Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of varying levels of dietary undegraded intake protein intake on nutrient intake, body weight change and reproductive parameters in postpartum awassi ewes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary undegradable protein (UP) level on body weight change, nutrient intake, milk production and postpartum reproductive performance of Awassi ewes. Twenty-seven multiparous Awassi ewes (initial body weight = 53.3′1.6 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (9 ewes/treatment) for 62 days using a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were isonitrogenous (15.5% CP), isocaloric, and were formulated to contain 17.9 (LUP), 27.1 (MUP), and 34.0% (HUP) of the dietary CP as UP. On day 10′3 (day 0 = parturition) ewes were housed in individual pens for 5 weeks. Feed offered and refused was recorded daily. At the end of this period, animals were removed from their pens and combined into 3 separate groups (LUP, MUP and HUP). One fertile, harnessed ram was allowed with each group for 34 days. Rams were rotated every 2 days among the three groups. Each group was offered the corresponding experimental diet. Organic matter, CP, UP and metabolizable energy intakes were higher (p<0.05) for ewes fed the HUP diet compared with ewes fed the LUP and MUP diets. Ewes fed the HUP diet gained more (p<0.05) weight compared with ewes fed the MUP diet (7.3 vs. 2.1 kg), while ewes fed the LUP diet lost an average of 2.1 kg. Pregnancy rate of ewes fed the HUP diet was 100%, compared with 66 and 33% for ewes fed the MUP and LUP diets, respectively. Lambing rate was greater (p<0.05) for ewes fed HUP (8/9) diet compared with ewes fed the MUP (4/9) and LUP (3/9) diets. These results indicate that Awassi ewes receiving adequate dietary UP level consume more feed and are capable of returning to estrus shortly after parturition and are capable of producing two lamb crops per year.
Variations in the efficiency of ciliate extrusomal toxins against a common ciliate predator, the catenulid Stenostomum Sphagnetorum

Abstract Species of ciliates are able to defend against predators by discharging toxins contained in their extrusomes (cortical extrusive organelles). This chemical defence was comparatively investigated in four species of ciliates, i.e., Climacostomum virens, Loxodes striatus, Spirostomum teres, and Stentor coeruleus against their common predator, i.e., the turbellarian Stenostomum sphagnetorum. The results showed that S. sphagnetorum ingests wild‐type specimens of all the four ciliate species. However, the wild‐type specimens of L. striatus and S. teres were immediately regurgitated apparently unharmed by S. sphagnetorum, while specimens artificially deprived of their extrusomes were normally eaten and ingested. In addition to reinforcing previous evidence that ciliates rely on extrusomal toxins for defence against their natural predators, these results were taken as a general indication that a successful defence of ciliates against their predators depends also on a different sensitivity of the predator to their extrusomal toxins.
How different provisioning strategies result in equal rates of food delivery: an experimental study of blue tits Parus caeruleus

Food provisioning in birds requires a considerable amount of time and usually has to be traded-off against other parental and non-parental activities. I investigated experimentally the rate at which blue tit Parus caeruleus parents deliver food to their brood after a change in food availability. The main argument behind this study is that parents enjoying an additional food source may use less time for self-feeding and therefore use more time for food provisioning. This could increase the rate at which food is brought to the nest. However, a prey choice model that takes the energetic needs of the parent into account allows for the possibility that the food-supplemented parents would deliver the same amount of food by increasing prey size (through an increase in prey selectivity) and reducing visit rate. The field data indicate that the parents changed provisioning strategy when food-supplemented: they fed the chicks natural food less frequently, but brought larger larvae. On the whole, delivery rate of natural food was the same or lower than in controls. The results suggest that food-supplemented parents used the time saved to increase their degree of food selectivity. When the gains from an increased delivery rate are not worth the increased costs (mainly resulting from an increased visiting rate), the parent with low energetic need may increase selectivity to provide the same amount of food to the brood as the unmanipulated parent, but at a lower cost.
BIOLOGY TEACHER PROCEDURAL JUSTICE BASED ON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND PERSONALITY

Biology teacher needs to have procedural justice in delivering learning material related to school leadership and personality. That is why the objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between school leadership, personality, and procedural justice of Biology teachers. A survey used by selecting 85 Biology teachers at Karawang regency by using Simple Random Sampling (SRS). There were three instruments developed to measure school leadership (45 items) with reliability of 0.805, personality (32 items) with reliability 0.819, and procedural justice (27 items) with reliability 0.642. Data were analyzed by regressioncorrelation analysis. The result showed that school leadership and personality have a positive and significant correlation with procedural justice. These findings mean when procedural justice would be improved, factors such as school leadership and personality could be taken into account.
Clostridium difficile electrophoretic typing

Two typing schemes for Clostridium difficile based on slide agglutinations and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) have been described. We compared the reference strains of each typing system with a simplified PAGE method using whole cells and Coomassie blue staining. The method was also applied to clinical isolates and immunoblots were performed with a monospecific serum directed against a major band of low molecular weight. The results indicated the great heterogeneity of Clostridium difficile strains complicated by antigenic subdivision for strains belonging to the same electrophoretic type.
The Role of Rater Motivation and Training in Effective Performance Appraisal System in Public Sector Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Performance appraisal is considered to be the most significant element of performance management but often the former involves controversial practices, among other variables influenced by accuracy and effectiveness. However, it is generally understood that performance appraisal system commonly result into positive organizational outcomes, yet the accuracy of the measuring tools is still an arguable issue with more criticisms. The ongoing matters are measured and tested as a case study approach by paying attention on higher education institutions. Since higher education is progressively playing a vital role in economic competitiveness of a country. Aiming to examine the effect of rater motivation and rater training on performance appraisal process in public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and recognized as a critical contribution to organizational and people’s performance. Thus, this study finds the effects and consequences of rater motivation and rater training on performance appraisal system. This study is survey based, 300 questionnaires in total were distributed among the faculty of public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Out of which 160 were received back recording response rate of 53%. Findings of this study indicate that there was positive and significant relationship between rater motivation and performance appraisal and also between rater training and performance appraisal in public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The current study offers researchers with the opportunity to search performance appraisal from a new perspective which has never been explored before in a developing country like Pakistan.
Declining Genetic Diversity and Increasing Genetic Isolation toward the Range Periphery of Stipa pennata, a Eurasian Feather Grass

A common assumption in ecology and evolutionary biology is that genetic diversity declines and differentiation increases toward the edge of a species’ geographic range, where populations tend to be smaller and more isolated. We tested these predictions in a characteristic Eurasian steppe plant, Stipa pennata, by inspecting 230 AFLP bands in 26 populations (345 individuals) along a 3300-km longitudinal gradient from the range core, in Russia, to the range periphery, in central Europe. Overall, our study species showed low genetic diversity within populations (mean proportion of polymorphic ) and moderately high genetic differentiation among them (mean ). As predicted, genetic diversity declined significantly from the range core to the periphery but was not correlated with population size. Pairwise genetic differentiation was significantly higher among peripheral populations than central populations but did not show a pronounced relationship with geographic distance. Our results indicate that peripheral populations may experience higher genetic drift and lower gene flow than their central counterparts, possibly because of smaller population sizes, spatial isolation, and a more complex landscape structure. In addition, historic range fluctuations and the mixed breeding system could have enhanced the observed patterns in our study species.
Growth characteristics, nutrient uptake, and metal accumulation of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in sludge-amended mudflats

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of sewage sludge amendment (SSA), with the rates of 0, 30, 75, 150, and 300 t ha−1, on soil chemical properties and biomass, aboveground and root growth, and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seedling grown on a mudflat soil. Results showed that SSA modified the chemical properties of mudflat soil by decreasing soil salinity and pH, increasing soil organic matter, total and available N and P, and heavy metals. The biomass of root and aboveground parts of ryegrass showed increments with increasing SSA rates. Maximum increases of 5.6- and 1.3-fold in fresh weight of aboveground parts and root of ryegrass were observed at 300 t ha−1 rate. Root grown at all SSA rates showed positive response to higher nutrient availability in the mudflat soil with increasing root average diameter and volume. The root length and surface area at 30 t ha−1 SSA rate was significantly higher than those in other treatments. The sewage sludge amendment increased N and P content in both aboveground and root parts of ryegrass. Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn accumulation in ryegrass was positively correlated with SSA rates. However, heavy metal concentrations in ryegrass did not exceed the safety standard for feed in China (GB 13078-1999), except for Cd at 300 t ha−1 SSA rate. The study suggests that sewage sludge can be applied for mudflat soil amendment, which provides an innovative solution pertaining to new arable land resources and solid waste disposal. The optimum SSA rate is 150 t ha−1 with maximum plant yield yet permissible metal accumulation.
The formation and growth of seabird colonies: Audouin’s gull as a case study

Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre, Servei de Gestio i Proteccio de Fauna (Generalitat de Catalunya), Grup Catala d’Anellament, ICONA-Madrid, ICONA-Baleares, Reserva Natural de les Illes Columbretes (Generalitat Valenciana), Universitat de Barcelona and Agencia del Medio Ambiente de Andalucia. G.R. thanks the Nufﬁeld Foundation.
Water Quality Relationship with FCR Value in Intensive Shrimp Culture of Vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei)

FCR or feed conversion ratio is one of the strategic indicators on pond production which is very important for determining the costs incurred during the shrimp culture period. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between water physico-chemical parameters and the conversion rate of shrimp feed in intensive shrimp ponds (Litopenaeus vannamei). The research method used in this study is the ex-pose facto design during shrimp culture cycle with uniformity of treatment during the cultivation process, then the research collective data obtained periodically is analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicate that all pond water quality variables based on quality standards are still in accordance with the standards intended for aquaculture. While based on regression analysis and t-test, the temperature variable is the only parameter that has a direct influence on the FCR efficiency by shrimp. As well as temperature, salinity, and alkalinity variables are parameters that have a close level of relationship to the FCR value in the ponds of 84.1%, 79.1%, and 69.9%. The conclusion of this study is that in intensive ponds the parameters of temperature, salinity, and alkalinity are water quality parameters that have a close relationship with the efficiency of FCR values ​​in ponds, with temperature parameters being the water quality variable which has a direct influence on the effectiveness of the feed conversion ratio by shrimp.
Assessing cubicle dimensions for finishing bulls based on animal behaviour and cleanliness

Finishing bulls need increasingly large cubicles throughout their growth, and optimal cubicle dimensions may differ from those used for dairy cows. The space requirements of finishing bulls was investigated by observing standing-up and lying-down behaviour, lying duration and number of lying bouts, as well as the cleanliness of cubicles and animals before and after increasing cubicle size at four different points in time. Lying area in the cubicles measured 120 × 70 cm at the start and 185 × 110 cm at the end of the finishing period (approx. at 160 and 550 kg, respectively). Twenty animals kept in four groups were observed at weights of approximately 220, 330, 380 and 500 kg before and after cubicle dimensions were increased. The proportion of standing-up events with more than one head lunge decreased with enlargement of the cubicles ( P = 0·01). As cubicle size increased, bulls hit the partition rails less on standing up, except at 220 kg weight where the pattern was inverted (interaction: P = 0·001). Partitions were also hit less on lying down as cubicle size increased, except at 220 kg weight with an inverse pattern (interaction: P = 0·01). The number of exploratory head sweeps before lying down did not change with cubicle enlargement ( P > 0·5). Bulls slipped more often with cubicle enlargement, except at 380 kg where the difference was inverted (interaction: P = 0·03). They never fell and never turned around in the cubicles. In general, both animals and cubicles were very clean. On average, lying duration decreased ( P P = 0·052) with enlargement of the cubicles but the absolute differences were small. Consequently at each point in time, the smaller cubicles still seemed to provide sufficient lying space for the bulls. If the impacts with the partitions were minor and did not represent a serious welfare concern, as suggested by qualitative observations, the cubicle dimensions used could be considered suitable for housing the type of finishing bulls used in this study.
EFFECTS OF ICE ON ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM WITHIN THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY SYSTEM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE‐MAINE 1 2

The, effects of ice on Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis within the Great Bay Estuary System of New Hampshire‐Maine, U.S.A. were assessed during the winter of 1980–81. Approximately 50% of the plants late fall standing crop, or an estimated 136 tonnes dry weight, was removed by ice‐rafting. Pieces of Ascophyllum removed averaged 22 cm in length, 15 g in fresh weight and generally represented 2–3 years of growth. Although the winter of 1980–81 wax somewhat extreme, a similar pruning process probably occurs each year contributing to the characteristic bushy habit of attached inner estuarine plants. Ascophyllum fragments rafted in ice and deposited into salt marshes are suggested as a major source of the, ecad scorpioides (Hornemann) Hauck.
Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Nitrate/Ammonium Ratios on Oxalate Concentrations of Different Forms in Edible Parts of Spinach

ABSTRACT Two hydroponic experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) levels and forms on the oxalate concentrations of different form in edible parts of spinach. Nitrogen was supplied at five levels (4, 8, 12, 16, 20 mM) in Experiment 1 and five ratios of nitrate (NO3 −) to ammonium (NH4 +) (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) at a total N of 8 mM in Experiment 2. Biomass of spinach increased markedly from 4 mM to 8 mM N and reached the flat with further increase in N. The total oxalate and soluble oxalate in leaves and shoots (edible parts) increased significantly with increasing N levels from 4 to 12 mM, while the total oxalate and insoluble oxalate decreased markedly when N level was further increased from 12 to 20 mM. Oxalates of different forms in petioles increased first and then decreased and elevated again with increasing nitrogen levels. In the second experiment, decreasing NO3 −/NH4 + ratios markedly increased at first and then significantly decreased the biomass of spinach plants and the maximum biomass was recorded in the treatment of the NO3 −/NH4 + ratio of 50:50. The oxalate concentrations of different form in leaves and shoots were all decreased obviously as the ratio of NO3 −/NH4 + decreased from 100:0 to 0:100. Concentrations of total oxalate and soluble oxalate in petioles could be reduced by increasing ammonium proportion and were the lowest as the ratio of NO3 −/NH4 + was 50:50 and insoluble oxalate decreased as nitrate/ammonium ratio decreased. The concentrations of oxalate forms in leaves were all higher than those in petioles and soluble oxalate was predominant form of oxalates in both trials. It is evident that high biomass of spinach can be achieved and oxalate concentrations of different forms can be reduced by modulating N levels and NO3 −/NH4 + ratio, so this will benefit for human health especially for those people with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
Physical and sensory changes during the development and storage of buttercup squash

Abstract Changes in composition and sensory quality of buttercup squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. ‘Delica') during fruit development and postharvest temperature and humidity conditions simulating shipment to Japan were studied at three representative growing sites in New Zealand. Fruit of a known setting date were harvested at 10‐day intervals and data were collected on heat accumulation, days after flowering, flesh colour, seed development, soluble solids, dry matter (DM) content, skin hardness, glucose, fructose, sucrose and starch content, and sensory properties before and after simulated shipment. Physical properties at harvest were related to sensory quality at the point of sale to identify an optimal harvest time. As fruit was left for longer on the vine the skin hardened, the flesh became redder, DM increased then decreased, the soluble solids and sucrose content increased and the sensory properties improved. Once harvested the flesh continued to become redder, sucrose and soluble solids increased, a.
Exposure to toxoplasmosis among the Egyptian population: A systematic review

Toxoplasmosis affects a wide-range of vertebrate hosts with variable prevalences among different societies all over the world. In Egypt, toxoplasmosis is still considered a health problem especially during pregnancy and in immunocompromised patients. Among the different types of antibodies tested to assess the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in a community, the anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulins A and M (IgA, IgM) are the most commonly evaluated to determine association with chronic and acute infections respectively. The current review is a systematic search of the databases to retrieve studies reporting mainly the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to determine exposure to toxoplasmosis among the Egyptian population in the different governorates. Seroprevalence was recorded from reports on the general population, blood donors, and females with normal and complicated pregnancies. Patients with different comorbidities, such as tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, renal failure, diabetes and some neuropsychiatric disorders were included. Significant risk factors comprised contact with cats and consumption of raw vegetables or insufficiently cooked meat. The review highlights the magnitude of toxoplasmosis in Egypt; however, studies on a large scale would better ascertain the burden of toxoplasmosis since there is great variation between the Egyptian governorates. Awareness of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis will help in development of policies for better controlling, particularly in high seroprevalence areas.
Identification of Factors Affecting Quality of Teaching Engineering Drawing using a Hybrid MCDM Model

Identification of the factors affecting teaching quality of engineering drawing and interaction between them is necessary until it is determined which manipulation will improve the quality of teaching this course. Since the above issue is a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem and on the other hand, we are faced with human factors, the Fuzzy DEMATEL method is suggested for solving it. Also, because DEMATEL analysis does not lead to a weighting of the criteria, it is combined with the ANP and a hybrid fuzzy DEMATEL-ANP (FDANP) methodology is used. The results of investigating 7 Dimensions and 21 Criteria show that the quality of teaching this course increases, if the updated teaching methods and contents to be used, the evaluation policy to be tailored to the course, the course professor and his/her assistants be available to correct students' mistakes and there is also an interactive system based on student comments.
The phylogenetic relationships of the Nemegtosauridae (Saurischia, Sauropoda)

ABSTRACT The phylogenetic relationships of the Late Cretaceous Mongolian sauropods Nemegtosaurus and Quaesitosaurus are controversial. Previous studies have interpreted nemegtosaurids as members of the Diplodocoidea or Titanosauroidea. The conflicting character sets, which support these alternative hypotheses, are examined and critically evaluated. Only two derived states are unique to nemegtosaurids and one or more titanosauroid taxa. At least five synapomorphies (e.g., transverse narrowing of the rostral end of the premaxilla, elongation of the subnarial foramen, and extreme retraction of the external nares) support the inclusion of the nemegtosaurids within the Diplodocoidea, but the presence of the plesiomorphic state cannot always be confirmed in higher titanosauroids. Cladistic analysis supports the hypothesis that nemegtosaurids are the sister-group to a clade containing Rebbachisaurus, dicraeosaurids and diplodocids. Antarctosaurus wichmannianus, a problematic taxon from the Late Cretaceous of Arg.