Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Chito-oligosaccharide Supplementation on Immunity in Broiler Chickens*

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of either 100 mg/kg chito- oligosaccharide (COS) or chlortetracycline (CTC) with corn-soybean-fish meal on immunity in broiler chickens. A total of 147 one-day old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 7 replicate pens per treatment and 7 birds per pen. The experimental diets consisted of a control diet based on corn, soybean and fish meal without COS and any antibiotic supplement and similar diets supplemented with either CTC (80 mg/kg from d 1 to 21 and 50 mg/kg from d 22 to 42) or COS (100 mg/kg from d 1 to 42). During the entire experimental period, all birds had ad libitum access to diets and water. The main immune organ indices, T- lymphocyte proliferation, serum cytokine concentrations, serum NO level and serum iNOS activity were measured on d 21 and d 42. On d 21, broilers fed 100 mg/kg COS had improved (p<0.01) indices of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius compared with the control and CTC birds. Birds receiving 100 mg/kg COS had higher (p<0.05) serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IgM, NO and iNOS than birds on the control treatment. Serum Ca 2+ level of birds fed 100 mg/kg COS tended to be higher (p = 0.049) than in birds fed CTC. On d 42, the birds fed 100 mg/kg COS had higher (p<0.05) concentrations of TNF-α and IgM in serum than birds in both the CTC and control treatments. Birds fed 100 mg/kg COS had a higher concentration of IFN-γ than the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of COS appeared to improve the immunity of broilers by promoting the weight of the main immune organs, increasing IgM secretion, stimulating microphages to release TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ, and activating iNOS to induce NO. (Key Words : Chito- oligosaccharide (CTC), Immune Organ Indices, Cytokines, NO, Broiler)
Construction of a New Predictive Model and Scoring System forHypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

Objective: To construct a new predictive model and scoring system for hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy by using a combination of simple clinical variables that can easily be obtained at antenatal visit, and evaluate its clinical diagnostic value. Study design: Included in this study were 2,466 nulliparous pregnant women at the gestational age of 16~20 weeks who came to our hospital for the first antenatal visit between 2011 and 2013. They were classified as a derivation cohort (n=1,421) and a validation cohort (n=1,045). A predictive model was developed from a logistic regression model, scoring system was developed by using the regression coefficients obtained from the new model and then internally and externally validated. Results: The predictive model comprised 8 variables: body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), drinking history, gestational diabetes, occupational physical activity, family history of hypertension, platelet count (PLT) and uric acid (UA), with a scoring system ranging from 0 to 13. The risk of HDCP in participants with low-risk (≤ 4 scores) or high-risk (>4 scores) in the validation cohort was 4.5% and 24.4% respectively (P<0.001), indicating that the predictive model had good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.783), 95% confidence interval (0.746, 0.820) and calibration (P=0.745). The sensitivity and specificity were 76.6% and 67.7% respectively. Conclusion: We have developed and validated a new predictive model comprising 8 variables: BMI, MAP, drinking history, gestational diabetes, occupational physical activity, family history of hypertension, PLT and UA. Due to cost/ effectiveness and cost/utility, the new model can be applied to clinical screening of HDCP.
The replacement of diminutive suffixes in the New High German period

This article addresses the replacement of the diminutive form ‑lein by ‑chen as the leading suffix in written German during the New High German period. A large sample of diminutives from 1600–1900, retrieved from the DTA corpus, forms the basis of this investigation. The study aims to provide a detailed periodization of the replacement process with regard to both types and tokens. By using methods from computational linguistics and time series analysis, clear patterns of language variation and change are demonstrated; these patterns are to some extent interrelated and staggered throughout time. The study additionally shows that there are transfers between genres that coincide with the transition from ‑lein to ‑chen. This indicates that the replacement is due to a strengthening of the semantic effort of the diminutive suffix. Finally, information regarding the writers’ origins is used to map the areal distribution of diminutive forms over time. The maps illustrate the importance of geography as a factor, particularly in the initial phase of the replacement; however, it seems to be without any impact by the end of the 19th century. In doing so, the study offers a particular framework for the analysis of word formation based on historical corpora.
Development of Digital Storytelling-Based Science Teaching Materials to Improve Students’ Metacognitive Ability

This study aims to produce digital-based storytelling teaching materials of natural science that can facilitate the students to be able to explore the object of science learning deeply and to improve their metacognitive ability. This research is development research. The samples used are four teachers and 40 junior high school students. The technique of gathering data employed a testing method, documentation study, and questionnaire. Validation is done to determine the feasibility of teaching materials. The research result of the improvement of students’ metacognitive ability is measured by using the testing method in the form of pretest and posttest. Pretest and posttest data were analyzed by N-gain and t-test of significance. The result of the research shows that the average percentage of validation result of media expert and material expert is 97,70% and 95,16%. According to experts, all developed products are very feasible to use. The results of metacognitive enhancement (N-gain) for levels 1 to 5 respectively were 0.36; 0.56; 0.49; 0.45 and 0.39. The results of significance test showed that the t-count 7.65 and t-table of 2.03 which that the mean improvement of the metacognitive ability of students is significant. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the teaching materials based on digital storytelling are feasible to be used to improve students’ metacognitive ability.
Workplace stress in the construction industry: an explanatory model

The construction industry is noted for high levels of occupational stress, particularly among professional workers. Using data from 676 architects, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and project and construction managers responding to an on-line survey in South Africa, an integrated conceptual model of occupational stress is proposed. Structural equation modeling is used to test the model iteratively. The results of the final model indicate that: psychological, physiological and sociological strain effects are the terminal consequences of occupational stress; organizational climate is largely determined by gender and job demand, control and support; age, gender, control and organizational climate are predictors of discrimination; psychological distress is predicted by age, job demand and control factors, and organizational climate; sociological stress is determined by age, job demands, discrimination and psychological distress; and age, and sociological and psychological stress effects manifest themselves as predictors of physiological stress effects. Construction employers should regularly review workload allocations, empower employees, foster a supportive work environment, conduct stress appraisals, and hold stress management workshops.
A Comparison of Bat Activity in a Managed Central Hardwood Forest

Abstract. Bats exploit forest resources based on species-specific adaptations, resulting in differences in activity across forested landscapes. Forest management practices alter forests, impacting species differently and presumably affecting bat activity. Application of forest management that promotes species-specific bat conservation requires further understanding of bat response to silvicultural practices. We surveyed timber harvest treatments on two Indiana State Forests to compare bat activity across forest management treatments, in forests adjacent to harvests, and at locations across the harvest-forest gradient from May to July in 2013 and 2014. We used Wildlife Acoustics Song Meter SM2BAT+ detectors and Kaleidoscope Pro analysis software to survey bats in relation to four treatment types: clear cut, patch cut, shelterwood preparatory cut, and intact forest. Detectors were deployed at two points within each treatment and three points on the forested periphery of treatments and recorded for three consecutive nights. We examined bat activity using N-mixture models that estimate abundance and probability of detection for an open population and used Akaike's Information Criterion to select the best models. Based on identification of acoustic calls, eastern red bats and hoary bats were more active in harvest treatments than control treatments. Big brown, eastern red, and tri-colored bats were most active at harvest edges. Northern long-eared and Indiana/little brown bats were most active at harvest edges and in adjacent forest and hoary bats were most active at harvest centers. Differences in bat activity across these managed forests suggest bat assemblages benefit from management that employs an array of silvicultural methods, provides edge habitat, and maintains adjacent forest stands. Our results can be used to predict effects of forest management practices on species-specific bat activity to maximize bat usage of forests.
An investigation on the effects of conservatism on reducing risk of stock market investment: A case study of Tehran Stock Exchange

Article history: Received May 12, 2013 Received in revised format 25 June 2013 Accepted 27 June 2013 Available online June 28 2013 Accounting conservatism limits managerial incentive and ability to overstate performance and hide bad news from investors, which, in turn, reduces stock price crash risk. This study examines relationship between conservatism on financial reports and risk of stock price crash. Using a sample of 54 listed firms in Tehran Stock Exchange over the period of 2006–2010 and panel logistic regression, we examine different hypotheses. The results indicate that accounting conservatism, as measured by Khan and Watts (2009) CSCORE [Khan, M. , & Watts, R. L. (2009). Estimation and empirical properties of a firm-year measure of accounting conservatism. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 48(2), 132-150. ], reduces the likelihood of a firm experiencing stock price crashes. The finding holds after controlling other variables such as: negative skewness of firm-specific-weekly return, standard deviation of firm-specific-weekly return, the mean of firm-specific-weekly return, detrend share turnover, size, market to book value of equity ratio, total debt ratio and return on asset ratio, but we did not observe any relationship between these variables during stock price crash. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Identification, Characterization, and Linkage Mapping in Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an important seed crop throughout the Andean region of South America. It is important as a regional food security crop for millions of impoverished rural inhabitants of the Andean Altiplano (high plains). Efforts to improve the crop have led to an increased focus on genetic research. We report the identification of 14,178 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a genomic reduction protocol as well as the development of 511 functional SNP assays. The SNP assays are based on KASPar genotyping chemistry and were detected using the Fluidigm dynamic array platform. A diversity screen of 113 quinoa accessions showed that the minor allele frequency (MAF) of the SNPs ranged from 0.02 to 0.50, with an average MAF of 0.28. Structure analysis of the quinoa diversity panel uncovered the two major subgroups corresponding to the Andean and coastal quinoa ecotypes. Linkage mapping of the SNPs in two recombinant inbred line populations produced an integrated linkage map consisting of 29 linkage groups with 20 large linkage groups, spanning 1404 cM with a marker density of 3.1 cM per SNP marker. The SNPs identified here represent important genomic tools needed in emerging plant breeding programs for advanced genetic analysis of agronomic traits in quinoa.
Building the Peanut: Simulations and Observations of Peanut-shaped Structures and Ansae in Face-on Disk Galaxies

Peanut/x-shaped features observed in a significant fraction of disk galaxies are thought to have formed from vertically buckled bars. Despite being three-dimensional structures, they are preferentially detected in near edge-on projection. Only a few galaxies are found to have displayed such structures when their disks are relatively face-on—suggesting that either they are generally weak in face-on projection or many may be hidden by the light of their galaxy’s face-on disk. Here, we report on three (collisionless) simulated galaxies displaying peanut-shaped structures when their disks are seen both face-on and edge-on—resembling a three-dimensional peanut or dumbbell. Furthermore, these structures are accompanied by ansae and an outer ring at the end of the bar—as seen in real galaxies such as IC 5240. The same set of quantitative parameters used to measure peanut structures in real galaxies has been determined for the simulated galaxies, and a broad agreement is found. In addition, the peanut length grows in tandem with the bar, and is a maximum at half the length of the bar. Beyond the cutoff of these peanut structures, toward the end of the bar, we discover a new positive/negative feature in the B6 radial profile associated with the isophotes of the ansae/ring. Our simulated, self-gravitating, three-dimensional peanut structures display cylindrical rotation even in the near-face-on disk projection. In addition, we report on a kinematic pinch in the velocity map along the bar minor axis, matching that seen in the surface density map.
Modeling of Human Arm Energy Expenditure for Predicting Energy Optimal Trajectories

Human arm motion can inspire the trajectory planning of anthropomorphic robotic arms to achieve energyecient movements. An approach for predicting metabolic cost in the planar human arm motion by means of the biomechanical simulation is proposed in this work. Two biomechanical models, including an analytical model and a musculoskeletal model, are developed to implement the proposed approach. The analytical model is developed by modifying a human muscle expenditure model, in which the muscles are grouped as torque providers for computation eciency. In the musculoskeletal model, the predication of metabolic cost is conducted on the basis of individual muscles. With the proposed approach, metabolic costs for parameterized target-reaching arm motions are calculated and utilized to identify optimal arm trajectories.
Evidence to Support Multifactor Asset Pricing Models: The Case of The Istanbul Stock Exchange

The objective of this study is to test, instead of the single factor CAPM, the power of three factor, four factor and five factor models to explain stock returns for the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE). The test results of all models in the ISE indicate that the models are applicable. During the period covering July 1992-June 2011 it is consequently established that, in addition to the market risk, size, book to market ratio, momentum and liquidity factors also constitute significant risk factors that affect the expected stock returns in the ISE and that the risk premiums belonging to these five factors are priced by the market.
A connection between the instability strips of ZZ Ceti and V777 Herculis white dwarfs. Pulsating accreting GW Lib white dwarfs

Aims. We aim to determine the theoretical instability strips of white dwarfs with diverse H and He content in their atmospheres, from a solar composition to a H-depleted atmosphere. Pulsators with mixed H-He atmospheres are indeed known to exist, and these are the white dwarfs in cataclysmic accreting systems of the GW Lib type. We thus also aim to determine the range of periods of excited pulsation modes, and to qualitatively compare these to the observed periods in GW Lib white dwarf pulsators. Methods. In the first full nonadiabatic stability analysis of pulsators of this kind, we applied a time-dependent convection treatment and an energy leakage argument to compute, for cooling models of white dwarfs with various masses and envelope compositions, the location of the blue and the red edges, as well as the properties of pulsation modes. Results. We find that our derived instability strips form a true continuum in the log g-Teff plane and that their individual location depends uniquely on the assumed atmospheric composition, from the solar composition models at low effective temperatures to the H-depleted models at much higher temperatures. Taking into account our previous results from the ZZ Ceti (pure H atmosphere) and V777 Her (pure He atmosphere) white dwarf pulsators, this implies that all of these instability domains are connected via the same fundamental driving mechanism. Applying our results to the case of white dwarf pulsators of the GW Lib type, we find that our theoretical instability strips can qualitatively account for all of the known cases. The computed range of periods of excited modes also compares qualitatively very well to the observed ones. Conclusions. The GW Lib pulsators are very similar in nature to ZZ Ceti and V777 Her white dwarfs. It is the diverse chemical compositions in their atmosphere and envelope that defines their specific pulsation properties. Beyond GW Lib pulsators, white dwarfs can sometimes exhibit mixed H-He atmospheres, such as in the recently found proto-He white dwarf pulsators. Our results open the way towards quantitative asteroseismology of these various kinds of white dwarfs.
Tourmaline 40Ar/39Ar chronology of tourmaline-rich rocks from Central Iberia dates the main Variscan deformation phases

During crustal thickening, metapelites taken to depth release boron-bearing hydrothermal fluids because of progressive heating and dehydration. These fluids swiftly percolate upwards, especially if the crust is being actively deformed, to form tourmaline where the PT conditions and the chemical composition of the host-rock are favorable. The age of the so-formed tourmaline would record the age of the upward admittance of B-bearing fluids and, presumably, the age of the deformation. This process has been documented in the Martinamor Antiform of Central Iberia, a region where tourmaline-bearing rocks are particularly abundant. Metasomatic tourmaline from the Late Cambrian San Pelayo orthogneisses (zircon U-Pb age of 496 ± 5 Ma) yielded 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages at 370 ± 5 Ma and 342 ± 5 Ma. The first value represents the crystallization age of the tourmaline and is so far the most precise estimation of the age of crustal thickening in Central Iberia (D1). The second value reflects a partial loss of Ar caused by the second deformation phase (D2). Tourmaline from mylonitized and folded tourmalinites developed above D2 shear zones yield perturbed spectra with mean “plateau” ages of 347 ± 9 Ma and 342 ± 9 Ma which may represent either the resetting of older tourmaline or the formation of new tourmaline by focused boron metasomatism. After the metamorphic peak and simultaneously with the emplacement of the main granitoids of the Avila Batholith (310-315 Ma), another episode of boron metasomatism precipitated a new generation of tourmaline, which appears either concentrated in fine-layered tourmalinites (318 ± 2 Ma) or disseminated within Ediacaran-Cambrian metasediments (316 ± 2 Ma). The source of boron was the breakdown of previously formed tourmaline during melting reactions. Lastly, tourmaline from a leucogranitic body yielded a saddle-shaped age spectrum with a minimum age of ca. 296 Ma, roughly coeval with the youngest leucogranites. Although further work is required, our results suggest that tourmaline can be a useful chronological marker for dating deformation and magmatism.
Effect of tillage practices on soil physico-chemical characteristics and wheat straw yield

Tillage practices affect physico-chemical characteristics of soils and straw yield. Therefore, a field study was conducted for two years (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) with four tillage practices i.e., happy seeder (HS), roto –tillage (RT), no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Effect of these treatments was observed on soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon content (SOC), Av. N, P and K and straw yield of wheat in two soils i.e., sandy loam (SL) and loamy sand (LS) separately. Among tillage practices, the mean highest SOC was found under HS (3.44 g kg
Financial and Operative Cost Efficiency: Spanish Savings Banks in Pre-Crisis Period

With the aim of knowing if a relationship exists between cost inefficiency and instability of financial entities before the 2008 financial crisis, a stochastic frontier approach is applied to Spanish savings banks in the period (2002-2007). Moreover, translog financial and operative cost functions are estimated by Maximum-Likelihood to determine the influence of each field of cost efficiency on financial instability. The results show that biggest inefficiencies are associated with operative cost, so management policies should be specially oriented to reduction of physical capital. On the other hand, the financial covariates show that the most effective strategies in this field consist of looking for advantages in deposits market and increases in resources and in quality of assets through provisions.
Ovulatory response and embryo quality in Katahdin ewes supplemented with palm oil

The aims of this study were to evaluate the superovulatory response (SR), embryo quality and embryonic development in Katahdin ewes that received a dietary supplement of palm oil (PO). Ten ewes were assigned to receive 35 g palm oil (n = 10, PO3) and 10 to receive 70 g palm oil (n = 10, PO6) for 25 days. On day 0, the ewes were synchronized with 0.3 mg progesterone-releasing devices (CIDR-G®). From days 6 to 9, the donors were superovulated with 200 mg follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (Folltropin-V®) at decreasing doses every 12 hours (40 - 40, 30 - 30, 20 - 20 and 10 - 10 mg/ewe). On day 8, the devices were removed and donors were mated twice with fertile rams at 12-h intervals. Seven days after mating, the embryos were recovered and evaluated for their stage of development and quality grade (1 = excellent, 2 = good, 3 = bad and 4 = degenerated). In addition, on days 0, 7 and 15, blood samples were taken to determine cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and insulin-Iike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations in serum blood. Using chi-square and t-tests, the superovulatory response (SR), ovulation rate (OR), total embryonic structures (TES), transferable embryos (TE), degenerated embryos (DEs) and developmental stage and quality were evaluated. No significant differences were observed between treatments for SR, OR, TES and TE variables or for cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and IGF-1 concentrations. There were differences in the numbers of DE, as well as a trend for more homogeneous developmental stage in the embryos of ewes supplemented with PO6, as well as a higher number of quality 1 embryos and lower numbers of quality 3 and 4 embryos. Palm oil supplementation could be a recommendable practice to improve the quality of embryos and homogenous developmental stage (morula and blastocyst). Keywords : Fatty acids, ovarian activity, sheep