556 research outputs found
Big Data Process in the Age of Digitalization
No full textExtending the current academic literature, this paper tries to address procedural challenges associated with the successful integration of big data in business processes. In doing so, it presents a theoretical framework that may guide the big data realization and utilization process
Comparative growth, production, carcass characteristics and reproduction performance of Naked Neck, Black Australorp and their crossbred chicken
No full textThis study evaluated the phenotypic and genetic parameters of indigenous Naked Neck (NN), exotic Black Australorp (BA), and their crossbred (NNBA) chickens. A total of 270 day-old chicks (30 per group) were raised under identical conditions from day 1 to 48 weeks of age. Growth performance, including body weight, daily and total gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), was highest in BA, followed by NNBA, and lowest in NN. Carcass composition also varied significantly, with BA and NNBA having higher dressing percentages (62.98% and 62.68%, respectively) compared to NN (60.60%). BA produced the heaviest eggs (54.0 g), followed by NNBA (50.9 g) and NN (47.93 g). BA also had the best egg quality, hatchability, and FCR (3.15), with NNBA showing intermediate results. NN had the poorest performance in all traits. Age at sexual maturity was earlier in NNBA (161.23 days) compared to NN and BA. The study concluded that NNBA crossbreds outperformed NN in growth, carcass traits, and egg production, indicating their potential for enhancing rural poultry farming
An examination of select science curricula from Europe, Africa, and North America.
No full textKhan, S. (2018, September). An examination of select science curricula from Europe, Africa, and North America. Symposium Organizer and presentation, “An examination of the BC Science Curriculum in Canada.“ British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
What’s missing in model-based teaching?
No full textIn this study, the author investigated how four science teachers employed model-based teaching (MBT) over a 1-year period. The purpose of the research was to develop a baseline of the fundamental and specific dimensions of MBT that are present and absent in science teaching. Teacher interviews, classroom observations, and pre and post-student assessments were gathered. Using a Generate-Evaluate-Modify framework as a theoretical guide, the author identified three fundamental aspects of MBT that were not apparent in an analysis of the teaching methods. Drawing on these findings, the author hypothesizes the consequent impact of the absence of these aspects on MBT on students’ experiences and performance in science. Implications for core science teacher professional development activities on MBT are discussed
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Cloning, Expression, and Functional Characterization of TL1A-Ig
No full textTNFRSF25, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein that has a cytoplasmic death domain. TNFRSF25 is expressed primarily by T lymphocytes, including CD4+, CD8+, and NKT cells and is efficiently upregulated after T cell stimulation. The natural ligand for TNFRSF25, TL1A, is a type II transmembrane protein can be subsequently cleaved as a soluble trimeric protein by a member of metalloproteases. Our lab previously reported that TNFRSF25 stimulation using an agonist antibody, 4C12, expands pre-existing CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs in vivo. To determine how the physiological ligand differs from the antibody, we generated the soluble mouse TL1A-Ig fusion protein (TL1A-Ig) that forms a dimer of TL1A-trimers in solution with an apparent m.w. of 528 kDa. In vitro, TL1A-Ig mediated rapid proliferation of Foxp3+Treg and a population of CD4+FoxP3- conventional T cells (Tconv). TL1A-Ig also blocked de novo biogenesis of inducible Tregs (iTregs) and it attenuated the suppressive function of Treg. Treatment with TL1A-Ig in vivo induced the proliferation and activation of memory Tconvs, as well as, the expansion of Tregs such that they became 30-35% of all CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood within 5 days of treatment. Treg proliferation was dependent upon TCR engagement with MHC class II. Elevated Tregs were maintained for at least 20 days with daily injections of TL1A-Ig. TL1A-Ig-expanded Treg cells expressed high levels of activation/memory markers KLRG1 and CD103 and were highly suppressive ex vivo. TL1A-Ig mediated Treg expansion in vivo was protective against allergic lung inflammation, a mouse model for asthma, by reversing the ratio of Tconv cells to Tregs in the lung and blocking eosinophil exudation into the bronchoaveolar fluid. The potential of TNFRSF25 agonists was also tested in transplant tolerance. TNFRSF25 mediated Treg cell expansion in vivo significantly prolonged allogeneic skin graft survival. Our findings shed light on the role of TNFRSF25 signaling in CD4+ T cell subsets and the role of TL1A/TNFRSF25 in mediating inflammatory responses and resolving inflammation in tissue. Thus, TL1A-Ig fusion proteins are highly active and tightly controllable agents to stimulate Treg proliferation in vivo, and are uniquely able to maintain high-levels of expanded Treg for long periods of time by repeated administration.</p
Cloning, Expression, and Functional Characterization of TL1A-Ig
No full textTNFRSF25, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein that has a cytoplasmic death domain. TNFRSF25 is expressed primarily by T lymphocytes, including CD4+, CD8+, and NKT cells and is efficiently upregulated after T cell stimulation. The natural ligand for TNFRSF25, TL1A, is a type II transmembrane protein can be subsequently cleaved as a soluble trimeric protein by a member of metalloproteases. Our lab previously reported that TNFRSF25 stimulation using an agonist antibody, 4C12, expands pre-existing CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs in vivo. To determine how the physiological ligand differs from the antibody, we generated the soluble mouse TL1A-Ig fusion protein (TL1A-Ig) that forms a dimer of TL1A-trimers in solution with an apparent m.w. of 528 kDa. In vitro, TL1A-Ig mediated rapid proliferation of Foxp3+Treg and a population of CD4+FoxP3- conventional T cells (Tconv). TL1A-Ig also blocked de novo biogenesis of inducible Tregs (iTregs) and it attenuated the suppressive function of Treg. Treatment with TL1A-Ig in vivo induced the proliferation and activation of memory Tconvs, as well as, the expansion of Tregs such that they became 30-35% of all CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood within 5 days of treatment. Treg proliferation was dependent upon TCR engagement with MHC class II. Elevated Tregs were maintained for at least 20 days with daily injections of TL1A-Ig. TL1A-Ig-expanded Treg cells expressed high levels of activation/memory markers KLRG1 and CD103 and were highly suppressive ex vivo. TL1A-Ig mediated Treg expansion in vivo was protective against allergic lung inflammation, a mouse model for asthma, by reversing the ratio of Tconv cells to Tregs in the lung and blocking eosinophil exudation into the bronchoaveolar fluid. The potential of TNFRSF25 agonists was also tested in transplant tolerance. TNFRSF25 mediated Treg cell expansion in vivo significantly prolonged allogeneic skin graft survival. Our findings shed light on the role of TNFRSF25 signaling in CD4+ T cell subsets and the role of TL1A/TNFRSF25 in mediating inflammatory responses and resolving inflammation in tissue. Thus, TL1A-Ig fusion proteins are highly active and tightly controllable agents to stimulate Treg proliferation in vivo, and are uniquely able to maintain high-levels of expanded Treg for long periods of time by repeated administration.</p
Hydraulic simulations to evaluate and predict design and operation of the Chashma Right Bank Canal
Full text linkIrrigation systems / Irrigation canals / Flow control / Velocity / Canal regulation techniques / Hydraulics / Simulation models / Design / Operations / Crop-based irrigation / Distributary canals / Water delivery / Policy / Protective irrigation / Water allocation / Water requirements / Sedimentation / Water distribution / Equity / Water conveyance / Pakistan / Chashma Right Bank Canal
Exploring in-service science teachers' assessment literacy on teaching with models
No full textModel-based Teaching (MBT) is an approach to teaching science that promotes the generation, evaluation, and modification of students’ mental models (GEM cycle). This study is a sequential mixed-methods study to explore in-service science teachers (ISTs)’ assessment literacy about teaching with models. A questionnaire was administered to 416 ISTs from Chile and Canada to investigate their knowledge of models in science education and how often they assessed their students’ reasoning with models. Then, a focused investigation on the development of five Chilean ISTs’ assessment literacy in MBT was undertaken. This investigation involved classroom observations and interviews before and after participating in an online professional development course on MBT. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using regression analysis and factor analysis. A cross-case analysis was conducted with the five teachers to compare their assessment literacy. Results of the questionnaire showed that ISTs’ knowledge of models and modeling was positively and significantly related to their assessment literacy. Regarding the five ISTs’ pedagogy, it was found that most ISTs had beginner levels of proficiency in assessment literacy in MBT. After attending the online course, they continued using models to convey information. One experienced teacher; however, promoted a full GEM cycle which indicated that her enactments might have been influenced by her pedagogical content knowledge and years of teaching experience. These results showed that when ISTs are more literate in MBT, it influences their pedagogy regarding how they promote student generation and evaluation of their own models. Specifically, evidence was found that ISTs use assessment to i) judge students’ reasoning with models; ii) communicate feedback to clarify students’ conceptual doubts; iii) give opportunities to express their models and iv) promote the revision of generated models, for example, through the evaluation of models’ predictive power and revising them to fit new evidence. This study is significant in science education because it offers a new validated instrument to characterize ISTs’ assessment literacy. Furthermore, the characterization of ISTs’ assessment literacy offers an opportunity to identify which aspects of ISTs’ MBT could benefit from further enrichment through science teacher education.Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofGraduat
Effect of dietary polyphenol rich grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract supplementation on production performance, egg quality, plasma MDA, reproductive performance and faecal microbiota of golden laying hens
Full text linkThe study investigated the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation on laying hens aged 30–35 weeks. Hens were assigned to four groups: a control group with only basal diet and three experimental groups with basal diet supplemented with 250 (GSE 250), 500 (GSE 500) and 750 (GSE 750) mg/kg GSE. GSE-supplemented groups showed significantly lower feed intake in week 1 and 3 in GSE 750. No significant differences were observed in feed efficiency, egg weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumin weight, or Haugh Unit, suggesting GSE did not significantly impact these parameters. Egg production significantly increased in groups supplemented with 500 and 750 mg/kg GSE compared to the control group. Additionally, GSE-supplemented birds exhibited significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating potential antioxidant effects. The study further revealed a significant increase in Lactobacillus at GSE500 and GSE 750 levels and a significant reduction in E. coli levels with GSE 750 supplementation, suggesting potential benefits on gut microbiota. In conclusion, GSE positively influenced egg production, promoted Lactobacillus growth, and reduced lipid peroxidation and E. coli populations. However, reproductive efficiency in golden laying hens was not significantly affected. These findings contribute valuable insights into the potential benefits of GSE in poultry nutrition
Effect of soy hulls as alternative ingredient on growth performance, carcase quality, nutrients digestibility and intestinal histological features in broilers
Full text linkThe objective of this study is to investigate the effects of increasing levels of soybean hulls in broiler chicken diets on growth performance, carcase composition, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, amino acid digestibility, and intestinal histomorphology to determine the optimal inclusion level for maximising poultry health and performance. A total of 680, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Hubbard) were randomly assigned to five treatments with eight replicates, each consisting of seventeen birds, and housed in an environmentally controlled room with nipple drinkers and trough feeders. The experimental diets, containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% dietary soybean hulls (SH), were fed to the broilers for 35 days. During the starter phase, the growth performance of chickens fed 2% SH was not significantly different from the control group, but differences emerged during the later stages. Chickens fed 2% SH showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain compared to higher SH levels. Carcase yield decreased with increasing SH content in the diet, while wing meat yield was highest in birds fed 0% and 2% SH. The relative weights of gizzard, jejunum, and ileum varied significantly among groups. Higher SH levels led to decreased nutrient digestibility but increased excreta nitrogen and ether extract content. Ileal amino acid digestibility varied among SH levels. Intestinal histomorphology revealed significant differences in villi height and crypt depth among groups. Overall, diets with 2% and 4% SH demonstrated superior nutrient utilisation and intestinal health compared to higher SH levels. These findings suggest an optimal inclusion level of SH in broiler diets to optimise performance and intestinal morphology
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