Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Photoperiod and Melatonin on Alleviation of the Negative Impact of Heat Stress on Broilers

Two experiments were conducted to test that broilers, reared under intermittent light program or fed a diet containing melatonin, would dampen the deleterious effects of heat stress on their performance and immune response. In the first experiment, two groups of one-day-old male broiler chicks received 23h Light: 1h Dark (CL), while another two groups received intermittent light (IL) (1hL: 3hD) programs. From 4-6 weeks of age, a group from each lighting program was exposed to heat stress (35 C). The other two groups o were kept under 24 C. At 35 C, birds under IL program had 5 times less mortality and 41% higher body o o weight at six weeks of age compared to the CL birds. Moreover, heat-stressed birds under IL program had 11% better feed conversion and higher T concentrations and antibody production, compared to the CL 3 group. In the second experiment, two groups of one-day-old male broiler chicks were fed a diet containing 40 ppm melatonin (MEL) while another two groups received a MEL-free diet, from 4-6 weeks of age. Concurrently, a group from each MEL treatment was reared under 35 C. The other two groups were kept o under 24 C. Under 35 C, birds receiving MEL had less mortality, better feed conversion and higher antibody o o production, compared to the MEL-free diet group. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed consumption and T concentrations between these two groups. These results indicate that IL program may 3 be used effectively to improve broiler's ability to alleviate the negative effects of heat stress more than MEL administration does.
Yield Performance and Blast Susceptibility of SomeWheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties in Jashore

A trial was conducted during 2015-16 to 2017-18 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Jashore to select some tolerant varieties against wheat blast. Fourteen varieties including eight old varieties (Sonalika, Kanchan, Sourav, Gourab, Shatabdi, Sufi, Bijoy, Prodip) and six newly released varieties (BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26, BARI Gom 27, BARI Gom 28, BARI Gom 29 and BARI Gom 30) were evaluated. The experiments were non-replicated and were planted in two sowing dates, at optimum (mid November) and late (mid December) conditions. Three irrigations were applied, at crown root initiation (CRI), heading and grain filling stages. Plants of border rows were inoculated by Magnaporthe oryzae triticum (MoT) spores (104 conidia ml-1) for infection once per week from three weeks after sowing until primary infection was observed. The significantly higher grain yield was observed in 2016-17 (3505 kg ha-1) which was similar to 2017-18 (3448 kg ha-1) and the lowest was in 2015-16 (1680 kg ha-1). The higher grain yield was obtained due to the higher grains spike-1 (45 no.) and 1000 grain weight (36.6 g) and lower blast disease incidence (% blast index 18.1%). In all three years, there was heavy infection of wheat blast in late sowing condition (% blast index 40.7) compared to the optimum sowing condition (% blast index 1.4), resulting in very poor crop yield (1696 kg ha-1). Among the varieties, the variety Gourab produced the highest yield (3395 kg ha-1) which was similar to the newly released variety BARI Gom 28 (3196 kg ha-1) and BARI Gom 30 (3134 kg ha-1). In case of blast disease severity, old varieties were less infested with some exception in Sonalika and Kanchan. On the other hand, BARI Gom 25 and BARI Gom 26 were more susceptible (% blast index 35.3-36.5) to wheat blast compared to BARI Gom 28 and BARI Gom 30 (% blast index 20.2-22.5). The Agriculturists 2018; 16(2) 65-74
Characterization and source apportionment of organic aerosol using offline aerosol mass spectrometry

Abstract. Field deployments of the Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) have significantly advanced real-time measurements and source apportionment of non-refractory particulate matter. However, the cost and complex maintenance requirements of the AMS make its deployment at sufficient sites to determine regional characteristics impractical. Furthermore, the negligible transmission efficiency of the AMS inlet for supermicron particles significantly limits the characterization of their chemical nature and contributing sources. In this study, we utilize the AMS to characterize the water-soluble organic fingerprint of ambient particles collected onto conventional quartz filters, which are routinely sampled at many air quality sites. The method was applied to 256 particulate matter (PM) filter samples (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, i.e., PM with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 1, 2.5, and 10 µm, respectively), collected at 16 urban and rural sites during summer and winter. We show that the results obtained by the present technique compare well with those from co-located online measurements, e.g., AMS or Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). The bulk recoveries of organic aerosol (60–91 %) achieved using this technique, together with low detection limits (0.8 µg of organic aerosol on the analyzed filter fraction) allow its application to environmental samples. We will discuss the recovery variability of individual hydrocarbon ions, ions containing oxygen, and other ions. The performance of such data in source apportionment is assessed in comparison to ACSM data. Recoveries of organic components related to different sources as traffic, wood burning, and secondary organic aerosol are presented. This technique, while subjected to the limitations inherent to filter-based measurements (e.g., filter artifacts and limited time resolution) may be used to enhance the AMS capabilities in measuring size-fractionated, spatially resolved long-term data sets.
Bio-Based Composites for Sound Absorption

The acoustic thermoplastic composites and a method for their production with the participation of the bio-components were presented. To form composite matrix polylactide fibres (PLA) were used. Natural fibres (flax (LI) and cotton (CO)), straw and cellulose ultra-short/ultra-fine fibres obtained from biomass were used as a reinforcement. Cellulose ultra-short/ultra-fine fibres were obtained from the flax fibres or straw by enzymatic treatment and optionally modified by silane. The tensile stress at maximum load of composites with the sub-microfibres obtained from waste flax fibres after silane modification is twice higher than that of the composite with the submicrofibres without the silane modification. The effect of different kinds of natural materials on the acoustic composites was studied. The addition of the straw increases the values of the sound absorption coefficient are higher because of the additional voids caused by the particles of straw. If as a reinforcement the CO fibres and cellulose sub-microfibres are used, the sound absorption of the composite is higher than for composite with only CO fibres. In the case of sub-microfibres obtained from the waste flax fibres the highest sound absorption and tensile stress of the composites gives the modification by solution of silane in ethanol and water.
On fractional Hardy inequalities in convex sets

We prove a Hardy inequality on convex sets, for fractional Sobolev-Slobodecki\u{\i} spaces of order $(s,p)$. The proof is based on the fact that in a convex set the distance from the boundary is a superharmonic function, in a suitable sense. The result holds for every $1<p<\infty$ and $0<s<1$, with a constant which is stable as $s$ goes to $1$.
A model of growth and finance: FIML estimates for India

Many empirical works addressed the nature of the relationship between economic growth and financial developments. Although these studies concede that they are interdependent, they have used single equations methods for estimation. In particular in the country specific studies the Granger causality tests are applied to equations estimated with the single equations methods to determine whether financial developments cause growth or vice versa. This paper uses the full information maximum likelihood method to estimate a two equations model of growth and finance for India. We also argue that in virtually all these empirical works the specification of the output equation is unsatisfactory. Our results with the Indian data show that there is no evidence to support the view that finance follows where enterprise goes. Furthermore, financial developments have a small but significant permanent growth effect in India.
Central Banks Quasi-Fiscal Policies and Inflation

Although central banks have recently taken unconventional policy actions to try to shore up macroeconomic and financial stability, little theory is available to assess the consequences of such measures. This paper offers a theoretical model with which such policies can be analyzed. In particular, the paper shows that in the absence of the fiscal authorities' full backing of the central bank's balance sheet, strange things can happen. For instance, an exit from quantitative easing could be inflationary and central banks cannot successfully unwind inflated balance sheets. Therefore, the fiscal authorities' full backing of the monetary authorities' quasi-fiscal operations is a pre-condition for effective monetary policy.
Effect of Corporate Governance on Bond Ratings and Yields: The Role of Institutional Investors and Outside Directors

This paper provides evidence linking corporate governance mechanisms to higher bond ratings and lower bond yields. Governance mechanisms can reduce default risk by mitigating agency costs and monitoring managerial performance and by reducing information asymmetry between the firm and the lenders. We find firms that have greater institutional ownership and stronger outside control of the board, enjoy lower bond yields and higher ratings on their new bond issues. However, concentrated institutional ownership has an adverse effect on yields and ratings. These results are robust to a specification that controls for institutional ownership being influenced by bond yields.
Aetiological study on pneumonia in camel (Camelus dromedarius) and in vitro antibacterial sensitivity pattern of the isolates

A total of 514 samples including 196 nasal swabs, 148 tracheal swabs and 170 pneumonic lung tissues were collected: 460 isolates were identified. The isolates constituted 9 genera of bacteria with, 82.40 percent Gram positive organisms and 15 percent Gram negative organisms and mixed organisms as 2.6 percent. Staph. aureus and Coryn. pyogenes were the predominant isolates with frequency of 24.8 and 20.6 percent respectively. Staph. aureus, Coryn. pyogenes, Strept. pyogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed high frequency of isolation from pneumonic lungs as compared with their isolation frequencies from nasal cavity and the trachea. In an in vitro antibiotic sensitivity tests, penicillin, ampicillin were the drugs of choice against Gram positive organisms. Gentamicin showed a marked inhibitory effect against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
Is oral lornoxicam effective in the treatment of acute migraine attacks? : a randomized-controlled study

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of lornoxicam (LNX) in the treatment of acute migraine attacks. Material and Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted administering either LNX or placebo to patients who were diagnosed with migraine without aura according to the International Headache Society (the year 2004) criteria between 2010 and 2012 Results: Of 44 patients with 120 migraine attacks, 38 were female and rest were males. Mean age was 37.75 ± 9.28 years. Patients recorded using LNX in 87 migraine attacks and placebo in 33 migraine attacks, respectively. Pain intensity scores of the patients were found similar between LNX and placebo groups, statistically. Conclusion: Although oral LNX was found to have efficacy similar to placebo statistically in the treatment of acute migraine attacks, further studies are needed to evaluate appropriately the efficacy of LNX for treatment of acute migraine attacks.
Simulation of Partial and Supercavitating Flows around Axisymmetric and Quasi-3D Bodies by Boundary Element Method Using Simple and Reentrant Jet Models at the Closure Zone of Cavity

A fixed-length Boundary Element Method (BEM) is used to investigate the super- and partial cavitating flows around various axisymmetric bodies using simple and reentrant jet models at the closure zone of cavity. Also, a simple algorithm is proposed to model the quasi-3D cavitating flows over elliptical-head bodies using the axisymmetric method. Cavity and reentrant jet lengths are the inputs of the problem and the cavity shape and cavitation number are some of the outputs of this simulation. A numerical modeling based on Navier-Stokes equations using commercial CFD code (Fluent) is performed to evaluate the BEM results (in 2D and 3D cases). The cavitation properties approximated by the present research study (especially with the reentrant jet model) are very close to the results of other experimental and numerical solutions. The need for a very short time (only a few minutes) to reach the desirable convergence and relatively good accuracy are the main advantages of this method.
Quantitative carcass traits of Holstein calves, finished in different systems and slaughter weights

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar as caracteristicas da carcaca de bezerros holandeses terminados em confinamento ou em pastagem com suplementacao e abatidos com diferentes pesos de abate. Os animais confinados foram alimentados com volumoso e concentrado comercial, na proporcao de 40:60, sendo a silagem de milho utilizada como volumoso. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x4 (dois sistemas de terminacao x quatro pesos de abate). Os animais foram abatidos a medida que atingiam os pesos de abate pre-determinados (140, 180, 220 e 260kg). O sistema de acabamento nao teve influencia sobre o peso e rendimento de carcaca quente e fria e as perdas de carcaca, mas os animais confinados apresentaram maior espessura de gordura. Animais confinados apresentaram melhor conformacao, comparados com os terminados em pastagem. A medida que aumentou o peso de abate, houve crescimento linear para peso de carcaca quente e fria, rendimento de carcaca quente e fria, conformacao, medidas metricas e peso dos cortes comerciais da carcaca. O percentual do corte traseiro decresceu com o aumento do peso de abate, enquanto que a espessura de gordura apresentou resposta quadratica. Os sistemas de abate apresentaram rendimento de carcaca semelhante. As caracteristicas da carcaca melhoram com o aumento do peso de abate, mas, em percentagem, sao semelhantes
Scaling of spectral anisotropy with magnetic field strength in decaying magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Space plasma measurements, laboratory experiments, and simulations have shown that magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence exhibits a dynamical tendency towards spectral anisotropy given a sufficiently strong background magnetic field. Here the undriven decaying initial-value problem for homogeneous MHD turbulence is examined with the purpose of characterizing the variation of spectral anisotropy of the turbulent fluctuations with magnetic field strength. Numerical results for both incompressible and compressible MHD are presented. A simple model for the scaling of this spectral anisotropy as a function of the fluctuating magnetic field over total magnetic field is offered. The arguments are based on ideas from reduced MHD (RMHD) dynamics and resonant driving of certain non-RMHD modes. The results suggest physical bases for explaining variations of the anisotropy with compressibility, Reynolds numbers, and spectral width of the (isotropic) initial conditions.
E-Government Implementation: A Reflection on South African Municipalities

The objective of the paper was to understand the challenges towards e-Government implementation in South Africa. The paper contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding the challenges facing e-government implementations in developing nations. It presents the outcomes of several discussions conducted with representatives from the municipal sector. These included semi structured interviews and a workshop with 40 attendees resulting in qualitative primary data. Through the application of an inductive thematic data analysis, the paper reflects on the critical role that municipalities hold in pursuing e-Government. It further discusses the different stakeholders that may influence the manifestation of e-Government for municipalities. It also highlights the barriers identified by respondents that require consideration from local government. The barriers include governance related issues, access to resources, leadership, ICT skills and funding.
The childbearing desires of perinatally infected female adolescents enrolled in an HIV clinic in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Background: Although there is evidence that adolescents with Perinatally-Acquired HIV (PHIV) are living into young adulthood, there is paucity of research about their fertility intentions and how the experiences of growing up with HIV influence their intentions for parenting. This is despite South Africa being the country with the largest number of children and adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The study explores motherhood desires, motivations and concerns of female adolescents with PHIV and assessed their awareness and understanding of Perinatal HIV Transmission (PHT). Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposively selected sample of 30 female adolescents with PHIV aged 14-19 years. The adolescents were enrolled in an ART program of a district hospital in Gauteng province, South Africa. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo data analysis software. Findings: Most female adolescents with PHIV who perceived a low risk of PHT desired to have children. The desire for motherhood superseded the fear of PHT. However, parenting related issues such as the intention to disclose their HIV-positive status to their children was a great concern. The fear of PHT during pregnancy and fear of premature death leaving their children orphaned was the greatest concern among adolescents who did not desire to have children. On the other hand, the thoughts of having children for some adolescents was farfetched, for them, completing school and having a career was more important than having children. Conclusion: The heightened fear of PHT underscores the importance of educating children and adolescents with PHIV about the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV. It is crucial that regular discussions on fertility desires, disclosure, and prevention of PHT are integrated in the daily counseling and support for children and adolescents with PHIV.
Engaging Engineering Students in Active Learning and Critical Thinking through Class Debates

Within the program of engineering, typically there are courses that are heavily dependent on mathematics and derivations of fundamental concepts. A lot of active learning can be done in these classes by using the engineering fundamentals to solve engineering problems, i.e. number crunching. This keeps the students busy and interested in the subject. On the other hand there are some courses that involve a lot of reading and less intense in mathematics. Teaching such courses to engineering students can be a challenge. The objective of this paper is to share an innovative method that not only engages active learning in such classes, but also critical thinking in classes that is text heavy. The pedagogy approach adopted is utilizing the idea of a debate competition between students. The students were given the lecture material by the instructor for several weeks. Student teams are formed and are given the task to prepare Questions and Answers on the topics that have been covered in class. These questions cannot be trivial but has to involve higher levels of the Blooms Taxonomy such as application and analysis. Teams take turn to ask questions to each other and the final score is tabulated. At the end of the process, the instructor will focus on individual team members by giving them similar questions. The objective of this is to identify the weak students within teams and to focus on them before the semester ends. The outcome of this pedagogy exercise was interesting. In comparison to the other semesters, students’ performance increased, besides increasing their interest in the subject. Student survey showed that the enjoyed the methods used in the class and it has really helped them to better understand the material by peer team-working. The innovative pedagogy approached using in this particular engineering course has showed that active learning is an important element in enhancing students’ performance. Besides this, with guidance and examples, students will be able to think in a critical manner on subjects that are text heavy. This is an important element because it develops critical thinking skills in analyzing information. It is recommended that such or similar approaches is adopted for courses that are less mathematics intense in the engineering programs. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the Organizing Committee of WCES 2014.
Serial verb constructions, parameter settings and thematic restrictions on argument sharing

Serial verb constructions (henceforth SVCs) are considered to be constructions containing at least two (main) verbs in what appears to be a single clause. Only one (phonologically non null) subject and no overt markers of subor coordination are present (Jansen et al 1978, Sebba 1987). They have a single (accomplished) event interpretation and all the verbs have the same specification for tense, mood, aspect and polarity. They occur in a wide variety of genetically unrelated languages, ranging from West African languages, Sino-Tibetan languages to the Caribbean Creoles. Since the publication of Baker (1989), the study into the nature of verb serialization has become a central area of interest in the principles-and-parameters approach to language. Several issues arise in the analysis of SVCs (cf. Muysken 1987). First, is verb serialization a unified phenomenon or, in other words, are all SVCs structurally alike? Second, is the snaring of arguments, both subject and object, obligatory in SVCs? And if so, what kind of mechanism is involved? Third, is verb serialization a syntactic process or should it be accounted for by lexical operations on argument structure? Related to this issue is the question whether there are empty positions in SVCs. Evidently, if one opts for an analysis in lexical terms, this question is non-existent, but if, on the other hand, one opts for a syntactic analysis and, moreover, takes the Projection Principle seriously, it is a question that calls for an answer. The last issue is how to account for the distinction between serializing and non-serializing languages. Are we to derive the difference between the languages by means of different options of a single parameter or do SVCs come about through different ways of doing syntax and morphology?