Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Early Post-Hatch Feeding Time on Growth and Carcass Performance of Mule Ducks Reared Intensively in the Humid Tropics

28/December/2019 Approved: 03/July/2020 ABSTRACT A prolonged period without feed access negatively impacts the growth and development of poultry. This study evaluated the effect of early post-hatch feeding times on the growth and carcass performance of Mule ducks reared intensively in the tropics. A total of 48 Mule ducklings were obtained from a local hatchery and assigned in a completely randomized design to 4 treatments based on 4 feeding regimes, (T) as follows: T1 3hrs, T2 24hrs, T3 36hrs and T4 48hrs post-hatch. On day 1 the ducklings were individually weighed, followed by weekly weighing until harvest at 63 days. Feed and feed refusal was measured daily for a period of 63 days. At harvest the body weight at slaughter, eviscerated and hot carcass weight, as well as the initial pH and pH 24 of the breast, leg, and thigh quarters was evaluated. Weights of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract were then taken. The feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed intake and meat: skin: bone ratio was calculated. At 0-7 days cumulative feed intake and FCR was influenced by treatment ( p =0.022, p =0.026; respectively). Body weight at slaughter ranged from 2969-3382.5g. Treatment did not affect the weights of the bone, fat, muscle and skin, of the breast quarter ( p =0.698, p =0.893, p =0.940; respectively). However, weight of the bone for the leg and thigh quarter differed among treatments. A lower pH 24 was observed for both breast and leg and thigh quarters. The study suggests that early post-hatch feeding at 3-48hrs does not affect the performance
Alopecia Areata in Kuwaiti Patients with Dermoscopy View of Some Cases

Alopecia areata (AA) is suddenly occurring, non-scarring hair loss disease. There are many theories, and many implied factors, but the true pathogenesis of AA is still not clear. In this review we discuss therapy of AA, topical, systemic and biologics. Few cases are presented with dermoscopic (trichoscopic) view of the scalp, and use of trichoscopy in prognosis of AA. This is a completely benign condition, but devastating for a patient and requires multidiscipline.
Assessment of Level of Collimation for Pediatric Plain Chest Radiographs in a Teaching Hospital in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria

Collimation of x-ray beam is an important factor in optimization; good collimation will both minimize the radiation dose to the patient and improve image quality because the amount of scattered radiation will increase as if a large volume of tissue is irradiated. This study aimed to assess the level of collimation for pediatric plain chest radiographs in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital as an optimization tool. A retrospective audit was conducted on pediatric plain chest radiographs from May 2016 to May 2019 in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (Kano, Nigeria) using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected and recorded using self-developed data capture sheet based on the European Guidelines on quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images in pediatrics which captures the gender, age, projection, collimation (4 ways, 3 ways, 2 ways, 1 way, no and under collimation). The results showed that the most predominant age group exposed in the study was within 0 to 1 year representing 31.7% (n=76). Also gender distribution showed that more male were exposed than female, representing 55% (n=132). Out of 240 plain chest radiographs, about 77.0% (n=175), showed inadequate collimation. In conclusion,the study revealed poor collimation practice in pediatric plain chest radiographs.
Cooperative Method for Distributed Target Tracking for OFDM Radar With Fusion of Radar and Communication Information

Radar systems based on orthogonal ifrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) are promising candidates for future intelligent transport networks because they combine target-estimation functions with communication network functions in one single system. By exploring this dual functionality, this paper presents a new cooperative method for distributed target tracking for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OFDM radar systems. The proposed method employs a cascading information-fusion approach. First, the ego-vehicle performs a multi-target estimation by fusing the radar signals reflected by the targets with the communication signals it receives. Then, the ego-vehicle performs a tracking process, fusing its estimates with the estimates made by other in-network vehicles. By exploring the cooperation between vehicles, the proposed method enables the distributed tracking of targets. The result is a highly accurate multi-target tracking across the entire cooperative vehicle network, leading to improvements in transport reliability and safety. The proposed method is validated through simulations and laboratory measurements at 24 GHz.
Entropy generation analysis of two-bed, silica gel-water, non-regenerative adsorption chillers

The current thrust on the use of environmentally friendly technologies for cooling applications, inter alia, envisages the adoption of adsorption systems. Adsorption chillers are known to be `inefficient' due to their low coefficient of performance. Although the basic physics of heat and mass transfer in various components of the system is well understood, there is a lacuna in the quantification of irreversibilities. In this paper, a silica gel-water, two-bed, non-regenerative chiller is analysed. It is shown that the largest cycle-averaged rate of entropy generation is in the beds and that the least is in the condenser. The entropy generation rates in the beds are further studied, showing that the maximum contribution is made during the switching phase. In general, manufacturers' effort to maximize cooling capacity is shown to correspond to maximum entropy generation in the evaporator.
Health-promoting properties of selected milk components

The human diet should be a rich source of nutrients, energy and tissue-building materials. Bovine milk is one of the few food products of animal origin that meet the above requirements. It contains proteins rich in readily available amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, micronutrients and macronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iodine, potassium, chlorine and small quantities of iron. This study discusses the positive effects of bovine milk on human health, resulting from its composition and high nutritive value. We have reviewed numerous publications and reports indicating that milk contains readily available amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids which are vital components of the human diet, as well as macronutrients and micronutrients that regulate biochemical processes in the body. Particular attention has been paid to the anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-sclerotic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of milk, which is also known to lower blood pressure and strengthen the immune system. The health benefits delivered by selected minerals contained in milk are also described. Calcium content largely determines the nutritional value and heat stability of milk, as well as its suitability for cheese production. Milk calcium is easily absorbed, and it is characterized by a high level of physiological activity due to a favorable calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1. Milk contains 0.75 g-1.10 g dm–3 of phosphorus, and phosphorus concentrations are generally stable and independent of the nutritional regime of cows. The magnesium content of milk is determined in the range of 100 to 150 mg dm –3 . In milk, magnesium is found in the form of soluble compounds (75% of total Mg) as well as colloidal compounds (phosphates, citrates). Magnesium concentrations are correlated with the calcium content of milk. The magnesium to calcium ratio determine milk’s heat stability. Milk contains 1.35 to 1.55 g dm–3 of fully ionized potassium. The sodium content of milk is
Self Synthesize of Silver Nanoparticles in/on Polyurethane Nanofibers: Nano-Biotechnological Approach

In this study, we are introducing a new class of Polyurethane (PU) nanofibers containing silver nanopar- ticles (NPs) by electrospinning. A simple method not depending on the addition of foreign chemicals has been used to self-synthesize of silver NPs in/on PU nanofibers. Typically, a solgel consisting of AgNO3/PU/N,N-dime- thylformamide (DMF) has been electrospun and aged for a week, so silver NPs have been created in/on PU nanofibers. Syntheses of silver NPs were carried out by exploiting the reduction ability of the DMF solvent which is the main constituent to obtain PU electrospun nanofibers in decom- position of silver nitrate precursor into silver NPs. Physio- chemical characterizations confirmed well oriented nanofibers and good dispersing of pure silver NPs. Various parameters affecting utilizing of the prepared nanofibers on various nano-biotechnological fields have been studied. For instance, the obtained nanofiber mats were checked for me- chanical properties which showed the improvement of the tensile strength upon increase in silver NPs content. More- over, the nanofibers were subjected to 10 times successive washing experiments with using solid to liquid ratio of 3 : 5000 for 25 h, UV spectroscopy analysis reveals no losses of silver NPs from the PU nanofibers. 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were cultured in presence of the designed nanofibers. The mor- phological features of the cells attached on nanofibers were examined by BIO-SEM, which showed well attachment of cells to fibrous mats. The cytotoxicity results indicated absence of toxic effect on the 3T3-L1 cells after cell culturing. V C 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 3189-3198, 2010
Rubella Immunity Status in Pregnancy and Incidence of Congenital Rubella Syndrome: Ten Years of Observation in Trento Province

Introduction: The rubella test in pregnancy it is a recommended practice for all women. This makes it possible to identify situations at risk of congenital rubella and the pregnant women to be offered vaccination in the puerperium. Materials and methods: The Authors analysed rubella test coverage and the immunity status of pregnant mothers between 2010 and 2019, using birth attendance certificates. The factors associated with a susceptibility state to rubella are also analyzed through a multivariate analysis, according to the logistic model. The incidence of congenital rubella syndrome is also estimated. Results: Rubella test coverage on 44,473 pregnant mothers was 99.8%. The average proportion of susceptible subjects was 7.42% (6.5 in Italians, 9.9 in foreigners). The trend of susceptible subjects grows over time. Seroconversion was observed in 7 cases, with 1 confirmed case of congenital rubella. Young age, being a foreigner, residing outside the province of Trento, not being married, having a low level of education and being a primiparous are independent risk factors for a state of susceptibility to rubella in pregnant women. Conclusions: A current information flow such as that guaranteed by the birth attendance certificates allows for monitoring of pregnancy at the population level. In particular, it is also possible to identify women at risk of rubella who should be offered the vaccine before discharge.
Extracting Bus Transit Boarding and Alighting Information Using Smart Card Transaction Data

The smart card–based automated fare collection (AFC) technologies provide new opportunities for transportation data collection since smart card data (SCD) contain a significant amount of archived information that can be gathered and leveraged to help estimate public transit origin-destination (OD) matrices. Both boarding and alighting location detection are important particularly when there is no automatic vehicle location (AVL) system or other information in the database. With the analysis of raw data using limited information in this paper, an algorithm for boarding stop identification is presented after the trip direction and boarding cluster identification. Alighting stops are then identified based on the relationship between records. Finally, the feasibility and practicality of the methodology are tested using the bus transit SCD collected in Guangzhou, China.
Sustainable Agricultural Systems: A Bibliometrics Analysis of Ecological Modernization Approach

Agricultural systems need to be more sustainable. Nowadays, the global food production has a remarkable impact in terms of greenhouse gases production, terrestrial acidification, eutrophication and land consumption. Moreover, one of the effects of unsustainable agriculture is depletion of ecosystem services (ES) on which agricultural systems themselves are dependent. Alternative agricultural systems are possible: the aim of this review was to analyze one of these alternative systems, i.e., strong ecological modernization, to understand relevant topics and current state of the art connected with it. As a result that strong ecological modernization can be considered an ecosystem services-based farming system, we focused on the development of topics related to ecosystem services but also to diversification. The review has been conducted applying a bibliometrics approach to recognize the main papers, authors, organization and countries, as well as trend topics and main themes investigated. The results showed that basic research content involves agrobiodiversity, agroecology and diversified farming systems. At the same time, the review revealed a lack about the social and economic dimensions of sustainability that need to be addressed for promoting a true transition to a strong ecological modernization.
The Microporosity of Activated Carbon Fibre KF1500 Assessed by Combined CO2 Adsorption and Calorimetry Techniques and by Immersion Calorimetry

The microporous structure of the activated carbon fibre KF1500 was investigated by applying a new technique as presented here. This was based on a combination of high-pressure CO2 adsorption measurements between 253 K and 353 K with direct measurement of the differential heats of adsorption at 298 K at low and medium coverages. The validity of this approach was tested by using two activated carbons which has been characterized previously by a variety of techniques, including immersion calorimetry. It appears that a combination of high-pressure adsorption and calorimetry with CO2 alone is a useful tool for the characterization of the whole range of microporosity. This approach confirms earlier observations, according to which the initial stage of adsorption by strongly activated carbons corresponds to adsorption on the walls of large micropores rather than to the primary filling of small micropores.
Six new cembranolides from the Hainan soft coral Lobophytum sp.

Six new cembrane diterpenes, lobophytolides A-F (1-6, resp.), along with six known related cembranoids, 7-12, were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Lobophytum sp. Their structures, including their relative configuration, were elucidated by extensive analyses of the spectroscopic data and by comparison with related known compounds.
Ab initio and molecular dynamics studies of solid β-HMX: effects of hydrostatic pressure and high temperature

Using first-principles density functional theory and classical molecular dynamics (MD), the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of the energetic material β-HMX have been studied. The crystal structure optimised by the local density approximation calculations compares reasonably with the experimental data. Electronic band structure and density of states indicate that β-HMX is an insulator with a band gap of 3.059 eV. The pressure effect on the crystal structure and physical properties has been investigated in the range of 0–40 GPa. The crystal structure and electronic properties change slightly as the pressure increases from 0 to 2.5 GPa; when the pressure is above 2.5 GPa, further increment of the pressure results in significant changes in crystal structure. There is a larger compression along the b-axis than along the a- and c-axes. Isothermal–isobaric MD simulations on β-HMX were performed in the temperature range of 5–400 K. Phase transition at 360 K, corresponding to a volume interrupt, was found. The computed thermal expansion coefficients show anisotropic behaviour with a slightly larger expansion along the b- and c-axes than along the a-axis. In the temperature range of 5–360 K, β-HMX possesses good plasticity and its stiffness decreases with increasing the temperature.
Cultural and Gender Differences and Similarities of Impressions of Sound Clips and Pictures

This paper experimentally clarifies differences and similarities of the impression of sound clips among Japanese males, Chinese males, and Chinese females. It is shown that the factor of brightness commonly appears in the impression factors of Japanese males, Chinese males, and Chinese females, while the other factors do not always appear. The factors of Japanese males may be similar to those of Chinese females. This similarity is quantitatively clarified. It is also shown that this tendency appears for pictures.
The Effects of Motor Skill Interventions on Motor Skills in Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Literature Review

OBJECTIVES Children with developmental disabilities experience motor skill deficits from childhood. Participation in motor skill intervention may be a promising way to promote their motor skills. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of motor skill interventions on motor skills in children with disabilities. METHODS To select relevant articles about motor skill interventions for children with developmental disabilities, a search of a database with pre-determined search terms and a manual search were implemented. After screening 476 articles, 21 studies were included in the current study. The studies were systematically summarized, and theories of motor development were discussed. RESULTS Participation in motor skill intervention may be a way to promote motor skills in children with developmental disabilities. Dynamic system theory, Newell’s model and Stodden’s model can be used as a framework for motor skill interventions. CONCLUSIONS Ample evidence exist indicating motor skill interventions are effective to promote motor skills in children with developmental disabilities. The motor skill interventions should be provided to children with developmental disabilities.
p16 status of oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas: A single institution experience

Introduction/Objective. New World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumors from 2017 has introduced significant changes, mainly considering tumors in the oropharyngeal region. New entities of HPV-positive and -negative squamous cell carcinomas have been acknowledged, not only based on the presence of an active viral infection and different tumor markers expression, but also because of their different histopathology, staging assessment, and prognosis. A retrospective study has been conducted, in order to determine p16 positivity in squamous cell carcinomas in oropharynx and in the oral cavity, and to see whether they differ in sex and age distribution. Methods. The presence of viral infection was verified based on p16 immunochemistry staining, p16 being the surrogate marker for HPV infection. A total of 177 cases of squamous cell carcinomas in the oropharynx and the oral cavity, found in the archives of the Histopathology Laboratory of the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Centre of Serbia, have been revised. Results. Out of 177 cases, 50 (28.2%) were p16-positive. Compared with carcinomas in the oral cavity, p16 carcinomas were significantly more common in the oropharynx (34.3% in the oropharynx, compared to 10.3% in the oral cavity). Carcinomas in both regions were mostly associated with male sex (88.1% of all cases were in males), but p16 positivity was more common in females (11 out of 21 cases, 52.4%). The most common location of p16-positive carcinomas were palatine tonsils (41.03% of tonsillar carcinomas were p16-positive). Conclusion. P16-positive squamous cell carcinomas were the most numerous in the oropharynx, i.e. palatine tonsils, and were more common in females.
SHIELDING EFFECTIVENESS OF A CLOSED CYLINDRICAL SURFACE SIMULATED BY N DIELECTRIC COATED CONDUCTING STRIPS

The paper aims at studying the shielding effectiveness of a closed cylindrical surface simulated by N dielectric coated conducting strips. The far fields of an electric line source in the presence of the simulated surface and in the absence of the surface were calculated, and the ratio between them represents the shielding effectiveness produced around the surface. The solution of the problem was developed based on full wave analysis. Numerical results are presented for circular and square cross-sectional cylindrical surfaces. Comparison with the published data for the radiation from slotted circular cylinder showed excellent agreement. Other useful results for shielding effectiveness are furnished.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Low Molecular-Weight Proteins by Selective Solubilization in Reversed Micelles

Abstract The effects of pH and salt concentration on the solubilization of ribonuclease-a, cytochrome-c and lysozyme in Aerosol OT/isooctane reversed micelle solutions have been studied to explore the potential for employing this solvent system in the large-scale recovery and concentration of proteins using liquid extraction. For pH values below the isoelectric point, pI, of the protein, solubilization was high, probably owing to strong electrostatic-interactions between the positively charged proteins and the anionic surfactant heads forming the inner micelle wall. Above the pI, the proteins could not be solubilized, probably because of unfavorable electrostatic repulsions between the like-charged proteins and surfactants. At low ionic strength and neutral pH, complete solubilization of the proteins was observed. As the ionic strength was increased, there was an abrupt decrease in solubilizing power of the reversed micelle solutions; the salt concentration at which this occurred was different for each pr.
Critical exponents of phase transition in ferroelectric Sn2P2S6: comparison of optical and dilatometric data

Dilatometric, birefringent, electrooptic and gyrotropic properties of semiconductor-ferroelectric Sn2P2S6 have been experimentally studied and theoretically analysed. It has been shown that the spontaneous mechanical strains, optical birefringence increment and optical activity are governed by different critical exponents due to the temperature-dependent rotation of spontaneous polarisation vector permitted by the symmetry of low-temperature phase in Sn2P2S6 crystals. The critical exponent for the order parameter is estimated to be close to , thus corresponding to the vicinity of the tricritical point. Based on the results obtained for the temperature dependences of birefringence under different hydrostatic pressures, it has been demonstrated that the ferroelectric phase transition in Sn2P2S6 becomes of the first order under high pressures.
A revised classification of the Xolmiini (Aves: Tyrannidae: Fluvicolinae), including a new genus for Muscisaxicola fluviatilis

Abstract. Recent studies using molecular phylogenetics have provided new insight into the composition of and relationships among species in the avian tribe Xolmiini. Key findings include the paraphyly of Xolmis, including the exclusion of X. dominicanus from the Xolmiini, and the apparent paraphyly of Muscisaxicola. We provide a revised classification of the Xolmiini, including a new genus for Muscisaxicola fluviatilis, based on the recent phylogenetic results.