarids. The FZgeneration of females was similarly controlled (95%) by an application 7 days after casing. A dosage of 1 x lo6 nematodes mP2 was found to be equally effective as higher dosages. Diflubenzuron remained active throughout entire the cropping period with high sciarid mortality rates varying from 72% to 99%. Phorid control was variable and seemed to depend on the presence of sciarids. In one occasion the control rate of F2-generation phorid larvae was 75% and was possibly caused by the presence of new infective juvenile nematodes recycled in FZgeneration sciarid larvae. Diflubenzuron did not significantly reduce phorid numbers.
A comparison of reproductive cycles and reproductive output in four southern African mussel species

The timing and intensity of spawning events in 4 southern African mussel species were deduced from fluctuations in the dry flesh weight of standard-sized individuals, as calculated from monthly length-weight regressions. The sex ratios in 3 of the 4 species (Aulacomya ater, Choromytilus meridionalis and Perna perna) were biased in favour of males, but this was not the case for Mytilus galloprovincialis. The calorific value of females was higher than that of males in all species. A. ater spawned 3 times a year, although these spawning events differed considerably in timing and intensity between years. C. meridionalis and M galloprovincialis generally showed 2 protracted spawning seasons, one each during summer and winter. P. perna from Natal spawned over an extended period from May/June to December, whde those from the Cape and Transkei had a well-marked winter spawning, accompanied by either 1 extended, or 2 discrete, spring or summer events. Gamete build-up and release resulted in marked variations in flesh yield. This was greatest in M. galloprovincialis, where dry flesh weight can vary 3-fold between ripe and spawned conditions at a length of 65 mm. Equivalent values for A. ater, C. meridionalis and P. perna were 2.3-, 2.8and 2.2-fold respectively Total individual reproductive output was greatest in A. ater, because of its 3 annual spawnings, followed by M. galloprovincialis, C. meridionalis and P. perna. When extrapolated to a population level, beds of mussels were estimated to release 3.4 to 10.4 kg wet mass gametes m-2 yr-' This represents a large energy subsidy to adjacent benthic and pelagic communities.
Using Anchoring Vignettes to Reevaluate the Link between Self-Rated Health Status and Political Behavior

Context: The majority of studies linking health to political behavior capture an individual’s health with an ordinal survey question, called self-rated health status (SRHS), that asks respondents to rate their health along a five-point scale (e.g., excellent to poor). While studies generally have found associations between SRHS and political behavior, differences in respondent understanding and interpretation of the SRHS question and response categories may lead to biased inferences and
Molecular Studies on Causative Agents of Dengue Fever and Malaria in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

A Thesis Submitted to the University of Gezira for Fulﬁllment ,of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of, Doctoral of Philosophy in Integrated Control of Communicable Diseases, Department of Integrated Control of Communicable Diseases, Blue Nile National Institute for Communicable Diseases,December, 2017
Rheological and sensory properties of stirred yoghurt with inulin-type fructans

This study concerns physicochemical and sensory analysis of stirred yoghurts, in which skim milk powder was partly replaced by different inulins. The composition of basic solutions contained 12% skim milk powder and 4% inulin, while reference yoghurts contained 16% SMP or whole milk powder. Rheological and sensory analysis showed that one-quarter of milk powder could be substituted by long-chain inulin in low-fat stirred yoghurt. Short-chain inulin and oligofructose can potentially be applied in the production of drinking yoghurt. Sensory evaluation showed that milk fat cannot be successfully substituted by inulin.
Fish Influences on Amphibian Presence and Abundance in Prairie and Parkland Landscapes of Minnesota, USA

Abstract Many amphibian populations are declining, and increased understanding of the drivers of amphibian presence and abundance will help in their conservation. In 2005 and 2006 we estimated relative abundance of larvae of two common amphibian taxa, Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) and ranid tadpoles (Northern Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens and Wood Frog Lithobates sylvaticus), in 75 shallow lakes in prairie and parkland areas in Minnesota. We used a two-step procedure in which we first modeled presence-absence with data from all lakes and then modeled abundance only in lakes where the amphibian taxa were present. For the two amphibian taxa, a generalized linear mixed effects model was used to examine the effects of dynamic factors like fish abundance and static (timeframe of study) variables like fish community type, depth, and adjacent land cover. Fish variables had the greatest influence but differed for the presence and abundance models. Salamander and tadpole presence was inversely correlated to the abundance of benthivorous fish, while salamander abundance was best explained by total fish abundance and tadpole abundance by fish community type. We did not detect influences of land cover types on the amphibian taxa we surveyed. Our findings are important because they complement previous studies documenting that negative correlations with fish extend beyond piscivores to include both planktivores and benthivores. Hydrological changes in our study landscape (e.g., installation of drainage networks, wetland consolidation) associated with agriculture and other land uses have likely increased the distribution and abundance of fish populations, thus dampening amphibian breeding success.