Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inclusion of Cactus Pear Cladodes in Diets for Finishing Lambs in Mexico

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of forage cactus pear (nopal) cladodes in diets for growing-finishing lambs on dry-matter intake (DMI), total and daily live-weight gain (LWG and DLG), feed conversion (FC), and profitability (P). Fifty-four male lambs (Corriedale x Criollo) with an average live weight of 20.2 ±3.2 kg were used. Triads of lambs were formed with similar live weights and housed in a pen (experimental unit), which were randomly allotted to the following treatments: T0% no nopal (Control), lambs were fed with a regular growing-finishing diet; T15% Nopal, cactus pear cladodes at 15% (DM basis) of the ration; T30% nopal, cactus pear cladodes at 30% (DM basis) of the ration arranged as a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates. The diets were formulated in order to fulfill the nutritional requirements for growing-finishing lambs according to NRC (1985). The cladodes were chopped (approximately 2.5 cm 2 and mixed by hand with the diet in the feedbunker at each feeding. Lambs were fed twice a day, at 08:00 h and 16:00 h. The experiment lasted 71 days (adaptation: 14 days; experimental period: 56 days). Inclusion of cactus pear represented 55% and 75% of as-fed basis for T15% and T30%, respectively. Results showed that initial live weights were similar (P>0.01) among treatments, as well as the LWG between T0% (34.54 kg) and T15% (33.95 kg), but T30% (30.71 kg) was lower (P 0.01) between T0% (0.928 kg) and T15% (0.993 kg) and higher (P 0.01) between T0% (5.14) and T15% (5.09), but higher (P<0.01) than T30% (3.44). Lambs fed with a high ratio of cactus pear (T30%) were more efficient in converting feed to LWG. The inclusion of cactus pear reduced feed cost approximately 48% and 65% for T15% and T30%, respectively, relative to T0%. Thus, LWG cost was reduced about 29.1% and 64.3% in T15% and T30%, respectively, relative to T0%. The inclusion of cactus pear between 15% and 30% may represent an important alternative to feeding growing-finishing lambs without affecting animal performance while reducing production costs.
Age-related changes in major ovarian follicular wave dynamics during the human menstrual cycle

ObjectiveChanges in antral follicle count, hormone production, and menstrual cyclicity as women age are well documented. However, age-related changes in ovarian follicular wave dynamics in women are not understood. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that major follicular wave dynamics (ie, those in which a dominant follicle develops) differ in women with age. MethodsA prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in 58 women of mid-reproductive age (MRA; 18-35 y; n = 27), late reproductive age (LRA; 36-44 y; n = 10), and advanced reproductive age (ARA; 45-55 y; n = 21). The number and diameters of all follicles ≥ 2 mm were quantified ultrasonographically every 2 to 3 days for one complete interovulatory interval (IOI). Only ovulatory cycles were evaluated. Antral follicle count and major follicular wave dynamics during the IOI were compared among age groups using SPSS version 19.0 (&agr; = 0.05). ResultsOne (36/58, 62%) or two (22/58, 38%) major follicular waves were observed during the IOI in all women evaluated. The prevalence of follicular-phase dominant follicles (FPDFs) and luteal-phase dominant follicles (LPDFs) was not different among the MRA, LRA, and ARA groups (FPDFs: 27/27 [100%], 10/10 [100%], and 20/21 [95%], respectively; LPDFs: 10/17 [37%], 3/10 [30%], and 10/21 [48%], respectively; P > 0.050). All FPDFs were ovulatory. One LPDF ovulated during menses in the ARA group; all other LPDFs in the MRA, LRA, and ARA groups were anovulatory. On average, LPDFs emerged earlier relative to ovulation (days −6, −2, and −2; P = 0.049), grew longer (11, 3, and 6 d; P = 0.005), and developed to a larger diameter (24, 11, and 11 mm; P = 0.032) in the ARA group versus the MRA and LRA groups. In follicular-phase major waves, there was a tendency for a greater prevalence of polyovulation as women aged (ARA 3/21 [14%] vs MRA 0/27 [0%]; P = 0.070). ConclusionsOne or two major follicular waves develop during the IOI, irrespective of age. The prevalence of LPDFs (range, 30%-50%) and FPDFs (range, 95%-100%) during the IOI does not differ with age. However, the growth dynamics of major waves change as women age. On average, LPDFs emerge earlier, grow for a longer period, and grow to a larger diameter in ovulatory women of advanced versus mid or late reproductive age. There is a greater tendency for polyovulation in the follicular-phase major wave as women age.
Stromal Gli 2 activity coordinates a niche signaling program for mammary epithelial stem cells

INTRODUCTION: The stem cell niche is a complex signaling microenvironment that acts locally to sustain stem cell activity in tissue maintenance and regeneration. Although the cellular constitution and signaling activity of the stem cell niche is coming into focus in a variety of tissues, genetic regulatory factors that specify the niche are less clear. The activity of such factors is particularly intriguing in organs such as the breast, where the niche provides local signals for tissue homeostasis but also must be entrained by circulating hormones that induce the dramatic changes of puberty.
Size and Performance of Swedish Mutual Funds

In this thesis we have studied the relationship between mutual fund size and performance by studying 91 Swedish mutual funds during a six year period (2006-2011). Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between fund size and management fees and fund size and persistence in performance. The fund sample has been divided into five subgroups in order to compare and analyze funds with different fund sizes for the whole six-year period as well as two three-year sub periods. Our results are based on regressions and significance tests and for all the five subgroups and over the whole time period our results indicate that there is no significant relationship between fund size and fund performance that is robust over time. Our findings also show that there is no persistence in performance for any of the size-based fund groups which helps us to draw the conclusion that past performance is not a good measure for predicting future performance regardless of the size of the funds. The results also indicate that mutual funds with a larger asset base tend to have lower management fees than smaller funds.
Influence of experimentally induced theileriosis (Theileria annulata) on the pharmacokinetics of a long-acting formulation of oxytetracycline (OTC-LA) in calves.

The effects of experimental Theileria annulata infection on the i.m. (20 mg/kg) pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline were investigated in crossbred calves. The serum concentration-time curves of oxytetracycline (OTC-LA), before and after experimental infection, were best described by a one-compartment open model. The experimental infection by subcutaneous administration of ground-up tick supernate (GUTS), equivalent to 30 Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks infected with Theileria annulata, produced a clear temperature rise and signs of clinical disease in calves. Subsequently, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leucocyte count and serum Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations decreased after infection. The absorption and elimination half-lives (t1/2 Ka and t1/2 Ke), mean absorbance time (MAT), time to peak concentration (Tmax), mean residence time (MRT), area under the serum concentration time curve (AUC infinity) and the bioavailability (F) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. The peak serum concentration (Cmax), however, remained unchanged after infection. These changes may necessitate alterations in the dosage regimen of oxytetracycline used to treat Theileria annulata infections in cattle under field conditions.
An Investigation into Students' and Teachers' Perceptions of Aspects of Online Learning

Interaction between online tutor and learner is significant as it impacts on successful learning outcomes. The level of that interaction may require extended online availability from the tutor. However, the full potential of peer interaction has not yet been realised and this could benefit the tutor/learner relationship. Although most online learners are intrinsically motivated, this motivation may be strengthened by rapid feedback and friendly contact from the tutor as well as peer contact.
EFFECT OF PLANTING DENSITY ON PHENOLOGY , GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE ( ZEA MAYS L . )

The present study investigated the effect of planting density on plant growth and yield of maize varieties. An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farms Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan using randomized complete block (RCB) design with split plot arrangement having four replications. The experiment consist of four maize varieties viz., Azam, Pahari, Jalal-2003 and Sarhad white as main plot factor and three plant densities of 45000, 55000 and 65000 plants ha as sub plot factor. Analysis of the data indicated that planting density had a significant (p<0.05) effect on leaf area index, plant barrenness (%), plant height, ear length, number of grains ear, grain weight ear, 1000 grain weight, biological yield, stover yield, grain yield and harvest index and non-significant (p>0.05) on number of days to emergence, emergence m, number of days to 50% tasseling and silking. Maximum leaf area index, barrenn plants, plant height, biological yield, stover yield, grain yield and harvest index was recorded from planting density of 65000 plants ha. Maize varieties significantly (p<0.05) affected emergence m, days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, leaf area index, plant height, ear length, number of grains ear, grain weight ear, biological yield, stover yield, grain yield and harvest index. Maximum ear length was recorded from variety Azam. Maximum days to 50% tasseling and silking were recorded from Jalal-2003. Similarly, emergence m, leaf area index, plant height, number of grains ear, grain weight ear, biological yield, stover yield, grain yield and harvest index was maximum in Sarhad white. The combined effect of Sarhad white with planting density of 65000 plants ha produced highest grain weight cob, biological yield, stover yield, grain yield and harvest index.
The Association Between Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor FokI and Chronic Periodontitis in Sumatera Utara

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays an important role in bone metabolism and immune response modulation, both of which are important for the development of chronic periodontitis (CP). Therefore the polymorphism of VDR could give significant effect on the CP susceptibility. This study investigated the association between the VDR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) FokI and chronic periodontitis. The genotypes of 43 CP patients and 40 periodontally healthy control subjects were analyzed. The DNA was extracted from the buccal epithelial cell and the VDR FokI polymorphism were determined by using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This is followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) by using FokI smart cut enzyme digest and electrophoresis. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles were compared between patients and control subjects. The genotypes and alleles of vitamin D receptor FokI distribution was significantly different between two groups (P=0.016 and P=0.018, respectively). The F allele had the potential to increase the susceptibility of chronic periodontitis (OR = 2.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.1614.111) as well as the FF genotype (OR = 4.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.125-17.566). The current findings confirm that the polymorphism of VDR FokI were significantly associated with chronic periodontitis. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2018; 11(3): 976-981)
Lateral stability analysis of on-road vehicles using the concept of Lyapunov exponents

This paper deals with the application of the concept of Lyapunov exponents in vehicle lateral stability analysis. The constructive nature of the available methods for calculating Lyapunov exponents as the `invariant' measure of the dynamics is the main advantage of this concept. The vehicle model has two degrees of freedom (2-DOF), and its non-linearity is caused by the third-order polynomial expression between the sideslip forces on the the tires and the tire sideslip angles. In this paper, firstly, the concept of Lyapunov exponents and the standard algorithm to calculate them are presented. Then, by applying this concept to the case of a straight-line motion, the lateral stability region of the vehicle model is estimated. Moreover, the effects of driving conditions such as the vehicle longitudinal velocity, road friction and steering angle on the stability region are investigated. The comparison of the results obtained by the concept of Lyapunov exponents with those given in literature by simulation based methods verifies the effectiveness of this concept for vehicle lateral stability analysis.
A Social‐Cognitive Model of Pandemic Influenza H1N1 Risk Perception and Recommended Behaviors in Italy

The outbreak of the pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) between March and April 2009 challenged the health services around the world. Indeed, misconceptions and worries have led the public to refuse to comply with precautionary measures. Moreover, there have been limited efforts to develop models incorporating cognitive, social‐contextual, and affective factors as predictors of compliance with recommended behaviors. The aim of this study was to apply a social‐cognitive model of risk perception and individual response to pandemic influenza H1N1 in a representative sample of Italian population. A sample of 1,010 Italians of at least 18 years of age took part in a telephone survey. The survey included measures of perceived preparedness of institutions, family members and friends’ levels of worry, exposure to media campaigns (social‐contextual factors), perceived coping efficacy, likelihood of infection, perceived seriousness, personal impact, and severity of illness (cognitive evaluations), affective response and compliance with recommended behaviors. Results demonstrated that affective response fully mediated the relationship between cognitive evaluations and social‐contextual factors (with the exception of exposure to media campaigns) and compliance with recommended behaviors. Perceived coping efficacy and preparedness of institutions were not related to compliance with recommended behaviors.
Irrigation performance and water consumptive use for rice crop grown under moisture stress at different seed rates , Assiut , Egypt

A field experiment in a split-plot design with three replications was conducted on a clay loam soil located at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agric. , Al-Azhar Univ., Assuit, Egypt (27 12 16.67 N latitude and 31 09 36.86 E longitude and at 51 m altitude) during two growing summer seasons of 2013and 2014. The experiment aims to study the effects of different irrigation regimes or seed rates on growth, yield, water consumptive use and water use efficiency (WUS) of Egyptian rice (Oryza sativa, L.) Orabi1.Evapotranspiration was estimated using some empirical formulas (ETo) and was compared with the actual measured one (ETa). The main plots were assigned for irrigation regimes (30, 60 and 85% soil moisture depletion from the available water, SMD, donatedas I1, I2 and I3, respectively) The split units were assigned for seed rates (95.2, 119, 142.8, 166.6 kg seed ha, donatedas S1, S2, S3 and S4 respectively). The results showed that the seasonal ETa values were 1000, 955.20 and 901.30 mm at 30, 60 and 85 % SMD, respectively. It is noticed that the FAO PenmanMontithe equation was suitable to calculated ETo for rice crop grown under Assiut conditions. The field water use efficiency (FWUE) and crop water use efficiency (CWUE) were higher under irrigation regimes 30% SMD (I1) then the treatments. The calculated Kc and Ks values at different rice growth stages by various equations were irregular in both seasons. The maximum plant heights (86 and 87 cm) as well as grain yield (8.66 and 9.33 t ha were obtained under irrigation regime at I1with S1 in 1 and 2 season, respectively. Also, grain nitrogen % of grain was significantly affected by all treatments especially in the 2 season.
Direct and Residual Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management and Economics in Hybrid Rice Wheat Cropping System

The experiments were conducted during summer (kharif) and winter (rabi) season of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh to evaluate the direct and residual effect of integrated nutrient management practices on hybrid rice and succeeding wheat under ecological parameters of Western Uttar Pradesh. Integrated nutrient management showed significant influence on productivity and nutrient uptake of hybrid rice. Application of NPK 50% DRF + FYM @ 5 tonnes ha +Azotobacter +Neem cake @ 2.5 tonnes 1 ha +PSB @5 kg ha recorded highest grain yield of hybrid rice (63 q ha and 67 q ha during 2009 and 2010, 1 1 1 1 respectively). Relatively more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by hybrid rice crop was recorded from the plot in which NPK 50% RDF + Neem cake @ 2.5 tonnes ha + FYM @ 5 tonnes ha + Azotobacter+ 1 1 PSB @ 5 kg ha (T ) was applied. Residual effect of integrated nutrient management practices was also equally 1 15 effective in improving the yield and nutrient uptake of wheat. Residual effect of NPK 50% RDF +FYM @5 tonnes ha + Azotobacter + Neem cake @2.5 tonnes ha + PSB@ 5 kg ha (T ) recorded the highest grain 1 1 1 15 yield of 49.6 q ha and 52.4 q ha during 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. Similar trend was observed for 1 1 N, P and K uptake by succeeding wheat crop. The maximum mean net returns (Rs 87297.5 ha ) with B:C ratio 1 (1.6) for the two consecutive years was obtained from treatment receiving NPK 50% RDF + FYM @ 15 tonnes per hectare during the kharif season and the succeeding wheat crop was supplied with 100% RDF only.
CNA web server: rigidity theory-based thermal unfolding simulations of proteins for linking structure, (thermo-)stability, and function

The Constraint Network Analysis (CNA) web server provides a user-friendly interface to the CNA approach developed in our laboratory for linking results from rigidity analyses to biologically relevant characteristics of a biomolecular structure. The CNA web server provides a refined modeling of thermal unfolding simulations that considers the temperature dependence of hydrophobic tethers and computes a set of global and local indices for quantifying biomacromolecular stability. From the global indices, phase transition points are identified where the structure switches from a rigid to a floppy state; these phase transition points can be related to a protein’s (thermo-)stability. Structural weak spots (unfolding nuclei) are automatically identified, too; this knowledge can be exploited in data-driven protein engineering. The local indices are useful in linking flexibility and function and to understand the impact of ligand binding on protein flexibility. The CNA web server robustly handles small-molecule ligands in general. To overcome issues of sensitivity with respect to the input structure, the CNA web server allows performing two ensemble-based variants of thermal unfolding simulations. The web server output is provided as raw data, plots and/or Jmol representations. The CNA web server, accessible at http://cpclab.uni-duesseldorf.de/cna or http://www.cnanalysis. de, is free and open to all users with no login requirement.
Controls on subtropical low cloud as diagnosed from AIRS, MODIS, and ECMWF- 1 interim reanalysis and the inferred changes low cloud fraction in a warming climate

: 6 Decreases in subtropical low cloud cover (LCC) occur in climate model simulations of 7 global warming. In this study the observational data records from Moderate Resolution 8 Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) spanning 2002- 9 2014 are combined with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 10 (ECMWF) interim reanalysis to compute the dependence of the observed variability of 11 LCC on various predictor variables. Large-scale thermodynamic and dynamical 12 predictors of LCC are selected based on insight from large-eddy simulations (LES) and 13 observational analysis. The observational record from AIRS, MODIS, and ECMWF- 14 interim is used to diagnose how LCC is dependent on each predictor. It is found that 15 increasing inversion strength is associated with increased LCC. Drying of the free- 16 troposphere is associated with decreased LCC. Decreased LCC accompanies subsidence. 17 Finally, it is found that increasing SST leads to a decrease in LCC. This behavior is 18 particularly strong in the trade-cumuli dominated sub-tropics. Based upon the observed 19 response of low cloud to natural variability of the control parameters, we estimate the 20 change in LCC for an idealized, uniform 1K increase in SST and the CMIP5-projected 21 concomitant changes in estimated inversion strength (EIS), free tropospheric relative 22 humidity, and subsidence. LCC is inferred to decrease by 2-3% K -1 across the subtropics 23
Therapeutic advantage of (90)yttrium- versus (131)iodine-labeled PAM4 antibody in experimental pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVES Radioimmunotherapy studies using (131)I-PAM4 have demonstrated significant antitumor effects in mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts. For several reasons (90)Y has been proposed as a more effective radionuclide for radioimmunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. The present study examined whether one radionuclide was more efficacious than the other in tumor-bearing mice. METHODS Athymic nude mice bearing CaPan1 xenograft tumors ( approximately 1.0 cm(3)) were given increasing doses of either (90)Y-PAM4 or (131)I-PAM4 up to their respective maximal tolerated doses [MTDs (260 and 700 microCi, respectively)]. RESULTS (90)Y-PAM4 provided significantly greater growth inhibition than the (131)I-PAM4 (P < 0.035). Median survival time for the untreated mice was 6 weeks, whereas median survival times for the (131)I-treated mice and (90)Y-treated mice at their respective MTDs were 17.5 weeks and >26 weeks (the end of the study period), respectively. Within the (131)I-PAM4-treated group, two of eight mice were responders (>50% decrease in tumor size) for a median of 14 weeks. At the end of the study (26 weeks), 1 mouse was alive with no sign of tumor. All of the (90)Y-PAM4-treated mice were responders with a median duration of response of 20 weeks. Six of the seven mice were alive at week 26, with four mice having no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the advantage of (90)Y over (131)I as the radionuclide for PAM4-targeted radioimmunotherapy of xenografted pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the duration and extent of the antitumor response suggests that multiple treatment cycles of (90)Y-PAM4 may provide an effective therapeutic for the control of pancreatic cancer.