Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Residual feed intake in young chickens : effects on energy partitioning and immunity

Keywords: chicken, residual feed intake, resource allocation, immune response, Salmonella Enteritidis, energy partitioning. The continuous selection in farm animals for efficient production and high production levels may have led to animals that are "programmed" to put a lot of resources in production processes, at the expense of resources for maintenance processes, among which the immune system. When efficiently and non-efficiently producing animals in a population are discriminated, it is hypothesized that non-efficient animals are better able to reallocate resources from production processes to maintenance processes than efficient animals. Non-efficient animals may, thus, be better off than efficient animals when maintenance processes are under pressure. Residual feed intake is used as a trait to discriminate efficient and non-efficient animals. It is defined as the difference between observed feed intake and expected feed intake; in this thesis, expected feed intake is based on metabolic body weight and growth. Animals that eat more than expected have a high residual feed intake and are considered non-efficient, whereas animals that eat less than expected have a low residual feed intake and are considered efficient. The research described in this thesis was carried out with pullets. Pullets are young, growing female chickens that do not produce eggs yet. Pullets were rated from high to low residual feed intake as a phenotypic trait; animals with the highest and lowest values for residual feed intake were selected for further research. Immune responses to non-replicating antigens and to live Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria were investigated. The results showed that non-efficient pullets had a higher feed intake than efficient pullets, but body weight and growth were equal in efficient and non-efficient pullets. Energy partitioning trials showed that non-efficient pullets spent more energy on maintenance processes than efficient pullets. However, an infection with Salmonella Enteritidis did not lead to repartitioning of energy from production processes to maintenance processes. It was concluded that a Salmonella Enteritidis infection is not energetically costly. Efficient pullets had a lower immune status than non-efficient pullets in situations where the animals were not infected with Salmonella Enteritidis, whereas during a Salmonella Enteritidis infection the efficient pullets had higher immune responses than non-efficient pullets. It is suggested that efficient and non-efficient pullets, as measured by residual feed intake, may have different "immune coping styles".
THE ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY EFFECTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS ON SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAITS IN MALE GUPPIES

OF DISSERTATION THE ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY EFFECTS OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING COMPOUNDS ON SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAITS IN MALE GUPPIES Male mating signals convey important mate-quality information to females and are regulated by androgens. Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are chemicals that interfere with proper hormonal functioning in exposed animals, causing altered hormone levels and resulting in changed reproductive characteristics, including mating signals. Altered signals can have ecological implications by influencing population and community dynamics and evolutionary implications via trans-generational reduction in signal reliability leading to reduced preference and eventual loss of the signal trait. I examined the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine, a widely used herbicide and EDC, on mating signals and behaviors in male guppies, a sexually dimorphic freshwater fish. Guppies were exposed either during adulthood or embryonic development. Prolonged atrazine exposure during adulthood reduced the size of the carotenoid-based ornament, the number of courtship displays performed, and aggression towards competing males. Embryonic exposure did not affect survival to adulthood and the time to develop male-specific morphologies. But there was a trend for smaller genitalia, and the ornament size was significantly increased. Possible increases in immunocompetence as a result of slight estrogenecity may have allowed for greater carotenoid allocation to the ornament. Embryonic exposure also resulted in reduced courtship behavior, forced copulatory attempts and aggression towards competitors; female guppies found these males less attractive. The low dose had the strongest effects with embryonic exposure, indicating the importance of low-dose exposures. These studies highlight the effects of low and environmentally relevant doses of atrazine on mating signals and behaviors in exposed wildlife. A mathematical model was used to understand the evolutionary effects of EDCs on the optimal allocation of carotenoids between ornament and immunocompetence. Animals obtain carotenoids through their diet, and allocate some of this to enhance immune function and the rest to ornaments for mate attraction. The model replicates the disruption of carotenoid-based ornaments as a result of EDC-exposure, and predicts that signal reliability will be reduced. The model simulates an evolutionary shift in the optimal allocation if exposure spanned multiple generations, but signal reliability is not restored. Including additional selective forces like predation further suppresses signal reliability.
Examining the influence of e-Health in motivating cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among college students

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading lethal diseases diagnosed in women globally. By early diagnosis and vaccine, cervical cancer can be prevented. Young adults are mainly at risk of cancer-causing HPV. But they are not motivated to take HPV vaccine and screening test. It is crucial to communicate young adults by education and information about cancer. Electronic health (e-Health) communication strategy has the potential to raise awareness about cancer prevention and control. This study examined the key motivational determinants that are associated with college student’s cervical cancer and HPV prevention behavior in relation to their online health information seeking behavior. Method: An online survey among college students (n= 405), age range 1835 years was conducted. All measures were from validated instruments and modified to examine the current study’s objectives structured with key variables derived from the Protection-Motivation theory (PMT). Data from the survey were analyzed statistically using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The reliability of the scales used was assessed through the calculation of coefficient alpha and the dimensionality of the scale was tested through confirmatory factor analysis using the principal components method of extraction. Descriptive of the study variables, Pearson correlation coefficient, One-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis were done to test the research questions and hypothesis. Results: Result showed that, perceived vulnerability to HPV (β= .17, t= 4.53, p= .000), self-efficacy (β= .13, t= 2.91, p< .01), and response costs (β= .46, t= 10.44, p= .000) were the key motivational variables that are associated with college student’s HPV vaccine and Pap test. In testing predictors for online health information seeking behavior, perceived response-efficacy (β= .20, t= 3.41, p= .001) and response costs (β= .19, t= 3.21, p= .001) gained significance in the model. Also, a Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive association between college student’s online health information seeking behavior and motivation for preventive measures (r = .10, p = .05). Result demonstrated that, college student’s knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer influenced their motivation for HPV vaccine and Pap test (p< .001) but knowledge did not influence their online health information seeking behavior (p= .43). Conclusion: E-Health strategy can be an effective tool for targeting young adults and should be explored further in cancer communication and vaccine promotion. It is important for cancer communication interventions to promote e-Health strategy and enhance the usage of online health information seeking behavior. The contents of online health education and information need to be upgraded to provide the maximum benefits to the public.
‘A little good with the bad’: Newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients’ perspectives on self-care: A phenomenological approach

Increased knowledge is needed about what self-care means from the patients’ perspective, especially since the patient population with type 2 diabetes has been rising. The aim was to describe self-care, as experienced by patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. This study adopted a phenomenological approach. Eight patients were interviewed. A combination of photos and interviews were used. The essential meaning of self-care was found to be an existential struggle that evokes feelings of being in-between one’s old unhealthy life and a new healthier one. In this in-between condition, tension exits between contradictorily emotions of anxiety, hopelessness and hope. This struggle also means questioning one’s identity. It is important that diabetes nurses create an opening for reflection and dare to challenge their patients to reflect on this existential struggle.
Reshaping institutions : bricolage processes in smallholder forestry in the Amazon

This thesis aims at identifying the different kinds of institutional influences on forest practices of small farmers in the Amazon region of Ecuador and Bolivia and how small farmers respond to them. It departs from the perspective that institutions affecting forest practices are subject to processes of institutional bricolage in which small farmers construct their own institutional frameworks by aggregating, altering, or articulating elements of existing disparate institutions. This research demonstrates that institutions, whether introduced by government, NGO, or already existing, are subject to processes of institutional bricolage that can be either conscious and strategic of nature or less conscious and unintentional.
Depressão por endogamia em populações de milho-pipoca

Eight popcorn populations (CMS-42, CMS-43, Zelia, RS-20, Catedral, Zaeli, UEM-J1 and UEM-M2) were evaluated aiming at obtaintion of estimates of inbreeding depression and average genetic components and to compare these estimates to each genetic group. Each trial was carried out with plots in randomized complete block design with three replications in split-plot experiment, in which the plots were the inbreeding levels (S1 and S0) and in the sub-plots the populations in two years (1998/99 and 1999/00). The characteristics grain yield and popping expansion were evaluated. The GARDNER methodology (1965) was used for obtaining the estimates of average genetic components. It was observed lower values of inbreeding depression and predominance of additive effects for popping expansion in relation to yield. The values of inbreeding depression for grain yield were higher in the composite than in bath, improved and not improved varieties. Using these populations the probability of success in the obtaining vigorous and high popping expansion inbred lines is low.
Evaluation of Outer Retinal Layers in Diabetic Macula Edema Treated with Intravitreal Ranibizumab

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) reduces choroidal thickness by choroidal hypoperfusion in diabetic macula oedema (DME) patients. Indirect effect of anti-VEGF towards outer retinal layers (ORL) which supplied by choroidal circulation has not been well described. We evaluate the ORL thickness between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with inner-segment-outer-segment photoreceptor junction (IS/OS) and RPE with external limiting membrane (ELM) in preand postintravitreal Ranibizumab (IVR) treated eyes with central foveal diabetic macula edema. A total of 60 eyes (40 patients) were analysed. ORL thickness measured with optical coherence tomography at preand post-injection day 1, week 4 and week 6. Mean thickness of RPE-IS/OS was statistically significant over time (p=0.023) but not for RPE-ELM (p=0.216). Thickness ratio between RPE-IS/OS and RPE-ELM and central subfoveal thickness (CST) both showed statistically significant result over time with p=0.038 and p=0.000, respectively. We observed an initial reduction of ORL thickness at day 1 followed by increased in thickness at week 4 with subsequent reduction at week 6 was observed. ORL is an aspect that can be explore and emphasized further in patients considered for IVR injections. The long-term effects of IVR to the ORL however could not be concluded due to short follow up period.
Pre-hibernation energy reserves in a temperate anuran, Rana chensinensis, along a relatively fine elevational gradient

Temperate anurans have energy substrates in the liver, fat bodies, carcass and gonads; these stores provide support for metabolism and egg production during hibernation, and for breeding activities in spring. This paper compares the energy budget shortly before hibernation among Rana chensinensis populations at elevations of 1400, 1700 and 2000 m along a river in northern China. The larger frogs, regardless of elevation, had relatively heavy storage organs and the masses of nearly all these organs were positively correlated with each other. After controlling for the effect of body size, we found no significant difference in energetic organ mass among different age classes for each ofthe three populations. There were sexual differences in energy strategy. Males in all populations accumulated greater reserves in liver, fatbodies and carcass than did females. In contrast, females put more energy into their ovaries and oviducts. Frogs from higher elevations tended to have heavier organs than those from lower elevations; however, the pattern did not vary systematically along fine environmental gradients. Mid-elevation R. chensinensis built up significantly more reserves than low-elevation individuals, but were similar to their highland conspecifics. Males from higher elevations tended to have heavier liver and fat bodies; females were similar in liver and ovary mass across all elevations, but formed heavier fat bodies, oviducts and somatic tissue at higher elevation sites.
Demographic characteristics, nutritional status, dietary and physical activity habits, Helicobacter pylori infection, and intestinal parasitosis among children at municipal preschools in Cuenca, Ecuador

Ecuador is a country in nutritional transition. National data show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity more than triples from the preschool to school-aged years, while stunting remains prevalent. A cross-sectional study in the municipal preschools in Cuenca was conducted to better understand the contributing factors to this nutritional transition. Of the 97 children in the sample population, 5.3% were overweight or obese and 8.5% were stunted. Despite no underweight children, 19.0% of the parents or caregivers considered their child to be underweight. Most households had some degree of food insecurity (71.4%). Parents reported that most children drank water daily at home (70.5%), but according to the teachers, less than half drank water at school daily (41.5%). Parents and teachers, respectively, reported that 89.5% and 34.7% of the children consumed vegetables daily and 70.5% and 57.9% consumed fruit daily at home or school. About three-quarters of the parents and teachers reported that children dedicated ≥1 hour daily to physical activity, at home and school. Half of the parents reported that their child spent at least 2 hours per day watching the television, using an electronic tablet or computer. Stool examination showed that 26.1% of children were positive for Helicobacter pylori antigen and 19.3% for intestinal parasites. This study provided insight into potential areas to focus health education and promotion among this population, for example, in diet and physical activity habits. However, other important factors including poverty related risk factors, such as household food insecurity, and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal parasitosis, should be considered simultaneously in such efforts.
Genetic diversity of drought-avoidance root traits in the mini-core germplasm collection of chickpea

Shoot and root traits related to drought resistance were studied in Cicer arietinum accessions (211 lines) and 12 cultivars (controls), and in 10 accessions of wild relatives (C. yamashitae, C. reticulatum, C. bijugum, C. pinnatifidum, C. chorassanicum, C. judaicum and C. cuneatum) grown in poly(vinyl chloride) cylinders under drought conditions. The root and shoot growth of the wild species except C. reticulatum (ICC 17123 and ICC 17124) were relatively poor compared to the C. arietinum lines. The growth of C. reticulatum was almost as good as that of the C. arietinum accessions. Rooting depth was lowest (62.0 cm) in ICC 17241 (C. chorassanicum). The variation in rooting depth among the other wild species except C. reticulatum was not significant (73-91 cm). Rooting depth did not significantly vary among the cultivars. The accessions with deep root systems included ICC 1431, ICC 8350, ICC 15697, ICC 3512 and ICC 11498. The phase of linear root growth occurred earlier in the cultivars than in the wild species; thus, lower maximum rooting depth and dry weight were recorded for the latter. The highest root dry mass (more than 1.2 g per cylinder) was observed in ICC 5337, ICC 7255, ICC 13077, ICC 15294 and ICC 8261. Most of the wild species showed very low ratio of root to total plant biomass; the majority of the cultivars and C. arietinum accessions exhibited moderate values for this parameter. The total root dry mass exhibited a significant linear relationship with total shoot dry mass and total leaf area.
Comparative Evaluation of Microscopy andCulture Methods in the Diagnosis ofPulmonary Tuberculosis in HIV Infected Patients

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease with considerable public health problem due to its person to person transmission, morbidity and mortality. To evaluate the performance of different laboratory methods such as direct microscopy, concentration methods and culture in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV infected patients. Sputum samples were collected using standard procedure. For each sputum sample, four smears were prepared, one direct smear, second after processing by Petroff’s method, third by NALC-NaOH method and fourth after processing by Sodium hypochlorite method. Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) staining was done on these smears using standard techniques. Deposit obtained after processing by Petroff’s method and NALC-NaOH method were inoculated on to Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and Middlebrook’s 7H11 agar medium. A total of 75 HIV infected patients presenting with symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study. 11 (14.6%) were direct sputum smear positive and 13 (17.3%) were AFB positive after concentration and culture positive. Out of 139 sputum samples tested, 22 (15.8%) were positive in direct smear. 25 samples, (18%) were positive for AFB after concentration and culture. We conclude that concentration methods are sensitive and reliable in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB in HIV infected patients. Sodium hypoclorite and Petroff’s concentration methods are simple, cost effective and reliable provided centrifugation is done at 3800xg. Culture methods are sensitive and specific but take time for growth of M. tuberculosis (4-6 weeks).
Utilization, receptivity and reactivity to Interactive Voice Response daily monitoring in risky drinking smokers who are motivated to quit

INTRODUCTION Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology has become an increasingly popular and valid method for collecting Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data on a variety of health-risk behaviors, including daily alcohol use and cigarette smoking, and for stimulating behavior change. However, very little research has evaluated the parameters of IVR compliance and reactivity in respondents who may have greater problem severity than samples previously examined in published IVR studies. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of use, receptivity and reactivity to IVR monitoring in 77 untreated risky drinking smokers who were motivated to quit within the next 6 months. METHODS Respondents completed twice daily IVR assessments for 28 days and were re-assessed immediately after IVR to measure receptivity and reactivity to daily monitoring and six months post-baseline. RESULTS Mean compliance rate was 70.6%, with a morning rate of 72.4% and an evening compliance rate of 68.9% out of all possible surveys. IVR assessments of drinking and smoking were significantly associated with baseline paper-pencil reports of the same. African-American participants and those who reported more daily stressful events were more compliant. Between the baseline session and the 6-month follow-up, 68% of the sample reported engaging in some form of smoking behavior change (50% reduction in CPD, a quit attempt, past-month continuous abstinence). Nearly 80% reported increased awareness of their behavior due to the IVR and 40% reported intentional behavior change from IVR monitoring. The odds of making a quit attempt at the 6-month follow-up were significantly higher among respondents who reported making purposeful changes to their smoking as a result of IVR monitoring (AOR=3.25, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Reactivity was associated with behavior change outcomes. IVR may be a useful tool for motivating behavior change in smokers with alcohol-use problems.
Reproductive Biology of the Common Cuttlefish Sepia officinalis L. (Sepiida: Cephalopoda) in the Aegean Sea

The common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is known as one of the economically important species in the classis Cephalopoda. In this study, from October 2000 to April 2002, 674 cuttlefish were collected monthly from the surroundings of Homa lagoon (in the Aegean Sea). In order to determine reproductive behaviors and spawning season of S. officinalis species, the gonad stages of both sexes and the seasonal gonadosomatic index values were determined. It was observed that the spawning period of S. officinalis covers the whole year with two maximum peaks in March and June.