Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of diluting diets with ground and pelleted or with whole wheat on the performance of growing turkeys

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of moderate dilution (gradually up to 22.5%) of standard diets (C) with wheat in different physical forms, ground and pelleted (GW) or whole (WW), on growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass yield, and incidence of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in growing heavy-type turkeys. Dietary treatments in which part of the basal diet (control, C) was replaced with a low, medium, or high wheat content (8.2%, 13.3%, or 18.2% on average in groups W L , W M , and W H , respectively) were compared. Seven experimental groups consisted of six replicates each (n=30 birds) fed from 4 to 18 weeks of age. After four weeks of experimental feeding, groups GW L and WW L , relative to group C, were characterized by higher coefficients of dry matter digestibility (P=0.003), apparent nitrogen retention (P=0.096), and energy metabolizability (P=0.003), as well as by a higher metabolizable energy content of the daily ration (P<0.001). The beneficial influence of wheat, both ground and whole, was lower at higher levels of dietary dilution. In 8-week-old turkeys, the symptoms of FPD were significantly less severe in groups GW L and WW L (P=0.039). In birds aged 18 weeks, no significant differences were found among groups. Neither the amount of wheat nor its physical form had a significant effect on the average body weight of growing turkeys. Throughout the experiment, only in groups WW M and WW H were FCR values lower than in group C (P<0.001). An increase in the wheat content of diets led to a linear decrease in FCR (P<0.001), and average FCR values were significantly (P=0.004) lower in WW than in GW groups. Whole wheat, compared with ground pelleted wheat, contributed to an increase in gizzard weight (P=0.003), although it had no influence on the proportions of breast muscles, leg muscles, and fat in turkey carcasses.
A Diagnostic Model for Recognition of Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Based on Artificial Neural Networks

Purpose: Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after treatment can be difficult to recognize as there are overlapping imaging findings with post-radiotherapy changes. We have established an intelligent computerized system that differentiates recurrent carcinoma and normal condition using artificial neural network based on studies of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography with limited cases (n=16). Method: Twenty-one validated radiological features were used as inputs for the neural network. The neural network was trained by leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) method with 2 outputs. Results: Our observer study indicated that when the radiologists are provided with the ANN output they make better decisions and there was significant improvement for junior radiologists after using neural network results (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using artificial neural network for deciphering complex imaging pattern of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after treatment with limited case samples and improved the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A Diagnostic Model for Recognition of Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Based on Artificial Neural Networks Publication History: Received: December 16, 2016 Accepted: February 06, 2017 Published: February 08, 2017
Addressing Summer Reading Setback Among Economically Disadvantaged Elementary Students

Much research has established the contribution of summer reading setback to the reading achievement gap that is present between children from more and less economically advantaged families. Likewise, summer reading activity, or the lack of it, has been linked to summer setback. Finally, family socioeconomic status has been linked to the access children have to books in their homes and neighborhoods. Thus, in this longitudinal experimental study we tested the hypothesis that providing elementary school students from low-income families with a supply of self-selected trade books would ameliorate summer reading setback. Thus, 852 students from 17 high-poverty schools were randomly selected to receive a supply of self-selected trade books on the final day of school over a 3-year period, and 478 randomly selected students from these same schools received no books and served as the control group. No further effort was provided in this intervention study. Outcomes on the state reading assessment indicated a statistically significant effect (p = .015) for providing access to books for summer reading along with a significant (d = .14) effect size. Slightly larger effects (d = .21) were found when comparing the achievement of the most economically disadvantaged students in the treatment and control groups.
Black feminist criminology in action: A study of racial discrimination, ethnic-racial socialization, and offending among African American females

Over the past decade, an increasing number of scholars have begun to explore the link between experiences of interpersonal racial discrimination and an increased risk of offending. The evidence shows that racial discrimination is a risk factor and that ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) provides resilience. However, much of the research on this phenomenon is largely focused on African American males. Drawing on Burt, Simons, and Gibbon’s (2012) research, I investigate the ways in which interpersonal racial discrimination increases the risk of offending among African American females and whether familial ERS practices provide resilience to its criminogenic effects. Using panel data from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS), a survey of African American families in Georgia and Iowa, I examine the relationship between experiences of racial discrimination and an increased likelihood of offending to explore if ethnicracial socialization provides protective effects against the criminogenic nature of racial discrimination. Using negative binomial regression to analyze my data and a black feminist criminological lens, the results indicate that racial discrimination is linked to a higher likelihood of criminal offending for African American girls. However, little support is found that provides evidence of ethnic racial socialization’s protective effects for African American girls.
On Complex Modified Genuine Szász-Durrmeyer-Stancu Operators

In this paper, we introduce complex modified genuine Szasz-Durrmeyer-Stancu operators to improve the results obtained in [4] and present overconvergence properties of these operators. We obtain some estimates on the rate of convergence, a Voronovskaja-type result and the exact order of approximation for these operators attached to analytic functions of exponential growth on compact disks.
VENTURE ’ S ECONOMIC IMPACT IN AUSTRALIA Executive Summary

We empirically compare the contributions of venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) backed firms, including those backed by government subsidized Innovation Investment Funds (IIFs), to the Australian economy by analyzing employment, R&D, patents, time to IPO, and market capitalization from market inception to August 2012. VC-backed firms exhibit no material difference in employment, but do exhibit higher levels of R&D and patents and, after the passage of sufficient time, have greater market capitalization relative to PEand non-VC/PE/IIF-backed firms. IIF-backed firms likewise exhibit no material difference in employment, but do result in a higher percentage of investments that are publicly listed and a greater market capitalization relative to both VCand PEand non-VC/PE/IIF-backed firms, controlling for other things being equal. PE-backed firms generate higher levels of employment, counter to anecdotal claims to the contrary. Overall, the data highlight a central role for VC and IIF investment in facilitating R&D, innovation, and economic growth. The data indicate an expansion of venture investments would facilitate more innovation and economic growth in Australia relative to the expansion of other sources of capital, particularly in view of the comparative dearth of venture investments in Australia relative to other countries.
The impact of baby spa on the growth and development of infants aged 3-6 months at Puskesmas I Denpasar Selatan

Background: Infancy is a critical period which required special and thorough treatment. The pursuant of optimal growth and development of infant is influenced by some factors which are correlated namely, genetics, environment, behavior, and stimulus. One of the measurements to determine growth is weight. Baby spa is one of physiotherapy for infant and could stimulate infant’s motor movement which has significant influence on their growth and development.Methods: The method of this research was Quasi experimental design using the framework of pretest and posttest with control group design on infants aged 3 until 6 months who are healthy. Kartu Menuju Sehat (KMS) or growth chart was used to record the growth of infant before and after the treatment. Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) was utilized to measure the infant’s development before and after the treatment. Baby spa therapy was performed once every two weeks for 12 weeks.Results: The research 20 infants of treatment group and control group statistically showed significant increase before and after baby spa treatment in term of growth and development of infants aged 3-6 months with p value=0.0000. There was an impact of the baby spa treatment towards the growth and development of infant aged 3-6 months based on the p value: 0.021. Conclusions: Baby spa which was performed on infants aged 3-6 months significantly increases their growth and development.
Physico-chemical properties of red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) during surimi and kamaboko gel preparation

Physico-chemical properties of red tilapia mince during the preparation of surimi and kamaboko gel were evaluated to determine the potential of red tilapia as a source for surimi. Processing of red tilapia for surimi and kamaboko gel resulted in a significant lower Ca2+ ATPase activity, protein and fat than mincemeat. Thermograms of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed three peaks at 31.0, 54.5 and 72.0°C for the mince and only two peaks for surimi and kamaboko gel respectively. Enthalpies of myosin peaks in surimi and kamaboko gel were lower compared to the mincemeat, but there were no significant differences among the enthalpies (∆H) of their actin peaks. The highest maximum storage modulus (G’max) was obtained at 78.5°C for kamaboko gel which corresponded to 2420 Pa. The sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) gel showed apparent intensity different in myosin (205 kDa) and no obvious differences for actin (43 kDa).
Intra-raw material variability and use-wear accrual: A continuing exploration

This paper presents the latest results of an ongoing research initiative into the role of lithic raw material variability in use-wear formation. The present study continues recent exploration of wear formation associated with working dry hide. The work presented here expands on a recently published study of two raw materials from the American Southwest [San Juan Fossiliferous Chert (SJF) and Yellow Silicified Wood (YSW)] (Lerner, In Press) by presenting the analysis of two additional materials [Morrison Undifferentiated Gray Chert (MUG) and Brushy Basin Silicified Siltstone (BB)] using the same quantitative measures from the previous study (area percent, density, average intensity.) The methods used have broad geographic and temporal applicability, thus the potential for contributing to greater standardization in the quantification of archaeological use-wear.
Preface to Special Issue: diagnosis and management of von Willebrand disease—diverse approaches to a global and common bleeding disorder

It is a pleasure to present the readership of Annals of Blood ( AOB ) with this special issue compilation on von Willebrand disease (VWD). It was with some substantial personal gratification for me to put this issue together, in part to reprise a similar issue that I prepared for the journal Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis nearly a decade ago (1). The most intriguing question, of course, is whether or not great strides have been made in the field since that time!
Choosing Local Organic Food: Consumer Motivations and Ethical Spaces

In recent years, the organic sector has increased significantly. However, with the ‘conventionalization’ of these products, it has been questioned whether these products have been losing their original vision. Accordingly, this research based on 31 phenomenological interviews with committed organic consumers in urban and rural areas of Portugal, aims to analyse how ethical motivations and ecological awareness are related to organic food consumption. The content thematic analysis highlights aspects related to society and environmental concerns. On an individual level, the importance of internal coherence, peace of mind and balance that these consumers find in the consumption of local organic products was stressed. For these consumers, local organic products consumption made for significant changes in their lives, aiding in the establishment of a green identity, and involves a certain philosophy of life. This vision of an organic lifestyle is grounded in a political and ecological perspective, beyond the usual organic definition, as a ‘post-organic era’. The paper contributes to better understand how an ideological environmental discourse allows highlighting the relationship between consumers’ environmental concerns and the politics of food, resulting in a possible transition to new sustainable consumption practices. Keywords—Organic consumption, localism, content thematic analysis, pro-environmental discourse, political consumption, Portugal.
The Impact of Socio-Political Integration and Press Freedom on Corruption

Abstract The analyses in this study demonstrate a more nuanced understanding of a previously understood phenomenon – that openness has a negative relationship with corruption. It is argued that this relationship is substantially influenced by the domestic context, a relationship that has been underdeveloped by previous empirical studies. Focusing on social and political integration, I find that the effect of openness on corruption is conditioned by domestic institutions. The empirical evidence suggests that while political and social openness have a significant impact in combating corruption given a free press, the impact of such international forces are negligible in cases where press freedoms are low.
COST OF TREATING HYPERTENSION IN MALAYSIA

Background: Cost of illness studies approximate the economic burden of any disease on the society. Hypertension is one of the most prevalent vascular diseases and is considered as a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is greatly prevalent and severe in Malaysia. Its care is insufficient. Hypertension detection and treatment is less than satisfactory in Malaysia. Objective : This study was conducted to quantify the total direct and indirect costs of hypertension management. Methodology : Data was collected to estimate the direct medical costs for 300 hypertensive patients included health care practitioners’ services, medicines and laboratory tests retrospectively and through follow up process. Indirect costs were estimated as productivity lost by hypertensive patients. The prevalence and incidence-based approaches were used to estimate the cost of illness of hypertension disease. Results : The total direct costs were RM1612.38, RM1741.85 and RM2718.21 for the prehypertensive, stage 1 and stage 2 hypertensive groups respectively. The total indirect costs were RM8078.70, RM6654.52 and RM7511.41. Conclusion : The direct costs attributable to hypertension disease were higher in higher blood pressure groups. Direct costs of hypertension are mainly dependant on the costs of antihypertensive agents. Efforts should focus on improving the awareness of the both clinical and economic benefits of preventing hypertension in the society. Keywords : Cost, treatment, hypertension, Malaysia.
Intrinsic ergodicity for factors of (−β)-shifts

We show that every subshift factor of the ()-shift is intrinsically ergodic, when and the ()-expansion of 1 is not periodic with odd period. Moreover, the unique measure of maximal entropy satisfies a certain Gibbs property. This is an application of the technique established by Climenhaga and Thompson to prove intrinsic ergodicity for symbolic systems beyond specification. We also prove that there exists a subshift factor of the ()-shift which is not intrinsically ergodic in the cases other than the above.
Effect of densification rate on consolidation and properties of Al7075–B4C composite powder

Hot quasi-static pressing and dynamic compaction of Al7075–B4C composite powder are studied in this work. Micron sized Al7075 and B4C particles were milled to obtain uniform dispersion of B4C reinforcing phase. Samples with relative densities up to 97.5, 99 and 100% were fabricated using gas gun, drop hammer and hot quasi-statically compactions respectively. The results showed that the increase of B4C content improved the hardness of the compacts but did not improve the compressive strength in the samples compacted by the gas gun. However, the ductility of the samples was reduced significantly. The samples compacted using the drop hammer and under hot quasi-static loading experienced ∼25 and 11% enhancement in the compressive strength respectively. The investigation indicated that the dynamic compaction using the gas gun was more successful if it is performed after quasi-static pre-compaction and under warm compaction process. It was concluded that the quasi-static pressing is the best fabrication technique to achieve the highest density, microhardness and strength.
Study of serum lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and its association with diabetic nephropathy

Background: Dyslipidaemia is highly prevalent in type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients. The role of dyslipidaemia in macrovascular complications of Diabetes have been extensively studied but its role in microvascular complications namely nephropathy is still unclear. The present study was undertaken to study the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidaemia and its association with Diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: 100 patients with type 2 DM attending OPD or admitted, over a period of 1 year were studied. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was done. Serum lipid profile was studied in all patients and its association with DN was assessed. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidaemia in DM patients in our study was 90% and there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence among males and females. Poorly controlled diabetics had high prevalence of dyslipidaemia as compared to well controlled diabetics. The prevalence of Diabetic nephropathy in our study was 41%. There was significant association of DN with high Total Cholesterol, high Low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high Triglycerides. There was no significant association of DN with High density lipoprotein (HDL-C). Conclusions: Present study highlights the magnitude of dyslipidaemia in type2 DM patients and that there is a significant association of DN with lipid parameters. Hence patients should be managed with life style modifications with or without lipid lowering agents to achieve target lipid values along with adequate glycemic control to prevent or delay the appearance and progression of DN.
Lower deciduous tooth homologies in Erethizontidae [Rodentia, Hystricognathi]: Evolutionary significance

Cusp and lophid homologies of the lower deciduous teeth (dp4) in erethizontids and other Hystricognathi are specified. On this basis, a new nomenclature for these structures is proposed. The probable primitive condition and evolution of the occlusal patterns of these teeth are also analyzed. In contrast to previous proposals, it is concluded that the mesoconid, mesostylid, and mesolophid of the dp4 of erethizontids can be recognized since the Early Miocene. The anteriormost three lophids of the pentalophodont dp4 of the Erethizontidae would be homologous to the anterolophid, metalophulid II, and mesolophid, respectively. In addition, it may be proposed that the lophids of the dp4 of the Baluchimyinae and Old World Hystricognathi are homologous to those of the erethizontids and the remaining South American Hystricognathi. The pentalophodont pattern is probably the primitive condition of the dp4 of the Hystricognathi.
Adaptive Concentration of Regression Trees, with Application to Random Forests

We study the convergence of the predictive surface of regression trees and forests. To support our analysis we introduce a notion of adaptive concentration for regression trees. This approach breaks tree training into a model selection phase in which we pick the tree splits, followed by a model fitting phase where we find the best regression model consistent with these splits. We then show that the fitted regression tree concentrates around the optimal predictor with the same splits: as d and n get large, the discrepancy is with high probability bounded on the order of sqrt(log(d) log(n)/k) uniformly over the whole regression surface, where d is the dimension of the feature space, n is the number of training examples, and k is the minimum leaf size for each tree. We also provide rate-matching lower bounds for this adaptive concentration statement. From a practical perspective, our result enables us to prove consistency results for adaptively grown forests in high dimensions, and to carry out valid post-selection inference in the sense of Berk et al. [2013] for subgroups defined by tree leaves.
Influence of Processing on Morphology, Electrical Conductivity and Flexural Properties of Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets-Polyamide Nanocomposites

Graphene is one of the most promising materials for many applications. It can be used in a variety of applications not only as a reinforcement material for polymer to obtain a combination of desirable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and barrier properties in the resulting nanocomposite but also as a component in energy storage, fuel cells, solar cells, sensors, and batteries. Recent research at Michigan State University has shown that it is possible to exfoliate natural graphite into graphite nanoplatelets composed entirely of stacks of graphene. The size of the platelets can be controlled from less than 10 nm in thickness and diameters of any size from sub-micron to 15 microns or greater. In this study we have investigated the influence of melt compounding processing on the physical properties of a polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite reinforced with exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP). The morphology, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite were characterized with electrical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, AC impedance, and mechanical properties. It was found that counter rotation (CNR) twins crew processed xGnP/PA6 nanocomposite had similar mechanical properties with co-rotation (CoR) twin screw processed or with CoR conducted with a screw design modified for nanoparticles (MCoR). Microscopy showed that the CNR processed nanocomposite had better xGnP dispersion than the (CoR) twin screw processed and modified screw (MCoR) processed ones. It was also found that the CNR processed nanocomposite at a given xGnP content showed the lowest graphite X-ray diffraction peak at indicating better xGnP dispersion in the nanocomposite. In addition, it was also found that the electrical conductivity of the CNR processed 12 wt. % xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite is more than ten times higher than the CoR and MCoR processed ones. These results indicate that better dispersion of an xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite is attainable in CNR twins crew processing than conventional CoR processing.