Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and shelf life extension of fresh-cut pears using malic acid and quality stabilizing compounds.

Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 and shelf life extension of fresh-cut pears using malic acid (MA) and quality stabilizing compounds (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione and calcium lactate; CGLW) were investigated. Trays of treated fresh-cut pears were wrap sealed with a thick polypropylene film (64 µm) semipermeable to water vapor, O2 and CO2, and stored at 5C for 30 days. Changes in headspace gas, firmness and color of the fresh-cut pears were also determined. Large reductions of L. monocytogenes (6.57 log10 cfu/g), S. enteritidis (6.60 log10 cfu/g) and E. coli O157:H7 (2.62 log10 cfu/g) just after processing were achieved in those fresh-cut pears dipped in CGLW + MA. Microbiological shelf life of pear pieces dipped in CGLW + MA was extended by more than 21 days in comparison with those cut pears immersed in water used as control sample. Lower consumption of O2 and production of CO2, ethylene and ethanol of fresh-cut pears dipped in CGLW + MA were also observed. In addition, the color and firmness of pear pieces in CGLW + MA were maintained by more than 21 days in comparison with control samples. In conclusion, the combination of MA with quality stabilizing compounds can be a good alternative for assuring the safety and quality of fresh-cut pears. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The use of natural substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS) such as malic acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione and calcium lactate as antimicrobials and quality stabilizing compounds, respectively, can result suitable to fresh-cut products industry, since they can assure the safety and quality of those products, while improving their sensory attributes and maintaining the fresh-like and healthy properties of these products greatly demanded by the consumers.
The effects of light intensity and algae-induced turbidity on feeding behaviour of larval striped trumpeter

Striped trumpeter larvae reared in algal cell-induced turbid water (greenwater) fed equally well in clearwater in a light intensity range of 1–10 μmol s-1 m-2, when evaluated in terms of both the proportion of larvae feeding and larval feeding intensity. An ontogenetic improvement in photopic visual sensitivity of larvae was indicated by improved feeding at 0·1 μmol s-1 m-2, from 26±5% of larvae feeding and 0·027±0·005 rotifers consumed per feeding larva min-1 on day 8, to 96±2% and 0·221±0·007 rotifers consumed larva-1 min-1 on day 23 post-hatching. Algal cell-induced turbidity was shown to reduce incident irradiance with depth, indicated by increasing coefficients of attenuation (1·4–33·1) with increasing cell densities (0–2×106 cells ml-1), though light intensities in the feeding experiment test chambers, at the algal cell densities tested, were within the optimal range for feeding (1–10 μmol s-1 m-2). Algae-induced turbidity had different effects on larval feeding response dependent upon the previous visual environment of the larvae. Young larvae (day 9 post-hatching) reared in clearwater showed decreased feeding capabilities with increasing turbidity, from 98±1% feeding and 0·153±0·022 rotifers consumed larva-1 min-1 in clearwater to 61±10% feeding and 0·042±0·004 rotifers consumed larva-1 min-1 at 56 NTU, while older clearwater reared larvae fed well at all turbidities tested. Likewise, greenwater reared larvae had increased feeding capabilities in the highest algal cell densities tested (32 and 66 NTU) compared with those in low algal cell density (6 NTU), and clearwater (0·7 NTU) to which they were naive.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Novel 6-Methylidene Penems as β-Lactamase Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Novel penem molecules with heterocycle substitutions at the 6 position via a methylidene linkage were investigated for their activities and efficacy as β-lactamase inhibitors. The concentrations of these molecules that resulted in 50% inhibition of enzyme activity were 0.4 to 3.1 nM for the TEM-1 enzyme, 7.8 to 72 nM for Imi-1, 1.5 to 4.8 nM for AmpC, and 14 to 260 nM for a CcrA metalloenzyme. All the inhibitors were more stable than imipenem against hydrolysis by hog and human dehydropeptidases. Piperacillin was combined with a constant 4-μg/ml concentration of each inhibitor for MIC determinations. The combinations reduced piperacillin MICs by 2- to 32-fold for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The MICs for piperacillin-resistant (MIC of piperacillin, >64 μg/ml) strains of Enterobacter spp. , Citrobacter spp. , and Serratia spp. were reduced to the level of susceptibility (MIC of piperacillin, ≤16 μg/ml) when the drug was combined with 4, 2, or 1 μg of these penem inhibitors/ml. Protection against acute lethal bacterial infections with class A and C β-lactamase- and ESBL-producing organisms in mice was also demonstrated with piperacillin plus inhibitor. Median effective doses were reduced by approximately two- to eightfold compared to those of piperacillin alone when the drug was combined with the various inhibitors at a 4:1 ratio. Pharmacokinetic analysis after intravenous administration of the various inhibitors showed mean residence times of 0.1 to 0.5 h, clearance rates of 15 to 81 ml/min/kg, and volumes of distribution between 0.4 and 2.5 liters/kg. The novel methylidene penem molecules inhibit both class A and class C enzymes and warrant further investigation for potential as therapeutic agents when used in combination with a β-lactam antibiotic.
Partial or total replacement of fishmeal by solvent-extracted cottonseed meal in diets for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (SCSM) as a partial or total replacement of fishmeal was studied in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Six experimental diets SCSM0, SCSM25, SCSM50, SCSM75, SCSM75A and SCSMT, containing a gradient of SCSM 0, 152, 305, 465, 460 and 610 g kg−1 to replace 0, 112.5, 225, 337.5, 337.5 and 450 g kg−1 fishmeal protein were fed to triplicate groups (initial body weight of 39.2 ± 0.1 g) for 8 weeks. The diet SCSM75A was supplemented with lysine and methionine, to be similar to SCSM0 for juvenile rainbow trout. Faeces were colleted after 4 weeks of normal feeding for apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy determination. Total replacement of fishmeal adversely affected growth performance. Fish fed with diet SCSMT had significantly (P < 0.05) lower weight gain, specific growth ratio, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and protein efficiency ratio than fish fed with other diets. The FCE of SCSM75 and SCSM75A were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed with SCSM0 diets. The ADC of the dry matter of SCSM75 and SCSMT were significantly lower than the SCSM0 diet, and the ADC of crude protein and the energy of SCSMT were the lowest (P < 0.05). The ADC of threonine, proline, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and methionine of fish fed with diet SCSMT were lower. Lysine and methionine supplement positively affected the ADC of SCS75A diet. There were no significant differences in the fish body composition. It is shown that SCSM can be utilized in the juvenile rainbow trout diet up to 305 g kg−1, to replace about 50% of fishmeal protein in this experiment.
Rethinking visual supernormal stimuli in cuckoos: visual modeling of host and parasite signals

Some parasitic cuckoo chicks display a vivid-colored gape to their host parents when begging for food. Their mouth color was once regarded as a supernormal stimulus, yet owing to a lack of experimental support, the idea has fallen out of favor. However, previous experiments were conducted without considering the vision of avian receivers. We compared the color and visibility of begging signals between chicks of a brood parasite, the Horsfield's hawk-cuckoo (Cuculus fugax), and that of its host, the red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus), considering bird vision. We investigated the mouth palate of host and parasite chicks, and a gape-colored skin patch on the wing of parasite chicks, which has previously been demonstrated to induce host parental feeding. We found that, in terms of stimulation of the birds' photoreceptors and visual discrimination thresholds, visibility of parasite signals, particularly of the wing-patch, was quantitatively greater than that of the host chick signal. Meanwhile, host and parasite signals were qualitatively different in the hue, which was driven mostly by greater ultraviolet reflectance of the parasite signals. Evidence from previous studies indicates that the visual attributes of the parasite signals may induce parental provisioning, suggesting that signal exaggeration of the parasite has evolved to stimulate hosts effectively in the dark nest environment. Overall, our results suggest that the color of hawk--cuckoo chicks' signaling traits can work as a supernormal stimulus, although host parental responses to exaggerated stimuli need to be tested experimentally. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Metabolic acclimation to heat stress in farm housed Holstein cows with different body condition scores

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of body condition score to metabolic acclimation in heat stressed Holstein cows. Body condition of cows had no effect on any of the tested parameters during the thermal neutral period, except for the percentage of protein in milk. Heat stress has been demonstrated to have an impact on all the selected parameters, and has been found to be the cause of decreased milk production and quality, increased rectal temperature and respiration rate, decreased glucose, non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and cholesterol concentration, increased urea and bilirubin concentration, and loss of subcutaneous fat. Obese cows (BCS>4) had less ability of acclimation to heat stress as compared to normal and thin cows (significantly lower production and milk quality, and significantly higher rectal temperature and respiration level in relation to the other groups of cows). Obese cows showed a significantly higher concentration of NEFA and significantly lower glucose during exposure to heat stress. The steady increase in NEFA concentrations and decrease of backfat thickness suggested that fat was used for energy purposes, which significantly increased the heat balance and led to poor acclimation to heat stress in obese cows. Cows with high body condition were at higher risk of developing liver failure and lipidosis (reduced cholesterol and elevated bilirubin concentration) during heat stress, which could be linked with increased concentrations of fatty acids in the blood. This was found with an increased concentration of urea during exposure to heat stress, with significantly higher concentration in obese cows. Using the fat for energy purposes depends on the sensitivity to insulin, which increases during heat stress. Obese cows are naturally less sensitive to insulin and more prone to lipolysis. However, these signs should be the focus of future research.
Evaluation of amino-acid supplemented diets varying in protein levels for laying hens

SUMMARY The ideal amino acid concept is increasing by being applied to laying hens. However, understanding the responses of modern laying hens to decreasing levels of dietary protein balanced with crystalline amino acids has yet to be examined. In this study, 5 dietary treatments varying in CP content (18.0, 17.5, 17.0, 16.5, and 16.0%) were formulated at a fixed dietary energy concentration of 2,825 kcal of ME/kg of feed. The crystalline amino acids, including Met, Thr, Ile, Val, Trp, and Lys, were supplemented according to an assumed ideal AA profile, and all diets contained 0.831% ileal digestible Lys. Irrespective of the CP levels, the ratio of Lys and the profile of different essential amino acids in relation to Lys remained similar in all the diets. A total of 540 21-week-old Hy-Line W36 hens were used with 6 replicates per treatment group. This trial was conducted for a period of 14 wk, ranging from wk 21 to 34. Egg production, daily egg mass, feed intake, and FCR were not affected in the low-protein groups. Egg weight and N excretion declined, whereas egg yolk color increased in the low-protein groups. Decreasing dietary CP was found to have no effect on blood ammonia and plasma uric acid. The application of the assumed ideal AA profile can lead to reduced dietary protein level, from 18 to 16%, without affecting the production performance of laying hens during 21 to 34 wk of age. The ratios of standardized ileal digestible Met, Met + Cys, Thr, Trp, Arg, Ile, and Val to standardized ileal digestible Lys were 50, 91, 70, 21, 104, 80, and 88%, respectively, in the assumed ideal AA profile. Excretion of nitrogen was significantly decreased from hens fed the protein-reduced diet without impairing BW.
Eels: contaminant cocktails pinpointing environmental contamination

river basins of IJzer, Scheldt, and Meuse (ca. 13 500 km 2 ), 2613 eels were sampled covering a dense monitoring network of 357 stations. Eels were analysed for ca. 100 chemicals. These included PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, volatile organic pollutants (VOCs), endocrine disruptors, dioxins, perfluorooctane sulphonic acids (PFOSs), metallothioneins, and polycyclic aromatic compounds. This series represents only a very small fraction (,0.5%) of the . 30 000 chemicals currently marketed and used in Europe. The biomonitoring value of eels as a tool for monitoring environmental contamination is illustrated. Two major conclusions were drawn: (i) the eel is a highly suitable biomonitor for environmental contaminants, for both local and international purposes, e.g. to evaluate the chemical status for the Water Framework Directive, and (ii) dependent on the degree of pollution in their habitat, the levels of certain contaminants reported in yellow eels can be high, and might affect their potential for reproduction.
The Lipids of Sea-Urchin Semen

1. The specimen of sea-urchin semen examined contained 0.95% lipid material consisting of 13.6% neutral fat, 32.9% free fatty acids, 26.0% phospholipids, 9.2% sterols and 18.3% other unsaponifiable material. 2. The component fatty acids of the non-phosphorus-containing lipids have been computed to be: palmitic 10.1, unsaturated C 16 2.1 (-3.0), C 18 30.4 (-4.9), C 20 45.1 (-7.0), C 22 12.3 (-6.5)%, w/w, this being a composition which can be regarded as typical of a marine animal fat. 3. The N : P ratio of the phospholipids indicated the presence of mono- and diaminophosphatides and possibly the presence of non-phosphorus-containing lipoproteins. 4. Adequate reserves of non-phosphorus-containing lipids are present in the spermatozoa, in addition to phospholipids to serve as a source of energy required for movement.
Prevalence and severity of periodontal disease among Iraqi twin population

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease for two clinical parameters: probing pocket depth (PPD) and attachment loss (AL) among twins, and to compare between mono zygote (MZ) and dizygote (DZ) twins, in addition to the evaluation of the degree to which MZ and DZ twins are concordant for four clinical parameters. The sample consisted of 75 pairs of twins reared together, with an age range of 16-45 years. They were selected from different cities of Iraq. The examination was carried out using a graduated Williams’s periodontal probe, on a portable chair, using artificial light. The clinical examination included recording of PPD and AL. Results of the present study have shown significant difference in periodontal pocket depth between MZ and DZ group; which was higher in MZ were higher than in DZ twins. No significance difference was found between MZ and DZ twins in attachment loss. Results from this study have demonstrated that the degrees of concordance for MZ were higher than in DZ twins for PPD and AL and there were significant differences between MZ and DZ twins. These findings provide evidence that genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of periodontal disease. Key words: Periodontal disease, probing pocket depth, attachment loss among mono zygote, dizygote.
Milk intake and development in a newborn captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

In August 2003 the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park (WAP) and the Lowry Park Zoo, under the auspices of the AZA's Elephant SSP and a USFWS permit, imported 3.8 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) from the Kingdom of Swaziland. When they were captured, transrectal ultrasound examinations revealed that one nulliparous cow was approximately 10 months pregnant. At the time of their arrival (August 2003), all of the animals were estimated to be approximately 13 years old and were thought to be nulliparous. Based on the ultrasound examination results and the average African elephant gestation period, parturition was predicted to be 20 February 2004. In this report, we provide the first detailed data about nursing activity around the clock and newborn calf development, describe maternal and neonatal nighttime activity budgets, and explore maternal weight changes during suckling and lactation. The newborn calf suckled significantly more at night than during the day, but suckled for only about 2 hr per 24-hr period. Regression analysis revealed that through the first 3 months of life the calf gained 0.385 kg/day while it suckled on a regular basis. We compare our findings with published information on wild elephants, and conclude that although the growth rate is reduced compared to hand-reared elephant calves, the suckling patterns are almost identical to those reported for wild calves. Zoo Biol 0:1–7, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Explaining the Idiosyncratic Volatility Puzzle With a Bayesian-Updating Model

We find that the idiosyncratic volatility (IVOL) puzzle exists only among firms that under-perform their benchmark or release negative earnings surprises. We explain the findings using a Bayesian updating model in which agents observe noisy signals about future cash flows. In this setting, high IVOL increases the likelihood of observing earnings surprises. When the noisy surprise is negative, returns exhibit a negative momentum, and the IVOL puzzle emerges. When controlling for relative performance and signal precision, the IVOL puzzle disappears. Our explanation alone can account for up to 75% of the IVOL puzzle, which is more than all other existing theories combined.
An Enhanced RCS Heuristic and an Enhanced RCPM Algorithm to Perform Delay Analysis in Schedules without Phantom Float

2 Introduction . 2 Background . 4 Methodology . 7 Results . 8 Discussion . 14 Conclusion . 15 References . 16 CHAPTER 2: Review of Resource-Constrained Scheduling Algorithms Abstract . 19 Introduction . 19 Methodology . 21 Algorithms Review . 23 Shortcomings of Existing RCS Related Algorithms . 40 Discussion . 42 Conclusion . 44 References . 45.19 Introduction . 19 Methodology . 21 Algorithms Review . 23 Shortcomings of Existing RCS Related Algorithms . 40 Discussion . 42 Conclusion . 44 References . 45 CHAPTER 3: Performance of Resource-Constrained Scheduling Heuristics Abstract . 49 Introduction . 49 Theoretical Background . 50 Newly Developed Tiebreaker: Priority Number (Pn) . 52 Methodology . 53.49 Introduction . 49 Theoretical Background . 50 Newly Developed Tiebreaker: Priority Number (Pn) . 52 Methodology . 53
Impact of COVID-19 Breakdown on Individual’s Financial Behavior:

The abrupt uncertainty of health due to COVID-19 breakdown worldwide has 360O impact onhealth, economy, businesses and individuals. The mind-set of an individual change as itexperiences the situation. COVID-19 pandemic has created wide range of reactions like socialwithdrawal, feelings of loss or grief, excitement etc. The situation is also evident to behavedifferently as far as finances are concerned so this research paper is an attempt to study theimpact of COVID-19 breakdown on individual’s financial behavior. The result suggests thechanging attitude and prospects on financial conditions. It also results in changing financialpriorities of individual’s behavior.
Two Novel Mutations and Predominant 35delG Mutation in the Connexin 26 Gene (GJB2) in Iranian Populations

in the GJB2 gene encoding Connexin 26 (Cx26) protein are a major cause for autosomal recessive non syndromic and sporadic deafness in many populations. In this study we have investigated the prevalence of the GJB2 gene mutations using nested PCR pre screening strategy and direct sequencing method. Two hundred and sixty autosomal recessive non syndromic and sporadic deaf subjects from 199 families in two provinces of Iran (Gilan and Khorasan) were studied. Altogether 14 different genetic variants were identified from which 2 were novel variant (327delG+G109G and 431insC). Eight GJB2 mutations including 35delG, 235delC, W77X, R127H, M34T, V27I+E114G, L90P and delE120 were also found in 54 of 199 families (27%). Four polymorphysms V27I, S86T, V153I and G160S also were detected. Thirty two of 199 families were observed to have GJB2 mutations in both alleles (16%). The most common mutation was 35delG so that 43 out of 55 GJB2 mutations (78.2%) contained 35delG mutation.
Observing Inter-Professional Videos: Impact of Collaboration Between Physicians and Psychologists on Attitude and Knowledge Acquisition

Background: Inter-professional collaboration (IPC) is an important prerequisite for successful patient care. Even though inter-professional education (IPE) is increasingly common in undergraduate medical education, few IPE approaches explicitly address the IPC among medical students and students of psychology. IPE videos can be used to give learners the opportunity to gather relevant knowledge from different professional perspectives. So far it has been unclear whether it is enough when the topic of the video itself is inter-professional or if it is necessary for experts from different professions explicitly to appear in the video. Methods: In an online experiment, medical students watched 1 of 2 videos about Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the care of PD patients. The information was either provided by protagonists from only 1 profession (ie, physicians; mono-professional condition) or provided by protagonists from 2 different professions (ie, physicians and a psychologist; inter-professional condition). Attitude toward inter-professional interaction and learning, evaluation of the entertaining and illustrative character of the video, attitude toward physicians and psychologists, importance of IPC, evaluation of psychological treatment support, and knowledge acquisition served as dependent variables. Results: The analysis was based on 140 participants (74 in the mono-, 66 in the inter-professional condition). We found that the inter-professional video was perceived to be more entertaining than the mono-professional video (t(138) = −2.227; P = . 028; d = 0.38). The inter-professional video was also considered to be more illustrative (t(138) = −6.269; P < . 001; d = 1.06). Moreover, participants improved their attitude toward physicians by watching the video (F(1,138) = 4.860, P < . 001, η2 p = 0.11), but they did not change their attitude toward psychologists (P = .146). Participants who watched the inter-professional video considered IPC to be more important than participants who watched the mono-professional video (t(138) = −7.954; P < . 001; d = 1.354). Finally, the inter-professional video led to better performance in the knowledge test (t(138) = −2.285; P = . 024; d = 0.04). Conclusion: Inter-professional videos showing explicitly the appearance of experts from different professions come along with several advantages. We discuss the implications of their application in educational practice. Trial registration: The study was pre-registered on the pre-registration platform AsPredicted (aspredicted.org) before we began data collection (registration number: #33143). The pre-registration document can be accessed via the following link: https://aspredicted.org/blind.php? x=gd5hd8.