Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of natural alternatives to antibiotic on the growth performance, gut microbial population, intestinal morphology, and serum biochemical metabolites of broiler chickens

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of different feed additives on growth performance, carcass characteristics, gut microbial population, intestinal morphology, and blood metabolites of broiler chickens. A total of 540, day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly distributed into 6 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment for 35 days. The birds fed on a basal diet without feed additive (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.25 g/kg antibiotic as growth promoter (AGP), 1 g/kg essential oils (EO), 1.7 g/kg synbiotic (SYN), 3 g/kg medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and 1 mL/L essential oils in drinking water (EOW). The additives improved the body weight gain (p = .004) and feed conversion ratio (p = .02) compared to the CON group during the whole trial. The serum concentration of cholesterol was lower in the birds fed the MCFA diet and serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) decreased in MCFA and SYN groups. The relative weight of spleen was the greatest in MCFA group (p = .01). Feeding birds diets containing different additives decreased the population of coliform (p = .002) and Clostridium perfringens (p = .01) while Lactobacillus population was greater in broilers offered EOW, SYN, and MCFA supplements (p = .02). The jejunal villus height enhanced in the broiler chickens which received AGP and MCFA additives (p = .008). It is concluded that EOW, SYN, MCFA, and EO as alternatives for AGP improved the growth performance and intestinal morphometric indices and reduced the caecal pathogenic bacteria in broiler chickens. Highlights Adding MCFA to diet and EO to the drinking water improved BWG and FCR in broiler chickens. Dietary supplementation of MCFA decreased serum total cholesterol, increased caecal LAB population, and improved intestinal villus height. All supplements as AGP alternatives had beneficial effects on suppressing the pathogenic bacteria.
ET&C Perspectives THE PERSPECTIVES COLUMN IS A REGULAR SERIES DESIGNED TO DISCUSS AND EVALUATE POTENTIALLY COMPETING VIEWPOINTS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS ON CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Annual global plastic production is estimated to be on the order of 280 million tons per year, with further estimates that as much as 10% of all plastic will become debris in the global marine environment [1]. The presence of plastic in the world’s seas and oceans can result in a myriad of physical hazards, such as entanglements, which can lead to suffocation or drowning, and physical obstructions in throats or digestive tracts. Plastic also can act as a vector of transport for both invasive species and— given its high capacity to sorb hydrophobic chemicals—organic chemicals, particularly those that are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) [2]. Assessing the risks associated with the presence of plastic in the marine environment thus represents a challenge, because the difficulties in prioritizing the various hazards with respect to their relative potential to affect populations and ecosystems are considerable. In an economic environment in which financial resources are limited, it is of critical importance to affected industries to identify efforts aimed at prioritizing and assessing the risks associated with hazards that have the potential to significantly impactmarine populations and ecosystems. Unfortunately, there currently exists a general lack of standardization associated with the quantification of plastics in the environment, which makes it difficult to adequately assess the extent of the problem. As noted by van Cauwenberghe et al. [3], there is a lack of standard methods and units used to quantify the debris; studies almost always focus on litter in 1 marine compartment only (a multimedia approach is needed); and to date, only a few studies have examined concurrently the occurrence of both macro- and microplastics in various compartments.
A New Uncertainty-Based Control Scheme of the Small Modular Dual Fluid Reactor and Its Optimization

The small modular dual fluid reactor is a novel variant of the Generation IV molten salt reactor and liquid metal fast reactor. In the primary circuit, molten salt or liquid eutectic metal (U-Pu-Cr) is employed as fuel, and liquid lead works as the coolant in the secondary circuit. To design the control system of such an advanced reactor, the uncertainties of the employed computer model and the physicochemical properties of the materials must be considered. In this paper, a one-dimensional model of a core is established based on the equivalent parameters achieved via the coupled three-dimensional model, taking into account delayed neutron precursor drifting, and a power control system is developed. The performance of the designed controllers is assessed, taking into account the model and property uncertainties. The achieved results show that the designed control system is able to maintain the stability of the system and regulate the power as expected. Among the considered uncertain parameters, the reactivity coefficients of fuel temperature have the largest influence on the performance of the control system. The most optimized configuration of the control system is delivered based on the characteristics of uncertainty propagation by using the particle swarm optimization method.
Oscillations up to 420 GHz in GaAs/AlAs resonant tunneling diodes

We report room‐temperature oscillations up to frequencies of 420 GHz in a GaAs resonant tunneling diode containing two 1.1‐nm‐thick AlAs barriers. These results are consistent with a recently proposed equivalent circuit model for these diodes in which an inductance accounts for the temporal delay associated with the quasibound‐state lifetime. They are also in accordance with a generalized impedance model, described here, that includes the effect of the transit time delay across the depletion layer. Although the peak‐to‐valley ratio of the 420 GHz diode is only 1.5:1 at room temperature, we show that its speed is limited by the parasitic series resistance rather than by the low negative conductance. A threefold reduction in this resistance, along with a comparable increase in the peak‐to‐valley ratio, should allow oscillations up to about 1 THz.
PIEZOELECTRICALLY ACTUATED MICROVALVES FOR MICROPROPULSION APPLICATIONS

This paper presents a piezoelectric microvalve technology with a high pressure handling capability for micropropulsion applications. The device is a normally closed valve fabricated mostly by the micromachining of silicon. The valve consists of a custom designed piezoelectric stack actuator bonded onto silicon valve components in a stainless steel housing. Major elements of the silicon valve design include narrow edge seating rings and tensile-stressed silicon tethers that contribute to the desired normally closed leak-tight operation. No leak has been detected from a soap solution test at differential pressures of 0∼500 psi for a normally closed valve structure, indicating a leak rate of 0.001sccm or lower has been achieved. Piezoelectric operation has been successfully demonstrated at a differential pressure of 500 psi. A flow rate of 20 sccm at 100 psi has been obtained at 50 V.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Optimizing multi‐machining characteristics through Taguchi's approach and utility concept

Purpose – Taguchi's technique is best suited to optimize a single performance characteristic yielding an optimal setting of process parameters. A single setting of process parameters may be optimal for one quality characteristics but the same setting may yield detrimental results for other quality features. Thus the purpose of this paper is to describe simultaneous optimization of multi‐characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – The multi‐machining characteristics have been optimized simultaneously using Taguchi's parameter design approach and the utility concept. The paper used a single performance index, utility value, as a combined response indicator of several responses.Findings – A simplified model based on Taguchi's approach and utility concept is used to determine the optimal settings of the process parameters for a multi‐characteristic product. The model is used to predict optimal settings of turning process parameters to yield the optimum quality characteristics of En24 steel turned parts usin.
Hegemonic Rivalry in a Peripheral Region: An Assessment of Nigeria–South Africa’s Role in African Politics

Nigeria’s claim as the giant of Africa is evident in her foreign policy articulation of African Centre Piece. From 1960, Nigeria has championed the project of Africa through different diplomatic engagements across the continent of Africa most especially under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian administration. Nigeria’s unwavering support against the apartheid regime in South Africa led to the termination of apartheid government in 1994. However, the post- apartheid politics in Africa as well as the post-Cold War politics changed the dynamics of African politics. Nigeria’s claim as the giant of Africa became more contested and hypothetical with the emergence of notable countries such as Ethiopia and South Africa posing serious challenges to Nigeria’s hegemony in the continent. The most viable and notable threats came from South Africa following the end of apartheid regime in South Africa and coupled with its good governance rating, which had heightened the status of the country as a notable continental leader. This article attempts to explain the leadership roles of Nigeria and South Africa in a peripheral region of Africa with the view of analysing who has the sway to lead the affairs of Africa to the path of prosperity. Through the secondary method of data collection and qualitative method of data analysis (discourse analysis), the study concludes that Nigeria and South Africa roles in Africa were motivated by realist considerations. The study, however, recommends concerted efforts between Nigeria and South Africa in addressing socio-economic challenges in the African continent.
An evaluation of super-steep-retrograde channel doping for deep-submicron MOSFET applications

Performance and reliability of deep-submicron MOSFET's employing super-steep-retrograde (SSR) channel doping configurations are examined using self-consistent Monte Carlo and drift-diffusion simulations. It is found that SSR channel doped MOSFET's provide increased current drive and reduced threshold voltage shift when compared with conventional MOSFET structures. However, they also display a relatively higher substrate current and interface state generation rate. The physical mechanisms of performance enhancement/degradation and design tradeoffs for SSR channel doped MOSFET's are discussed. >
Review of experimental investigations into the design, performance and optimization of the Savonius rotor

The Savonius rotor is a drag-based vertical axis wind turbine and is used as an alternative source in small-scale energy generation. Design simplicity, low-cost, easy installation, good starting ability, relatively low operating speed and independent to wind directions are the main advantages of this rotor. However, because of its low efficiency and high negative torque produced by the returning blade, this rotor concept rarely gained popularity. Over the last few decades, although a number of investigations around the world have reported performance gains of the Savonius rotor, the available technical design is still not able to fulfill the demand of efficient small-scale wind energy converter at low wind speeds. Until now, various design changes have been proposed to meet a growth in power output through optimization of influencing variables like aspect ratio, overlap ratio, blade material, and so forth. Investigations have also been carried out by installing additional devices like curtain design, deflector plate, nozzle and ducts, multi-staging, guide-box tunnel and windshields. Installation of these devices considerably reduced the negative torque as well as improved the starting performance of the rotor. As a result, the power output of the rotor is also improved. Several researchers have reported increased power coefficients for various rotor designs based on their different testing parameters. Power coefficients for the conventional Savonius rotors have been mostly reported in the range of 0.12–0.18 and by optimizing its design, it can reach as high as 0.38. This article attempts to discuss the various influencing parameters as well as the augmentation techniques. This would offer an overall idea on the progress that has taken place to improve the design and performance of the Savonius rotor.
Older Adult Residents in Cohousing Communities: Impact and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract This cross-sectional study explored the experiences of older adults in cohousing communities in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cohousing- an intentionally designed collaborative housing community- provides opportunities for social support. Restrictions due to the pandemic may be associated with less opportunities for social and physical connectedness. Most participants did not feel lonely or left out but did feel isolated. Feeling lonely or left out were associated with poor health status, living alone, being single, and having less contact outside of the community. It was unclear if feeling isolated was a result of or was intensified due to the pandemic.
Robust Piezo Impedance Magnitude Measurement Method

Piezo impedance spectroscopy is widely used in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. Purpose of the research was tofind most robust and cheap method for impedance magnitude measurement. Proposed system consists of analog front end (AFE), signalsynthesizer and microcontroller unit. AFE enables to use low sampling rate, while using high frequency excitation signal. Proposedsystem uses chirp excitation signal in 20kHz- 600kHz frequency range. Results were compared against measurements made withcommercial impedance analyzer. Results show great potential for this method in SHM applications. Ill. 6, bibl. 10 (in English; abstractsin English and Lithuanian). http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 113.7. 623
Enhancing learning support for Masters dissertation students in management and business.

The origins of the project lie in reflection on conversations with students, and with colleagues at Wolverhampton and elsewhere, regarding their experience of undertaking, or supervising, research at Masters level. There seemed to be quite a widespread perception of a developing gap between students’ general appreciation of the characteristics of a Masters dissertation, and their grasp of the generic process by which a specific, researchable project is formulated, implemented and written-up within an appropriate timescale. The evidence of a subsequent review of literature leant weight to the view that the rate at which methodological debate is evolving, particularly in the multidisciplinary domain of management and business, is resulting in some mixed and confusing messages on the characteristics and expectations of Masters dissertations being received by postgraduate students.
Extraction of feature points suitable for matching image correspondence

Two problems must be solved in order to estimate the motion of an un-calibrated camera. One is the determination of the camera's parameters and the other is the correspondence matching of some features in images taken at various locations. In this paper, we propose a new technique to extract corners automatically in the sequence of images and then match the corner structures between the adjacent images. The method proposed in this paper incorporates the correct matching of the image corners in a unified algorithm for camera self-calibration and ego-motion estimation.
A three-phase neutral point clamped inverter for motor control

A microprocessor-controlled PWM (pulse-width-modulated) inverter has been developed in which the neutral point at a star-connected load is clamped in potential. In addition to PWM waveforms, the inverter can generate six-step or eight-step waveforms in response to the appropriate software, using the MC68000 microprocessor. Operation takes places in the PWM model for 1-40 Hz and in a step mode for 40-100 Hz. The inverter used 12 power switches compared with the customary six switches in a standard inverter. Darlington power transistors were used in a laboratory prototype rated at 6 kW. A design feature is that power to the drive circuits of the twelve switches come directly from the DC supply, eliminating the need for individual power supplies. The root-mean-square value of the fundamental line voltage is 0.64 V DC compared to 0.5 V DC for conventional PWM operation with a six-switch inverter. >
QTL mapping of drought tolerance at germination stage in wheat using the 50 K SNP array

Drought is a major concern among abiotic stresses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Breeding resistant cultivars are the most effective means to manage drought stress. F6 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from the cross of Berkut/Worrakatta were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought tolerance at germination stage under treatment of PEG6000 using the wheat 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Twenty-eight linkage groups were constructed, covering a length of 2220.26 cM. Eighteen QTL were detected based on the drought tolerance coefficients and D-value, explaining 2.7–6.5% of the phenotypic variances, in which 15 were likely to be novel. Three QTL, QGR.xjau-5AS, QCL.xjau-5AS and QD.xjau-5AS for GR, CL and D-value, respectively, at physical positions of 11.70–20.61 Mb between markers AX-111258240 and AX-94458300 on chromosome 5AS accounted for 3.4–4.8% of the phenotypic variances. Three QTL, QGP.xjau-5DL, QSH.xjau-5DL and QD.xjau-5DL for GP, SH and D-value, respectively, were flanked by markers AX-94524442 and AX-110998507 at 560.42–567.39 Mb on chromosome 5DL, accounting for 4.4–6.5% of the phenotypic variances. In addition, the candidate genes TraesCS5A02G022100, TraesCS5B02G014200 and TraesCS5D02G563900 were predicted. Based on transcriptional expression data, the results showed that the expression level of TaGATAs-5A, TaUbox-5B and TaGSTP-5D changed with the increase of treatment time under drought stress in tolerant and sensitive varieties. These are interesting targets in mining drought tolerance genes and the improvement of drought tolerance in wheat.
Rigs-to-Reefs Policy, Progress, and Perspective

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has updated its policy affecting oil and gas platform abandonment and removal procedures that should facilitate efforts between coastal states and oil and gas companies in the development of better offshore Rigs-to-Reefs (RTR). Over the past 12 years oil and gas companies have donated 128 platforms for construction of reefs in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Through partial platform removals and the elimination of explosives in the RTR conversion process, companies can now conserve reefs with higher profiles and less trauma to platform-associated reef organisms. Providing the industry with more productive offshore disposal alternatives and options can lead to reduction of abandonment cost and preservation of environmental values, thereby generating more incentives to convert platforms to reefs. In addition to producing 100% of the gas and 97% of the oil on out Nation's Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), GOM OCS platforms provide for the largest artificial reef complex in the world.
Mercaptosuccinic-Acid-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Highly Sensitive Colorimetric Sensing of Fe(III) Ions

The development of reliable and highly sensitive methods for heavy metal detection is a critical task for protecting the environment and human health. In this study, a qualitative colorimetric sensor that used mercaptosuccinic-acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (MSA-AuNPs) to detect trace amounts of Fe(III) ions was developed. MSA-AuNPs were prepared using a one-step reaction, where mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) was used for both stabilization, which was provided by the presence of two carboxyl groups, and functionalization of the gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surface. The chelating properties of MSA in the presence of Fe(III) ions and the concentration-dependent aggregation of AuNPs showed the effectiveness of MSA-AuNPs as a sensing probe with the use of an absorbance ratio of A530/A650 as an analytical signal in the developed qualitative assay. Furthermore, the obvious Fe(III)-dependent change in the color of the MSA-AuNP solution from red to gray-blue made it possible to visually assess the metal content in a concentration above the detection limit with an assay time of less than 1 min. The detection limit that was achieved (23 ng/mL) using the proposed colorimetric sensor is more than 10 times lower than the maximum allowable concentration for drinking water defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The MSA-AuNPs were successfully applied for Fe(III) determination in tap, spring, and drinking water, with a recovery range from 89.6 to 126%. Thus, the practicality of the MSA-AuNP-based sensor and its potential for detecting Fe(III) in real water samples were confirmed by the rapidity of testing and its high sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of competing metal ions.
Productive performance in Chinese enterprises : an empirical study

List of Figures - List of Tables - Preface - List of Abbreviations - Introduction - PART 1: GENERAL ISSUES - Industrial Growth and Performance - Economic Reform and Efficiency - PART 2: LITERATURE SURVEY - Efficiency Studies (1): the Theory - Efficiency Studies (2): Applications to China - PART 3: EMPIRICAL STUDIES - Industrial Performance at the Macro Level - Scale, Factor Intensity and Efficiency: the Coal Industry - Potential Determinants of Efficiency: the Iron and Steel Industry - One Industry, Two Regimes: the Textile Sector - Conclusion - Appendices - Notes - Bibliography - Index
An attempt to enhance solubility of metoclopramide base by Solid dispersion strategy and its application on development of Transdermal device

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is an issue, which usually occurs in cancer patient. Despite high bioavailability of oral and intravenous administration, these have some drawbacks. The oral route causes hepatic first pass metabolism and intravenous route is invasive in nature. Hence, antiemetic drug by means of transdermal route is necessary to administer in such cases. The aim of the present investigation is to develop suitable Transdermal Therapeutic System (TTS) with an objective to enhance solubility and skin permeability properties of metoclopramide base. Preformulation study begins with an approach to enhance solubility of 40 metoclopramide base by solid dispersion technique. transdermal films were prepared with 41 the solid dispersion as well as with pure drug. Phase solubility study at various temperatures reveals binding constants (Ka, 95-350 M-1 for PVP K30; 56-81 M-1 for HPβCD). Spontaneity of solubilization was justified by AL type linear profiles. The films showed satisfactory diffusion (%), permeation rate and flux after 8 h study. The transdermal patches as prepared were analyzed under FTIR, DSC and SEM. Both solubility and permeability rate in this investigation have been enhanced. So, it can be affirmed that this route would effectively enhance bioavailability