Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eficiência de uma fitase bacteriana na liberação de fósforo fítico em dietas de frangos de corte

The objective was to determine the efficiency of a bacterial phytase to release phytate phosphorus using calibration curves for performance and bone characteristics in broiler chickens. A completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 6 replicates was used in an experiment with chickens from 1 to 28 days of age. The control treatment was a diet based on corn and soybean meal deficient in phosphorus. Two treatments consisted of the basal diet supplemented with additional phosphorus (0.05% and 0.10%), and the other treatments received 66, 99 and 131 FTU/kg of feed. The standard curves represented the effect of the levels of additional P intake on performance and bone variables. Then, the responses of the phytase treatments were compared to the standard curves to calculate the P released. The increasing levels of supplemental P had a quadratic effect on weight gain, live weight and feed intake, and linear effect on mg of bone ash. The standard curve elected was mg of bone ash because linear response better represents the curve. Inclusion of 66, 99 and 131 FTU/kg released 0.048%, 0.049% and 0.062%. The bacterial phytase is efficient in releasing phytate, which may be of economical significance.
Do Geese Facilitate or Compete with Wintering Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) for Forage Resources?

Foraging is the key behavior of waterbirds, which profoundly affects the survival of their population, and it is affected by interspecific interaction. At Shengjin Lake in China, owing to the reduced availability of suitable habitats for a large population of migratory waterbirds (especially wild geese) over winter, mixed species foraging inevitably occurs. This study aimed to investigate whether mixed-species foraging affects the foraging of hooded cranes (Grus monacha). Fields surveys were carried out at Shengjin Lake from November 2018 to March 2019. Mixed-species foraging was surveyed between the flocks of hooded cranes and three species of geese, greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), lesser white-fronted geese (Anser erythropus) and bean geese (Anser fabalis). Instantaneous scanning and focal animal methods were used to collect behavioral samples of hooded cranes. The quadrat method was used to survey the food density in three habitats: meadows, mudflats, and paddy fields. The results showed that the foraging success rate of hooded cranes was not significantly correlated with food density and the relative flock size in the mixed-species foraging flock in meadows, but a significant negative correlation with the relative flock size in mudflats. However in paddy fields it was a significant positive correlation with the relative flock size. Foraging efforts of hooded cranes were negatively correlated with food density and positively correlated with the relative flock size in meadows. In mudflats, foraging efforts of hooded cranes had a significant positively correlation with the relative flock size, however, there was a significant negative correlation with the relative flock size in paddy fields. To sum up, larger numbers of geese mixed with hooded cranes has a favorable effect on the foraging of hooded cranes in meadows and mudflats, however, the reverse was observed in the paddy fields.
Bacterial ghosts displaying Chlamydia trachomatis antigens

Infektionen mit dem obligat intrazellularen Gram-negativem Bakterium Chlamydia trachomatis gehoren zu den haufigsten bakteriellen Geschlechtskrankheiten uberhaupt. Wahrend die Infektion oft und lange asymptomatisch verlauft, kann ein Ausbruch zu entzundlichen Beckenerkrankungen, ektopischen Schwangerschaften oder auch Unfruchtbarkeit fuhren. Das Bacterial Ghost-System ist eine Technologieplattform, bei der Gram-negative Bakterien mittels Lyse durch das Protein E des Bakteriophagen φX174 ‘entleert’ und getotet werden. Die leeren, bakteriellen Hullen (sogenannte Bacterial Ghosts, abgekurzt BGs) behalten die strukturellen, morphologischen und antigenen Eigenschaften ihrer Vorgangerzellen bei. Sie konnen entweder direkt fur Vakzinierungen verwendet werden oder mit aktiven Substanzen oder rekombinanten Antigenen beladen werden, die im Rahmen der immunstimulierenden Umgebung der BGs prasentiert werden. Dabei kommt den BGs die Rolle als naturliches Adjuvans bei. Ziel dieser Studie war es daher, BGs auf Basis von E. coli zu produzieren, deren Periplasma vor der Lyse mit chlamydialen Antigenen, den Vakzinkandidaten PorB und MOMP, befullt wurde. Abschliesend soll die Menge chlamydialer Antigene in BGs bestimmt werden. Plasmide fur die Expression, den Transport ins Periplasma, und die einfache Detektion mittels Antikorpern fur zwei Chlamydia trachomatis-Antigene, MOMP und PorB, konnten erfolgreich kloniert werden. Die Expression gefolgt von periplasmatischer Lokalisation von MOMP und PorB wurde mittels Western Blot gezeigt. Sie interferiert nicht mit der gleichzeitigen Protein E-vermittelten Lyse der Bakterien, und Lyse fuhrt zu keinem merklichen Verlust an exprimierten chlamydialen Antigenen. Bei abschliesenden 20l Fermentationen wurden BGs des Stamms E. coli NM522 mit periplasmatischem PorB mit periplasmatischem MOMP erzeugt. PorB machte dabei etwa ein Funftel des BG-Trockengewichts aus. In BGs mit MOMP betrug dessen Anteil am Trockengewicht etwa ein Drittel.
Eye Conditions in Women

Changes in vision can have significant impact on health and quality of life. Differences between women and men have been identified in the incidence of several eye conditions. Some of these differences are a result of the greater longevity of women. However, the eye, like other organs, is susceptible to the impacts of inflammation and sex steroids. Conditions, such as thyroid eye disease, optic neuritis, and dry eye disease are related to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions and are, thus, more common among women. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension occurs disproportionately in women of childbearing age; the etiology of this condition appears to be related to both inflammatory and sex hormone fluctuations.
PV field reliability status—Analysis of 100 000 solar systems

In this study, we analyzed annual production data from 100 000 photovoltaic systems as well as comments relating to their performance and maintenance. Our analysis revealed that 80% to 90% of all systems performed within 10% of the predicted production or better. Also, 56% of the systems were still performing above P50 or the median at 5 years. However, a small but significant tail of about 7000 systems perform below P90 expectations. In general, residential systems have a lower rate of failure than utility or commercial systems. Despite higher rates of component failures, utility systems lose less power than residential or commercial systems. This outcome is likely due to closer monitoring and better operations and maintenance practices. Inverters are still the components that reportedly fail most often (4%‐6%), but other failures such as unspecified repair and meters cause more production loss. Reported module failures are relatively rare (0.2%) and are within the range of historical values. Installation quality affects performance and safety as indicated by data showing connector, wiring, breaker, and fuse failures due to undersizing, electrical design, and improper connection. Lastly, early detection of degradation and proactive response resulted in less impact on production than reactive, unplanned repairs.
P53 and endoglin, two biomarkers for predicting HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients

Background: liver biopsy is considered the golden standard for the investigation of fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, liver biopsy is costly and may lead to medical complications in some cases. Therefore, the search for non-invasive biomarkers is a good alternative. Aim: the present study aims to analyse the interactive role of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), soluble endoglin and p53 in diagnosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), and early stage HCC. Patients and methods: This study included 56 patients, divided into three groups. Group I: Composed of 18 healthy controls. Group II: included 13 chronic HBV. Group III: included 25 newly diagnosed, stage II HCC. Viral markers, liver function tests, blood sugar level, kidney function tests and AFP were assessed using standard methods. Serum levels of p53 and soluble endoglin were determined using ELISA kits. Results: Group II showed normal liver functions except for higher total protein and albumin mean levels, whereas group III revealed significantly higher ALT, AST, ALP, total and direct bilirubin. The mean AFP serum levels were significantly increased in groups II and III in relation to the control group in an ascending order. The mean value of soluble endoglin was significantly altered in group II and III compared to that of control group. Only group III showed a significant increases in p53 level compared to control group. Conclusion: the results showed that p53 and endoglin are potential biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma when used in addition to AFP.
Read Like Me: An Intervention for Struggling Readers

The current study reports on a reading intervention method titled Read Like Me. The intervention utilizes a stacked approach of research-based methods, including reading aloud, assisted reading, and repeated reading. The student involved was a second-grade boy reading below grade level who was identified as dyslexic and diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Using a single-case experimental design, the intervention was monitored in four phases, including a baseline, intervention coupled with regular schooling, intervention only, and a return to baseline. The results indicated that the intervention combined with regular schooling improved his reading expression and rate and also his decoding skills, word knowledge, and reading comprehension. In conclusion, the authors offer Read Like Me as one more intervention that may be a viable option for teachers in their effort to support developing readers.
Highly effective fungal inactivation in He+O2 atmospheric-pressure nonequilibrium plasmas

Highly effective (more than 99.9%) inactivation of a pathogenic fungus Candida albicans commonly found in oral, respiratory, digestive, and reproduction systems of a human body using atmospheric-pressure plasma jets sustained in He+ O2 gas mixtures is reported. The inactivation is demonstrated in two fungal culture configurations with open (Petri dish without a cover) and restricted access to the atmosphere (Petri dish with a cover) under specific experimental conditions. It is shown that the fungal inactivation is remarkably more effective in the second configuration. This observation is supported by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the fungi before and after the plasma treatment. The inactivation mechanism explains the experimental observations under different experimental conditions and is consistent with the reports by other authors. The results are promising for the development of advanced health care applications.
EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRA-ARTICULAR HYALURONIC ACID ON PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM PAINFUL SHOULDER

Carolina Pisanti, Juan Valles, Ma Pilar Coronel and Carlos Gavín 1. Hospital Ortopédico Infantil de Caracas. Av. Andrés Bello, Caracas 1050, Distrito Capital, Venezuela. 2. Meiji Pharma Spain S.A. Avda de Madrid 94, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. 3. Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón. Calle Budapest, 1, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History Received: 07 January 2020 Final Accepted: 10 February 2020 Published: March 2020
MATURITY, SEX RATIO, OVA DIAMETER AND FECUNDITY OF THE MULLET LIZA KLUNZINGERI DAY FROM KARACHI - SIND WATERS

Seven maturity stages have been recognized in the mullet Liza Klunzingeri Day. Size at sexual maturity is observed at 94 mm SL (90-99 mm size group) in males and 102 mm SL (100-109 mm size group) in females. A male-female ratio of 0.55 : 0.45 was found. GSI values and ova diameter polygons suggest a single breeding time from October to March. The log-log relationships, calculated for individual variables, between fecundity and length, body weight and ovary weight have been established. X1 (chisquare) test suggests fecundity-body weight relationship, calculated at 5 mm group intervals, to be more valid than fecundity-length relationship. Fecundity varies from 21,000 to 40,500 in fish of 106 to 119 mm SL respectively.
IMPACT OF FLUID RESUSCITATION ON THE OUTCOMES OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY ROOM

Background: Critically ill people may lose fluid because of serious conditions, sepsis, and need additional fluids urgently to prevent dehydration or kidney failure. Appropriate early fluid resuscitation improves survival. There are relatively easy and practical measurements to use in the clinical context. One of them is inferior vena cava aortic index. Objectives: To evaluate the association between fluid resuscitation and outcomes in critically ill children, and to estimate the accuracy of newly introduced ultrasound index in assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study was carried in Luxor international hospital pediatric intensive care unit. It included 100 critically ill pediatric patients to evaluate the association between fluid resuscitation and outcomes and to Estimate the accuracy of newly introduced ultrasound index in assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients. Results: 28 day mortality was significantly higher among fluid non- responders than fluid responders . there was significant difference between the two groups regarding PICU stay . It also showed that after fluid bolus, there was significant difference between responders and non-responders regarding heart rate, O2 saturation and serum osmolarity. There was weak positive correlation between post- resuscitation IVC-Aortic index and CVP. Conclusion: Fluid resuscitation affects the mortality rate, picu stay and haemodynamics in critically ill children. Also, IVC/Aorta index assessment seems to be a quick, simple, noninvasive, and reliable method to access the fluid status in the emergency room.
Social Protection, Household Size, and Its Determinants: Evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract We provide new evidence on the impact of social protection interventions on household size and the factors that cause the household size to change: fertility, child fosterage, and in and out migration related to work and marriage. Using data from an intervention delivered at scale, Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), we find that participation in the PSNP leads to an increase in household size of 0.3 members. We find no evidence that PSNP participation increases fertility and some evidence that fertility is reduced, specifically it reduces the likelihood that an adult female member gives birth by 8.1 percentage points. We reconcile this seemingly divergent findings by showing that the increase in household size arises from an increase in the number of girls aged 12 to 18 years. We present evidence that this occurs because the PSNP causes households to delay marrying out adolescent females.
Life histories and comparative demo-graphy of two salamander populations

Two populations of the plethodontid salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus inhabiting wet, vertical rockfaces in the southern Appalachian Mtns. were censused by the Jolly-Seber multiple recapture method over a 7-yr period. The populations were known to differ in age at sexual maturity, and a primary goal of the study was to obtain survivorship estimates that would permit comparisons of overall life histories of the two populations. Low elevation juveniles grow faster than high elevation juveniles during fall, winter and spring of their first full year of life. They thereafter grow more slowly than equal-aged high elevation animals and become externally sexable in their third summer, a year earlier than juveniles of the high elevation population. During the summer high elevation individuals of all sizes grow faster than those of corresponding size and sex in the low elevation population, since growth rates decline with attainment of sexual maturity. Estimated densities were about 3 sexable males and 3 sexable females per m2 for both populations throughout the study. The co-occurrence of a potential predator and competitor, D. monticola, at the low elevation site had no discernible effect on density of D. ochrophaeus. Survivorship of sexable animals appears to be higher over the colder months at the high elevation site; survivorship from June to August appears similar for the two populations. Annual survival rates were estimated to be 0.743 and 0.626 for high and low elevation animals that are externally sexable. Recruitment appears to balance losses in both populations. Estimated probabilities of survival from hatching to first oviposition were 0.059 and 0.087 at the high and low elevation sites. The difference reflects differences in age at maturity. Fertility rates appear to be uncorrelated with age in both populations, but larger females lay more eggs so that clutch sizes are higher in the high elevation population.
The effects of habitat structure on predation risk of birds in agricultural landscapes

It has been suggested that increased predation rates may rival habitat alteration as a causal agent in farmland bird population declines. Such a view may be over-simplistic, however, as changes in habitat structure may influence habitat selection and foraging efficiency through their influence on perceived and actual predation risk. We review evidence from the literature on the effects of habitat structure on predation risk of foraging and nesting birds and apply these principles to investigate the likely effects on the 20 species that comprise the UK Government's ‘Farmland Bird Index’. Shorter vegetation is likely to enhance foraging efficiency and reduce predation risk (when ground foraging) for 15 of the 20 species. However, within grassland systems longer vegetation is known to enhance food supplies (e.g. Tipulid larvae and voles) of several farmland bird species and so mosaics of short and long vegetation may provide the optimum conditions for most species (e.g. Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Barn Owl Tyto alba). Agricultural intensification has encouraged uniform dense swards, thus reducing habitat diversity, and agri-environment schemes that provide heterogeneous sward structure may thus facilitate farmland bird conservation. Intensification has also resulted in less dense hedgerows; although a reversal of this trend may improve foraging efficiency for many species, it may be detrimental to a smaller number of species that prefer shorter, less dense hedges for nesting. Before these tentative conclusions can be confirmed, more research is required that considers how the effects of habitat structure on individuals is likely to translate into population-level impacts.
Does Citizens’ 311 System Use Improve Satisfaction with Public Service Encounters?—Lessons for Citizen Relationship Management

ABSTRACT Citizen Relationship Management (CRM) based on information and communication technology offers immediate and efficient response to citizens’ needs, and when citizens use the CRM services and in turn have positive service experience via the use of the CRM services, their perceived assessment to public service quality and performance can be improved. This study draws on data from the citizen survey of the City and County of San Francisco to test the relationship between citizens use 311 system to contact with the City Hall and citizen satisfaction with the quality of public service encounter. The finding indicates that citizens who use 311 system are more satisfied with the courtesy and professionalism of public officials than citizens who do not. However, the question-response capacity of public officials has opposite result. Citizens who use 311 system are problem-solved orientated and have high expectation of how well their questions are responded and be resolved by public officials.
Analysis of a Synergetically Controlled Two-Stage Three-Phase DC/AC Buck-Boost Converter

Three-phase DC/AC power electronics converter systems used in battery-powered variable-speed drive systems or employed in three-phase mains-supplied battery charger applications usually feature two power conversion stages. In both cases, typically a DC/DC stage is attached to a three-phase DC/ AC stage in order to enable buck-boost functionality and/or a wide input-output voltage operating range. However, a two-stage solution leads to a high number of switched bridge-legs and hence, results in high switching losses, if the degrees of freedom available for controlling the overall system are not utilised. If the DC/DC stage is used to vary the DC link voltage with six times the ACside frequency, a pulse width modulation (PWM) of always only one phase of the DC/AC stage is sufficient to achieve three-phase sinusoidal output currents. The clamping of two phases (denoted as 1/3 PWM) leads to a drastic reduction of the DC/AC stage switching losses, which is further accentuated by a DC link voltage which is lower than for the conventional modulation schemes. This paper details the operating principle of a three-phase buck-boost converter system using 1/3 PWM and outlines an appropriate control system design. Subsequently, the switching losses and the voltage/current stresses on the converter components are analytically derived. There, a more than 66% reduction of the DC/ AC stage switching losses is calculated without any increase of the stress on the remaining converter components. The theoretical considerations are finally verified on a hardware demonstrator, where the proposed modulation strategy is experimentally compared against several conventional modulation techniques and its clear performance advantages are validated.
The evolution of parental care in insects: the roles of ecology, life history and the social environment

Parental care increases the fitness of offspring at a cost to the parents in terms of residual reproductive success. This trade‐off may be affected by ecology, life history and the social environment, which raises the question as to how these factors contribute to the evolution of parental care. Here, previous hypotheses concerning the evolution of parental care in insects are summarized and discussed and the underlying empirical evidence is reviewed. Ecological factors such as harsh environments, ephemeral food sources or predation pressure are broadly accepted as evolutionary drivers of parental care. The most consistent evidence supports a role for natural enemies such as predators, microbes and cannibalistic conspecifics. Also, the importance of ecological factors may interact with the life history (parity) of a species, either as a pre‐adaptation facilitating the evolution of parental care or as a consequence of enhanced parental investment under parental care. Yet, only limited experimental research has been carried out to test the combined influence of ecology and life history in the evolution of parental care. Several forms of care can mediate the transition from solitary to family living, which entails the emergence of a novel – social – environment that generates new selection pressures from interactions within and between families. In this context, we review examples of studies on communal breeding, brood parasitism, parent–offspring conflict and co‐adaptation, and discuss how these social interactions may in turn be influenced by ecological factors such as food availability or population density. Insects are uniquely suitable for experimental and comparative research on the complex interplay between ecology, life history, and the social environment.