Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feed efficiency, carcass and temperament traits in F2 Nellore -Angus steers

Feed Efficiency, Carcass and Temperament Traits in F2 Nellore-Angus Steers. (December 2007) Tonya Sue Amen, B.S., Texas Tech University; M.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Andy Herring Dr. Clare Gill Feed efficiency in fed F2 Nellore-Angus steers produced through embryo transfer was evaluated using two methods: residual feed intake (RFI) and NRC-based model predicted residual consumption (MPRC). Sire and family(sire) both contributed to differences in model predicted residual consumption (P = 0.036 and P < 0.001, respectively), but not in RFI (P = 0.117 and 0.455, respectively). This indicates that variation exists among the sires and families studied, and the opportunity exists to improve MPRC through selection; it also indicates these 2 evaluation methods could result in different conclusions about feed efficiency. Five aspects of temperament were also evaluated (aggressiveness, nervousness, flightiness, gregariousness, and overall temperament) on a 9-point scale shortly after weaning. Sire had a significant effect on all 5 aspects of temperament evaluated, but family was only responsible for variation in aggressiveness, nervousness, and overall temperament. Contemporary group had no effect on aggressiveness, but did contribute significantly to variation in all other temperament traits. All temperament traits were highly correlated with one another (r = 0.81 to 0.98). Recipient dam temperament was lowly correlated with gregariousness and overall temperament (r = 0.16 and 0.15, respectively), and the correlations with recipient dam temperament approached
A Contextual Approach to the Study of Discourse Anaphoric Expressions: On the Probabilistic Nature of Theoretical Predictions.

Anaphoric expressions are among the most frequent language forms which depend on context for their resolution. Among efforts made in theorizing referential choice, distance approaches take into account how accessibility/continuity is reflected by choice of referring expressions. The thing is that individual’s choices are made under major and minor influences which affect the variable predictability of anaphoric expressions. In order to investigate the variability of individual writings in a free writing task (the present paper aims to investigate the variability of individual writings in terms of the use of anaphoric expressions in a free writing task). Narrative data was collected from 10native writers (of English/Persian in University of Isfahan) by presenting them a seven-minute soundless action movie and asking them to narrate its story. The results show a fair degree of diversity in varying frequencies of pronouns and Full NPs. It is suggested that diversity might be caused by two factors: referential strategies of text producers who consider the helping role of context as well as the degree of referential distance, referential ambiguity and salience.
EMPOWERING WOMEN'S CAPACITY FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS IN NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT TRADE IN CAMEROON

In Cameroon, women as the primary gatherers and traders of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have limited access to processing technologies, marketing strategies and market information. The objective of this paper is to explore how CIFOR research and capacity building implemented from 2000 have been perceived by Cameroonian traders. An evaluation of the program took place in 2006 with thirty-eight traders out of seventy-two traders trained. Of the traders initially interviewed, 95 percent of them were women. Eighty-one percent of traders said their incomes increased as a result of the training received, 11 percent of traders mentioned a negative impact and 8 percent reported no impact. The average increase in income for those who benefited was 55 percent. The quantity of, and revenues obtained from, NTFPs increased from 2003 to 2004, but declined in 2005. These changes were related to decline or growth in gathering NTFPs, changes in demand, increased competition in the marketplace and poor health of the traders. The revenue gained from NTFPs was used for basic household needs—school fees, food and health costs. Investments in home improvements and household goods were also popular, but many traders also invested in phones, televisions and radios. These results indicate that a capacity building programme could reduce the constraints faced by traders by providing them with marketing information, accounting tools and processing and storage technology skills. A cost effective market information system could then be developed and scaled up.
INVESTIGATION OF INJECTION FOR THE LOW-EMITANCE LATTICE WITH NEW 6.25Ω KICKER MAGNET SYSTEM AT THE PHOTON FACTORY

We installed a 6. 25Ω travelling-wave kicker magnet in the Photon Factory to obtain a wide acceptance for the injected beam into the low-emittance lattice. We investigated the injection for the low-emitace lattice of the Photon Factory with this kicker magnet. Since we have a SR monitor which source point is inside of injection bump, we used this monitor for the investigation of the injection. The pulse shape of the injection bump is measured by the imaging system with high-speed gated camera in the SR monitor by using a stored beam. The result of the pulse shape was agreed with the one by using a result of magnetic field measurement. An instantaneous beam profile of the injected beam was observed in turn by turn by using the same focusing system. We measure the turn by turn position of the injected beam from this observation. A smear out of coherent oscillation by nonlinear effect is also obserbed
Dicke phase transition without total spin conservation

We develop a fermionic path-integral formalism to analyze the phase diagram of open nonequilibrium systems. The formalism is applied to analyze an ensemble of two-level atoms interacting with a single-mode optical cavity, described by the Dicke model. While this model is often used as the paradigmatic example of a phase transition in driven-dissipative systems, earlier theoretical studies were limited to the special case when the total spin of the atomic ensemble is conserved. This assumption is not justified in most experimental realizations. Our approach allows us to analyze the problem in a more general case, including the experimentally relevant case of dissipative processes that act on each atom individually and do not conserve the total spin. We obtain a general expression for the position of the transition, which contains as special cases the two previously known regimes: (i) nonequilibrium systems with losses and conserved spin and (ii) closed systems in thermal equilibrium and with the Gibbs-ensemble averaging over the values of the total spin. We perform a detailed study of different types of baths and point out the possibility of a surprising nonmonotonic dependence of the transition on the baths' parameters.
Evaluation of Immune Responses to Influenza Vaccination in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Given that viral infections are common triggers for exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), current clinical guidelines recommend that all patients receive annual influenza vaccinations. A detailed examination of the immune response to vaccination in COPD has not previously been undertaken, so this study aimed to compare immune responses to influenza vaccination between COPD patients and healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty one COPD patients and fourteen healthy subjects were recruited and cellular immune function was assessed pre- and post- vaccination with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Results: One month after vaccination, H1N1 specific antibody titres were significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy controls (p=0.02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that post vaccination antibody titres were independently associated with COPD, but not with age or smoking status. Innate immune responses to the vaccine preparation did not differ between the two populations. Serum concentrations of IL-21, a cytokine that is important for B cell development and antibody synthesis, were also lower in COPD patients than in healthy subjects (p<0.01). In vitro functional differences were also observed, with fewer proliferating B cells expressing CD27 (p=0.04) and reduced T-cell IFN-γ synthesis (p<0.01) in COPD patients, relative to healthy subjects. Conclusions: In conclusion, COPD was associated with altered immune responses to influenza vaccination compared to healthy controls with reductions in both T-cell and B-cell function. These findings provide a foundation for future research aimed at optimising the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in COPD.
Testing for normality in the multi-group problem: is this a good practice?

One of the validity conditions of classical test statistics (e.g., the ANOVA F-test) is that data be normally distributed in the populations. When this derivational assumption does not hold classical test statistics can be prone to falsely rejecting too often and/or fail to reject when the null hypothesis is false. Thus, many authors have recommended that researchers routinely check that the assumption of normality is satisfied. The findings regarding the power of normality tests are mixed. That is, some authors believe that tests for normality lack power to detect non-normality in the data; others however, have found that some tests for non-normality are quite effective in detecting non-normal data. The purpose of our study was to re-examine this question but in the multi-group problem. We found that two of the goodness-of-fit statistics, the Anderson-Darling and Cramer-von Mises tests were quite effective in detecting non-normality over a large number of non-normal data conditions with sample sizes that were not unreasonably large, particularly if a wiser choice is made regarding the level of significance (e.g., α = 15 or α = 20). We also demonstrate how overall Type I error control can be maintained over the multiple tests for normality with a sequentially-rejective Bonferroni procedure.
Effect of an improved cookstove on indoor particulate matter, lung function and fuel efficiency of firewood users

Indoor air pollution increases morbidity and mortality of millions of lives especially among women and children in developing countries. A major source of indoor air pollution is biomass used as energy source during cooking. Improved cookstoves were therefore developed to reduce pollution from gases and particulate matter. The main objective was to assess the effect of an improved cookstove on indoor particulate matter concentration, lung function tests and fuel economy. A “before and after” study was carried out among 81 households who use firewood as source of fuel. Study area was Obiakpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt. Results showed a total of 81 households were studied and all were females. Sixty two (77%) had at least secondary education while 8 (10%) had no formal education. The age range was 21 to 81years and few respondents (14.8%) were aware of improved cookstove. There was significant reduction (32%) in the mean particulate matter concentration when improved cookstoves were used as cooking utensil compared to when traditional stoves were used (P = 0.02). The lung function of the respondents also improved when using the improved cookstove. Families spent three times on firewood when cooking with traditional tripod stoves than when cooking with
Single particle characterization of black carbon aerosols at a tropospheric alpine site in Switzerland

The refractory black carbon (rBC) mass, size distribution (190-720 nm) and mixing state in sub- micron aerosols were characterized from late February to March 2007 using a single particle incandescence method at the high alpine research station Jungfraujoch (JFJ), Switzer- land (46.33 N, 7.59 E, 3580 m a.s.l.). JFJ is a ground based location, which is at times exposed to continental free tro- pospheric air. A median mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of 10.2± 3.2 m 2 g 1 at = 630 nm was derived by compar- ing single particle incandescence measurements of black car- bon mass with continuous measurements of absorption co- efficient. This value is comparable with other estimates at this location. The aerosols measured at the site were mostly well mixed and aged during transportation via the free tro- posphere. Pollutant sources were traced by air mass back trajectories, trace gases concentrations and the mass load- ing of rBC. In southeasterly wind directions, mixed or con- vective weather types provided the potential to vent polluted boundary layer air from the southern Alpine area and indus- trial northern Italy, delivering enhanced rBC mass loading and CN concentrations to the JFJ. The aerosol loadings at this site were also significantly influenced by precipitation, which led to the removal of rBC from the atmosphere. Precipi- tation events were shown to remove about 65% of the rBC mass from the free tropospheric background reducing the mean loading from 13± 5 ng m 3 to 6± 2 ng m 3 (corrected
Comparative Evaluation of Feed Conversion Efficiency and Mortality Rate of Two Broiler Strains under the Same Dietary Conditions

This study is aimed at comparing the feed conversion efficiency and mortality rate of Hubbard and Arboracre commercial broiler chicks treated under the same dietary and environmental condition. A total of 200 broiler chicks comprising of one 100 Hubbard and one hundred Arboracre strains were used in the comparative evaluation of their feed conversion efficiency and mortality rate from day old to 56 days (8 weeks) of age. Body weight was taken three times in a week. Feed intakes as well as the mortality rate were taken daily. Data obtained from body weight and feed intake were computed statistically to obtain the feed conversion efficiency. Hubbard broiler strain shows the feed conversion efficiency of 111.6247±2.8487, 82.35±1.0879, 58.72±0.75536 and 45.4407±0.80352 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age while Aboracre strain attained the feed conversion efficiency of 114.615±4.1562, 89.105±2.79432, 75.8299±0.75536 and 54.3710±0.80352 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. Hubbard broiler strain has the mortality rate of 17.5% while arboracre strain has the mortality rate of 26.5% at 8 weeks of age. Under the same management system, arboracre strain showed superiority in feed conversion efficiency and mortality rate over Hubbard strain.
Meteorological extremes and their variability on different time scales

The analysis of extremes is of increasing importance in meteorological science. This is mainly due to the associated damages caused by the events and the expected changes going along with changing climate conditions. Extremes are of relevance in different fields and can be classified by the time scale of the generating processes. This circumstance complicates the analysis, beside their inherent rareness.These complications have to be overcome with adequate methods and the following are applied: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), extreme value statistics and extreme event return time analysis. This study contributes to the description of extreme events. The more technical oriented part discusses shortcomings of the applied methods and resolves them partly.The impact of climate variability and climate change on frequency and intensity of the extremes is analyzed for Icelandic precipitation and North Atlantic cyclones. Further, extreme event return time properties are investigated in long-term memory processes near 1/f.
Constraints on the shallow velocity structure of the Lucky Strike Volcano, Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, from downward continued multichannel streamer data

The shallow velocity structure of the Lucky Strike segment of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge is investigated using seismic refraction and reflection techniques applied to downward continued multichannel streamer data. We present a three‐dimensional velocity model beneath the Lucky Strike Volcano with unprecedented spatial resolutions of a few hundred meters. These new constraints reveal large lateral variations in P wave velocity structure beneath this feature. Throughout the study area, uppermost crustal velocities are significantly lower than those inferred from lower resolution ocean bottom seismometer studies, with the lowest values (1.8–2.2 km/s) found beneath the three central volcanic cones. Within the central volcano, distinct shallow units are mapped that likely represent a systematic process such as burial of older altered surfaces. We infer that the entire upper part of the central volcano is young relative to the underlying median valley floor and that there has been little increase in the layer 2A velocities since emplacement. Layer 2A thins significantly across the axial valley bounding faults likely as the result of footwall uplift. The upper crustal velocities increase with age, on average, at a rate of ~0.875 km/s/Myr, similar to previous measurements at fast‐spreading ridges, suggesting hydrothermal sealing of small‐scale porosity is progressing at normal to enhanced rates.
Aortic Stenosis and Non-Cardiac Surgery

Advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques associated with closer perioperative monitoring appear to allow non-cardiac elective surgical procedures possible with acceptable risk in patients with severe aortic stenosis. A correct diagnosis of the severity of aortic stenosis is mandatory in preoperative evaluation of these patients. Recent published data suggest that at least for “asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis” patients with preserved LV systolic function and no other significant valvular pathology, a reappraisal of the grading of the severity of AS in general and reassessment of perioperative risk during elective non-cardiac surgery is needed.
Merger Integration Patterns, Status of Pre-Merger Organizations, Stress, and Employee Health Post- Combination

Within M&As, the present study was based on the social identity approach (SIA) and stress theory implications to propose a comprehensive model of the effects of intergroup- (i.e., status of pre-merger organizations, merger integration pattern) and individual-level parameters (work stress) on workers’ physical and psychological health post-combination. Data were collected from 140 Greek employees at two merged organizations. Path analysis indicated that high status of pre-merger organizations was related to reduced stress and better physical and psychological health. Absorb as opposed to transformation pattern was linked to increased stress and worse physical and psychological health post-merger, while post-merger stress mediated the relationship between intergroup-level variables and physical and psychological health. Current findings are discussed under theoretical developments and practical implications for organizational change.
Plant Nutrient Competition Between Weeds and Corn1

RECENTLY the idea has been advanced that clean cultivation of field corn is not necessary and perhaps not even desirable (2, 3, 6 j . Proponents of growing corn without cultivating, point out that the accompanying weed growth controls soil erosion and adds additional organic matter to the soil. By using a specially designed mulch planter, the usual operations in seedbed preparation of plowing, discing, and harrowing are eliminated. Although heavier rates of fertilization are required to supply the nutritional requirements of both th,corn and the weeds, the additional cost of the fertilizer is more than offset by savings made in eliminating certain tillage operations. Thus far, few investigations have been carried out to measure the added requirements of weeds for essential nutrients as well as for moisture, when growing in association with corn plants. Previous investigations by the authors ( 5 ) concerning the extent to which common weeds compete with cultural plants for essential plant nutrients, raised serious doubts in their minds about the possibility, to say nothing of the practicability, of meeting the nutritive requirements of cultural plants growing in association with weeds simply by the addition of more fertilizer. The objective of these experiments was to gather som quantitative data relative to this point, particularly with regard to varying rates of phosphate fertilization.
Epithelial-mesenchymal axis in head and neck cancer cell lines

Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous tumour type which necessitates multiple invitro models to attain an appreciation of its multiple subtypes. The phenomenon of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) isimportant to the development of a metastatic cancer cell phenotype being relevant to the ability of cancer cells to intravasate intovasculature and to invade tissues. The role of EMT in human papilloma virus (HPV) positive HNSCC is not well understood. Thispaper aims to characterize seven HNSCC cell lines (FaDu, SCC-25, SCC-15, CAL27, RPMI2650) including two new HPV-16positive HNSCC cell lines (UD-SCC2, 93-VU-147T) for their epithelial and mesenchymal properties. Materials and methods: A panel of HNSCC cell lines from multiple head and neck anatomical sites were profiled for basalexpression of epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics at mRNA, protein and functional levels (proliferative, migratory andinvasive properties). Furthermore, 3D spheroid forming capabilities were investigated. Results: We found that the HPV-16 positive cell line, in particular UD-SCC2 demonstrated a more invasive and mesenchymalphenotype at the molecular and functional levels suggesting HPV infection may mediate some of these cellular properties.Moreover, HPV-negative cell lines were not strictly epithelial presenting with a dynamic range of expression. Conclusions: This study presents the molecular and phenotypic diversity of HNSCC cell lines. It highlights the need formore studies in this field and a scoring system where HNSCC cell lines are ranked according to their respective epithelial andmesenchymal nature. This data will be useful to anyone modelling HNSCC behaviour, providing a molecular context which willenable them to decipher cell phenotypes and to develop therapies which block EMT progression.
The Saving-Inflation Puzzle: Explaining their Relationship in Ethiopia

The objective of this study is to show the effect of inflation on savings in a Small open economy Ethiopia for the period 1974-2014 using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and ECM. The result of Cointegration test, using ARDL bounds testing approach, indicates the existence of long run relationship among the variables entered in the regression model and between inflation and national saving . To explores the direction of causality between inflation and National saving Granger Causality test has been employed. The direction of causation test indicated the existence of unidirectional causality running from inflation to saving, but saving does not granger causes inflation. Further, the long run estimation result shows that there is significant positive effect of inflation on national saving in the long run and insignificant negative effect in the short run.