Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of sowing date and moisture-conservation practice on growth and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) varieties

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rab~) season of 2001-02 and 2003-04 at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of sowing dates (15 and 30 October) and moisture-conservation practices (control, 1 weeding and hoeing, grass mulch and paddy straw mulch) on growth and yield of 2 varieties of ('Vaibhav' and 'Urwashi') of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. 8 Cosson] under rainfed conditions. Sowing of variety 'Vaibhav' on 15 October achieved higher seed yield and net monetary return compared to sowing on 30 October and variety 'Urwashi'. Moisture-conservation practices increased the seed yield, yield attributes and net monetary return over the control. Among moisture-conservation practices, paddy straw mulch was found most effective in re- ducing the weed count and enhancing yield and yield attributes markedly. From economic point of view, paddy straw mulch resulted in the highest net monetary returns of Rs 14,799Jha with a benefit: cost ratio of 2.48.
Social Networks, Resources and Entrepreneurship

The question to be addressed in this study is how social networks and entrepreneurial resources relate to and impact on entrepreneurship. This question has been answered through an empirical investigation carried out in Norway. The explanatory variables applied in the study capture up to 45.6% of the variability of start-up success. The results show that social networks are important as channels for resources. The introduction of resources as an intervening variable considerably increases the explanatory power of the network approach. The study also indicates that it is useful to distinguish between the network developed before the entrepreneurial process and the network developed through the process.
Using bone marrow stromal cells for treatment of stroke.

The efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator in acute ischemic stroke raised hopes that more widely applicable treatments would soon be developed. Promising preclinical results in the pharmacologic neuroprotection of ischemic tissue were rapidly transitioned into Phase II/III clinical trials. But optimism soon waned as these neuroprotective agents failed to improve outcome. New approaches to reduce disability from stroke are clearly needed. There is evidence that recovery from stroke is due, at least in part, to brain plasticity and reorganization. Methods have been proposed to augment brain reorganization, including stimulation of endogenous processes through pharmacologic or molecular manipulation, gene therapy, behavioral and rehabilitation strategies, and provision of new substrates for recovery through cell transplantation. In this issue of Neurology , Li et al.1 report studies of improved functional recovery at 2 weeks from middle cerebral artery occlusion …
Spinal anaesthesia for elective surgery: a comparison of hyperbaric solutions of racemic bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effects of 'hyperbaric' bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia with those of similar preparations of levobupivacaine and ropivacaine. METHODS Sixty ASA grade I-II patients undergoing elective surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomized to receive 3 ml of bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, or ropivacaine, each at 5 mg ml(-1) and made hyperbaric by the addition of glucose 30 mg ml(-1). A standard protocol was followed after which a blinded observer assessed the sensory and motor blocks. The level and duration of sensory (pinprick) block, intensity and duration of motor block, and time to mobilize and to micturate were also recorded. RESULTS One patient (ropivacaine group) required general anaesthesia because of technical failure, but all the other blocks were adequate. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to the mean time to onset of sensory block at T10, the extent of spread, or mean time to maximum spread. Regression of sensory block in the ropivacaine group was more rapid as demonstrated by duration at T10 (P<0.0167) and total duration of sensory block (P<0.0167). Patients in the ropivacaine group had more rapid recovery from motor block (P<0.0167) and shorter times to independent mobilization (P<0.0167). There were no significant differences between the bupivacaine and the levobupivacaine groups. CONCLUSIONS 'Hyperbaric' ropivacaine provides reliable spinal anaesthesia of shorter duration than bupivacaine or levobupivacaine, both of which are clinically indistinguishable. The recovery profile of ropivacaine may be useful where prompt mobilization is required.
The Importance of Developing Leadership Skills in Grades 6-8 Middle School Students From the Perspective of Administrators, Teachers, and Students

Leadership is integral to all aspects of life, including educational institutions. Schools are charged with providing middle school students with the knowledge and skills needed to orient them to high school and beyond and to build future leaders in the global society of this 21st century. The job market demands leaders to fill positions such as technology executive, communication specialist, and leadership training and development specialist. However, schools, and most especially middle schools, focus on meeting the standards set forth by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which dictate what teachers must teach and thwarts the teaching of leadership skills development. Therefore, this study, from the perspective of administrators, teachers, and students, seeks to identify the importance of developing leadership skills of middle school students in grades 6-8. Through focus groups and individual interviews, data were gathered to determine the what, where, how, and why of leadership development for adolescents. The three stakeholder groups shared their perceptions of how leadership development is taught, what are the qualities of perceived leadership in adolescence, what barriers exist in the development of leadership, and what can be done to enhance leadership development in one middle school in Brooklyn, New York. The outcomes of the study will provide results that will positively influence the leadership skills developmental growth of middle school students. The findings may guide stakeholders to providing avenues that will aid students in unfolding their leadership skills potential in the classroom that will equip them with the tools to meet and supersede twenty-first century demands for leadership Document Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Jennifer Schulman Second Supervisor Byron Hargrove Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: https://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/230 The Importance of Developing Leadership Skills in Grades 6-8 Middle School Students From the Perspective of Administrators, Teachers, and Students
Development of adjustment factors for backfat and loin muscle area from serial real-time ultrasonic measurements on purebred lines of swine.

We recorded serial real-time ultrasonic measurements of backfat and loin muscle area to assess the rate of change per unit of live weight and growth rate measured as the change in weight per day of age during the finishing stage of production. Barrows (648) and gilts (459) representing eight major U.S. pure breeds of swine were evaluated in the study. Real-time ultrasonic measurements of backfat and loin muscle area were collected at average live weights (LW) of 67.4, 80.3, 93.4, and 104.9 kg. Backfat was measured at the midline over the last rib (LR) and last lumbar vertebra (LL) and off the midline at the 3/4 point (BF10) over the 10th rib. Loin muscle area (LMA) images were collected from the right-hand side of each pig at the 10th rib. Deposition rates were calculated on an intrapig basis for the dependent scan variables BF10, LMA, LR, and LL in models that included the independent variables LW and LW2. For growth rate (WDA), LW was regressed on age and age. Intrapig linear regression coefficients and y-intercepts were further analyzed as dependent variables in a mixed model that included the fixed effects test group, sex, and breed and random effects of sire and dam nested within breed. Significant breed effects were present for deposition rates of BF10, LMA, LR, LL, and WDA. Across the eight breeds, BF10 was deposited at a mean of . 271 +/- . 008 mm/kg, a rate faster than the average for LR (.201 mm/kg) and LL (.206 mm/kg). The LMA deposition rate across breeds averaged . 304 cm2/kg. Average WDA across the breeds was . 774 kg. Barrows deposited fat faster at all locations, deposited muscle slower, and grew faster than gilts in this study (P < .001). The results of this study indicate a need for breed- and sex-specific adjustment factors for rates of backfat and loin muscle deposition and for weight per day of age in swine.
Retinal Microvascular Signs and 10-Year Risk of Cerebral Atrophy: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background and Purpose— Cerebral atrophy, detected as ventricular enlargement or sulcal widening on MRI, is recognized as a risk factor for vascular dementia or Alzheimer disease. However, its underlying pathophysiology is not known. We examined whether retinal microvascular assessment could provide predictive information on the risk of ventricular enlargement and sulcal widening on MRI. Methods— A prospective, population-based study was conducted of 810 middle-aged persons without clinical stroke or MRI infarcts. All participants had a first cranial MRI and retinal photography in 1993 to 1995 and returned for a repeated MRI in 2004 to 2006 (median follow-up of 10.5 years). Retinal photographs were graded for presence of retinopathy and retinal microvascular abnormalities, and MRI images were graded for ventricular size and sulcal size according to standardized protocols. Ventricular enlargement and sulcal widening were defined as an increase in ventricular size or sulcal size of ≥3 of 10 grades between baseline and follow-up. Results— After adjusting for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors, retinopathy and arteriovenous nicking at baseline were associated with 10-year ventricular enlargement (OR and 95% CI: 2.03, 1.20 to 4.42 for retinopathy and 2.19, 1.23 to 3.90 for arteriovenous nicking). Retinal signs were not associated with 10-year sulcal widening. Conclusions— Retinopathy and arteriovenous nicking are predictive of long-term risk of ventricular enlargement, but not of sulcal widening, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. These data support a microvascular etiology for subcortical but not cortical cerebral atrophy.
Empirical Investigation of Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Women Farmers in Northern Ghana: Stochastic Frontier Approach

In this study, we employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to assume the stochastic frontier approach (SFA). We then investigate the technical efficiency of smallholder women farmers in northern Ghana using data from 320 women gathered through multi-stage sampling technique. We find that that farm level technical inefficiency is highly caused by factors outside the farmers’ control. Also, the mean technical efficiency was found to be 58%. We also find that educational level and income earned through off-farm activities improve technical efficiency. We therefore call for programs that will increase the level of knowledge as well access to production resources among smallholder women maize farmers.
Four-dimensional ultrasonography of the fetal heart using a novel Tomographic Ultrasound Imaging display

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of examining the fetal heart with Tomographic Ultrasound Imaging (TUI) using four-dimensional (4D) volume datasets acquired with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC). Material and methods: One hundred and ninety-five fetuses underwent 4D ultrasonography (US) of the fetal heart with STIC. Volume datasets were acquired with B-mode (n=195) and color Doppler imaging (CDI) (n=168), and were reviewed offline using TUI, a new display modality that automatically slices 3D/4D volume datasets, providing simultaneous visualization of up to eight parallel planes in a single screen. Visualization rates for standard transverse planes used to examine the fetal heart were calculated and compared for volumes acquired with B-mode or CDI. Diagnoses by TUI were compared to postnatal diagnoses. Results: (1) The four- and five-chamber views and the three-vessel and trachea view were visualized in 97.4% (190/195), 88.2% (172/195), and 79.5% (142/195), respectively, of the volume datasets acquired with B-mode; (2) these views were visualized in 98.2% (165/168), 97.0% (163/168), and 83.6% (145/168), respectively, of the volume datasets acquired with CDI; (3) CDI contributed additional diagnostic information to 12.5% (21/168), 14.2% (24/168) and 10.1% (17/168) of the four- and five-chamber and the three-vessel and trachea views; (4) cardiac anomalies other than isolated ventricular septal defects were identified by TUI in 16 of 195 fetuses (8.2%) and, among these, CDI provided additional diagnostic information in 5 (31.3%); (5) the sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative-predictive values of TUI to diagnose congenital heart disease in cases where both B-mode and CDI volume datasets were acquired prenatally were 92.9%, 98.8%, 92.9% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Standard transverse planes commonly used to examine the fetal heart can be automatically displayed with TUI in the majority of fetuses undergoing 4D US with STIC. Due to the retrospective nature of this study, the results should be interpreted with caution and independently confirmed before this methodology is introduced into clinical practice.
Comparative analyses of peritoneal fluid from calves and adult cattle.

Reference values for hematologic variables change with increasing age in cattle. Therefore, the purpose of the study reported here was to describe the peritoneal fluid constituents of clinically normal young calves, and to compare cellular concentration and distribution in blood and peritoneal fluid of young calves with those of adult cattle. Eight healthy 8-week-old male Holstein calves and 8 healthy 3- to 8-year-old Holstein cows were studied. Peritoneal fluid was collected from calves along the ventral midline, 4-cm cranial to the umbilicus. Abdominocentesis was performed in the region of the lower right flank in adult cattle. Correlation analysis, using the Pearson's correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were performed for blood and peritoneal fluid data from calves. Data from calves were compared with those of cows, using Wilcoxon's rank sum test. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant for all tests. Calves had significantly lower blood eosinophil count (P < 0.003) and plasma protein concentration (P < 0.001) than did cows. Calves had significantly higher peritoneal fluid nucleated cell (P < 0.05) and mononuclear cell (P < 0.05) counts, but lower peritoneal fluid eosinophil cell count (P < 0.003) than did cows. For calves, nucleated cell and lymphocyte cell counts in the blood had a high, positive correlation with those of peritoneal fluid. However, the prediction equation for nucleated cell count accounted for a modest proportion of variability. A prediction equation for peritoneal fluid lymphocyte cell count was established. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clinical relevance of electron microscopy for neuromuscular diagnosis

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Characterization of Aleutian disease virus as a parvovirus

We characterized a strain of Aleutian disease virus adapted to growth in Crandall feline kidney cells at 31.8 degrees C. When purified from infected cells, Aleutian disease virus had a density in CsCl of 1.42 to 1.44 g/ml and was 24 to 26 nm in diameter. [3H]thymidine could be incorporated into the viral genome, and the viral DNA was then studied. In alkaline sucrose gradients, Aleutian disease virus DNA was a single species that cosedimented at 15.5S with single-stranded DNA from adeno-associated virus. When the DNA was analyzed on neutral sucrose gradients, a single species was again observed, which sedimented at 21S and was clearly distinct from 16S duplex adeno-associated virus DNA. A similar result was obtained even after incubation under annealing conditions, implying that the bulk of Aleutian disease virus virions contained a single non-complementary strand with a molecular weight of about 1.4 X 10(6). In addition, two major virus-associated polypeptides with molecular weights of 89,100 and 77,600 were demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of virus purified from infected cultures labeled with [35S]methionine. These data suggest that Aleutian disease virus is a nondefective parvovirus.
ESSAYS ON FISCAL POLICY

There is a widespread feeling in Brazilian society about the fiscal vulnerability of Brazil’s economy. In view of this, the objective this work is to contribute to the discussion about the role of fiscal policy as economic stimulus tool. We discuss some proposals of fiscal policy for the Brazilian economy, both on the side of public spending and on the side of tax reduction. Thus, a New-Keynesian DSGE model for a small closed economy with six fiscal shocks (current government spending, public investment, income transfers to households, tax reduction on consumption, tax reduction on labor income and tax reduction on capital income) was developed. The fiscal parameters were estimated using the Bayesian methodology, while the other parameters were calibrated. The policies of tax reduction showed better results than the policies of public spending. Mostly, the tax reduction on labor income. Among policies spending, public investment was the only shock that showed positive results in relation to GDP. Briefly, the result is that policies aimed at increasing aggregate supply had a more significant result, without to press the inflation rate.
The lrp gene product regulates expression of lysU in Escherichia coli K-12

In Escherichia coli K-12, expression of the lysU gene is regulated by the lrp gene product, as indicated by an increase in the level of lysyl-tRNA synthetase activity and LysU protein in an lrp mutant. Comparison of the patterns of protein expression visualized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that LysU is present at higher levels in an lrp strain than in its isogenic lrp+ parent. The purified lrp gene product was shown to bind to sites upstream of the lysU gene and to protect several sites against DNase I digestion. A region extending over 100 nucleotides, between 60 and 160 nucleotides upstream from the start of the lysU coding sequence, showed altered sensitivity to DNase I digestion in the presence of the Lrp protein. The extent of protected DNA suggests a complex interaction of Lrp protein and upstream lysU DNA.
Pricing Index Options in a Multivariate Black & Scholes Model

In this paper, we consider the problem of pricing equity index options (or basket options) in a multivariate Black & Scholes setting. Although this model suffers from some major drawbacks, it pays to consider the pricing of derivatives in the multivariate Black & Scholes model, because it is the most straightforward multivariate extension of the one dimensional Black & Scholes model. Therefore, the multivariate Black & Scholes index option pricing formula can be considered as a benchmark pricing formula, similar to the one-dimensional Black & Scholes formula. A particular application where such a benchmark model plays a crucial role is the study of implied correlation.
Arterial flow measurements during reactive hyperemia using NIRS

Non-invasive evaluation of peripheral perfusion may be useful in many contexts including clinical research. We validated a novel non-invasive spectroscopy technique to quantify forearm arterial inflow. This method, which is based on the measurement of tissular total hemoglobin variations after an ischemic period, was compared to strain gauge plethysmography (SGP). The technique uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine the rate of change of forearm tissue oxygenation during reactive hyperemia. In this study, 13 subjects were simultaneously evaluated with NIRS and SGP. Nine baseline flow measurements were performed to assess the reproducibility of each method. Twenty-seven serial measurements were then made to evaluate flow variation during forearm reactive hyperemia. SGP and NIRS methods showed excellent reproducibility with the same intra-class correlation coefficients (0.98). In conclusion, the NIRS technique appears well suited for non-invasive evaluation of quantitative arterial forearm flow.
Field enhancement and apertureless near‐field optical spectroscopy of single molecules

We report on fluorescence enhancement in near field optical spectroscopy by apertureless microscopy. Our apertureless microscope is designed around a confocal fluorescence microscope associated with an AFM head. First, we show that the confocal microscope alone allows single molecule imaging and single molecule fluorescence analysis. When associated with the AFM head, we demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that single molecule fluorescence is enhanced under the silicon tip. We tentatively attribute this effect to field enhancement under the tip.