Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM FLUSHING WITH LUPIN GRAIN DURING PRE-OVULATORY PERIOD ON OVARIAN ACTIVITY AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN DAMASCUS FEMALE GOATS

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of short-term flushing using lupin grain (high energy-protein diet) during pre-ovulatory period on ovarian activity and metabolic changes in Damascus female goats. Estrous cycle was synchronized in Sixteen Damascus does using CIDR for 6 days plus an intramuscular injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) at CIDR removal. Half of the does received the maintenance diet (control, C-group), while the second half received the maintenance diet plus supplementation of 500 g of lupin grain (F-group). Feeding treatment lasted six days (from CIDR insertion to CIDR removal). The flushed does had higher mean number of ovulatory (≥5mm) follicles during the follicular phase (P<0.05), and higher ovulation rate during the subsequent luteal phase (P<0.05). The nutritional treatment increased serum concentrations of glucose (P<0.001) and urea (P<0.001) during the pre-ovulatory period. Serum insulin concentration tended to be higher in the Fgroup than in the C-group on day 2 of nutritional treatment and reached the significant value on the day 4 of nutritional treatment. Serum concentrations of insulinlike growth factor (IGF-I) did not differ between both groups during all experimental period (P>0.05). A positive correlation was observed between concentration of serum glucose and both of number of ovulatory follicles during the follicular phase and ovulation rate, while negative correlation (P=0.06) was observed between serum urea concentration and serum progesterone concentration on the subsequent luteal phase. Results suggest that short-term flushing using high energy-protein diet during pre-ovulatory period enhance ovulation rate in Damascus female goats. This effect seems to be related with high concentration of serum glucose and insulin during pre-ovulatory period. Contrary, elevation of undesirable metabolites as urea (when high protein diets are used) may impair the final goal of flushing due to the negative effects on corpus luteum function.
Improving the welfare of feedlot cattle

In modern times the trend in beef cattle production has been towards large production units and large group housing in feedlots. While in some ways this trend improves welfare, for example by allowing full social contact, it also introduces a range of problems, including frustrated motivation, competition and poor animal-human interactions. These factors can have a negative impact on health and production (Lidfors & Jensen, 2003; Underwood, 2002). While there has been substantial research carried out regarding the welfare of pigs and poultry in intensive systems, there have been relatively few carried out for cattle (Wilson, Fell, Colditz & Collins, 2002).
Anaerobic Biodesulfurization of Kerosene Part II:Investigating Its Kinetics

Extensive research works have been carried out on biodesulfurization, especially which of dibenzothiophene as a model sulfur compound in petroleum. Recently, biodesulfurization of real petroleum feed, mostly diesel have been reported. The biodesulfurization of kerosene is hardly reported because it is mostly combusted domestically especially in sub-sahara Africa including Nigeria. The capability of Desulfatiglans anilini comb. nov.to desulfurize kerosene has been reported by authors elsewhere. This work examines the kinetics of kerosene biodesulfurization with and without the influence of mass transfer. The bio-kinetic parameters were estimated using the various methods of Hanes, Lineweaver-Buck and Eadie-Hofstee, all from the linear transformation of Michaelis-Menten equation. The obtained results when compared caused confusion, thus, the Michaelis-Menten equation was integrated and the bio-kinetic Parameters were estimated thereof. The partition coefficients of sulfur containing hydrocarbons in kerosene and in water was used instead of mass transfer coefficient, this was done using the Arey and Gschwend model. The developed model equations were solved numerically using the Finite Difference Method. The simulated results were compared with available experimental data, a good agreement was observed. The result showed that mass transfer played a significant role on the kinetics of the process.
On the Complexity of Traffic Traces and Implications

This paper presents a systematic approach to identify and quantify the types of structures featured by packet traces in communication networks. Our approach leverages an information-theoretic methodology, based on iterative randomization and compression of the packet trace, which allows us to systematically remove and measure dimensions of structure in the trace. In particular, we introduce the notion of \emphtrace complexity which approximates the entropy rate of a packet trace. Considering several real-world traces, we show that trace complexity can provide unique insights into the characteristics of various applications. Based on our approach, we also propose a traffic generator model able to produce a synthetic trace that matches the complexity levels of its corresponding real-world trace. Using a case study in the context of datacenters, we show that insights into the structure of packet traces can lead to improved demand-aware network designs: datacenter topologies that are optimized for specific traffic patterns.
Monetary Policy and Real Borrowing Costs at the ZLB

We investigate the effect of monetary policy surprises on Treasury yields and borrowing costs of businesses and households, as measured by interest rates on corporate bonds and mortgagerelated instruments. We compare the effects of policy surprises on market interest rates during the period of conventional policy actions and during the period in which the target federal funds rate is at the zero lower bound. In the conventional policy regime, a policy surprise that reduces the 2-year nominal Treasury yield 10 basis points induces a 5 basis point decline in longer-term nominal Treasury yields and a 4 basis point decline in the comparable-maturity TIPS yield. In the unconventional policy period, by contrast, an unanticipated easing that has the same effect on the 2-year yield causes a 20 basis point decline in long-term nominal Treasury yields and a 18 basis point decline in TIPS yields—that is, expansionary monetary policy flattens the nominal yield curve. We also document that expansionary monetary policy significantly reduces real borrowing costs for investment-grade firms and that policy easings during the unconventional policy period imply an effect on real corporate borrowing costs that is three times as large as during the unconventional policy regime for a commensurate movement in the 2-year Treasury yield. Monetary policy also reduces the real cost of household finance, as measured by movements in the real yields on mortgage-related instruments. While the pass-through from Treasury yields to real corporate yields is roughly one-for-one, the pass-through to household borrowing costs is substantially lower—on the order of 5 basis points for a 10 basis point decline in a comparable-maturity Treasury yield. JEL Classification: E43, E50
Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences with instruction in the mother tongue in the Eastern Cape

Background: The perception that educating learners using their mother tongue contributes positively to educational and learning outcomes is well documented. Aim: This study explores the purported benefits of employing the mother tongue in teaching Foundation Phase (FP) learners. Specifically, the study focuses on an examination of the experiences of teachers of isiXhosa (one of the indigenous languages in South Africa) and explains the effects of employing isiXhosa in teaching at the FP (Grades 1–3). Setting: The study was conducted in three rural schools in the Eastern Cape. Methods: The study utilised a qualitative approach and case study design was followed. The sample comprised nine FP teachers (one male and eight females) who were selected purposively from three public schools. Three FP teachers were selected from each school and the one-on-one interview was used to collect data. The collected data were analysed thematically. Results: This study revealed that a majority of FP teachers had not received training to teach subjects using isiXhosa as a medium of instruction. This study also revealed that teachers encountered numerous difficulties in teaching mathematics and life skills using isiXhosa as a medium because of lack of vocabulary to match mathematics and life skills concepts. Conclusion: The authors suggest that teacher training institutions should provide adequate and relevant professional training to FP teachers so that they could teach in isiXhosa optimally. The authors also suggest that all textbooks, readers, educational media, study guides and related literature be made available in isiXhosa.
Correlated Beliefs, Correlated Returns, and the Cross-Section of Stock Market Volatility

Firm-level stock returns exhibit comovement above that in fundamentals, and the gap tends to be higher in developing countries. We investigate whether correlated beliefs among sophisticated, but imperfectly informed traders can account for the patterns of return correlations across countries. We take a unique approach by turning to direct data on market participants’ information namely, real-time firm-level earnings forecasts made by equity market analysts. The correlations of firm-level forecasts exceed those of fundamentals and are strongly related to return correlations across countries. A calibrated information-based model demonstrates that the correlation of beliefs implied by analyst forecasts leads to return correlations broadly in line with the data, both in levels and across countries the correlation between predicted and actual is 0.63. Our findings have implications for market-wide volatility the model-implied correlations alone can explain 44% of the cross-section of aggregate volatility. The results are robust to controlling for a number of alternative factors put forth by the existing literature. JEL Classification: G15, G12, G10, D8
NEW APPROACH IN DESIGNING ENERGY-EFFICIENT TIMBER-GLASS BUILDINGS

This paper offers a new approach in designing energy efficient prefabricated timber buildings using a strong interlink between an architectural and structural approach. Using building materials with quite different material properties in a way to optimally consider all of their possible advantages applied in a hybrid structural composition could be a relatively new approach in designing high-quality energy-efficient buildings. Therefore, timber and glass could be an attractive design solution in developing architectural highly attractive residential buildings. The first step in the design process of such buildings should be considered through an effective architectural approach respecting rational passive design strategies towards exploitation of maximal possible solar radiation through the glazing by the development of an optimal position and size of glass elements on the building envelope. Consequently, such an attractive building form with the non-symmetric position of timber-glass wall elements usually results in many structural problems, which can be somehow avoided if glass panes are considered as load-bearing structural elements. As a final result of the presented study loadbearing timber-glass wall, structural elements with three-layered insulating glazing were developed in a sense to increase the total racking resistance of such constructed timber-glass buildings.
PHENOTYPIC VARIATION BETWEEN TWO EGG-TYPE CHICKEN STRAINS FOR RESIDUAL FEED CONSUMPTION AND CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY

An experiment was conducted to estimate the residual feed consumption (RFC), cell mediated immunity and their relationship in Hy-line (commercial) and Norfa (synthetic Egyptian) strains. Sixty laying hens (30 each) were randomly chosen and individually housed in cages from 46 to 54 weeks of age. The present results revealed that the Hy-line had significantly higher egg mass and better feed conversion ratio compared to Norfa one. Opposite trend was observed for eggshell quality. With respect to cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) response, the Norfa was hyper responder to Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) injection compared to Hy-line. The observed feed consumption values were somewhat close to their expected values in Hy-line. Swelling measured at 24hrs post PHA-P injection was significantly negatively correlated with RFC in Hy-line. Similar trend was noticed between swelling measured at 48hrs post PHA-P injection and RFC in Norfa . It could be concluded that the Hy-line strain had better egg production traits and RFC; however, the Norfa had better eggshell quality and was a higher responder to PHA-P injection.
Series WP-20-0 3 Microentrepreneurship in Developing Countries

This article reviews the recent literature in economics on small-scale entrepreneurship (“microentrepreneurship”) in low-income countries. Major themes in the literature include the determinants and consequences of joining the formal sector; the impacts of access to credit and other financial services; the impacts of business training; barriers to hiring; and the distinction between self-employment by necessity and self-employment as a calling. The article devotes special attention to unique issues that arise with female entrepreneurship.
Cumulative Knowledge and Open Source Content Growth: The Case of Wikipedia

We analyze content growth on one of the largest open source platforms: Wikipedia. Using edit-level data over 8 years across a large number of Wikipedia pages, we find that content is still growing substantially even in later years. Less new pages are created over time, but at the page-level we see very little slow-down in activity. One key driver of growth is a positive spill-over effect of past edits on current activity: we find that longer pages experience significantly more editing activity while controlling for a host of confounding factors such as popularity of the topic and platform-level growth trends. The magnitude of the externality is economically important and growth in editing activity on the average page would have been at least 50 percent lower in
Atmospheric Concentration and Deposition Flux of Cosmogenic Beryllium-7 at Toki, Central Part of Japan

The atmospheric concentration and deposition flux of cosmogenic 7Be were observed at Toki city, Gifu Prefecture, located in the central region of Japan, from September 2013 to March 2017, to understand the regional characteristics of the atmospheric environment. Atmospheric 7Be concentration ranged from 1.92 to 6.97 mBq m-3 and high concentrations were observed in spring and fall. 7Be deposition ranged from 35.2 to 281.6 Bq m-2 and it had a single peak in summer depending on monthly precipitation. These results are comparable to the previously reported values. Total deposition velocity of 7Be ranged from 0.25 to 4.92 cm sec-1 with a mean value of 1.48 ±0.88 cm sec-1, and showed a seasonal variation pattern with a single large peak in summer which is similar to deposition pattern. These results suggest that precipitation is an important control factor of total deposition velocity.
Using Census Microdata to Forecast U.S. Aggregate Productivity

We contribute to the productivity literature by building a bridge between time series analysis of macro-level productivity growth and rm-level productivity studies. We con rm earlier results that information from rm-level data improves univariate and multivariate forecasts of aggregate productivity using data from the U.S. We extend a statespace model to forecast medium term productivity growth by including a role for heterogeneous rms and the evolution of rm-level productivity and size distributions. We nd that adding time series that capture the contribution to productivity growth of within rm productivity growth and reallocation for US manufacturing rms improves estimates and forecasts of trend productivity growth for both the manufacturing and the aggregate non-farm business sectors. keywords: Total factor productivity, rm-level data, aggregation, forecasting, Kalman lter
EFFECT OF DIETARY LEVELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN AND SPECIFIC ORGANIC ACIDS ON BROILERS PERFORMANCE

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two crude protein levels: recommended (RPL; NRC, 1994), 2% Lower (LPL) and two Organic Acids (OA; Citric, CA and Fumaric, FUA) each at 0, 1.5 and 3.0% of the diet on broilers' performance. A total number of 288 one-day old unsexed Cobb broiler chicks were allotted randomly into 12 treatments of three replicates with eight chicks each. Mash corn-soybean meal diets, with 3200 Kcal/Kg, were fed. Starter diets (0-3 weeks of age) contained 23 and 21% CP, grower (3-5 weeks of age) contained 20 and 18% CP and finisher (at the 6 week of age) contained 18 and 16% CP. Feeding RPL + 1.5% FUA diet significantly (P≤0.05) improved body weight. Plasma total protein, albumin, lipids and calcium levels decreased (P≤0.05), however, uric acid and phosphorus increased (P≤0.05) with LPL diet. Supplementation of 3.0% FUA to LPL diet lowered AST and ALT enzymes. The fat meat was decreased (P≤0.05) by OA supplementations to RPL or LPL diets and the lowest was recorded for RPL + 1.5% CA. Organic acid supplementation increased (P≤0.05) meat protein and the highest was recorded for 1.5% CA or FUA either with RPL or LPL diets. The inclusion of FUA or CA into RPL or LPL diets increased tibia ash and retention of N and P however, FUA was more effective than CA. In conclusion, organic acids as a feed additive in poultry production had positive effects on broiler performance fed diets differing in CP level, via maintaining birds' physiological conditions, improving meat quality and reducing N and P excretion.
OVARIAN ACTIVITY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF MATURE OSSIMI EWES AS AFFECTED BY PRESENCE OF RAM

Two experiments were conducted in this study to assess the role of ram effect prior to mating on ovarian follicular dynamics and reproductive performance of Ossimi ewes. In Expt. 1, fourteen Ossimi ewes 3–6 years old were used. The first group (n=7), ewes were exposed with two trained teaser rams (REG), whilst, the second group (n=7) remaining ewes were isolated of rams (CG). The number and size of all follicles ≥2 mm and corpus luteum were monitored by ultrasonography. Expt. 2, including two mating season, 70 Ossimi ewes (3-6 years old) were selected from 115 ewes in each mating season, multiparous, non-lactating and clinically healthy. The first mating season (n=70), ewes were kept in the presence with teaser rams (REG) during the estrus detection and mating for two consecutive estrous cycles (45 d). The second mating season (n=70), ewes were remaining isolated of rams (CG) except at the time for detection of estrus. Ewes were mated after detection of estrus. While, ewes return to estrus, were mated again. At lambing, birth dates and the lambs born number per each ewe were recorded. All ewes isolated of males for three months before the beginning of the experiments. There were significant (P < 0.01) increases in the small (2-2.9 mm) and medium (3–5 mm) follicles number on ovaries of ewes in REG compared to CG. Moreover, the size of maximum ovulatory follicles and subdominant follicles (next largest follicle) were larger (P <0.001) in ewes of REG compared with those of CG. In addition, the ovulation rate mean was higher (P =0.05) in the REG than that of the CG (Expt. 1). The lambing rate was higher (P <0.01) in the first mating season (REG) compared to the ewes in the second mating season (CG). At the same time, the mean number of fecundity and litter size were higher (P <0.01) in the REG compared to the CG. Moreover, twining lambing rate was higher (P <0.01) in the REG. by contrary, the percentage of single lambing was lower (P <0.01) in the first mating season (REG). The percentage of ewes lambing at first service was higher in the REG than in CG but the difference was insignificant (Expt. 2). In conclusion, these results show that, ram introduction prior to mating season increased the ovarian activity and reproductive performance after period of isolation of Ossimi ewes.
Test Items, Outcomes, and Achievement Gaps

Standard psychometric methods aggregate test items into achievement scores without considering how items relate to economic outcomes. This paper constructs alternative achievement measures using the estimated relationship between individual test items and economic outcomes such as school completion and labor market earnings. Item-anchored scales rank students differently than standard psychometric scales, and these ranking differences have important implications for estimated achievement gaps by race, gender, and parental income. Typically, though not always, item-anchored achievement gaps are substantially larger than gaps calculated using standard psychometric scores. Black/white and high-/low-income achievement gaps are generally about 0.2-0.6 standard deviations larger (about 20-60%) when test items are related to labor market outcomes and 0.06-0.2 standard deviations larger (6-20%) when high school and college completion are used. Test items can fully explain blackwhite earnings differences, but can explain only half of the earnings difference between youth from highversus low-income households. Finally, conditional on item-anchored math scores, item-anchored reading scores have significantly positive relationships with various economic outcomes in contrast to psychometric scales where the reading relationships are zero or even negative conditional on math.
Taxes, Private Equity, and Evolution of Income Inequality in the US∗

From 1980 to 2012 the share of U.S. business receipts from businesses organized as pass-through entities (for example LLCs and S-corporations) rather than traditional C-corporations nearly triples following a sequence of tax reforms that reduced the effective tax rate on pass through business income. We show this shift in the pattern of business organization has significant economic implications for firm dynamics and income inequality. First, using firm-level administrative data we find that the tax reform dampened the employment growth of the US firms. Next, using a reduced form decomposition of data from the Survey of Consumer Finances, we find the increase in pass through entities explains over 50 percent of the increase in the share of pre-tax income for the top 1 percent of households. Finally, to illustrate the mechanism and quantify the effects of policy shifts we develop a heterogeneous agent equilibrium model with workers, entrepreneurs and endogenous choice of legal forms, which captures a key trade-off between tax benefits and diversification of investment risk. In the calibrated model, we quantify the contribution of tax reforms through the business reorganization channel to the evolution of income, wealth and consumption inequality of workers and entrepreneurs. Our initial estimates indicate that 1 percentage point reduction in the marginal personal income tax translates into the 0.3 percentage point increase in the top 1 percent pre-tax income share and significant increase in the number of the pass-through businesses.