Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kudzu-Goat Interactions--A Pilot Study

The production and processing of forest products is a major industry in the State of Alabama. Current weed management and control practices rely heavily on the use of herbicides. With the risk of soil and water pollution associated with the use of some agricultural chemicals, the continuing use of such chemicals may become hazardous to human health. The need for developing integrated weed control methods with less use of herbicides can therefore not be overemphasized. One of the most aggressive competitive vegetations in southeastern forestlands is kudzu. The dominance of kudzu on over a million acres of forestland has made potentially valuable pine-producing land unusable. The most common control method is the use of chemicals. Grazing Angora goats on these forestlands may offer an alternative for controlling competitive vegetation while providing extra income to farmers from the sale of mohair. There is a lack of information on the interaction of kudzu and the Angora goat. The need therefore exists for the development of data on management practices relative to grazing, stocking rates, disease management and effects of the grazing on the goats as well as the interaction of the goats with newly planted pine and other desirable forest species. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of grazing Angora goats on control of kudzu and its effect on newly planted pine trees. This is a joint study between Tuskegee University, the U.S. Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station and the Tuskegee National Forest.
Edinburgh Research Explorer The relationship between emotional intelligence, previous caring experience, and successful completion of a pre-registration nursing/midwifery degree

Aim: To examine the relationship between baseline emotional intelligence and prior caring experience with completion of pre-registration nurse and midwifery education. Background: Selection and retention of nursing students is a global challenge. Emotional intelligence is well-conceptualized, measurable and an intuitive prerequisite to nursing values and so might be a useful selection criterion. Previous caring experience may also be associated with successful completion of nurse training. Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Method: Self-report trait and ability emotional intelligence scores were obtained from 876 student nurses from two Scottish Universities before they began training in 2013. Data on previous caring experience were recorded. Relationships between these metrics and successful completion of the course were calculated in SPSS version 23. Results: Nurses completing their programme scored significantly higher on trait emotional intelligence than those that did not complete their programme. Nurses completing their programme also scored significantly higher on social connection scores than those that did not. There was no relationship between “ ability ” emotional intelligence and completion. Previous caring experience was not statistically significantly related to completion. Conclusion: Students with higher baseline trait emotional intelligence scores were statistically more likely to complete training than those with lower scores. This relationship
Faithful Simulation of Randomized BFT Protocols 1 on Block DAGs 2

9 Byzantine Fault-Tolerant (BFT) protocols that are based on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) are 10 attractive due to their many advantages in asynchronous blockchain systems. These DAG-based 11 protocols can be viewed as a simulation of some BFT protocol on a DAG. Many DAG-based BFT 12 protocols rely on randomization, since they are used for agreement and ordering of transactions, 13 which cannot be achieved deterministically in asynchronous systems. Randomization is achieved 14 either through local sources of randomness, or by employing shared objects that provide a common 15 source of randomness, e.g., common coins . 16 A DAG simulation of a randomized protocol should be faithful , in the sense that it precisely 17 preserves the properties of the original BFT protocol, and in particular, their probability distributions. 18 We argue that faithfulness is ensured by a forward simulation . We show how to faithfully simulate 19 any BFT protocol that uses public coins and shared objects, like common coins. 20
Effectiveness of Protected Areas in the Pan-Tropics and International Aid for Conservation

Evaluation of the effectiveness of protected areas is critical for forest conservation policies and priorities. To evaluate their effectiveness, we used 30-m resolution forest cover change data between 1990 and 2010 for ~4,000 protected areas and analyzed the relationships of the effectiveness of protected areas with socio-economic variables. Our results show that protected areas in the Tropics avoided 83,500 ± 21,200 km2 of deforestation during the 2000s. Brazil’s protected areas have the largest amount of avoided deforestation of 50,000 km2. We also show the amount of international aid received by tropical countries compared to the effectiveness of protected areas. International aid had major benefits in Latin America led by Brazil while tropical Asian countries used the resource ineffectively. Our results demonstrate that protected areas have been relatively more efficient in countries where deforestation pressures were increasing, and governance and forest change monitoring capacity are important factors for enhancing the efficacy of international aid.
Network Traﬀic Classification for Detecting Multi-Activity Situations

—Network traffic classification is an active research field that acts as an enabler for various applications in network management and cybersecurity. Numerous studies from this field have targeted the case of classifying network traffic into a set of single-activities (e.g., chatting, streaming). However, the proliferation of internet services and devices has led to the emergence of new consuming patterns such as multi-tasking that consists in performing several activities simultaneously. Recognizing the occurrence of such multi-activity situations may help service providers to design quality of service solutions that better fit users’ requirements. In this paper, we propose a framework that is able to recognize multi-activity situations based on network traces. Our experiments showed that our solution is able to achieve promising results despite the complexity of the task that we target. Indeed, the obtained multi-activity detection performance is equivalent or often surpasses state-of-the-art techniques dealing with only a single activity.
Physics-Incorporated Framework for Emulating Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and the Related Network Study

The calculations of atmospheric radiative transfer are among the most time-consuming components of the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Therefore, using deep learning to achieve fast radiative transfer has become a popular research direction. We propose a physics-incorporated framework for the radiative transfer model training, in which the thermal relationship between ﬂuxes and heating rates is encoded as a layer of the network so that the energy conservation can be satisﬁed. Based on this framework, we compared various types of neural networks and found that the model structures with global receptive ﬁelds are more suitable for the radiative transfer problem, among which the Bi-LSTM model has the best performance.
Establishment of Technology System for Hybrid Soybean Seed Production

In this paper,the basis for establishment of hybrid soybean seed production technology system were elucidated and the key techniques were described.The roles of environment,insects and crops in the hybrid soybean seed production and the relationships among the three factors were illustrated in detail.The recent progress in hybrid soybean seed production technology system of Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences were introduced.Our results showed that the pod set rate of sterile lines could reach up to 90%,without releasing leafcutter bees in the field,through natural pollinators and integrated control of the three factors.
Development and initial validation of a new assessment tool for faecal incontinence in inflammatory bowel disease : the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire : Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( ICIQ-IBD )

P244 Development and initial validation of a new assessment tool for faecal incontinence in inflammatory bowel disease: the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ICIQ-IBD) L. Dibley1 *, C. Norton1, N. Cotterill2, P. Bassett3. 1King’s College London, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, London, United Kingdom, 2British Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom, 3Statsconsultancy, Medical Statistician, Amersham, United Kingdom
Inferring differential behavior between giant ground sloth adults and juveniles through scapula morphology

ABSTRACT Animals with large differences in body size between adults and juveniles will often exhibit differences in behavior through ontogeny, and these behavioral differences can sometimes have direct effects on skeletal morphology. Scapula shape has been shown in several groups to be highly influenced by function and in some groups to be a good indicator of body size. Megalonyx and Paramylodon, two of the most common and widespread of the North American Plio-Pleistocene giant ground sloths, had overlapping temporal and geographic ranges. However, they have few co-occurrences in the fossil record. In this study, the scapulae of juvenile and adult Megalonyx jeffersonii and Paramylodon harlani were analyzed using geometric morphometrics and compared with those of the two genera of modern tree sloths, Bradypus and Choloepus. The ground sloths have significantly different scapula shapes from each other, as do the tree sloths. The scapula shapes between juveniles and adults of each genus are also significantly different from each other, with the scapulae of the juveniles of each species more circular in appearance than the more ovoid ones in adults. All four genera show significant allometry, but it is more apparent in adults than juveniles. However, there is no difference in nonallometric shape between adults and juveniles or between each pair of genera. The ground sloths exhibit similar changes in ontogeny to those observed in modern sloths, indicating that ground sloth juveniles may have engaged in similar behaviors to those of modern sloths, such as clinging to their mothers for transportation. Ground sloth juveniles also possess morphological traits that have been linked with semiarboreal behaviors.
nonhu-Flow cytometric evaluation of peripheral blood and bone marrow and fine-needle aspirate samples from multiple sites in dogs with multicentric lymphoma

Objective —To determine whether the extent of disease in dogs with lymphoma can be assessed via flow cytometry and to evaluate the suitability of fine-needle aspirates from the liver and spleen of dogs for flow cytometric examination. Animals —44 dogs with multicentric B-cell (n = 35) or T-cell lymphoma (9) and 5 healthy control dogs. Procedures —Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples and fine-needle aspirates of lymph node, liver, and spleen were examined via flow cytometry. Logarithmically transformed T-cell–to–B-cell percentage ratio (log[T:B]) values were calculated. Thresholds defined by use of log(T:B) values of samples from control dogs were used to determine extranodal lymphoma involvement in lymphoma-affected dogs; results were compared with cytologic findings. Results —12 of 245 (5%) samples (9 liver, 1 spleen, and 2 bone marrow) had insufficient cellularity for flow cytometric evaluation. Mean log(T:B) values of samples from dogs with B-cell lymphoma were significantly lower than those of samples from the same site in dogs with T-cell lymphoma and in control dogs. In dogs with T-cell lymphoma, the log(T:B) of lymph node, bone marrow, and spleen samples was significantly higher than in control dogs. Of 165 samples assessed for extranodal lymphoma involvement, 116 (70%) tested positive via flow cytometric analysis; results agreed with cytologic findings in 133 of 161 (83%) samples evaluated via both methods. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Results suggested that flow cytometry may aid in detection of extranodal lymphoma involvement in dogs, but further research is needed. Most fine-needle aspirates of liver and spleen were suitable for flow cytometric evaluation. ( Am J Vet Res 2012;73:884–893)
An Overview of the Research on Mindfulness Based Interventions for Treating Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: This systematic review aimed to collate and evaluate the existing research for the use of mindfulness based approaches to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Primary objectives were to explore the effects of mindfulness based approaches on post-traumatic stress symptoms and associated psychological distress; with secondary objectives to explore the attrition rate, adverse effects, resource implications and long term effects of such interventions. Method: Research databases, EMBASE, OVID MedLine, Psycinfo, CINAHL and PILOTS were systematically searched, relevant authors in the field were contacted and a hand search of relevant papers was conducted. Results: The search resulted in 12 studies that met eligibility criteria. Many of these studies lacked methodological rigour. The majority of studies indicated positive outcomes with improvements in post-traumatic stress symptoms, particularly in reducing avoidance. Conclusions: The preliminary evidence for the use of mindfulness based approaches to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms is encouraging, although further studies with more robust research design are required.
A digital redescription of the Middle Miocene (Langhian) carettochelyid turtle Allaeochelys libyca

Allaeochelys libyca is a carettochelyid turtle from the Middle Miocene of Libya. The species is the only valid carettochelyid taxon recovered from Africa and was named based on fragmentary material that includes a partial cranium and isolated shell remains. The description of the holotype cranium was limited to external aspects, and micro-computed tomography was only performed later on that material. Here, we use these micro-computed tomography scans to reinvestigate the external and internal anatomy of the holotype cranium to document several erroneous anatomical interpretations and provide new insights into the morphology of the trigeminal foramen area, the endosseous labyrinth, and circulatory system of Allaeochelys libyca . The anatomical insights provided herein have the potential to be translated into new phylogenetic characters that are expected to improve the resolution among the Anosteira and Allaeochelys lineages, which are still poorly resolved.
It’s time we talk about time in entrepreneurship 1

This editorial draws attention to time to advance entrepreneurship research by focusing on two aspects of time—time perspective and time management. We initiate a deeper conversation on time in entrepreneurship and illustrate the value of a time-based lens for entrepreneurship research through discussing examples at the individual, firm and context levels. These examples consider underdog and portfolio entrepreneurs; well-being; social and unethical entrepreneurial behavior; entrepreneurial teams and entrepreneur-investor dyads; firm strategy; industry and cultural contexts. We review promising methods for time-conscious entrepreneurship research: process, true longitudinal, diary, experience sampling, observational, work-shadowing and time-use studies; historical approaches; experiments; and simulations. ,
Shore platform classification of central-southern NSW in relation to morphological variability and risk of drowning

University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. A court may impose penalties and award damages in relation to offences and infringements relating to copyright material. Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.
clot-Short communication: Neonatal calves coagulate first-milking colostrum and produce a large curd for efficient absorption of immunoglobulins after first ingestion

Calves are fed milk and milk replacer for their growth until approximately 2 mo after birth. During this period, their abomasa produce curd and whey from milk. It has been thought that curd formation is important for digestion and absorption of milk nutrients and immune substances in calves. However, no study has been done observing abomasal contents in neonatal calves after first ingestion of first milking colostrum. Here we report curd formation in neonatal calves and its physiological function with a focus on immunoglobulin absorption. We first examined curd formation by ultrasonography in 3 neonatal calves after first ingestion of first-milking colostrum. Between 0.5 and 8 h after colostrum ingestion, a curd was visualized as a large echogenic image with a clear outline, which was surrounded by an an-echoic image corresponding to whey. We next compared serum IgG and IgA concentrations in 10 calves fed the pooled colostrum and 7 calves fed the whey solution that did not coagulate into curds. Serum from 1 calf in the pooled colostrum sample set was excluded due to incomplete curd formation in that the whole colostrum did not coagulate into a large mass of curd and a portion of the colostrum remained as its residue caseins detectable from the abomasal fluid. Serum IgG and IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the 9 calves fed the colostrum than the 7 calves fed the whey solution. One calf exhibiting incomplete curd formation showed low levels of serum IgG and IgA after ingestion, similar to the calves fed the whey solution. These results indicate that curd formation is associated with IgG and IgA absorption in neonatal calves after first ingestion of colostrum.
Relationship Between Faults Oriented Parallel and Oblique to Bedding in Neogene Massive Siliceous Mudstones at The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, Japan

This study investigates the mechanical relationship between bedding-parallel and bedding-oblique faults in a Neogene massive siliceous mudstone at the site of the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in Hokkaido, Japan, on the basis of observations of drill-core recovered from pilot boreholes and fracture mapping on shaft and gallery walls. Four bedding-parallel faults with visible fault gouge, named respectively the MM Fault, the Last MM Fault, the S1 Fault, and the S2 Fault (stratigraphically, from the highest to the lowest), were observed in two pilot boreholes (PB-V01 and SAB-1). The distribution of the bedding-parallel faults at 350 m depth in the Horonobe URL indicates that these faults are spread over at least several tens of meters in parallel along a bedding plane. The observation that the bedding-oblique fault displaces the Last MM fault is consistent with the previous interpretation that the bedding- oblique faults formed after the bedding-parallel faults. In addition, the bedding-parallel faults terminate near the MM and S1 faults, indicating that the bedding-parallel faults with visible fault gouge act to terminate the propagation of younger bedding-oblique faults. In particular, the MM and S1 faults, which have a relatively thick fault gouge, appear to have had a stronger control on the propagation of bedding-oblique faults than did the Last MM fault, which has a relatively thin fault gouge.
SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTING MILK PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER DAIRY FARMERS IN WEST POKOT COUNTY, KENYA.

Livestock production contributes significantly to the development of the Kenyan economy. In West Pokot County, agriculture and livestock account for 84% of the county’s economy. It is expected to be the county’s main driver to sustainably achieve a 10% annual economic growth rate and 30% poverty reduction by 2030. Dairy farms in South and West Pokot Sub Counties have been unable to achieve maximum production. This has led to a reduction in smallholder dairy farmers’ livelihoods. They have become vulnerable in terms of food and income security and hence have been unable to gather for their daily needs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse farm specific socio-economic factors affecting milk production among smallholder dairy farmers in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study adopted descriptive and cross-sectional research. Data was collected from a sample of 383 smallholder dairy farmers from four wards in two sub-counties of South and West in West Pokot County, complimented with interviews from 11 key informants. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect primary data from the dairy farmers and key informants, respectively. Summary statistics showed that the average age of the respondents was 45.6 years who owned on average five dairy cows that produced 7.3 l of milk/cow/day. The fitted multiple regression model showed that age, family size, experience and main occupation had a significant impact on milk production at 1%, 5% and 10% significance levels respectively. A unit increase in, family size, experience and main occupation of smallholder dairy farmer led to an increase in milk production by a coefficient of 87.64, 0.3911, and 13.45 respectively. An increase in farmer’s age by a 1 year
Impacts of Invasive, Exotic Grasses on Quail of Southwestern Rangelands: A Decade of Progress?

Exotic grass invasions are a serious concern for State and Federal agencies, non-government organizations, and private landowners engaged in quail conservation and management. Quail biologists recognized the potential negative impacts of exotic grass invasion on North American quail populations 2 decades ago. This issue was addressed in a review paper published in the Proceedings of the 5 National Quail Symposium in 2002. That paper reported the state of our knowledge on impacts of exotic grass invasions on 5 quail species inhabiting southwestern rangelands. Our objective is to update the progress of exotic grass-quail research on southwestern rangelands during the past decade by reviewing studies that provide specific results about the impacts of exotic grass invasions on southwestern quail populations. Results of studies that have quantified the impacts of exotic grass on quail habitat use are summarized and discussed along with studies that describe how exotic grasses impact important components of quail habitat such as diversity and abundance native herbaceous plants and arthropods. Management of exotic grasses is also discussed. Citation: Kuvlesky Jr., W. P., L. A. Brennan, T. E. Fulbright, F. Hernández, S. J. DeMaso, J. P. Sands, R. M. Perez, and J. B. Hardin. 2012. Impacts of invasive, exotic grasses on quail of southwestern rangelands: a decade of progress? Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7:25–33.