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This paper focuses on synthesis and characterization of Zr/Ti and Ti/Zr nitride multilayer coatings by magnetron plasma sputtering to enhance the tribologic properties. The synthesis of nitrides was achieved by non-reactive deposition using Ti or Zr nitride targets or by reactive deposition using Ti or Zr targets in the presence of nitrogen. The formation of nitride layers was highlighted by XRD, EDX and XPS investigations, while the tribologic properties were made with HFRR equipment. The tribological study showed that the coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter decrease in multilayer films with zirconium nitride as the upper layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a vector-borne virus that causes RVF in humans and ruminants. The clinical symptoms in humans and animals are non-specific and often misdiagnosed, but abortions in ruminants and high mortality in young animals are characteristic. Since the initial outbreak in the Rift Valley area in Kenya, the disease has spread to most African countries and the Middle East. The presence and epidemiological status of RVFV in humans and animals in Palestine are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the presence and risk factors for RVF seroprevalence in veterinarians, as occupational hazard professionals, and sheep, as highly susceptible animals, in Northern Palestine. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data and blood samples of 280 Assaf sheep and 100 veterinarians in close occupational contact with sheep were collected between August and September 2020 using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: No evidence of RVF antibodies was found in any human or animal sample. Conclusion: Our results suggest that RVFV has not circulated in livestock in Northern Palestine, yet. Surveillance and response capabilities and cooperation with the nearby endemic regions are recommended. The distribution of competent vectors in Palestine, associated with global climate change and the role of wild animals, might be a possible route for RVF spreading to Palestine from neighboring countries.

Background and Aim: West Nile fever (WNF) is a neurotropic, mosquito-borne disease affecting humans and domesticated animals, caused by a member of the genus Flavivirus. Over the last decades, this virus has been responsible for several cases of illness in humans and animals. The current epidemiological status of WNF in horses is insufficient, and in veterinarians, as an occupational hazard is unknown. This study aimed to investigate and determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for WNF in veterinarians and horses in Palestine. Materials and Methods: In this study, serum samples from 100 veterinarians and 87 horses were collected between August 2020 and September 2020 from different cities of Northern Palestine. West Nile virus (WNV) antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Our results showed that 60.9% of the horse serum samples were positive in all investigated cities. In horses, location is a risk factor for the seropositivity for WNF, whereas age, sex, breed, and intended use of the horses, were not associated with increased WNF seropositivity. In veterinarians, 23.0% of the serum samples were positive. Positive samples were detected in all locations, age groups, experience length, and work sectors. However, the seropositivity for WNF was not influenced by these variables. Conclusion: The results revealed that WNV circulates in most regions of Palestine. Our results will help determine the risk of infection in animals and humans and control WNV transmission. Surveillance studies on humans, vectors, and animals are needed to better define endemic areas.

This study was conducted to evaluate the carcass yield, abdominal fat deposition and chemical compositions of thigh and breast muscles of male Arian broilers fed three different lysine levels of 1) high lysine (110% NRC), 2) standard level suggested by National Research Council (NRC) and 3) low lysine (90% NRC) based on two expression ways of amino acid contents of feedstuffs, as total amino acids (TAA) or digestible amino acids (DAA). Three hundred one day old male broiler chickens were used in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments of 5 replicates (10 male broilers). All diets were iso-caloric and isonitrogenous. The results of this study showed that diet formulation based on DAA significantly influenced breast muscle yield and abdominal fat deposition. High lysine level (110% NRC) significantly improved carcass yield, breast and thigh muscle percentages and weights. The interaction between DAA × lysine levels of the feed affects carcass and breast muscle percentages of the broilers. Feeding the broilers with high level lysine containing diets (110% NRC) resulted in significantly high lysine content of the breast and thigh muscles. The results of this study suggest that diet formulation based on digestible amino acids with additional lysine at the level of 110% of NRC in starter and grower diets optimized body weight gain in Arain male broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritive values of non-processed and processed pistachio peel with Neurospora sitophila were evaluated. The chemical composition of samples was evaluated by laboratory analysis. An in vitro digestibility study was done to determine digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM). Digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of pistachio peel samples. In addition, the disappearance of DM, OM and crude protein (CP) of the samples was determined by an in situ method. For each sample 12 bags were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and their kinetics were described using the equation p= a + b(1-e-c(t-t)l). The nutritive value index (NIV) of samples was calculated using the equation: NIV= a + 0.4b + 200c. The collected data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The average total phenolic and total tannin compounds, DM percentage and digestion coefficient of DM in pistachio peel decreased (P<0.05) by processing. However, the percentage of CP, acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), effective degradability of DM, OM and CP, and NIV of DM, OM and CP increased (P<0.05). The results showed that processing of pistachio peel with Neurospora sitophila, decreased compounds of phenol and tannin and increased its CP and effective degradability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andrew M Aneese,1 Justine A Nasr,1,2 Alexandra Halalau1,21Department of Internal Medicine, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309, USAIntroduction: Evidence based medicine (EBM) skills are often lacking in the general internal medicine physician population. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of our internal medicine EBM curriculum on the residents’ EBM skills and knowledge through mixed methods.Methods: A prospective study was performed that evaluated the EBM curriculum: quantitatively, with pre/posttests and qualitatively through a focus group that addressed residents’ opinion on the educational and clinical impact of each aspect of the curriculum.Results: A total of 60 internal medicine residents were surveyed. Short-term EBM skills: therapy workshops (N=25) median pretest score of 8 (IQR): [6–9]) vs posttest 8 (IQR: [8–9]), (p=0.006); diagnosis (N=16) pretest score of 6 (IQR: [3–6]) vs posttest 7 (IQR: [6–9]), (p=0.006); systematic review (N=13) pretest score of 4 (IQR: [4–6]) vs posttest 7 (IQR: [6–8]), (p=0.002); and harm (N=16) pretest score of 6 (IQR: [5–7]) vs posttest 7 (IQR: [7–8]), (p=0.004). Long-term EBM skills: Fresno test of competence in EBM, pretest median score of 110.5/212 (IQR: 96.0–124.0) and a median posttest score of 115/212 (IQR: 100.0–130.0) (p=0.60). Having previous EBM training, being actively involved in research and being the first author on a publication was associated with higher Fresno test scores. Focus group provided qualitative feedback on the residents’ EBM curriculum perception.Conclusion: This curriculum adds a significant contribution to the current field of medical education as it fills an important educational gap, through defining ways of effectively delivering EBM concepts which led to improvement in residents’ ability to evaluate and apply medical literature. The EBM curriculum was overall well received by the residents.Keywords: evidence based medicine, curriculum development, residency program, mixed-methods, curriculum evaluation

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme and oregano essential oils (as growth promotors), individually and in combination, on the health, growth performance, and prevalence of muscle abnormalities in broiler chickens. Six hundred day-old Cobb 500 hybrid chickens were randomized into four dietary treatment groups with three replicates each. Chicks in the control group (C) received a basal diet, while the experimental treatment groups received basal diets containing 350 mg/kg of thyme oil (T1), 350 mg/kg of oregano oil (T2), and 350 mg/kg of thyme and oregano oil (T3). Growth performance parameters were evaluated at 14, 28, and 42 days. The broilers in treatments T1 and T2 had significantly higher body weights than the control group. The feed conversion ratio was the lowest in chicks who received oregano oil, followed by those fed thyme oil. The overall prevalence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities (including white striping and white striping combined with wooden breast) in groups receiving essential oils (T1, T2, and T3) was significantly higher than in the control group (C). The thyme and oregano oil diets showed no significant differences in antibody titers against Newcastle disease or interferon-γ (INF-γ) serum levels. In conclusion, thyme and oregano oils had a positive impact on the growth performance of broiler chickens but increased the incidence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities.

Se realizó un estudio para determinar los efectos de la formulación de las dietas, basadas en aminoácidos digeribles de los alimentos y de nitrógeno considerando la energía metabolizable aparente corregida, en el comportamiento de reproductoras Arian de 50 a 64 semanas. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente aleatorizado con cuatro tratamientos con seis réplicas (siete hembras con un macho), con arreglo factorial de 2 × 2. Cuatro dietas experimentales se formularon sobre la base de dos factores, donde el primero incluyó dos niveles de Energía Metabolizable Verdadera (TMEn) y Aparente (AMEn) corregidas para Nitrógeno y el segundo incluyó dos niveles de Aminoácidos Digeribles (DAA) y Totales (TAA) de los alimentos. La alimentación de las reproductoras con la dieta de AMEn aumentó significativamente el peso de los huevos, mientras que la fertilidad y capacidad de eclosión de la masa de los huevos fue significativamente diferente, lo cual se afectó por la formulación de las dietas basadas en energía (P<0.05). La dieta formulada sobre la base de DAA mejoró significativamente el peso de los huevos, la unidad Haugh y la fertilidad (P<0.01). El tratamiento 2 (AMEn+TAA) fue significativamente superior en cuanto a peso de huevos (68.97 g), masa de los huevos (43.1 g/gallina/día), altura de albúmina (7.96 mm), unidad Haugh (86.32), fertilidad (81.51 %), capacidad de eclosión (64.69 %), peso de los pollitos (50.27 g) y número de pollitos por gallina (34.3) (P<0.05). Este experimento demostró que la formulación de dietas basadas en AMEn + DAA aumentó significativamente el desempeño de las reproductoras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to determine the effects of the formulation of diets based on digestible amino acids of feeds and nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy on the performance of Arian broiler breeder from 50 to 64 weeks old. Four treatments with six replicates (7 females with a male) were applied, using a completely randomized experimental design and a 2 ? 2 factorial arrangement. Four experimental diets were formulated based on two factors: first, two levels of Apparent and True Metabolizable Energy corrected for Nitrogen (AMEn and TMEn) and second, two levels of Total (TAA) and Digestible Amino Acids (DAA) of feeds. Feeding broiler breeders AMEn diet significantly increased egg weight, while the egg mass, fertility and hatchability were significantly different, which were affected by diets formulation based on energy (P<0.05). Diet formulated with DAA significantly improved egg weight, Haugh unit and fertility (P<0.01). Treatment 2 (AMEn+TAA) was significantly highest in egg weight, (68.97 g); egg mass, (43.1 g/hen/day); albumen height, (7.96 mm); Haugh unit, (86.32); fertility, (81.51 %); hatchability, (64.69 %); chicken weight, 50.27 (g) and amount of chickens per hen, (34.3) (P<0.05). This experiment showed that diet formulation based on AMEn + DAA for broiler breeder significantly increased performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Justine A Nasr,1,2 John Falatko,1 Alexandra Halalau1,2 1Internal Medicine Department, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA; 2Internal Medicine Department, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA Objective: To assess the impact of four evidence based medicine (EBM) critical appraisal education workshops in improving residents’ EBM knowledge and skills. Methods: The eligible participants in the workshops were 88 residents-in-training, postgraduate years one through four, rotating through the outpatient internal medicine clinic. Four EBM workshops, consisting of 3 days each (30 minutes daily), were taught by our faculty. Topics covered included critical appraisal of randomized controlled trials, case-control and cohort studies, diagnosis studies, and systematic reviews. Results: As a program evaluation, anonymous pre-workshop and post-workshop tests were administered. Each of the four sets of tests showed improvement in scores: therapy from 58% to 77% (42% response rate), harm from 65% to 73% (38% response rate), diagnosis from 49% to 68% (49% response rate), and systematic review from 57% to 72% (30% response rate). Conclusion: We found that teaching EBM in four short workshops improved EBM knowledge and critical appraisal skills related to the four topics. Keywords: evidence based medicine, medical education, assessment methods, graduate, instructional design, curriculum development, curriculum evaluation

The article presents the study which examined the effects of date kernel meal as replacement to corn on the growth and some carcass traits in broiler chickens. Among the data collected in the study are body weights, weight gains and food intakes. The changes observed include food efficiency, carcass yield, and weight gains.

The article discusses a study on the effects of dietary supplements with ractopamine on growth and blood in female broiler chickens. Ractopamine is a β-adrenergic receptor agonist. The study shows no significant changes in body weight gain, food intake and food efficiency with ractopamine addition. But it shows a decline in serum cholesterol, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and albumin concentration, while glycemia was increased. It concludes that ractopamine promotes glucose and lipid mobilization in female broiler chickens.

Background: Focal dermal hypoplasia (also known as Goltz syndrome) is an X-linked dominant syndrome characterized by patchy hypoplastic skin with soft-tissue, skeletal, dental, and ocular defects that are secondary to mutations in the PORCN gene. To our knowledge, only 5 cases of focal dermal hypoplasia with unilateral presentation have been reported, and molecular studies were not performed in any of the cases. Observations: A 17-year-old girl was seen with features of almost unilateral focal dermal hypoplasia. These included left cleft hand, dental dysplasia, left mammary hypoplasia, deviation of the sacral line, raspberrylike papillomas in the perianal region, syndactyly of the second and third digits of the left foot, and linear streaks of dermal hypoplasia and pigmented lesions on her left hemibody. Conclusions: Mutation analysis of PORCN revealed a novel heterozygous mutation in exon 10, c.854- 855insACCTGAC; [p.T285fsX316], resulting in a premature stop signal. Analysis of the X-chromosome inactivation status was performed on blood and skin DNA samples, showing random inactivation in blood and unaffected skin and skewed inactivation in affected skin, highlighting the role of X-chromosome inactivation in X-linked disease expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an iterative method for calculating the effective contact ratio and the bending tooth stress for a pair of plastic/plastic and plastic/steel spur gears with an involute profile. In this method, the pinion and the gear are modeled, at each moment of the mesh cycle, as equivalent springs in parallel undergoing the same displacement along the line of action. This leads to the calculation of the bending stress by taking into account the number of teeth initially in contact and those which enter in contact prematurely. We also investigate the influence of certain gear parameters, such as, the number of teeth, the pressure angle, and the module on the behavior of a pair of meshed gears. In addition, the variation of the bending stress at the tooth fillet is investigated for a pair of plastic/plastic and a pair of plastic/steel spur gears, in order to determine the critical configurations for which the bending stress is maximum. In general, the results obtained from the present method also show that the stress variation in plastic/plastic gears differs markedly from that in plastic/steel gears.