Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Fecal Bacterial Population of Laying Ducks Fed Ration Supplemented by Bamboo Vinegar

With the ban on the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, it is required to produce alternative substances to maintain poultry health and performance. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation at various levels of bamboo vinegar (BV) on performance, egg quality, and fecal bacterial population of laying ducks. One hundred and five 50-week-old crossbred laying ducks (Khaki Campbell × Native) were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each with seven replicates of three ducks. The experimental ducks were fed a basal diet (antibiotic-free diet) supplemented with BV at the levels of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, or 0.8% of diet until 62 weeks of age. For the overall period (from 50 to 62 weeks of age), the dietary supplementation of BV at the levels of 0.4% and 0.6% of diet increased egg production and egg mass, and improved feed efficiency of laying ducks (p<0.01). Supplementation of BV at the level of 0.8% in the diet decreased feed intake (p<0.01). Egg quality parameters were not significantly affected by supplementation of BV (p>0.05). The population of fecal Escherichia coli was significantly decreased in the experimental ducks fed diet supplemented with BV at the levels of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% compared to the control group (p<0.01), while the population of Lactobacillus spp. remained unchanged. The present results indicate that a level of 0.4% BV supplementation in laying duck diet is sufficient for reducing fecal E. coli and improves productive performance of egg laying ducks

Удовлетворенность дистанционным обучением в вузах Таиланда

Introduction. Emergency remote teaching (ERT) is meant to be a temporary shift from the normal modes of contact teaching. Such transition was imposed during the global pandemic in the spring of 2020, and higher education was required to shift entire curricula online in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus while maintaining continuity of its services. The disruptive overnight change and conversion of entire courses to ERT caused concerns, not only to the educators but also to the students who had little time to adapt to the new circumstances. Aim. The aim of the study was to examine student perceptions with regard to remote teaching during the global pandemic COVID-19. Moreover, the study aimed to identify attributes, which students deem as the most important during emergency remote teaching. Methodology and research methods. This mixed-method case study expands earlier research addressing those concerns, and adds to the body of knowledge by investigating how ERT is currently – during the second year of the pandemic – perceived by undergraduate students in Northeastern Thailand. Responses from a self-administered survey were collected and analysed (n = 363). Based on descriptive analysis, it was decided to conduct 12 unstructured interviews to investigate particular findings more thoroughly. An importance-performance rating matrix was used to determine the perceived satisfaction by the undergraduate students. Results and scientific novelty. The study identified that the students largely view ERT as inferior compared to traditional classroom teaching. Students claimed both lack of social interactions with peers and inability to seek academic support as the primary reasons. This study informs educators about student perceptions and preferences during these extraordinary circumstances of uncertain duration. Practical significance. The current research presents the recommendations that aim to provide institutions and educators with practical guidance on how to tackle the outlined issues.Введение. Экстренное дистанционное обучение (ERT) – это временная замена обычных режимов контактного обучения. Такой переход был необходим во время глобальной пандемии весной 2020 года, и высшему образованию потребовалось перевести все учебные программы в онлайн-режим, чтобы предотвратить распространение вируса, но при этом не прерывать образовательный процесс. Резкое преобразование всех курсов в ERT вызвало озабоченность не только у преподавателей, но и у студентов, у которых было мало времени на адаптацию к новым обстоятельствам. Цель. Цель настоящей работы – изучить отношение студентов к дистанционному обучению во время глобальной пандемии COVID-19. Также исследование было направлено на определение атрибутов, которые студенты считают наиболее важными во время экстренного дистанционного обучения. Методология и методы исследования. Данное тематическое исследование, основанное на смешанных методах, расширяет более ранние работы, направленные на решение этих проблем, и дополняет совокупность знаний путем изучения того, как в настоящее время – в течение второго года пандемии – воспринимается ERT студентами в Северо-Восточном Таиланде. Были собраны и проанализированы ответы в ходе самостоятельного опроса (n = 363). На основе описательного анализа было решено провести 12 неструктурированных интервью для более тщательного исследования конкретных результатов. Матрица рейтинга важности и успеваемости использовалась для определения имеющейся удовлетворенности студентов бакалавриата. Результаты и научная новизна. Анализ показал, что студенты в основном рассматривают ERT как более неполноценный вид обучения по сравнению с традиционным (в классе). Основные причины, названные студентами: отсутствие социального взаимодействия со сверстниками и невозможность получить академическую поддержку. Настоящее исследование информирует преподавателей о восприятии и предпочтениях учащихся в этих чрезвычайных обстоятельствах неопределенной продолжительности. Практическая значимость. В работе представлены практические рекомендации для образовательных учреждений и преподавателей относительно того, как решать обозначенные вопросы.Проект в рамках гранта Fast Track Data Collection Grant финансировался факультетом гостеприимства и туризма Университета Принца Сонгкла.The project under the Fast Track Data Collection Grant was funded by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University

Effect of domestic cooking methods on physicochemical, nutritional and sensory properties of different varieties of brown rice from Southern Thailand and Malaysia

Consumption of brown rice is increasing on account of higher nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals, fibres and antioxidants than white rice. However, the effect of domestic cooking methods on nutritional attributes of brown rice is not well-characterized. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of cooking methods; pressure cooker (PC) and rice cooker (RC) on physicochemical, nutritional and sensory properties of brown rice from five different varieties: Sungyod (SY), Chiang (CH), and Lepnok (LP) of Thai and long grain LS1 and LS2 of Malaysian origin. Peak viscosity (PV) and final viscosity (FV) among uncooked samples were significantly different except for LS1 and LS2. Between cooking methods, protein content (8.17 – 10.14%) was significantly different (p < 0.05) except in SY, LS1 and LS2 varieties whereas fat (1.74 – 2.71%) and ash content (1.15 – 1.46%) showed significant difference (p < 0.05) only in LP and SY varieties. Loss of iron was significantly higher in RC method than PC method but zinc and thiamine was insignificant. The LS1 and LS2 cooked in PC was significantly softer (p < 0.05) than cooked in RC. Hardness of PC cooked rice was correlated with PV (r = –0.965), breakdown viscosity (r = –0.973), setback viscosity (r = –0.944) at p < 0.01 and pasting temperature (r = 0.89, p < 0.05) of uncooked brown rice flours. Overall, PC was found better over RC in terms of cooking time, textural properties, nutrients and sensory attributes

The perceived satisfaction with emergency remote teaching (ERT) amidst COVID-19: An exploratory case study in higher education

Introduction. Online learning is a well-established pedagogical paradigm that has been researched and discussed from a number of perspectives. Educators associate a variety of opportunities and challenges with online education, and recently an unprecedented global pandemic, COVID-19, made traditional classroom teaching temporarily impossible. Emergency remote teaching (ERT) is a newly emerging sub-paradigm that possesses characteristics and challenges that differ from traditional online learning. Methodology and research methods. This study quantitatively examined undergraduate students' (n = 219) perspectives on the most important attributes that are associated with ERT. Moreover, the students' satisfaction with ERT was assessed, and the relationships between socio-demographic factors were analysed. Results and scientific novelty. A descriptive analysis revealed that most students preferred a traditional on-site classroom arrangement, while they were satisfied with the alternative ERT having fully virtual delivery. Also, the study highlighted that the students rated being knowledgeable, friendly, and patient as the most important characteristics of their lecturer in these unusual circumstances. Practical significance. The current research informs educators about student perceptions and preferences during these extraordinary circumstances of uncertain duration.Введение. Онлайн-обучение - это устоявшаяся педагогическая парадигма, которая исследовалась и обсуждалась с разных точек зрения. Преподаватели связывают с онлайн-образованием множество возможностей и проблем, а беспрецедентная глобальная пандемия COVID-19 сделала традиционное обучение в классе временно невозможным. Экстренное дистанционное обучение (Emergency Remote Teaching - ERT) - это недавно появившаяся подпарадигма, которая обладает характеристиками и проблемами, которые отличаются от присутствующих в традиционном онлайн-обучении. Методология и методы исследования. В настоящем исследовании количественно изучались взгляды 219 студентов на наиболее важные атрибуты, связанные с экстренным дистанционным обучением, оценивалась их удовлетворенность ERT и анализировалась взаимосвязь между социально-демографическими факторами. Результаты и научная новизна. Описательный анализ показал, что большинство студентов предпочитали традиционную организацию занятий в классе, в то время как они были удовлетворены альтернативным экстренным дистанционным обучением с полностью виртуальным обучением. Кроме того, студенты оценили осведомленность, дружелюбие и терпение как наиболее важные характеристики своего преподавателя в этих необычных обстоятельствах. Практическая значимость. Данное исследование информирует преподавателей о восприятии и предпочтениях учащихся в этих чрезвычайных обстоятельствах неопределенной продолжительности

Different responses of colorectal cancer cells to alternative sequences of cetuximab and oxaliplatin

Therapeutic protocols including EGFR antibodies in the context of oxaliplatin-based regimens have variable clinical effect in colorectal cancer. Here, we tested the effect of the EGFR antibody cetuximab in different sequential combinations with oxaliplatin on the growth of colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Cetuximab reduced the efficacy of oxaliplatin when administered before oxaliplatin but provided additive effect when administered after oxaliplatin regardless of the KRAS or BRAF mutation status of the cells. Systemic gene expression and protein phosphorylation screens revealed alternatively activated pathways regulating apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA damage response. Functional assays indicated that cetuximab-induced arrest of the cells into the G1 phase of the cell cycle was associated with reduced responsiveness of the cells to subsequent treatment with oxaliplatin. In contrast, oxaliplatin-enhanced responsiveness to subsequent treatment with cetuximab was associated with increased apoptosis, inhibition of STAT3 activity and increased EGFR down-regulation. This preclinical study indicates that optimizing the sequence of administration may enhance the antitumor effect of combination therapy with EGFR antibodies and oxaliplatin

Advances in Nondietary Management of Children with Atopic Dermatitis

This paper discusses recent advances in therapy of atopic dermatitis (AD), excluding those that include dietary management. Some of these therapies are anecdotal, experimental, or somewhat controversial. It is important to emphasize that physicians should not try what is new without first having given standard therapy a long and reasonable chance to succeed. This is important because AD does not last forever, and in many patients, mild disease heals spontaneously.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72467/1/j.1525-1470.1989.tb00820.x.pd