Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth rate and offspring survival in a free-ranging wild boar Sus scrofa population

We estimated birth rates in wild boar Sus scrofa by counting embryos in the uterus of females killed in individual or drive hunts. Counting corpora lutea in the ovaries gave information on embryo:corpus luteum rate, which can be useful for estimating birth rates in early stages of pregnancy. Birth rates were estimated separately for the different age groups. Age was estimated by means of teeth wear. Survival was estimated by direct observations counting the piglet:female ratio in matrilineal groups. The method is suitable for assessing summer survival only, as 8–9 months after birth, matrilineal groups begin to disintegrate. Average estimated birth rate was 6.7 ± 2.1 (N = 51). We found a positive linear relationship between conception rate and age of female, conception rate and body mass, and conception rate and body length, respectively. In late stages of pregnancy, embryo:corpus luteum rate proved to be 0.83 ± 0.15. Recruitment of piglets to the female population was low; more than half of the piglets had perished by the end of September. The highest mortality rate occurred in the first weeks of the piglets' lives.
C V ] 3 0 N ov 2 01 3 An alternative proof of the extended Saalschütz summation theorem for the r + 3 F r + 2 ( 1 ) series with applications

A simple proof of a new summation formula for a terminating r+3Fr+2(1) hypergeometric series, representing an extension of Saalschütz’s formula for a 3F2(1) series, is given for the case of r pairs of numeratorial and denominatorial parameters differing by positive integers. Two applications of this extended summation theorem are discussed. The first application extends two identities given by Ramanujan and the second, which also employs a similar extension of the Vandermonde-Chu summation theorem for the 2F1 series, extends certain reduction formulas for the Kampé de Fériet function of two variables given by Exton and Cvijović and Miller.
Small-study effects: current practice and challenges for future research

Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are highly valued as evidence for clinical decisionand policy-making. However, inference in these settings may be invalid if the studies do not come from the same underlying distribution. Small study effects is one form of heterogeneity that can lead to biased estimates, particularly if it arises due to the selective publishing of studies, a phenomenon known as publication bias. In this paper we discuss landmark methods for diagnosing the presence of small-study effects and correcting for them, as well as the limitations of each method. We also identify ongoing challenges and key areas in need of methodological innovation.
A Comparison of Milk Clotting Characteristics and Quality Traits of Rendena and Holstein-Friesian Cows

Milk coagulation properties (MCP) and composition, as predicted by mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS), were compared between Rendena (RE) local breed and Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows using 4614 individual milk samples from 28 single-breed herds. Records of rennet coagulation time (RCT, min), curd firmness (a30, mm), daily milk yield and quality traits were analysed using a linear mixed model which included fixed effects of breed, herd-test-date nested within breed, lactation stage, parity, and two-way interactions between the main effects. Random effects were cow nested within breed and residual. Milk from RE coagulated 2.1 min earlier and showed a firmer curd by 4.8 mm than that of HF cows (P<0.05). Milk yield (+9.7 kg/d) and fat content (+0.22 g/100 g) were greater for HF than RE (P<0.05), while protein (+0.05 g/100 g) and casein (+0.06 g/100 g) contents were greater in milk from RE cows (P<0.05). Rennet coagulation time was shortest at the beginning of lactation, and a30 was firmest at the beginning and end of lactation. Results from this study suggest that milk of RE is more suitable for cheese processing than that of HF cows. Milk clotting characteristics of the local breed should be taken into account when developing strategies useful for its valorisation.
Factors Affecting the Mindfulness among Undergraduate Students of Faculty of Education in a Public University

Numerous empirical studies from the past forty years since Kabat-Zinn adapted the principle of traditional mindfulness practice for use as an alternative medicine have showed the importance of being mindful regularly as a proper way to lead a life. Emotional and cognitive development was manifest benefit according to neurological research. Mindfulness resulted in visible change to the conditions of the brain areas, including activation of the prefrontal cortex related to cognition and emotional and behavioral regulation, an increase in the concentration of gray matter in the hippocampus related to memory, and a decrease of amygdala activity related to negative emotion (Creswell et al., 2007; HÖlzel et al., 2011). Apart from medicine, there is now also a practical application of mindfulness in a wide range of contexts, specifically education. There have been studies on the results of dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness meditation programs for teachers, which obviously helped to increase their emotional regulation, perceived self-efficacy, and sleep quality and duration, while also decreasing stress, burnout, and worrying about work at home. Additionally, it promoted class management and relationship quality with students, regardless of the students who had challenging behavior (Crain et al., 2017; Emerson et al., 2017; Flook et al., 2013; Jennings, 2015). In other words, mindfulness allowed teachers to live and work happily with good physical and mental health. However, it would be better to prepare student teachers for professional difficulties in advance.
Phylogenetic relationships in North American Astragalus (Fabaceae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction site variation

Chloroplast DNA restriction site variation was surveyed in 58 accessions of aneuploid (n = 11-15) North American Astragalus plus outgroup taxa consisting of Oxytropis lambertii, and two species from euploid (n = 8, 16 . . .), predominantly Old World, sections of Astragalus. A set of 52 site mutations was analyzed using Wagner parsimony. The resulting strict consensus tree revealed that the North American aneuploid series forms a monophyletic ingroup relative to the Old World euploid outgroups. In addition, a diverse assemblage of taxa comprising some 20% of the North American species is monophyletic. A method for characterizing large sets of equally parsimonious trees in terms of the diversity of distinct component clades is described and applied to these data.
Ill-being or well-being? Energising international business travellers

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative study is to explore well-being experiences of international business travellers (IBTs) and contribute to our understanding of personal and job characteristics as antecedents of ill- or well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe authors’ insights are based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 32 IBTs assigned to various destinations ranging from single-country travel to global operation. Participants in this study represent a range of traveller personas (regarding demographics, type of work, travel patterns). Thematic analysis is used to reveal new insights.FindingsThe authors’ analysis revealed trip-load (i.e. workload, control, organisational support) and intensity of travel (i.e. frequency, duration and quality) as job characteristics that sit on an energy stimulation continuum, driving work-related outcomes such as stress and burnout or health and well-being. Energy draining and boosting processes are moderated by cognitive flexibility and behavioural characteristics.Practical implicationsFindings represent a framework for managing IBT well-being via adjustments in job and travel characteristics, plus guidance for training and development to help IBTs self-manage.Originality/valueThe insights within this paper contribute to the conversation around how to enhance well-being for IBTs and frequent flyers. The study intends to offer direction as to which specific job, psychological and behavioural characteristics to focus on, introducing a novel framework for understanding and avoiding serious consequences associated with international mobility such as increased stress, burnout and ill-health.
Management of Peanut bud necrosis disease through intercropping

Field trials were conducted in Karnataka, India, in 1995, 1996, 2003 and 2004 to evaluate the effect of six intercrops in different groundnut-based intercropping systems on the disease severity of peanut bud necrosis disease (PBND; caused by Groundnut bud necrosis virus) of groundnut (cv. JL-24). Intercropping of groundnut with bajra, sorghum, pigeon pea and maize in the ratio of 3:1 significantly reduced the incidence of PBND. The PBND incidence was reduced by 60.3 to 69.1% due to these intercrops. As a result of successful control of disease, an increase in pod yield of 7.36 to 15.48% was achieved in various treatments. Among the effective intercrops, bajra was found superior followed by sorghum, pigeon pea and maize. Castor and sunflower were not effective in reducing the incidence of disease and increasing the pod yield of groundnut
Tax-Preferred Savings Vehicles: Can Financial Education Improve Asset Location Decisions?

Abstract In this study, we conduct a stated-choice experiment to analyze the decision to contribute to either a front- or back-loaded tax-preferred retirement savings account. Our experimental design includes a randomized financial education intervention that provides information on the tax implications of both types of account. Respondents who were exposed to the intervention have greater knowledge of these accounts and make contribution choices that increase their after-tax income. Using a well-defined benchmark, we show that on average, respondents who experienced the intervention increase their discounted welfare by about 4% of their contribution amount.
Endogenous Technological Change and the New Keynesian Model

Abstract This paper develops and estimates a New Keynesian (NK) model with endogenous technology. It shows that introducing endogenous technology can solve three important puzzles that conventional NK models face: the inflation persistence, disinflationary news shock, and zero lower bound (ZLB) supply shock. First, the observed persistence in inflation is explained without relying on the conventional NK models' additional assumptions (e.g., backward price indexation). Second, it explains the observed disinflationary effect of a news shock. Third, the model avoids the conventional NK models' paradoxical, empirically inconsistent prediction that a negative supply shock is expansionary at the ZLB on interest rates.
Tree growth in an African woodland savanna affected by disturbance

Abstract Questions: How does tree growth in a tropical woodland savanna vary as a function of size, and how is it affected by competition from neighbours, site attributes, and damage caused by disturbance? Location: western Zimbabwe. Methods: Trees of common species were tagged, mapped, and measured annually between 2001 and 2003 in a Kalahari sand woodland savanna. Diameter increments were analysed with mixed model regressions for the largest ramet in each genet. Stem diameter and damage, soil texture, and indices of competition at multiple spatial scales were used as covariates. Results: Stem diameter increased initially and then declined as a function of size in undamaged trees, which grew faster than damaged trees. Growth in damaged trees declined with size. No site differences were detected, and there was evidence for between-tree competition on growth only in the fastest-growing species, Brachystegia spiciformis. In several species the growth rate of the largest ramet increased as a function of the basal area of secondary ramets, contrary to expectations. For many species, the growth models showed poor explanatory power. Conclusions: Growth in Kalahari sand savanna trees varies as a function of size and changes in tree architecture caused by disturbance agents such as fire, frost, and elephant browsing. Disturbance may thus play an important role on vegetation dynamics through its effects on growth in the post-disturbance phase. Growth is highly stochastic for some species in this system, and more deterministic in others. It is hypothesized that this dichotomy may be driven by differences in rooting depth among species. Nomenclature: Coates Palgrave (1977). Abbreviations: LRT = Likelihood ratio test; PC1 = Axis 1 of principal components analysis.
The effect of dietary essential oil mixture supplementation on the broiler performance, carcass yield and some internal organ weight.

Yeme esansiyel yağ karışımı (EYK) ilavesinin etlik piliçlerin büyüme performansı, karkas randımanı ve bazı iç organ ağırlıkları üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla 2 deneme yürütülmüştür. Her bir denemenin hayvan materyalini günlük yaşta ve karışık cinsiyette 400 adet etlik civciv oluşturmuştur. Her iki denemede de piliçlerin yarısına temel yem karması verilirken, diğer yarısına ise altı farklı esansiyel yağın karışımından oluşmuş EYK ilave edilmiş yem verilmiştir. Yeme EYK ilavesinin birinci denemede etlik piliçlerin büyüme performansı üzerine istatistiki olarak herhangi bir etkisi olmazken (P>0.05), ikinci denemede hem üç hem de altıncı hafta canlı ağırlıklarını artırmış ve yemden yararlanmayı iyileştirmiştir (P<0.01). Yeme EYK ilavesinin etlik piliçlerin yem tüketimi ve ölüm oranı üzerine denemelerin her ikisinde de etkisi olmamıştır (P>0.05). Yem EYK ilavesi birinci denemede karkas randımanını artırmıştır (P<0.05). Ayrıca yeme EYK ilavesi ikinci denemede etlik piliçlerin pankreas ağırlığını artırmıştır (P<0.05). Bu çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlar etlik piliç yemlerinde EYK’nın performans artırıcı yem katkı maddesi olarak kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir.
Estimation of Tissue Distribution of mRNA Transcripts for Desaturase and Elongase Enzymes in Channa striata (Bloch, 1793) Fingerlings Using PCR Technique

Fish species are varied in their capacity to biosynthesize n-3 highlyunsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA & DHA) that are crucial to the health and well-being of all higher vertebrates. Experts report that HUFA metabolism involves enzyme-mediated fatty acyl desaturation (FAD) and elongation (FAE) processes. In previous studies, different workers cloned, characterized, identified and reported several genes for FAD and FAE enzymes in different fish species such as Atlantic salmon, gilthead seabream, rainbow trout and zebrafish, and also demonstrated the up- and down-regulation in the activity of these enzymes in response to fluctuations in dietary HUFA. In this paper, we report on the expression of genes (mRNA transcripts) for FAD and FAE enzymes in different tissues of Channa striata (Bloch, 1793) fingerling, to evaluate the tissues of the fish in which activity of both enzymes are high. To achieve this objective, we used conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to isolate and quantify the absolute copy number for each gene transcripts from 8 different tissues of the fish (reared with a commercial feed). Our estimate show that the distribution of the 2 enzyme transcripts were significantly (P ＜ 0.05) higher in the liver and brain of C. striata than detected in the 6 other tissues evaluated (muscle, ovary, testis, intestine, kidney and skin). Subsequently, we discuss here extensively, the implication of this observation with respect to the use of vegetable oils (VO) as substitute to fish oil (FO) in diets for freshwater fish species.
Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10−8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10−8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 × 10−12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10−8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte–macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice. A genome-wide association study of critically ill patients with COVID-19 identifies genetic signals that relate to important host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage that may be targeted by repurposing drug treatments.
Clinical manifestations along with biochemical and psychological outcomes of COVID-19 cases in diabetic individuals in Bangladesh

Background and aims: This study investigated the clinical manifestations, outcomes and long-term complications of COVID-19 inpatients in Bangladesh while emphasizing on individuals having diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a sample of COVID-19 inpatients across four different hospitals of Bangladesh between April 1st and June 30, 2020. Variation in clinical characteristics, contact history, comorbidities, treatment pattern, and long-term complications were investigated. Results: There were 734 COVID-19 presentations in this study of which 19.8% of patients had diabetes. 76% were male and 85% of the patients had been administered with all vaccine doses during childhood. The most frequently occurring blood groups among patients with diabetes were B (+) ve (35%) and O (+) ve (31%). Among biochemical parameters, glucose, D-dimer, C- reactive protein (CRP) and Troponin levels were significantly elevated amidst the cohort with diabetes. The frequency of insulin dependent individuals increased three-fold during COVID-19. A number of COVID-19 patients with diabetes have been suffering from long term complications post recovery including pain, discomfort, memory loss and sleep disturbance. Conclusion: Individuals with diabetes have experienced severe manifestation of COVID-19 and post disease complications. Further in-depth studies focused on larger sample sizes are entailed to assess the relationships elaborately.
Deep Learning for Automatic Classification of Multi-Modal Information Corresponding to Chest Radiology Reports

Hospitals frequently use chest X-ray images, which can provide a detailed view of a patient’s thorax, as a radiology examination technique for the diagnosis of cardiac and pulmonary diseases. However, the interpretation of these images, which often results in a free-text radiology report and/or a classification, requires specialized medical professionals, leading to high labor costs and waiting lists. Automatic inference of thoracic diseases from the results of chest radiography exams is still a challenging task, although several recent studies have proposed machine learning methods for this particular task. Deep neural network architectures can contribute to a more efficient indexing of radiology exams (e.g., associating the data to diagnostic codes), providing inexpensive, accurate, and interpretable classification results that can guide the domain experts. This article advances a novel approach for classifying chest X-ray reports, based on a multimodal end-to-end neural network that combines representations for the images and the associated textual descriptions. Experimental results show interesting patterns, e.g. validating the high performance of the individual components and showing promising results for the multi-modal processing of radiology examination data, particularly when pre-training the components of the model with large pre-existing datasets (i.e., a 14% increase in terms of the average value for the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves).
Exogenous Sex Hormone Effects on Brain Microstructure in Women: A diffusion MRI Study in the UK Biobank

Changes in estrogen levels in women have been associated with increased risk for age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, but the impact of exogenous estrogen exposure on the brain is poorly understood. Oral contraceptives (OC) and hormone therapy (HT) and are both common sources of exogenous estrogen for women in reproductive and post-menopausal years, respectively. Here we examined the association of exogenous sex hormone exposure with the brain’s white matter (WM) aging trajectories in postmenopausal women using and not using OC and HT (HT users: n=3,033, non-users n=5,093; OC users: n=6,964; non-users n=1,156), while also investigating multiple dMRI models. Cross-sectional brain dMRI data was analyzed from the UK Biobank using conventional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the tensor distribution function (TDF), and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). Mean skeletonized diffusivity measures were extracted across the whole brain, and fractional polynomial regressions were used to characterize age-related trajectories for WM microstructural measures. Advanced dMRI model NODDI revealed a steeper WM aging trajectory in HT users relative to non-users, and for those using unopposed estrogens relative to combined estrogens treatment. By contrast, no interaction was detected between OC status and age effects on the diffusivity measures we examined. Exogenous sex hormone exposure may negatively impact WM microstructure aging in postmenopausal women. We also present normative reference curves for white matter microarchitectural parameters in women, to help identify individuals with microstructural anomalies.
Women born to older mothers have reduced fertility: Evidence from a natural fertility population

Are daughters of older mothers less fertile? The human mutation rate is high and increases with chronological age. As female oocytes age, they become less functional, reducing female chances at successful reproduction. Increased oocyte mutation loads at advanced age may be passed on to offspring, decreasing fertility among daughters born to older mothers. In this paper we study the effects of maternal ageing on her daughter’s fertility, including total number of children, age at last birth, and neonatal mortality among her children. We study fertility histories of two generations of women from disjoint families from a pre-transitional historical population in the Dutch province of Zeeland. Using mixed effect Poisson models to take within family (sibling) relations into account, we show that fertility is reduced among married daughters who were born at advanced maternal age, with fewer children ever born and earlier ages at last birth. We do not find consistent evidence for effects on neonatal mortality. These results may indicate that women born to older mothers are negatively affected by their mothers’ increased oocyte mutation load.