Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tail-in-mouth behaviour in slaughter pigs, in relation to internal factors such as: age, size, gender, and motivational background

Tail-in-Mouth (TIM) behaviour has occasionally been observed among pigs living under semi-natural conditions. It is therefore considered to be a normal, low-frequency behaviour. Under certain conditions, TIM behaviour may increase in frequency and progress into tail biting per se. Several factors, such as age, gender, and size, are believed to enhance this development. This study aimed to elucidate the frequency of TIM behaviour among slaughter pigs, specifically in relation to age, gender, size, and group composition regarding gender. Similarly, we intended to characterize the motivational context in which TIM behaviour occurs. Two batches consisting of 24 pigs each, weighing between 40 and 50 kg, were allocated into 3 groups: 1) Eight female pigs; 2) Eight castrated male pigs; 3) Four female and four castrated male pigs (mixed-gender group). Observation was performed by video recording 4 h per day, 1 day per week, for four consecutive weeks. The pigs were weighed once a week during the experiment. The number of TIM events (counts) as well as the identity of the performer and the receiver of TIM behaviour was recorded. The results showed that the frequency of TIM behaviour in the male group was significantly lower than in the female and mixed-gender groups (P=0.003). Size expressed as weight or growth rate did not influence the amount of TIM behaviour performed or received. TIM behaviour was positively related to social exploration and environmental exploration (P<0.001). Finally, TIM behaviour was most often performed while the pigs were standing still or lying down (P<0.001).
Interactive Poster: Context-Preserving Dynamic Graph Visualization

In this paper, we present a novel graph visualization method, which helps users to analyze dynamically evolving social networks in context. Our method comprises two techniques. First, it uses an optimization-based approach to dynamically compute a graph lay-out by balancing the stability and readability of the layouts. Second, it automatically derives proper animated transitions to smoothly up-date an existing graph layout. As a result, our work helps users to easily comprehend and track the dynamic evolution of a social network over time without losing their visual context. Our preliminary experiments demonstrate the promise of our proposed work.
Effects of salmon calcitonin on calcium deposition on and release from calcified tissues in fed and starved goldfish Carassius auratus

SUMMARY: Effects of salmon calcitonin on calcium physiology of the otolith, rib bone, pharyngeal bone, and scale were examined in fed and starved goldfish Carassius auratus. Fish were intraperitoneally given salmon calcitonin at a dose of 10 ng/g body weight four times every other day. They were then incubated in 45Ca-containing water for 24 h to examine the effect of the hormone on calcium deposition on these tissues. Another group of goldfish was incubated in 45Ca-bone water for 2 days to prelabel the tissues with 45Ca. Then they were kept in 45Ca-free water for 8 days, during which they were given calcitonin four times every other day. The effect of calcitonin on calcium release from the tissues was examined by analyzing the prelabeled radioactivity. Calcitonin had no effect on plasma calcium concentrations or on calcium deposition in any of the tissues in fed fish. In starved fish, however, calcitonin increased calcium deposition on the rib bone, pharyngeal bone, and scale. In the starved fish, plasma calcium levels were not affected by the hormone, but plasma 45Ca activity was lower in the calcitonin-treated group than in the control group. Calcitonin had no effect on calcium release from the bone and the scale, but reduced radioactivity in the otoliths of fed fish. These results suggest that calcitonin functions as an accelerator for calcium deposition on the bone and the scale in starved goldfish.
Optimization of lactic acid production from whey by L casei NRRL B‐441 immobilized in chitosan stabilized Ca‐alginate beads

The production of lactic acid from whey by Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-441 immobilized in chitosan-stabilized Ca-alginate beads was investigated. Higher lactic acid production and lower cell leakage were observed with alginate–chitosan beads compared with Ca-alginate beads. The highest lactic acid concentration (131.2 g dm−3) was obtained with cells entrapped in 1.3–1.7 mm alginate–chitosan beads prepared from 2% (w/v) Na-alginate. The gel beads produced lactic acid for five consecutive batch fermentations without marked activity loss and deformation. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of three fermentation parameters (initial sugar, yeast extract and calcium carbonate concentrations) on the concentration of lactic acid. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the fit of the model was good in all cases. Initial sugar, yeast extract and calcium carbonate concentrations had a strong linear effect on lactic acid production. The maximum lactic acid concentration of 136.3 g dm−3 was obtained at the optimum concentrations of process variables (initial sugar 147.35 g dm−3, yeast extract 28.81 g dm−3, CaCO3 97.55 g dm−3). These values were obtained by fitting of the experimental data to the model equation. The response surface methodology was found to be useful in optimizing and determining the interactions among process variables in lactic acid production using alginate–chitosan-immobilized cells. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Discochora yuccae sp. nov. with Phyllosticta and Leptodothiorella synanamorphs

Discochora yuccae sp. nov. and its conidial anamorph Phyllosticta yuccae sp. nov. and spermatial synanamorph Leptodothiorella notabilis Petrak & Ciferri are described. The fungus causes a leaf-blot.
Music as an environmental factor in hospitality: what is the impact of background music on perceived atmosphere and sales in a school cafeteria?

Extending the research of North and Hargreaves (1998)1, this study investigates the influence of three different musical styles, namely lounge, pop and jazz on perceived atmosphere and sales in a school cafeteria. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted to acquire information about the patrons' perception of the characteristics of the cafeteria. Results indicate that there is significant differences between perceived characteristics and the three different musical styles. However, there was no significant difference between the music styles played and the purchases made during the testing period nor between the product items sold and the music played. The results of this research contribute to the better understanding of the consumer behaviour and can be used for commercial purposes.
Impact of Ice Slurry Ingestion During Break-Times on Repeated-Sprint Exercise in the Heat

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the effects of ice slurry ingestion during break times and half-time (HT) on repeated-sprint performance and core temperature in the heat. Seven males performed two different trials as follows: ice slurry (−1°C) or room temperature water ingestion at each break and HT break at 36.5°C, 50% relative humidity. Participants performed 30 sets of 1-min periods of repeated- sprint exercises protocol using a cycling ergometer. Each period consisted of 5 sec of maximal pedaling, 25 sec of pedaling with no workload, and 30 sec of rest; two sets of exercise periods were separated by 10 min of rest. Each break was implemented for 1 min after every 5 sets. The rectal temperature in ice slurry ingestion was significantly lower than that of the room temperature water at 45 set (p=0.04). Total and mean work done was greater in ice slurry ingestion compared to room temperature water ingestion (p < 0.05). These results suggested that ice slurry ingestion during break times and HT break may be an effective cooling strategy to attenuate the rise of core temperature in the second half of exercise and improve the repeated-sprint exercise capacity in the heat.
Imaging Based on Optic-fiber Bundles: Topological and Geometric Calibration

Fiber Bundle cameras are imaging devices where the image is captured in one end of the fiber cable by a lens and transmitted through the cable to the other end. Commercial fiberscope cameras have their fibers arranged inside the cable to form a regular pixel grid. Braking the fibers cable precludes the use of this camera, since due to the small diameter of each fiber and the fact that we do not know the correspondence between fibers, fixing the cable is an almost impossible task to do. Recent research found that broken fiber cables, under certain conditions, can still be recovered. For that, one has to estimate the disorganized fiber tips positions by modeling them as a discrete camera and estimating its topology. The lens used in front of the fibers makes rays converge. The pin-hole model is the simplest way to describe rays converging to a single point, and in this dissertation, we study if that model suits our camera. We focus on the structured light and sawtooth light patterns calibration methods, to estimate fibers topology and finding the camera parameters. Experiments are conducted to estimate topology and calibrate the camera. In the end is presented the result of topology reconstruction of an image mosaic composed by a phrase.
Communicatio 36 (1) 2010_layout.indd

Recruiting students to enrol at a particular institution is becoming a competitive and challenging process for higher education institutions. Therefore, institutions should create efficient and effective ways of providing relevant information to prospective students during their process of selecting an institution. The major communication channels that prospective students consult during their selection process, and the usefulness thereof for students, are important knowledge imperatives for higher education institutions. In this study, 12 different channels of communication, considered by students during a typical higher education institution selection process, were investigated. A non-probability convenience sample of 1 241 first-year students from six higher education institutions in South Africa was drawn. Findings suggest that female students attach a significantly higher value to nine of the 12 communication channels, compared to their male counterparts. There were also differences between the ethnic groups in terms of the usefulness of events on campus, high school teachers, open days and campus visits, as well as university publications. Higher education institutions can use the results to develop communication strategies that are more student oriented, in order to reinforce their image and to reach students more effectively through the appropriate communication channels.
Prediction of 2019-nCov in Italy based on PSO and inversion analysis

Although China achieved an early victory of controlling the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov), the overseas situation is overwhelming negative, especially in Italy. Up to March 11, 2020, 2019-nCov thoroughly broke out in Italy with over 10,000 confirmed cases notwithstanding the gradually block of the country since March 9, 2020. Estimation of possible infection population and prospective suggestion of handling spread based on exist data are of crucial importance. Considering of the biology parameters obtained based on Chinese clinical data in Wuhan, other scholars' work and real spread feature of 2019-nCov in Italy, we built a more applicable model called SEIJR with log-normal distributed time delay to forecast the trend of spreading. Adopting Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), we estimated the early period average spreading velocity (0) and conducted inversion analysis of time point (T0) when the virus first hit the Italy. Based on fixed 0 and T0, we then obtained the average spreading velocity 1 after the lock by PSO. For the aim of offering expeditious advice, we generated the prediction trends with different which we considered would be helpful in addressing the infection. Not only solved the complex, nondifferentiable equation of epidemic model, our research also performs well in inversion analysis based on PSO which conveys informative outcomes for further discussion on precatious action. To conclude, the first day of spread is around February 1, 2020 with the early period average spreading velocity 0=0.330 which is higher than most cities in China except Wuhan. After locking the country and attaching great attention to public precaution, the 1 sharply descended to 0.278, indicting the effectiveness of these measures. Furthermore, in order to cope the disease before mid-April, take actions to control the under 0.25 is necessary. Code can be freely download from https://github.com/Summerwork/2019-nCov-Prediction.
Copper Biogeochemistry: A Cornerstone in Aerobic Methanotrophic Bacterial Ecology and Activity?

Two distinct enzymatic pathways are implicated in the key step whereby methane is converted to methanol by the aerobic methane oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs). These two enzymes, soluble and particulate methane monooxygenases (sMMO and pMMO, respectively), are evolutionarily unrelated. However, the activities of these enzymes are tightly linked to copper, which is central to the switch responsible for regulating MMO expression. When bioavailable copper exceeds a certain threshold relative to cell biomass, pMMO is expressed and its activity maintained by available copper. Below this threshold or when copper is entirely absent, sMMO catalyses methane oxidation. The individual forms of MMO degrade methane and hydrocarbon pollutants at different rates and efficiencies. Typically, pMMO is by up to 30% more efficient at methane degradation as opposed to sMMO which is more effective in the transformation of a wide range of hazardous hydrocarbons than pMMO. Consequently, the type of MMO expressed influences the ability of methanotrophs to effectively act as biological filters curtailing methane input into the atmosphere and for bioremediation. Because of the crucial requirement of copper some methanotrophs produce chalkophores specifically involved in copper trafficking. These chalkophores can in addition bind a variety of earth metals with varying affinities. Methanotrophs can also extract copper from various minerals thereby implicating them in weathering processes. The abundance of the methanotrophic bacteria in nature implies a significant amount of copper and iron in the geobiosphere that form the core of the MMOs, is regularly cycled through these organisms. This discussion is focused on methanotrohphic bacterial population dynamics observed during growth on various copper species, to extrapolate their impact on geomicrobiological processes.
Voices from the frontline: findings from a thematic analysis of a rapid online global survey of maternal and newborn health professionals facing the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted maternity care provision worldwide. Studies based on modelling estimated large indirect effects of the pandemic on services and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to prospectively document experiences of frontline maternal and newborn healthcare providers. Methods We conducted a global, cross-sectional study of maternal and newborn health professionals via an online survey disseminated through professional networks and social media in 12 languages. Information was collected between 24 March and 10 April 2020 on respondents’ background, preparedness for and response to COVID-19 and their experience during the pandemic. An optional module sought information on adaptations to 17 care processes. Descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were used to analyse responses, disaggregating by low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). Results We analysed responses from 714 maternal and newborn health professionals. Only one-third received training on COVID-19 from their health facility and nearly all searched for information themselves. Half of respondents in LMICs received updated guidelines for care provision compared with 82% in HICs. Overall, 47% of participants in LMICs and 69% in HICs felt mostly or completely knowledgeable in how to care for COVID-19 maternity patients. Facility-level responses to COVID-19 (signage, screening, testing and isolation rooms) were more common in HICs than LMICs. Globally, 90% of respondents reported somewhat or substantially higher levels of stress. There was a widespread perception of reduced use of routine maternity care services, and of modification in care processes, some of which were not evidence-based practices. Conclusions Substantial knowledge gaps exist in guidance on management of maternity cases with or without COVID-19. Formal information-sharing channels for providers must be established and mental health support provided. Surveys of maternity care providers can help track the situation, capture innovations and support rapid development of effective responses.
Pandemic related Health literacy - A Systematic Review of literature in COVID-19, SARS and MERS pandemics

Background: Health literacy plays an essential role in ones ability to acquire and understand critical medical information in the COVID-19 infodemic and other pandemics. Purpose: To summarize the assessment, levels and determinants of pandemic related health literacy and its associated clinical outcomes. Data sources: Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, arXiv, bioRxiv, medRxiv, and Social Science Research Network. The start date was unrestricted and current as of 22 April 2020. Study selection Studies which evaluated health literacy related to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Data extraction Data on the characteristics of study designs, instruments, participants and level of health literacy were collected. Items used in instruments were grouped under the themes of knowledge, attitudes and practices. Determinants of health literacy were grouped into five domains (socio-demographic, medical, psychological/psychiatric, health systems related and others). Data synthesis: Of 2,065 articles screened, 70 articles were included. 21, 17 and 32 studies evaluated health literacy related to COVID-19, SARS and MERS, respectively. The rates of low pandemic health literacy ranged from 4.3 to 57.9% among medical-related populations and 4.0% to 82.5% among non-medical populations. Knowledge about symptoms and transmission of infection; worry about infection and, practices related to mask usage and hand hygiene was most frequently evaluated. Socio-demographic determinants of health literacy were most studied, where higher education level, older age and female gender were associated with better health literacy. No studies evaluated outcomes associated with health literacy. Limitations Non-English articles were excluded. Conclusion: The level of pandemic related health literacy is sub-optimal. Healthcare administrators need to be aware of health literacy determinants when formulating policies in pandemics.
EFFECT OF METAL IONS ON THE THERMAL DEGRADATION OF CHLORO PHOSPHORYLATED NBR

The thermal analysis of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), functionalized nitrile butadiene rubber (FNBR) and transition metal ions containing functionalized nitrile butadiene rubber (Me-FNBR) were carried out under argon flow (50 mL/min) at three different heating rates of 3;5;10oC/min. The starting temperature was 26 °C and the final temperature was 900°C and 950°C for initial and modified polymers, respectively. Effect of functional groups, metal ions and organic solvents on the thermal degradation of polymers has been discussed in detail.
Characterization of a novel 9‐ploid hybrid (2n = 63) with four genomes in an Elytrigia complex (Poaceae)

The existence in the couch-grass complex of a particularly interesting new hybrid has been demonstrated in a previous work. It is 9-ploid (2n = 63), comprising four genomes and could result from the fusion of a reduced gamete of Elytrigia repens and a non-reduced gamete of Elytrigia pycnantha. We provide a complementary characterization of this hybrid using morphological traits, enzymatic and RAPD markers in comparison with its parents, together with a description of the site (physiography and plant communities) of the studied population. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 147, 501–508.
Immobilization of Soybean Lipoxygenase Onto Polyacrylamide Gel

ABSTRACT Soybean lipoxygenase (Lox) was covalently immobilized onto Polyacrylamide gel which activated with glutaraldehyde. Optimal temperature for free enzyme was 30 °C whereas for the immobilized lipoxygenase (Imm-Lox) optimal temperature increased to 35 °C. The optimal pH for free enzyme and immobilized enzyme was 10.5 and 8.5, respectively. The maximum activity of Imm-Lox was low as compared with that of free soybean lipoxygenase. The reusability of Imm-Lox was investigated after 7 uses; enzyme retained 85 % of its original activity. Storage stability of Imm-Lox was tested at different conditions.
A Survey on key Generation and Pre-distribution Technique in wireless Sensor Network

: Nowadays wireless sensor networks (WSN) have gained more popularity due to its various application areas. So security mechanism should be effective for it. As they are widely used in civilian as well as military applications the pre -distribution mechanism is also very effective. Key pre-distribution is kind of challenging task in WSN because neighbors of a node are unknown to each other after deployment. For communication to be secure there must be a common secure key or a common secure key path must be present. There are various techniques for the key distribution is present. In this survey paper we have reviewed these techniques along with the advantages and disadvantages of them.
Just Dial Share Price Prediction Using the ARIMA

Prediction of stock price has become a topic of interest in finance and economics over few years in prediction modelling. In time series modelling, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models has been emerged as very good technique for prediction of time series. This paper presents extensive process of building just dial stock market share price predictive model using the ARIMA process. Results obtained from the ARIMA model has been used for further forecasting purpose. KeywordsARIMA model, just dial, Forecasting, ADF, Autocorrelation function.
Diffusion and multiple orientations from 1.5 MR systems with limited gradient tables

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) enables the quantification of water diffusion, influenced by the structure of biological tissues, from the acquisition of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images (DW-MRI). While recent advances enable to recover complex fiber geometries using diffusion measurements along various sampling schemes of high order [4], some older MR systems work with limited gradient tables (ex: maximum of 6 or 12 directions). These systems are designed for Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Several hospitals and research institutes in the world are limited by these fixed DTI gradient sets. Therefore, groups that want to perform state-of-the-art tractography using high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data are pernalized and can only perform DTI tractography on their old system. The Gaussian assumption of the tensor model, in DTI, is an over simplification of the diffusion phenomenon of water molecules in the brain and thus cannot resolve crossing fibers. In this work, we show that new diffusion signal modeling and processing techniques enable to capture complex angular structure of the diffusion process even from a reduced gradient direction set arising from an older MR system.