Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern of induced estrus and conception rate following Ovsynch and Ovsynch based gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatments initiated on day 6 of estrous cycle in repeat breeding crossbred cows

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the estrus response, incidence of accessory corpus luteum formation and fertility following different hormonal protocols in repeat breeding crossbred cows. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 24 repeat breeding crossbred cows allotted into four groups. Cows of Group I was not given any treatment, Group II was treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection on day 6 post-estrus, Group III was treated with Ovsynch protocol, and Group IV was treated with Ovsynch based GnRH treatment. Estrus responses such as duration, onset, percentage, and intensity of estrus were recorded during the study. The incidence of accessory corpus luteum was recorded per rectally on day 7 after first and additional GnRH of Ovsynch treatment. The conception rate for all groups was calculated by the absence of estrus and on day 45 after artificial insemination (AI) per rectum. Serum samples were collected at AI and day 12 post-AI in Group I and II. Serum samples were also collected at GnRH, Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), timed AI (TAI) and day 12 post-TAI in Group III and IV. Results: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments are resulted in 100.00% induction of estrus after the PGF2α injection. Onset of induced estrus after the PGF2α injection for Group III and IV was recorded as 48.750±0.713 and 51.472±1.989 h, respectively, and it was not significant. There was no significant difference in duration of estrus among the groups. The incidence of intermediate estrus intensity was found to be highest. All the cows showed the incidence of formation of accessory corpus luteum subsequent to GnRH treatment on day 6 of the estrous cycle in Group II, III, and IV. The conception rate was 0.00%, 16.67%, 50.00%, and 50.00% in Group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Conclusion: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments initiated on day 6 of estrous cycle capable of responding with a higher percentage of ovulation and formation of accessory corpus luteum which helped in higher conception rate over single post-AI GnRH treatment in repeat breeders. These treatments responded with better estrus response but did not significantly improve estrus intensity.
Cryptic 13q34 and 4q35.2 Deletions in an Italian Family

Variations of DNA sequences in the human genome range from large, microscopically visible chromosome anomalies to single nucleotide changes. Submicroscopic genomic copy number variations, i.e. chromosomal imbalances which are undetectable by conventional cytogenetic analysis, play an intriguing clinical role. In this study, we describe the clinical consequences of the concurrent presence of an interstitial deletion in 13q34 and a terminal deletion in 4q35.2 in an Italian family. The index patient, a 19-year-old male, as well as his 12-year-old sister are carriers of both deletions, one of maternal and the other of paternal origin. The phenotype includes language delay, multiorgan involvement and bleeding diathesis with mild deficiency of factors X and VII. In the sister, the concomitant presence of Noonan syndrome may partly explain the clinical symptoms. The deleted region on chromosome 13 involves several genes (ATP11A, MCF2L, F7, F10, PROZ, PCID2, CUL4A, and LAMP1); some of these seem to play a role in the proband's phenotype. The terminal deletion in 4q35.2 contains other OMIM genes (FRG1, FRG2 and DBET); moreover, the 4q region is reported as a susceptibility locus for Crohn's disease, diagnosed in the proband's father. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a family with these 2 submicroscopic copy number changes. We tried to relate the clinical phenotype of the proband and his family to the molecular function of the involved genes.
Low Velocity Impact on Laminates Reinforced with Polyethylene and Aramidic Fibres

The present study reports low velocity impact tests on composite laminate plates reinforced either with Kevlar 29 or Dyneema. The tests are produced using a Rosand Precision Impact tester. The experimental results obtained for Kevlar 29 are simulated numerically. The deflection history and the peak of the impact force are compared with experimental data and used to calibrate the numerical model. The first set considered low speed impact on Kevlar 29 laminates. The plates were made from prepreg fabric impregnated with vinylester resin, at a curing temperature of 125C, with eleven plies originating a thickness of 1.8mm. The second set of tests corresponds to low speed impact on plates reinforced with high tenacity polyethylene fibres, Dyneema, prossed with eight plies, and a thickness of 1.7 mm and real density of 150g/m. The plates were pressed with a thermoplastic stamilex film with a melting temperature of 120C. Averaged results indicated Young modulus E=3540MPa, failure stress u σ =289MPa and strain at failure u ε =5.6%. Thermoplastic matrices respond nonlinearly, cause higher damping and spread damage into larger regions than corresponding thermosetting matrices and are associated with significant damage on the tension face, even at low energies, and the strain on that face is believed to control damage initiation, but this property was less evident in tests, perhaps due to the ductility of the Dyneema matrix and its high toughness. The results obtained for impact tests on Kevlar 29 and Dyneema plates with different impact energy are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Characteristic values for impact on Kevlar 29 and Dyneema plates Material Dyneema Kevlar 29 Nominal energy at impact (J) 1 10 20 1 10 20 Maximum deflection (mm) Deflection peak time (ms) Maximum impact force (kN) Force at peak time (ms) 1.98 4.26 0.8 6.20 3.46 2.0 8.92 2.66 2.70 1.95 0.7 5.68 4.02 3.4 3.10 7.15 3.54 5.5 2.68 Transmitted force is considerably higher for Kevlar 29 as energy level increases. The deflection peak time values appear with some delay with respect to Dyneema, material that exhibits higher damping.
Comparison of patient-controlled analgesia in children by i.v. and s.c. routes of administration.

Sixty children undergoing appendicectomy were allocated randomly to receive one of two PCA regimens with morphine. Group IV received standard i.v. PCA with a bolus dose of morphine 20 micrograms kg-1 and a background infusion of 4 micrograms kg-1 h-1 while group SC received PCA by the s.c. route with a bolus dose of morphine 20 micrograms kg-1 and a background infusion of 5 micrograms kg-1 h-1. In both groups there was a lockout interval of 5 min. Group SC self-administered significantly less morphine (P < 0.05) and had a significantly (P < 0.01) greater percentage of valid demands for analgesia than group IV. There were no differences in pain scores between the groups at rest or during movement. Group IV suffered significantly (P < 0.01) more hypoxic episodes than group SC. There were no differences between groups in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting or oversedation. S.c. PCA appears to be as effective and safe as i.v. PCA. By giving patients feedback on the occurrence of valid demands for analgesia, s.c. PCA may produce more appropriate and effective use of PCA.
Distribution and abundance of marine microbes in the Southern Ocean between 30 and 80 1 E

Our study, as part of the Baseline Research on Oceanography, Krill and the Environment, West (BROKEWest) survey, emphasised the vital role of sea-ice retreat and upwelling in controlling the distribution, abundance and composition of marine microbial communities in the seasonal ice zone (SIZ). Autofluorescence or stains were used to detect the abundance of nanophytoplankton, heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), virus like particles (VLP) and bacteria by flow cytometry. Correlations among microbial concentrations were determined and cluster analysis was performed to group sites of similar microbial composition and abundance. Distance to sea ice was the primary determinant of nanophytoplankton abundance and nanophytoplankton contributed up to 84% of the phytoplankton carbon biomass where melting sea ice caused shallow summer mixed layer depths. To the north, nanophytoplankton abundance was generally low except adjacent to the Southern Boundary (SB). HNF and bacterial abundance was positively correlated with the abundance of nanophytoplankton. Cluster analysis identified 5 groups of sites over the BROKE-West survey area. Clusters 1-4 grouped sites of different successional maturity of the microbial community along the continuum between bloom formation and senescence. Maturity increased with distance from the sea ice and, in areas of upwelling, with time since the development of phytoplankton blooms. Sites in cluster 5 occurred at the northernmost extreme of the survey area and were typical of communities in high nutrient low chlorophyll (HNLC) waters of the permanent open-ocean zone (POOZ) where phytoplankton growth was matched by mortality and decomposition. Synoptic-scale studies in Antarctic waters are rare but provide vital information about the control of microbial productivity, abundance and distribution in the Southern Ocean. Our study, covering over 40% of the SIZ off East Antarctica, enhances our understanding of the synoptic-scale factors that determine the structure and function of the microbial loop. Crown Copyright & 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Low‐carbohydrate diets: nutritional and physiological aspects

Recently, diets low in carbohydrate content have become a matter of international attention because of the WHO recommendations to reduce the overall consumption of sugars and rapidly digestible starches. One of the common metabolic changes assumed to take place when a person follows a low‐carbohydrate diet is ketosis. Low‐carbohydrate intakes result in a reduction of the circulating insulin level, which promotes high level of circulating fatty acids, used for oxidation and production of ketone bodies. It is assumed that when carbohydrate availability is reduced in short term to a significant amount, the body will be stimulated to maximize fat oxidation for energy needs. The currently available scientific literature shows that low‐carbohydrate diets acutely induce a number of favourable effects, such as a rapid weight loss, decrease of fasting glucose and insulin levels, reduction of circulating triglyceride levels and improvement of blood pressure. On the other hand some less desirable immediate effects such as enhanced lean body mass loss, increased urinary calcium loss, increased plasma homocysteine levels, increased low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol have been reported. The long‐term effect of the combination of these changes is at present not known. The role of prolonged elevated fat consumption along with low‐carbohydrate diets should be addressed. However, these undesirable effects may be counteracted with consumption of a low‐carbohydrate, high‐protein, low‐fat diet, because this type of diet has been shown to induce favourable effects on feelings of satiety and hunger, help preserve lean body mass, effectively reduce fat mass and beneficially impact on insulin sensitivity and on blood lipid status while supplying sufficient calcium for bone mass maintenance. The latter findings support the need to do more research on this type of hypocaloric low‐carbohydrate diet.
An upgrade of the Italian catalogue of earthquake-induced ground failures CEDIT

An upgrade of the Italian catalogue (CEDIT) of ground failures triggered by earthquakes with epicentral intensity MMI-8 or greater occurred in the last millennium, is here presented. The ground effects include landslides, liquefaction, ground cracks, surface faulting and topographical changes. The first edition of the catalogue was released in 1997 and it included earthquakes up to 1980 A.D. The present release includes the following upgrades: the review of some relevant historical earthquakes (1805 Molise, 1905 Calabria, 1930 Southern Apennines, 1980 Irpinia); new data from recent earthquakes (1997 Umbria-Marche, 1998 Lauria, 2002 Molise and Palermo, 2009 L’Aquila); new parameters from the database of seismogenic sources (INGV-DISS3, 2010); references to the most recent lithological map of Italy by the National Environmental Institute (ISPRA); new location indexes from the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). Moreover, new statistical distribution of effects vs. geological and seismogenic features were derived as well as new relationships between earthquake magnitude and intensity vs. maximum expected distances for different ground failures.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SPEAKING ANXIETY AMONG ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN A MALAYSIAN TERTIARY CONTEXT

This research set out to establish gender differences in speaking anxiety among Malaysian tertiary ESL (English as a Second Language) learners. Another objective is to determine the level of speaking anxiety among tertiary students in the ESL classroom. The ESL speaking anxiety constructs in this research include psychological anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, socialenvironmental factor, English classroom language anxiety, and perception factor. Responses from 237 (149 females) undergraduate students at a Malaysian university were collected using a structured questionnaire modified from the FLCAS (Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale) which was developed by Horwitz, Horwitz and Cope (1986). The participants of this survey were asked to rate each of the statements in the 32-item questionnaire using a five-point Likert-type scale in which 1 refers to strongly disagree, 2 disagree, 3 neutral, 4 agree, and 5 strongly agree. Results from the research show that Malaysian tertiary ESL students experienced a moderate level of speaking anxiety. The research findings also corroborate the hypothesis that female tertiary ESL students display a higher level of speaking anxiety than their male peers. The results also prove that female students are more worried about negative evaluation and experience more psychological anxiety in the ESL classroom. Additionally, the research findings also affirm that there is no significant difference between female and male students on ESL speaking anxiety in relation to three affective factors, i.e. English classroom speaking anxiety, social-environmental factor, and perception factor. To some extent, the findings could be of some use to instructors/ lecturers teaching the ESL proficiency courses at the universities, both locally and abroad. This study could potentially help L2 teachers in embracing a less anxiety-inducing atmosphere in the classroom. The research findings could be used as a guide in the preparation of effective instructional materials, and in adopting appropriate strategies to allow students cope with speaking anxiety in the ESL classroom. The results from this investigation should have profound pedagogical implications to the ESL practitioner at the university. This research also contributes to the literature not only on speaking anxiety in ESL classrooms among Malaysian tertiary ESL learners, but has also added new anxiety provoking factors.
Linking ethical leadership to employees' performance: Mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior

The scandals in recent years due to unethical behavior of leaders have shaken the confidence of stakeholders in public and corporate sectors. The scholars and practitioners are increasingly concerned about ethical issues related to business but still theoretical and empirical developments are lacking. The purpose of present study is to find the relationship of ethical leadership and employees’ performance through mechanisms such as counterproductive work behavior and organizational citizenship behavior of employees. Drawing on social learning theory and social exchange theory, we propose that top management ethical leadership behavior (EL) contributes to employee’s performance (EP) by enhancing organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and reducing counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Sample to empirically test this framework includes participants such as principals, vice-principals, headmasters, and deputy headmasters of 107 educational institutions. Data were collected through questionnaires. Total questionnaires received were 237 out of 300 and 220 met the research criteria. The response rate was 79% out of which 90 were male and 130 were female participants. The results showed significant direct positive relationship between ethical leadership and employee’s performance. Additionally, results showed that counterproductive work behavior (CWB) partially mediated the relationship between ethical leadership behavior and employee’s performance. Interestingly, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) did not mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and employees’ performance. Present study will be a valuable addition to theory-based empirical research in the of field ethical leadership effectiveness. Theoretical and practical implications are also presented at the end.
Researching the user experience for connected tv: a case study

This paper presents a Case Study of the BBC's recent research and development work into the user experience of Internet-Connected Television. User expectations and aspirations around their TV experiences are changing radically as the platform increasingly supplements broadcast network connectivity with IP connectivity. Despite the relative youth of the platform, it is clear that Connected TV and its users support and seek user experiences which are quite distinctive from web browsing on personal computers, or earlier forms of interactive TV platforms. We describe a number of the BBC's recent research projects developing knowledge and tools to support future user experiences for TV, ranging from typography to alternative input interfaces. In each case, we describe the motivation, the development approach and the empirical assessment of impact of the technology and experiences embodied by our prototypes.
A STUDY OF HEAT TRANSFER MECHANISMS AND FLOW CHARACTERISTICS FOR SINGLE RISING TAYLOR BUBBLES

The heat transfer enhancement due to slug flow has been widely studied both experimentally and numerically, yet identification of the main heat transfer mechanisms has been debated and little experimental evidence is available. In this work, an experimental study was undertaken to categorize the heat transfer distribution around a rising vapor Taylor bubble in co-current flow. It was seen that the largest heat transfer contribution was due to turbulent mixing in the bubble wake caused by vortex shedding at the bubble tail. Results for bubble velocity show modest agreement with correlations at low liquid velocities, but deviate as the liquid velocity increases. Thickness measurements for developed liquid films correspond well with correlations.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) An inventory of evaluation studies of information technology in health care trends in evaluation research 1982-2002

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ADOPTION OF IMPROVED OIL PALM PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AMONG FARMERS IN ABOH MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE

The work studied the adoption of improved oil palm production technologies among farmers in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo state in 2010. The study was prompted by the decline in the level of production of oil palm in the area. Eighty (80) farmers from four randomly selected communities were interviewed. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from them. Analytical tools used included simple percentages and regression analysis. Results showed that oil palm production was dominated by male farmers. Majority of them were within the ages of 41-50 years. Improved technology adoption was poor, All the farmers harvest their mature fruits with matchets , while processing was commonly done locally. None of the farmers used chemical weed control. The regression results showed that gender , educational level , total farm size amongst other variables had a positive relationship to the adoption of improved technology ,while age and house-hold size had negative effects. Major constraints included small farm size, lack of fund, poor extension contacts amongst others. It was recommended for governments to strengthen the informal education programmes, motivate extension personnel for increased efficiency and cause banks to increase its lending to the agricultural sub-sector.
A High-Affinity Ca 2 1 Pump , ECA 1 , from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Is Inhibited by Cyclopiazonic Acid but Not by Thapsigargin 1

To identify and characterize individual Ca pumps, we have expressed an Arabidopsis ECA1 gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum-type Ca-ATPase homolog in the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant K616. The mutant (pmc1pmr1cnb1) lacks a Golgi and a vacuolar membrane Ca pump and grows very poorly on Ca-depleted medium. Membranes isolated from the mutant showed high H/Ca-antiport but no Ca-pump activity. Expression of ECA1 in endomembranes increased mutant growth by 10to 20-fold in Ca-depleted medium. Ca pumping into vesicles from ECA1 transformants was detected after the H/Ca-antiport activity was eliminated with bafilomycin A1 and gramicidin D. The pump had a high affinity for Ca (Km 5 30 nM) and displayed two affinities for ATP (Km of 20 and 235 mM). Cyclopiazonic acid, a specific blocker of animal sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, inhibited Ca transport (50% inhibition dose 5 3 nmol/mg protein), but thapsigargin (3 mM) did not. Transport was insensitive to calmodulin. These results suggest that this endoplasmic reticulum-type Ca-ATPase could support cell growth in plants as in yeast by maintaining submicromolar levels of cytosolic Ca and replenishing Ca in endomembrane compartments. This study demonstrates that the yeast K616 mutant provides a powerful expression system to study the structure/function relationships of Ca pumps from eukaryotes.
Aripiprazole in combination with lamotrigine for the long‐term treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed): a randomized, multicenter, double‐blind study (CN138‐392)

Carlson BX, Ketter TA, Sun W, Timko K, McQuade RD, Sanchez R, Vester‐Blokland E, Marcus R. Aripiprazole in combination with lamotrigine for the long‐term treatment of patients with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed): a randomized, multicenter, double‐blind study (CN138‐392). Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 41–53. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Does participative leadership enhance work performance by inducing empowerment or trust? The differential effects on managerial and non‐managerial subordinates

We examined whether participative leadership behavior is associated with improved work performance through a motivational process or an exchange-based process. Based on data collected from 527 employees from a Fortune 500 company, we found that the link between superiors' participative leadership behaviors and subordinates' task performance and organizational citizenship behavior toward organizations (OCBO) was mediated by psychological empowerment (motivational mediator) for managerial subordinates. Yet, for non-managerial subordinates such as supporting and front-line employees, the impact of participative leadership on task performance and OCBO was mediated by trust-in-supervisor (exchange-based mediator). Implications for theories and practices are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.