Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the effect of age at calving × breed group of dam's interaction on weaning weight of Charolais-Zebu crossbred calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate alternatives for modeling the interaction between age of dam at calving (AOD) and the dam genetic group (DGG) on the weaning weight (W225) of Charolais-Zebu (Ch-Z) crossbred calves. Data from 56,965 crossbred calves were analyzed by the least square method. Regression coefficients for age of dam at calving were estimated nested into each class of the dam genetic group (CLA model); for age of dam at calving × dam Charolais percentage (age of dam at calving × FCh) and age of dam at calving × dam heterozygosity (age of dam at calving × FH) (FChFH model); for age of dam at calving × dam Charolais percentage (FCh model); for age of dam at calving × FH (FH model); or only for age of dam at calving (NINT model). Segmented polynomials were used to model the general shape of the age of dam at calving effect and its interaction with dam genetic group. The knots were at 6.33 and 10.66 years of age of dam at calving and general linear and quadratic coefficient regression and specific quadratic coefficient regression after each knot were fitted. The regression coefficients were estimated nested within sex of the calf in all situations. According to the F test for sum of squared residuals differences, the inclusion of the age of dam at calving × FH interaction did not improve the fit of the model and the CLA model provided the best fit. However, the estimates of the age of dam at calving and dam genetic group interaction from the CLA model for dam genetic group × sex of the calf classes with few records were not appropriate, but the estimates of the age of dam at calving and dam genetic group interaction from the FCh model for those classes were appropriate. The differences were small in the estimates of the age of dam of calving and dam genetic group interaction from the CLA or FCh models for dam genetic group × sex of the calf classes with many records.
Comparison of Quality of Life after Mandibular Resection: A Cohort Study of Patients in the Same Institution

Objective: The surgical treatment of benign locally invasive lesions of the mandible can have deleterious effects on a patient’s quality of life (QOL). To evaluate and compare the QOL in two cohort groups of patients who underwent mandibular resection for benign locally invasive lesions of the mandible. Methods: This was a seven year prospective study using the modified University of Washington Quality of life (UW-QOL) Questionnaire, version 4. The two cohorts studied were those that were rehabilitated, and those not rehabilitated. The questionnaire was administered to the patients at 18 months after marginal mandibular and segmental mandibular resections respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI INFO 7 software package and level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: This showed that 71/87 subjects who had resections responded; 34 marginal mandibular, and 37 segmental mandibular were studied. The socio-demographic variables presented no statistically significant relationship regardless of the status of rehabilitation. Most patients without rehabilitation had a lower QOL score for functional daily activities like chewing, speech and psychological effects of low mood and anxiety compared with the rehabilitated group; and that socio-economic class of the patients was the best predictor of better QOL. Conclusion: The major concerns of patients who have undergone mandibular resection were chewing ability, speech, appearance, anxiety and low mood, and these concerns were expressed more in the non-rehabilitated. The trends and determinant of QOL observed should be used to decide targeted support in order to assist the patients overcome their deformities and disabilities.
Sustainability assurance in Spanish non-listed companies

In the last decades, sustainability reporting has experienced a noteworthy proliferation in the international arena. However, there is a lack of accountability and transparency, which have promoted that companies adopt assurance on sustainability reports to gain credibility. Spain is a worldwide leader in sustainability reporting but there is few contributions on Spanish non-listed companies about the determinants that influence the assurance adoption. In this line, we analyse what factors are associated with the adoption of assurance and the choice of assuror. The findings indicate that assurance and assuror are significantly associated with company size and industry. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4995/ICBM.2015. 1352
Chemical Composition of PM2.5 and its Impact on Visibility in Guangzhou, Southern China

A one-year field experiment was conducted in 2013 at an urban and suburban site in Guangzhou, Southern China to study the chemical compositions of PM_(2.5) and reconstruct the IMPROVE Algorithm to investigate the impact of aerosol components on visibility. Annual average PM_(2.5) mass concentration was 61.3 ± 27.6 and 54.2 ± 29.7 μg m^(-3) at the urban and suburban site, with organic matter (OM), sulfate (SO_4^(2-)), and nitrate (NO_3^-) among the dominant components, accounting for 40.3%, 16.3%, and 8.0% of the PM_(2.5) mass concentration respectively. Based on the modified IMPROVE Algorithm, the localized Mass Scattering Efficiencies (MSE) for sulfate and nitrate was obtained, with values of 2.16 ± 0.34 m^2 g^(-1) and 2.63 ± 0.66 m^2 g^(-1) at urban site and 2.22 ± 0.31 m^2 g^(-1) and 2.76 ± 0.84 m^2 g^(-1) at suburban site. Hygroscopic growth factors (Gf) for OM and EC were also taken into consideration with average values of 1.28 ± 0.13 m^2 g^(-1) and 1.15 ± 0.11 m^2 g^(-1) at the urban site and 1.18 ± 0.09 m^2 g^(-1) and 1.10 ± 0.09 m^2 g^(-1) at the suburban site. The estimated total light extinction coefficient was 294.7 ± 106.9 and 255.8 ± 119.0 Mm^(-1) at the urban and suburban site, with OM, SO_4^(2-) and NO_3^- contributing 41.7%, 16.5% and 11.5% at the urban site, and 42.1%, 21.3% and 9.1% at the suburban site. Secondary water-soluble ions and OM as a whole was becoming increasingly vital under polluted conditions, with nitrate in particular being more important under heavily polluted conditions in Guangzhou.
Feeding ecology of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus in the northern Gulf of Mexico

We used stable isotopes and stomach content analyses to describe diet of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Approximately 1000 fish were collected over 2 yr to test possible effects of ontogeny, habitat, and a non-trawl artificial reef permit area on red snapper diets. Stable isotopes of carbon (δ 13 C), nitrogen (δ 15 N), and sulfur (δ 34 S) were measured in both red snapper and potential primary producers. Ontogenetic shifts in diet occurred with increasing red snapper size-at-age, resulting in higher δ 13 C and nitrogen δ 15 N and lower δ 34 S in larger fish. Stomach content results supported ontogenetic shifts in diet by showing a change in diet from zooplankton, mysid shrimp, and squid for juvenile red snapper (ages 0 to 1) to diets dominated by benthic crustaceans and fishes for adults (ages 2+). Habitat-specific differences in isotopes and stomach contents of similarly sized fish were identified; however, feeding differences appeared to reflect ontogeny more than habitat type. In addition, seasonal differences, both in δ 13 C and in prey identified from stomach contents, were detected, but were minimal. Red snapper from areas outside a single non-trawl reef permit area had higher δ 15 N and lower δ 34 S values than for conspecifics collected inside the non-trawl reef permit area. This study highlights the use of stable isotopes in detecting red snapper feeding differences inside and outside of an artificial reef permit area in the northern GOM, but additional studies are needed to verify if similar trends are present in other areas.
Intra-Dealer Integration

This paper examines the quotation behaviour of dealers who made markets in the same stocks on both NASDAQ and either EASDAQ or the LSE. Whereas previous studies examine international integration at the market level, we examine integration at the dealer level. In other words, do dealers within the same market-making firm use information from their arm on the opposite side of the Atlantic in forming their own quotes? We find that while there is some evidence of integration at the market level, integration is hard to detect at the dealer level. The results are largely unaffected by differences in fungibility between our two samples.
The prevalence of refractive error in three communities of Cape Town , South Africa

The prevalence, distribution and demographic associations of refractive error in three communities in Cape Town, South Africa were assessed. In this cross-sectional study, a clustered random sampling procedure was used to recruit participants (n=176; age=40.6±14.7 years; males=76, females=96) from Khayelitsha, Milnerton, and Mitchell’s Plain. From March to May 2010, participants underwent autorefraction and subjective refraction eye examinations. A structured interview was used to collect data on socio-demographics, age, gender, level of education, employment and race. Participants younger than 15 years, non-residents, or residents for less than six months, who declined signing the informed consent forms were excluded from the study. In this study myopia was defined as the spherical equivalent value in the better eye of −1.00D or worse and hyperopia as the spherical equivalent value in the better eye of ≥1.00D. Astigmatism was defined as −0.50 cylinder or worse in the better eye. The prevalence of myopia was 17.4% with a 90% confidence interval (CI) of 12.65-22.15, hyperopia was 13.4% (90% CI 9.13-17.67), and astigmatism was 60% (90% CI 53.86-66.14). Myopia was found to be significantly associated with race and age; while hyperopia was significantly associated with age, employment and race. The results of this study may assist in planning for eye care on district level. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 32-38)
Centralisation of cleft lip and palate services in the UK: The views of adult 'returners'

Background: Since the implementation of centralised services in the UK for those affected by cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), several studies have investigated the impact of service rationalisation on the delivery of care. While large-scale quantitative studies have demonstrated improvements in a range of patient outcomes, and smaller studies have reported on the benefits and challenges of centralisation from the views of health professionals, little research has attempted to capture the patient perspective. Further, few studies have investigated the views of adult ‘returners’ who have undergone treatment both pre- and post-centralisation. Methods: Qualitative data relevant to the subject of this paper were extracted from two previous larger studies carried out between January 2013 and March 2014. A total of sixteen adults born with CL/P contributed data to the current study. These data were subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Results: The findings suggest that centralisation of CL/P services has considerably enhanced the patient experience. Specifically, the overall standard and coordination of care has improved, service delivery has become more patient-centred, and access to professional psychological support and peer support has greatly improved patients’ capacity to cope with the associated emotional challenges. Conclusions: The data collected provide additional insight into the impact of centralisation from the perspective of a largely unexplored patient population. In combination with other literature, these findings are also relevant to future efforts to centralise other specialist services around the world. Keywords: centralisation, adult, patient perspective, qualitative, healthcare
Energetic particle signatures of magnetic field‐aligned potentials over Jupiter's polar regions

Recent results of the first ever orbit through Jupiter's auroral region by NASA's Juno spacecraft did not show evidence of coherent acceleration in the auroral or polar region. However, in this letter, we show energetic particle data from Juno's Jupiter Energetic‐particle Detector Instrument instrument during the third auroral pass that exhibits conclusive evidence of downward parallel electric fields in portions of Jupiter's polar region. The energetic particle distributions show inverted‐V ion and electron structures in a downward electric current region with accelerated peaked distributions in hundreds of keV to ~1 MeV range. The origin of these large electric potential structures is investigated and discussed within the current theoretical framework of current‐voltage relationships at both Earth and Jupiter. Parallel electric fields responsible for accelerating particles to maintain the aurora/magnetospheric circuit appear to be a common phenomenon among strongly magnetized planets with conducting ionospheres; however, their origin and generation mechanisms are subjects of ongoing research.
Exploring the black box of academia

This PhD thesis analyzes the role and activities of universities and academics based on three overarching themes. The first theme addresses how universities differentiate and compete. Changing conditions for universities, together with changed expectations on their role in the economy, has provided greater possibilities for specialization and differentiation among individual universities. By drawing on public administrative data, the thesis characterizes the diversity of the Swedish university system and provides an evidence-based interpretation of individual universities’ “strategic position” with focus on their differential ability to attract external research funding. This provides an interpretation of whether and how Swedish universities specialize and compete. The results show that the Swedish university sector is polarized into two groups of researchoriented respectively education-dependent universities. Moreover, the ability to attract competitive external research funding is related to the universities’ position. In light of the national context, the findings suggest that this polarization is not the result of strategic differentiation among Swedish universities, but rather that individual universities are largely locked in their historic positions due to path dependencies and cumulative advantages. This study contributes to the literature exploring the diversity of the European university systems. The second theme addresses academic inventors’ role in and impact on firm inventiveness. Studying firms’ academic inventions sheds light on the role and impact of academic collaboration, but previous research has not analyzed the inventions resulting from university-industry collaboration. This thesis investigates the relative characteristics of firms’ academic inventions where at least one academic is involved as well as in what ways academic inventors affect the technological importance of firms’ inventions by analyzing firm patents. The findings show that firms mainly involve academics in inventions within their core technological fields. For a few dominant firms, academic patents on average have lower technological importance as compared to non-academic patents, indicating that the inventions resulting from academic collaboration relatively speaking lack direct usefulness for subsequent technological devel-
A Rice GRAS Gene Has an Impact on the Success of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is one of the most spread symbiosis established between 80% of land plants and soil fungi belonging to the Glomeromycota. Molecular determinants involved in the formation of arbuscular mycorrhizas are still poorly understood. It has been demonstrated that in both Legumes and rice plants, several GRAS transcription factors are directly involved in both mycorrhizal signaling and colonization, namely NSP1, NSP2, RAM1, DELLA, DELLA-interacting protein (DIP1) and RAD1. Here, we focused on a rice GRAS protein, named Arbuscular Mycorrhizal 18 (OsAM18), previously identified as specifically expressed in rice mycorrhizal roots, and consi- dered as an AM-specific gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that OsAM18 had a peculiar amino acid sequence, which clustered with putative SCARECROW proteins, even though it formed a sep- arate branch. Allelic osma18 mutant displayed a drastic reduction in mycorrhizal colonization in- tensity and in arbuscule abundance, as mirrored by OsPT11 expression level. Non-mycorrhizal osam18 plants displayed a comparable plant development and root apparatus compared with the WT, while mycorrhizal osam18 mutants showed a reduction of plant biomass compared with my- corrhizal WT plants. The results suggest that OsAM18 is a rice protein, which is likely to have an impact not only on the colonization process and AM functionality, but also on the systemic effects of the AM symbiosis.
Front line demonstration on lentil using improved varieties for increasing productivity under lateritic soil of West Bengal

Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) on lentil using improved varieties WBL-58 and WBL-77 were conducted during winter seasons of the year 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively in the adopted villages of Rathindra KVK, PSB, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum to show the higher production potentiality. The demonstrations were carried out in 32 farmers’ fields of 5 ha area and 79 farmers’ fields of 20 ha area during the year 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively in irrigated medium land situation. The lateritic soils were sandy loam in texture having low in pH (6.0-6.4), O.C (0.39-0.47 %) and available P2O5 (16-19 kg /ha) and medium in N and K content. Lentil seeds @ 30 kg /ha was sown in the month of November after harvesting of short duration paddy. The technology of improved variety viz. WBL-58 and WBL-77 increased the average productivity by 26.5 % and 40.88 % and increased the net return by Rs. 7,900.00 with an improved B:C ratio of 2.71 instead of 2.27 and Rs. 15,240.00 with an improved B:C ratio of 3.74 instead of 2.95 than those of local check variety Asha during the both the years respectively. Beside that soil health and soil nitrogen was also improved along with better nodulation in the demonstration plots. Thus the technology of improved variety of lentil may be accepted economically for better utilization of the residual soil moisture after short duration rainy paddy.
Modeling of some pistachio drying characteristics in fix, semi fluid and fluid bed dryer

Modeling of pistachio (cv. Ohadi) drying kinetic was carried out in a thin layer dryer of fix, semi fluid and fluid bed. Initial moisture content of pistachio samples was about 50.3% (d.b.). Three drying characteristics of effective diffusivity, energy of activation and specific energy consumption were computed and influences of drying parameters were investigated. Air temperature levels of 45, 60, 75 and 90 ℃ and bed conditions of fix, semi fluid and fluid bed were applied in these experiments. Six mathematical models were used to predict the moisture ratio of pistachio samples in thin layer drying. Results showed that the Two-term model had supremacy in prediction of pistachio drying behavior. Effective moisture diffusivity of pistachio was calculated using Fick’s second law. Maximum and minimum values of effective moisture diffusivity calculated between 8.60× 10 -9 m 2 /s and 1.98× 10 -9 m 2 /s , respectively. The calculated values of energy of activation for pistachio samples were computed between 30.52 kJ/mol and 35.26 kJ/mol for temperature boundary of 45 to 90 ℃ and bed conditions of fix to fluid bed. Specific consumption of energy in thin layer drying of pistachio varied between 0.531× 10 6 and 1.447× 10 6 kJ/kg. Increase in air temperature in each bed condition cause decrease inspecific consumption of energy . These pistachio properties are necessary to design the dryer system and to adjust the dryer in the best point. Keywords: Two-term model, thin layer drying, pistachio, diffusivity, energy
Investigating the Empirical Effect of ABC Stages on the Performance of Companies

The major aim of this study is to extend Zhang and Isa’s (2011) study by investigating the moderating effect of the stages of ABC application on the firms’ performance. This study selects 106 Chinese manufacturing companies and employs multiple regression technique and structural equation modelling. It examines whether successful application of the ABC directly affects the firm’s performance, and tests whether the stages of ABC application could produce a moderating effect on the firms’ performance. Results indicate that successful application of ABC, significantly affects achievement of the costs and quality, while sales volume is only marginally affected by ABC application, and there is an insignificant relationship between ABC application and achievement of the targets pertaining to productivity, services, and profits. Moreover, this study reports that stages of ABC application would improve the strength of the relationship between ABC application success and firms’ performance. The findings emphasize the importance of cost, quality, and stages of ABC implementation issues for management, especially for the intention of the performance evaluation.
Reproductive biology of the squirrelfish, Holocentrus adscensionis (Osbeck, 1765), caught off the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil

In the present work, specimens of Holocentrus adscensionis, caught off Pernambuco State, northeast Brazil, by small scale artisanal fishing boats, were analyzed with regard to gonad maturation, gonad index, size at first sexual maturity, fecundity, type and time of spawning. Two hundred and three specimens were randomly collected, 102 males and 101 females, resulting in a sex ratio very close to 1:1. Size at first sexual maturity was estimated at 14.6 cm fork length, which is smaller than the most caught size class. Females in final maturation were only recorded from October to March, while the proportion of resting females was the highest in June and July. The seasonal variation of sexual stages, together with the variation of the monthly mean gonad index, with the lowest values for females being recorded from May to July, suggests lower sexual activity for this species during this period of the year, which coincides with winter time. The pattern of ovarian development indicates that spawning is synchronous, with oocytes ripening in more than two groups. It is therefore characterized as a batch spawning. Absolute fecundity ranged from 56274 to 249863 oocytes.
Debt stabilizing fi scal rules

This paper investigates properties of a state-contingent debt targeting rule which links stabilizing budgetary adjustments around a target level of long-run debt to the state of the economy. Considering a range of fiscal instruments, the paper shows that the size of steady-state debt is a key determinant of whether such a rule can be implemented under all available instruments. The key theoretical result of the paper states that the number of instruments which can be used to implement such a rule declines in the level of steady-state debt. This finding is of particular relevance in the context of a monetary union with decentralized fiscal policies. Depending on the level of long-run debt, there might be a conflict between a common fiscal framework and the unrestricted choice of fiscal policy instruments at the national level.