Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Turmeric and Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation Improve Growth Performance and Immune Status of Japanese quail

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of turmeric and exogenous enzymes on performance, oxidative stress and immunity in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Birds (N= 10/group) were divided into five groups and three replicate; the first group (T1) was given diet with fish meal and served as the control group. The second group (T2) was given the corn- SBM based diet without any supplements. The third group (T3) was given corn- SBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder. The fourth group (T4) was given corn- SBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder and 0.1% Phytase. The fifth group (T5) was given cornSBM based diet supplemented with 0.5% turmeric powder and 0.1% Panzyme. The supplementations continued for 4 weeks started from first week of age. Serum samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Results revealed that there was a trend toward increase in final body weight and body weight gain in T5 as compared to all other treatments with a significant reduction in feed consumed compared to T1 (control group) and significant improvement in feed efficiency ratio as compared to T1 and T2. There was a significant increase in carcass weight in T1 compared to T4. Groups treated with turmeric and the exogenous enzymes showed significant increase in total protein and albumin on the other hand, significant reduction in liver enzymes was recorded. We observed a significant suppression of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α. Oxidative stress parameters showed significant decrease in MDA level but other parameters as CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH-Px reveled significant increase than control group. These results suggested that addition of turmeric together with Panzyme improved the corn-SBM based diet fed to growing quail by improving feed efficiency and anti-inflammatory activity.
The effect of push-pull management and different fertilization strategies on maize crop yield in central Kenya

The high population pressure in central Kenya has lead to continuous cultivation with minimal application of nutrient, resulting in nutrient depletion. A study was conducted to determine the effect of 'Push-pull' (intercropping maize with desmodium and napier grass) strategy management and nitrogen application on maize grain yield and soil fertility on smallholder farmer’s fields in three districts of central Kenya highlands. The experiment design was a split plot design with two factors ('Push-pull' vs monoculture and manure (5 t/ha) only vs manure and fertilizer (40 kg/ha) replicated in three areas with a total of 24 farms in central Kenya. Soil and plant samples were analyzed for macro-nutrients and micro-nutrient at the beginning and end of the season. The quality of fodders and manures was tested by measuring crude protein and fibre content, ash content and dry matter content. I found an increase in maize yield in 'Push-pull' fields compared with monocultures with only manure added (5t/ha) and the yield increased even more with modest application of fertilizer (40 Kg N/ha) combined with manure (5 t/ha). The average maize grain yield in "good" farms (i.e. both manure and fertilizer added) with 'Push-pull' cropping system was 186.4, 86.46 and 49.79 percent above the yield in, monocultures and 'Push-pull' in field with only manure, and monoculture in "good" farms respectively. There was strong significant difference (p<0.001) on maize grain yield between 'Push-pull' (5.52 t/ha) and monoculture (1.93 t/ha) cropping systems in the three districts of central Kenya. However, there was significant difference (p<0.05) on major soil and manure nutrients between good and poor farmer’s categories. The reduced maize yield (between 5.52 t/ha-1.93 t/ha) was due low rainfall distribution and different fertilization strategies between farmer’s categories during short rains of 2008. From management perspective, the different fertilization regimes had strongest positive effect on maize yield in well managed 'Push-pull' cropping systems.
Growth dynamics of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cv. Pusa Tarak as influenced by irrigation levels and row spacings

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation levels and row spacings on total above ground dry matter accumulation, dry matter partitioning, crop growth rate and relative growth rate of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss. ] cultivar Pusa Tarak during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidayalaya, College of Agriculture, Tikamgarh (Madhya Pradesh), India. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications consisted three irrigation levels viz., control (I0:no post sowing irrigation), one irrigation at 40 DAS (I1) and two irrigations at 40, and 75 DAS (I2) as main plot treatments and three row spacings viz., 20 cm (S1), 30 cm (S2), and 40 cm (S3) as sub-plot treatments. The results revealed that irrespective of treatment variations, dry matter accumulation in leaves and stem started slowly at early growth stage (30 DAS) and increased thereafter, and was partitioned maximum in the reproductive parts at harvest. The maximum dry matter accumulation was observed with two irrigations (at 40 DAS and 75 DAS) with 40 cm row spacing. The crop growth rate (CGR) was significantly affected by irrigation and row spacing. However, relative growth rate (RGR) was significantly influenced only by irrigation levels. Higher accumulation of dry matter in mustard ultimately elevated the seed yield as confirmed by relationship study between seed yield and dry matter accumulation.
II I ADAl 3824 3 I EVALUATION OF THE OXIDATIVE SI STABILITIES OF A DEUTERATED AND NONDEUTERATED NEOPENTYL POLYOL I ESTER FOR BEARING TESTS

Several deuterated and nondeuterated neopentyl polyol ester basestocks have been evaluated for oxidative stability at 220C using systematic screening and characterization tests. Also, experimental lubricating greases have been prepared from selected basestocks for motor bearing life tests. Assuming bearing life to be solely dependent on lubricant oxidative stability, the deuterated grease prepared from a pentaerythritol perdeutero tetrahexanoate (98.6 atom %) ester with low alkali metal content, is expected to exhibit a fivefold longer life than its nondeuterated analog, also with low alkali metal content. Nondeuterated lithium stearate was used as the grease thickener. A significant enhancement in oxidative stability occurs on combination of the dual effects of deuteration and alkali metal concentration in the presence of an amine-type antioxidant. The test data indicate that lubricants formulated in this manner have potential operating temperatures as high as II
70-efficacy and Imposter Phenomenon and Their Effects on

This study investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and imposter phenomenon and their effects on EFL learners' writing ability. Participants were 94 male and female university students. The aim was to find out how self-efficacy and imposter phenomenon would be related, how these personal factors would relate to writing ability, and whether gender and proficiency level would moderate between the personal factors and writing. The instruments were Writing Self-Efficacy Scale, Harvey Imposter Phenomenon Questionnaire, Oxford Quick Placement Test, and a written essay on a specified topic. The findings revealed self-efficacy and impostorism were positively related, but only writing selfability, gender differences had no effects. Introduction Language is one of the most important tools of the technical man. Through listening and ability to write effectively is increasingly gaining significance in our global community and instruction in writing is thus assuming growing importance in both second and foreign language education. The ability to write in a second language is widely recognized as an important skill for educational, business and personal reasons. Hayes and Flower (1980, cited in Weigle, long term memory, and cognitive processes. In the area of writing, researchers have confirmed that students' confidence in their writing skills is related both to writing competence and to academic motivation variables such as writing self-concept, writing apprehension, achievement goals, and the perceived value of writing (Pajares, Hartley, & doi:10.7575/aiac.alls. v.2n. 1p.70
Cheating ourselves: The economics of tax evasion

No government can announce a tax system and then rely on taxpayers' sense of duty to remit what is owed. Some dutiful people will undoubtedly pay what they owe, but many others will not. Over time the ranks of the dutiful will shrink, as they see how they are being taken advantage of by the others. Thus, paying taxes must be made a legal responsibility of citizens, with penalties attendant on noncompliance. But even in the face of those penalties, substantial tax evasion exists. Tax evasion is widespread, always has been, and probably always will be. This essay reviews what is known about the magnitude, nature, and determinants of tax evasion, with an emphasis on the U.S. income tax. It then places this information into a conceptual context, examining various models and theories, and considers policy implications.
Capital structure and managerial ownership: Evidence from Pakistan

This paper aims to investigate how managerial equity ownership affects the capital structure choice (debt-equity ratio) of non-financial firms listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange in Pakistan between 2008 and 2012. Earlier studies on Pakistan have explored the impact of ownership structure on firm performance. This study extends the literature by exploring the relationship of ownership structure, especially managerial ownership, on capital structure. Our results show an inverted U-shaped relationship between managerial equity ownership and leveraging. At a low level of managerial ownership, it is positively related to debt-equity ratio, assuming that managers use more debt, possibly seeking for higher returns on equity or higher stock price by leveraging. An inverted U-shaped relationship suggests that leveraging would be diminished after the point where managers become major residual claimants by owning a certain amount of equity ownership. Managerial opportunism may explain this tendency, though the causal relationship requires further discussion.
Exploring the disconnections: student interaction with support services upon commencement of distance education

While provision of appropriate supports in the first year of study has been found to have a positive effect on student success, supports targeting online and distance learners are often applied in a “goulash approach. ” Against this backdrop, the research investigated the experiences of first-time distance learners with a view to informing the future design of supports during the early stages of the study lifecycle. The study was framed around Design-Based Research involving a mixed method approach over three phases: a stocktake of services designed to support distance learning; a pre- and post-semester survey of first-time distance learners; and a video diary phase that gathered the lived experiences of 20 students upon commencement of their study. Triangulated results of the three phases highlight a disconnection between institutional support services and the majority of first-time distance learners who demonstrated a self-sufficient, lone wolf approach to learning.
Response of CH 4 emissions to moss removal and N addition in boreal peatland of northeast China

Boreal peatlands are an important natural source of atmospheric methane (CH 4 ). Recently, boreal peatlands have been experiencing increased nitrogen (N) availability and decreased moss production. However, little is known about the interactive effect of moss and N availability on CH 4 emissions in boreal peatlands. In this study, the effects of moss removal and N addition (6 g N m −2 yr −1 ) on CH 4 emissions were examined during the growing seasons of 2011, 2012 and 2013 in a boreal peatland in the Great Hinggan Mountain of northeast China. Notably, the response of CH 4 emissions to moss removal and N addition varied with experimental duration. Moss removal and N addition did not affect CH 4 emissions in 2011 and 2012, but respectively reduced CH 4 emissions by 50% and 66% in 2013. However, moss removal and N addition did not produce an interactive effect on CH 4 emissions. Consequently, moss removal plus N addition had no effect on CH 4 emissions in 2011 and 2012, but decreased CH 4 emissions by 68% in 2013. These results suggest that the effects of moss removal and N enrichment on CH 4 emissions are time-dependent in boreal peatlands, and also imply that increased N availability and decreased moss growth would independently inhibit CH 4 emissions in the boreal peatlands of northeast China.
The Contribution of Soccer Games and Practices to Achieving Recommended Physical Activity in Boys and Girls

Soccer is a popular sport with children and is a potential vehicle for increasing physical activity. The current study aims to investigate the contributions of children’s soccer practices and games to recommended physical activity (PA) levels. Further, we will examine gender differences and whether team size affects PA accumulation. Sixty-two (33 boys, 29 girls; 8.5 ± 0.6 years) soccer players from 7 six-a-side soccer teams wore Actigraph GT1M accelerometers during one practice and one game. Freedson-child accelerometer cut points were used to identify time spent in motionless, sedentary, light, moderate (3 to < 6 METs) and vigorous (≥ 6 METs) intensities. We used paired t-tests to compare practices and games and one-way ANOVA for the effect of both gender and team size on PA. More time was spent in MVPA during practices than games (74.1% versus 67.7%) and less time in motionless (4.1% versus 9.4%) or sedentary (12.9% versus 19.6%) activity. During practices boys spent less time in motionless, sedentary and light categories but more in vigorous and MVPA than girls. During games boys and girls spent similar time in each PA category. During games, players on teams with one or no spare players had fewer minutes of motionless time but otherwise had similar PA profiles. Parents should be informed about the importance of participating in both practices and games to attain the recommended physical activity guidelines.
Pigment comparison and expression of chlorophyll metabolism genes in yellow and green Acer palmatum Thunb. ex Murray leaves

Abstract: Exterior leaf color is an important trait for ornamental foliage plants but the molecular mechanism underlying the variation in color between yellow- and green-leaf Acer palmatum Thunb. ex Murray is poorly understood. Indeed, chlorophyll (Chl) contents and gene transcriptions were very different between the yellow mutant (YM) and green wild-type (GW) leaves of this species. Here, annual variations of leaf color and pigment contents in two varieties were investigated. Then, transcript levels of six genes involved in Chl metabolism were quantitatively measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction in YM and GW leaves. Compared with GW, the color changes of YM leaves were classified into four typical periods. During the yellow leaf stage, YM showed greatly reduced Chl synthesis and a higher ratio of carotenoid (Car) to Chl than GW. These phenomena may be the main cause of yellow leaves in YM. In addition, expression levels of Chl synthesis genes (ApPORA, ApPORB, ApCAO, and ApCHLG) in YM were very low during this period. Concomitantly, the amount of transcripts of genes for Chl degradation (ApCLH1 and ApCLH2) rose significantly compared with GW. Once YM leaves turned red, the above differences between the two genotypes lessened. Overall, our results indicated that changes in Chl synthesis and degradation may play important roles leading to the yellow leaves of YM A. palmatum.
Effects of irrigated agroecosystems: 2. Quality of soil water and groundwater in the southern High Plains, Texas

Trade‐offs between water‐resource depletion and salinization need to be understood when promoting water‐conservative irrigation practices. This companion paper assesses impacts of groundwater‐fed irrigation on soil water and groundwater quality using data from the southern High Plains (SHP). Unsaturated zone soil samples from 13 boreholes beneath irrigated agroecosystems were analyzed for water‐extractable anions. Salt accumulation in soils varies with irrigation water quality, which ranges from low salinity in the north (median Cl: 21 mg/L) to higher salinity in the south (median Cl: 180 mg/L). Large Cl bulges under irrigated agroecosystems in the south are similar to those under natural ecosystems, but they accumulated over decades rather than millennia typical of natural ecosystems. Profile peak Cl concentrations (1200–6400 mg/L) correspond to irrigation efficiencies of 92–98% with respect to drainage and are attributed to deficit irrigation with minimal flushing. Perchlorate (ClO4) also accumulates under irrigated agroecosystems, primarily from irrigation water, and behaves similarly to Cl. Most NO3‐N accumulation is below the root zone. Groundwater total dissolved solids (TDS) have increased by ≤960 mg/L and NO3‐N by ≤9.4 mg/L since the early 1960s. Mobilization of salts that have accumulated under irrigated agroecosystems is projected to degrade groundwater much more in the future because of the essentially closed‐basin status of the aquifer, with discharge occurring primarily through irrigation pumpage. TDS are projected to increase by an additional 2200 mg/L (median), ClO4 by 21 μg/L, and NO3‐N by 52 mg/L. Water and salt balances should be considered in irrigation management in order to minimize salinization issues.
Impact of Inflation on the Ghanaian Banking Industry: A Blessing or a Curse?

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of the volatility of the macro economy on credit risk, interest rate spread and the performance of banks using inflation volatility as a proxy for the macro economy. The study used both secondary and primary data for the analysis. The research covered all the thirty-three banks that operated in Ghana between 1990 and 2010. The GARCH model was adopted in modelling inflation volatility. Analysis was carried out in three scenarios: analysis of questionnaire, descriptive data analysis and regression analysis. Regression analysis was ran using the panel root, co-integration and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square methods. Primary data source was questionnaire completed by 853 bank customers. The results established a positive relationship between past volatility of inflation and current period inflation. It was also confirmed that inflation influenced credit risk, interest rate spread and bank performance significantly. The results suggest that policymakers must pay attention to both the macro and microeconomic variables to achieve efficiency in the industry and the economy.
Effects of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora ana Phaeoacremonium aleophilum on grapevine rootstocks

G. A. Diaz, M. Esterio, and J. Auger. 2009. Effects of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum on grapevine rootstocks. Cien. Inv. Agr. 36(3):381-390. Cuttings of fi ve grapevine (Vitis vinifera) rootstocks were wounded and immediately inoculated with suspensions (approximately 5x10 3 conidia·mL -1 ) of either Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum or a mixture of both species. The presence of these endophyte fungi affected the quality of each of the fi ve rootstocks. Among the roostocks investigated in this study, 1103P and 101-14 MG were less susceptible to the infection caused by Pa. chlamydospora and Pm. aleophillum.
Comparison of body mass index and waist circumference of patients with and without nonalcoholic fatty liver in Tehran

Introduction: One of the most common forms of chronic liver disease related to lifestyle is non-alcoholic liver disease. Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare weight and waist circumference of patients with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) referred to hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2017. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 300 outpatients and inpatients patients aged between 18 to 65 years referred to the ultrasonography section of hospitals with convenience sampling method. Based on the results of ultrasonography, these subjects were divided into two groups; case (100 patients) and control group (200 subjects). Results: The mean BMI (body mass index) and waist circumferences of patients without NAFLD were 22.47 ± 1.97 kg/m2 and 83.84 ± 8.68 cm, respectively, while in the patients with fatty liver the mean BMI and waist circumference were 26.10 ± 2.21 kg/m2 and 98.83 ± 7.28 cm, respectively (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the data analysis showed that the patients with fatty liver have high levels of BMI in comparison with those who had not fatty liver. Regarding the high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver, lifestyle changes and the implementation of educational interventions to increase awareness are necessary.
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS INFECTION IN WILD BIRDS

Summary Zarkov, I. , 2008. Ecological features of influenza A virus infection in wild birds. Bulg. J. Vet. Med. , 11, No 1, 13 ￻20. The relationship between the biological distinctive features of wild migratory birds and the ecology of influenza A virus in nature is revealed. On the basis of literature data and personal research, the importance of viral carriers with regard to the prevalence of the virus among the wild birds species, the seasonal variations, age-rated susceptibility, subtype distribution and the transmission in wild and domestic birds are reviewed.
Unraveling the effects of live microalgal enrichment on Artemia nauplii

Artemia nauplii, though deficient in many essential nutrients, are used extensively in fish/shellfish larviculture. Enrichment using various diets can enhance their nutrient profile to the required level. The present study examines the effects of enrichment of Artemia nauplii with live microalgae viz., Pavlova viridis, Isochrysis galbana, Nannochloropsis oculata and Dicrateria inornata. Total length and width, survival percentage and the fatty acid profile of the microalgae enriched and unenriched nuaplii were estimated at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 h time intervals. No significant increase in total length and width was observed between the enriched and unenriched Artemia nauplii during the study, indicating the absence of any enrichment diet induced growth rate of the nauplii. Salinity stress study revealed that the microalgae enriched nauplii can live long in low saline conditions than the unenriched nauplii. The total PUFA content of the live microalgae enriched nauplii reached maximum at 7 h post-enrichment followed by a significant drop after 9 h. The results of the study indicated that live microalgae can be used as excellent enrichment dietary sources for Artemia nauplii, which in turn can provide many of the vital nutrients essential for fish larviculture.