Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-dependent alterations of soluble and cellular components in human milk

This study sought to determine the chronobiological variations in soluble and cellular components of human breast milk. The material was collected from 36 mothers at three stages of maturity – 3 days (colostrum), 10 days (transitional milk) and 30 days (mature milk) postpartum – and at two times of day – diurnal (12:00 h) and nocturnal (24:00 h) – making a total of 216 samples. Fat and calorie content, antibody concentration, C3 and C4 proteins of the complement system, superoxide anion release by milk mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) phagocytes, and concentration of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (CuZn-SOD) were determined. No difference in fat concentration was found between milk collected at the different times or between milk maturation stages but in the transitional milk the calorie concentration was higher in the nocturnal period. IgA was higher in milk collected in the diurnal period regardless of milk maturation. IgG and IgM were at higher concentrations in the diurnal period for both transitional and mature milk. The C3 protein increased significantly in the diurnal period regardless of milk maturation, and the C4 protein increased significantly during the diurnal period in the colostrum and transitional milk stages. Mature milk MN phagocytes had the highest superoxide during the diurnal period. Superoxide release by PMN phagocytes was higher in colostrum and mature milk collected in the diurnal period. CuZn-SOD increased significantly in diurnal and nocturnal colostrum. This chronobiological variation during the first month postpartum may represent an additional breastfeeding mechanism to improve adaptation to environmental changes and establish biological rhythms in the temporal synchronization process.
Genetic variation in populations of steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) in British Columbia

The geographic distributions of biochemical genetic variants at four loci in indigenous British Columbia steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) populations indicated that there was a large-scale subdivision of the species into three major groups. At intermediate geographic scales, gene frequencies were uniform over unexpectedly large areas, but at the smallest geographic scale, significant differentiation was observed between populations in adjacent streams. This pattern of variation supports the view that this species is subdivided into a large number of semi-isolated populations each having the potential to evolve adaptations to local environmental conditions.
Revision of the north‐eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genera Herentia and Therenia (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

The cheilostome genera Herentia Gray and Therenia David and Pouyet, placed in the recently established family Escharinidae Tilbrook, were hitherto generally regarded as synonyms of Escharina Milne Edwards. Here we resurrect and define both genera, and revise their eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species, which turn out to be species complexes. Besides presenting a re‐description of the genotype of Herentia, H. hyndmanni (Johnston) from the British Isles, new species from Madeira (Herentia andreasi n. sp.) and the Adriatic Sea (Herentia majae n. sp.) are introduced. The ancestrula of H. hyndmanni, a kenozooid with an almost completely calcified, gymnocystal frontal shield, is here documented for the first time. For Therenia it can be shown that the type species T. porosa (Smitt) from Florida differs from the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean congeners, all of which were hitherto referred to as this species. Consequently, three new species (Therenia cryptooecium n. sp. from Ghana, Therenia peristomata n. sp. from Madeira, and Therenia rosei n. sp. from the Mediterranean Sea) are described. Both genera show a Paleogene origin and distribution in the Tethyan and Atlantic regions, and persist today in tropical to warm‐temperate zones of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Investigation of poorly studied, low‐ to mid‐latitude regions are likely to yield more new species of Herentia and Therenia.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: what is the validity of urine sediment microscopy as a screening tool in a low resource setting?

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy should be screened and treated to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality. Urine culture is the recommended test. In low resource setting with large patient load urine culture in all pregnant patients is not feasible. In this study authors have assessed the validity of urine microscopy in the screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy.Methods: Midstream clean catch urine specimen collected from 675 pregnant women was subjected to urine sediment microscopy and culture. It was considered screen positive if pus cells were >5/HPF. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was diagnosed if there were >/=100000 CFU of a single uropathogen per ml. Results obtained were statistically analysed for the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, sociodemographic and medical risk factors, causative organisms, antibiotic sensitivity and validity of urine sediment microscopy in detecting asymptomatic bacteriuria.Results: The incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in our study was 10.2%. The incidence was higher in the age group between 20-30 years, in gravida 3 and above, in upper lower and lower socioeconomic status, in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy and anaemia. E. coli was the commonest bacterial isolate in culture positive cases. Bacterial isolates had poor sensitivity for Ampicillin, amoxicillin and nitrofurantoin and good sensitivity for cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for urine microscopy was 43%, 85%, 25% and 93% respectively.Conclusions: This study shows poor sensitivity and positive predictive value and good specificity and negative predictive value.
Growth of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings, Fed Different Levels of Cassava

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) was evaluated as a substitute for maize in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings over a 49 day period. Fingerlings (mean weight = 2.74±0.63 g) were subjected to five diet treatments in which maize was replaced with cassava at 0% (control); 25, 50, 75 and 100% level; at a stocking density of 7 fish per plastic bowl. Each treatment condition was replicated twice. Growth rate, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the diet treatments. It is concluded that cassava flour can be included in the diet of Clarias gariepinus.
Performance of Bt Corn Hybrids, their Near Isolines, and Leading Corn Hybrids in Pennsylvania and Maryland

The European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] is an important pest of field corn (Zea mays L.) in the northeastern USA. One option for reducing yield loss from European corn borer (ECB) is the use of transgenic corn hybrids containing a modified Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) gene. This study evaluated Bt hybrids, their near isolines, and leading non-Bt hybrids for grain yield, moisture, and test weight under natural infestations of ECB in 2000, 2001, and 2002 at four to six locations across Pennsylvania and Maryland each year. Averaged over all locations and years, Bt, isoline, and lead hybrids yielded 9.1, 8.6, and 8.5 Mg ha -1 , respectively. Grain moisture content at harvest was 224, 216, and 214 g kg -1 and test weight was 705, 713, and 713 kg m -3 for Bt, isoline, and lead hybrids, respectively. Overall, Bt hybrids produced higher yields, but also had higher grain moisture content at harvest and lower test weight than isoline and lead hybrids. Yield and moisture content differences were correlated with ECB infestations, but test weight was not. Isoline and lead hybrid yields were reduced by 2.37 and 2.60% respectively, for each ECB tunnel. Precipitation had no consistent effect on Bt and non-Bt hybrid differences for yield, moisture, or test weight. Delayed planting dates were associated with higher ECB infestations. This may be beneficial in predicting sites that could benefit from Bt hybrids. In some environments in Pennsylvania and Maryland, Bt hybrids can result in significant yield advantages.
Fontes e níveis de proteína bruta em dietas para juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

ABSTRACTS - The experiment was carried out, during 100 days, to study different crude protein sources and levels of diets forpacu fingerlings. Two hundred and fifty two pacu fingerlings were assigned to 36 aquariums, containing seven fishes, with 150 litersof water. During the experimental period, the average temperature of the water was 28 o C and other limnology parameters (dissolvedoxygen, pH, alkalinity and conductivity) remainded within the levels adopted for the good development of this specie. The exper imentaldesign consisted of randomized blocks, with nine treatments in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement with three sources of animal prote in (fishmeal) replaced by vegetable protein (soybean meal) at the level of 0, 50 and 100% and three protein levels (18, 22 and 26%). Th e resultsshowed that 22% of crude protein was better and the fish meal can be partially or totally replaced for soybean meal showing the bestdigestibility coeficients without affecting fishes performance concerning weight gain, feed:gain ratio conversion, specific gro wth rateand protein efficiency rate. The protein source replacement did not affect the body composition, nitrogen retention efficien cy, bodynitrogen, body fat and nitrogen and fat in the weight gain.Key Words: fish, pacu, protein levels, protein sources, digestibility
Effects of irrigation volumes and organic fertilizers on eggplant grown in Mediterranean environment

A three-year field experiment was carried out in Mediterranean conditions to study the effects of different irrigations and organic fertilizers on yield, quality and nitrogen utilization of eggplant crop and on soil properties. In a split-plot design, two irrigation treatments (re-establishing 100% and 50% of the calculated maximum evapotranspiration) and four fertilizer treatments (mineral fertilizer, commercial stable manure, anaerobic digestate and municipal solid waste compost) were compared. The highest water volume increased significantly the total and marketable yield, the number of marketable fruits, the dry matter of fruits and the nitrogen-use efficiency with respect to the treatment with the lowest irrigation. Nevertheless, the same treatment decreased significantly the fruit dry matter percentage and total soluble solid content. The lowest water volume led to an improvement of fruit quality. Anaerobic digestate increased significantly the total and marketable yield and dry matter compared with compost. Harvest index, nitrogen harvest index, pH, acidity and total soluble solids did not show significant differences among all fertilizer treatments. N translocation ability of plants and fruit quality were not influenced by the type of fertilizer. At the end of experiment, anaerobic digestate and compost reached the highest levels of soil total organic carbon and humic and fulvic acids content. Besides, anaerobic digestate increased the total extractable carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen content compared to all other treatments. Soil copper, nickel and lead content in all treatments enhanced compared to that at the beginning of experiment, but this accumulation did not represent a possible environmental risk. The content of heavy metals in the soil, after 3 years of application, did not exceed the limits imposed by the Italian law. This study showed that the organic wastes, after being adequately processed, could be applied successfully in agriculture especially in arid environments, characterized by quick mineralization and very low organic matter content.
Laboratory environments are not conducive for allopatric speciation

We review published records of laboratory experiments on peripatric and vicariance allopatric speciation to address the following three questions: (1) What was the true effect size of reproductive isolation? (2) Was the reproductive isolation persistent? (3) What influenced the development of isolation? Contrary to popular belief, laboratory evidence for allopatric speciation is quite weak. Assortative mating was only found among derived populations in vicariance experiments. Reproductive isolation against control populations was only intermittent, so there is reason to doubt if some cases showing significant reproductive isolation really should be attributed to speciation. The method of testing was at least as important as the speciation model. Experimental populations tested against each other were the most likely to demonstrate reproductive isolation. This study suggests that allopatric speciation experiments are more likely to yield conclusive results under divergent selection than under drift, and points to the benefits of large populations and many generations.
CARCASS YIELD AND SENSORIAL ANALYSIS OF MEAT FROM BROILER CHICKEN FED WITH TILAPIA BYPRODUCTS MEAL

There are several ingredients that can replace those commonly used in the manufacture of animal ration in order to reduce production costs, as tilapia by products meal. However, as byproducts, more studies should be done to achieve the exact effects over the final product. An experiment was carried out aiming at evaluate the effects of the inclusion of five different levels (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) byproducts meal (TM) on poultry diets on carcass yield and sensory characteristics of broiler chicken meat. 480 one day old chicks, Cobb strain, were used to set the experiment with five treatments arranged in completely randomized design, with six replicates, and 16 birds per experimental unit. At the end of the experiment (42 days), the carcass yield parameters, breasts, drumsticks, thighs, wings, relative weight of the liver, and percent of abdominal fat were evaluated. A sensorial test of the meat was performed by 45 non-trained testers. The samples were evaluated using a structured hedonic scale, comprising nine steps to characterize the following senses: aroma, flavor, color, texture and whole quality. The addition of 8% TM to the diet fed to broiler chickens during total rearing period (1 to 42 days) is feasible without altering yield and sensorial quality of the meat.
Yield and water productivity of peach trees under continuous deficit irrigation and high evaporative demand

Long-term effects of deficit irrigation on yield and water productivity of peach trees (Prunus persica L., cv. Carnival) grown in a semi-arid climate in northern Tunisia (36°41'N, 10°15'E) were investigated. Continuous deficit irrigation (Di I-II-III) was compared with the grower's irrigation programme (Control). The effects of Di I-II-III on yield and fruit quality were analysed. The benefit of deficit irrigation strategy in terms of water saving and agricultural water productivity (Wp) were estimated. Different relationships were investigated between yield, fruit quality, and Wp, and irrigation and total water supply. In reference to the high water needs of late cultivar Carnival for irrigation, Di I-II-III led to an important water saving (33%) with a yield reduction of 14%. Yield and fruit quality seemed to be related to watering regimes. Fruit dry matter (DM) decreased linearly with irrigation water supply for both Control and Di I-II-III. Unlike yield, Di I-II-III improved the dry weight of fruit. Consequently, Wp was enhanced to reach a mean value of 0.62 kg DM m− 3 in contrast to 0.54 kg DM m− 3 for the Control. Continuous deficit irrigation is a valuable tool for improving Wp in peach orchards, achieving significant water saving and maintaining sustainable production levels
Adherence to customer loyalty programmes and changes in buyer behaviour

This study examines the factors that influence the effectiveness of customer loyalty programmes to cause a change in consumers' behaviour in retailing services. In particular, three explanatory variables are analysed: the quality of service offered to the customer, her/his trust in the company, and her/his attitude towards loyalty programmes. The results obtained indicate that a change in the buyer's behaviour is directly influenced by her/his loyalty to the retailer and by her/his attitude towards loyalty programmes. Furthermore, an indirect effect on changes in buyer behaviour caused by the quality of service and the consumer's attitude towards loyalty programmes is observed.
Effects of Feeding Tallow and Plant Fat to Laying Hens on Performance, Egg Quality and Fatty Acid Composition of Egg Yolk

Abstract Celebi, S. and Macit, M. 2009. Effects of feeding tallow and plant fat to laying hens on performance, egg quality and fatty acid composition of egg yolk. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 49–52. To determine the effects of sources of supplemental fat 200 Isa Brown layers were equally divided in 5 groups and assigned randomly to be fed ad libitum a standard commercial layer feed (BD), BD+ 4% tallow (T), BD+ mixture of 2% tallow and 2% flaxseed oil (MTFO), BD+ 4% sunflower oil (SO) and BD+ 4% flaxseed oil (FO) for 8 weeks. Dietary fat supplemantion affected the laying performance, but had no (P>0.05) effect on egg quality parameters. The supplemental tallow increased concentration of saturated fatty acids (palmitic: 29.10%, stearic: 10.17%). The proportions of linoleic and arachidonic acids in egg yolks for layers fed the diet containing 4% sunflower oil were higher than other diets. The concentration of oleic acid (40.08%) was the highest in layers receiving 2% tallow + 2% flaxseed oil diet. In addition, dietary flaxseed oil increased the concentration of α-linolenic (4.15%) and DHA (2.54%) in yolk at the expense of other unsaturated fatty acids. It is concluded that dietary animal and plant fats can be used to modify composition of egg yolk.
The optimal size of government in Egypt: an empirical investigation

ABSTRACT The topic of the optimal government size has been extensively examined at both theoretical and empirical levels, however, it has not been researched for the Egyptian economy mainly due to the lack of consistent fiscal data over a relatively long period. Using time series dataset for the Egyptian economy over the time period from fiscal year 1981/1982 to fiscal year 2014/2015, this paper aims to test empirically whether there exists an optimal government size for Egypt, and to estimate that optimal size if it exists. Based on the two specifications of ‘Scully model’ and the ‘quadratic equation model’, the estimation results indicate that the relationship between the government size and economic growth in Egypt can be represented by the inverted U-shaped Armey curve. The estimated optimal size of government ranges from 30.5 to 31.2 percent of GDP indicating that the current size of Egypt’s Government is neither too big nor too small from the perspective of economic growth maximisation.
Effect of extent and rate of wilting on nitrogen components of grass silage

Wilting grass prior to ensiling generally increases the dry matter (DM) intake but the effect of wilting on animal performance is still poorly understood. There is a need to improve understanding of the effects of wilting on the nutritional components and chemical composition of grass silage. This study focused on the effects of the extent and rate of wilting on N components of grass silage. Meadow grass was wilted to four DM contents (200, 350, 500, 650 g kg−1) at two different rates (fast, slow), creating a total of eight silages. Crude protein (CP) fractions were measured using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Utilizable CP at the duodenum (uCP), a measure of feed protein value, was estimated using the modified Hohenheim gas test. Ruminally insoluble, undegraded feed CP (RUP) was measured using an in situ technique. Amino acid (AA) composition prior to and after rumen incubation was also investigated. Utilizable CP at the duodenum, RUP and true protein fractions B2 and B3 were increased by rapid wilting and high DM content (DM > 500 g kg−1), although the increase with DM was only mild for uCP, probably due to lower ME content in the DM-650 silages. Non-protein-N decreased with increasing DM and rapid wilting. The higher RUP content from both DM-650 silages leads to a higher total AA content after rumen incubation. Treatment also influenced the AA composition of the ensiled material, but the AA composition after rumen incubation was similar across treatments. Rapid and extensive wilting (DM > 500 g kg−1) improved protein value and reduced CP degradability. Increased uCP may result in higher milk protein yield, while reduced degradability may reduce N lost from urinary excretion. The primary effect of wilting on post-ruminal AA supply from RUP appeared to be quantitative, rather than qualitative.
Biological and biochemical differences between in vitro‐ and in vivo‐reared Exorista larvarum

Quantitative and qualitative parameters of Exorista larvarum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) reared on two insect‐material‐free artificial media and in the factitious host Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were compared. Significantly higher puparial yields and weights were obtained in both a milk‐based and a veal homogenate‐based medium than in the factitious host. Longevity and parasitization rates were not different between the in vitro‐ and in vivo‐reared flies. Despite the greater puparial weight of the veal medium‐reared E. larvarum females, the number of eggs laid by these females on host larvae was not higher than that of females reared under the other two rearing conditions. Moreover, in a complementary experiment, with homogeneous puparial weights of milk medium‐ and host‐reared females, the former oviposited fewer eggs. Hence, puparial weight alone is not a reliable quality parameter for E. larvarum reared on artificial media. Lower amino acid content, with a deficiency in aromatic amino acids and an excess in proline, was found for in vitro third instar parasitoid larvae reared on both media compared to the in vivo‐reared ones. These results suggest a correlation between the amino acid deficiency and imbalance of medium‐reared larvae and the lower number of eggs laid by the females obtained.
Effect of metalaxyl, fosetyl‐al, dimethomorph, cymoxanil on development and control Phytophthora on peach tree in vitro

Four fungicides were evaluated for their effectiveness against Phytophthora diseases of peach trees and their ability to absorbed and translocated by roots of peach tree in laboratory. Meta‐laxyl suppressed the development of P. cactorum and P. citwphthora on segments. Fosetyl‐Al showed variable fungicidal activity against P. cactorum and P. citwphthora. Both dimetho‐morph and cyraoxanil were not effective to inhibit the growth of fungi on segments. Section of tree trunks in 2‐yr‐old GF 677 trees were painted with one of the test fungicides. Strips of bark were removed 10 and 20 days after painting within treated area and inoculated with P. cactorum and P. citwphthora. Generally, the results agree with them obtained with excised stem and excised twig methods. Exception is the dimethomorph that reduced the development of P. cartorum and P. citrophthora. This study indicated that application with metalaxyl to the peach tree appears to be an effective procedure to control Phytophthora diseases on peach trees.