Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carcass yield and meat quality in broilers fed with canola meal

Abstract 1. This study evaluated the effects of canola meal in broiler diets on carcass yield, carcass composition, and instrumental and sensory analyses of meat. 2. A total of 320 one-day-old Cobb broilers were used in a 35-d experiment using a completely randomised design with 5 concentrations of canola meal (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) as a dietary substitute for soya bean meal. 3. Polynomial regression at 5% significance was used to evaluate the effects of canola meal content. The following variables were measured: carcass yield, chemical composition of meat, and instrumental and sensorial analyses. 4. The results showed that carcass yield exhibited a quadratic effect that was crescent to the level of 18% of canola meal based on the weight of the leg and a quadratic increase at concentrations up to 8.4% of canola meal based on the weight of the chest. The yield of the chest exhibited a linear behaviour. 5. The chemical composition of leg meat, instrumental analysis of breast meat and sensory characteristics of the breast meat was not significantly affected by the inclusion of canola meal. The chemical composition of the breast meat exhibited an increased linear effect in terms of dry matter and ether extract and a decreased linear behaviour in terms of the ash content. 6. In conclusion, soya bean meal can be substituted with canola meal at concentrations up to 20% of the total diet without affecting carcass yield, composition of meat or the instrumental or sensory characteristics of the meat of broilers.
Potential impacts of 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming on rainfall onset, cessation and length of rainy season in West Africa

This study examines the potential impacts of 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming (GWL15 and GWL20) on rainfall onset dates (RODs), rainfall cessation dates (RCDs), and length of the rainy season (LRS) in West Africa under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Nineteen multi-model multi-ensemble simulation datasets from eight regional climate models that participated in the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment were used for the study. The ability of the model ensemble mean to reproduce the characteristics of RODs, RCDs and LRS for past climate were evaluated using two observed datasets. The impacts of GWL15 and GWL20 on each parameter were quantified and compared. The models reproduce the characteristics of RODs, RCDs, and LRS as observed in the historical climate over West Africa though with few biases. The models projected the western and eastern Sahel as hot-spots for a delayed ROD and reduced LRS in the 1.5 °C and 2 °C warmer climate under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. A delayed RCD and longer LRS are projected over the western part of the Guinea coast. The uncertainties associated with the projections are high for RCD but lower for ROD and LRS. While an increase in global warming from 1.5 °C–2 °C enhances late ROD over the entire West Africa under the RCP4.5, it fosters early ROD over the Sahel zone under the RCP8.5. It also encourages a decrease in the LRS over the Guinea zone and an increase in LRS over the Sahel zone, but produces opposite results under RCP8.5. The results of the study have application in reducing the impacts of global warming over West Africa.
HLA-DRB1 genotype associations in 793 white patients from a rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort: frequency, severity, and treatment bias.

OBJECTIVE The HLA-DRB1 "shared epitope" (SE) genotypes are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but it remains controversial whether the association is with incidence, severity, or both, whether there are associations in seronegative patients, and whether different DRB1 alleles that contain the SE have similar effects on RA susceptibility and/or severity. The present study was undertaken to study these issues in a large cohort of patients with RA. METHODS White patients with RA of <6 months' duration (n = 793) were enrolled in an inception cohort. HLA-DRB1 typing was performed, and patients were categorized into 21 DRB1 genotype groups. The disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS DRB1 associations in seronegative RA patients closely resembled those in controls. Of seropositive patients, 21% had 2 copies of the epitope, 52% had 1 copy, and 27% had none. However, not all genotypes with 1 copy were associated with increased susceptibility; for example, frequencies of DRB1*0404/X and *01/X did not differ from those in controls. Absolute differences between seropositive RA patients and controls were greatest for DRB1*0401 homozygosity (3.8% versus 0.8%, respectively) and *0401/0404 heterozygosity (4.7% versus 1.0%). DRB1*0404 was increased in frequency in seropositive RA but, unlike *0401, an increased frequency was seen only with 2 epitope copies. The relatively rare DRB1*10 had an unexpected association with seropositive RA, being present in 1.7% of seropositive RA patients and 0.7% of controls, and also showed a trend toward association with greater disease severity. The presence of 2 epitope copies was associated with increased frequency of seropositivity and younger age at disease onset, not with disease severity. Treatment indication bias was substantial and may have accounted for some of these effects. HLA-DRB1*0401/0404 was found much more frequently in men and in patients with a lower age at disease onset, and there was a trend toward a higher frequency of *0404/0401 in women. CONCLUSION This large inception cohort study confirms previously identified major associations and provides additional insights. Only one dominant association was found: *0401, which differs from other SE alleles in a single Lys-for-Arg substitution. The association of the rare DRB1*10 allele has not previously been postulated. Sex associations were confirmed. Associations with seronegative RA were not seen. Not all genotypes containing an SE copy showed increased susceptibility to RA. The association of SE genotypes found in this study related to disease susceptibility rather than severity.
Descending projections of hypothalamic neurons with sympathetic nerve-related activity.

1. Spike-triggered averaging was used to identify 104 hypothalamic (HYP) neurons whose spontaneous or L-glutamate-induced action potentials were synchronized to inferior cardiac postganglionic-sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) in 39 pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized cats. Neurons were located primarily in the lateral hypothalamus but also in the posterior, dorsal, ventromedial, and anterior hypothalamus, as well as in the paraventricular region. Most neurons tested (41/60) were classified as sympathoexcitatory (SE) because their firing rate decreased during baroreceptor reflex activation. Because the firing rate of 15 neurons increased during the pressor response produced by aortic obstruction, they were classified as sympathoinhibitory (SI). The firing rate of the other four neurons tested was unaffected by baroreceptor reflex activation. 2. Microstimulation of the medullary lateral tegmental field (LTF; stereotaxic plane P10.5-P12, 2.3-3 mm lateral to the midline) antidromically activated 11 of 58 HYP neurons with sympathetic nerve-related activity, including seven SE neurons and one SI neuron. Antidromic mapping was used to trace the axonal trajectories of HYP neurons that were activated by LTF microstimulation. The results of these experiments suggested that the axons of eight of these neurons branched or terminated in the LTF. The data obtained from another series of experiments were consistent with the view that these HYP neurons excited LTF-SE neurons. LTF-SE neurons were synaptically activated by electrical stimulation of the posterior or lateral hypothalamus. This stimulus also increased SND. The modal onset latency (36 +/- 7.2 ms, mean +/- SE) of synaptic activation of LTF-SE neurons was similar to the onset latency (38 +/- 6.8 ms) of antidromic activation of HYP neurons by LTF microstimulation. These data support the view that LTF-SE neurons are involved in mediating HYP influences on SND. 3. Rostral ventrolateral medullary (RVLM)-SE neurons, including those whose axons projected to the thoracic intermediolateral nucleus (IML), also appear to be involved in mediating HYP-stimulus-induced increases in SND. HYP stimulation synaptically activated these neurons with a modal onset latency of 36 +/- 9.6 ms. Microstimulation of the region containing RVLM-SE neurons antidromically activated 16 of 60 HYP neurons with sympathetic nerve-related activity. The nine neurons tested were classified as SE. antidromic mapping revealed that RVLM microstimulation activated the main axon rather than an axonal branch or terminal of 9 of 12 of these HYP neurons. 4. Microstimulation of the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray (PAG) at stereotaxic planes A2-A3.5 antidromically activated 30 of 61 HYP neurons with sympathetic nerve-related activity, including 13 SE neurons and three SI neurons. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Exploring the use of online video games to detect personality dichotomies

Purpose Personality trait detection is a problem that has been gaining much attention in the computer science field recently. By leveraging users’ personality knowledge software applications are able to adapt their behaviour accordingly. To detect personality traits automatically users must substantially interact with software applications to gather enough information that describe their behaviour. For addressing this limitation, the authors explore the use of online video games as an alternative approach to detect personality dichotomies. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the use of several online video games that exhibit features related with Myers-Briggs sensitive-intuitive personality dichotomy. Then, the authors build a user profile that describes users’ behaviour when interacting with online video games. Finally, the authors identify users’ personality by analysing their profile with different classification algorithms. Findings The results show that games that obtained better results in the personality dichotomy detection exhibit features that had better match with the sensitive-intuitive dichotomy preferences. Moreover, the results show that the classification algorithms should satisfactorily deal with unbalanced data sets, since it is natural that the frequencies of the dichotomies types are unbalanced. In addition, in the context of personality trait detection, online video games possess several advantages over other type of software applications. By using games, users do not need to have previous experience, since they learn how to play during gameplay. Furthermore, the information and time needed to predict the sensitive-intuitive dichotomy using games is little. Originality/value This study shows that online video games are a promising environment in which the users’ personality dichotomies can be detected.
Accumulation and toxicity of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles through waterborne and dietary exposure of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Dietary and waterborne exposure to copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was conducted using a simplified model of an aquatic food chain consisting of zooplankton (Artemia salina) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) to determine bioaccumulation, toxic effects, and particle transport through trophic levels. Artemia contaminated with NPs were used as food in dietary exposure. Fish were exposed to suspensions of the NPs in waterborne exposure. ICP‐MS analysis showed that accumulation primarily occurred in the intestine, followed by the gills and liver. Dietary uptake was lower, but was found to be a potential pathway for transport of NPs to higher organisms. Waterborne exposure resulted in about a 10‐fold higher accumulation in the intestine. The heart, brain, and muscle tissue had no significant Cu or Zn. However, concentrations in muscle increased with NP concentration, which was ascribed to bioaccumulation of Cu and Zn released from NPs. Free Cu concentration in the medium was always higher than that of Zn, indicating CuO NPs dissolved more readily. ZnO NPs were relatively benign, even in waterborne exposure (p ≥ 0.05). In contrast, CuO NPs were toxic. Malondialdehyde levels in the liver and gills increased substantially (p < 0.05). Despite lower Cu accumulation, the liver exhibited significant oxidative stress, which could be from chronic exposure to Cu ions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 119–128, 2015.
Crimea and punishment: the impact of sanctions on Russian economy and economies of the euro area

ABSTRACT The conflict between Russia and Ukraine that started in March 2014 led Western countries and Russia to impose economic sanctions on each other, including the euro zone members. The paper investigates the impact of the sanctions on the real side of the economies of Russia and the euro area. The effects of sanctions are analyzed with a structural vector autoregression. To pin down the effect we are interested in, we include an index that measures the intensity of the sanctions in the model. The sanction shock is identified and separated from the oil price shock by narrative sign restrictions. We find weak evidence that Russian and euro area GDPs declined as a result of the sanctions. The effects of the sanctions are also small for the real effective exchange rate.
Zonula Occludens Toxin Structure-Function Analysis

Zonula occludens toxin (Zot) is an enterotoxin elaborated by Vibrio cholerae that increases intestinal permeability by interacting with a mammalian cell receptor with subsequent activation of intracellular signaling leading to the disassembly of the intercellular tight junctions. Zot localizes in the bacterial outer membrane of V. cholerae with subsequent cleavage and secretion of a carboxyl-terminal fragment in the host intestinal milieu. To identify the Zot domain(s) directly involved in the protein permeating effect, several zot gene deletion mutants were constructed and tested for their biological activity in the Ussing chamber assay and their ability to bind to the target receptor on intestinal epithelial cell cultures. The Zot biologically active domain was localized toward the carboxyl terminus of the protein and coincided with the predicted cleavage product generated by V. cholerae. This domain shared a putative receptor-binding motif with zonulin, the Zot mammalian analogue involved in tight junction modulation. Amino acid comparison between the Zot active fragment and zonulin, combined with site-directed mutagenesis experiments, confirmed the presence of an octapeptide receptor-binding domain toward the amino terminus of the processed Zot.
Emerging therapeutics for primary peritoneal cancer

Introduction: Primary peritoneal cancer describes a malignancy that originates from the peritoneal lining of the abdomen. The diagnosis is clearest when the ovaries are uninvolved; however, this is rarely the case and, as such, the declaration is often made pathologically by extrinsic or secondary involvement of the ovaries. The disease shares nearly all of the clinicopathologic features of primary ovarian cancer, most importantly, a molecular homology, which has made it unfruitful for considering it a different entity. Because of this, both standard of care treatment algorithms and contemporary drug development protocols nearly uniformly consider these cancers as primary ovarian cancers. Areas covered: A Medline search was performed as well as a review of trials presented in the National Cancer Institute clinical trials website (http://www.Clinicaltrials.gov). We also reviewed abstracts presented at recent oncology congresses, such as the 2010 Annual meetings of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The purpose of this review is to highlight areas of current drug development for patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma. While there are numerous investigational agents being evaluated which follow patients with this disease, our review focuses on the most promising agents that are in mature clinical development. In addition, given the recent positive Phase III data of bevacizumab in the first-line setting for patients with this disease, we consider changes that we can anticipate in this field. Expert opinion: Numerous novel agents are being explored in this disease with the majority focusing on direct and indirect perturbations of tumor angiogenesis. Based on ongoing and recently completed investigations, targeted therapies are likely to become part of the armamentarium of first-line and recurrent treatment for patients with peritoneal cancers. Future studies of pathway-specific targeting will probably include pretreatment biomarker selection or eligibility criteria as well as combinatorial strategies.
Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Soil and Water Control Technology (SWCT) in Keita Valley, a Semi-Arid Area of Niger

The Ader Doutchi Maggia in Niger, as with other Sahelian zones, undergoes a process of climatic deterioration, which combines with the growing social and economic needs of the increasing population and causes a general economic crisis. Land degradation due to biophysical factors requires that priority action is given to land reclamation and soil conservation and to activities intended to increase agricultural production. This paper takes a look at socio-economic and established factors affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology (SWCT) in Keita valley, a semi-arid area in the central of Niger. Well-designed questionnaire survey on key agents was used to gather the indispensable data from farm menages. The binary dichotomous logistic regression model prognosticated six factors to be affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita. These variables cover the gender of the respondent, age of the household’s head, income evolution within the family, small craft referring to off farm income, training provides by local institutions, use of credit and, possession of full rights on land and its resources. The results revealed that diffusion of adoption from local organized community is a good alternative to increase the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita valley agriculture system in Niger. Researchers and policy makers should conceive proper strategies and agenda reflecting the farmers’ interest, position and restriction in advocating new technologies for greater assumption and adoption by the farmers.
In vivo and in vitro analyses of recombinant baculoviruses lacking a functional cg30 gene

The cg30 gene of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) encodes two sequence motifs, a zinc finger-like motif and a leucine zipper, found in other polypeptides known to be involved in gene regulation. To gain insight into the function of the cg30 product, CG30, we constructed and characterized recombinant viruses lacking a functional cg30 gene. We found that cg30 mutants had no striking phenotype in cell lines derived from Spodoptera frugiperda or Trichoplusia ni or in T. ni larvae. Although cg30 is known to be transcribed as an early monocistronic RNA and as the second cistron of an abundant late bicistronic RNA, production of a CG30-beta-galactosidase fusion protein was observed mainly at early times postinfection. Viruses containing cg30 had a subtle growth advantage over those lacking cg30 after several viral passages in cell culture. We employed transient expression assays to determine whether cg30 and pe-38, an AcMNPV gene that encodes a polypeptide with zinc finger-like and leucine zipper motifs similar to those of cg30, have redundant functions. Although pe-38 may have a role in AcMNPV gene expression, there was no indication that cg30 and pe-38 are functionally redundant.
Old-Fashioned Racism, Contemporary Islamophobia, and the Isolation of Muslim Americans in the Age of Trump

Abstract While extant research has documented the existence of negative attitudes toward Muslim Americans, it is unclear whether old-fashioned racism (OFR) is at the root of contemporary Islamophobia, and whether beliefs in the inherent inferiority of Muslims are linked to support for political actors and policies that aim to further isolate them. Bringing to bear a unique dataset of 1,044 white, black, Latino, and Asian participants, we demonstrate that a nontrivial portion of survey respondents make blatantly racist evaluations and rate Muslim Americans as the least “evolved” group. Next, we illustrate that these dehumanizing attitudes are strongly linked to modern objections of Muslim Americans, which we measure with a new Muslim American resentment scale (MAR). Our mediation analysis reveals that the relationship between OFR, support for President Trump, and various policy positions is powerfully mediated by MAR. These results suggest that the relevance of OFR in contemporary politics should not easily be dismissed, and that the literature on racial attitudes, which has predominantly focused on the Black-white dichotomy, should also be extended to appraisals of Muslim Americans.
The Magnitude of Akt/Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase Proliferating Signaling Is Related to CD45 Expression in Human Myeloma Cells1

In multiple myeloma, the Akt/PI3K pathway is involved in the proliferation of myeloma cells. In the current study, we have investigated the impact of the CD45 phosphatase in the control of Akt/PI3K activation. We show that Akt activation in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is highly variable from one human myeloma cell line to another one. Actually, Akt activation is highly related to whether CD45 is expressed or not. Indeed, both the magnitude and the duration of Akt phosphorylation in response to IGF-1 are more important in CD45− than in CD45+ myeloma cell lines. We next demonstrate a physical association between CD45 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) suggesting that CD45 could be involved in the dephosphorylation of the IGF-1R. Furthermore, the growth of CD45− myeloma cell lines is mainly or even totally controlled by the PI3K pathway whereas that of CD45+ myeloma cell lines is modestly controlled by it. Indeed, wortmannin, a specific PI3K inhibitor, induced a dramatic growth inhibition in the CD45− myeloma cell lines characterized by a G1 growth arrest, whereas it has almost no effect on CD45+ myeloma cell lines. Altogether, these results suggest that CD45 negatively regulates IGF-1-dependent activation of PI3K. Thus, strategies that block IGF-1R signaling and consequently the Akt/PI3K pathway could be a priority in the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, especially those lacking CD45 expression that have a very poor clinical outcome.