Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
STUDIES ON RUMINAL DISORDERS IN SHEEP

Received at: 27/2/2014 Accepted: 18/3/2014 Fifty two adult native breed Egyptian sheep were suffering from ruminal indigestion. The animals were divided into three groups, based on clinical signs and ruminal pH. The number of diseased cases with ruminal acidosis were 20, ruminal alkalosis 17 and those with ruminal tympany 15. In addition, 12 clinically adult sheep were used as control. Most cases with ruminal indigestion showed partial or complete anorexia, loss of body condition, abdominal pain, cessation of rumination and abdominal distension. Such signs differ according to the disease condition. Ruminal samples were collected from all animals and transferred to the laboratory for biophysical and biochemical analysis. All samples collected from diseased cases showed changes in the microbial activity as indicated by retardation in times of SAT, MBRT and CDT. Also, the values (m1) of GFT were increased especially in cases with ruminal tympany. All cases with ruminal dysfunction showed reduction in values and percentages of total and differential protozoal count. Biochemical analysis of ruminal fluid revealed variations in the values of sodium, potassium, chlorides and lactates among the types of indigestion.
Annual carbon gas budget for a subarctic peatland, northern Sweden

Abstract. Temperatures in the Arctic regions are rising, thawing permafrost and exposing previously stable soil organic carbon (OC) to decomposition. This can result in northern latitude soils, which have accumulated large amounts of OC potentially shifting from atmospheric C sinks to C sources with positive feedback on climate warming. In this paper, we estimate the annual net C gas balance (NCB) of the subarctic mire Stordalen, based on automatic chamber measurements of CO2 and total hydrocarbon (THC; CH4 and NMVOCs) exchange. We studied the dominant vegetation communities with different moisture and permafrost characteristics; a dry Palsa underlain by permafrost, an intermediate thaw site with Sphagnum spp. and a wet site with Eriophorum spp. where the soil thaws completely. Whole year accumulated fluxes of CO2 were estimated to 29.7, −35.3 and −34.9 gC m−2 respectively for the Palsa, Sphagnum and Eriophorum sites (positive flux indicates an addition of C to the atmospheric pool). The corresponding annual THC emissions were 0.5, 6.2 and 31.8 gC m−2 for the same sites. Therefore, the NCB for each of the sites was 30.2, −29.1 and −3.1 gC m−2 respectively for the Palsa, Sphagnum and Eriophorum site. On average, the whole mire was a CO2 sink of 2.6 gC m−2 and a THC source of 6.4 gC m−2 over a year. Consequently, the mire was a net source of C to the atmosphere by 3.9 gC m−2 (based on area weighted estimates for each of the three plant communities). Early and late snow season efflux of CO2 and THC emphasize the importance of winter measurements for complete annual C budgets. Decadal vegetation changes at Stordalen indicate that both the productivity and the THC emissions increased between 1970 and 2000. Considering the GWP100 of CH4, the net radiative forcing on climate increased 21% over the same time. In conclusion, reduced C compounds in these environments have high importance for both the annual C balance and climate.
Population genetics, foraging ecology, and trophic relationships of grey wolves in central Saskatchewan

Habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic development influence the level of isolation and security in and around protected habitats affecting wolf movements and the distribution and abundance of their prey. In light of recent concern about the ecology of animals in protected areas, I initiated a research project to investigate the molecular and foraging ecology of grey wolves in and around Prince Albert National Park (PANP), Saskatchewan. Estimates of genetic diversity and population structure can be used as surrogates to detect effects of habitat degradation on wolves. Genetic diversity was high in these populations relative to other North American wolf populations. My results suggest that wolves in central Saskatchewan form a panmictic population, however there is some evidence showing partial isolation of one group of wolves within PANP. I speculate that the level of human activity such as road networks, hunting, and trapping act as dispersal impediments to this isolated group. Further, the genetic homogenization, indicating high population turnover, of wolf groups that use the periphery and adjacent areas of PANP may also contribute to the observed genetic subdivision. The partially isolated NW group, characterized by slightly lower diversity indices, low migration rates, and higher levels of allele fixation, indicated this group was a more stable social unit comprised of more related individuals. Knowledge of wolf food habits and how they change over time is a fundamental component to understanding wolf ecology. Using scat analysis I evaluated wolf foraging ecology by calculating indices of occurrence/faeces (OF) and percent prey biomass contribution: white tailed deer contributed 43% and 33% respectively to wolf diet; elk (33%, 50%), moose (7%, 14%), beaver (5%, 2%), and snowshoe hare (2%, <1%). I found no evidence of livestock depredation nor did wolves prey on bison or caribou. There were no differences in OF indices between years. Prey selectivity was apparent in both years with wolves selecting elk and avoiding beaver. A diversity of ungulate prey are readily available to wolves in this system; however, scat analysis and tests for prey selection indicate a preference for elk. I presume this is a choice made to balance risk with profitability of food items in concordance with optimal foraging theory.
The Effect of Intellectual Capital Disclosure on the Value Creation: An Empirical Study Using Tunisian Annual Reports

This study examines the informational value of intellectual capital on Tunisian financial markets, which appears as a highly topical issue, especially with the broadening notion of the intellectual capital and its increasing role in investment decisions. Using content analysis of annual reports of 50 companies listed on the Tunisian Stock Exchange selected for the period 2006–2009, we developed a weighted disclosure index based on the users’ needs and expectations in order to estimate the relationship between intellectual capital disclosures and value creation. The results show that the intellectual capital information is positively and significantly correlated with the firm creation value. Reporting on intellectual capital allows resolving uncertainty about the firm, thereby improving an increase in value. This finding confirms the pivotal role of intellectual capital in the valuation of firms listed on the Tunisian Stock Exchange.
Application of Marine Biomass for the Removal of Metals from Industrial Wastewater

A batch adsorption experiment was carried out using marine algae-seaweed ( Ascophyllum nodosum ) as adsorbent for metal removal at two temperatures (23.5°C and 37°C) and four pH values (2, 5, 7 and 10). Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) adsorption results show maximum adsorption capacities of 93.41% for lead at pH 2, 53.13% for cadmium at pH 10 and no adsorption for chromium throughout the pH range and temperature were found to have no significant effect on the adsorption process, especially for cadmium and lead. However, the effect of pH was significant and varied with each metal. These results were found to be comparable to results reported from previous works. The results show that the removal efficiency of each adsorbent is highly dependent on pH, and metal ion removal occurred in the preferential order lead > cadmium > chromium, depicting strong contributions from the ionic radius of each metal ion. These results demonstrate the immense potential of the adsorbent as alternatives for metal removal from industrial effluent treatment.
Cointegration Analysis of Exports and Imports: The Case of Pakistan Economy

This paper analyzes the long run association between Pakistan’s exports and imports from 1972 to 2012. The results of both the Engle and Granger (1987) and Johansen (1991, 1995) cointegration reveal a long run relationship between the two variables. The error correction model results demonstrate that both of the variables converge towards long run equilibrium. This specifies the effectiveness of macrocosmic policies in stabilizing the international trade balance.
Number : ACCOUNTING FOR RESIDUAL DEFORMATIONS AND SIMPLE APPROACHES TO THEIR MITIGATION

Recent developments in performance-based seismic design and assessment approaches have emphasised the importance of properly assessing and limiting the residual (permanent) deformations, typically sustained by a structure after a seismic event, even when designed according to current code provisions. Recent investigations have led to a proposed Direct Displacement-Based Design (DDBD) approach which includes an explicit consideration of the expected residual deformations accounting for 2-dimensional and MDOF effects. Having estimated the possible residual deformations in a structure, it remains to implement specific design features to reduce them to an acceptable level. Previous studies have identified post-yield stiffness as being critical to residual deformation behaviour, therefore a series of simple approaches are proposed to increase this element and system parameter. These methods do not utilise re-centring post-tensioned technology. First, the effects of changes in material stress-strain behaviour and section design in the primary seismic-resisting system are considered, and then the design and introduction of a secondary elastic frame to act in parallel with the primary system is demonstrated. Using moment-curvature and non-linear time-history analyses, the proposed approaches are shown to be effective at achieving their intended goal of residual deformation reduction.
Use of platelet activating factor for inducing bull sperm capacitation in vitro: a novel approach.

Several chemicals viz., hyamine, Ca ionophore, high ionic strength (HIS) media, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), lipids, chondroitin sulphate, heparin sulphate, caffiene, oviductal fluid, follicular fluid etc. have been reported to induce in vitro capacitation of spermatozoa. Off late, a new potent vasoactive phospholipid named Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) has been reported to have multifold involvement in a wide spectrum of reproductive activities in both the sexes. Though the exact role of PAF on sperm function is not very clear yet it has been observed that it plays a significant role in sperm motility, acrosome reaction and the fertilization process. A special attribute of this source of capacitation is that it requires very little time for acrosome reaction and the motility of spermatozoa is maintained at a reasonable level. The results of work done in our laboratory indicated that PAF treatment of spermatozoa caused a significant increase in acrosome reaction, which is an indirect yardstick of capacitation and the motility decrement was much within the permissible limits. Despite increment, all the sperm abnormalities were pretty much within the permissible limits. The stress indicator enzymes viz. seminal GOT and GPT were not affected with PAF treatment of spermatozoa and the proteolytic enzymehyaluronidase had a significant increase. Based on these precepts, PAF can be recommended as an ideal substance to induce capacitation and improve fertilizing ability of spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Roper mass in chiral perturbation theory

Understanding the nature of the Roper resonance is of particular interest. Its mass, for example, shows a very unusual pattern: it is lower than the negative parity state N(1535). Also, the Roper is expected to play a role in low energy observables due to its closeness to the nucleon and Delta. We report on a systematic study of the nucleon, Delta, and Roper masses in chiral perturbation theory up to next-to-next-to-leading order. For the first time, the contributions due to the mixing between the nucleon and the Roper allowed by chiral symmetry are taken into account. Recently, several lattice QCD collaborations have reported some results on the Roper mass, assuming this particle is always stable. A chiral extrapolation of these data is also presented as an application of our results.
Energetic electron precipitation in weak to moderate corotating interaction region‐driven storms

High‐energy electron precipitation from the radiation belts can penetrate deep into the mesosphere and increase the production rate of NOx and HOx, which in turn will reduce ozone in catalytic processes. The mechanisms for acceleration and loss of electrons in the radiation belts are not fully understood, and most of the measurements of the precipitating flux into the atmosphere have been insufficient for estimating the loss cone flux. In the present study the electron flux measured by the NOAA POES Medium Energy Proton and Electron Detectors 0° and 90° detectors is combined together with theory of pitch angle diffusion by wave‐particle interaction to quantify the electron flux lost below 120 km altitude. Using this method, 41 weak and moderate geomagnetic storms caused by corotating interaction regions during 2006–2010 are studied. The dependence of the energetic electron precipitation fluxes upon solar wind parameters and geomagnetic indices is investigated. Nine storms give increased precipitation of >∼750 keV electrons. Nineteen storms increase the precipitation of >∼300 keV electrons, but not the >∼750 keV population. Thirteen storms either do not change or deplete the fluxes at those energies. Storms that have an increase in the flux of electrons with energy >∼300 keV are characterized by an elevated solar wind velocity for a longer period compared to the storms that do not. Storms with increased precipitation of >∼750 keV flux are distinguished by higher‐energy input from the solar wind quantified by the ϵ parameter and corresponding higher geomagnetic activity.
Influence of selenium deficiency and sulforaphane on lipid metabolism in growing rats

Introduction In recent years the trace element selenium (Se) was subject to a critical discussion regarding its role in lipid metabolism and diabetes. Some studies with animal models have shown positive effects of Se in the treatment of obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. However, only high supranutritive selenate concentrations were effective [1, 2]. More recent studies in humans have shown that a high selenium status is associated with hyperlipidemia, including both increased cholesterol .
Distances and Shooting Zones as a Function of Mass of Basketball among 9- to 11-Year-Old Male Players

The goal of this study was to analyse with which ball the participants attempted a greater number of shots and achieved more successful shots from distances greater than four meters and from positions outside the free throw lane. The 54 participants included nine to 11-year-old children from six basketball teams. Three situations were established in which the participants played four games with each of the following balls: a regulation ball (485g, 69-71cm); a ball of smaller mass (440g, 69-71cm); and a ball of greater mass (540g, 69-71cm). The procedures that followed included: defining the variables; instructing the observers and obtaining reliability; monitoring the properties of the ball and filming the games; and recording the data from the observation. Kruskal-Wallis H was applied to determine in which categories there were significant differences. Then, post-hoc comparisons were performed with Mann-Whitney’s U to determine with which balls these differences occurred. The results did not reflect any statistically significant differences for attempted and successful shots from any distance and shooting zone with any ball. Shots were attempted with greatest frequency from a distance of less than four meters and from inside the free throw lane with all three balls.
Heat-Treatment Behavior of High-Palladium Dental Alloys

Four high-palladium dental alloys were cast, quenched following solidification, and heat treated at temperatures ranging from 200° to 1,800°F. The Vickers hardness of each alloy was measured, and microstructural changes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phase transformations were investigated by thermomechanical analysis (TMA). Heat treatment at 1,600° and 1,800°F significantly decreased the hardness of one Pd-Cu-Ga alloy, compared to the as-cast condition, as did heat treatment at 1,800°F for the other Pd-Cu-Ga alloy and one Pd-Ga alloy, and yielded finegrained microstructures of the palladium solid solution. There were generally no significant changes in the hardness of the other Pd-Ga alloy for heat treatments over the entire temperature range, which was attributed to persistence of the as-cast dendritic structure. For all alloys, heat treatment at 1,200°F resulted in formation of discontinuous precipitates, which had very similar hardness to that of the palladium solid solution. Varialions in the amount of a previously unidentified hard phase with temperature were assumed to account for the hardness variations in the harder Pd-Cu-Ga alloy. The TMA results suggested that a second-order phase transformation occurred around 1,050° to 1,400°F in all alloys, which may be formation of an ordered tweed structure observed by transmission electron microscopy in another study.
An Investigation into the Effect of Quality Management Practices on the Process of Knowledge Production in Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Ardabil

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of quality management practices on the knowledge production process in industry, mine and trade organization of Ardabil. Considering the purpose of the study, the present research was an applied research and in terms of method, it was a descriptive and correlational one. The population of the study consisted of all employees in industry, mine and trade organization of Ardabil which included 197 individuals. Cochran’s formula is used to determine the sample size and according to this formula, the number of obtained samples was 125. Simple random sampling used for the sampling of this group. Two questionnaires were used to collect data. For assessing the process of knowledge management, knowledge management questionnaire and for measuring the quality management practices, the standard questionnaire of Saraph, Benson, and Shroeder, (1989) came into use. For data analysis, S statistical software was applied and univariate regression analysis was used to analyze the hypotheses. The results showed that quality management practices had significant positive impact on the process of knowledge production. Also, support components of senior management, quantitative report, employee training, employee participation, product design, quality of supplier, process management, and the role of quality management all had significant positive effect on the process of knowledge production.
Student attention, engagement and participation in a twitter-friendly classroom

Guided by a participatory action research methodology, this paper outlines an approach to integrating the social media Twitter platform within a tertiary education course, based on a social, constructivist pedagogy. It explores the perceptions of students on the benefits of using this technology for enhancing attentiveness, engagement and participation in the classroom. Previous studies have shown that greater participation and communication can stimulate student learning and lead to better academic performance, increased motivation, and an appreciation of different points of views. The untested hypothesis is that social media tools like Twitter can foster this type of communication. Students posted their responses during classroom activities via Twitter and then were surveyed on their perceived benefits associated with using the social media platform. The preliminary findings of the qualitative study suggest that, while not without its challenges, social media tools like Twitter have the potential to be used effectively for education-based activities in the classroom to improve communication and engagement both amongst the students and with the instructor.
Comparison of Indicators of Metabolic Syndrome in Iranian Smokers Population

Article history: Received: 10 July 2012 Accepted: 20 Oct 2012 Available online: 12 Mar 2013 ZJRMS 2014; 16(1): 55-58 Background: Worldwide non communicable diseases are increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder that results from the increasing prevalence of obesity.The disorder is defined in various ways. This study determine the 6Tcomparison of indicators of metabolic syndrome in Iranian smokers population. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,024 Iranian subjects aged 30 to 70 participated in this cross sectional study. Standard questionnaire was completing regarding smoking habits, medications, past medical history, physical activity, blood pressure, fasting blood suger, total cholestrol HDL and triglycerides. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the IDF criteria. Results: As defined by the modified IDF criteria, (45.9%) had the MS at baseline assessment. The risk of incidence of the metabolic syndrome among smokers was9T 6T9Tsignificantly6T9T 6T9T(p<0.008) greater 6T than nonsmokers. Among men without the MS at entry, body weight gain, compared with never smokers, was significantly6T (p<0.007) 6Thigher in smokers who had quit smoking. It is important for the prevention of the MS not only to quit smoking but also to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation. Conclusion: Although many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) can be treated or prevented many people die from CVDs. Reducing the rate of cigarette smoking, body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose all have a benefit impact on major biological cardiovascular risk factors. Behaviors such as stopping smoking, taking regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet promote health and have no known harmful effects. Copyright © 2014 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Social-Emotional Assessment of Deaf Children

The social-emotional development of deaf children is an area, though widely discussed and studied, that has yet to provide an accurate understanding of the differences between deaf and hearing children (Edmundson, 2006; Martin & Bat-Chava, 2003; Greenberg, 1980; Marschark, 1993; Lederberg, 1993; Koetitz, 1976). Consequently, the goal of this project was to assess the current scientific literature and articulate the shortcomings of the existing studies in order to develop and execute a study that specifically addresses these weaknesses. The impact of hearing loss on social-emotional development is equivocal. Multiple reasons may account for the contradictions in the current research including methodological issues, conceptual problems, or different measurement approaches (Kluwin, Stinson, & Colarossi, 2002; Vandell, 1981; Matson, Macklin, & Helsel, 1985; Astington & Baird, 2005). A multi-dimensional study of children who are deaf using the state-of-the-art questionnaires for children, parents, and teachers, as well as behavioral measures was completed. A profile analysis (Stevens, 2002) compared hearing and deaf children to determine similarities and differences between the groups. Significant differences were only found in two areas: School interest and on-task behavior such that children who hear normally report more interest in school and teachers of children who hear normally reported greater on-task behavior while the researcher observed greater on-task behavior in children who are deaf. Overall, however, data from this study showed few differences between hearing and deaf children suggesting that their social-emotional adjustment during the elementary years is