Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of estimated genomic breeding values for wool and meat traits in a multi-breed sheep population

Estimated breeding values for the selection of more profitable sheep for the sheep meat and wool industries are currently based on pedigree and phenotypic records. With the advent of a medium-density DNA marker array, which genotypes ∼50000 ovine single nucleotide polymorphisms, a third source of information has become available. The aim of this paper was to determine whether this genomic information can be used to predict estimated breeding values for wool and meat traits. The effects of all single nucleotide polymorphism markers in a multi-breed sheep reference population of 7180 individuals with phenotypic records were estimated to derive prediction equations for genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple strength, breech wrinkle score, weight at ultrasound scanning, scanned eye muscle depth and scanned fat depth. Five hundred and forty industry sires with very accurate Australian sheep breeding values were used as a validation population and the accuracies of GEBV were assessed according to correlations between GEBV and Australian sheep breeding values . The accuracies of GEBV ranged from 0.15 to 0.79 for wool traits in Merino sheep and from 0.07 to 0.57 for meat traits in all breeds studied. Merino industry sires tended to have more accurate GEBV than terminal and maternal breeds because the reference population consisted mainly of Merino haplotypes. The lower accuracy for terminal and maternal breeds suggests that the density of genetic markers used was not high enough for accurate across-breed prediction of marker effects. Our results indicate that an increase in the size of the reference population will increase the accuracy of GEBV.
The colour distribution of galaxies at redshift five

We present the results of a study investigating the rest-frame ultra-violet (UV) spectral slopes of redshift z~5 Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs). By combining deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the CANDELS and HUDF fields with ground-based imaging from the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey (UDS), we have produced a large sample of z~5 LBGs spanning an unprecedented factor of >100 in UV luminosity. Based on this sample we find a clear colour-magnitude relation (CMR) at z~5, such that the rest-frame UV slopes (beta) of brighter galaxies are notably redder than their fainter counterparts. We determine that the z~5 CMR is well described by a linear relationship of the form: d beta = (-0.12 +/- 0.02) d Muv, with no clear evidence for a change in CMR slope at faint magnitudes (i.e. Muv > -18.9). Using the results of detailed simulations we are able, for the first time, to infer the intrinsic (i.e. free from noise) variation of galaxy colours around the CMR at z~5. We find significant (12 sigma) evidence for intrinsic colour variation in the sample as a whole. Our results also demonstrate that the width of the intrinsic UV slope distribution of z~5 galaxies increases from Delta(beta)=0.1 at Muv=-18 to Delta(beta)=0.4 at Muv=-21. We suggest that the increasing width of the intrinsic galaxy colour distribution and the CMR itself are both plausibly explained by a luminosity independent lower limit of beta=-2.1, combined with an increase in the fraction of red galaxies in brighter UV-luminosity bins.
Seismic wavefield calculation for laterally heterogeneous whole earth models using the pseudospectral method

SUMMARY A method for simulating seismic wave propagation in a laterally heterogeneous whole earth model is presented by solving the elastodynamic equations in 2-D cylindrical coordinates using the pseudospectral method (PSM). The PSM is an attractive timedomain technique that uses the fast Fourier transform for an accurate diierentiation of ¢eld variables in the equations. Since no dispersion error arises in Fourier diierentiation, even when using a large grid spacing, computer memoryand time are reduced by several orders of magnitude compared to traditional ¢nite-diierence methods. In order to examine body-wave phases with current computing resources, a slice through the sphere is approximated with a 2-D cylindrical model. An irregular grid spacing is used in the vertical coordinate to improve the treatment of the various structural boundaries appearing in the earth model by matching the heterogeneity in the model. Synthetic seismograms obtained by the PSM calculation are compared with those calculated from an exact simulation method for a spherically homogeneous (1-D) earth model and achieve good agreement. The PSM method is illustrated by constructing the seismic P^SV wave¢eld for strongly heterogeneous earth models including a shield structure near the free surface and velocity perturbations just above the core^mantle boundary. The visualization of the evolution of seismic P and S waves in time and space is tracked using a sequence of snapshots and synthetic seismograms. These displays allow direct insight into the nature of the complex seismic wave behaviour in the Earth’s interior.
RAPD CHARACTERIZATION OF SOMACLONAL VARIATION IN INDICA BASMATI RICE

Seeds of three cultivars of indica basmati rice viz., B-370, B-2000 and Super basmati were sterilized and incubated for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks on callus induction medium. Fifteen interested regenerates were selected on the basis of variation in important morphological characteristics. DNAs from leaves of regenerated plants along with parental controls were isolated and analyzed through PCR using 8 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Primers. Four primers viz., S13, S-19, R-17 and OPX-11 produced detectable range of amplification products and 7 interesting clones with different banding patterns were obtained. Index of genetic variation was calculated and dendrograms were constructed using UPGMA method. Genetic variation up to 45.2, 32.3, 32.4 & 35.3% was recorded after 8 weeks of incubation with primers S-13, S-19, R-17 and OPX-11 respectively. Our study indicates that tissue culture generates a wide range of variation, which is related with incubation time and is cultivar specific. Moreover, RAPDs can successfully be used to explore such polymorphism within and among different cultivars of basmati rice.
Explanation and Prioritization of Required Skills for Teaching in Farhangian University from Authorities and Professors’ Point of View

The present research mainly aims to identity and prioritize the skills required for teaching in Farhangian University. The research is of applied type, and the method is descriptive-analytical and survey. Qualitative and quantitative methods have been used in order to carry out the research. The statistical population was the qualitative part of all authorities in education throughout the country out of whom 19 were purposefully selected as samples. The statistical population in the quantitative part consisted of 181 academic members and instructors of Farhangian University in 6 provinces in the 4th pole of the country out of whom 150 people were randomly selected. The research data were collected from semi-structured interviews and realized questionnaires. It is worth mentioning that the findings reveal that the results obtained in the quantitative part are in agreement with those obtained in the qualitative part. According to these results, in both parts, the most important pedagogical needs of academic members in teaching skills consist of: 1)Ability to transfer the knowledge and concepts to student teachers, 2) Acquaintance with practical experiences of professors with high quality of teaching, 3) Ability to select teaching methods appropriate to the course subjects and type of class, and 4) Acquaintance with the psychological fundamentals of teaching. Moreover, the findings in this research in the quantitative part showed that the academic members’ need for learning “teaching skills” is more than medium. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n3s3p221
Distribution of β-amylase and lipoxygenase in soy protein products obtained during tofu production

Soybean is considered an important source of human food and animal feed. Okara and tofu whey are the main by-products of soymilk and tofu production. The distribution of enzymes b -amylase and lipoxygenase (Lox) from six soybean genotypes in protein extracts of okara and tofu as well as in soymilk and tofu whey was assessed. SDS-electrophoretic results showed that production process significantly affected high molecular mass protein fractions of soybean by-products. Low amounts of Lox in soymilk were registered, while in okara protein extracts and tofu whey this enzyme was present in trace. In tofu protein extracts, Lox was registered in higher quantity that might be the result of the aggregation process during formation of the tofu gel. Content of b -amylase in all soy protein products was high and similar to the content in soybean genotype. Content of b -amylase in okara depended on respective soybean genotype.
Finite element analysis of tunnel-soil-building interaction using displacement controlled model

Using some building affected by the river-crossing highway tunnels of Wuhan as engineering background, this paper investigates the interaction between the tunneling in soft soils and adjacent structures. A full three-dimensional finite element model, which takes into account the presence of the building during the excavation of the tunnel, is well analyzed. The soil behavior discussed in this paper is assumed to be governed by an elastic perfectly-plastic constitutive relation based on the widely adopted Mohr-Coulomb criterion with a non-associative flow rule. The paper consists of three parts. The first part presents the 3-D finite element numerical model, and the second part provides a full analysis of the construction of a shallow tunnel close to a five level building. Comparison between the full couple model analysis and the full 3D free-field analysis is given in the final part. The corresponding comparison results provide a fundamental guidance for the shield tunnel design and construction.
Gastrointestinal microflora of captured stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas, 1771) from Southeast Caspian Sea, Iran

Acipenser stellatus is one of the most invaluable species of Sturgeon fishes in the world. The purpose of this study was to identify the resident microbial community from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Acipenser stellatus. One hundred and twenty three fungi were isolated from the GIT of 7 Acipenser stellatus samples including Aspergillus spp (45.5%), Trichoderma spp (8.9%) and Cladophialophora spp (8.1%). Among different Aspergillus isolates, A. niger was the predominant species. Although, fungi were predominantly isolated from stomach (36.6%), but with respect to frequency of fungal isolates there were no significant differences between stomach and other parts of GI. In general, the bacterial isolates recovered were mostly gram negative and related to Enterobacteriaceae family such as Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Salmonella species. The most bacterial species were isolated from intestine and pre stomach region (88.2%). It is concluded that A. niger and Aeromonas species were predominant fugal and bacterial microbes isolated from understudy fish GIT, respectively.
Top-down trophic shifts in Florida Keys patch reef marine protected areas

ABSTRACT: Special Protected Areas (SPAs) were established within the Florida Keys NationalMarine Sanctuary in 1997 to address a variety of management goals including coral reef resourceprotection and recovery. Within these areas all consumptive activities are prohibited. To evaluatewhether SPA establishment has resulted in reef assemblage differences on inshore patch reefs, wequantified reef fish abundance and biomass, grazing intensity and benthic cover on abiotically simi-lar protected and reference reefs. Transect surveys indicated that biomass and mean body lengths forseveral common predatory fish species were significantly greater within SPAs. Size classes of herbiv-orous fish also varied with protection; adult herbivorous fish were significantly more abundant, whilejuveniles were significantly less abundant within SPAs. Grazing intensity and benthic cover weresite-specific and did not vary consistently with protection, suggesting that SPA establishment has notimmediately (within 10 yr) driven observable indirect effects on the benthos.KEY WORDS: Marine reserve · Coral reef · Florida Keys · Trophic cascade · Parrotfish · Herbivory
Continuing to increase productivity while maintaining our clean green image. Introductory remarks

The pattern of wool fibre and follicle development was monitored for 20 Perendale lambs from lines selected for or against wool bulk. There was no significant difference in characteristics associated with wool bulk between selection lines at birth. These characteristics followed a curvilinear pattern of development with most of the change taking place between birth and 14 w eeks of age then reaching a plateau by 35 weeks. The different rate of developmental change for each bulk line meant that by 14 wee ks the high line had a greater follicle curvature grade, shorter follicle length, shallower follicle depth, more para-meso cortex and a higher fibre curvature. Together fibre curvature, fibre diameter and fibre diameter standard deviation explained around 70% of the variation in hogget wool bulk from 25 weeks of age. From these results it is suggested that the potential of a sheep to produce high bulk wool can be assessed using fibre curvature and fibre diameter from 6 months of age which allows hogget mating and/or early cull ing
Making valuable mothers in Finland: Assessing parenthood in publicly provided maternity healthcare

This article discusses the e/valuation of motherhood in the assessment practices of maternity healthcare provided by the welfare state. It argues that while middle-class women can position themselves more easily than working-class women as neoliberal, reflexive and self-responsible client-consumers, and can have their family values reflected back to them by maternity nurses, there is also room for values and subjects of value beyond the dominant symbolic of parenthood. The study draws on ethnographic material from four clinics in Finland. Assessment encounters are considered as sites where mothers-to-be are e/valuated on the basis of classificatory struggle. The analysis shows that in concert with the emphasis of Nordic policy on social equality, a recently introduced standardised numerical risk assessment enables moral judgements on the basis of seemingly class-neutral, scientific, statistics-based knowledge. The nurses integrate this risk assessment into more intuitive, practice-oriented and experience-based assessments of problems. Maternal subjects emerge during these practices that might not always fit into the scales of normality in risk assessment, and that fail to perform respectability and responsibility. However, they are not simply blamed for their own shortcomings, but rather practical solutions are sought in teams, and a variety of values may be recognised or at least tolerated.
The Consequences of Industrialization: Evidence from Water Pollution and Digestive Cancers in China

Abstract China's rapid industrialization has led to a severe deterioration in water quality in the country's lakes and rivers. By exploiting variation in pollution across China's river basins, I estimate that a deterioration of water quality by a single grade (on a six-grade scale) increases the digestive cancer death rate by 9.7%. The analysis rules out other potential explanations such as smoking rates, dietary patterns, and air pollution. I estimate that doubling China's levy rates for wastewater dumping would save roughly 17,000 lives per year but require an additional [dollar]500 million in annual spending on wastewater treatment.
Influence of soil moisture levels and packaging on postharvest qualities of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Preharvest factors influence postharvest quality of tomatoes. Whereas water stress improves fruit total soluble solids; and polyethylene is used for packaging of fresh horticultural produce, little is known about their combined effects on quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The objective of this study was to investigate the independent and interactive effects of deficit irrigation and packaging on postharvest quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The experiment was a split plot arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates. Packaging was the main treatment and water levels the sub treatments. Water treatments were 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of pot capacity (PC). Packaging treatments were perforated, non-perforated and non-packaged (control). Fruits harvested at breaker stage were stored at 21±2oC. Quality parameters assessed were fruit weight loss, colour change, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and shelf life. Polyethylene bags commonly used in the market (22 x 6.37 cm of size; 0.02 mm of thickness) were used as packaging material. At 16 days storage, unpackaged fruit had lost 34.23% of initial weight compared to 9.06% in perforated and 4.43% in non-perforated packaging. At 8 days of storage, 20% PC fruits were firmer than 80% PC fruits. At 10 days storage, 20% PC fruits were firmer compared to those from 40 and 80% PC. Total Soluble Solids (TSS) increased with decrease in moisture level. At 10 DAH, the lowest TSS was recorded in fruits subjected to 100% PC and highest in 40% PC. Deficit Irrigation effectively regulates tomato fruit quality; and combining it with packaging can enhance shelf life of tomato fruits. Key words: Water stress, packaging, fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS).
Influence of gender and computer teaching efficacy on computer acceptance among Malaysian student teachers: An extended technology acceptance model

The purpose of this study is to validate the technology acceptance model (TAM) in an educational context and explore the role of gender and computer teaching efficacy as external variables. From the literature, it appeared that only limited studies had developed models to explain statistically the chain of influence of computer teaching efficacy and gender on the intention of student teachers to use computers. A total of 302 student-teachers completed the questionnaire measuring their responses to computer teaching efficacy (CTE), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward computer use (ATCU), and behavioural intention (BI). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used as the main technique for data analysis. The findings from this study suggest that the model was adequately explained by the data. Overall, the model accounted for 36.8% of the variance in intention to use computers among student teachers. The results have also provided support for computer teaching efficacy and gender as significant variables in the TAM. Finally, the implications for theory development, practices, and policy making are discussed.
Drought tolerance selection of soybean lines generated from somatic embryogenesis using osmotic stress simulation of poly-ethylene glycol (PEG)

Abstract. Sunaryo W, Widoretno W, Nurhasanah, Sudarsono. 2016. Drought tolerance selection of soybean lines generated from somatic embryogenesis using osmotic stress simulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Nusantara Bioscience 8: 45-54. Somaclonal variation is an alternative source to create genetic variability including generating a novel character like drought tolerance. The objective of this research was to select the drought-tolerant lines derived from somatic embryogenesis (somaclones) of 4 soybean genotypes using drought stress simulated by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG). Soybean seeds (R1 generation) generated from 37 somaclones (R0 generation) were grown on semi-hydroponic system using Greenleaf as supporting medium. The seedlings were watered with half strength of liquid Murishage and Skoog nutrient. The PEG solution treatment of either 0% or 15% (PEG: w/v = -0.41 Mpa osmotic potential) was applied in the MS solution, from the seedlings of 14 days old until harvesting period. The vegetative growth, intensity of leaf firing, plant biomass, and drought sensitivity index variables were observed during the PEG application. The same procedure was applied to the seeds, propagated conventionally, from the same genotypes as controls. The results showed that somatic embryogenesis had altered the drought sensitivity of soybean genotypes under drought stress simulated by PEG. Interestingly, the different drought tolerance level was shown by the R1 plants. Some lines were increased and the other lines were decreased compared to the control genotypes. From a total of 185 R1 plants, 4 plants increased their tolerance against drought stress and grouped as tolerant genotype.
Does Extrinsic Goal Framing Enhance Extrinsic Goal-Oriented Individuals' Learning and Performance? An Experimental Test of the Match Perspective versus Self-Determination Theory.

Previous work within self-determination theory has shown that experimentally framing a learning activity in terms of extrinsic rather than intrinsic goals results in poorer conceptual learning and performance, presumably because extrinsic goal framing detracts attention from the learning activity and is less directly satisfying of basic psychological needs. According to the match perspective, experimental extrinsic, compared to intrinsic, goal framing should enhance learning and performance for learners who personally hold a stronger extrinsic than intrinsic goal orientation, as these learners' personally held goals match with the situationally induced goals. An experimental field study among 5th-6th grade children shows that extrinsic goal framing resulted in poorer autonomous motivation, conceptual (but not rote) learning, and persistence compared to intrinsic goal framing, irrespective of participants' personal intrinsic versus extrinsic goal orientations and their spontaneous perception of the learning activity as serving an intrinsic or an extrinsic goal. The authors conclude that teachers can best promote intrinsic goals, even when facing students who personally hold a stronger extrinsic than intrinsic goal orientation.
Cosmic ray diffusion tensor throughout the heliosphere

[1] We calculate the cosmic ray diffusion tensor based on a recently developed model of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in the expanding solar wind. Parameters of this MHD model are tuned by using published observations from Helios, Voyager 2, and Ulysses. We present solutions of two turbulence parameter sets and derive the characteristics of the cosmic ray diffusion tensor for each. We determine the parallel diffusion coefficient of the cosmic rays following the method presented by Bieber et al. (1995). We use the nonlinear guiding center theory to obtain the perpendicular diffusion coefficient of the cosmic rays. We find that (1) the radial mean free path decreases from 1 to 30 AU for both turbulence scenarios; (2) after 30 AU the radial mean free path is nearly constant; (3) the radial mean free path is dominated by the parallel component before 30 AU, after which the perpendicular component becomes important; (4) the rigidity dependence of the parallel mean free path is proportional to P.404 for one turbulence scenario and P.374 for the other at 1 AU from 0.1 to 10 GV, but in the outer heliosphere its dependence steepens above 4 GV; and (5) the rigidity dependence of the perpendicular mean free path is very weak.