Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Method for Creating a Micrososoftexcel-Based Consultantant Diagnostic Database for Canine Infectious Diseases

Objective: Small animal veterinary specialists and veterinary general practitioners from resource poor settings have a challenge in accessing information on canine diseases that can assist them understand further thedifferential diagnoses of the diseases. A simple consultant diagnostic searchable databasethat contains detailedinformation about specific canine diseases would be cardinal and greatly assist veterinarians innarrowing down and further understanding the differentialdiagnoses of canine infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to createa method for developing anMicrosoft (MS) Excel-based searchable consultant diagnostic database that can be used by veterinarians in resource poor settings to assist in narrowing down the differential diagnoses. Methods: The tool was developed using excel visual basic for applications. In Microsoft excel Visual Basic for Applications, dynamic searchable drop-down combo boxes were created to enable users to key in clinical signs. Codes were written in modules in order to define macros that provided functionality for the “search” button to execute a search for the differential diagnosis. Results: The database contains drop-down combo boxes for inputting clinical signs, a search button and cells for displaying the differential diagnosis. Each canine disease in the database can besummarized in terms of the aetiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment. In addition,a list of referencesand hyperlinkscan be provided which the veterinarian can consult for more information on each disease within the database. Conclusion: This database will help in assisting veterinarians to easily access relevant information on the differential diagnosis of canine diseases. The usefulness of this searchableconsultant diagnostic data base is discussed in relation to other consultant veterinary diagnostic databases.
DO INFLATION, INTEREST RATE AND COST OF RENTING AFFECT THE PRICE OF TERRACE HOUSES IN PENANG?

In Malaysia, the housing ownership is reported to decrease from 85% in 1999 to 72.5% in 2010. This is due to the outstripped increase of house price over the income level and the unstable economic situation which creates unaffordability to own a house for many people. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine whether the price of terrace houses in Penang is being affected with fundamental factors such as inflation, interest rates and the cost of renting. This study uses multivariate regression analysis with quarterly data of terrace house prices (HPI terrace house in Penang), inflation (CPI) and interest rate (mortgage rates) from 2009: Q1 to 2016: Q4. Evidently, the cost of renting terrace houses in Penang does not have any impact on the price of terrace houses and the stable movement of cost of renting indicates that the growth of rental rate is at acceptable price for middle income earners.
Defining Targets for Reversing Declines of Soil Carbon in High-Intensity Arable Cropping

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is declining globally due to intensification of agriculture. Reversing declines should reduce soil erosion, maintain yields, raise the soil’s atmospheric carbon sink, and improve habitat for biodiversity. Commercial fields were sampled in a diverse European Atlantic zone cropland to relate SOC status to cropping intensity and to define a realistic target for restoration. SOC (%C by mass) decreased from 4% to 2% as the proportion of high-intensity crops increased from zero to 55% (linear regression, F pr. < 0.001). In further sampling in and around high-intensity fields, mean SOC increased from 2.4% in cultivated soil to 3.3% in field margins and 4.8% in nearby uncultivated land (F pr. < 0.001). Three broad zones of SOC in close spatial proximity were then defined: 1) high-intensity arable from 1% to 3%, 2) mid-intensity arable and arable-grass from 3% to 5% and 3) uncultivated and semi-natural land from 5% upwards. C:N ratio was constrained around 12, unaffected by cropping intensity, but slightly lower in fields than in margins and uncultivated land (F pr. < 0.001). A feasible target SOC of just above 3% was defined for high-intensity sites. There should be no biophysical obstacle to raising SOC above 3% in the high-input sector. Results argue against treating cropland of this type as uniform: assessment and restoration should be implemented field by field.
Novice middle school teachers’ preparedness for teaching, and the helpfulness of supports: A survey of one state

Novice teachers’ readiness for teaching may affect the quality of the classroom environment and teachers’ likelihood of remaining in teaching. Using a survey of novice teachers in one state, we examine teachers’ preparedness for teaching, the supports offered, and the perceived helpfulness of those supports. Even novice teachers often had some type of prior experience: particularly substitute teaching (64%) and as a teacher aide or assistant (44%). Still, they often did not feel well prepared. Sixty percent of teachers felt well prepared in their subject area, but only 34% in using appropriate pedagogical strategies, 28% in managing their classrooms, and 17% in reaching all students. Teachers typically received multiple types of supports and received them multiple times over the first year, with a mean of 163 instances of supports. Teachers most often viewed supports as helpful if the supports were in the areas that teachers felt least prepared and provided at least monthly. The supports most related to teachers’ perceptions of helpfulness were mentoring, planning lessons, using student assessment data to make decisions about instruction, using appropriate pedagogical strategies, professional development for new teachers, teacher networks, and regular collaboration with other teachers.
Effects of a documentary on consumer perception of the environmental impact of meat consumption

PurposeMeat consumption causes a large amount of global greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems. Studies showed that consumers underestimate the environmental impact of meat consumption compared to other food-related behaviours. A video intervention was conducted to investigate the effect of information on consumers' perception and behaviour.Design/methodology/approachTwo didactically different videos about meat and the environment and a control video were shown to 189 participants. Ratings about the environmental impact of different food-related behaviours as well as participants' meat consumption frequency were obtained directly before, one week later and one year after the screening by self-report questionnaires.FindingsMean rating of the environmental impact of meat consumption was second to the least important of the different food consumption patterns. In the first intervention group, the rating increased significantly (p = 0.001) after having watched the video. There was no such effect in the second intervention or the control group. Self-reported meat consumption frequency did not change significantly in any of the groups. No long-term differences between the groups could be found.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the environmental impact of meat consumption. Providing information can affect awareness, depending on the type of information delivery. The circumstances under which information encourages behaviour change need to be further explored.Originality/valueThis is the first study that investigated the impact of different videos about environmental impacts of meat consumption on consumer perceptions and behaviour.
Effectiveness of 6-Week Nordic Walking Training on Functional Performance, Gait Quality, and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease

Background and objectives: Motor rehabilitation improves physical mobility and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD). As specialized rehabilitation is expensive and resource-consuming, there is a need for simpler, cost-effective methods. The purpose of the study was to determine whether Nordic Walking (NW) training may support the management of motor disability in PD. Materials and Methods: Forty patients (median age 64.0 years, range 50–75 years) with idiopathic PD, Hoehn and Yahr stages II–III, were randomly assigned to NW or standard rehabilitation (SR) programs, comprising twelve rehabilitation sessions conducted bi-weekly throughout the 6-week study period. Results: Median Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III scores were significantly reduced with NW, by 8.5, and with SR, by 6.0 points (both p < 0.001), with significantly greater improvement with NW than with SR (p = 0.047). Gait quality and balance control, measured using the Dynamic Gait Index, improved with NW by a median of 8.0 and with SR by 5.5 points (both p < 0.001), with slightly greater improvement with NW, compared to the SR group (p = 0.064). Quality of life, assessed using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), improved with NW by a median of 15 and with SR by 12 points, p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively. Conclusions: The 6-week Nordic Walking program improves functional performance, quality of gait, and quality of life in patients with PD and has comparable effectiveness to standard rehabilitation.
Study of the Effect of Prenatal Administration of Pregabalin on Cerebellar Cortex of Albino Rat's Offspring and the Possible Protective Role of Folic Acid

Background: Anti-epileptic drugs have harmful effects on the nervous system development. Pregabalin was approved in 2004 as new anti-epileptic drugs. Supplementation of folic acid during pregnancy is associated with a lower incidence of developmental problems in the nervous system. Objective (Aim): Assessment the effects of prenatal administration of pregabalin on the cerebellar cortex of albino rat’s offspring, and evaluation of folic acid's protective potential. Material and methods: 24 pregnant albino rats were divided equally into group I, group II and group III. From gestational day one until birth, Pregabalin (80 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to group I, pregabalin (80 mg/kg body weight/day) and folic acid (400 μg/kg body weight/day) were given to Group III and no medications were given to group I. At the age of two and four weeks, 30 offspring born to the experimental groups were sacrificed (5 offspring from each group for each age). Specimens were taken from the cerebellar cortices of rat’s offspring and were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric studies. Results: The cerebellar cortex of offspring of group II showed disrupted architecture with marked degenerative changes especially in Purkinje cells. Degeneration of the axons with depletion of myelin sheath was detected. The cerebellar cortex of offspring of group III showed restoration of the normal architecture with improvement of the degenerative changes. Conclusions: Administration of Pregabalin during pregnancy has neurotoxic effects on the developing cerebellar cortex of albino rat’s offspring. In addition, the administration of folic acid alongside Pregabalin can reduce these neurotoxic effects.
Mobile Personal Multi-Access Edge Computing Architecture Composed of Individual User Devices

The Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) paradigm provides a promising solution to solve the resource-insufficiency problem in user mobile devices by offloading computation-intensive and delay-sensitive computing services to nearby edge nodes. However, there is a lack of research on the efficient task offloading and mobility support when mobile users frequently move in the MEC environment. In this paper, we propose the mobile personal MEC architecture that utilizes a user’s mobile device as an MEC server (MECS) so that mobile users can receive fast response and continuous service delivery. The results show that the proposed scheme reduces the average service delay and provides efficient task offloading compared to the existing MEC scheme. In addition, the proposed scheme outperforms the existing MEC scheme because the existing mobile user devices are used as MECS, enabling low-latency service and continuous service delivery, even as the mobile user requests and task sizes increase.
La vida social del Covid-19: una etnografía del escepticismo y el negacionismo en poblaciones informales de Ciudad de México

La llegada de la epidemia a Ciudad de Mexico se ha enfrentado a una diversidad de respuestas. Dos de ellas, claramente encontradas. Por un lado, aquellas provenientes de los distintos niveles de Gobierno dirigidas a paliar la ola de contagios, ya sea por medios legales o extralegales. Por el otro, la respuesta de una de las poblaciones vulnerables, las informales, que han puesto en duda tales medidas, asi como la misma existencia del virus, al considerarlo una triple afrenta a su supervivencia individual y colectiva. Lo anterior ha resultado en lo que llamo La vida social del Covid-19 , la cual desborda su existencia medica. En cambio, la vida social emerge y se refuerza a partir de las experiencias negativas de este sector con el Estado. A partir del lenguaje contencioso, niegan abiertamente la existencia del virus (el negacionismo) o, al menos, dudan de su existencia (el escepticismo). Para analizar etnograficamente este fenomeno, me he basado en las breves interacciones con el exterior para problematizar las relaciones entre las poblaciones informales, el Estado y la epidemia de Covid-19. Lo anterior me ha llevado a encontrar un elemento en comun: la negacion y la desconfianza de todo aquello que provenga de las autoridades que, idealmente, deberian ser las encargadas de brindar proteccion a sus ciudadanos.
The natural history of the genus Cypripedium (Orchidaceae)

Abstract The genus Cypripedium is one of five monophyletic genera within slipper orchids. Nuclear ribosomal ITS, nuclear low copy gene (ACO) and plastid data were used for molecular clock analyses. According to these analyses, the most recent common ancestor of Cypripedium appeared in the early Eocene. The Irapeana section is the oldest phylogenetic line within Cypripedium. The analyses indicate that after the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (c. 41 Ma) three main evolutionary lineages were split. Other important evolutionary processes took place in the late Oligocene-early Miocene. In this period, there were numerous divergence events within species groups characterized by transcontinental disjunction.
Spatial and temporal variability of daily precipitation concentration in southeastern South America

The study of the spatial and temporal variability of the precipitation concentration is necessary, due to its high environmental and socioeconomic impact. For this reason, this study aims to contribute to the knowledge of daily rainfall in southeastern South America. Daily records of precipitation for 48 stations are used (period 1979–2018) to calculate the concentration index (CI). High CI is linked to rapid physical processes such as convection, and low CI can be interpreted as a consequence of regular patterns such as the continuous passage of fronts. The spatial and temporal distribution of CI brings information about frequency and changes in heavy rainfall days. The spatial distribution of the CI at an annual level has a range of variation between 0.54 and 0.68. The CI temporal variation shows different regional behaviour. In Brazil, there is an increase in the CI, while in Uruguay and the north‐central part of Argentina negative trends are present in the four seasons.
From Euro-noir to Europe

This introduction briefly deals with the major orientations of this European Review Focus on ‘European crime fiction’. It first specifies what is meant by ‘Europe’ and which type of questions can be asked of crime fiction in view of a better understanding of Europe’s multiple and changing identities. It then presents the various contributions by linking them with the three fundamental questions of (1) circulation of crime fiction, (2) expansion of crime fiction in the broader cultural, social and economic field, and (3) the relevance of crime fiction for a thorough reflection on some properly European aspects of culture and society.
Air connectivity and spatial effects: regional differences in Europe

ABSTRACT The paper studies the determinants of air connectivity in European regions. It takes into account the spatial effects among regions, the different regional characteristics in terms of importance and the impact of the two main airline business models: low-cost carriers and full-service carries. In order to investigate these effects, a spatial econometric model is designed to estimate the determinants of different measures of air connectivity and applied to a data set regarding 284 NUTS-2 European regions for the period 2009–16. A strong spatial effect is found: good connectivity of nearby regions generates lower connectivity in surrounding regions. Moreover, the results indicate that low-cost carries improve air connectivity, particularly in remote regions.
A Continuous-Discrete Finite Memory Observer Design for a Class of Nonlinear Systems: Application to Fault Diagnosis

This paper aims to develop a continuous-discrete finite memory observer (CD-FMO) for a class of nonlinear dynamical systems modeled by ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with discrete measurements. The nonlinear systems under consideration are at least locally Lipschitz, which guarantees the existence and uniqueness of solution at each time instant. The proposed nonlinear observer uses a finite number of collected measurements to estimate the system state in the presence of measurement noise. Besides, a one-step prediction algorithm incorporated with an iterative-update scheme is performed to solve the integral problem caused by system nonlinearity, and an analysis of the numerical integration approximation error is given. The properties of estimation performance have been further proved in deterministic case and been analyzed by Monte Carlo simulation in stochastic cases. It is worth noting that the presented method has a finite-time convergence, while most nonlinear observers are usually asymptotically convergent. Another advantage of CD-FMO is that it has no initial value problem. For the application purpose, residuals are generated to implement fault detection cooperated with Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) control charts, while a bank of CD-FMOs is adopted to realize fault isolation for different sensor and actuator faults of the considered nonlinear robotic arm. The robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach are illustrated via the simulation results.
An Integrated Approach of Multi-Community Monitoring and Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystems to Support Sustainable Development

Aquatic ecosystems are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world resulting in the decline of aquatic biodiversity. Monitoring and the assessment of aquatic ecosystems are necessary to protect and conserve these ecosystems as monitoring provides insights into the changes in the aquatic ecosystem over a long period of time and assessment indicates the status of these ecosystems. This paper presents an overview of different methods for the hydromorphological, physical–chemical and the biological monitoring and assessment of surface waters. Furthermore, recently developed monitoring and assessment methods are discussed to support sustainable water management and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG6 related to clean water and sanitation) and 15 (SDG15 related to terrestrial and freshwater systems) of the United Nations. However, many other SDGs are dependent on freshwater, such as food (e.g., SDG2) and climate-related SDGs. We presented an innovative concept for integrated monitoring and assessment. The main new elements are the monitoring of all communities and the use of integrated socio-environmental models to link these communities to ecosystem interactions and functions as a basis for determining their relation to the SDGs. Models can also allow to determine the effects of changes in SDGs on the different elements of the concept, and serve in this manner as tools for the selection of an optimal balance between the SDGs in the context of sustainable development.
ALTERAÇÕES NOS TEORES DE COMPOSTOS BIOATIVOS, NA CAPACIDADE ANTIOXIDANTE E NA ATIVIDADE FENILALANINA AMÔNIA LIASE EM UVAS ISABEL TRATADAS COM RADIAÇÃO UV-C

Master Dissertation Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology Federal University of Santa Maria CHANGES IN LEVELS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND FENILALANINE AMMONIA LYASE ACTIVITY IN ‘ISABELLA’ GRAPES TREATED WITH UV-C RADIATION Author: LUANA HASELEIN MAURER Advisor: TATIANA EMANUELLI Co-advisor: CLÁUDIA K. SAUTTER Date and Defense place: Santa Maria, February 26, 2014. Ultraviolet light type C (UV-C) is a non-thermal technology that has been used as an abiotic stressor to delay microbial growth and enhance the phytochemical content of food crops. However, its effects may vary depending on the cultivar, fruit, hormetic dose and time after exposure. ‘Isabella’ is a hybrid grape cultivar (Vitis labrusca L.) that represents about 50% of Brazilian grape production and is commonly consumed in natura. The effects of UV-C irradiation (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kJ m -2 ) followed by storage at 20°C (1, 3, and 5 days) were evaluated on quality indicators, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of ‘Isabella’ grapes. The highest UV-C doses (2.0 and 4.0 kJ m -2 ) led to a rapid increase (about 10%) of total soluble solids (TSS) and decrease of pH values (p<0.05). All samples showed an increase on total phenolics (813.6 ± 99.6 in the 1 st day vs. 1016.4 ± 79.6 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g -1 skin FW in the 5 th day), flavonols (351.1 ± 58.4 in the 1 st day vs. 496.9 ± 83.1 mg quercetin-3-rutinoside equivalents 100 g -1 skin FW in the 5 th day), and anthocyanins (215.3 ± 35.4 in the 1 st day vs. 272.2 ± 43.5 mg malvidin-3-glucoside equivalents 100 g -1 skin FW in the 5 th day) content along the storage (p<0.05). Total phenolic compounds increased after UV-C at 1.0 and 2.0 kJ m -2 , whereas anthocyanin content increased after UV-C at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kJ m -2 (p<0.05). The levels of ascorbic acid (AA) and total vitamin C decreased in all samples during the storage (p<0.05). UV-C treatment had no effect on the flavonol content, but decreased AA and total vitamin C content (0.5 2.0 kJ m -2 , p<0.05). PAL activity decreased along storage time in all samples (47.7 ± 3.6 in the 1 st day vs. 38.4 ± 2.7 and 32.4 ± 2.1 10 4 EAU min -1 mg protein -1 in 3 rd and 5 th days after treatment, p<0.05). UV-C radiation (0.5-2.0 kJ m -2 ) increased PAL enzyme activity in two-fold relation to control. UV-C treated grapes had higher antioxidant capacity than control grapes in the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays (p<0.05). Indeed, this effect was positively correlated to the content of total phenolic and anthocyanin compounds and negatively correlated to ascorbic acid and vitamin C contents (p<0.05). Thus, UV-C radiation can be used to increase bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of ‘Isabella’ grapes, being 1.0 kJ m -2 the most appropriate dose for the studied conditions. UV-C effects appeared immediately after the irradiation and gradually decreased along the storage.
The Avatar Effect: The harmful consequences of decision-making through a 'separate' entity.

As we are in the midst of a global crisis, caused primarily by human activity, it is vital to ask, what leads us to make such ethically compromised decisions? This paper reveals a phenomenon that may cause an individual to loosen or lose their moral compass: the avatar effect. The case is made that there are frequent situations where individuals can make decisions through—what appears to them as—a separate entity, and that through compounding underlying mechanisms, this can result in an increased sense of disconnection, compromised judgement, and harmful consequences.