Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative efficacy of citrus fruit oil in aflatoxicosis in broilers: a growth and biochemical study

An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of citrus fruit oil on growth parameters and biochemical parameters of broilers in 4 groups with 2 replicates of 20 chicks in each. Standard broiler diet without aflatoxin was given to group A, basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg-1 to group B, basal diet + 1 ppm aflatoxin to group C, and 1 ppm aflatoxin + basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg-1 to group D. The results showed that supplementation in group D had a moderate effect on posttreatment growth performance, relative organ weight, and biochemical parameters. It is suggested that citrus fruit oil as a feed additive causes partial amelioration of aflatoxicosis.
Differences among plant species in acceptance by the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch

Abstract: The spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch has a broad range of host plants. However, the spider mite does not accept all plants to the same degree because of differences in nutritive and toxic constituents. Other factors, such as the induction of secondary metabolites, the morphology of a leaf surface and the presence of natural enemies, also play an important role in plant acceptance. We compared plants from various families in their degree of acceptance by the spider mite, to get an indication of the plant's direct defence. Glycine max (soybean), Humulus lupulus (hop), Laburnum anagyroides (golden chain) and Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) were highly accepted by the spider mites. Different glandular hair densities among tobacco cultivars did not affect their suitability towards spider mites significantly. Solanum melalonga (eggplant), Robinia pseudo‐acacia (black locust), Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Datura stramonium (thorn apple) were accepted by the spider mites to a lesser degree. Vitis vinifera (grapevine) was poorly accepted by the spider mite. It might be that the food quality of the leaves was not high enough to arrest the spider mites. Also, Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper) and especially Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) were poorly accepted by the spider mite, probably because of the presence and concentration of certain of the secondary metabolites in the leaves. The spider mites accepted all the plants belonging to the Fabaceae for feeding, but those belonging to the Solanaceae showed a larger variance in spider mite acceptance varying from well accepted (tobacco) to poorly accepted (sweet pepper).
Preliminary studies on the chemical and weight composition of some commercially important species of fish and shrimp caught in the Nigerian inshore waters

Summary The paper mainly deals with the chemical composition of commercially important marine fish of Nigeria in relation to their nutritive values. The selection is restricted to those species which can readily be obtained by standard fishing techniques, and whose biological characteristics can be studied throughout the year. The paper also includes a study of the changes in the composition according to season of the year. In addition, the work was further extended to an investigation of the carcass composition (i.e. the percentage flesh, head, skin, tail, bones, liver and entrails).
Sampling Channel Catfish with Tandem Hoop Nets in Small Impoundments

Abstract Because populations of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus have been difficult to sample in small impoundments, we determined whether tandem hoop net series (three nets tied in series and baited with cheese) fished for 3 d could effectively sample these populations. In 2000 we compared seasonal catch rates (catch per unit effort (CPUE), defined as the number of fish caught per series) and length frequencies (total length (TL); mm) of channel catfish captured with two types of tandem series (long versus short bridles) and monitored the mortality of channel catfish along with the CPUE and mortality of bycatch in five lakes. Mean CPUE ranged from 12 to 194 fish/series for channel catfish and from 5 to 101 fish/series for bycatch among series types, lakes, and sampling periods. Mean CPUE for channel catfish and bycatch was similar between series types and did not consistently vary with sampling period. Length frequencies of channel catfish were usually similar between series types. Mortality was low .
NONENZYMATIC BROWNING KINETICS IN AN INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE MODEL SYSTEM: EFFECT OF GLUCOSE TO LYSINE RATIO

An intermediate moisture model food system containing casein, glucose, glycerol, oil, microcrystalline cellulose and water, was used to study nonenzymatic browning. The initial molar ratio of glucose to available lysine was varied from one-half to five. The model food system samples were prepared to 0.52 water activity and were stored in sealed cans at 45°C and analyzed periodically. The browning was followed by determining pigment accumulation, glucose utilization, and loss in FDNB-available lysine. The rate of pigment formation followed zero order kinetics after an initial short induction period. This rate increased linearly as the initial molar ratio of glucose to available lysine increased from one-half to three. Above this ratio the rate did not change. The initial rate of glucose utilization and available lysine loss obeyed first order kinetics, and increased as the initial molar ratio of glucose to available lysine increased from one-half to five. This work shows that in the presence of glycerol, the initial condensation reaction is not the rate controlling step for pigment production.
A differential scanning calorimetric study of the thermal behaviour of bovine β-lactoglobulin at temperatures up to 160 °C

Summary The thermal behaviour of β-lactoglobulin was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the temperature range 40–160 °C. The DSC curves revealed, in addition to the usually observed denaturation peak near 80 °C, a distinct endothermal peak between 130 and 150 °C. When the pH was increased from 6·5, the area under the peak near 80 °C (denaturation heat) decreased significantly, whereas the peak area near 140 °C increased. The temperature of maximum heat absorption in the peaks near both 80 and 140 °C gradually increased as the pH decreased. Addition of sugars and variation of the heating rate both caused a temperature shift of the endothermal heat effect at 140 °C, similar to that at 80 °C. No peak near 140 °C was observed when β-mercapto-ethanol was added to the β-lactoglobulin solution before scanning. The origin and nature of the high temperature denaturation peak is discussed in terms of conformational changes of the protein.
Some haemolymph biophysical parameters in the giant African land snail Archachatina marginata during a six-week aestivation period.

3 Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to determine changes in some biophysical parameters of the haemolymph in two liveweight groups of the Giant African Land Snail Archachatina marginata during and after aestivation. Experiment 1 was carried out on haemolymph biophysical changes during aestivation, while experiment 2 was carried out on changes post-aestivation. Both experiments were of 2 x 4 x 2 factorial design, with two liveweight groups (smaller snails-100 to 200 g vs. larger snails-201 to 300 g), four periods (0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks) of aestivation (Experiment 1) or post-aestivation after six weeks aestivation (Experiment 2) and two types of haemolymph (oxygenated and deoxygenated). The experiments were replicated five times. Each experiment involved 40 snails. Samples of haemolymph were obtained from the mantle (oxygenated) and pedal sinus (deoxygenated). The results showed that haemolymph volume during the sixth week of aestivation declined significantly (P<0.05) by 73.3% of the haemolymph volume (8.91±0.702 ml) in the control snails. Similarly, haemolymph weight in aestivating snails declined significantly (P<0.05) by 82.6% of the haemolymph weight (9.02±0.723 g) in non-aestivating control snails at the end of the six-week aestivation period. As the haemolymph volume in aestivating snails declined, its specific gravity increased significantly (P<0.05) by 3.9% of the specific gravity (1.03±0.003) in the non-aestivating control group. During post-aestivation, haemolymph volume increased significantly (P<0.05) at the end of six-week post-aestivation period by 6.53 times the corresponding value (1.65±1.269 ml) in six-week aestivated snails, while haemolymph weight increased by 5.95 times the corresponding volume (1.84±1.279 ml) in six-week aestivated snails. However, haemolymph specific gravity decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 2.8% of the haemolymph specific gravity (1.06±0.002) in six-week aestivated control. Larger aestivating snails had a significantly (P<0.05) higher haemolymph volume and weight than smaller aestivating snails. The mantle had significantly (P<0.05) higher haemolymph volume than the pedal sinus during aestivation and post-aestivation. In conclusion, this study showed that haemolymph volume and weight declined during aestivation but increased post-aestivation due to rehydration. Haemolymph specific gravity on the other hand, increased during aestivation due to haemoconcentration, but decreased during post- aestivation due to rehydration. The compensatory phenomenon seen implied that the Giant African Snail Archachatina marginata can withstand six-week aestivation period with no adverse effect to its physiology.
THEORY OF COMPLEX LIFE CYCLES: APPLICATION IN PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS

Abstract Experimental studies of complex life cycles in plethodontid salamanders are reviewed and evaluated in the context of seven theoretical life-history models that focus on amphibians having biphasic life cycles. Such life cycles are found in the single species of the subfamily Hemidactylinae and in some members of the subfamily Spelerpinae and genus Desmognathus. In general, data on plethodontids provide only limited support for the predictions of the models. Given that the models have been formulated mainly for pond-breeding amphibians, several investigators have suggested that ancestral adaptation to streams in biphasic plethodontids have prescribed different evolutionary trajectories in the metamorphic response of these salamanders, in comparison with pond-breeding frogs and salamanders. Larval and metamorphic characters tabulated for biphasic plethodontids show that there is considerable inter- and intraspecific variation in larval periods and sizes at metamorphosis. In all lineages, in most species, metamorphosis is concentrated in the late spring and summer. However, spelerpines and desmognathans differ markedly in the phenology of oviposition-nesting. Among spelerpine species, oviposition may occur in any season, whereas in desmognathans oviposition is usually restricted to late spring and summer. This represents another instance of life-history symmetry in desmognathans, and may reflect an effect of genetic and developmental constraints in this lineage.
Risk Factors for the 90-Day Prognosis of Severe Heat Stroke: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND Severe heat stroke is a clinical syndrome caused by host stress dysfunction due to heat stress and subsequent life-threatening organ dysfunction. We aimed to explore the early risk factors affecting the 90-day prognosis of severe heat stroke patients. METHODS A case-control study was used to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 117 severe heat stroke patients admitted to the ICU of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command from April 2014 to May 2019. The risk factors affecting the 90-day mortality of the patients were analyzed, and subgroup analysis was performed comparing the complete recovery and the sequelae subgroups of survivors. RESULTS Thirteen patients (11.1%) died within 90 days. The multivariate Cox risk regression model showed that cooling time (HR 4.87; 95% CI: 1.94-12.18; P = 0.001), heart rate (HR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.09; P = 0.027), and Sequential Organ Failure (SOFA) score (HR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.21-1.65; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors affecting the survival of patients. The area under the ROC curve of the combination of cooling time, heart rate, and SOFA score for the prediction of mortality due to severe heat stroke was 98.1% (95% CI 0.957-1.000, P < 0.001), the sensitivity was 96.2%, and the specificity was 92.3%. CONCLUSIONS The longer the cooling duration, the faster the heart rate at admission, and the higher the SOFA score, the lower the 90-day survival rate was. These three indicators can be used in combination to predict 90-day mortality and poor prognosis in patients with severe heat stroke.
Metabolites of neuroinflammation relate to neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

Objective To determine whether cervical cord levels of metabolites are associated with pain sensation after spinal cord injury (SCI) by performing magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with SCI with and without neuropathic pain (NP). Methods Cervical cord single-voxel spectroscopic data of 24 patients with SCI (14 with NP, 10 pain-free) and 21 healthy controls were acquired at C2/3 to investigate metabolite ratios associated with neuroinflammation (choline-containing compounds to myoinositol [tCho/mI]) and neurodegeneration (total N-acetylaspartate to myo-inositol [tNAA/mI]). NP levels were measured, and Spearman correlation tests assessed associations between metabolite levels, cord atrophy, and pinprick score. Results In patients with NP, tCho/mI levels were increased (p = 0.024) compared to pain-free patients and negatively related to cord atrophy (p = 0.006, r = 0.714). Better pinprick score was associated with higher tCho/mI levels (p = 0.032, r = 0.574). In pain-free patients, tCho/mI levels were not related to cord atrophy (p = 0.881, r = 0.055) or pinprick score (p = 0.676, r = 0.152). tNAA/mI levels were similar in both patient groups (p = 0.396) and were not associated with pinprick score in patients with NP (p = 0.405, r = 0.242) and pain-free patients (p = 0.117, r = 0.527). Conclusions Neuroinflammatory metabolite levels (i.e., tCho/mI) were elevated in patients with NP, its magnitude being associated with less cord atrophy and greater pain sensation (e.g., pinprick score). This suggests that patients with NP have more residual spinal tissue and greater metabolite turnover than pain-free patients. Neurodegenerative metabolite levels (i.e., tNAA/mI) were associated with greater cord atrophy but unrelated to NP. Identifying the metabolic NP signature provides new NP treatment targets and could improve patient stratification in interventional trials. Classification of evidence This study provides Class II evidence that levels of magnetic resonance spectroscopy–identified metabolites of neuroinflammation were elevated in patients with SCI with NP compared to those without NP.
Effects of coagulant type on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of Kashar cheese

Kashar cheeses were manufactured using different coagulants (calf rennet, chymosin derived by fermentation and proteases from Rhizomucor miehei and Cryphonectria parasitica) and ripened for 90 days. Use of different coagulants did not influence the dry matter, fat, protein, salt, pH, titratable acidity, total free fatty acids and texture profile analyses. The levels of water-soluble nitrogen, 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen, and for 5% phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen, the sensory properties were significantly influenced by the use of different coagulants. β-casein was more hydrolysed in the cheese manufactured using protease from Cryphonectria parasitica than the other cheeses during 90 d of ripening.
Clonally Propagated and Seed-derived Papaya Orchards: II. Yield Comparison

Gynodioecious papaya (Carica papaya L.) seedlings in commercial cropping systems in Hawaii are typically multiple-planted and thinned upon fl owering to a single hermaphrodite because seedlings segregate for sex expression. Use of clonally propagated hermaphrodites would eliminate the over-planting practice and may provide other advantages. Yields of clonally propagated hermaphrodites were compared with single- and multiple-planted seedlings in three fi elds on two islands in Hawaii. Cloned hermaphrodites were either rooted cuttings or in vitro micropropagated plants. Clonally propagated plants bore ripe fruit 1 to 3 months earlier than thinned seedlings and had signifi cantly higher early and cumulative yields. At each site, cumulative yields of thinned seedlings never reached the same level as those of clonally propagated plants. The yield benefi t from clonally propagated plants was greatest at Keaau, the lowest sunlight and least productive test site. Hermaphrodite papayas (Carica papaya L.) are important in commercial papaya production in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Germinating seed from self-fertilized her- maphrodites segregate two hermaphrodites to one female (Storey, 1953). The sex of vegetative seedlings is indistinguishable except by DNA
An Evaluation of Survey Methods for Estimating Northern Bobwhite Abundance in Southern Texas

Abstract Distance sampling has been identified as a reliable and well-suited method for estimating northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) density. However, distance sampling using walked transects requires intense sampling to obtain precise estimates, thus making the technique impractical for large acreages. Researchers have addressed this limitation by either resorting to the use of indices (e.g., morning covey-call surveys) or incorporating the use of aerial surveys with distance sampling. Both approaches remain relatively untested. Our objectives were to 1) compare density estimates among morning covey-call surveys, helicopter transects, and walked transects; 2) test a critical assumption of distance sampling pertinent to helicopter surveys (i.e., all objects on line are detected); and 3) evaluate the underlying premise of morning covey-call surveys (i.e., that the no. of calling coveys correlates with bobwhite density). Our study was conducted on 3 study sites in Brooks County, Texas, USA, during October to December, 2001 to 2005. Comparisons between walked transects and morning covey-call surveys involved the entire 5-year data set, whereas helicopter transects involved only the latter 2 years. Density estimates obtained from helicopter transects were similar to walked transect estimates for both years. We documented a detection probability on the helicopter transect line of 70 ± 10.2% (% ± SE; n = 20 coveys). Morning covey-call surveys yielded similar density estimates to walked transect estimates during only 2 of 5 years, when walked transect estimates were the least accurate and precise. We detected a positive relationship (R2 = 0.51; 95% CI for slope: 29.5–53.1; n = 63 observations) between covey density and number of coveys heard calling. We conclude that helicopter transects appear to be a viable alternative to walked transects for estimating density of bobwhites. Morning covey-call surveys appear to be a poor method to estimate absolute abundance and to depict general population trajectories.
Research Performances

I revisit a participatory research project, carried out with domestic workers at the Philippine Women Centre, to assess how persistent conventions dictated what did and did not count as evidence. I attempt to push against these conventions, to entertain a broader range of evidence. Beyond this, our writing can be thought of as a performance; I try to imagine writing performances that provoke productive tensions within the audience/reader, between identification and dis-identification. Finally, our research itself is a performance; framing it as such may enable us to imagine and experiment with a broader repertoire of research strategies, beyond the documentary and the confessional, and multiple research objectives: here, now, and then and there.
Insecticidal Evaluation against Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. on Brinjal

Efficacy of six insecticides viz. fenvalerate (0.075 and 0.150 kg a.i. ha−1), cypermethrin (0.025 and 0.050 kg a.i. ha−1), deltamethrin (0.012 kg a.i. ha−1), endosulfan (0.500 kg a.i. ha−1), imidacloprid (0.025 kg a.i. ha−1) and carbofuran (1.0 kg a.i. ha−1) was evaluated against Leucinodes orbonalis Guen. in brinjal. All the insecticidal treatments were found significantly superior to untreated control in reducing damage caused by shoot and fruit borer in brinjal. Imidacloprid @ 0.025 kg a.i. ha−1 and fenvalerate @ 0.150 kg a.i. ha−1 were the most effective treatments in reducing the L. orbonalis damage on brinjal shoot and fruits and recorded the maximum fruit yield of 290.25 q ha−1 and 268.5 q ha−1, respectively. Fenvalerate @ 0.150 kg a.i. ha−1 gave highest ICBR (1:14.41) followed by higher dose of cypermethrin (1:13.85) and imidacloprid (1:12.99).
Identity in lockdown: supporting primary care professional identity development in the COVID-19 generation

ABSTRACT The current COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted undergraduate medical studies. Whilst challenges for knowledge and clinical skills are being actively addressed, wider considerations such as the impact on professional identity development have been mostly neglected thus far. A robust professional identity is linked to professional behaviour and has been shown to reduce burnout and be an important factor for general practice career choice amongst medical students. The Communities of Practice Model is a sociocultural approach that conceptualises the formation of professional identity through student engagement within a community. We argue the current suspension of clinical placements holds the potential to negatively influence such identity acquisition. In this commentary we explore how the Communities of Practice Model may inform professional identity development of medical students within the COVID-19 environment, considering digital communities and volunteering roles within primary care. We further encourage educators and institutions to consider professional identity in future planning to address the challenges posed by the current situation, both in terms of placement loss but also changes in the way primary care is delivered. Such considerations will be essential if we are to avoid problems relating to poor medical student professional identity development in future.
Immobilization rapidly selects for chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells with enhanced ability to enter dormancy

Around 20–30% of ovarian cancer patients exhibit chemoresistance, but there are currently no methods to predict whether a patient will respond to chemotherapy. Here, we discovered that chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells exhibit enhanced survival in a quiescent state upon experiencing the stress of physical confinement. When immobilized in stiff silica gels, most ovarian cancer cells die within days, but surviving cells exhibit hallmarks of single‐cell dormancy. Upon extraction from gels, the cells resume proliferation but demonstrate enhanced viability upon reimmobilization, indicating that initial immobilization selects for cells with a higher propensity to enter dormancy. RNA‐seq analysis of the extracted cells shows they have signaling responses similar to cells surviving cisplatin treatment, and in comparison to chemoresistant patient cohorts, they share differentially expressed genes that are associated with platinum‐resistance pathways. Furthermore, these extracted cells demonstrate greater resistance to cisplatin and paclitaxel, despite being proliferative. In contrast, serum starvation and hypoxia could not effectively select for chemoresistant cells upon removal of the environmental stress. These findings demonstrate that ovarian cancer chemoresistance and the ability to enter dormancy are linked, and immobilization rapidly distinguishes chemoresistant cells. This platform could be suitable for mechanistic studies, drug development, or as a clinical diagnostic tool.