Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of reduced dietary protein level and fat addition on heat production and nitrogen and energy balance in growing pigs

Two trials were conducted in order to quantify the effects of reduction of dietary crude protein (CP) level, with or without fat addition, on heat production and energy balance in growing pigs. In trial 1, extreme variations in diet composition were obtained by using purified ingredients; con- ventional ingredients were used in trial 2. In each trial, three diets were prepared. Diet 1 had a con- ventional CP level (18.9 and 17.4% in trials 1 and 2, respectively) while diet 2 had a reduced CP level (12.3% and 13.9% in trials 1 and 2, respectively); diet 3 also had a reduced CP level (13.6 and 14.9%, respectively) and 3.5% (trial 1) or 4% (trial 2) fat was added. In both trials, diets 2 and 3 were supplemented with industrial amino acids in order to ensure similar ratios between digestible essen- tial amino acids and net energy (NE) between diets while exceeding requirements of animals. Each diet was measured in 6 (trial 1) or 5 (trial 2) individually caged 60-kg pigs for digestibility, compo- nents of heat production (indirect calorimetry) and energy, protein and fat balances. Energy supply was standardised between diets (1.9 MJ NE per kg BW 0.60 ). A reduction of dietary CP level (diets 2 and 3 vs. diet 1) significantly reduced urinary nitrogen loss without impairing nitrogen gain in pigs. A reduction of dietary CP alone (diet 2 vs. diet 1) contributed to a significant reduction of total heat production and, more specifically, its component related to feed utilisation. This effect was accentuated when fat was added (diet 3 vs. diet 2). Fasting heat production (770 kJ per kg BW 0.60 ) and activity heat production (8% of ME intake) were not affected by dietary treatment. These results emphasise the inter- est of using an NE concept for estimating the energy value of pig feeds.
Effect of Weaning Age on Plasma Biochemistry and Muscular GHR , IGF-1 and IGF-1 R Gene Expression in Piglets

The effects of weaning age on plasma biochemistry parameters and expression of growth-related genes in piglets were investigated. Twenty-four piglets were randomly divided into 4 weaning groups (14 d, 21 d, 28 d and 35 d) and slaughtered at the age of 42 days. Blood, longissimus dorsi muscle (LD), and semitendinosus tissue samples were collected. Plasma biochemistry parameters and GHR, IGF-1, and IGF-1R mRNA and protein were measured. Weaning piglets at 14 days resulted in significantly lower plasma TP and GLU compared to weaning at 28 and 35 days (p<0.05). Weaning at 28 and 35 days resulted in lower plasma CK activity compared to weaning at 14 and 21 days (p<0.05). Weaning piglets at 35 days resulted in lower plasma LDH activity compared to weaning at 14 days (p<0.05). Weaning at 21 days after birth resulted in significantly higher expression of GHR mRNA and protein in LD and semitendinosus muscles compared to weaning at 14 days (p<0.05). IGF-1 protein in LD and IGF-1 mRNA in LD and semitendinosus muscles were significantly elevated in the 21 days weaning group compared to weaning at 14 days (p<0.05). Weaning at 21 days resulted in significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels for IGF-1R in LD and semitendinosus muscles compared to weaning on any other day (p<0.05). © 2018 Friends Science Publishers
Horizon Instability of Extremal Kerr Black Holes: Nonaxisymmetric Modes and Enhanced Growth Rate

We show that the horizon instability of the extremal Kerr black hole is associated with a singular branch point in the Green function at the superradiant bound frequency. We study generic initial data supported away from the horizon and find an enhanced growth rate due to nonaxisymmetric modes. The growth is controlled by the conformal weight $h$ of each mode. We speculate on connections to near-extremal black holes and holographic duality.
INNOVATION ACTIVITIES EXPLAINED BY FIRM ATTRIBUTES AND LOCATION

In this paper, innovation activities of a firm are observed as its R&D spending and participation in three categories of innovation systems. The various factors that can influence a firm's innovation efforts are divided into, (i) firm location reflecting the regional milieu and (ii) firm attributes such as corporate structure, nature of the knowledge production, type of industry and a set of specific firm characteristics. The study is based on information about 2094 individual firms, which may be non-affiliated or belong to a group (multi-firm enterprise). The empirical analysis applies a novel data set to examine the influence of location versus a vector of firm attributes. Among innovative firms, the location of a firm does not influence neither the R&D intensity nor the frequency of interaction in horizontal and vertical innovation systems, when controlling the skill composition, physical capital intensity, industry, firm size and market extension. The paper contributes to the literature by observing that innovative firms have similar characteristics irrespective of where they are located, although the share of innovative firms differs between regions.
Effective Use of Performance-based Assessments to Identify English Knowledge and Skills of EFL Students in Ecuador

This paper seeks to understand how EFL teachers can effectively use performance-based assessments to determine the English knowledge and skills that EFL students have developed during the teaching-learning process. It also presents the advantages of this type of assessment as well as its challenges and the way these challenges can be overcome. Through this investigation, EFL teachers in Ecuador and around the world will be able to get valuable information that will guide their assessment practices in EFL classrooms.
The Feldstein-Horioka Puzzle: A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Approach

This paper proposes an original framework to determine the relative influence of fivefactors on the Feldstein and Horioka result of OECD countries with a strong saving-investment association. Based on panel threshold regression models, we establishcountry-specific and time-specific saving retention coefficients for 24 OECD coun-tries over the period 1960-2000. These coefficients are assumed to change smoothly,as a function of five threshold variables, considered as the most important in theliterature devoted to the Feldstein and Horioka puzzle. The results show that; de-gree of openness, country size and current account to GDP ratios have the greatestinfluence on the investment-saving relationship.
Induction of intervertebral disc degeneration using annular puncture and establishment of a disc-safe injection method in a rabbit model using an ultrasound-guided percutaneous approach

The rabbit annular puncture model of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is among the most widely used models of IDD. We aimed to establish a rabbit model of IDD using a direct, minimally invasive procedure, and to establish a safe approach for disc injection of therapeutic agents. The rabbit model of IDD was established using ultrasound-guided percutaneous annular puncture: 18G to induce disc injury (18G segments), and 27G to evaluate the feasibility and safety of disc injection (27G segments). X-rays, histology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to assess IDD at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after modeling. Disc morphologic changes (by MRI, X-rays and histology), and collagen I and II immunohistochemistry were used to assess IDD. Disc space narrowing was observed as early as 4 weeks and osteophytes were formed at 12 weeks after puncture in the 18G segments, but no such changes occurred in the 27G and control segments. MRI demonstrated a progressive loss of T2WI signal intensity at the 18G segment throughout the 12-week period, while the 27G segment showed only a slight decrease of T2WI signal intensity throughout the 12-week period. Immunohistochemistry showed a progressive loss of the normal architecture and collagens in the 18G segment from 4 to 12 weeks, while the 18G segment showed only a slight change in architecture. These results indicated that using ultrasound-guided percutaneous annular puncture in rabbits; a 27G needle was small enough prevent the induction of IDD and could be a promising method of delivering therapeutic agents into discs.
Characterisation of Airborne Particulate Matter in Different European Subway Systems

Additional information available at the end of the chapter Abstract Air quality sampling campaigns in three European subway systems (Barcelona, Athens and Oporto) were conducted in order to characterise particulate matter (PM) to better understand the main factors controlling it. PM mass concentrations varied among the European subway platforms, and also within the same underground system, this being mainly associated to differences in the design of the stations and tunnels, system age, train frequency, ventilation and air‐conditioning systems, commuter's density, rails geometry and outdoor air quality. PM concentrations displayed clear diurnal patterns, depending largely on the operation and frequency of the trains and the ventilation system. Chemically, subway PM 2.5 on the platforms consisted of iron, carbonaceous material, crustal matter, secondary inorganic compounds, insoluble sulphate, halite and trace elements. Fe was the most abundant element, accounting for 19–46% of the bulk PM 2.5 , which is generated mainly from mechanical wear at rail‐wheel‐brake interfaces. A source apportionment analysis allowed the identification of outdoor (sea salt, fuel‐oil combustion and secondary aerosol) and subway sources on platforms. The use of air‐ conditioning inside the trains was an effective approach to reduce exposure concentra‐ tions, being more efficient removing coarser particles. PM concentrations inside the trains were greatly affected by the surrounding (i.e. platforms and tunnels) air quality conditions.
Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Simultaneous Estimation of Amoxicillin Trihydrate and Tinidazole in the Tablet Dosage Form

A simple, rapid and selective RP -HPLC method has been developed for determination of Amoxicillin trihydrate and Tinidazole in the pharmaceutical dosage form. The chromatographic separation was achieved with reverse phase phenomenex ® (Luna 5μ C18(2) 100A (250 × 4.60 mm) Column in isocratic mode and mobile phase containing 25mM Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (adjusted to pH 4.5 by Ortho-phosphoric acid) and Acetonitrile in the ratio of 40:60% v/v. The flow rate was 1mL min-1 and effluent was monitored at 238 nm. Retention time was found to be 2.053 min for Amoxicillin trihydrate and 2.944 min for Tinidazole, respectively. Linear regression analysis data for the calibration plot showed that there was good linear relationship between response and concentration in the range of 5–50 μg/ml for both Amoxicillin trihydrate and Tinidazole, respectively. Percentage recoveries obtained for Amoxicillin trihydrate and Tinidazole were 100.87% and 99.52% respectively. The proposed method is precise, accurate, selective and rapid for the simultaneous determination of Amoxicillin trihydrate and Tinidazole in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
The S-Estimator of Multivariate Location and Scatter in Stata

In this article, we introduce a new Stata command, smultiv, that implements the S-estimator of multivariate location and scatter. Using simulated data, we show that smultiv outperforms mcd, an alternative robust estimator. Finally, we use smultiv to perform robust principal component analysis and least-squares regression on a real dataset.
Empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprise ( SME ) in Karangasem Regency Ni

The purpose of this research is to develop a strategy of empowerment of SMEs in Karangasem regency based on the results of SWOT analysis. The respondents that were used in this study are the Head Department of Cooperatives and SMEs in Karangasem, academics / observer of SMEs and SMEs businessmen as many as 14 people. The data analysis technique used is a SWOT Analysis with Matrix Internal External. The results showed opportunities for SMEs in Karangasem are: access to global market, economic growth is quite good, controlled inflation rate, government support, government regulations, culture, whereas that become threat is increasingly level of competition. Which to be strengths to empower SMEs in Karangasem are human skills, entrepreneurial orientation, the uniqueness of the product, quality of service, and good promotion, while there are still weaknesses of SMEs in Karangasem are: limited access of capital, limited mastery of information technology, and bookkeeping system that has not good enough. Based on the opportunities, threats, strengths, and weaknesses, then the strategy was chosen for the empowerment of SMEs in Karangasem is Growth and Build strategy, which is focused on program access to sources of capital, IT mastery improvement programs, and improvement of the accounting system.
Impacts of Pesticides on Honey Bees

This chapter focuses on the detrimental effects that pesticides have on managed honey bee colonies and their productivity. We examine first the routes of exposure of bees to agrochemicals used for crop protection and their application to crops, fate and contami‐ nation of water and plants around the fields. Most of the time, the exposure of bees to pesticides is through ingestion of residues found in the pollen and nectar of plants and in water. Honey bees are also exposed to pesticides used for the treatment of Varroa and other parasites. The basic concepts about the toxicity of the different kinds of pesticides are explained next. Various degrees of toxicity are found among agrochemicals, and emphasis is given to the classic tenet of toxicology, “the dose makes the poison,” and its modern version “the dose and the time of exposure makes the poison. ” These two factors, dose and time, help us understand the severity of the impacts that pesticides may have on bees and their risk, which are analysed in the third section. Sublethal effects are also considered. The final section is devoted to some practical advice for avoiding adverse impacts of pesticides in beekeeping.
The Impact of Volunteer Experience on Adolescent Social Development: Evidence of Program Effects

The Social and Personal Responsibility Scale was employed in a study of the Youth Volunteers program, involving 44 adolescents in 12 projects, equally divided between child care and community service. Participants showed statistically significant gains on the Social Responsibility subscale. Girls gained more than boys and volunteers in community improvement projects gained more than those in child care. However, as in previous studies, gains were quite modest. Testimony from adolescents and adult participants was more strongly positive, volunteers citing improvement in their knowledge of themselves and others and the acquisition of new skills, adults seeing greater willingness to make decisions. Child care volunteers and their adult advisers said they gained competence in working with young children. The generalized impact of volunteer experience on enduring attitudes appears to be positive but small. Future studies should attend as well to differences in the nature of the experiences adolescent volunteers have and to effects that vary among participants.
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF PLASMODIUM VIVAX MEROZOITE SURFACE PROTEIN-3 a ( P vmsp-3 a ) GENE IN JHAPA DISTRICT OF NEPAL

In Nepal, Plasmodium vivax accounts for approximately 80-90% of the malaria cases, but limited studies have been conducted on the genetic diversity of this parasite population. This study was carried out to determine the genetic diversity of P. vivax population sampled from subjects living in an endemic area of Jhapa District by analyzing the polymorphic merozoite surface protein-3a (Pvmsp-3a) gene by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Three distinct genotypes were obtained from 96 samples; type A: 40 (71%), type B: 7 (13%), and type C: 9 (16%) which could be categorized into 13 allelic patterns: A1-A9, B1, B2, C1 and C2. These results indicated a high genetic diversity within the studied P. vivax population. As the transmission rate of malaria is low in Nepal, the diversity is most likely due to migration of people between the malaria endemic regions, either within the country or between Nepal and India. Similar prevalence of the three genotypes of Pvmsp-3a between the two countries likely supports the latter explanation.
Functional identity explains carbon sequestration in a 77‐year‐old experimental tropical plantation

Planting forests is an important practice for climate change mitigation, especially in the tropics where the carbon (C) sequestration potential is high. Successful implementation of this mitigation practice requires knowledge of the role of species identity and diversity on carbon accrual of plantations. Despite this need, solid data on the long-term development of forest plantations are still very scarce. Monospecific and two species mixture plots of a 77-year-old tree diversity experiment in Yangambi in the Congo basin were fully inventoried. We calculated above-ground C stocks using allometric equations, and soil C stocks by analyzing soil samples at multiple depths. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the effect of taxonomic and functional identity and diversity on the aboveground and soil carbon stocks. A high variability in aboveground C stocks across tree species combinations was observed. Apart from a species identity effect, the proportion of planted species in the total stand basal area (BA(pl)) and effective species richness were identified as compositional parameters with a significant effect on the aboveground carbon (AGC), with BApl being more important. Both AGC and BA(pl) were coupled to the functional identity of the planted species; the planting of short-lived pioneers led to low AGC. We found no clear benefits, but also no drawbacks, for AGC of two species mixture plots over monospecific plots or including nitrogen fixing species in the plantation scheme. However, the latter was the only compositional parameter with a significant positive effect on the soil carbon stock up to 1 m depth. We conclude that the different plantation configurations gave rise to a wide range in carbon stocks. This was predominantly caused by large differences in AGC sequestration over the past 77 years. Altogether, short-lived pioneer species had a low BApl resulting in low carbon sequestration, while partial shade tolerant species achieved the highest AGC stocks. Tolerating spontaneous ingrowth during the plantation development can further increase the AGC stock, given that the appropriate functional type is planted.
Modeling of Escherichia coli Fluxes on a Catchment and the Impact on Coastal Water and Shellfish Quality 1

Bougeard, Morgane, Jean‐Claude Le Saux, Nicolas Pérenne, Claire Baffaut, Marc Robin, and Monique Pommepuy, 2011. Modeling of Escherichia coli Fluxes on a Catchment and the Impact on Coastal Water and Shellfish Quality. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐17. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011. 00520.x
Effect of Maternal and Paternal Nutrition on DNA Methylation in the Offspring: A Systematic Review of Human and Animal Studies

Maternal or paternal diet may influence health throughout the life course. This is a systematic review of studies in humans and animals specifically investigating DNA methylation in progeny in relation to diet of the mother or father, or previous generations. There is an overview of the types of diet studied and the metabolic paths affected. Food deprivation in humans and animal models, studies on imprinted genes, hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and influence of paternal diet are discussed.
Foundress Association in the Paper Wasp Polistes simillimus (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract In many animal species, females are faced with at least 2 reproductive options: independent or cooperative breeding. Some individuals in cooperative groups choose to help in rearing the broods of conspecific females. Through observations of how females of Polistes simillimus Zikán, 1951 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) started new nests in the field, we investigated whether ecological constraints and the geographic variations explain group formation in this species. The founding of nests was studied between 1996 and 2000 in various localities of 2 states of southeastern Brazil. Weekly observations were carried out on 109 pre-worker nests. We kept track of 40 colonies in Minas Gerais State and 69 in São Paulo State, each started either by a single female or by an association of females. There was a chance that worker production would become numerically similar in both solitary and associative colonies in both states. An increased number of foundresses did not improve the chance of colony success in Minas Gerais State, but it improved this chance in São Paulo State, so that colonies each with 3 or more foundressess were always successful. In colonies in both states, nest cell productivity was higher with a greater number of associated females per nest. Females were able to start building nests alone, being the only reproductive, or 2 or more females could cooperate to found a nest, thus increasing worker production. However, the type of environment chosen to establish the nest (anthropogenic or natural) seemed to influence strongly the choice of the founding strategy.
PROPERTIES OF MEROMORPHIC SOLUTIONS OF q-DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS

In this article, we utilize Nevanlinna value distribution theory to study the solvability and the growth of meromorphic function f(z) that satisfies some q-difference equations, which can be seen the q-difference analogues of Painlevé I and II equations. This article extends earlier results by Chen et al [2, 3].
Missing Contracts: On the Rationality of Not Signing a Prenuptial Agreement

Many couples do not sign prenuptial agreements, even though this often leads to costly and inefficient litigation in case of divorce. In this paper we show that strategic reasons may prevent agents from signing a prenuptial agreement. Partners which have high productivity in marital activities wish to signal their type by running the risk of a costly divorce. Hence this contract incompleteness arises as a screening device. Moreover, the threat of costly divorce is credible since the lack of an ex-ante agreement leads to a moral hazard problem within the couple, which induces partners to reject any ex-post amicable agreement, under specific circumstances. We also investigate conditions that make this contract incompleteness an optimal form of contracting and we briefly discuss the effects of enforceable and/or mandatory premarital agreements on the rate of divorce and on the social welfare. Finally, our model suggests that there is no major objection in making prenuptial agreements enforceable, but also that there are not good reasons to make them mandatory.