Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of HIV-positive patients with cryptococcal meningitis in the Americas B .

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is associated with substantial mortality in HIV-infected patients. Optimal timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons with CM represents a clinical challenge, and the burden of CM in Latin America has not been well described. Studies suggest that early ART initiation is associated with higher mortality, but data from the Americas are scarce. Methods: HIV-infected adults in care between 1985–2014 at participating sites in the Latin America (the Caribbean, Central and South America network (CCASAnet)) and the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic (VCCC) and who had CM were included. Survival probabilities were estimated. Risk of death when initiating ART within the first 2 weeks after CM diagnosis versus initiating between 2–8 weeks was assessed using dynamic marginal structural models adjusting for site, age, sex, year of CM, CD4 count, and route of HIV transmission. Findings: 340 patients were included (Argentina 58, Brazil 138, Chile 28, Honduras 27, Mexico 34, VCCC 55) and 142 (42%) died during the observation period. Among 151 patients with CM prior to ART 56 (37%) patients died compared to 86 (45%) of 189 with CM after ART initiation (p = 0.14). Patients diagnosed with CM after ART had a higher risk of death (p = 0.03, log-rank test). The probability of survival was not statistically different between patients who started ART within 2 weeks of CM (7/24, 29%) vs. those initiating between 2-8 weeks (14/53, 26%) (p = 0.96), potentially due to lack of power. Interpretation: In this large Latin-American cohort, patients with CM had very high mortality rates, especially those diagnosed after ART initiation. This study reflects the overwhelming burden of CM in HIV-infected patients in Latin America. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).
Electronic and Optical Properties of AlN Nanosheet Under Uniaxial Strain

We have investigated the electronic and optical properties of AlN hexagonal nanosheets under different kinds of strains, using the band structure results obtained through the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the density functional theory. The results show that 10% uniaxial strain along the zig-zag direction induces an indirect to direct band-gap transition. The dielectric tensor and corresponding optical properties are derived within the random phase approximation. Specifically, the dielectric function, reflectivity and refractive index of AlN nanosheets are calculated for both parallel ( ) and perpendicular ( ) electric field polarizations.
16-18 R & D and Capital Structure : evidence from Italian microdata

The article investigates the effects of R&D investment on the financing choices of Italian manufacturing joint stock companies, focusing on private loans and equity as financial instruments. The ability of attracting external capital depends on the level of imperfect information, between capital providers and managers (Agency Theory), and on the fact that investments by transacting parties are subject to hazards (Transaction Cost Economics). We therefore provide a novel contribution to this literature by focusing on firms characteristics that may influence these two channels: the different level of transparency in firms ownership, which contrasts listed and unlisted companies, and the diverse degree of asset specificity and opaqueness, which distinguishes internal from external R&D activities. In a panel data framework, we find that common equity is an ideal financial instrument for R&D intensive firms, whereas the amount of risk associated with the increase in R&D becomes a deterrent for debt financing. Interestingly, these results apply only to those R&D activities promoted within the firm (internal R&D). In addition, the importance of common equity in financing R&D is only relevant for listed firms.
Sensory, Nutritional and Popping Qualities of Yellow and Purple Popcorn.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensory, nutritional and popping qualities of two types of popcorn grains (Zea mays, L.) yellow and purple popcorn under different methods of expansion. Popping processes applied were: in a pan with oil, in an electrical popper with and without oil. The purple popcorn is superior in protein (12.56%), crude fiber (3.58%) and ash content (1.89%), whereas yellow popcorn has 10.84%, 2.27%, 1.03% for protein, crud fiber and ash content, respectively. Obviously, the higher the preference for the tasters was the popcorn produced by the electrical popper with oil, for both yellow and purple popcorn. The carotenoid content increased when popping with oil was applied on contrary to popping without oil. The highest content of anthocyanin could be traced in unexpanded purple popcorn, but decreased with the different forms of popping process. Yellow and purple popcorn grains had 1.19 and 1.58 mg of gallic acid / g sample, respectively and significant increase was figured out in the total phenolic availability after popping in pan with oil in both yellow and purple popcorn. The expansion volume of yellow and purple popcorn by the same expansion method was insignificant, but significantly different from those expanded with and without oil.
Spinoffs : How Important Is the Organizational Environment ?

We analyze patent spinoffs by looking at the organizational characteristics of the parent organization, i.e. the firm where the patented invention has occurred. We consider organizational dimensions such as the adoption of teamwork, the decisional autonomy of inventors and collaboration with external parties during the inventive process. We elaborate hypotheses on the association between these characteristics and the likelihood of spinoff. We also control for individual characteristics of the new firm? s founders such as age, R&D experience and risk tolerance. Our empirical analysis is based on PatvalEU II, Patval-US and Patval-JP surveys conducted within the 7FP InnoS&T project. These surveys draw on EPO patent inventors residents in the US, EU, Japan and Israel. Our unit of analysis is the patent-employer-inventor combination which is at risk of spawning a new patent-based firm. Probit estimations largely provide support to our hypotheses.
Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on The Performance of Egyptian Agricultural Exports Using A Vector Error Correction Model

Motivated by the ongoing debate among Egyptian economists and policymakers regarding the likely impacts of the recent depreciations of the Egyptian Pound on the country’s economic sectors, this study aimed at contributing to this debate by providing empirical evidence of the impact of exchange tare volatility on the Egyptian agricultural exports. Specifically, a vector error correction model (VECM) was applied to quarterly data covering the period 1999:q1 – 2014:q4 to examine short-run and long-run impact of exchange rate volatility on Egypt’s agricultural exports to the world. The econometric results indicate the existence of a statistically significant long-run relationship between exchange rate and Egyptian agricultural exports. The econometric results of the VECM model (with respect to exchange rate) reveal the existence of a long-run relationship between exchange rate and the value of Egypt’s agricultural exports to the world. With an estimated negative and statistically significant error-correction term, the results showed a slow speed of adjustment toward long-run equilibrium and that only 2% of deviations from long-run equilibrium in the volume of Egyptian agricultural exports to the world are corrected for in the current period. In contrast, the short-run estimates of the VECM illustrated that exchange rate has a statistically insignificant effect on Egyptian agricultural exports. This finding was further confirmed by the results of the Wald Test. Based on these results, the study drew a number of policy recommendations including: i) Egyptian macroeconomic and foreign trade policymakers should be primarily preoccupied with the long-term movements of the exchange rate to design and implement monetary policies that ensure the stability of the exchange rate of the Egyptian Pound and enable Egyptian agricultural exporters to hedge against long-term exchange rate risk, ii) Egyptian agricultural trade policies should not only be focused “agricultural” related aspects but they should also take into account the impacts of “macroeconomic” variables on Egypt’s agricultural exports which also matter for export, and iii) in order to benefit from the recent and expected depreciations in the Egyptian Pound, it is critical that agricultural exporters and export-supporting organizations in Egypt focus their effort on minimizing the production and post-production costs as well as on improving the quality of the agricultural commodities to enhance their ability to compete with other suppliers on the global market for agricultural commodities.
Utilization of Current Data for the Geospatial Analysis on the Suitability of Apple Plantation Land Based on Fuzzy Inference Systems

Apples are one of the high-value imported commodities for Indonesia. One of the apple production centers in the country is Batu City; however, its production capacity tends to be declining year by year. To fulfill the demand of the domestic apple industry, opening new plantations seem to be promising, yet it requires comprehensive observations related to the spatial factors. Experts and direct field reviews are needed to perform the land suitability analysis and this will take much time and effort. Therefore, a smart system that can conduct the geospatial analysis independently by using a fuzzy inference system is developed. The data was obtained by using satellite imagery and data interpolation, and the data was then digitized and analyzed to provide the information needed. The analysis was performed on each pixel with six variable inputs including altitude, rainfall, humidity, air temperature, soil type, and sunshine intensity. In addition, the use of the five-clustering output makes the results more accurate. The tests show 92.86% accuracy proven through comparison of the results of the spatial analysis using the fuzzy inference system with direct reviews on the field.
Host-dependent type 1 cytokine responses driven by inactivated viruses may fail to default in the absence of IL-12 or IFNa / b

Received 27 August 2003 Accepted 10 December 2003 Replicating viruses generally induce type 1 immune responses, with high interferon (IFN)-c levels and antibodies of the IgG2a isotype. In the present study we demonstrate the intrinsic ability of non-replicating virions to induce comparable immune responses in the notable absence of any adjuvant. Injection of inactivated pseudorabies virus, an alphaherpesvirus, by various routes into mice resulted in the generation of T helper (Th) 1 type immune response. Co-delivery of inactivated pseudorabies herpesvirus (iPRV) with protein redirected IgG1-dominated tetanus toxoid-specific responses towards an IgG1/IgG2a balanced response. Also inactivated preparations of viruses from the paramyxo(Newcastle disease virus), rhabdo(rabies virus), corona(infectious bronchitis virus) and reovirus (avian reovirus) families led to IgG2a antibody responses; however, the genetic background of the host did result in considerable variation. Because disrupted virions also induced type 1 immune responses, we conclude that structural elements of virions inherently contribute to IFN-c-dependent isotype switching by inactivated viruses. Strikingly, immunizations in gene-disrupted mice showed that a functional IFN-a/b, IFN-c or interleukin (IL)-12 pathway was not required for the generation of a polarized Th1 type immune response initiated by inactivated virus particles. These findings have a bearing on the understanding of immune responsiveness to virus structures and the design of vaccines containing virus components.
Foliar N:P Stoichiometry in Aralia elata Distributed on Different Slope Degrees

Plant nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) stoichiometry is of essentially ecological meaning to non-wood forest production (NWFP) plant community in the temperate forest ecosystem. In this study, natural Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. communities in montane areas of southern Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China were investigated for plant density, vegetative growth, and soil and leaf parameters on slopes in 5°, 9°, and 14° degrees. We found that individual height was greater in sites on 5°- (1.6 m) and 9°-degree slopes (1.9 m) than on the 14°-degree slope (0.8 m), but soil available P content was highest on the steepest slope (5.5, 4.0, and 16 mg kg-1, respectively). The foliar N:P ratio ranged 6–13. Nitrogen availability tended to promote community density and individual growth; while P availability tended to depress density but promote foliar biomass accumulation. By the diagnosis of plant nutritional monogram, the better growth and high foliar N:P ratio of about 13:1 in A. elata individuals on 9°-degree slope were generated by both deficiency-driving N uptake and excessive P depletion. We recommend the 9°-degree slope to develop A. elata community which can be fed by higher N availability if higher density was achieved. ********* In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue. *********
Agro-industry production of sugarcane grown using subsurface drip fertigation with nitrogen and potassium

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the stalk yield, technological quality parameters, and sugar and alcohol productions in the first sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) crop cycle, according to the response to N and K2O applications by subsurface drip fertigation. The experiment was carried out in a dystrophic Ultisol, in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of a 2X + 2X + 1 incomplete factorial arrangement with the application of 60, 80, 120, 160, and 180 kg ha-1 N and 60, 80, 120, 160, and 180 kg ha-1 K2O. The maximum estimated yield (217.5 Mg ha-1) was obtained with the application of 180 kg ha-1 N and 60 kg ha-1 K2O. Sugar and alcohol productions increased with N application above 120 kg ha-1. The technological quality characteristics of soluble solids content, apparent sucrose in the juice/broth, apparent sucrose in sugarcane, purity, and fiber show the highest averages with the application of 180 kg ha-1 N and 60 kg ha-1 K2O.
Genotypic and Environmental Interaction Effects on Forage Yield and its Related Traits of some Summer Forage Crops

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha and Sids Agriculture Research Station, ARC, during the two successive summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. Six summer forage crops; sorghum cv. Giza 1, Sudan grass cv. piper black, sorghum cv. SX-17, millet cv. Shandaweel 1, teosinte cv. Sakha and maize Drawa were evaluated in two locations for forage yield and some related traits. Three cuts were taken from the five forage crops and two cuts from Drawa at the same period. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant and highly significant differences for seasons, locations, summer forage crops and most of their interactions on fresh and dry forage yield, plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry leaf/stem ratio at the two cuts and three cuts and total yield.The interaction effect between forage crops and seasons were more pronounced than between forage crops with the location on some traits, and the opposite for the other traits. Sudangrass (piper black) followed by Sorgo (Giza 1) were the best summer forage crops for fresh and dry forage yield under the study, over environments. While maize (Drawa) was the lowest one. Millet (Shandaweel 1) gave more fresh and dry yield than SX-17 at Sids location, but SX-17 exceeded millet at Sakha location, over the two seasons. Plant height and stem diameter had the same trend of fresh and dry forage yield. Fresh leaf/stem ratio had higher values in the two seasons and their combined at Sakha than at Sids. Teosinte was the best one. Concerning dry leaf/stem ratio values, season 2016 had higher values at Sakha than season 2015 at Sids and teosinte was the best one. It is economically viable to cultivate teosinte at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate and surrounding areas since it has high palatability and good quality. On the other hand, maize as Drawa not preferable as summer forage crop since it had the lowest fresh and dry forage yield and dry leaf/stem ratio.
Experimental investigation on a hybrid desalination and cooling unit using humidification-dehumidification technique

Rapid growth in urbanization, industrialization and decrease in rainfall rates all over the world demands more fresh water for human use, industries and agriculture purpose. The novel desalination technologies for converting saline water into fresh water have more value and demand. Present work aim at evaluating the performance of an integrated air cooling and two stage desalination system using humidification dehumidification (HDH) technology experimentally by varying flow rate and temperature of saline water. The components of the proposed system are designed, developed and carried out experiments for different operating conditions to get optimum operating conditions. The plant consists of a solar water heater (SWH), two air preheaters, two humidifiers, two dehumidifiers with a normal and a vapour compression refrigeration water chiller. The influence of saline water temperature and flow rate on air temperature, desalination yield, recovery ratio, energy utilization factor (EUF), air cooling effect and coefficient of performance (COP) of the cooling system are studied. The experimental observations recommend higher saline water temperature with high flow rates to air preheaters and humidifiers, circulating and chilled water to dehumidifiers with lower possible temperatures. The integrated plant yields 240 W of cooling energy and a maximum fresh water of 2180 ml/h with 15 m3/h air flow at saline water temperature of 54.5°C with a flow rate of 200 LPH. Experimental results show a maximum EUF of 0.5 for the hybrid plant and 0.45 for conventional plant single stage plant. A maximum COP of 2.2 with a recovery ratio of 0.78 is observed from the experimental results.
UNCERTAINTY AND PERFORMANCE OF FAMILY FIRMS

Businesses in general and family SMEs in specific are vulnerable to environmental uncertainty in underdeveloped countries. Stiff competitions, technological bursts and market turbulence appear as a catastrophe and a major cause for short life of many family SMEs. A few family SMEs still exist and survive in all these uncertain conditions. Various reasons been discussed in previous literature and had proved the importance of entrepreneurial marketing as one of the major sources of high performances. The marketing strategies opted by family SMEs having dimension of entrepreneurship, are not only self-beneficial but also the cause of new market trends. The primary purpose of this study is to consider the effect of opportunity vigilance, consumer centric innovation, value creation and risk management termed as entrepreneurial marketing and used as a fundamental approach for family SMEs to survive and grab high performances even under uncertain conditions. Results show that entrepreneurial marketing in family SMEs is positively associated with high performances even under uncertain environments. Previously uncertain environments were considered as one of the major cause for entrepreneurial marketing that does not qualify in our case. Family SMEs use entrepreneurial marketing as their vital tool for competitive markets to perform high irrespective of environmental conditions i.e. either favorable or unfavorable.
ePubWU Institutional Repository

Kokkoris, Michail ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8716-0706 (2018) Maximizing without Borders: Evidence that Maximizing Transcends Decision Domains. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (2664). ISSN 1664-1078 This version is available at: https://epub.wu. ac.at/6783/ Available in ePubWU: January 2019 License: Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) ePubWU, the institutional repository of the WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, is provided by the University Library and the IT-Services. The aim is to enable open access to the scholarly output of the WU. This document is the publisher-created published version.
A THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE AT MASSEY UNIVERSITY HALIMA IDD KAMOTE

111 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS V TABLE OF CONTENTS . v1 LIST OF TABLES . lX LIST OF FIGURES X CHAPTER 1 1 2 3 1.1 1.2 INTRODUCTION ORGANISATION OF THE THESIS CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 4 5 2.1 THE MAMMARY GLAND 2.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF sec . 7 2.2.1 SCC in relation to milk yield . 7 2.2.2 Relationship between sec and milk composition . 8 2.2.3 sec and processing properties of milk . 9 2.3 SOMATIC CELLS ORIGIN AND OCCURRENCE IN MILK 10 2.4 INTERPRETATION OF sec . 12 2.4.1 Quarter sample . 12 2.4.2 Composite udder or cow samples . 13 2.4.3 Bulk, herd, milk samples . 13 2.5 FACTORS AFFECTING NUMBER OF SOMATIC CELLS IN MILK 14 2.5. 1 Intramammary infection . 14 2.5 . 2 Stage of lactation . 15 2.5. 3 Age or lactational number . 15 2.5. 4 Diurnal variation . : 16 2.5. 5 Stress related factors . 17 2.5. 6 Management factors . 17 vii 2.5. 7 Milking frequency . 18 2.6 EFFECT OF MILKING FREQUENCY ON YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF MILK . 19 2.6. 1 Three times milking . 19 2.6. 2 Twice daily milking . 21 2.6. 3 Once daily milking . 21 2. 7 PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR DIFFERENCES IN THE EFFECTS OF MILKING FREQUENCY . 22 2. 7 . 1 Hormonal effect . 22 2.7. 2 Intramammary pressure . 23 2.7. 3 Udder storage capacity . 24 2. 7.4 Chemical inhibitor . 25 2. 7 . 5 Differentiation and growth of secretory cells . 26 2.7. 6 Extended milking intervals as an initial stage of involution . 27 2.8 RATIONALE FOR THE PRESENT STUDY . 29 CHAPTER 3. MATERIALS AND METIIODS . 30 3.1 ANIMALS . 31 3.2 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND PROCEDURE . 31 3.2.1 Determination of milk yield and composition . 32 3.2.2 Somatic cell counts . 33 3.2.3 Bacteriology analyses . 33 3.3 STATISTICAL ANALYSES . 34 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS . 36 4.1 INCIDENCE OF INFECTION . 37 4.2 TREATMENT PERIOD . 37 4.3 POST-TREATMENT . 43 4.4 SOMATIC CELLS . 43