Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial Quality of Cow Milk in Dawa Chefa District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background: The microbial load of milk is a major factor in determining its quality, which is indicates the cleanliness of the milking utensils, condition of storage, manner of transport as well as the cleanliness of the udder of the individual animal. The aim of this study was to determine microbial quality of cow’s milk. Methodology: The study was conducted in Dawa Chefa District, Oromia Zone of the Amhara National regional state. A total of 50 samples of raw cow's milk were collected at morning from hotels (27 samples), cooperative (3 samples) and household producers (20 samples). The farmers (producers) that involve in the study were selected based on potential of milk production, market orientation and willingness of households. Samples of raw morning milk were taken from each sampling point twice in a month. During collection, approximately 250 ml raw milk sample were taken aseptically from the owner’s container then placed into sterile glass bottles. Result: The average total plate counts of milk sampled from farmers, dairy cooperatives and hotels were 6.88 log10, 7.10 log10 and 7.54 log10, respectively. The average coliform counts were 5.57 log10 at farm level, 5.63 log10 for dairy cooperative and 5.37 log10 for hotels. The average yeast and mould counts at farmer, dairy cooperative and hotel were 0.46 log10, 0.62 log10, and 0.74 log10 cfu/ml, respectively. The indirect tests and the actual bacterial count indicated that the microbial quality of milk produced by farmer and collected by dairy cooperatives in the study area was poor and this calls for scrupulous hygienic measure during production and handling of milk. Conclusion: The result showed that the microbial quality of raw milk obtained from local dairy farmer was very low. This was due to the unhygienic condition of milking; unclean milk handling equipment and the use of contaminated water. Therefore, Proper hygienic practice will become a useful parameter and model for other dairy farmers within the district to improve and upgrade their dairy production.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background The association between intake of fruit and vegetables and their subtypes, and the risk of type 2 diabetes has been investigated in several studies, but the results have been inconsistent. Objective We conducted an updated systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies on intakes of fruit and vegetables and fruit and vegetable subtypes and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Design PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to 20 October 2020. Prospective cohort studies of fruit and vegetable consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated using a random effects model. Results We included 23 cohort studies. The summary RR for high versus low intake and per 200 g/day were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89 to 0.98, I2=0%, n=10 studies) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95 to 1.01, I2=37.8%, n=7) for fruit and vegetables combined, 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90 to 0.97, I2=9.3%, n=20) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92 to 1.00, I2=68.4%, n=19) for fruits and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.88 to 1.02, I2=60.4%, n=17) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94 to 1.01, I2=39.2%, n=16) for vegetables, respectively. Inverse associations were observed for apples, apples and pears, blueberries, grapefruit and grapes and raisins, while positive associations were observed for intakes of cantaloupe, fruit drinks, fruit juice, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and potatoes, however, most of these associations were based on few studies and need further investigation in additional studies. Conclusions This meta-analysis found a weak inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and type 2 diabetes risk. There is indication of both inverse and positive associations between intake of several fruit and vegetables subtypes and type 2 diabetes risk, however, further studies are needed before firm conclusions can be made.
The impact of changing precipitation frequency on hydrology, CO2 exchange, and plant productivity in a temperate poor fen

Climate change projections for many areas around the Earth show a shift in rainfall patterns towards larger, but less frequent events. The implications for peatlands are hypothesized to be drier surface conditions and a net release of CO2 but there is lack of evidence for this claim. The objective for the project was to investigate the effects of varying rainfall frequencies on peatland hydrology, CO2 exchange, and plant productivity among three different plant communities from a poor fen located in Southern Ontario. In both field and laboratory experiments, vegetation plots and mesocosms were subjected to rainfall treatments that varied in frequency, but not total amount. This thesis shows that decreased precipitation frequency may result in drier near-surface conditions in peatlands, leading to reduced CO2 uptake/ enhanced CO2 release and a plant community shift towards ericaceous shrub dominance.
Preference for Plants in an Office Environment

Plants in the workplace are known to bring a number of benefits including psychological as well as aesthetic and air quality benefits. Therefore, plants can have an impact on overall organisational performance. However, findings of previous studies have rarely been applied in the FM context and yet strategic FM delivery in improving workplace productivity is essential for business survival. The paper explores the importance of interior plants in maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of office occupants utilising a survey of participants’ perceptions of photographs of an office with various levels of planting installed from no plants up to very high levels of planting. The paper provides preliminary results of a longer programme of research into the benefits of plants within the FM context. The work demonstrates that a reasonable level of interior planting in offices is preferred over offices with no plants. These perceived benefits may have a direct impact on overall organisational performance and therefore incorporating elements of nature within building design and management may in future be considered imperative to achieving the desired strategic outcomes of the organisation.
Clinical Study Visual Performance of Tecnis ZM 900 Diffractive Multifocal IOL after 2500 Implants : A 3-Year Followup

Purpose. To evaluate visual performance for near, intermediate, and distant vision; complaints of photic phenomena, and patient satisfaction with the new diffractive multifocal IOL used in eyes which underwent phacoemulsification. Methods. Two thousand and five hundred consecutive eyes undergoing Tecnis ZM900 multifocal IOL implantation were included in this retrospective analysis. The minimum followup of 3 months was required after the surgery. Patients were assessed for uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) at a fixed distance (33 cm), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) at 60 cm, and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). Using a subjective questionnaire, patients satisfaction, their independence from using glasses, and the perception of glare and halo phenomena were also evaluated at the last follow-up. Results. Two thousand and five hundred eyes of 1558 patients underwent cataract surgery and Tecnis ZM900 multifocal IOL implantation. Four hundred and eighty seven patients (31.3%) were men, and 1071 (68.7%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 66.17 years. A UDVA of 20/30 or better was achieved by 85% of eyes. A UNVA of J1 was achieved by 93.7% of eyes and that of J2 or better was achieved by 98%. A UIVA of J4 or better was achieved by 65% and J5 or better was achived by more than 82.8% of the eyes in the study. Glare and halos were reported as severe by only 6.1% and 2.12% of patients, respectively. Ninety seven percent reported complete spectacle independence and 88% stated that they are totally satisfied with their quality of vision and would choose to have the same lens implanted again after the first implant. Five percent of the eyes in the study needed a second procedure (enhancement) to achieve a better visual result. No patient underwent lens exchange. Conclusion. Excellent near, intermediate, and distant vision was observed in patients implanted with the Tecnis ZM900 diffractive multifocal IOL. Spectacle independence and a minimum occurrence of photic phenomena make this IOL an excellent option in patients with cataract.
Inside the Black Box: the Price Linkage and Transmission between Energy and Agricultural Markets

Abstract Motivated by strong comovement and increasing volatility of energy and agricultural prices, we examine dynamic evolutions of ethanol, gasoline, and corn prices over the period of March 2005-March 2011. A structural change is found around March 2008 in the pairwise dynamic correlations between the prices in a multivariate GARCH model. A structural VAR (SVAR) model is then estimated on two subsamples, one before and one after the identified change point. Using the novel method of identification through heteroscedasticity, we exploit the time-varying price volatilities to fully identify the SVAR model. In the more recent period, ethanol, gasoline, and corn prices are found to be more closely linked with a strengthened corn-ethanol relation, which can be explained by the new developments of the biofuel industry and related policy instruments. Variance decomposition shows that for each market a significant and relatively large share of the price variation could be explained by the price changes in the other two markets. The results are robust to the inclusion of seasonal dummies and various representative macroeconomic and financial indicators.
No fitness benefits of early molt in a fairy-wren: relaxed sexual selection under genetic monogamy?

Lay SummaryExtravagant seasonal male ornaments are assumed to be sexually attractive. Fairy-wrens are a well-known example, where females cheat on their mates by copulating with attractive males that produce ornamental plumage early in the year. Purple-crowned fairy-wrens lack this extreme infidelity, but males do produce a conspicuous breeding plumage at highly variable times. However, this does not appear to bring any fitness benefits or costs, and the stunning purple crown might disappear over (evolutionary) time.Twitter: @colourfulmarie
Independent Validation of EarlyR Gene Signature in BIG 1-98: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial Comparing Letrozole and Tamoxifen as Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive, Early Breast Cancer

Background EarlyR gene signature in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is computed from the expression values of ESPL1, SPAG5, MKI67, PLK1, and PGR. EarlyR has been validated in multiple cohorts profiled using microarrays. This study sought to verify the prognostic features of EarlyR in a case-cohort sample from BIG 1-98, a randomized clinical trial of ER+ postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (letrozole or tamoxifen). Methods Expression of EarlyR gene signature was estimated by Illumina cDNA-mediated Annealing, Selection, and Ligation assay of RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary breast cancer tissues in a case-cohort subset of ER+ women (N = 1174; 216 cases of recurrence within 8 years) from BIG 1-98. EarlyR score and prespecified risk strata (≤25 = low, 26-75 = intermediate, >75 = high) were "blindly" computed. Analysis endpoints included distant recurrence-free interval and breast cancer-free interval at 8 years after randomization. Hazard ratios (HRs) and test statistics were estimated with weighted analysis methods. Results The distribution of the EarlyR risk groups was 67% low, 19% intermediate, and 14% high risk in this ER+ cohort. EarlyR was prognostic for distant recurrence-free interval; EarlyR high-risk patients had statistically increased risk of distant recurrence within 8 years (HR = 1.73, 95% confidence interval = 1.14 to 2.64) compared with EarlyR low-risk patients. EarlyR was also prognostic of breast cancer-free interval (HR = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.21 to 2.62). Conclusions This study confirmed the prognostic significance of EarlyR using RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from a case-cohort sample of BIG 1-98. EarlyR identifies a set of high-risk patients with relatively poor prognosis who may be considered for additional treatment. Further studies will focus on analyzing the predictive value of EarlyR signature.
The use of the potential drop technique for creep damage monitoring and end of life warning for high temperature components

Abstract Electrical potential drop (EPD) is a well-established technique for the measurement of crack initiation/growth in metals. Two variants exist, one using AC excitation, the other using DC. EPD provides crack dimensions (principally depth) in contexts such as fracture/fatigue testing, and in-field NDE. Whilst it has been employed for on and off-line assessment of creep damage, use within a non-lab (i.e. industrial) context is limited by connection issues and, significantly, data interpretation – especially with regard to detecting subtle changes in EPD over general background ‘noise’. We describe, here, a methodology where high sensitivity detection of creep damage can be achieved by looking for a characteristic ‘signature’ within data. This is based on the combination of AC-EPD with its DC equivalent so as to generate a synergistic approach to damage detection. The methodology has been successfully applied to a semi-industrial context to provide prior warning of failure in excess of several weeks.
Bias in Ponded Infiltration Estimates Due to Sample Volume and Shape

Estimates of saturated and unsaturated water flow in soil are important for predictions of infiltration, runoff, and solute transport. Previous research indicates that ponded infiltration estimates are influenced by the volume or cross‐sectional area of the measurement. Our study compared quasi‐steady infiltration measurements made using 20‐, 30‐, and 45‐cm‐diameter cylinders driven 25 cm deep into 56 field plots under diverse agricultural management practices. Mean infiltration rate increased from 50, to 81, to 95 mm h−1 as diameter increased. Standard deviation and range also increased with diameter. All three diameters produced lognormal data distributions. These results indicate that increasing the sample area is not equivalent to pooling of many smaller samples, which would have produced the same mean but with a lower variance. Follow‐up experiments with a double‐ring configuration or a divider placed in the center of a 45‐cm cylinder demonstrated that adding vertical barriers reduced infiltration even when the total infiltration area was unchanged. A pulse of dye introduced 10 min before removing the ponded water showed an extensive network of dyed flow pathways in all but the slowest infiltration situations. The pathways were not associated with visible macropores. Careful consideration should be given to the dimensions of samples used to estimate saturated and possibly unsaturated flow from infiltration experiments.
Numerical Analysis of Azimuth Propulsor Performance in Seaways: Influence of Oblique Inflow and Free Surface

In the present work, a generic ducted azimuth propulsor, which are frequently installed on a wide range of vessels, is subject to numerical investigation with the primary focus on performance deterioration and dynamic loads arising from the influence of oblique inflow and the presence of free surface. An unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method with the interface Sliding Mesh technique is employed to resolve interaction between the propulsor components. The VOF formulation is used to resolve the presence of free surface. Numerical simulations are performed, separately, in single-phase fluid to address the influence of oblique inflow on the characteristics of a propulsor operating in free-sailing, trawling and bollard conditions, and in multi-phase flow to address the influence of propulsor submergence. Detailed comparisons with experimental data are presented for the case of a propulsor in oblique flow conditions, including integral propulsor characteristics, loads on propulsor components and single blade loads. The results of the study illustrate the differences in propulsor performance at positive and negative heading angles, reveal the frequencies of dynamic load peaks, and provide quantification of thrust losses due to the effect of a free surface without waves. The mechanisms of ventilation inception found at different propulsor loading conditions are discussed.
Investigation of major factors influencing green purchasing behavior : Interactive approach

This study aims to identify and prioritize factors which influence on consumers’ green purchasing behavior. According to the literature review and exploratory interviews with experts in the field of green purchasing behavior and intentions, components and indicators influencing consumers’ green purchasing behavior were identified and based on that the conceptual model was designed. Then, the validation of the proposed model was confirmed with a high degree of agreement between the experts by using FuzzyDelphi method and developing a questionnaire. In the next step, the components which have been identified by quantitative methods break down into effective and influenced components and eventually the severity of the impact was ranked by utilizing DEMATEL method and developing a questionnaire. The main components influencing consumers’ green purchasing behavior which has been identified in this research include consumers’ environmental ideas, environmental factors, awareness of green products and consumer’s values. The results of the components prioritization which is based on weights derived from the technique include environmental factors, consumer’s environmental beliefs, consumer’s values and consumer awareness of green products, respectively. The model presented in this study, has been proposed to overcome the shortcomings of previous studies and continuous improvement in the factors influencing consumers’ green purchasing behavior.
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CUT-ROSE FLOWER IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Flowers are used for expressing or exhibiting the innermost feelings to the beloved ones or complementing any one or versifying any conceivable emotions. The export of cut flower from Pakistan is very negligible as compared to other countries like Holland, USA, Columbia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Japan and Israel. This paper examined the cost and return of rose cut flower along with Cobb Douglass production function to determine factors affecting rose cut flower productivity. A farm level survey was conducted in 2011 and 100 respondents were selected for primary data collection in District Kasur using random sampling technique. Yield per acre per year was highest for me dium farmer's i.e 812683 pieces followed by large and small farmer's i.e 769562 pieces and 736426 pieces, respectively. Gross margin per year was highest for small farmers (Rs.785473) followed by large, which were Rs.699200 and medium farmers; Rs.546088. Net income of small, medium and large farmers were Rs.759065, Rs.519680 and Rs.672792, respectively. Benefit cost ratio was greatest for the small farmers 2.84:1 followed by large and medium farmers' i.e 2.57:1 and 2.23:1, respectively. The results of the findings revealed that education (year), land preparation cost, fertilization cost, FYM and chemical cost had positive and significant effect on the yield of rose cut flower. While the, flower growing experience and irrigation had positive but non -significant impact on yield. Plant population has negative and insignificant while labor man-days has negative and significant impact on yield. The R 2 and F-value was 0.66 and 19.65 which indicate the overall significance of the model.
TESTING THE DEVELOPMENTAL ABILITY OF LEADER’S EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE WITH AGE ON ESCI

This study examined the developmental ability of emotional intelligence with age using ESCI, a reconceptualized measure of ECI 2 thru an upward feedback method. The sample included leaders (n=500) between the age range of 24-62 years belonging to various IT and manufacturing companies of India and their raters were direct reports (n=1500) between the age range of 19-62 years. The study finds that, EI of leaders (as perceived by self and others) consistently increases with age (from 24 to 45 years) but after reaching its peak at 45 years it declines in the fifth and sixth decade of life due to the decline in the Self-awareness competencies among older leader’s. The agreement in self-others ratings proved to be a better predictor of rater accuracy in evaluating leader’s EI on ESCI.
Aortic Wall Thickeness as a Predictor of Acute Aortic Dissection

Background: Risk stratification for aortic dissection (AD) or rupture based on ascending aortic diameter and connective tissue disorders are inadequate. We have evaluated the impact of aortic wall thickness (AWT) on aortic wall quality. Methods: Aortic wall cohesion of 496 patients divided into two groups according to AWT was analyzed using the Dissectometer, a device mimicking transverse shear stress. Correlation of cohesion testing (P7,P8,P9), histology as well as diameter of the ascending aorta with AWT were
Do environmental, social, and governance activities improve corporate financial performance?

This study investigated the relationship between corporate efficiency and corporate sustainability to determine whether firms concerned about environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues can also be efficient and profitable. We applied data envelopment analysis to estimate corporate efficiency and investigated the nonlinear relationship between corporate efficiency and ESG disclosure. Evidence shows that corporate transparency regarding ESG information has a positive association with corporate efficiency at the moderate disclosure level, rather than at the high or low disclosure level. Governance information disclosure has the strongest positive linkage with corporate efficiency, followed by social and environmental information disclosure. Moreover, we explored the relationship between particular ESG activities and corporate financial performance (CFP), including corporate efficiency, return on assets and market value. We found that most of the ESG activities reveal a non-negative relationship with CFP. These findings may provide evidence about voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy choices for enhancing corporate sustainability.