Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE DIET OF CROSSBRED YOUNG BULLS FINISHED IN FEEDLOT: INFLUENCE ON ANIMAL PERFORMANCE, CARCASS TRAITS AND TEMPERAMENT

Three essential oils levels (1=without essential oils; 2= 3.5 g essential oils/animal/day; 4= 7.0 g essential oils/animal/day) were evaluated for 120 days on animal performance carcass traits, and temperament score of crossbred young bulls (F1 – 1⁄2 Nellore vs. 1⁄2 Angus) finished in feedlot. Twenty seven 12-month-old young bulls, with initial average weight of 243.21 ± 35.29 kg were kept in individual pens (10 m). Diets consisted of 10% roughage and 90% concentrate, with 1.50 kg/d expected. Shrunk body weight (BW) and temperament score were recorded at feedlot entry (d 0), on d 30, 60, 90, and 120 of feedlot. Average daily gain and carcass traits were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three diets and nine replications. Different levels of essential oils did not affect final body weight, average daily gain, carcass characteristics and temperament.
Developing a Semantic Similarity Judgment Test for Persian Action Verbs and Non-action Nouns in Patients With Brain Injury and Determining its Content Validity

Objective: Brain trauma evidences suggest that the two grammatical categories of noun and verb are processed in different regions of the brain due to differences in the complexity of grammatical and semantic information processing. Studies have shown that the verbs belonging to different semantic categories lead to neural activity in different areas of the brain, and action verb processing is related to the activity of motor and pre-motor areas of the brain. Researchers use different tasks to evaluate action verb processing. The most common tasks are action naming and action fluency tasks. Although these types of tasks are sensitive to deficits in action verb processing, they do not specify the nature of the injury. To understand whether dysfunction in action verb processing is due to difficulty in lexical access or specific impairment in semantic processing, it is necessary to design a specific test to evaluate lexical-semantic processing. Semantic Similarity Judgment (SSJ) test targets the lexical-semantic encoding at a deep and controlled processing level. The purpose of the present study was to develop a SSJ test for Persian action verbs and non-action nouns and determine its content validity. Materials & Methods: In this methodological study, 70 Persian action concrete verbs and 80 Persian non-action concrete nouns were first selected. For each word, a semantically related word based on functional, physical, categorical features and similarity in action was selected according to the opinion of 4 experts (3 speech-language pathologists and one linguist) using a 7-point scale. For semantic similarity rating, only the pairs of words with a high semantic similarity score (5 to 7) remained and the rest were omitted. Then, for each pair of semantically related words, a semantically unrelated word was selected. After determining content validity qualitatively by three experts and removing inappropriate items, for matching the two sets of nouns and verbs, the lexical and psycholinguistic characteristics of the remaining words (207 nouns and 156 verbs) including frequency, number of syllables, phonemes, letters, phonological and orthographic neighbors, action association, imageability, familiarity and age of acquisition were extracted by 18 volunteers (13 speech-language pathologists and linguists and 5 parents selected by a convenience sampling method) based on a 7-point scale. The verbs with low action associations and the nouns with high action association were removed and then, the two sets of words were matched for other lexical and psycholinguistic characteristics. Finally, 34 triples of verbs with high action association and 34 triples of nouns with low action association were selected. In both noun and verb sets, the words were chosen in such a way that, in order to judge, the semantic features of the words need to be carefully considered. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test.
Analysis of the linear methods for determining copolymerization reactivity ratios. II. A critical reexamination of cationic monomer reactivity ratios

A thorough examination of some cationic copolymerization systems by a new method has shown that many published r values have to be corrected significantly and that some are erroneous and meaningless, because for these systems the conventional copolymer compositions equation does not hold. Available information in regard of cationic copolymerizations has been treated in terms of three classes: (a) Systems in which the conventional copolymer composition equation adequately describes the copolymerization mechanism and previous authors justifiably used the two parameter model to calculate reactivity ratios. Our results show that the discrepancy between published r values and the more precise values obtained in this work is about ±23%. (b) Systems in which the approximations implicit in the conventional copolymer composition equation do not hold and the calculated r values are erroneous and misleading. Monomer pairs comprising monomers of significantly different reactivities belong to this class indicating that in copolymerizations in general and in cationic copolymerizations in particular a strong cast system exists, i.e., copolymerization can readily occur within the cast (between monomers of similar reactivities); however, only with difficulty if at all between casts (between monomers of differing reactivities). (c) Systems in which the use of the copolymer composition equation is completely unjustified, the calculated r values are meaningless and in some cases the existence of true copolymers is questioned.
A Third L-Proline Permease in Salmonella typhimurium Which Functions in Media of Elevated Osmotic Strength

Exogenous proline specifically stimulates the growth rate of enteric bacteria in media of inhibitory osmotic strength (J. H. B. Christian, Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 8:490-497, 1955). I observed that Salmonella typhimurium mutants which lack both of the previously known proline permeases (putP proP) are stimulated by proline in media of inhibitory osmolarity. I propose that there is a third proline permease which functions only in media of elevated osmolarity. This conclusion is based on the observations that, in media of elevated osmolarity, (i) the sensitivity ofputP proP mutants to toxic proline analogs increases, (ii) proline requirements for maximal growth of proline auxotrophic putP proP mutants decreases, and (iii) the specific rate of incorporation of radioactive proline into protein of growing cells increases. I obtained a TnlO-induced mutation in a gene (proU) required for the functioning of the third proline permease and determined the map location to be at 59 map units of the chromosome, between srlA and tct, 66% linked to nalB in P22 transduction. My results suggest that the function of the third, osmotically stimulated permease might be to accumulate high intracellular proline levels during osmotic stress. Possible mechanisms by which proline might cause growth stimulation are discussed.
Determination of citric acid and oxalacetic acid in foods by enzymic flow injection

A reversed-flow injection method for the determination of citric acid in foods is proposed. Two enzymes, citrate lyase and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), are used, the latter being immobilized. This method, based on the decrease in the absorbance of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, has a linear range between 1 and 20 mg dm–3, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.2%, an average recovery of 100.9% and a sampling frequency of 20 h–1. Additionally, a flow injection method for the determination of oxalacetic acid in fruit juices using immobilized MDH is also proposed. The features of the method are as follows: linear range of the calibration graph 1–40 mg dm–3, RSD 1.4%, average recovery 96.8% and sampling frequency 40 h–1.
Isotropic−Nematic Phase Transitions of Lyotropic, Two-Dimensional Liquid Crystalline Polymer Solutions

Few studies of the isotropic−nematic phase transition temperature, TIN, in two dimensions have been reported experimentally in contrast to that of liquid crystalline polymers in three dimensions. The purpose of this paper is to examine molecular orientational hydrodynamics through studies of monolayer films at the air−water interface and to understand the phenomenon of the phase transition in two dimensions. UV absorption spectroscopy was used to determine molecular orientation in hairy-rod polymeric monolayers of poly(p-phenylene) sulfonic acid (PPPSH). A well-defined extensional flow is imposed in the monolayer to study the dynamics of flow-induced anisotropy. A solvent of stearic acid (SA) at moderate concentrations is added to the polymer solution to fluidize the film, and the effect of solvent on the isotropic−nematic transition is observed. Above TIN, complete relaxation of molecules is observed after flow cessation, while a nematic, ordered phase is obtained below TIN. Measurements of the surface r.
Streaming Maximization of Submodular Functions Subject to Cardinality Constraint

We study the problem of maximizing a non-monotone submodular function subject to a cardinality constraint in the streaming model. Our main contribution is a single-pass (semi-) streaming algorithm that uses roughly O ( k/ε 2 ) memory, where k is the size constraint. At the end of the stream, our algorithm post-processes its data structure using any oﬄine algo-rithm for submodular maximization, and obtains a solution whose approximation guarantee is α 1+ α − ε , where α is the approximation of the oﬄine algorithm. If we use an exact (exponential time) post-processing algorithm, this leads to 12 − ε approximation (which is nearly optimal). If we post-process with the algorithm of [7], that achieves the state-of-the-art oﬄine approximation guarantee of α = 0 . 385, we obtain 0 . 2779-approximation in polynomial time, improving over the previously best polynomial-time approximation of 0 . 1715 due to [24]. It is also worth mentioning that our algorithm is combinatorial and deterministic, which is rare for an algorithm for non-monotone submodular maximization, and enjoys a fast update time of O ( log k +log(1 /α ) ε 2 ) per element. Additionally, we show that our main algorithm can be naturally modiﬁed to maximize continuous DR-submodular functions subject to a support cardinality constraint.
Internet of Things: Features, Challenges, and Vulnerabilities

The terminology Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a future where every day physical objects are connected by the Internet in one form or the other, but outside the traditional desktop realm. The successful emergence of the IoT vision, however, will require computing to extend past traditional scenarios involving portables and smart-phones to the connection of everyday physical objects and the integration of intelligence with the environment. Subsequently, this will lead to the development of new computing features and challenges. The main purpose of this paper, therefore, is to investigate the features, challenges, and weaknesses that will come about, as the IoT becomes reality with the connection of more and more physical objects. Specifically, the study seeks to assess emergent challenges due to denial of service attacks, eavesdropping, node capture in the IoT infrastructure, and physical security of the sensors. We conducted a literature review about IoT, their features, challenges, and vulnerabilities. The methodology paradigm used was qualitative in nature with an exploratory research design, while data was collected using the desk research method. We found that, in the distributed form of architecture in IoT, attackers could hijack unsecured network devices converting them into bots to attack third parties. Moreover, attackers could target communication channels and extract data from the information flow. Finally, the perceptual layer in distributed IoT architecture is also found to be vulnerable to node capture attacks, including physical capture, brute force attack, DDoS attacks, and node privacy leaks.
Factors Associated With Burnout Among Nurses at International Hospital Kampala (IHK)

Introduction: Burnout is a psychological syndrome involving physical depletion, feelings of helplessness, negative self-concept, and negative attitudes towards work, life, and others. Burnout is a problem among health care professionals and nurses are found to be vulnerable. It is associated with a decrease in occupational well-being and increase in absenteeism, turnover and illness.Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with burnout among nurses at International Hospital Kampala (IHK). Methods: Analytical cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected from a sample of 120 nurses using questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) tools. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft excel.Results: The prevalence of burnout within the MBI subscales was highest in the subscale of personal accomplishment (PA) - 72.5%), followed by Depersonalization (DP) – 66.8% and Emotional Exhaustion (EE) - 61.7%. Overall prevalence of burnout among was 66.95%. Nurses with high burnout had the lowest level of personal accomplishment-18.33% while nurses with low burnout had the highest level of personal accomplishment-72.5%. Age (X2(2) =6.670, p=0.036) was associated with burnout. Respondent years in service was more highly associated with burnout (X2(2) = 10.961, p=0.004). Job satisfaction (X2(1) = 4.361, p=0.037) was associated with burnout. Emotional Exhaustion (EE) of the respondents (X2(2) =29.197, p=0.000) was associated with burnout. Many nurses, 61(50.8%) had EE and burnout. Depersonalization (DP) (X2(2) =72.803, p=0.000) was also associated with burnout. Hours worked in a day (X2(1) =72.803, p=0.016) was associated with burnout. Getting social support at work (X2(1) =72.803, p=0.016) was associated with burnout, thus 48(40.0%) of the nurses who got social support had burnout.Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout is quite high among nurses.
The Impact of the Real Effective Exchange Rate on Poland’s Food and Live Animal Exports

In this study, for the 2012M1-2020M1 period, the relationship between Poland’s real effective exchange rate and its food and animal exports were examined by the bounds test. The stationary analyses of variables were examined by the ADF and PP tests. According to the results of a cointegration test, a cointegration relation among the real effective exchange rate, food and live animal exports, as well as industrial production was determined. It was also concluded that the real effective exchange rate has a long-term negative impact on Poland's food and live animal exports. This research also established that a 1% increase in the real effective exchange rate in the long-term would decrease Poland's food and animal exports by 3.091%. Also, industrial production has a positive impact on Poland’s food and animal exports, as expected. It was determined that a 1% increase in industrial production would increase Poland’s food and animal exports by 2.803%. On the other hand, the error correction term coefficient was found to be -0.119, indicating that 11% of the imbalance in the short-term will be recovered in the next period.
PRODUCTION OF XYLOSE REDUCTASE AND XYLITOL BY Candida guilliermondii USING WHEAT STRAW HYDROLYSATES

The objective of this study is to evaluate the production of Xylose reductase (XR) and Xylitol by Candida guilliermondii using wheat straw hydrolysates (WSH) supplemented with 2.0 g/l of (NH4)2SO4 and 0.1 g/l of CaCl2.2H2O as fermentation media . Wheat straw hydrolysis run at 121°C for 15 min. by diluted sulfuric acid . The fermentation process was conducted on a shaker bath (150 rpm) at 30C for 20 h in three separate flasks using different concentration of Xylose being , 30% Xylose , WSH(27.13 g/l Xylose)and WSH plus 30 g/l Xylose. The best concentration( WSH plus 30 g/l Xylose ) was chosen to run the fermentation process for XR production at different incubation temperature ( 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 C, different pH values (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5 and 7) and different fermentation period (5 , 10 , 15,20 ,25 ,30 h ). The results indicated that the optimum condition for XR production was using 30%Xylose plus WSH at pH 6 over 20h incubation at 30 C. The crude extract of Xylose reductase was used to reduce Xylose into Xylitol with simultaneous oxidation of NADPH. The crude extract of XR was able to convert about 90 % 0f the Xylose to Xylitol through 24 h. incubation at 30°C.According to these findings WSH can be used as a promising source for Xylose to produce Xylose reductase enzyme by Candida guilliermondii and the crude extract could be used successfully in conversion of Xylose to Xylitol.
Juvenile hormone III skipped bisepoxide is widespread in true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera)

Juvenile hormone (JH) plays important roles in almost every aspect of insect development and reproduction. JHs are a group of acyclic sesquiterpenoids, and their farnesol backbone has been chemically modified to generate a homologous series of hormones in some insect lineages. JH III (methyl farnesoate, 10,11-epoxide) is the most common JH in insects, but Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and ‘higher’ Diptera (suborder: Brachycera; flies) have developed their own unique JHs. Although JH was first proposed in the hemipteran suborder Heteroptera (true bugs), the chemical identity of the heteropteran JH was only recently determined. Furthermore, recent studies revealed the presence of a novel JH, JH III skipped bisepoxide (JHSB3), in some heteropterans, but its taxonomic distribution remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated JHSB3 production in 31 heteropteran species, covering almost all heteropteran lineages, through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. We found that all of the focal species produced JHSB3, indicating that JHSB3 is widespread in heteropteran bugs and the evolutionary occurrence of JHSB3 ascends to the common ancestor of Heteroptera.
Concerns with computational protein engineering programmes IPRO and OptMAVEn and metabolic pathway engineering programme optStoic

It has become customary in engineering to require a modelling component in research endeavours. In addition, as the code for these models becomes more byzantine in complexity, it is difficult for reviewers and readers to discern their value and understand the underlying code. This opinion piece summarizes the negative experience of the author with the IPRO and OptMAVEn computational protein engineering models as well as problems with the optStoic metabolic pathway model. In our hands, these models often fail to predict reliable ways to engineer proteins and metabolic pathways.
Consensus of travel direction is achieved by simple copying, not voting, in free-ranging goats

For group-living animals to remain cohesive they must agree on where to travel. Theoretical models predict shared group decisions should be favoured, and a number of empirical examples support this. However, the behavioural mechanisms that underpin shared decision-making are not fully understood. Groups may achieve consensus of direction by active communication of individual preferences (i.e. voting), or by responding to each other's orientation and movement (i.e. copying). For example, African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are reported to use body orientation to vote and indicate their preferred direction to achieve a consensus on travel direction, while golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas) achieve consensus of direction by responding to the movement cues of their neighbours. Here, we present a conceptual model (supported by agent-based simulations) that allows us to distinguish patterns of motion that represent voting or copying. We test our model predictions using high-resolution GPS and magnetometer data collected from a herd of free-ranging goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) in the Namib Desert, Namibia. We find that decisions concerning travel direction were more consistent with individuals copying one another's motion and find no evidence to support the use of voting with body orientation. Our findings highlight the role of simple behavioural rules for collective decision-making by animal groups.
Effects of social experience, aggressiveness and comb size on contest success in male domestic fowl

The ability to dominate conspecifics and thereby gain access to resources depends on a number of traits and skills. Experience of dominance relationships during development is a potential source of learning such skills. We here study the importance of social experience, aggressiveness and morphological traits for competitiveness in social interactions (contest success) in male domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). We let males grow up either as a single (dominant) male or as an intermediately ranked male in a group of males, and measured their success in duels against different opponents. We found that single-raised males had lower contest success than group-raised males, and that aggression and comb size correlated positively with contest success. This indicates that experience of dominance interactions with other males increases future success in duels. We similarly studied the consequences of growing up as a dominant or subordinate in a pair of males, finding no statistically significant effect of the dominance position on contest success. Finally, we found that males were consistent over time in contest success. We conclude that social experience increases contest success in male domestic fowl, but that certain behavioural and morphological characteristics have an equal or even stronger covariation with contest success.
Reconstitution of the recombinant human γ-tubulin ring complex

Cryo-electron microscopy recently resolved the structure of the vertebrate γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) purified from Xenopus laevis egg extract and human cells to near-atomic resolution. These studies clarified the arrangement and stoichiometry of γ-TuRC components and revealed that one molecule of actin and the small protein MZT1 are embedded into the complex. Based on this structural census of γ-TuRC core components, we developed a recombinant expression system for the reconstitution and purification of human γ-TuRC from insect cells. The recombinant γ-TuRC recapitulates the structure of purified native γ-TuRC and has similar functional properties in terms of microtubule nucleation and minus end capping. This recombinant system is a central step towards deciphering the activation mechanisms of the γ-TuRC and the function of individual γ-TuRC core components.
Machine Learning Approach for Motion Artifact Detection in Ballistocardiogram Signals

With the current increase in cardiovascular disease and the complexities they create, especially for aging seniors, we are working on in-home and non-invasive techniques to monitor vital signs for early detection of health conditions. Ballistocardiography has shown to be useful for long-term evaluation of myocardial strength. We have previously reported the successful utilization of our hydraulic bed sensor in the estimation of heart rate, sleep posture, and blood pressure. However, bed sensors used in naturalistic settings such as the home are known to be highly susceptible to motion artifacts. In this paper, the state-of-the-art methods for motion artifact detection and reduction are reviewed, and a new sequential machine learning approach is proposed. The proposed method is based on 53 novel features extracted jointly from time and frequency domains for noise detection. Our experiments show detection accuracy and sensitivities as high as 99%. Data were collected in two separate IRB approved data collections, one with 16-minute sequences from 25 subjects in the lab and the other with 5 sets of overnight data collected at a sleep center.