Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different doses of sodium monensin on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and digestibility of Nellore cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different doses of sodium monensin on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility of Nellore cattle. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block, replicated 12 times, in which 60 20-months old yearling Nellore bulls (402.52 ± 33.02 kg) were fed in individual pens for 84 days according to the different doses of monensin expressed in ppm (dry matter basis): 0, 9, 18, 27 and 36. As doses of monensin increased, final body weight, average daily gain, gain-to-feed ratio, and dressing percentage were affected cubically (P < 0.03), where animals fed 9 ppm of monensin presented greater average daily gain and better gain-to-feed ratio. Likewise, as dose of monensin increased, dry matter intake, hot carcass weight, and neutral detergent fiber and fecal starch digestibility in finishing period decreased linearly (P < 0.05). In addition, neutral detergent fiber digestibility in adaptation period in creased linearly (P = 0.01) as doses of monensin increased. Thus, based on the results of this study, if monens in is going to be included in finishing diets for feedlot Nellore cattle, the dose of 9 ppm should be considered as the most feasible option.
A Hybrid Simulation Model to Predict the Cooling Energy Consumption for Residential Housing in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, buildings consume 90% of the electricity generated and over 60% of the city’s carbon emissions are attributable to generating power for buildings. In 2018, Hong Kong residential sector consumed 41,965 TJ (26%) of total electricity generated, with private housing accounting for 52% and public housing taking in 26%, making them the two major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, air conditioning was the major source consuming 38% of the electricity generated for the residential building segment. Strategizing building energy efficiency measures to reduce the cooling energy consumption of the residential building sector can thus have far-reaching benefits. This study proposes a hybrid simulation strategy that integrates artificial intelligence techniques with a building energy simulation tool (EnergyPlus™) to predict the annual cooling energy consumption of residential buildings in Hong Kong. The proposed method predicts long-term thermal energy demand (annual cooling energy consumption) based on short-term (hourly) simulated data. The hybrid simulation model can analyze the impacts of building materials, construction solutions, and indoor–outdoor temperature variations on the cooling energy consumed in apartments. The results indicate that using low thermal conductivity building materials for windows and external walls can reduce the annual cooling energy consumption by 8.19%, and decreasing the window-to-wall ratio from 80% to 40% can give annual cooling energy savings of up to 18%. Moreover, significant net annual cooling energy savings of 13.65% can be achieved by changing the indoor set-point temperature from 24 °C to 26 °C. The proposed model will serve as a reference for building energy efficiency practitioners to identify key relationships between building physical characteristics and operational strategies to minimize cooling energy demand at a minimal time in comparison to traditional energy estimation methods.
Predicting Inactivation of Bacillus subtilis Spores Exposed to Broadband and Solar Ultraviolet Light

Abstract This study develops general predictive models for the ultraviolet (UV) radiation dose–response behavior of Bacillus subtilis spores to solar UV irradiation that occurs in the environment and broadband UV irradiation used in water disinfection systems. The approach is demonstrated using previously obtained experimental survival rates for B. subtilis spores deposited on dry surfaces as well as in water and exposed to both narrow band UV radiation as well as broadband UV irradiation from solar exposure and disinfectant lamps. Results are modeled to derive predicted survival rates for spores as a function of irradiance intensity and wavelength, capability for repair, and depletion of available sites for UV damage. The essential features of the approach are expression of the inactivation action spectrum in terms of the probability of an incident photon being absorbed and forming a dimer lesion, and expression of the spore survival as a cumulative binomial distribution for damage. The results provide increased accuracy in estimating dispersed biological hazards, and evaluating the effectiveness of UV air and water disinfectant systems. In addition, the approach for the first time explains the observed reduced inactivation rate in a repair-capable strain compared with a sensitive, repair-deficient strain by accounting for the depletion of available lesion-forming sites due to increasing DNA damage.
Living in a cold tropical mountain: do the microhabitat use and activity pattern change with elevation in the high-Andean lizard Stenocercus trachycephalus (Squamata: Tropiduridae)?

The high mountain environment is a tough habitat that imposes many challenges to reptiles. As temperature decreases with altitude and has a dramatic variation throughout the day in the tropical mountains, ectotherms must cope with these harsh conditions. We studied the use of microhabitat and activity patterns of Stenocercus trachycephalus in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia. Three localities were sampled across the wide altitudinal distribution of this lizard species, in a range from 2,670 to 3,950 m a.s. l. The initial hypothesis was that these natural history traits would change with altitude but instead, we found that they remained roughly consistent, showing the great plasticity of this species. The results support that this lizard is a microhabitat-generalist using principally herb across the gradient, rarely shifting to specific plants or microhabitats such as rocks depending on availability. Regarding the activity pattern, this species was active throughout the day from 8:00 to 16:00 with a similar pattern along the gradient. Nevertheless, some differences were detected across localities. The activity pattern shifted from bimodal in the lower locality to unimodal in the higher ones. As expected, a correlation between temperature and activity patterns was found in one of the study sites. However, this was not the case for the lower and mid-elevation localities, where there was no correlation between these variables. The mid-elevation study site was the most interesting locality as the use of microhabitat relied virtually just on the herb stratum and the activity was constrained to the morning hours. These findings may be the result of the synergic effects of other ecological variables (weather variability, human impact, predation, population structure, or reproductive season). Our study gives the basis for a better understanding of how behavior (microhabitat choice and hours of activity) of ectotherms can help to counter thermal constraints in the neotropics when facing an altitudinal gradient. Further studies should focus on the thermal biology of this species, considering the influence of anthropic impact on these lizards’ populations.
Earnings Quality and Foreign Investors in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

This study aims to measure the earnings quality (EQ) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using a sample of 1827 firm-year observations from 2008 to 2016 by using nine EQ measures. These measures are persistence, predictability, value relevance, earnings response coefficient (ERC), smoothness, earnings surprise, accrual quality, loss recognition timeliness and conservatism. The study also examines the effect of these nine EQ measures on attracting foreign investors. Data are collected from Capital IQ database, and some other data are calculated manually from the capital markets and firms in each country. In this quantitative research, the sample is analysed by using descriptive statistics, correlation, and generalized least squares (GLS) regression to verify the hypotheses and analyse the effect of EQ measures on attracting foreign investors. Findings show distinct effects on attracting foreign investors in different countries. Persistence, predictability, ERC, and accrual quality have a positive effect in Oman, whereas value relevance and ERC have a positive effect in Kuwait. Predictability, accrual quality, ERC, and conservatism negatively affect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Finally, loss recognition timeliness, smoothness, and earnings surprise do not have any effect in all GCC countries.
MT‐filters‐based adaptive quantized dynamic surface control of stochastic nonstrict‐feedback nonlinear systems including input unmodeled dynamics

In this article, the issue of stochastic adaptive dynamic surface control (DSC) is discussed for stochastic nonstrict‐feedback constrained nonlinear systems with input quantization and input unmodeled dynamics. Linearly parametrized neural networks are used to estimate unknown continuous functions. With the help of MT‐filters, the unmeasurable system states are observed. An auxiliary signal constructed by the property of unmodeled dynamics is utilized to deal with the dynamic uncertain terms. Input‐quantized actuator is considered to possess quantization and unmodeled dynamics. Using the hyperbolic tangent function as invertible change, the output constrained stochastic nonstrict‐feedback system is transformed into a novel stochastic nonstrict‐feedback system without restrictions. Based on quantized DSC technology and the property of Gaussian function, adaptive neural control is developed for the transformed stochastic nonstrict‐feedback system. The output abides by stochastic constraints in probability. By the Lyapunov synthesis approach, all signals in the whole system are proved to be semi‐global uniform ultimate bounded in probability. The restriction condition is not triggered. The obtained theoretical findings are verified by two numerical examples.
Analysis of Intoxication Deaths: Causes and Manners of Death

The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of deaths caused by drug poisoning or intoxication with other substances in Qom province, Iran from 2008 to 2012. The data on poisoning deaths were collected from the autopsy reports and defined cause of death in death certificates. Death profiles and demographic characteristics were analysed. Intoxication death cases were recorded 388 subjects during the five year study period, of which 264 cases (68 %) were male. Results showed that the rate of intoxication deaths was 93 cases per one million populations in 2008, decreasing to 49 cases in 2010 and then increasing to 69 cases in 2012. Opium alkaloids caused the highest mortality rate in male and female cases. Tramadol and tricyclic antidepressants were the second cause of death in males and females, respectively. The majority of cases were in the age range of 21-30 years. Accidental poisoning with opioids was the most reported manner of death. Death cause analysis revealed that opioids contributed to death in the majority of cases. The findings of the present study highlight the importance of regulatory controls on clandestine illicit opioid production, distribution and abuse by heath care authorities.
Ornithopod Jaws from the Lower Cretaceous Eumeralla Formation, Victoria, Australia, and Their Implications for Polar Neornithischian Dinosaur Diversity

ABSTRACT Ornithopod dinosaurs are relatively common in the Cretaceous of Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria, which has yielded five taxa to date: two from the upper Strzelecki Group (upper Barremian–lower Aptian), and three from the Eumeralla Formation (upper Aptian–upper Albian). Whereas four of these are based solely on cranial material, Diluvicursor pickeringi is represented by a partial postcranium and is the only ornithopod specimen heretofore reported from the Eric the Red West (ETRW) site. Herein, we describe nine ornithopod dentulous elements from the Eumeralla Formation: seven from ETRW, and two from nearby sites. The four ETRW maxillae are divided into three morphotypes that are morphologically compatible with Leaellynasaura amicagraphica, Atlascopcosaurus loadsi, and cf. Galleonosaurus dorisae, respectively. Although this implies that Diluvicursor might not represent a distinct taxon, this is circumstantial. The new Leaellynasaura maxillae are evidently adult exemplars, contrasting with the juvenile holotype, whereas the sole Atlascopcosaurus maxilla is more complete than all previously referred specimens; consequently, revised diagnoses of both taxa are presented. Finally, the presence in the Eumeralla Formation of cf. Galleonosaurus—otherwise known only from the upper Strzelecki Group—implies that this taxon persisted from the Barremian to the Albian, and potentially indicates remarkable environmental stability in southeast Australia during the late Early Cretaceous.
Delivering Music Education Training for Non-Specialist Teachers through Effective Partnership: A Kodály-Inspired Intervention to Improve Young Children’s Development Outcomes

A priority area identified by the Department of Education (England) and the Economic Social and Research Council is the development of teachers, especially in primary music education where the limited opportunities for training offered by teacher training providers have raised concerns. This paper reports on an evaluation of a collaborative partnership training of non-specialist teachers, using a Kodály-inspired pedagogy to teach music in a classroom setting. Participants included 54 teachers (and 1492 pupils, aged 5–6), selected from 55 schools, as part of a large randomised control trial (RCT) in the north of England. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that was conducted alongside the RCT, but which was not part of the RCT itself or the RCT’s implementation and process evaluation. Results from the study, which include a pre-post survey of teachers, focus group interviews and reflective journals, suggest promising effects on teachers’ pedagogical skills, their self-efficacy and competence, and children’s self-confidence and disposition for learning.
Perception of Online Learning among Undergraduate Students at Suez Canal Medical School during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Many adaptations to medical education have been made in response to the new emergent COVID-19 pandemic and its enormous global effects including the teaching and learning strategies to assure the educational process's safety and advancement. Accordingly, it was necessary to implement new online instructional approaches at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University in Egypt. Objective: To assess online learning advantages and disadvantages as perceived by medical students in addition to their preference regarding online vs face-to-face learning, Subjects and methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study that included 340 students who filled an online survey consisting of 16 questions and was conducted on the Google Forms platform. Target population: years 1, 2 and 3 undergraduate medical students at Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University who experienced online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The mean age of students was 19.57±1.02, ranged from 17 to 23 years, 61% of them were females. About 63.8% of students had no previous experience with online learning. The main perceived advantages were the ability to stay home (63.8%), comfortable surrounding (52.1%) and access to online materials (47.1%), while the main perceived disadvantages were technical problems (67.6%), lack of interaction with patients (58.8%), and reduced interaction with teachers (48.5%). Most of the students found face-to-face learning is superior to online learning in improving the knowledge (p=0.005), clinical skills (p < 0.001) and social competence (p < 0.001). Though 77% of them rated online learning as enjoyable. Conclusion: Most of our participants preferred traditional face-to-face learning over the online learning. Stakeholders should take the required steps to improve learning by reducing the disadvantages and increasing advantages of online learning as perceived by students during this study.
Empirical Determinants of Corruption in Honduran Municipalities

Abstract This article evaluates municipal bureaucratic corruption in Honduras on a sample of 268 observations of Honduran municipalities surveyed by the Latin-American Public Opinion Poll for 2004–2016. This bureaucratic corruption is measured by officials’ request for a bribe from citizens to get some municipal paperwork done. Financial factors do not impact corruption. Officials could take advantage of citizens’ imperfect information (agency problem) to obtain personal benefits and extract income through certain expenditures that allow them to hide corruption. In this regard, Supreme Audit Institution audits refrain officials from incurring corrupt practices by counteracting the agency problem. Accordingly, audit reports should be presented to the municipal council and citizens through open councils. Implementation of digital government would contribute to curbing corruption, as it would minimize officials’ contact with citizens and, consequently, bribery.
Microbiological Quality of Meat and Swabs from Contact Surface in Butcher Shops in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia

Food-borne pathogens are the primary source of infection in developing countries. The widespread practice of raw beef consumption was a potential cause of food-borne diseases in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was initiated to assess the microbiological quality of fresh meat samples from butcher shops in Debre Berhan. Fresh meat samples and swab samples from contact surfaces were collected from butcher shops for microbial analysis, following standard methods. The study revealed that the mean microbial counts of morning samples for total aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliform, fecal coliform, aerobic spore formers, and yeasts and molds of the butcher shops were 5.31, 4.24, 4.47, 4.79, 4.74, 3.77, and 5.0 log cfu/g, respectively. The mean microbial counts from the afternoon sample for total aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliform, fecal coliform, aerobic spore formers, and yeasts and molds of the butcher shops were 5.47, 4.78, 4.84, 4.88, 4.94, 5.15, and 5.07 log cfu/g, respectively. A higher microbial load was found from the meat sample collected in the afternoon. The mean microbial counts of total aerobic mesophilic, Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliform, fecal coliform, aerobic spore formers, and yeasts and molds from swabs of the contact surface were 4.17, 3.98, 4.08, 3.96, 3.86, 3.80, and 3.92 log cfu/cm2, respectively. Further characterization of the aerobic mesophilic flora indicated a dominance by Enterobacteriaceae (36%) followed by Staphylococci spp. (24%) and Bacillus spp. (19%). The prevalence of S. aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella in meat and swab samples was 37.5%, 32.5%, and 7.5%, respectively. In this study, it was observed that all samples collected from butcher shops detected a significant count of spoilage microbes. Hence, adequate sanitary measures should be taken from production to consumption stages.
Generational Effects of Workplace Flexibility on Work Engagement, Satisfaction, and Commitment in South Korean Deluxe Hotels

This study examined the effects of workplace flexibility at deluxe hotels on work engagement, satisfaction, and commitment, to determine the moderating effect of generational characteristics (Generation X, Y, and Z). A total of 277 deluxe hotel employees in South Korea participated in the research. The results confirmed the positive effects of workplace flexibility on the engagement and satisfaction of deluxe hotel employees; second, employees’ work engagement had a positive effect on their satisfaction; third, employees’ satisfaction had a positive impact on employees’ commitment; and fourth, the influence of workplace flexibility on engagement did not differ by generation. However, Generation Z showed the largest increase in employee engagement resulting from work flexibility. This result signifies that, when compared to other generations, Generation Z places great importance on workplace flexibility. This study suggests that deluxe hotels should create flexible policies and organizational climates to increase employees’ work engagement, satisfaction, and commitment. The paper also discusses limitations and future research directions.
Diffusion of molybdenum and tungsten in anhydrous and hydrous granitic melts

Abstract To better understand the transport of Mo and W in granitic melts and the formation mechanism of porphyry ore deposits, we have investigated the diffusivities of Mo and W in granitic melts with 0.04–5.1 wt% H2O at 1000–1600 °C and 1 GPa using a diffusion couple approach and a Mo saturation approach with Mo sheet serving as the source. The Mo and W diffusivities obtained from diffusion profiles measured by LA-ICP-MS can be described as: DMo,anhy=10−1.47±0.73exp[−(387±25)/RT],DW,anhy=10−1.28±1.05exp[−(396±35)/RT],DMo,2.7wt%H2O=10−5.37±0.52exp[−(211±18)/RT],DMo,5.1wt%H2O=10−6.87±0.69exp[−(133±20)/RT],$\begin{align}& {{D}_{\text{Mo},\text{anhy}}}={{10}^{-1.47\pm 0.73}}\exp \left[ -{\left( 387\pm 25 \right)}/{\text{R}T}\; \right], \\ & {{D}_{\text{W},\text{anhy}}}={{10}^{-1.28\pm 1.05}}\exp \left[ -{\left( 396\pm 35 \right)}/{\text{R}T}\; \right], \\ & {{D}_{\text{Mo},2.7\text{wt }\text{%}{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{O}}}={{10}^{-5.37\pm 0.52}}\exp \left[ -{\left( 211\pm 18 \right)}/{\text{R}T}\; \right], \\ & {{D}_{\text{Mo},5.1\text{wt }\text{%}{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{O}}}={{10}^{-6.87\pm 0.69}}\exp \left[ -{\left( 133\pm 20 \right)}/{\text{R}T}\; \right], \end{align}$ where D is diffusivity in m2/s (with the subscripts denoting water contents and “anhy” representing nominally anhydrous melt), R is the gas constant, T is the temperature in K, and the activation energies in the exponential are in kJ/mol. When the influence of H2O is incorporated, Mo diffusivity in granitic melts with <5.1 wt% H2O can be modeled as: logDMo=−(1.94±1.58)−(0.87±0.36)w−[(19341±2784)−(2312±620)w]/T$log {{D}_{\text{Mo}}}=-\left( 1.94\pm 1.58 \right)-\left( 0.87\pm 0.36 \right)w-{\left[ \left( 19341\pm 2784 \right)-\left( 2312\pm 620 \right)w \right]}/{T}\;$ where w is H2O content in the melt in wt%. The diffusion behavior (low diffusivities, high activation energies, and strong H2O effects) of Mo and W indicates that they exist and diffuse in the melt in the form of hexavalent cations. Their low diffusivities imply that the bulk concentrations of Mo and W in exsolved hydrothermal fluid and those in the melt are probably not in equilibrium. However, because of the large fluid-melt partition coefficients of Mo and W, they can still be enriched in the hydrothermal fluid, although to a lesser extent than equilibrium partitioning would allow. Slow Mo and W diffusion can be a significant rate-limiting step for the formation of porphyry Mo/W deposits.