Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of different oil supplementations on laying performance and fatty acid composition of egg yolk

Abstract The aim of the research was to determine effects of different combinations of rapeseed and fish oil - instead of soybean oil - on the performance of laying hens and on the profile of fatty acids in egg yolks, especially on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), when such oils are added to the diet of laying hens. The research was carried out on 90 laying hens of the Hy-Line hybrid ranging in age from 32 to 36 weeks old. Hens were divided into three groups (30 laying hens per groups) and fed with a commercial mixture that contained 17% of crude protein and 11.6 MJ ME. The research lasted for 28 days. The control group (C) was given diets with soybean oil supplemented in the amount of 5%, and experimental groups (E1 and E2) were fed diets that contained a combination of fish and rapeseed oils in different amounts. Diets given to the E1 group contained 3.5% of fish oil and 1.5% of rapeseed oil, while the E2 group was fed diets with 1.5% of fish oil and 3.5% of rapeseed oil. Production characteristics of hens were monitored during the whole experiment. Portion of saturated (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA), as well as α-linolenic (αLNA, C:18:3n-3) eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6n-3) acid were shown as a percentage of total fatty acids contained in yolk. There were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) only in the hens’ end weights and laying intensity between the C and E1 group, as well as between the C and E2 group. The portion of SFA in total fatty acids contained in yolk was not statistically significant (P>0.05) among investigated groups. Higher content of MUFA was noticed in both experimental groups, if compared to the control (E1 41.37%: E2 40.72%, C 36.95%, P<0.05). Content of αLNA differed significantly (P<0.001) between E1 and the control group, and the content of DHA differed significantly (P<0.001) between E1 and the control group, as well as between E2 and the control group. Total n-3 PUFA was increased in the E1 group for 2.10, and in the E2 group for 1.41 times than in the control group. The ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA was the lowest (P<0.05) in egg yolks of the E1 group (4.01), followed by that of the E2 group (6.56), and finally that of the control group (11.08).
The predictive role of personality traits on academic performance of medical students: The mediating role of self-efficacy

Background: Determining the variables influencing students’ academic performance is one of the main preoccupations in medical colleges. Therefore, this study examined the effect of the Big Five personality traits on medical students’ academic performance, considering the mediating role of self-efficacy. Methods: We applied a cross sectional research design using a PLS-SEM approach. A total of 249 medical students participated in this study. Two valid and reliable questionnaires, including Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) and New General Self Efficacy (GSE) were used. Data were analyzed using both SPSS 18 and PLS2 software. Results: The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The results revealed that openness (β= 0.16, p<0.001), conscientiousness (β=0.22, p<0.001), agreeableness (β=0.19, p<0.001), and self-efficacy (β=0.24, p<0.001) had a significant positive and direct effect on academic performance. Neuroticism (β=-0.21, p<0.001) had a significant negative and direct effect on academic performance. Also, openness (β=0.47, p<0.001) and conscientiousness (β=0.33, p<0.001) had a direct positive effect on self-efficacy. Neuroticism (β=-0.15, p<0.001) had a direct negative effect on self-efficacy. Moreover, the results showed an indirect positive effect of conscientiousness (β=0.08, p<0.001) and openness (β=0.11, p<0.001) on academic performance through self-efficacy. In addition, the results showed that neuroticism (β=-0.03, p<0.001) had an indirect negative effect on academic performance through self-efficacy. Conclusion: This study discovered the relationships between personality traits, self-efficacy, and academic performance of medical students. The results showed that individual differences in personality traits directly and indirectly play an essential role, through self-efficacy, in contributing to the students’ academic performance.
Short-term Efficacy and Safety of Ranibizumab for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration in the Real World: A Post-marketing Surveillance Study

Purpose To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of ranibizumab in the routine clinical setting in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and to analyze the associated factors for visual outcome. Methods This was a post-hoc analysis of a ranibizumab regulatory post-marketing surveillance study in which 4,136 patients were enrolled and followed for 12 weeks. Change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), size of choroidal neovascularization, and the presence of hemorrhage and exudate were analyzed and the association between BCVA change and baseline characteristics were investigated. Data on ocular and systemic adverse events were collected. Results Mean BCVA improved significantly and mean BCVA change was the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 0.13 ± 0.01 (p < 0.001). A lower baseline BCVA and younger age were significant predictive factors for visual improvement or maintenance (≥0 lines). For greater visual acuity gain (≥3 lines), no treatment history, lower baseline BCVA, younger age, and classic-type choroidal neovascularization were significant predictive factors. No new safety signals were found. Conclusions In this study, conducted in real-world clinical practice with a large number of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients, visual and anatomical outcomes improved significantly after three monthly ranibizumab treatments. Treatment-naive patients had a higher chance of greater visual gain (≥3 lines) than non-naive patients.
Home Country Tax System Characteristics and Corporate Tax Avoidance: International Evidence

We examine whether three tax system characteristics – required book-tax conformity, worldwide versus territorial approach, and perceived strength of enforcement – impact corporate tax avoidance across countries after controlling for firm-specific factors previously shown to be associated with tax avoidance (i.e., performance, size, operating costs, leverage, growth, the presence of multinational operations, and industry) and for other cross-country factors (i.e., statutory corporate tax rates, earnings volatility, and institutional factors). We find that, on average, firms avoid taxes less when required book-tax conformity is higher, a worldwide approach is used, and tax enforcement is perceived to be stronger. However, the relations between tax avoidance and all three tax systems characteristics are contextual and depend on the extent to which management compensation comes from variable pay, including bonuses, stock awards, and stock options.
Targeting COVID-19 Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

The Current COVID19 pandemic has proven to be a public health crisis and a serious challenge to the medical community. The novel respiratory infection results in significant morbidity and mortality. The lungs are a primary target organ for virus associated pathology often resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Dysfunctional inflammatory cascades, as well as oxidative stress, play important roles in the pathogenesis of tissue damage due to CIVID19 infection. Targeting the inflammation and oxidative stress pathways with therapeutics agents may be critical medical countermeasures in limiting morbidity and mortality from COVID19.
Language skills for the sexual education in individuals with Intellectual disability

Deficits in social skills is one of the criteria taken into account for the determination of intellectual disability (ID). Social skills associated with sexual behavior of individuals with ID affecting their integration into the school community. The work focuses on enhancing language and social skills to student with ID emphasis on language skills for the sexual education in individuals with ID. Methodology of special treatment and education that is used in this paper refers to the case study of a student with ID and is going to middle school. The tools we used is participatory observation with certain lists of Checklists of basic skills (CBS), the plan of educational intervention and the Form of the Teaching Interaction. The results reveal that the student controls via the supported language skills sexual and social behavior. The student comes in interpersonal contact with their peers by building appropriate interpersonal relationships with them.
Genomic microsatellite adaptive divergence of wild barley by microclimatic stress in ‘Evolution Canyon’, Israel

We examined diversity levels and patterns of 19 nuclear microsatellites and four chloroplast microsatellites in 275 genotypes of wild barley Hordeum spontaneum, in seven stations at the ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC) microsite, Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. EC is sharply subdivided ecologically into a tropical savannoid, ‘African’, xeric, south-facing slope (SFS) abutting the temperate, dense, liveoak, brushwood, ‘European’, mesic, north-facing slope (NFS). We found the following. (i) 17 of 19 (89.5%) nuDNA simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were polymorphic across all seven subpopulations and three chDNA SSRs were polymorphic. (ii) A total of 216 nuDNA SSR alleles, with a maximum of 23 alleles in a nuclear locus, and ten chDNA SSRs, with a maximum of four alleles in a locus, were registered. (iii) There were striking and significant inter- and intraslope diversities, based on the 19 nuDNA SSRs, climaxing with a remarkable genetic distance between the mid-slope stations on opposite slopes (DA = 0.481), across a distance of 200 m. This genetic distance is as large as that between the H. spontaneum populations of Jerusalem and Sede Boqer, which are separated by 100 km (× 500 larger in transect length). (iv) Slope-unique alleles (103 = 45.6%) were higher on the ‘European’ than on the ‘African’ slope. Slope-specific (predominant) alleles (17) were equal on opposite slopes. (v) nuDNA SSR gene diversity was higher on the ‘European’ slope and the opposite was found for the chDNA SSR. (vi) nuDNA SSR genic differentiation was very high between opposite slopes, with Gst = 0.187; for chDNA SSR this value was 0.127. Our results are inexplicable by stochastic processes and suggest that: (i) microclimatic diversifying selection is the major evolutionary, fast-acting, interslope force, overriding migration and drift, and (ii) ecological stress can generate local, regional and global adaptive patterns, suggesting that natural selection is a major differentiating force of both coding and noncoding SSRs linking micro- and macroevolutionary processes. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 84, 205–224.
Quantitative features can predict further growth of persistent pure ground-glass nodule.

Background To evaluate whether quantitative features of persistent pure ground-glass nodules (PGGN) on the initial computed tomography (CT) scans can predict further nodule growth. Methods This retrospective study included 59 patients with 101 PGGNs from 2011 to 2012, who received regular CT follow-up for lung nodule surveillance. Nineteen quantitative image features consisting of 8 volumetric and 11 histogram parameters were calculated to detect lung nodule growth. For the extraction of the quantitative features, semi-automatic GrowCut segmentation was implemented on chest CT images in 3D slicer platform. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for nodule growth. Results With a median follow-up of 52 months, nodule growth was detected in 10 nodules by radiological assessment and in 16 nodules by quantitative features. In univariate analysis, 3D maximum diameter (MD), volume, mass, surface area, 90% percentile, and standard deviation value (SD) of PGGN on the initial CT scan were significantly different between stable nodules and nodules with further growth. In multivariate analysis, MD [hazard ratio (HR), 3.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.14-6.55] and SD (HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.35-3.14) were independent predictors of further nodule growth. Also, the area under the curve was 0.896 (95% CI: 0.820-0.948) and 0.813 (95% CI: 0.723-0.883) for MD with a cut-off value of 10.2mm and SD of 50.0 Hounsfield Unit (HU). Besides, the growth rate was 55.6% (n=15) of PGGNs with MD >10.2 mm and SD >50.0 HU. Conclusions Based on the initial CT scan, the quantitative features can predict PGGN growth more precisely. PGGN with MD >10.2 mm and SD >50.0 HU may require close follow-up or surgical intervention for the high incidence of growth.
Further improvements in the technology of HSV-1-based amplicon vectors

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors can be used to deliver transgenes to the nuclear environment of mammalian cells without cytotoxicity or pathogenic consequences for the inoculated organisms. Previous efforts describe a method of making helper virus-free amplicons (hf-HSV particles) or cells that contain those particles (e.g., packaging cell lines or patient's cells infected in vivo or ex vivo). Objective/methods: Described herein are several advances in hf-HSV particle technology that were designed to improve both production, by expressing viral proteins in trans (e.g., virion host shutoff protein and/or viral protein 16) during production, and also amplicon genome expression stability in the infected cells, by including a transposon-encoding system (e.g., the Tcl-like Sleeping Beauty transposon system). Results/conclusions: Improved titers and chromosomal integration of the transgene enhanced hf-HSV amplicon applications. Nevertheless, further studies will be needed to improve the safety of treatments using an integrating amplicon vector.
Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Hereditary Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a devastating, incurable disease. Stem-cell-based therapies represent new promise for clinical research in neurology. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and potential toxicity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) therapy in patients with SCA. Sixteen genomically diagnosed SCA patients were enrolled and received intravenous and intrathecal infusion of UCMSCs. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic evaluations were conducted to assess the safety of UCMSC therapy. Efficacy was evaluated by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) scores. Among the 16 cases, there were no serious transplant-related adverse events happened in 12 months follow-up. The majority of patients showed improved BBS and ICARS scores continuing for at least 6 months which indicated UCMSC therapy could alleviate SCA symptoms. This study suggested that UCMSC transplantation was safe and might delay the progression of SCA. This may represent a new therapeutic strategy for SCA and other genetic neurological diseases.
Correlation of Economically Important Traits in Warm-Season Forage Legume Species

To determine the correlation coefficients for different economically important traits using three warm-season forage legume species of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ), lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and rice bean (Vigna umbellata Thunb.), the observations were recorded on plant height, number of branches/plant, number of pods/peduncle, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, pod length, days to 50% flowering, 100-seed weight, days to maturity, grain yield, straw yield and biomass. Simple correlation was used to see the association among plant traits. The species were significantly (p#05) different for most of the parameters studied showing variability among the genotypes for those characters. A significant (p<0.05) positive correlation was observed for plant height with pod length and 100-seed weight, number of branches/plant with days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, number of pods/peduncle with number of pods/plant, pod length with seed size, number of seeds/pod with pod length, days to 50% flowering with days to maturity, grain yield with straw yield and TDM (total dry matter) and straw yield with TDM. It indicates that these positive associations may be exploited for any improvement work of the traits in warm-season forage legumes to improve their overall productivity and production.
Evaluation of the frontal sinuses dimensions in sex estimation among a sample of adult Kashmiri population using multidetector computed tomography

Introduction: Aim of the present study is to determine gender using morphometric measurements on the frontal sinuses MDCTscan. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females). For each participant frontal sinus dimensions were measured for both sides using MDCT on commercially available software. Results: The mean lengths of Right width, Left width, Left depth and Left height were significantly larger in males than in females. There was no significant difference in measurements of both sides in either males or females. Conclusion: Some parameters in frontal sinuses were significantly larger in males and these can be used in forensic for determination of gender. Sample size was small so study with larger sample size is advised in future.
Hop Count Analysis for Greedy Geographic Routing

Hop count is a fundamental metric in multi-hop wireless ad-hoc network. It has a determinative effect on the performances of wireless network, such as throughput, end-to-end delay and energy consumption. Identifying hop count metric, including the distribution function and the mean value, is therefore vital for analyzing wireless network performance. This paper proposes a theoretical model to accurately analyze the hop count distribution and its mean value. Given a communication pair, its hop count metric is dependent on the routing protocol selected and the network topology determined by the physical radio model. At routing layer, our model focuses on the widely used greedy routing. At physical layer, the model investigate the ideal radio model, and a more realistic radio model, e.g. log-normal shadowing model. We conduct a rich set of simulation to validate our analytical model. The comparison results show that the simulation results closely match with the analysis results. The analytical model is further validated through a trace driven simulation of a practical vehicular ad-hoc network that exhibits realistic topologies of public transport buses in a metropolitan city. [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]
Effect of Powdered Cellulose on the Texture and Freeze‐thaw Stability of Surimi‐based Shellfish Analog Products

The cryoprotective property in surimi and the texture-modifying and freeze-thaw stabilizing properties in molded (shrimp-type) and fiberized (crab leg-type) products of powdered cellulose were studied using Instron testing and sensory evaluation. Particle size, level and manner of incorporation of cellulose with varying combinations of modified starch of sorbitol/sucrose were the main parameters studied. In both molded and fiberized products, compressive force (cohesiveness) and penetration/shear force (firmness) decreased with an increased concentration of cellulose. Cellulose significantly modified texture at 2% by reducing the increase in firmness after freeze-thaw cycles. Substitution of 2% cellulose for modified starch in surimi-based products or for cryoprotectants in surimi did not alter freeze-thaw stability.
Organizational learning, innovation, and performance in KIBS

Abstract There is widespread agreement that organizational learning (OL) and firms' innovative culture (innovativeness) positively influence organizational innovation (OI), which ultimately fosters long-term competitiveness. However, there is more limited empirical evidence on the role of OL as a forerunner of innovativeness, or on the combined effects of OL and innovativeness on OI and how performance is ultimately improved. In this research, OI is evaluated as a firm's actual ability to regularly adopt and implement more technical and administrative innovations with a greater degree of incorporated novelty relative to their main competitors. The aim is to approach innovation from a comprehensive viewpoint and to assess the attainment of superior competitive advantage in the innovation field. Effects on performance are evaluated at both the organizational level and in the commercialization of new services by means of two different conceptual model. These models are tested on a sample of 246 knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) located in Spain. We used polychoric correlations (Lee, Poon, & Bentler, 1995), together with a robust methodological approach, to analyze categorical variables in structural equation systems in EQS. The empirical results show that OL is an important antecedent for innovativeness, and that the latter plays a key role in the adoption of more technical and administrative innovations with a greater degree of incorporated novelty. Organizational learning exerts a direct effect on administrative innovation efforts although, contrary to previous research, the mediating role of innovativeness is required for the former to affect technical innovation. The research also supports the influence of OI on the attainment of competitive advantages at the business level and in the performance of new services. The greater ability of KIBS to innovate thus constitutes an invaluable resource to foster customer performance and profitability at the business level and in the commercialization of new service offerings.
Small mammals of the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Summary A sample of 535 small mammals, caught over a range of altitudes from 1500 to 4000 m in the Bale Mountains, on various expeditions from December 1971 to August 1986, enables the altitudinal zonation of the species to be delimited. The most abundant species, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, ranged from near the lower tree line at 1550 m, right up through the forested zones and onto the Afro-alpine moorland at 3900 m. The endemic Praomys albipes also ranged through the forest from 1550 to 3200 m, but was replaced in open habitats between 2400 and 3900 m by Stenocephalemys griseicauda and between 3000 and 4000 m by S. albocaudata, which was relatively more abundant than its congener at higher altitudes. Other moorland species, including Crocidura fumosa, Otomys typus, Lophuromys melanonyx and Arvicanthis blicki were also commonest at 3800–4000 m, but, like the Stenocephalemys spp. , penetrated to lower altitudes in open habitats. Mus mahomet was confined to lower altitudes (1510–3000 m) and open habitats, apparently replaced by Mus triton, not previously recorded from Ethiopia, in forested habitats at middle altitudes (1950–2400 m).
Interannual variability and intraannual stability of the otolith shape in European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (L.) in the Bay of Biscay

recruitment of 2000. The classification success of the discriminant analysis indicated a strong separation between year groups (P < 0� 001), overall, 98% of individuals were correctly classified. Results from both jackknife and Cohen’s kappa procedures confirmed the high rates of classification success obtained by the discriminant analysis (99 and 97%, respectively). Stability in the intraannual shape analysis leads to the idea that individuals were affected by the same intraannual environmental conditions in the Bay of Biscay. Variability in the interannual shape analysis could indicate that the spawning population is composed of European anchovy from different origins every year. In general differences observed suggested that the European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay were members of three or more different communities or entities.