Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Weaning Age on Plasma Biomarkers and Growth Performance in Simmental Calves

Simple Summary Weaning plays a vital role in the management strategy of a dairy farms, also affecting the future animals’ performances, such as growth, reproduction, and lactation. At the same time weaning strategy, as days at weaning, influences the feeding cost as milk supply during the pre-weaning period reaches 40% of the total feed costs. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of weaning age, conventional (60 days) or early (45 days) on growth performances and inflammometabolic status of ten Simmental calves. The proposed results showed how early weaning strategy seemed to not affect inflammatory status and liver functionality after weaning, highlighting the possibility to reduce rearing costs but not jeopardizing calf development, as long as calves can reach body gains as reported in the present study. At least for performance, we are aware that the low number of calves enrolled in each treatment can limit the recommendations based on our findings. Hence, this study should be considered more like an explorative investigation since no recent data are available for Simmental calves in terms of growth performance and inflammometabolic adaptation. Abstract Weaning plays a key role in health status and future performance of calves. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of weaning age (Wa), early (45 d, EW) or conventional (60 d, CW), on growth performance and metabolic profile of ten Simmental calves (5 EW and 5 CW calves). Daily intake of milk and calf starter was recorded. Blood samples and measurements of body weight (BW), heart girth (HG), and wither height (WH) were collected at −25, −15, 0, 6, and 20 days relative to weaning. Growth performances (BW, HG, WH) were affected by Wa, resulting lower in EW calves compared with CW calves (p < 0.05). Average daily gain was affected by overall Wa and Time but also by the interaction Wa × Time (p < 0.05). EW calves had lower paraoxonase and higher oxidation protein products levels, lower glucose levels in the post-weaning period, lower Ca and cholesterol levels at 20 d after weaning, and higher GGT activity at −25 d from weaning (p < 0.05). A significant interaction effect between Wa and Time was reached for glucose, Ca, cholesterol. In conclusion, weaning Simmental calves at approximately six weeks of age might not affect inflammatory status and liver functionality after weaning. As secondary outcome, even though the low number of animals could represent a limitation, the average daily gain obtained by Simmental calves weaned at 45 d supported this strategy (despite the lower body weight at weaning and after was due only to the age difference of 15 days). Hence, in order to reduce rearing costs, early weaning for Simmental calves (dual-purpose breed, milk and beef) might not jeopardize calf development, as long as calves can reach body gains as reported in the present study.
The Effects of Perceived Culture Difference and Transformational Leadership on Job Performance in the Container Shipping Industry

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine the effects of perceived culture difference (between local employees and foreign managing directors) and foreign managing directors’ transformational leadership on job performance based on the perceptions of employees in the container shipping context. Research hypotheses were formulated and tested using survey data collected from Taiwanese employees working in four major foreign container shipping companies. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the effects of four national culture dimensions (namely, power distance, collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity) and transformational leadership on job performance.Study findings indicated that the national culture dimensions of uncertainty avoidance and collectivism had a positive influence on job performance, whereas power distance and masculinity had a negative influence. The study also found that transformational leadership had a moderating effect on the relationship between national culture and job performance. Implications of the findings for shipping companies and areas for further research are discussed and proposed.
Shift in beneficial interactions during crop evolution

Plant domestication can be viewed as a form of co‐evolved interspecific mutualism between humans and crops for the benefit of the two partners. Here, we ask how this plant–human mutualism has, in turn, impacted beneficial interactions within crop species, between crop species, and between crops and their associated microbial partners. We focus on beneficial interactions resulting from three main mechanisms that can be promoted by manipulating genetic diversity in agrosystems: niche partitioning, facilitation, and kin selection. We show that a combination of factors has impacted either directly or indirectly plant–plant interactions during domestication and breeding, with a trend toward reduced benefits arising from niche partitioning and facilitation. Such factors include marked decrease of molecular and functional diversity of crops and other organisms present in the agroecosystem, mass selection, and increased use of chemical inputs. For example, the latter has likely contributed to the relaxation of selection pressures on nutrient‐mobilizing traits such as those associated to root exudation and plant nutrient exchanges via microbial partners. In contrast, we show that beneficial interactions arising from kin selection have likely been promoted since the advent of modern breeding. We highlight several issues that need further investigation such as whether crop phenotypic plasticity has evolved and could trigger beneficial interactions in crops, and whether human‐mediated selection has impacted cooperation via kin recognition. Finally, we discuss how plant breeding and agricultural practices can help promoting beneficial interactions within and between species in the context of agroecology where the mobilization of diversity and complexity of crop interactions is viewed as a keystone of agroecosystem sustainability.
Nonlinear analysis and control of an underactuated 3-DOF control moment gyroscope with experimental validation

Nonlinear controllers have been extensively abstracted in recent times. Nevertheless, real time implementation for underactuated MIMO physical systems is rarely attempted. This work proposes a nonlinear framework based on dynamical analysis and the sliding mode based control technique to control a highly coupled and nonlinear MIMO underactuated control moment gyroscope. First, an analytical formulation based on dynamic characterization is proposed to understand both the unactuated dynamics and the performance constraints of the gyroscope. This characterization helps in designing a feasible nonlinear sliding mode controller which helps in a simple and straightforward control of the system through the entire operating regime. The effectiveness of the proposed nonlinear control and analytical framework is established by successful implementation on the experimental gyroscope setup.
Interpatient Heterogeneity in Drug Response and Protein Biomarker Expression of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary Recurrent ovarian-cancer patients face low 5-year survival rates despite chemotherapy. Oncologists may choose from a variety of guideline-recommended second-line therapeutic options without knowing which one works best. Thus, therapy alterations and adjustments are often required. We analyzed the response that 30 tumor lesions had to certain treatments in our patient-derived ovarian-cancer spheroid model. In addition, we characterized samples by immunohistochemical staining for new druggable molecular targets. Our results might help in tailoring future therapies for individual patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Abstract Recurrent ovarian-cancer patients face low 5-year survival rates despite chemotherapy. A variety of guideline-recommended second-line therapies are available, but they frequently result in trial-and-error treatment. Alterations and adjustments are common in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. The drug response of 30 lesions obtained from 22 relapsed ovarian cancer patients to different chemotherapeutic and molecular agents was analyzed with the patient-derived ovarian-cancer spheroid model. The profile of druggable biomarkers was immunohistochemically assessed. The second-line combination therapy of carboplatin with gemcitabine was significantly superior to the combination of carboplatin with PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (p < 0.0001) or paclitaxel (p = 0.0007). Except for treosulfan, all nonplatinum treatments tested showed a lesser effect on tumor spheroids compared to that of platinum-based therapies. Treosulfan showed the highest efficacy of all nonplatinum agents, with significant advantage over vinorelbine (p < 0.0001) and topotecan (p < 0.0001), the next best agents. The comparative testing of a variety of treatment options in the ovarian-cancer spheroid model resulted in the identification of more effective regimens for 30% of patients compared to guideline-recommended therapies. Recurrent cancers obtained from different patients revealed profound interpatient heterogeneity in the expression pattern of druggable protein biomarkers. In contrast, different lesions obtained from the same patient revealed a similar drug response and biomarker expression profile. Biological heterogeneity observed in recurrent ovarian cancers might explain the strong differences in the clinical drug response of these patients. Preclinical drug testing and biomarker profiling in the ovarian-cancer spheroid model might help in optimizing treatment management for individual patients.
ANCA-Negative Vasculitis in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Complicated with Membranous Nephropathy: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Renal involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) typically occurs in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-positive cases presenting with rapidly progressive renal insufficiency and urinary abnormalities induced by primarily necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (NCGN). Recently, ANCA-negative EGPA has also been reported to manifest with renal involvement, such as NCGN or non-NCGN, including membranous nephropathy (MN). Herein, we report a 70-year-old female who presented with purpura on the lower legs, upper limb numbness, renal dysfunction (eGFR, 20.5 ml/min/1.73 m2), and eosinophilia (eosinophils, 37,570/μl). MPO-and PR3-ANCA were negative, and urinalysis revealed urine protein (0.63 g/day) but without red blood cells in the urine sediment. Thus, she was diagnosed with ANCA-negative EGPA with rapidly progressive renal dysfunction. A renal biopsy revealed vasculitis in the interlobular arteries without NCGN, with the vasculitis being complicated by MN. Micrograph findings on fluorescence immunostaining contained both primary and secondary characteristics of MN (dominance of IgG subclass 4 more than subclass 1 vs. negativity of PLA2R and THSD7A). After treatment with prednisolone, her eosinophil counts normalized, and renal dysfunction improved. Furthermore, urine protein did not increase above 1.0 g/day during the clinical course. This is a rare case of ANCA-negative EGPA presenting with acute renal dysfunction without NCGN and subclinical MN with unknown etiology. It is important to recognize that EGPA pathology varies widely throughout the disease course, and the clinical course of subclinical MN should be carefully assessed in further follow-ups.
Friction and Wear Characteristics of Polydimethylsiloxane under Water-Based Lubrication Conditions

In this study, the friction and wear characteristics of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were evaluated when using lubricants created by adding surfactants at various ratios to deionized (DI) water. When pure DI water is used as a lubricant, the repulsion of water from the hydrophobic PDMS surface is large and the interfacial affinity is low; thus, the lubrication properties cannot be significantly improved. However, when a lubricant with a surfactant is added to DI water, the interfacial affinity with the PDMS surface increases to form a lubricating film, and the friction coefficient is greatly reduced. In this study, under dry and pure DI water conditions, severe wear tracks were formed on the PDMS surface after 10,000 cycles of reciprocating sliding motion under a vertical load of 100 mN, whereas in the case of the surfactant-based and water-based lubricant, no severe wear tracks occurred. The friction and wear characteristics of the PDMS were evaluated by increasing the normal loads and sliding cycles with a water-based lubricant containing 1 wt % surfactant. Under normal loads of 300 mN and 500 mN, only minor scratches occurred on the PDMS surface up to 10,000 and 100,000 cycles, respectively, but after 300,000 cycles, very severe pit wear tracks occurred.
Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms Applied for Implementing the Management Model "Triple A" in a Supply Chain. Case: Collection Centers of Raw Milk in the Azuay Province

To get successful the companies need a combination of several factors, the most important one is the management of Supply Chain. This paper proposes the use of intelligent systems such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Genetic Algorithms as support systems together with monitoring indicators and monitoring, in order to implement the management model Triple A, which is focused on Agility-Adaptability-Alignment, where the “Agility” is the speed of response to changes in demand, “Adaptability” is the ability to tailor the supply chain front market fluctuations and "Alignment" is to align the chain between consumers and suppliers. The Neural Network was trained to work as a predictor of demand and will improve the “agility” of the supply chain, the genetic algorithm is used to obtain optimal routes of pickup from providers, this support to the “alignment” the product of suppliers in the supply chain to final customers; the Neural Network with the Genetic Algorithm together serve as support to “adapt” the supply chain to variations of demand and the suppliers, however, for successful of the model are need other factors such as the use of indicators and training of staff on the administration of management model triple A in the supply chain.
Optimal utilisation level for lean product development in a multitasking context

Flow of information is of utmost importance during product development (PD) endeavours with timely feedback supporting the resolution of higher risk elements. PD task size, multitasking and resource utilisation levels of the PD system influence information flow and the value ultimately realised from the investment in PD. In this paper, a model incorporating a methodology developed using queuing theory, and in particular, results obtained for Jackson networks are extended to help engineering management to improve PD task flow and consequently become more ‘lean’. Considered factors include: optimal PD task size and multitasking (focus) level as well as the utilisation level of PD resources. Empirical data were collected from a case study company and compared to optimal values. The benefits of the proposed model and approaches are discussed.
Cardiac Evaluation of Exercise Testing in a Contemporary Population of Preschool Children: A New Approach Providing Reference Values

The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac autonomic function at rest, during maximal exercise, and in post-exercise recovery, to determine sex-specific and age-specific differences in resting heart rate (RHR), linear and spectral parameters of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), HRpeak, and heart rate recovery (HRR) after one and five minutes, in preschool children. This study involved a cohort of 167 healthy children (79 girls) aged 3 to 6 years that were selected from several schools in southern Spain. A 10 × 20 m test was conducted, and the cardiovascular response was recorded. No significant differences were found in all variables between the sexes. However, a significant reduction in RHR and an increase in HRR were found from age 4 to age 6. HRV parameters at rest were higher in older children. No associations between 10 × 20 m performance, weight status, and cardiac parameters were found. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that heart rate reserve (HRr), HRR5min, RMSSD, and HF were the variables that showed association with all HR parameters. There was also a significant correlation between HRr and HRR5min. In conclusion, cardiovascular autonomic function during rest, exercise, and recovery in Spanish preschool children was not influenced by sex, although older children showed greater cardiovascular modulation. Cardiorespiratory fitness status was not associated with HR response.
Forum on Proposed Revisions to ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission General Criteria on Student Outcomes and Curriculum (Criteria 3 and 5): A Workshop Summary.

On February 16, 2016, the National Academy of Engineering held a forum to discuss proposed changes to criteria used by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) to accredit engineering programs in colleges and universities around the world. The Forum convened a variety of stakeholders in the education of engineers, including representatives of universities, industry, and professional organizations. The presenters and attendees discussed the proposed changes and related issues such as a perceived lack of communication surrounding the development of the proposed changes and the degree to which the criteria prepare engineering students for jobs after graduation. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from this forum.
OSA and Chronic Respiratory Disease: Mechanisms and Epidemiology

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder that has profound implications on the outcomes of patients with chronic lung disease. The hallmark of OSA is a collapse of the oropharynx resulting in a transient reduction in airflow, large intrathoracic pressure swings, and intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia. The subsequent cytokine-mediated inflammatory cascade, coupled with tractional lung injury, damages the lungs and may worsen several conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Further complicating this is the sleep fragmentation and deterioration of sleep quality that occurs because of OSA, which can compound the fatigue and physical exhaustion often experienced by patients due to their chronic lung disease. For patients with many pulmonary disorders, the available evidence suggests that the prompt recognition and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing improves their quality of life and may also alter the course of their illness. However, more robust studies are needed to truly understand this relationship and the impacts of confounding comorbidities such as obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Clinicians taking care of patients with chronic pulmonary disease should screen and treat patients for OSA, given the complex bidirectional relationship OSA has with chronic lung disease.
Decontamination of enteric pathogens in soil ecosystems irrigated with low quality water for continuous irrigation practice

Recently, management of soil irrigated with low-quality water has become necessary to have a healthy crop. This research work aims to design the best management practices (BMP) to minimize drainage water hazards in the soil ecosystems. Based on the source of irrigation water, a column experiment was implemented on three soil samples that collected from three governorate in Egypt. The subsistence of enteric pathogens in soil irrigated with three types of low-quality water either sole sewage effl uent (Giza) or a mix of drainage and industrial effl uent (Kafr-el-sheikh) or drainage effl uent (Sinai) was monitored periodically for 90 days. The trailed soils were divided as: non inoculated cultivated (C) or inoculated cultivated with sole phosphate dissolving bacteria (T1) or Acidithiobacillus sp. (T2) or with a combination of both microorganisms (T3). Three common hyperaccumulator plants (Brassica napus, Plantago psyllium, and Plantago major) were cultivated separately in cultivated, inoculated soil trials in comparison to non-cultivated, non-inoculated control treatments (NC). Results section illustrates the removal pattern of fecal coliforms and Salmonella sp. in the trailed soil ecosystems, in response to different treatments during 90 days of experimental monitoring. The trailed remediation amendments, either in the single or combined application, followed by phytoremediation with three different phytoremediation plants, exhibited a positive effect in diminishing pathogenic bacteria in the three tested soil ecosystems, yet at varying degrees. The study concludes that, applied mixture of all treatments represented by choice of Plantago psyllium (as best phytoremediator plant) and combination of two remeditative bacterial inoculums (Acidithiobacillus and phosphate dissolving bacteria) in contaminated soil was selected as the BMP among the other applied treatments.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Beta as a Contributor to Prostate Cancer Growth and Migration

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is commonly diagnosed in the United States. Prostate cancer (PC) is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of male cancer deaths (CDC & NCI). African‐Americans (AA) are nearly 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with PC than Caucasian‐American (CA) men and 2.4 times more likely to die from the disease. There are known growth‐inhibitory roles of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones in PC. However, eventually, the PC growth and the disease “escapes” become refractory to hormone therapy. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) consists of two isoforms, GRα, which has been the most studied, and another isoform, GRβ, is less understood. The role of GRβ or GRα in the spectrum of the disease of prostate adenocarcinoma is unknown. Previously, our lab discovered the GRβ gene in mice and found that GRβ has a role in enhancing the growth of cancer cells via the PTEN/Akt1 pathway. In our studies, we found high levels of GRβ in adenocarcinomas from prostate cancer specimens and no change in the GRα level. Analysis of E006AA prostate cancer cells from African Americans showed significantly higher GRβ levels (p<0.01) compared to cells from Caucasian Americans. We, therefore, used lentivirus to overexpress GRβ in LNCaP cells that are derived from Caucasian men. We found that GRβ induces growth pathways and sensitizes to androgen‐induced growth. Migration studies in the E006AA prostate cancer cells from African Americans showed that antagonizing GRβ by lentiviral shRNA or by the Sweet‐P inhibitor significantly (p<0.05) decreased migration rates of the prostate cancer cells. Our findings here indicate that GRβ inhibits GRα to cause GC resistance, which may cultivate hormone‐refractory PC for growth and migration. The research findings may impact PC treatment by allowing for the development of strategies for rational drug design that may lead to novel treatments targeting GRβ and provide the basis for studies in the management of prostate cancer.