Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing Chopped Barley Straw with Alfalfa Hay in Fattening Shami Goat Kids

The experiment was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station in the Jordan Valley to study the effect of replacing alfalfa hay by barley straw in Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for fattening Shami kids. Thirty two Shami goat kids with an average initial live weight ranging from 25 to 25.75 kg were used. The experiments lasted for 56 days. Animals were allocated randomly to four isocaloric and isonitrogenous total mixed ration treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) contained different levels of alfalfa hay and barley straw. Rations were formulated to meet the animal requirements and fed on ad libitum basis. In the first treatment, alfalfa hay was the main source of roughage while in the second and third treatments, alfalfa hay was replaced partially by barley straw. In the fourth treatment, barley straw was the main source of roughage and alfalfa hay was not used. Feed intake was measured daily while kids were weighed every two weeks. At the end of the two experiments, four kids from each treatment were assigned at random and slaughtered to measure the carcass characteristics. Results showed that Voluntary Feed Intake (VFI) was numerically increased by low partial replacement of alfalfa hay but decreased with increased level of replacement of alfalfa hay in the diet with lowest value with complete replacement of alfalfa hay with barley straw (T4). No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed among treatments in average daily weight gains. Cold dressing percent ranged from 48.7 to 50.8% and the M. Longissimus area ranging from 101.6 to 134.9 mm, with no significant differences (P>0.05) between treatments. Present findings indicate that alfalfa hay could be replaced successfully with wheat straw in the diets of finishing Shami kids without adversely affecting their growth performance or carcass characteristics.
Exploration Risk in Oil & Gas Shareholder Returns

Previous research clearly suggests that the explanation of excess asset returns is not fully captured by excess return on the market portfolio and the CAPM beta, as implied by Fama-French (1993) three-factor model. Among the large number of studies following in the footsteps of Fama and French, very few studies include industry-specific variables to explain excess asset returns. Using monthly financial data for 117 oil and gas companies from 1992 to 2006, we supplement the Fama French approach with an industry-specific fundamental factor to capture company exposure to oil and gas exploration risk. Our results indicate that exploration risk contributes significantly to the explanation of oil company excess returns over the period.
Myth or Reality? The Long-Run Underperformance of Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from Venture and Nonventure Capital-Backed Companies

The authors investigate the long-run underperformance of recent initial public offering (IPO) firms in a sample of 934 venture-backed IPOs from 1972 to 1992 and 3,407 nonventure-backed IPOs from 1975 to 1992. They find that venture-backed IPOs outperform nonventure-backed IPOs using equal weighted returns. Value weighting significantly reduces performance differences and substantially reduces underperformance for nonventure-backed IPOs. In tests using several comparable benchmarks and the Fama-French (1993) three factor asset pricing model, venture-backed companies do not significantly underperform, while the smallest nonventure-backed firms do. Underperformance, however, is not an IPO effect. Similar size and book-to-market firms that have not issued equity perform as poorly as IPOs. Copyright 1997 by American Finance Association.
High resolution mapping of cross-over events in cattle using NGS data

Homologous recombination plays an important role in proper segregation of homologues in the first meiotic division. Failure in proper segregation results in aneuploidy, which is a leading cause for pregnancy loss in humans. Recently, global recombination rate has been studied in large cattle populations genotyped with SNP arrays (~50K). However, the finescale resolution of these studies remained limited as a result of the relatively low marker density. Here we report high-resolution mapping of cross-over (CO) events in a cattle pedigree using whole genome sequence data. We carry out an extensive cleaning of our sequence data to remove errors (errors in the genome build, sequencing errors and presence of CNVs) that dramatically inflate CO counts. Using ~5 million high quality sequence variants we identify 3,880 CO events in 155 male gametes and 3,088 CO events in 124 female gametes. The median resolution of the identified COs was 34 kb with about 75% of the events mapped to an interval less than 100 kb. The male and female map lengths were estimated at 27.5 M and 23.8 M respectively. Consistent with previous studies in cattle, we find higher recombination rate in males and higher frequency of COs at chromosome ends. Interestingly, compared to the map lengths estimated from SNP chip we find an increase of 3.7 and 2.7 M in male and female maps respectively. Despite the cleaning efforts, we cannot determine at this time whether the increased in map lengths correspond to CO missed with genotyping arrays, to spurious CO identified with NGS data (due to unidentified sources of errors) or both.
In Vitro Propagation of Pink Lapacho: Response Surface Methodology and Factorial Analysis for Optimisation of Medium Components

Handroanthus impetiginosus, pink lapacho, is a timber, ornamental, and medicinal tree. Experiments on the in vitro propagation of H. impetiginosus were conducted using nodal segments cultivated in both Murashige and Skoog salts with Gamborg vitamins (MSG) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and indole butyric acid (IBA). Morphogenic responses were differentially affected by salt compositions and their interactions with plant growth regulators in each micropropagation stage. According to response surface analysis, the optimum multiplication rate with 1 μM IBA ranged from 16.7 to 21.3 μM BA in WPM, and the inhibitors of endogenous auxins could increase multiplication rates. A pulse with 50 μM IBA in MSG produced 83% rooting with 3.2 roots per shoots and higher fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. In the acclimatisation stage, 50% of plants survived after 1 year. This methodology optimised the culture media for the in vitro propagation of the H. impetiginosus clonal pool and could be applied to related species, several of which are categorised as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF ALPHA-GALACTOSIDES ON YOLK SAC RESORPTION RATE IN BROILER CHICKENS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the injection of raffinose -family oligosaccharides during embryogenesis on the rate of resorption of the yolk sac. 80 000 eggs were divided in two groups, the control and the experimental; 40 000 eggs in each. The experimental group eggs were injected on the 12th day of hatch directly into the air cell with the substance containing α–galactosides. The yolk sac's were sampled right after slaughter from earlier weighed, 1, 4, 7 and 14-day chickens, from 10 broilers each time. In the investigation the parameters of yolk sac were e.g. yolk sac/body weight ratio and the egg yolk absorption. Moreover, there was also evaluated mean body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and the European Efficiency Ratio. Results showed that the single injection have a favourable effect on yolk sac resorption rate. Yolk sac/body weight ratio decreased and the estimated yolk absorption increase in experimental group. Also better indicators of production were found in the experimental group.
Evaluation of the Effect of Intravenous Ondansetron versus Placebo before Anesthesia on Vomiting after Endoscopy and Colonoscopy Procedures

Background: Vomiting is a common complication after endoscopic procedures in children. Different medications could be administered to control vomiting after endoscopy. The goal of this study is to evaluate anti-emetic effects of ondansetron in children who undergo endoscopic procedures. Methods: In this clinical randomized trial, 198 children (103 female/95 male) were randomly assigned into one of the following two studied groups. Case group (G1): Fentanyl 1 µg/kg + propofol 2.5 mg/kg + ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg and control group (G2): Fentanyl 1 µg/kg + propofol 2.5 mg/kg + 2 cc normal saline. Results: The mean age was 6.3 ± 3.5 years (6.2 ± 3.6 years in G1 vs. 6.4 ± 3.5 years in G2). The most common cause of endoscopy procedure in both groups was hematochezia. Vomiting, recovery time, Paediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED), and Aldrete scores were compared. Rate of vomiting after recovery and Aldrete score were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Ondansetron is effective in controlling vomiting after colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. Also, patients in intervention group experienced better recovery time.
Some Haematological Changes of Zander (Sander lucioperca) In Relation to Age and Its Relationship with Parasitic Infection

The blood parameters of Sander (S.) lucioperca were investigated among different age classes (2, 3, 4 and 5 year old). Also, alterations of haematological parameters in relation to parasitic infection were tested. The red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemogbobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte and myelocyte were measured. No haematological parameters showed significant differences (P > 0.05) among age classes. The values of Ht, Hb, neutrophil and monocyte were higher in 4 year compared to other ages. The results showed that MCH, lymphocyte and myelocyte increased with the age. Significant differences were detected for the lymphocytes and neutrophils (infested versus non-infested by Eustrongylides excises and Dactylogyrus sp) respectively. No differences were found with regard to other haematological parameters of infested fish. Results from this study suggest that age has some degree of influence on the blood parameters of S. lucioperca.
Estimates of productivity and detection probabilities of breeding attempts in the sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus), a burrow-nesting petrel

Monitoring of breeding success in burrow-nesting seabirds is problematic, owing to the difficulties of detecting occupants in complex burrow systems. We summarise 6 years of monitoring the breeding success of sooty shearwater (tītī, muttonbird, Puffinus griseus) on two southern New Zealand islands, The Snares and Whenua Hou, with a portable infrared camera system. Breeding attempts were monitored three times during the breeding season, i.e. egg laying, hatching and fledging. Overall breeding success was calculated in two stages. First, we estimated breeding success for each island–site–year combination with a model that allowed for imperfect detection of an egg or chick and accounted for the proportion of the breeding season that was covered by monitoring. The resulting estimates for each island were then analysed with a linear model, to provide a single estimate for that island. Breeding success was found to be highly variable and non-synchronous between islands, with the average proportion of eggs successfully fledging on The Snares (0.35, 0.20–0.52; mean and 95% creditable interval) being considerably lower and more variable than that on Whenua Hou (0.76, 0.70–0.82). Probability of detecting a breeding attempt was higher on The Snares whereas correcting for the proportion of the season monitored had a variable effect, reducing The Snares and Whenua Hou estimates by 27% and 7% respectively. The implications of these findings with respect to the demographic modelling of burrow-nesting species are discussed.
Estimating State Price Densities via Local Polynomials

This master thesis aims at estimating state price densities (SPD) via a nonparametric fit of the implied volatility smile and of its derivatives. To achieve this task, we use the local polynomial estimators and apply the empirical bias–bandwidth selector (EBBS) algorithm to determine both global and local optimal bandwidths. The accuracy of the nonparametric estimates is then studied from the statistical and financial points of view. Afterwards, the resulting SPD estimates are presented as well as their bootstrap confidence bands. In a last part, we compare our semiparametric method with the implied binomial trees.
Artin-Nagata properties and Cohen-Macaulay associated graded rings

© Foundation Compositio Mathematica, 1996, tous droits réservés. L’accès aux archives de la revue « Compositio Mathematica » (http: //http://www.compositio.nl/) implique l’accord avec les conditions générales d’utilisation (http://www.numdam.org/conditions). Toute utilisation commerciale ou impression systématique est constitutive d’une infraction pénale. Toute copie ou impression de ce fichier doit contenir la présente mention de copyright.
Overcoming Poverty in Bangladesh: Search for a New Paradigm

Bangladesh has been stereotyped as the archetypical theatre of poverty. It is the only country categorized as the least developed country with a population over 75 million. There is a great deal of suspicion about prospect for rapid poverty reduction in the country without which accelerated growth is impossible. The objectives of this paper are to examine the poverty trends in the country critically, reflect upon the author’s recent experience of rapid poverty reduction in the countryside, flesh out the process of such reduction and suggest a more grounded strategy of poverty reduction in Bangladesh.
The opportunities and challenges for ICT in science education

The article examines the opportunities and challenges for the use of ICT in science education in the light of science teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Some of the variables that have been studied with regard to TPACK framework in science classrooms (such as teachers' self-efficacy, gender, teaching experience, teachers’ believes, etc.) are reviewed, also variations of TPACK framework specific for science education are elaborated. In conclusion some of the aspects of TPACK in science education that need to be addressed in future are indicated, e.g. the development of subject specific ICT-based resources and e-learning platforms; training to develop science teachers’ integrated skills for the implementation of ICT in their subject teaching; the importance of continuous encouraging of science teachers’ for their participation in in-service training related to the use of ICT; and the examination of the role of science teachers’ TPACK in developing of students’ 21st century trans-disciplinary skills.
Evaluation of new secondary organic aerosol models for a case study in Mexico City

(1) University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and CIRES, Boulder, Colorado, United States (jose.jimenez@colorado.edu, +1-303-492-3557), (2) National Center for Atmospheric Research – Atmospheric Chemistry Division, Boulder, CO, USA, (3) Meteo France / CNRM-GREI, Toulouse, France, (4) Atmospheric Science Research Center, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY, USA, (5) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA, (6) Air Pollution Research Center, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
Economic Growth and Cancer Incidence

After heart disease, cancer is the most common cause of death in many developed countries. Understanding how the overall cancer incidence evolves during economic growth can help macroeconomic attempts to forecast the economic impact of cancer and to manage resources allocation in planning health services. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between economic growth and cancer incidence. The purposes of the paper are to describe and measure the influence of an increasing real per capita income on the overall incidence of cancer. Using worldwide cross-sectional data for 162 countries, regression results with crude and age-standardised rates, allow us to measure the elasticity of cancer incidence with respect to per capita income, and to decompose the elasticity coefficient into two components: age-effect and lifestyle-effect.
Naming Game and Computational Modelling of Language Evolution

Computational modelling with multi-agent systems has become an important technique in studying language evolution. We present a brief introduction into this rapidly developing field, as well as our own contributions, which include an analysis of the evolutionary naming game model. In this model, communicating agents, which try to establish a common vocabulary, are equipped with an evolutionarily selected learning ability. Such a coupling of biological and linguistic ingredients results in an abrupt transition: upon a small change of the model control parameter, a poorly communicating group of agents with small learning abilities transforms into almost perfectly communicating group of agents with large learning abilities. Genetic imprinting of the learning abilities progresses through the Baldwin effect: initially linguistically unskilled agents learn a language, which creates a niche where there is an evolutionary pressure for the increase of learning ability. Under the assumption that communication intensity increases continuously with finite speed, the transition is split into several transition-like changes. It shows that the speed of cultural changes, that sets an additional characteristic time scale, might be yet another factor affecting the evolution of language. In our opinion, this model shows that linguistic and biological processes have a strong influence on each other and this influence certainly has contributed to an explosive development of our species.
MENGEMBANGKAN KETERAMPILAN ABAD KE-21 DALAM PEMBELAJARAN KIMIA

In this 21 st century, the world is undergoing rapid changes. This change concerns all aspects of life, namely the fields of economics, transportation, technology, communication, information, and others. This change needs to be anticipated by mastering the 21 st century skills. The 21 st century skills include critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, communication, and collaboration. The development of the 21 st century skills can be carried out in all disciplines. Chemistry as one of the science disciplines is very appropriate to develop the 21 st century skills. The development of the 21 st century skills must be done intentionally by chemistry teachers in order to achieve the learning objectives effectively and efficiently. To develop the 21 st century skills in chemistry learning, the teachers can choose learning models with scientific approaches, such as discovery learning model, problem-based learning model, project-based learning model, or design-based learning. The application of the learning model must be carried out optimally in accordance with the nature of the scientific approach so that students can develop the 21 st century skills. In addition, the apllication of blended learning and an assessment of the 21 st century skills is also important.
Community characteristics of a climax subtropical humid forest of Meghalaya and population structure of ten important tree species

The present study was conducted in a subtropical humid forest (sacred grove) at Mawnai, West Khasi hills district of Meghalaya. A total of 133 woody species (92 genera and 48 families) were present. Tree (gbh >15 cm) density (1256±64 individuals ha -1 ) and basal area (42.8±3.9 m ha ) were markedly high. Species richness index and diversity index were also high, while dominance index was low. Citrus medica (Rutaceae), the dominant species, was the only species exhibiting random distribution. All other species showed contagious distribution. Cryptocarya amygdalina, family Lauraceae, was the co-dominant species. Lauraceae (17 species) was the species rich family in the grove and exhibited maximum tree density and basal area. However, generic composition was highest (9 genera) in the case of Euphorbiaceae, which is the co-dominant family in the grove. Majority of the families were represented by single genus and single species. Log-normal dominance-distribution curves at the levels of species and family, and wide girth structure signify the complexity and stability of the community. Density-distribution and population structure of ten important tree species indicated preponderance of young trees (gbh 15-50 cm) suggesting high regeneration potential of these tree species. 2 -1
SOME STUDIES ON LEAD TOXICITY IN MARINO SHEEP

The problem of lead toxicity originated in a private farm in El- Katta "Giza governorate", due to ingestion of plant polluted with lead. About 8 out of 50 Marino sheep animals showed lead toxicity. The animal's age was 6 months. The animals suffered from depression, pressing head against objects, dilatation of eye pupils, total blindness (in 2 cases) with normal light reflex in both eyes, edema in briskets, enteritis with bloody diarrhea and pupil dilation. Also there were lacrimation, pale dirty mucous membrane and sunken eyes. Serum analysis from these animals revealed high lead concentration. In addition too, significant decrease in the levels of testosterone, LH, FSH. PCV, haemoglobin, R.B.C.s and total proteins were also decreased. Highly degeneration of kidney, and liver accompanied with elevation of AST, ALT, Urea, creatinine, cortisol, sodium, and potassium. Moreover, S.epidermidis and S. Aeruginosa were isolated. We conclude that the cause of animals morbidity and mortality in this farm was not due to bacterial infections but due to lead toxicity and we can say that polluted environment, especially with lead, can cause severe harm to animal health, in addition to serious danger on human health, by eating food polluted with lead. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(4):128-131). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Protective Effect of Pretreatment of Rats with Calyx Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hematotoxicity

A B S T R A C T Beneficial health impact of medicinal plants reported in scientific literature includes enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanism and amelioration of toxicities. The present study aimed to investigate the pre and post-treatment protective effects of methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (MEHS) on CCl4-induced hematotoxicity and alterations in lipid profile in rats. The 55 rats were randomly divided into 11 groups of 5 animals each. The pretreatment and post treatment groups were administered 200, 600 and 1000 mg kgG 1 doses of MEHS 10 days before and after oral administration of CCl4 (2.5 mL kgG 1 b.wt.), respectively. Hematological parameters and serum lipids were analyzed by standard methods. The administration of CCl4 significantly induced hematotoxicity as evidenced by decreased RBC, PCV and Hb with significantly increased WBC count (p 0.05). The data from this study suggest the prophylactic protective role of MEHS against hematotoxicity in carbon tetrachloride challenge.
Cultural Integration: Experimental Evidence of Changes in Immigrants' Preferences

Cultural traits play a significant role in the determination of economic outcomes and institutions. This paper presents evidence from laboratory experiments on the cultural integration of individuals of Chinese ethnicity in Australia, focusing on social preferences, preferences for competition, and risk attitudes. We show that the greater the share of education an individual receives in the West, the more they behave like Western subjects and the less they behave according to the norms of their Eastern heritage. Increased exposure to Western education has a strong negative impact on altruism, trust, and trustworthiness. For risk and competitive preferences, our results are gender-specific. These results have important implications for policy making and institution building in multi-cultural societies.