Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parasites associated with Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) from dam, plastic and concrete ponds in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Fish farming is an economic venture to make up the supply of human need of animal protein. Parasitic infections are some of the factors hindering high fish productivity in fish farms. Parasites associated with Clarias gariepinus were detected in Bauchi metropolis. A total of eighteen fishes were sampled, comprising of 6 plastic pond fish, 6 concrete pond fish and 6 dam fish were examined for parasite infestation. The fins, gills and skin of the fishes were examined for ectoparasites, while the lining of the gut lumen and gut contents were examined for endoparasites. Four parasitic species were encountered, these include, 2 protozoan: Trichodina spp. , Ichthyophthiriusmultifilis, and 2 Helminthes (cestodes): Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, Diphyllobothrium latum. Ichthyophthirus muftifilis were the most common parasites found in dam and pond samples examined. Of the eighteen examined, 5(27.8%) were infected. The infection rate constitutes 16.7% of the total parasite encountered for fishes in pond and 50% of fishes in dam. Among the body parts of the sampled fishes from the pond, the gill 16.7% and fins 16.7% had the same percentage of parasite per location, while skin had 16.7% and also the intestine 33.3% had the highest percentage per location of the fish sampled from the dam. The collection comprises of different sizes of the total length, 19cm-48cm and also between 150-750g. Bigger fishes had more parasites than smaller ones. The ectoparasites encountered were found on the skin, fins and gills, whereas the small intestine was site for all the endoparasites recovered.
Hannu Title : Effect of CoCr Counterface Roughness on the Wear of UHMWPE in the Noncyclic RandomPOD Simulation Year : 2017 Version : Post print

All material supplied via Aaltodoc is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, and duplication or sale of all or part of any of the repository collections is not permitted, except that material may be duplicated by you for your research use or educational purposes in electronic or print form. You must obtain permission for any other use. Electronic or print copies may not be offered, whether for sale or otherwise to anyone who is not an authorised user.
Dynamics and Dispersion in the Coastal Boundary Layer off Coffs Harbour in Eastern Australia

PRITCHARD, T.R. , HOLDEN, C, LEE, R.S. , BLACK, K.P. and HEALY, T. 2007. Dynamics and Dispersion in the Coastal Boundary Layer off Coffs Harbour in Eastern Australia. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 848 – 857. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 Time series analysis and model simulations defined dynamics of coastal boundary layer formation off Coffs Harbour based on four deployed acoustic Doppler current (ADCP) meters and wind data from Coffs Harbour airport. Variance preserving spectra revealed peak energies at 7.8, 3.9 and 2.5 days plus ~24 and ~12 hours consistent with dominant forcing by winds. At inshore sites the highest energy levels occurred at the surface and decrease uniformly with depth at all frequencies with local peaks centred at exactly 24 hours, corresponding to peak local wind energy. In contrast, offshore sites showed depth dependency in the peak spectral energy with evidence of regional influences and wave-guide effects due to density stratification. Hydrodynamic simulations using the 3-dimensional explicit finite difference model 3DD revealed local bathymetric controls on circulation. A coastal boundary layer, delineated by a shear zone ~2km offshore in the lee of Corambirra Point, south of Coffs Harbour, was associated with formation of transient eddies. Model simulations and independent ADCP data identified 3 dimensional flow structures typified by clockwise rotation of flows down through the water column at all sites except for the quiescent, shallow water site in the headland wake south of Corambirra Point. The area south of Corambirra Point was predisposed to clockwise eddy rotation while offshore flows were generally shore-parallel. Pollutant dispersal was shown to be significantly less within this coastal boundary layer thus highlighting the need to consider effects of coastal boundary layers when locating discharges such as ocean outfalls.
Youth Related Issues in the Saudi Press Coinciding with the “Arab Spring”: A 2-Month Monitoring and Analysis of Press Coverage

This study aimed at monitoring and analyzing the press coverage of Saudi youth-related issues in all Saudi daily papers in Arabic. It was conducted following the victory of the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen while in Syria it is still ongoing. In the study (4514) issues were analyzed and classified into (9) main issues during (59) days. The scope of this study is the monitoring of the 12 Arabic Saudi daily papers issued during the period from 02/06/2011 to 30/07/2011. The study findings indicated that the press coverage percentage of: Education issues was (22.40%), Employment (17.08%), Security and Political issues (15.00%). Whereas the Citizenship issues (5.49%), and the Information and Culture issues was (4.70%). All findings and recommendations of the study included.
Effects of stocking density on growth performance, carcass grade and immunity of pigs housed in sawdust fermentative pigsties

Effects of stocking density on growth performance, carcass grade and immunity of pigs housed in sawdust fermentative pigstiesThis study determined the effect of space allowance on performance, carcass grade and physiological variables of pigs reared in sawdust fermentative pigsties. A total of 699 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) pigs were housed in sawdust fermentative pigsties and assigned to one of three treatments at different growth stages, namely early grower pigs (EGP), weighing 15 - 40 kg; late grower pigs (LGP), weighing 40 - 75 kg; and finisher pigs (FP), weighing 75 - 110 kg, with three replicates. The three space allowances for each growth stage were 0.40, 0.55 and 0.70 m 2 /head for EGP; 0.55, 0.70 and 0.85 m 2 /head for LGP; and 0.85, 1.00 and 1.15 m 2 /head for FP. The feed intake in EGP was significantly decreased with increased stocking density. In LGP, the average daily gain (ADG) of pigs reared at high stocking density decreased linearly, whereas the feed conversion ratio increased significantly. The final bodyweight, ADG and feed intake in FP were lower with restricting space allowance. The carcass weight and backfat thickness were significantly higher with increased space allowance. The serum immunoglobulin G levels declined significantly with increased stocking density in all growth stages. The results of this study suggest that the space allowance for maximizing the growth performance and stabilizing immune response of pigs in sawdust fermentative pigsties is 0.55, 0.70, and 1.00 m 2 /pig for the bodyweight ranges of 15 - 40 kg, 40 - 75 kg, and 75 - 110 kg, respectively.
The Placebo Effect: Mental or Physical?

Citation: Morton E Tavel. “The Placebo Effect: Mental or Physical? ”. EC Psychology and Psychiatry 7.8 (2018): 490-495. Abstract The placebo effect is defined as any improvement of symptoms or signs following a physically inert intervention. Its effects can be profound, especially in relieving subjective symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and depression. Present to a variable extent in all therapeutic encounters, the placebo effect is intensified by hands-on contact with close verbal communication between care-giver and recipient. Thus it may be used to benefit patients but provides a ready avenue for unscrupulous “healers” of all types. Conventional medical practitioners often intervene in some way-by pill or procedure-and, without knowing what caused the improvement, may claim credit for the apparent benefit. Physicians must be skeptical about apparent “responses” to treatments, using the lessons described herein in order to better understand what we are-or not-accomplishing to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients. Less well studied, the “nocebo effect” defines negative responses to placebo interventions. This latter effect may be quite profound and likely is causative in many maladies believed to have psychic origins.
Heathland ecosystems, human impacts and time: A long term heathland trial investigating ecosystem changes that occur after exposure to climate change, elevated N deposition and traditional vegetation management practices

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva. nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
Teachers’ Understanding of Formative Assessment

The research explored teachers’ understanding of formative assessment in the secondary school level, particularly in the context of English teaching and examined factors related to the teacher assessment in the literacy level. To achieve the intended purposes, a self-designed instrument named Teacher Formative Assessment Literacy Questionnaire (TFALTQ) was emploted. Cronbach alpha measured the internal consistency of items that measuring the latent constructs were adequately accepted (α= 0,67), and exploratory the factor analysis using rotation matric revealed a robust factor loading of the variance explained with KMO statistic of 0,72. The questionnaire was distributed to all English teachers who taught in the secondary high school in central Lombok. There were 243 teachers from public and private high schools were participated in the study. The participants came from both public school and religious school, regardless of their school types and level. Using the case of 243 English teachers, the analysis reveals that the teachers’ understanding of formative assessment is inadequate and that four dimensions of teachers’ formative assessment literacy and understanding are revealed. These include an assessment to serve the accountability purpose, examination/test driven learning, the procedural approach to learning and assessment, and the receptive role of students. The multiple hierarchical regression analysis is performed to identify athe factors that are influencing the teachers’ formative assessment literacy. The analysis suggests that the teachers have a poor understanding of formative assessment, insufficient training in assessment and gender is a strong predictors of teachers understanding of formative assessment.
Response of Selected Plant Species Seeded on Mule Deer Winter Range

A selection of 13 bunchgrasses, 4 legumes, and 2 shrubs were planted in 2 seasons in 5 plant communities within the sagebrushbunchgrass and juniper zones of the Fort Rock mule herd winter range in south-central Oregon. Rate of establishment averaged 3.9% for ail planted species, and it was generally dependent on seeding rate, season, and piant community. Standard crested wheatgrass, Siberian wheatgrass, smooth brome, hard fescue, and antelope bitterbrush established better when pianted in the fall. Intermediate wheatgrass, streambank wheatgrass, Ladak alfalfa, and hairy vetch established better when planted in the spring. From 31 to 3% of the piants of standard crested wheatgrass, Siberian wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, hard fescue, and antelope bitterbrush survived to the sixth growing season. Standard crested wheatgrass, Siberian wheatgrass, and pubescent wheatgrass survived best in the juniper/big sagebrush-antelope bitterbrush community, but antelope bitterbrush survived at a slightly higher rate in the juniper/antelope bitterbrush-big sagebrush community. Shortages of forage for livestock and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in eastern Oregon have increasingly resulted in cooperative programs between range and wildlife managers for range improvement (Game Division 1967, 1968, 1969). Involved agencies planned winter range rehabilitation projects relying on methods perfected in Utah (Plummer et al. 1968) for planting browse, forbs, and grasses. Seedings of exotic wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatum, A. desertorum, A. sibericum) had been established locally in south-central Oregon and were grazed by mule deer (Leckenby 1968). Establishment of other grasses, forbs, and shrubs could provide a diversity of forage available in fall, winter, and spring, but the adaptability of such species to low-productivity sites in the sagebrush-bunchgrass and juniper zones was unknown. This study was the initial phase of a research project designed to help determine which species to plant and how to best design and implement rehabilitation of depleted winter ranges for benefit to mule deer. Seeds of 13 exotic grasses, 4 exotic legumes, 1 exotic shrub, and 1 native shrub were tested in 5 native plant communities. Emergence and survival of species was documented for six growing seasons, 1969-1974.
Linking big models to big data: efficient ecosystem model calibration through Bayesian model emulation

Abstract. Data-model integration plays a critical role in assessing and improving our capacity to predict ecosystem dynamics. Similarly, the ability to attach quantitative statements of uncertainty around model forecasts is crucial for model assessment and interpretation and for setting field research priorities. Bayesian methods provide a rigorous data assimilation framework for these applications, especially for problems with multiple data constraints. However, the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques underlying most Bayesian calibration can be prohibitive for computationally demanding models and large datasets. We employ an alternative method, Bayesian model emulation of sufficient statistics, that can approximate the full joint posterior density, is more amenable to parallelization, and provides an estimate of parameter sensitivity. Analysis involved informative priors constructed from a meta-analysis of the primary literature and specification of both model and data uncertainties, and it introduced novel approaches to autocorrelation corrections on multiple data streams and emulating the sufficient statistics surface. We report the integration of this method within an ecological workflow management software, Predictive Ecosystem Analyzer (PEcAn), and its application and validation with two process-based terrestrial ecosystem models: SIPNET and ED2. In a test against a synthetic dataset, the emulator was able to retrieve the true parameter values. A comparison of the emulator approach to standard brute-force MCMC involving multiple data constraints showed that the emulator method was able to constrain the faster and simpler SIPNET model's parameters with comparable performance to the brute-force approach but reduced computation time by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The emulator was then applied to calibration of the ED2 model, whose complexity precludes standard (brute-force) Bayesian data assimilation techniques. Both models are constrained after assimilation of the observational data with the emulator method, reducing the uncertainty around their predictions. Performance metrics showed increased agreement between model predictions and data. Our study furthers efforts toward reducing model uncertainties, showing that the emulator method makes it possible to efficiently calibrate complex models.
Do Small Firms Possess Innovative Behavior? Evidence from Malaysia

The aim of this article is to describe patterns of innovative behaviors among small firms in Malaysia. The significant of this study lies in its attempt to differentiate innovation practices by small firms from the general innovation prescriptions which dominated by large firms. The underlying theoretical arguments for this study are based on Greiner Growth Model and Readiness Theory. Greiner model explains the role of innovation as a source of competitive advantage that support small firms’ growth, while Readiness Theory and slack resources concept explain about concentration of innovation types in small firms. This study employs case-study which involved in-depth structured interviews with eight small firms’ owners. The respondents are classified into two groups based on its’ owner social background. The first group consists of small firms owned by the ordinary social background owners and the second group consists of small firms owned by poor owners selected from a special economic empowerment program conducted by a government agency. The findings indicate that most small firms performed the administrative, incremental and product innovations. The administrative innovation is applied as perseverance reactions to market turbulent and dynamic. Nevertheless, small firms which are owned by poor owners have yet to adopt extensive innovative behavior due to their tight financial constraint. The originality of this study lies in its approach as well as the simultaneous emphasis on owners’ demographic characteristic effect, namely the social background, on innovative practices among particular small firms.
Nutritional value of pastures in enclosure systems in semi-arid rangelands of Chepareria, West Pokot, Kenya

Of all pastoralists in the world 42 % are living in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). West Pokot is situated in the North Western part of Kenya where 45% of the farmers are pastoralist, 29% are agro-pastoralists and 26% have mixed-farming. There is an ongoing change in the way of farming where pastoralist are settling down and starting to cultivate, so-called agro-pastoralists. The organization Vi Agroforestry has been helping farmers in several areas in West Pokot but mostly in the Chepareria area. The organization has been helping to introduce so called enclosures which is a fenced area were the farmer can cultivate and grow pasture. It is also used to keep animals out from an area, then called exlosure. Even by the use of enclosures, farmers find themselves having trouble to have enough feed during dry seasons. There is a gap in knowledge about nutritional compositions and management of these pastures and thereby how to get the best returns of their pasture. A total of 30 farmers were visited during a six week period where samples of enclosed pasture were taken. The 30 farms were divided into two different areas, Ywalateke and Psereum with 15 farms in each of the areas. Of these 15 farm five were selected by the local extension officers as being “the best” in each area and 10 were randomly chosen. The samples where then taken to Sweden and analyzed to determine Dry matter (DM), Energy, Crude protein (CP) Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and Ash. Results showed no significant difference between the selected farms and the randomly chosen. However, there was a significant difference between the DM in the two areas (p<0.001) were the pastures in Pserum had significantly higher DM content and also in the content of CP were CP content in the pasture collected in the Ywalateke area was significantly (p<0.05) higher.
Barriers to a Continuous Learning Process in Construction

In a paper to IGLC in 2010 the researchers claim that Nonaka’s model of knowledge creation may apply in the construction industry. Notably, there is an interdisciplinary and continuous dialogue between explicit and tacit knowledge taking place at the construction site. Based on empirical evidence, it is argued that the Last Planner System of production control (LPS) may stimulate such continuous learning, by facilitating opportunities for a continuous exchange between tacit and explicit knowledge. However, certain premises were found to exist, to enable learning within construction projects using LPS. In a more recent IGLC paper (2012), it was concluded that when implementing the Last Planner System as a systematic framework for planning purposes, challenges were faced in terms of adaptation to longer planning horizons, transition to new meeting structures and letting go of a traditional approach to planning. Other noted challenges were involvement and relational issues. Further it was concluded that crucial drivers for future use of the planning methodology were key personnel to direct development processes, top management engagement, practical and theoretical knowledge of collaborative planning, and project support. This paper builds on findings and conclusions of the two papers, and discusses obstacles and barriers for learning in the construction industry and how these may be overcome.
Financial Leverage and Employee Death: Evidence from China’s Coalmining Industry

China’s coalmining fatalities were 140 times higher than the U.S. in the last decade. To shed light on this issue, we form and examinea unique panel dataset of 25,387 firm-year observations for China’s coalmining industry. We show that a firm’s leverage significantly determines its coalmining fatality: A 10% increase in the debt ratio leads, on average, to a 3% increase in the number of death tolls. It suggests that reducing leverage in coalmining firms can be an effective way to curbemployee fatalities. Our study highlightsthe importance of corporate finance in helpingsolving social and institutional problems.
Dynamic Security Design: Convergence to Continuous Time and Asset Pricing Implications

An entrepreneur with limited liability needs to finance an infinite horizon investment project. An agency problem arises because she can divert operating cash flows before reporting them to the financiers. We first study the optimal contract in discrete time. This contract can be implemented by cash reserves, debt, and equity. The latter is split between the financiers and the entrepreneur and pays dividends when retained earnings reach a threshold. To provide appropriate incentives to the entrepreneur, the firm is downsized when it runs short of cash. We then study the continuous-time limit of the model. We prove the convergence of the discrete-time value functions and optimal contracts. Our analysis yields rich implications for the dynamics of security prices. Stock prices follow a diffusion reflected at the dividend barrier and absorbed at 0. Their volatility, as well as the leverage ratio of the firm, increase after bad performance. Stock prices and book-to-market ratios are in a non-monotonic relationship. A more severe agency problem entails lower price-earning ratios and firm liquidity and higher default risk. Copyright 2007, Wiley-Blackwell.
MAGNETIC SUBSTRUCTURE IN THE NORTHERN FERMI BUBBLE REVEALED BY POLARIZED MICROWAVE EMISSION

We report a correspondence between giant, polarized microwave structures emerging north from the Galactic plane near the Galactic center and a number of GeV gamma-ray features, including the eastern edge of the recently discovered northern Fermi Bubble. The polarized microwave features also correspond to structures seen in the all-sky 408 MHz total intensity data, including the Galactic center Spur. The magnetic field structure revealed by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe polarization data at 23 GHz suggests that neither the emission coincident with the Bubble edge nor the Galactic center Spur are likely to be features of the local interstellar medium. On the basis of the observed morphological correspondences, similar inferred spectra, and the similar energetics of all sources, we suggest a direct connection between the Galactic center Spur and the northern Fermi Bubble.