Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applied to Livestock Production ( A ) cross-breed Genomic Prediction

Genomic prediction holds the promise to use information of other populations to improve prediction accuracy. Thus far, empirical evaluations showed limited benefit of multi-breed compared to single breed genomic prediction. We compared prediction accuracy of different models based on two closely related and one unrelated line of layer chickens. Multi-breed genomic prediction may be successful when lines are closely related, and when the number of training animals of the additional line is large compared to the line itself. Multi-breed genomic prediction requires models that are flexible enough to use beneficial and ignore detrimental sources of information in the training data. Combining linear and non-linear models may lead to small increases in accuracy of multibreed genomic prediction. Multitrait models, modelling a separate trait for each breed, appear especially beneficial when relationships between breeds are very low, or when the genetic correlation between breeds is negative.
ImpacT2 project: preliminary study 1: establishing the relationship between networked technology and attainment

This report explored teaching practices, beliefs and teaching styles and their influences on ICT use and implementation by pupils. Additional factors explored included the value of school and LEA policies and teacher competence in the use of ICT in classroom settings. ImpaCT2 was a major longitudinal study (1999-2002) involving 60 schools in England, its aims were to: identify the impact of networked technologies on the school and out-of-school environment; determine whether or not this impact affected the educational attainment of pupils aged 816 years (at Key Stages 2, 3, and 4); and provide information that would assist in the formation of national, local and school policies on the deployment of ICT
Investment Appraisal Process in the Banking & Finance Industry

We have studied how the banking and finance industry performs investment appraisal, measures subsequent follow-up and designates project success or failure. Furthermore, the authors looked into the extent of use of the new generation value management models. The result shows that firms are not using the same measurement scale in all stages of a project. Moreover, there is a tendency to shift from traditional appraisal methods to the new generation value management models.
Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Gene Variation and Its Association with 5-Fluorouracil Toxicity in Colorectal Patients

Objective: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), an enzyme translated by DPD gene (DPYD), has a critical role in the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5FU). In this study we aimed to investigate the frequency of the IVS14+1 G>A, 2194G>A, 2846 A>T mutations in the DPYD gene in colorectal cancer patients in north of Iran and their association with side effects of 5FU.Methods: Venous blood samples of 89 colorectal cancer patients were drawn. After the DNA extraction from nuclear cells, a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect the frequency of the IVS14+1 G>A and 2846 A>T mutations. Tetra-Primer ARMS PCR optimization method was used to detect the 2194 G>A mutation. Side effects were classified according to CTCAE (common terminology criteria for adverse events V. 4) and the association between different polymorphisms and side effects were evaluated.Results: Of 89 colorectal patients, the frequency of IVS14+1 G>A and 2846 A>T polymorphism was 4 (5.1%) and 1 (1.1%), respectively. The 2194 G>A polymorphism was not detected. All 4 patients were heterozygous for IVS14+1 G>A mutation, whereas the only patient with 2846 A>T polymorphism was homozygous. Some adverse effects of 5FU including diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis and stomatitis were more frequent in patients with IVS14+1 G>A polymorphism.Conclusion: The prevalence of IVS14+1 G>A mutation in our patients were relatively high and was associated with a higher occurrence of 5FU-associated toxicities.
Insight into epidemiological importance of phytoplasma vectors in vineyards in South Moravia, Czech Republic

Šafářová D. , Lauterer P., Starý M. , Válová P., Navrátil M. (2018): Insight into epidemiological importance of phytoplasma vectors in vineyards in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Plant Protect. Sci., 54: 234–239. Bois noir (BN), caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, is a serious disease of grapevines in Europe. During the 2010–2012 survey in Perná vineyard (South Moravia, Czech Republic) a total of 4854 insect individuals were collected and among these, 95 insect species belonging to Auchenorrhyncha (77 species), Heteroptera (12), and Psylloidea (62) were indentified. The nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses confirmed Hyalesthes obsoletus as the main BN vector with 43.8% of phytoplasma positive individuals on average. A significant role of anaceratagallia ribauti (22.6% of phytoplasma positive specimens) should be taken into account based on its occurrence and incidence of infected individuals. Eleven insect species were identified as new carriers of ‘Ca. P. solani’ or suggested as potential BN vectors in this work.
EURAMERICA Vol

Using social exchange perspectives, we investigated how the distribution of various resources influence individuals’ subjective judgments of justice and the consequences of perceived injustice. This study used a sample of 162 newly married couples, drawn from the third wave of a three-year panel study during 1991-1993, conducted in the state of Washington. A structural equation model was used to evaluate whether the distribution of resources (socioeconomic characteristics, affection, personal traits, working hours, and housework) affects perceptions of justice, and whether injustice has negative consequences on the individual assessments of marital quality and psychological distress. The results showed that the distributions of affection and housework were two main factors in the husbands’ determination of whether the marital relationship was fair or TP PT Received September 20, 2005; accepted November 29, 2006; last revised November 24, 2006 Proofreaders: Jeffrey Cuvilier, Wen-chi Chang, Yu-jy Chen, Min-Hsi Shieh
In house validation of real-time PCR method for detection of Clostridium botulinum in food and feed matrixes.

For validation purposes, characteristic parameters for quantitative detection were estimated according to the PN-EN ISO 16140. Additionally, a comparison between validated real–time PCR method and traditional methods based on the isolation of this pathogen on differential agar media was conducted. The validated method has shown the possibility of detection of 58 copies of ntnh gene (genome equivalents) for DNA obtained from dilution of pure Clostridium botulinum NCTC 887 cells. For DNA obtained from the contaminated food and feed samples inhibitory effect was observed. The tested method has shown high specificity proved by the examination of DNA obtained from C. botulinum reference strains and other strains of Clostridium sp. The specificity has also proved the obtained concordance between results from analyses using test on laboratory mice with those from analyses using the tested real–time PCR method. The obtained results have shown that the described method gives the possibility to detect the pathogen without isolation and to shorten time of analysis in comparison to the traditional methods, based on isolation of this pathogen on differential agar media.
FINANCING OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES – CASE OF MACEDONIA

This paper is prepared in a clear structure, in order to clarify in details microfinance, as a method for SMEs in accessing financing sources. At the beginning microfinance has been developed as an opportunity to help poor people lift themselves out of poverty. The most important thing is that microfinance helps people to open new businesses and with that improve economic and social condition of the society. It is done knowing the great need for access to financial resources, and also for other ways of support, either informal or nonfinancial methods. In this study, the importance is given to the development of microfinance in Macedonia, it is about the stages that have been performed and the results so far achieved. Knowing the methods of financing SMEs in other countries, the main issues that we have analyzed are the sources and methods of financing SMEs in Macedonia. In order to make the evaluation of these factors, we have used regression analysis on three variables.Finally there are presented the results obtained from empirical analysis, where we have analyzed the amounts of credits allocated to SMEs, the number of active enterprises, and the change of interest rates for SME loans, all these are made ​​for a period from 2004 - 2012 (divided into quartiles). The results clarify the impact of credits and interest rates on the existence of SMEs and the opening of new enterprises in Macedonia. To our bad luck, the obtained results do not match with the results of other countries, while the reason is explained at the end of the study.
The cosmic assembly of stellar haloes in massive Early-Type Galaxies

Using the exquisite depth of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF12 programme) data set, we explore the ongoing assembly of the outermost regions of the most massive galaxies (Mstellar ≥ 5× 1010 M⊙) at z ≤ 1. The outskirts of massive objects, particularly early-type Galaxies (ETGs), are expected to suffer a dramatic transformation across cosmic time due to continuous accretion of small galaxies. HUDF imaging allows us to study this process at intermediate redshifts in six massive galaxies, exploring the individual surface brightness profiles out to ∼25 effective radii. We find that 5–20 per cent of the total stellar mass for the galaxies in our sample is contained within 10 = 0.1, 15.1 per cent at = 0.65 and 3.5 per cent at = 2. The fraction of mass in diffuse features linked with ongoing minor merger events is >1–2 per cent, very similar to predictions based on observed close pair counts. Therefore, the results for our small albeit meaningful sample suggest that the size and mass growth of the most massive galaxies have been solely driven by minor and major merging from z = 1 to today.
Impact of Financial Leverage on Dividend Policy at Tehran Stock Exchange: A Case Study in Food Industry

This paper examines the relationship between dividend policy and financial leverage of 33 food companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange with 242 data ‚during the period 2003 to 2010. Dividend policy‚ vastly followed by the companies ‚was tested by applying the extend model of Linter (1956) with the debt ratio of the firm ‚the current year’s dividend yield as its independent variables and change in earnings as a dummy variable. At first ‚the descriptive statistics for our entire variables were calculated and then correlation matrix was calculated to identify the preliminary relationship among all the variables‚ followed by regression analysis on panel data to examine the significance and magnitude through fixed and random effects model. Theoretical assertion were justified through random effect model that the level of corporate debt (leverage) and widely practiced dividend policy ‚ significantly ‚ affect the dividend policy of the Iranian firms. The factors affecting dividend policy included sources and uses of funds set, why and how to select a particular source‚ according to requirements of the outside environment and also dominant phenomena within the company. In such circumstances‚ this current research has tried to focus on financial performance of companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange to examine effects. This research aimed to explore the impact of financial leverage‚ dividend policy in food industry companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange Market. For this purpose‚ Independent variables in debt ratio‚ Stock returns and changes in Food group income from Stock are collected. Dividend per share is considered as only variable dividend policy that accounts for behavior of corporate managers in corporate financial decision. Food industry companies have positive effect on variables in dividend yield and changes income‚ but debt ratio has no meaningful relationship on dividend per share. It has only positive relationship‚ if the rate of debt ratio is less than dividend yield. When rate of debt ratio is more than dividend yield‚ it has negative relationship.
Branching on history information

Mixed integer programs ($MIPs$) are commonly solved with branch and bound algorithms based on linear programming. The success and the speed of the algorithm strongly depends on the strategy used to select the branching variables. Today's state-of-the-art strategy is called \emph{pseudocost branching} and uses information of previous branchings to determine the current branching. We propose a modification of \emph{pseudocost branching} which we call \emph{history branching}. This strategy has been implemented in $SIP$, a state-of-the-art $MIP$ solver. We give computational results that show the superiority of the new strategy.
Just call me Thomas: incredulity, evidence, and the hype surrounding insight-based training for novice drivers

This paper examines the nature of evidence supporting ongoing belief in insight-based approaches, and concludes that there is still no sound evidence to support the implementation of a driver training program based on insight principles. Swedish research has still largely failed to demonstrate real road safety benefits from an insight approach, and a close review of Finnish and Australian research raises significant doubts about drawing positive conclusions about the outcomes. Even current research studies in a number of jurisdictions in Europe will fail the simplest examination. A scientific approach to the driver training issue suggests that rumours of a resurrection may be somewhat overstated. The paper then goes on to discuss the type of valid evidence that would be needed to confirm that the driver training tomb is empty, and the likely problems associated with obtaining this type of evidence. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211985.
Lycophytes and ferns composition of Atlantic Forest conservation units in western Paraná with comparisons to other areas in southern Brazil

This study surveyed lycophyte and fern species in four forest fragments in western Parana, Brazil, and compared them to 15 other fragments with different plant formations from the Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. In total, five lycophyte species (in two families and two genera) and 98 species and two varieties of ferns (in 16 families and 38 genera) were registered in the four fragments. The most represented families were Pteridaceae (23 spp.), Polypodiaceae (18 spp.), Aspleniaceae (13 spp.), and Thelypteridaceae (11 spp.). Asplenium (12 spp.), Thelypteris (10 spp.), and Blechnum (seven spp.) were among the most represented genera. The occurrence of Dicksonia sellowiana was noteworthy because it was associated with seasonal semideciduous forest and is threatened in Brazil. Similarity among areas was determined by a cluster analysis (UPGMA and Sorensen’s index) and the relation between similarity and geographic distance was determined through Matel’s analysis. The analyses revealed greater similarity among the four study areas and, for these areas as a whole, greater similarity to fragments in Rio Grande do Sul, which is evidence that these areas have similar environmental conditions.
The astrocyte role in the dying-back degeneration of DAns

Increasing evidence suggests that the dopaminergic degeneration which characterizes Parkinson’s disease starts in the striatal dopamine terminals and progresses retrogradely to the body of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra. The role of striatal astrocytes in the striatal initiation of the dopaminergic degeneration is little known. This work was aimed at studying the astrocytic response to the dopaminergic denervation of the striatum. The injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (25 lg) in the lateral ventricle of adult Sprague–Dawley rats induced a fast (4 h) and selective (unaccompanied by unspecific lesions of striatal tissue or microgliosis) degeneration of the dopaminergic innervation of the striatum which was followed by a selective astrocytosis unaccompanied by microgliosis. This astrocytosis was severe and had a specific profile which included some (e.g. up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein, GS, S100b, NDRG2, vimentin) but not all (e.g. astrocytic proliferation or differentiation from NG2 cells, astrocytic scars, microgliosis) the characteristics observed after the non-selective lesion of the striatum. This astrocytosis is similar to those observed in the parkinsonian striatum and, because it is was unaccompanied by changes in other striatal cells (e.g. by microgliosis), it may be suitable to study the role of striatal astrocytes during the dopaminergic denervation which characterizes the first stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Master Thesis

The concept of an invariant set is of great importance in the theory of dynamical systems. An invariant set D can be described as follows: if a solution enters, or starts in D, then it stays in D. In this thesis, the main focus lies on dynamical systems generated by a system of non-linear differential equations. It is of great interest to identify and construct such invariant sets, in order to decipher the structure of a solution, especially when a closedform is not available. This thesis is divided into four parts. In the first part (Chapter 2), important notions and theorems of the qualitative theory of differential equations are being treated, and the definition of a dynamical system is being introduced. It turns out that proving the global existence of solutions is a recurrent obstacle. In the second part (Chapter 3), the concept of invariance is formally defined, and criteria to identify invariant sets are presented and also applied to specific examples. More complicated sets are treated at the end of this Chapter, showing how complicated the structures of invariant sets can be. In the third part (Chapter 4), stability concepts are being presented. The linearization of a system around an equilibrium is being studied. Moreover, the concept of a Lyapunov function is introduced. Finally, in the fourth part (Chapter 5), methods to construct invariant sets are studied. While the concept of Lyapunov functions can be directly applied to construct invariant sets, the relationship between stability and invariance is rarely treated in the literature. More research and analysis are needed in this area.
Springtails in Space Factors Structuring Collembola Populations and Communities, Revealed by Trait-based Analyses

The relative influence of environmental conditions, biotic interactions and dispersal limitation for community structure and diversity patterns is a reoccurring theme in community ecology. In studies of soil fauna communities, small-scale horizontal and vertical variations in environmental variables and biotic interactions have often been disregarded, despite these being key factors to understanding the diversity of soil fauna communities. In this thesis I examined the spatial distribution patterns of springtail (Collembola) species and communities in three different ecosystems: a salt marsh, mature pine forests and a high Arctic tundra meadow. The different systems consisted of a, to the human eye, homogeneous habitat. Still, they had different disturbance regimes and small-scale heterogeneity in environmental variables. In the three first studies the focus was on species and trait composition and diversity, at scales from 10 cm to 300 km. In the fourth paper I question the use of species-level analyses of distribution patterns, as different age classes within a species might be structured by different factors. I found that when habitat conditions were kept as similar as possible, the pine forest Collembola communities had similar functional diversity, although there was a high species turnover both between samples within study sites and between sites. The functional similarity between samples was lower in the salt marsh habitat, a habitat characterized by frequent inundation events. The small-scale variation in species and trait composition was best explained by spatial variables in the stable mature pine forest floor, while in the dynamic salt marsh environmental variation was most important. Coexisting species showed a higher difference in traits than expected in the pine forest, while coexisting species were similar in traits in the salt marsh. This indicates that species interactions can have a large impact on the community composition of springtails at small spatial scales. Small-scale niche partitioning may be one explanation for the high local diversity observed in many soil communities. I found that incorporating species-specific trait information in studies greatly helps our understanding of the mechanisms structuring communities, despite the finding that in some species of collembolans different age classes may use space differently. To improve our understanding of Collembola communities both these factors should be considered in future studies.
The Effect of catastrophic cognitions on fear acquisition and extinction in posttraumatic stress disorder

This study examined the potential role of catastrophic cognitions in mediating threat expectancy during fear conditioning and extinction in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was hypothesised that participants with PTSD would display heightened catastrophic thinking and greater threat expectancy during fear extinction; the potential for catastrophic cognitions to mediate the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and threat expectancy during fear extinction was also assessed. Fifty-nine participants (21 PTSD, 19 TEC, and 19 NTEC) completed measures of catastrophic thinking (CCQ-M and PTSI) and the differential fear conditioning and extinction paradigm. The PTSD group demonstrated significantly greater trauma-specific catastrophic thinking than both control groups, but group differences in more generalised catastrophic cognition were non-significant. The PTSD group also exhibited more rapid fear acquisition and impaired fear extinction. Trauma-related catastrophic thinking did not mediate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and threat expectancy in the early extinction phase of the fear conditioning paradigm.
EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GARLIC

An experiment on integrated nutrient management in Garlic was conducted. Among treatments, T 6 (75:40:40:40 kg NPKS + 7.5t FYM + 3.75t Poultry manure ha -1 ) was found superior in respect of bulb yield (150.41 q ha -1 ) and benefit cost ratio 1.68 followed by treatment T5 (75:40:40:40 kg NPKS + 7.5t vermicompost ha -1 ) (144.00 q ha-1) for all three seasons; whereas, T 1 and T 2 shown 132.08 q ha-1 and 130.19 q ha-1 yield. Thus, application of reduced dose of chemical fertilizers along with combination of two or three organic manures was found beneficial for garlic in rabi season.
Optimization incentive and relative riskiness in experimental coordination games

We compare the experimental results of three stag-hunt games. In contrast to Battalio et al. (2001), our design keeps the riskiness ratio of the payoff-dominant and the risk-dominant strategies at a constant level as the optimisation premium is increased. We define the riskiness ratio as the relative payoff range of the two strategies. We find that decreasing the riskiness ratio while keeping the optimization premium constant increases sharply the frequency of the risk-dominant strategy. On the other hand an increase of the optimization premium with a constant riskiness ratio has no effect on the choice frequencies. Finally, we confirm the dynamic properties found by Battalio et al. that increasing the optimization premium favours best-response and sensitivity to the history of play.