The current study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of dietary fermented feed (FF) on the growth performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and number of cecal microorganisms of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 d of age. A total of 240, 1-day-old female geese were randomly divided into five groups with six replicates (eight birds per replicate). Geese in the control group were fed the basal diet (0.0% FF) and the experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% FF, respectively. The 5.0% FF and 7.5% FF groups had greater body weights (BW), average daily feed intakes (ADFI), and average daily gains (ADG) than the control group. The feed/gain ratio (F/G) in the 7.5% FF group was higher than the control group. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IGA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the 5.0% FF group were higher than those in the control group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 5.0% FF group was lower. Moreover, the FF did not affect the plasma biochemical indicators, number of cecal microorganisms, and intestinal morphology of geese in the groups. These findings indicate that 5.0% FF may improve the growth performance (BW, ADG, and ADFI), immunological function, and antioxidant capacity of Sichuan white geese from 1 to 28 days of age.

The demand for rare earth elements (REE) is increasing rapidly owing to the emergence of new clean-energy and defense-related technologies. China's dominates the world production of REE. In this paper, we review the ore characteristics of four typical REE deposits in China and discuss the conventional beneficiation techniques, including gravity and magnetic separation, flotation, and hydrometallurgical processing of these ores. Some of the latest laboratory findings and industrial applications, as well as the development of novel reagents for REE processing in China are presented. The REE beneficiation technologies developed and employed in China could constitute a good case study for many other emerging projects being explored around the world.

Abstract The Clerodendranthus spicatus (Thunb.) C. Y. Wu extract (CSTCYWE) was administered to D-galactose-induced aging mice to investigate the effect and mechanism of CSTCYWE on exercise endurance in aging mice. The effect of CSTCYWE on the improvement of exercise capacity in aging mice was evaluated by detecting serum biochemical indicators, pathological changes in tissues, and expression by qPCR. The composition of CSTCYWE was analyzed by HPLC. The experiment showed that CSTCYWE increased the running time and the exhaustive swimming time of aging mice to improve their exercise endurance. CSTCYWE also reduced the levels of BUN, BLA, and MDA and increased the levels of HG, MG, SOD, and GSH-Px in the serum of aging mice. Pathological observation found that CSTCYWE alleviated the liver and kidney tissue lesions and damage caused by aging. Meanwhile, CSTCYWE could down-regulate the relative mRNA expressions of nNOS, iNOS, TNF-α, and syncytin-1 and up-regulate the relative mRNA expressions of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and CAT in the mouse liver tissue and skeletal muscle tissue. The results of component analysis showed that CSTCYWE contained caffeic acid, hypericin, isoquercetin, dihydroquercetin, rosmarinic acid, baicalin, luteolin, and baicalein. These active ingredients enable CSTCYWE to act on aging mice and improve their exercise capacity.

Abstract The main goals of this research are to determine the customers’ requirements from hotels based on TripAdvisor and the technical capabilities to fulfill the customers’ requirements. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), used in this research, is the method to determine customer’s requirements based on reviews from TripAdvisor. An output from the LDA method is used as input to Voice of Customer (VOC) in the quality function deployment (QFD). A hotel is selected to be a case study for implementing the integration of LDA and QFD. Questionnaires are distributed to the respondents for the purposes of filling the QFD. The absolute weight, relative weight, absolute importance and relative importance from the QFD with the highest scores are determined as the major capabilities to fulfill customers’ requirements. Suggestion are given to the hotel based on the output from the QFD. The suggestions for the hotel in this research were unannounced inspections and notes for the list of problems to be solved immediately by the hotel.

Yeast cultures (YCs) are defined as promising feed additives that maintain the health of birds and improve growth performance by modulating gut microbiota. YCs contain effective metabolites such as glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose. This study investigated the effects of YCs and their effective metabolites on carcass traits and cecal microflora in broilers. A total of 280 one-day-old mixed-sex Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to seven groups. The basal diet (control DZ) was supplemented with various proportions of glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose (Groups A, B, and C), 24-hour grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures (Group D) (YC), and a commercial yeast culture product (SZ) at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% (Groups E and F). Bodyweight of broilers was correlated positively with proportions of Proteobacteria in Group C and Lactobacillus and Roseburia in Group B (P <0.05). Broilers fed diets supplemented with YC or its active metabolites had the highest proportions of bacteria involved in nucleotide metabolism, and amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These results suggested that the dietary addition of YC could alter the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in broilers.

RESUMO À medida que os negócios baseados em tecnologia móvel têm crescido e mudado o hábito de leitura de notícias das pessoas, o uso de plataformas móveis de notícias tem se tornado uma nova tendência. Devido a essa mudança, a taxa de utilização da plataforma de notícias Line Today de Taiwan foi a mais alta do mundo em 2018. O estudo utiliza o Modelo Estendido ao Consumo da Teoria Unificada da Aceitação e Uso de Tecnologia (Utaut2) para explorar as intenções comportamentais e o comportamento de uso do Line Today em Taiwan. Foi coletado um total de 199 amostras válidas. Os resultados mostram que a expectativa de desempenho, a expectativa de esforço, a influência social, as condições facilitadoras e o hábito afetam positivamente as intenções de comportamento. As intenções de comportamento e o hábito afetam positivamente o comportamento de uso. Os resultados oferecem ao Line Today e seus similares uma estratégia de aprimoramento, bem como referências para desenvolvimento e pesquisas futuras sobre plataformas móveis de notícias.

ABSTRACT As mobile business has flourished and people’s news-reading habits have changed, the use of mobile news platforms has become a new trend. Due to this change, the use rate of LINE TODAY news from Taiwan became the world’s highest in 2018. The study uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model to explore behavioral intentions and the use behavior of LINE TODAY in Taiwan. A total of 199 valid samples were collected. Results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and habit have positive impacts on behavior intentions. Behavior intentions and habit have positive impacts on use behavior. Results provide LINE TODAY and its peers with an improvement strategy and a reference for future development and research into mobile news platforms.

RESUMEN A medida que los negocios basados en tecnología móvil han prosperado y cambiado los hábitos de lectura de noticias de las personas, el uso de plataformas móviles de noticias se ha convertido en una nueva tendencia. Debido a este cambio, la tasa de uso de la plataforma de noticias LINE TODAY en Taiwán fue la más alta del mundo en 2018. El estudio utiliza el modelo de teoría unificada de la aceptación y uso de tecnología 2 (UTAUT2) para explorar la intención conductual y el comportamiento de uso de LINE TODAY en Taiwán. Se recogió un total de 199 muestras válidas. Los resultados muestran que la expectativa de desempeño, expectativa de esfuerzo, influencia social, las condiciones facilitadoras y el hábito tienen impactos positivos en la intención conductual. A su vez, la intención conductual y el hábito tienen impactos positivos en el comportamiento de uso. Los resultados proporcionan a LINE TODAY y sus pares una estrategia de mejora, así como referencias para desarrollo e investigación futuros sobre las nuevas plataformas móviles de noticias.

RESUMO Utilizando um anticorpo monoclonal contra a aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) como ligante, foi identificado um mimotopo específico de aflatoxina B1 após se realizarem quatro ciclos de seleção biológica de 7-peptídeos aleatórios em biblioteca de fago exibida. O mimotopo é denominado P10, e sua sequência de aminoácidos é YRRHEKD. O soro imunológico de ratos Balb/c imunizados com P10 foi especificamente ligado à aflatoxina B1-albumina, indicando que o anticorpo era específico ao AFB1. Esses resultados sugerem que é possível desenvolver a vacina baseada em mimotopo associado à toxina.

RESUMO Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a extensão da proteção contra a infecção pelo vírus da diarréia viral bovina tipo 2 (BVDV-2) através da vacinação com uma vacina combinada inativada contendo o vírus da diarréia viral bovina tipo 1 (BVDV-1) e vírus da rinotraqueíte de bovinos infecciosos (IBRV). Cinco bezerros com 3 a 4 meses de idade foram vacinados via intramuscular com uma dose única da vacina combinada e reforçados com a mesma dose três semanas após a primeira vacinação, com cinco bezerros imunizados em simulação servindo como grupo controle. Vinte e um dias após a segunda vacinação, todos os bezerros foram desafiados com a cepa BVDV-2 SX08 por spray na narina. Os animais não vacinados desenvolveram sinais clínicos típicos, como alta temperatura retal, diarréia com erosões e queda drástica na contagem de leucócitos. Estes sinais tiveram ocorrência significativamente menor em todos os animais vacinados, cuja temperatura retal, leucopenia e virarmia eram significativamente menores do que os bezerros simulados. É possível concluir que a vacinação com a vacina combinada inativada proporciona proteção cruzada contra os efeitos clínicos de uma infecção provocada pela cepa BVDV-2 SX08, embora tenha sido parcialmente protegida.

ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the extent of the protection for bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 (BVDV-2) infection, afforded by vaccination with a combo inactivated vaccine, which contains bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). Five 3-4-month-old calves were intramuscularly vaccinated with a single dose of the combo vaccine and boosted with same dose three weeks after the first vaccination, with five mock immunized calves serving as a control group. Twenty-one days after the second vaccination, all calves were challenged with BVDV-2 SX08 strain by spray into nostril. The unvaccinated animals developed typical clinical signs of high rectal temperature, diarrhoea with erosions and a dramatic drop in leukocyte counts. These signs occured markedly less in all vaccinated animals, the rectal temperature, leukopenia and virarmia of which, were significantly less than the mock immunized calves. It can be concluded that vaccination with the combo inactivated vaccine affords cross-protection against clinical effects of a challenge-infection with BVDV-2 SX08 strain, although it was part protection.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa de desenvolvimento do edema macular cistóide em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de catarata em quatro esquemas terapêuticos diferentes. Métodos: O presente estudo é uma análise retrospectiva de 5.380 olhos após facoemulsificação não complicada na Wake Forest University. O período do estudo foi entre julho de 2007 e dezembro de 2012. Os pacientes receberam um dos quatro esquemas: cetorolaco genérico pós-operatório 0,4% e prednisolona 1%, cetorolaco 0,45% pós-operatório e prednisolona 1%, bromfenac 0,09% e a prednisolona 1% pós-operatório, bromfenaco 0,09% no pré-operatório e isoladamente no pós-operatório. Uma análise estatística foi realizada para avaliar as diferenças na taxa de desenvolvimento do edema macular cistóide entre os quatro diferentes regimes terapêuticos. O diagnóstico de edema macular cistóide exigiu uma piora da visão e uma evidência de aumento da espessura macular na tomografia de coerência óptica. Resultados: A taxa global de edema macular cistóide foi de 0,82%. O tratamento com cetorolaco genérico pós-operatório 0,45% e prednisolona 1% demonstrou a maior taxa de desenvolvimento de edema macular cistóide (2,20% dos casos). O cetorolaco 0,45% e a prednisolona 1% no pós-operatório exibiram taxas intermediárias de desenvolvimento de edema macular cistóide (0,90% dos casos). A administração de bromofenac 0,09% e de prednisolona 1% no pós-operatório apresentou taxas intermediárias de desenvolvimento de edema macular cistóide (0,44% dos casos). O bromfenac 0,09% no pré e pós-operatório isoladamente resultou na menor taxa de desenvolvimento de edema macular cistóide (0,09% dos casos). A taxa de edema macular cistóide foi significativamente menor quando o bromfenac foi utilizado isoladamente em relação ao esquema onde cetorolaco e a prednisolona foram usados (OR 0,043, 95% CI 0,002 a 0,312; p<0,001). Conclusões: O edema macular cistóide pós-cirurgia de catarata desenvolveu-se com menor frequência após o tratamento tópico de medicamentos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais, comparado às outras terapias avaliadas. Bromfenac, sem corticosteróides, alcançou taxas mais baixas de edema macular cistóide vs. Várias combinações em comparação com as várias combinações de drogas anti-inflamatórias não esteroidais com corticosteróides.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the rate of cystoid macular edema development among cataract surgery patients on four different therapeutic regimens. Methods: The present study is a retrospective analysis of 5,380 eyes following uncomplicated phacoemulsification at Wake Forest University. The study period went from July 2007 to December 2012. Patients received one of four regimens, as follows: postoperative generic ketorolac 0.4% and prednisolone 1%, postoperative name-brand ketorolac 0.45% and prednisolone 1%, postoperative bromfenac 0.09% and prednisolone 1%, preoperative and postoperative bromfenac 0.09% alone. A statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences in rate of cystoid macular edema development among the four different therapeutic regimens. The diagnosis of cystoid macular edema required worsening of vision and evidence of increased macular thickness on optical coherence tomography. Results: The overall rate of cystoid macular edema was 0.82%. Treatment by postoperative generic ketorolac 0.45% and prednisolone 1% demonstrated the highest rate of cystoid macular edema development (2.20% of the cases). Postoperative name-brand ketorolac 0.45% and prednisolone 1% exhibited intermediate rates of cystoid macular edema development (0.90% of the cases). Postoperative administration of bromfenac 0.09% and prednisolone 1% exhibited intermediate rates of cystoid macular edema development (0.44% of the cases). Preoperative and postoperative bromfenac 0.09% alone resulted in the lowest rate of cystoid macular edema development (0.09% of the cases). The rate of cystoid macular edema was significantly lower when bromfenac was used alone vs. either regimen where ketorolac and prednisolone were used (OR 0.043, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.312; p<0.001). Conclusions: Post-cataract surgery cystoid macular edema developed less frequently following topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs regimen compared to the other therapies evaluated. Bromfenac, without corticosteroids, achieved lower rates of cystoid macular edema vs. various combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with corticosteroids.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a soroprevalência de infecção com Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) em cabras em cinco províncias do noroeste da China. Soroprevalência foi determinado usando o kit de teste de ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimática (ELISA). A soroprevalência geral foi 21.23% (197/928). Análise estatística revlou que diferenças significativas foram observadas em fêmeas (P= 0.048, OR= 0.567, 95% CI= 0.309 a 1.041) e nos grupos ≥ 2 (P= 0.002, OR= 0.330, 95% CI= 0.224 a 0.488). Nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi observada entre diferentes províncias. Nossos resultados indicam que a infecção com T. gondii, que pode ter implicações importantes sobre a saúde pública, teve diferenças significativas em sexo e idade, mas nenhuma significância foi observada em diferentes regiões. Além disto, nossos resultados também indicam que infecção por T. gondii em cabras é generalizada nas cinco províncias do noroeste.

Abstract The formation and characteristics of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) under different operational conditions in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR), designed to treat Mustard tuber wastewater (MTW, characterized as saline wastewater), had been investigated in this study. Morphology and structure during granulation were determined using a microscope with a digital camera and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Granules formed in the reactors could be classified as zoogloea granules with a clear boundary outline and filamentous granules with mycelia bestrewing boundary. Zoogloea granules, cultivated in reactor R1 and R2, was with higher density than filamentous granules, cultivated in reactor R3, and consequently had a higher settling velocity. Results showed that divalent metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ with phosphate in inflow could transform into precipitates, serving as crystal nucleus and carriers for granulation. Moreover, appropriate organic loading, hydrodynamic shear and salt-stress selection can induce moderate growth of filamentous bacteria to act as granulation backbone and consequently granulation process under salt stress was a result together with crystal nucleus, filamentous bacteria, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which could be affected by salinity-shifting strategies and dosage of aluminum salt coagulant.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several recent randomized clinical trials have evaluated hypofractionated regimens against conventionally fractionated EBRT and shown similar effectiveness with conflicting toxicity results. The current view regarding hypofractionation compared to conventional EBRT among North American genitourinary experts for management of prostate cancer has not been investigated. Materials and Methods: A survey was distributed to 88 practicing North American GU physicians serving on decision - making committees of cooperative group research organizations. Questions pertained to opinions regarding the default EBRT dose and fractionation for a hypothetical example of a favorable intermediate - risk prostate cancer (Gleason 3 + 4). Treatment recommendations were correlated with practice patterns using Fisher's exact test. Results: Forty - two respondents (48%) completed the survey. We excluded from analysis two respondents who selected radical hypofractionation with 5 – 12 fractions as a preferred treatment modality. Among the 40 analyzed respondents, 23 (57.5%) recommend conventional fractionation and 17 (42.5%) recommended moderate hypofractionation. No demographic factors were found to be associated with preference for a fractionation regimen. Support for brachytherapy as a first choice treatment modality for low - risk prostate cancer was borderline significantly associated with support for moderate hypofractionated EBRT treatment modality (p = 0.089). Conclusions: There is an almost equal split among North American GU expert radiation oncologists regarding the appropriateness to consider moderately hypofractionated EBRT as a new standard of care in management of patients with prostate cancer. Physicians who embrace brachytherapy may be more inclined to support moderate hypofractionated regimen for EBRT. It is unclear whether reports with longer follow-ups will impact this balance, or whether national care and reimbursement policies will drive the clinical decisions. In the day and age of patient - centered care delivery, patients should receive an objective recommendation based on available clinical evidence. The stark division among GU experts may influence the design of future clinical trials utilizing EBRT for patients with prostate cancer.

Abstract Background: Prognosis remains one of most crucial determinants of gastric cancer (GC) treatment, but current methods do not predict prognosis accurately. Identification of additional biomarkers is urgently required to identify patients at risk of poor prognoses. Methods: Tissue microarrays were used to measure expression of nine GC-associated proteins in GC tissue and normal gastric tissue samples. Hierarchical cluster analysis of microarray data and feature selection for factors associated with survival were performed. Based on these data, prognostic scoring models were established to predict clinical outcomes. Finally, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to identify a biological GC network. Results: Eight proteins were upregulated in GC tissues versus normal gastric tissues. Hierarchical cluster analysis and feature selection showed that overall survival was worse in cyclin dependent kinase (CDK)2, Akt1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), Notch4, and phosphorylated (p)-protein kinase C (PKC) α/β2 immunopositive patients than in patients that were immunonegative for these proteins. Risk score models based on these five proteins and clinicopathological characteristics were established to determine prognoses of GC patients. These proteins were found to be involved in cancer related-signaling pathways and upstream regulators were identified. Conclusion: This study identified proteins that can be used as clinical biomarkers and established a risk score model based on these proteins and clinicopathological characteristics to assess GC prognosis.

To reduce production costs and increase efficiency in ageing coal mines, a system that utilizes two shearers in a fully mechanized longwall working face is proposed. Using theoretical and engineering experience, three issues pertaining to the system were determined: (a) the two-shearer mining technique; (b) matching and modifying the equipment; (c) and coal-cutting task allocation for each shearer. Two mining processes are proposed, with the two shearers travelling in either the same or opposing directions. To avoid breakage of chains and pan extrusion of the armoured face conveyor (AFC), the length of the AFC 'snake' was controlled. To ensure continuous cutting and transporting of coal, the cross-sectional dimensions of the AFC were checked and the shearer closer to the head drive was modified. Based on the assumption of equal cutting times for each shearer, the meeting position of the two shearers was obtained by using a theoretical model of mining task allocation. Application of this technique at No. 2 Jining Mine, China, has shown remarkable benefits: daily production capacity was increased by 54% and personnel efficiency was improved by 33 t/d per person.

The majority of goats in Tanzania belong to the Small East African (SEA) breed, which exhibits large phenotypic variation. This study aimed to determine the genetic structure of, and relationships among four populations (Sukuma, Gogo, Sonjo, and Pare) of the SEA breed that have not been studied adequately. A total of 120 individuals (24 from each population) were analysed at eight microsatellite loci. In addition, 24 goats of the South African Boer breed were used as reference. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.583 ± 0.04 for Sukuma to 0.659 ± 0.030 for Gogo, while expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.632 ± 0.16 for Sukuma to 0.716 ± 0.16 for Boer. Five loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) across populations. The mean number of alleles ranged from 4.75 ± 1.58 for Pare to 6.88 ± 3.00 for Sukuma. The mean inbreeding coefficient (F IS) ranged from 0.003 in Sonjo to 0.148 in Sukuma. The differentiation coefficient (F ST)was highest (0.085) between Boer and Sukuma and lowest (0.008) between Gogo and Sonjo. The largest genetic distance (0.456) was found between Sukuma and Boer, while the smallest (0.031) was between Gogo and Sonjo populations. Pare, Gogo, and Sonjo populations, formed one cluster, while Sukuma and Boer populations formed two separate clusters. From the findings, it can be concluded that the SEA goats in this study showed high in population genetic variation, which implies that there is good scope for their further improvement through selection within populations. The Sukuma population, which has fairly high inbreeding, is moderately differentiated from Pare, Sonjo, and Gogo goat populations, which showed a high level of admixture. Conservation and improvement strategies of the goats should be designed with first priority being on Sukuma goats.