Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Swine Nematodes in Moscow, Russia

To continue the fight against pig helminthiasis, a detailed analysis of the current prevalence of nematodes in these productive animals is required. The assessment of the material after the technological slaughter of pigs kept in the Moscow region revealed the presence of parasitization in their intestines of four nematodes (Ascaris suum, Metastrongylus spp., Trichocephalus spp., Strongyloides spp.) In the form of monoinvasion and any combination thereof. The total infestation of pigs with intestinal nematodes was 55.24%. Trichocytic invasion (Trichocephalus spp.) Occurred in pigs most often (23.77%), ascarous invasion (Ascaris suum) reached 22.38%, strongyloid invasion (Strongyloides spp.) Was noted in 9.09% of cases, metastrongylous (Metastrongylus spp.) was present in 1.75% of cases. In conditions of an increase in the severity of monoinvasion, the size of helminth eggs decreased in Trichuris: size in length by 5.9%, size in width by 7.4%, in Ascaris: length by 4.9%, width by 4.6%, in strongulata eggs a decrease in size is also noted. In the case of mixed Ascaris-Metastrongylous invasion, there was a clear antagonistic relationship, manifested in a decrease in the size of Ascaris eggs. The size of the eggs of Trichuris in the case of an invasion mixed with Ascaris decreased, which is apparently associated with the development of antagonism between them. Comparative analysis of information on the prevalence of nematodes in pigs in farms of the Moscow region and their size can help to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prophylactic measures against helminthiasis, and can be taken into account in the course of further examination of pigs in the Moscow.
Ab initio simulations of phase stability and martensitic transitions in NiTi

For NiTi based alloys, the shape memory effect is governed by a transition from a low-temperature martensite phase to a high-temperature austenite phase. Despite considerable experimental and computational work, basic questions regarding the stability of the phases and the martensitic phase transition remain unclear even for the simple case of binary, equiatomic NiTi. We perform ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to describe the temperature-dependent behavior of NiTi and resolve several of these outstanding issues. Structural correlation functions and finite temperature phonon spectra are evaluated to determine phase stability. We show that finite temperature, entropic effects stabilize the experimentally observed martensite (B19’) and austenite (B2) phases while destabilizing the theoretically predicted (B33) phase. Free energy computations based on ab initio thermodynamic integration confirm these results and permit estimates of the transition temperature between the phases. In addition to the martensitic phase transition, we predict a new transition between the B33 and B19’ phases. The role of defects in suppressing phase transformation temperatures is discussed.
Green property development by Asian property companies

The concept of sustainability has become increasingly essential in property development, especially in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to assess transparency levels in term of sustainability practices amongst listed property companies in Asian countries. The website and annual report of each company are assessed to determine the level of transparency in sustainable practices among property companies in Asia. Their sustainability strategies are then rigorously assessed by using a matrix scorecard, which takes into account several attributes concerning sustainability issues. Given the increasing significance of sustainability issues – especially in property development – amongst international property players, this paper enables more informed investment and decisionmaking regarding the implementation of sustainability in property portfolios. The results show that green or sustainable property development in Asian countries remains at a moderate level. There is still much room for improvement to increase the level of green elements in property development. Given the future significance of the Asian region, it is crucial to ensure green property development levels are sustained or increased in order to reduce environmental damage.
Issues in Negative Association Rule Mining with Business Analytics Perspectives

Association Rule mining literature is witnessing a shift of focus from generating positive rules to the discovery of negative rules. A review of previous literature on negative rule mining that incorporate objective and subjective interestingness measures has been done. Then, an extension, to Fuzzy Set Concept for generating and mining negative rules is made. This work also presents unaddressed issues in mining of both positive and negative rules. Business applications that gain useful insights from both positive and negative rules have been highlighted.
Comparative Study of Corpus Luteum Ultrasonographic Findings in Normal and Abnormal Pregnancies of the First Trimester in Patients Referred to the Hospital

Background: According to the limited number of studies in this field as well as the contradiction in the results of these studies, we performed this study to investigate corpus luteum RI in normal and abnormal pregnancies of the first trimester and comparison between the two groups. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 abnormal pregnant and 50 normal pregnant women were selected and were underwent ultrasonography. Blood flow impedance was measured by using the PSV, EDV and RI and the average of three times measuring was considered as the final RI in each patient. Corpus luteum diameter and PSV were also measured in each patient and compared between the two groups. Results: The mean of Resistance index, peak systolic velocity and Diameter in the normal and abnormal groups were 0.509 ± 0.068 (p=0.308), 28.71 ± 13.83 and 25.16 ± 13.36(p=0.207), 19.85 ± 5 and 18.86 ± 5.17 (p=0.343) respectively. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the profile of corpus luteum in normal and abnormal pregnancies was not differing significantly.
National Culture and Corporate R&D Investment

This paper examines the relationship between national culture and corporate R&D investment behavior. Based on Hofstede's work and the cushion hypothesis, we predict that firms in East Asian countries are more likely to engage in R&D investment than are firms in Western countries because East Asian cultures are collectivistic and long-term oriented while Western cultures are individualistic and short-term oriented. We use firm-level panel data for seven countries and apply dynamic GMM methods. The regression analysis shows that R&D investment is positively sensitive to internal funds for firms in East Asian countries, but not sensitive for firms in the Western countries. The result is robust to model specification and sample splitting. Moreover, the level of financial development and the legal environment do not systemically affect the relationship between R&D investment and internal funds. We suggest that this evidence supports the hypothesis that national culture affects corporate decisions.
A 29 K envelope glycoprotein of equine arteritis virus expresses neutralization determinants recognized by murine monoclonal antibodies

A panel of six neutralizing murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to equine arteritis virus (EAV) was produced. The MAbs were characterized by Western immunoblotting assay and competitive ELISA. The six MAbs identify a single neutralization site on a 29K envelope glycoprotein. Deglycosylation of viral proteins prior to immunoblotting showed that the 29K protein is the glycosylated form of a 20K protein. Equine antiEAV serum also strongly bound the 29K glycoprotein, as well as an unglycosylated protein of 17K. The equine autisera to EAV blocked the binding of a selected MAb to EAV, whereas normal equine serum did not. Two neutralization-resistant escape mutant (EM) variants of the EAV prototype were produced using MAb 6D10. The phenotypic properties of the EM viruses were characterized by neutralization and immunoblotting assays with two MAbs (6D10 and 5G11). The two MAbs failed to neutralize either EM virus, and they did not react in an immunoblot assay with any proteins of the EM viruses. In contrast, binding of the equine antiserum to viral proteins was equivalent with prototype and EM virus strains. These data clearly indicate that a 29K envelope glyeoprotein expresses at least one neutralization determinant of EAV.
Characterization of additives typically employed in EPDM formulations by using FT-IR of gaseous pyrolyzates

In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to investigate the gaseous pyrolysis products of ethylene - propylene - diene rubber (EPDM). The objective was to evaluate the potential of FT-IR analysis of gaseous pyrolyzates (PY-G/FT-IR) for characterization of EPDM additives. Two EPDM formulations, containing additives typically employed in EPDM rubbers, were analyzed. Initially, gaseous pyrolysis products from paraffin oil, stearic acid, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline, tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TMTM), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) were characterized separately, and their main absorptions were identified. Subsequently, the gaseous pyrolysis products of raw, unvulcanized, and vulcanized EPDM formulations were analyzed. The similarities observed in the FT-IR spectra of unvulcanized and vulcanized EPDM show that the vulcanization process does not interfere with the pyrolysis products. The identification of the functional groups of the studied additives was possible in both unvulcanized and vulcanized EPDM samples, without solvent extraction. Results also demonstrate that the PY-G/FT-IR technique can identify additives containing sulfur in concentrations as low as 1.4 phr (1.26%) in both unvulcanized and vulcanized EPDM. However, the method showed some limitation due to overlapping and to similarities of TMTM and TMTD PY-G/FT-IR spectra, which could not be distinguished from each other. The PY-G/FT-IR technique is a faster and cheaper alternative to the sophisticated techniques usually applied to detection of additives in rubbers.
Design and Implementation of Distributed Controller Clustering for Solving the Issue of Single Failure in SDN Networks

Abstract Software-Defined Networks (SDN) It is a centralized control structure in the network that opens up new possibilities that did not exist before. The significant characteristic of this innovative approach is the focus on the capability of proposing networks of high dynamicity and programmability to transform the intelligence of underlying systems to the networks via controllers. The main issue of the SDN approach is found in its security, mainly due to its central-controlling architecture since the entire network is controlled from a central point. This makes it very vulnerable to single-point failure. In this paper, a fully Distributed SDN controller is proposed for solving the one point failure which exists within the single SDN controller. In general, the concept involves forming cluster of distributed controllers whereby each controller controls its domain and can thereby share the load within the network. The experimental results of the proposed system show an increase and enhancement in the performance of the network. The single-point failure issues have been overcome. The throughput of the proposed system increased with 20% while the packet loss rate was minimize with 33%.
Short- and Long-Run Analysis of Factors Affecting Electricity Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper explores the causal relationship between electricity consumption, gross domestic product (GDP), trade openness, financial development, and industry using a vector error correction model for five sub-Saharan countries. Results indicate that in the long run, all series exert an influence on electricity consumption in Cote d’ivioire and Zambia. Short run estimates reveal causality running from financial development and GDP to electricity consumption in Cote d’ivioire and South Africa. Amodified version of Granger causality developed by Toda and Yamamoto (1995) found no causality in electric power consumption for Kenya. Since these countries differ economically, politically, and geographically, no universal policy implication can be surmised.
Developmental Factors in Adolescent Child Sexual Offenders

Scholars have studied developmental factors relevant to adult sex offenders. These factors, however, have not been of interest so far in the area of adolescent sexual offenders. Given the paucity of research in this area, this study examines developmental factors that may be relevant in understanding why some offenders become persistent throughout the course of adolescence. The sample consisted of male adolescents convicted of a sexual offense against a child. Compared to nonrepeat sexual offenders (n = 80), repeat sexual offenders (n = 27) were characterized by a history of sexual abuse victimization and inappropriate sexual behaviors. However, offenders who had a history of sexual abuse but who did not exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviors were more likely to be classified as repeat sex offenders.
Volume growth, Comparison theorem and Escape Rate of Diffusion Process

We study the escape rate of diffusion process with two approaches. We first give an upper rate function for the diffusion process associated with a symmetric, strongly local regular Dirichlet form. The upper rate function is in terms of the volume growth of the underlying state space. The method is due to Hsu and Qin [Ann. Probab. , 38(4), 2010] where an upper rate function was given for Brownian motion on Riemannian manifold. In the second part, we prove a comparison theorem and give an upper rate function for diffusion process on Riemannian manifold in terms of the upper rate function for the solution process of a one dimensional stochastic differential equation.
Characterization and fungicides sensitivity of Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates causing avocado root rot in Zitácuaro, Michoacán

Phytophthora cinnamomi is the pathogen most frequently associated with avocado root rot. In Zitácuaro, Michoacán, production has increased by 19.8%; however, there are no studies of root rot in this area. The objective of the study was to characterize the isolates obtained from avocado roots and assess the sensitivity to fungicides. Samples from 5 avocado orchards were collected, sampling 5 trees per orchard (a total of 25 samples). The samples isolated were characterized morphological and molecularly. Mating type was analyzed using reference isolates of P. cinnamomi A1 (isolate from camelia) and A2 (isolate from avocado). To confirm the pathogenicity, tests were performed on avocado fruits with the isolates. The sensitivity of 15 isolates to potassium phosphite and to metalaxyl-M at different concentrations was evaluated in vitro. In a subgroup of six isolates, it was evaluated whether there was a relationship between growth rate and potassium phosphite sensitivity. Fifteen isolates were obtained with coenocytic coraloid mycelium, chlamydospores, sporangia without papilla, ovoid to ellipsoid, with internal proliferation, heterothallic with mating type A2, with amphigynous antheridia and plerotic oospores, characteristics consistent with P. cinnamomi. The inoculated isolates were pathogenic on avocado fruits. The isolates were more sensitive to potassium phosphite than to metalaxyl-M, with mean EC50 values of 24.62 and 0.215 ? g mL-1 of i.a. , respectively. No relationship was observed between growth rate and potassium phosphite sensitivity. It is necessary to obtain a greater number of P. cinnamomi isolates for virulence studies.
A Farm Level Sustainability Indicator For Horticultural Crop Producers In Fadama Areas Of Southern Guinea Savannah Of Nigeria

A farm level sustainability indicator was determined within the framework of small-scale farming households utilizing Fadama for the cultivation of horticultural crops in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. The study determined Indicators of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (ISAP) and identifies the critical farming practices to monitor in order to sustain productivity of Fadama land. A two- stage simple random sampling technique was used to obtain 180 horticultural crops producing households interviewed for the study. The data were collected for 2008 cropping season. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, scoring and weighting of farm practices and sustainability web. The Indicator of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (ISAP) mean score of 0.622 implied that crop production practices of sampled farming households were fairly sustainable. The study showed that methods of pest control, weed control, and soil fertility maintenance were the critical indices to monitor for the improvement of sustainability. In order to ensure sustainability of Fadama for horticultural crops production the study recommends increased, integrated pest management and regulated use of agro-chemical.
Relationship between the column density distribution and evolutionary class of molecular clouds as viewed by ATLASGAL

We present the first study of the relationship between the column density distribution of molecular clouds within nearby Galactic spiral arms and their evolutionary status as measured from their stellar content. We analyze a sample of 195 molecular clouds located at distances below 5.5 kpc, identified from the ATLASGAL 870 micron data. We define three evolutionary classes within this sample: starless clumps, star-forming clouds with associated young stellar objects, and clouds associated with HII regions. We find that the N(H2) probability density functions (N-PDFs) of these three classes of objects are clearly different: the N-PDFs of starless clumps are narrowest and close to log-normal in shape, while star-forming clouds and HII regions exhibit a power-law shape over a wide range of column densities and log-normal-like components only at low column densities. We use the N-PDFs to estimate the evolutionary time-scales of the three classes of objects based on a simple analytic model from literature. Finally, we show that the integral of the N-PDFs, the dense gas mass fraction, depends on the total mass of the regions as measured by ATLASGAL: more massive clouds contain greater relative amounts of dense gas across all evolutionary classes.
Sociocultural Background and Choice of STEM Majors at University

This paper examines the role of the sociocultural background of students for choosing STEM majors at university. We combine survey data on university graduates in Switzerland with municipality level information from the census, referenda and elections. We characterize a student's home environment with respect to political attitudes and religious background. Our empirical estimates are based on a generalized Roy model for the choice of study field. Identification exploits individual differences in the cost of studying a STEM field. Students from conservative backgrounds are more likely to study a STEM field, with a stronger response of men compared with women.
Promotion of the Etendeka formation to group status: a new integrated stratigraphy

During the past decade the Etendeka Formation volcanic rocks have been the subject of detailed studies by the Karoo volcanics working group at the University of Cape Town in collaboration with colleagues from Rhodes University and the University of Queensland (Erlank et al., 1984; Milner 1986; Milner and Duncan, 1987; Milner, 1988; Milner and Ewart, 1989; Milner et al., 1992 and Milner et al., in press). With the new information available we believe that it is now necessary to present a formal scheme for the lithostratigraphic subdivision and nomenclature of the Etendeka volcanic rocks. We propose that the existing Etendeka Formation be promoted to Group status, that it be separated from the Karoo Sequence in Namibia and that recognisable successions within this Group be defined as Formations. Remnants of the Etendeka Formation volcanic rocks crop out within an area of approximately 78 000 km2 of northwestern Namibia (Fig. 1), and consist of a bimodal association of mafic to intermediate (51-59% SiO2) tholeiitic lavas interbedded with more felsic (6669% SiO2) quartz latite rheoignimbrites (Milner et al., 1992). The Etendeka Formation overlies, and in some cases is interbedded with, the aeolian Etjo Sandstone Formation of the Karoo sedimentary succession and has thus been considered to form the uppermost part of the Karoo Sequence in Namibia (SACS, 1980). The volcanic units frequently overstep the Karoo sedimentary rocks to lie directly on pre-Karoo basement of both Pan-African (Damara) and Palaeoproterzoic to Mesoproterozoic age. Due to its stratigraphic position the Etendeka Formation has been traditionally thought to be part of the Karoo Igneous Province of southern Africa (SACS, 1980; Eales et al., 1984). However, the age of the Etendeka Formation (~130-135 Ma) is 50-60 My younger than most of the Karoo volcanic rocks, including the basalts of the Kalkrand Formation of centralsouthern Namibia (Fitch and Miller, 1984; Milner et al., 1995). The age and geochemical characteristics of the Communs geol. Surv. Namibia, 9 (1994), 5-11