Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study on the relationship between eggshell colors and egg quality as well as shell ultrastructure in Yangzhou chicken.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the relation between eggshell colors and egg quality as well as shell ultrastructure in Yangzhou chicken. A total of 120 eggs on the day of lay of New Yangzhou chickens were selected. The eggshell color, shape index, shell strength, shell thickness, egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, shell weight, yolk color, calcium content of shell, albumen and yolk were measured. Then the ultrastructure of transect and outer shell was observed through scan electron microscopy. The results showed that the tenderness of shell strength and shell thickness reduced as the shell color became shallow, however the pores in the shell and shape index increased. There were significant correlations between shell color and shell strength, shell thickness, and shell weight (P 0.05). It was concluded that some egg quality traits such as shell strength, shell thickness, shell weight and shell ultrastructure could be assessed through the shell color.
On the Use of Hard and Soft Reservation Schemes in Constant Bandwidth Servers

Reservation-based scheduling has successfully been used as a suitable technique to support complex real-time systems. In particular, the Constant Bandwidth Server (CBS) is one such technique that has received special attention recently. In this paper we evaluate by extensive simulation two CBS versions, corresponding to hard and soft reservation schemes. The latter makes use of background processor time but to do so it may decrease the server priority too much. While the former circumvents this problem, it follows stricter reser-vation rules. Results obtained from our simulation indicate that both schemes perform equivalently in some scenarios while in several others the soft version signiﬁcantly outperforms the hard one in mean response time, response time jitter and deadline miss ratio. Such results are relevant for system designers who can better subsidize their implementation decisions.
Importance of the Development of a Bowel Management Unit: Evaluation After 5 Years of Experience

Background: Fecal incontinence and constipation in children are frequently associated with diseases such as Spina Bifida (SB), Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) and Anorectal Malformations (ARM). Bowel management programs aim to improve the continence and quality of life of these patients. We show the experience of our bowel management unit since its creation, five years ago, where Transanal Irrigation (TI) is used as one of the treatment options.
DAMAGE STATES FOR CONCRETE WALL PIER REINFORCED WITH SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY REBAR

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of parameter for performance damage states of concrete wall pier reinforced with shape memory alloy (SMA). Extensive nonlinear static pushover analyses in the out of plane direction of the rectangular wall pier were performed to determine the following damage states; cracking, yielding and crushing of SMA-RC wall pier. Uncertainties in different structural and geometric parameters of the wall pier are taken into consideration through multifactorial analysis of variance (ANOVA). From detailed parametric analyses, it was concluded that the height to thickness ratio (H/t) and skew angles are the most significant factors influencing the performance damage state of SMARC wall piers. Other significant factors including concrete compression strength, austenite to martensite starting stress, vertical and transverse reinforcement ratio, and aspect ratio are also discussed along with their effect on different performance damage states of SMA-RC wall piers.
Numerical Investigation of the Wake Vortex-Related Flow Mechanisms in Transonic Turbines

As the core equipment of the power generation system, a gas turbine is an indispensable energy-converting device in the national industry. The flow inside a high-pressure turbine (HPT) is highly unsteady, which has a great influence on the aerothermal performance and structural strength. To better clarify the flow mechanism and guide the advanced design, the basic flow characteristics of transonic turbines are investigated in the paper by a modified scale-adaptive simulation (SAS) model based on the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The numerical results reveal the formation and development of the secondary flow structures such as wake vortex, pressure wave, shock wave, and the interactions among them. The length and frequency characteristics of wake are in good agreement with the large eddy simulation (LES) and the experimental data. Based on the detailed flow information, the local loss analysis is performed using the entropy generation rate. In summary, the wake vortex-related flow is the main origin of unsteadiness and entropy loss in high-pressure turbine cascade.
Spontaneous Unitarity Breaking in Macroscopic Quantum Systems

A system’s Hilbert space grows exponentially with the number of particles it contains due to the linearity of quantum mechanics. Classical state space, however, only scales linearly with system size. This would lead one to conclude that classical states become an increasingly rare phenomenon in the thermodynamic limit. The opposite is obviously true, indicating that a symmetry is irreversibly broken as systems grow in
Long‐bone geometry in columnar‐limbed animals: allometry of the proboscidean appendicular skeleton

Limb-bone allometry was investigated for 19 species of proboscideans, spanning almost the entire phylogenetic spectrum. More archaic proboscideans (‘gompthotheres’) have substantially thicker long-bone diaphyses relative to length than elephantids, as has been suggested previously, but contrary to previous suggestions it could not be confirmed that Mammuthus had more massive long-bone diaphyses on average than extant Elephas and Loxodonta. When correcting for phylogeny, the circumference of the limb bones to their length in proboscideans as a group generally scale with negative allometry, becoming stouter with increased length, as would be expected from limb mechanics. Few slopes were, however, statistically significantly negatively allometric. Correcting for phylogeny produced better correlations than traditional regression analyses, in contrast to most other studies where the reverse is the case. Intraspecific analyses of extant Elephas and Loxodonta, in addition to Mammuthus primigenius, Mammut americanum, and Gomphotherium productum, also resulted in negatively allometric regression slopes, frequently conforming to the theory of elastic similarity, as could be expected from the columnar posture of proboscideans. At present the reasons for the more massive limbs of gomphotheres s.l. are not fully understood. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149, 423–436.
Math is for Girls: The Unequal Effects of Text Messaging to Help Parents Support Early Math Development

This study assesses the effects of two text-messaging programs for parents that aim to support the development of math skills in prekindergarten students. One program focuses purely on math, while the other takes an identical approach but focuses on a combination of math, literacy, and social-emotional skills. We find no evidence that the math-only program benefits children ’ s development. However, the combination program shows greater promise, particularly for girls. Quantile regressions indicate that the effects are concentrated in the lower half of the outcome distribution. Results imply that girls may have started the year behind boys in math and caught up to and even surpassed boys when their parents have access to the program that combines topics. Our results also provide evidence that the structure of behavioral interventions can affect who benefits from the program, sometimes in unexpected ways, to produce meaningful differences in outcomes. We discuss and provide evidence for various hypotheses that could explain these differences. Abstract: This study assesses the effects of two text-messaging programs for parents that aim to support the development of math skills in prekindergarten students. One program focuses purely on math, while the other takes an identical approach but focuses on a combination of math, literacy, and social-emotional skills. We find no evidence that the math-only program benefits children’s development. However, the combination program shows greater promise, particularly for girls. Quantile regressions indicate that the effects are concentrated in the lower half of the outcome distribution. Results imply that girls may have started the year behind boys in math and caught up to and even surpassed boys when their parents have access to the program that combines topics. Our results also provide evidence that the structure of behavioral interventions can affect who benefits from the program, sometimes in unexpected ways, to produce meaningful differences in outcomes. We discuss and provide evidence for various hypotheses that could explain these differences.
Polymorphisms of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor and Asthma

Several missense mutations (polymorphisms) within the coding block of the β -adrenergic receptor ( β2AR) gene on chromosome 5q31 have been identified in the human population. In studies utilizing site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant expression, three loci at amino acid positions 16, 27, and 164 have been found to significantly alter receptor function. The Ile164 form displays altered coupling to adenylyl cyclase, the Gly16 receptor displays enhanced agonist-promoted downregulation, and the Glu27 form is resistant to downregulation. The frequencies of these various forms of the β2AR are not different in asthmatics than in normal populations. However, given the importance of β2AR in modulating lung function, studies have been carried out to determine if polymorphic forms may play roles in promoting asthmatic phenotypes, establishing bronchial hyperreactivity, or influencing the response to acute or chronic β -agonist therapy. The results of case-control and family studies to date support these notions.
Validity of Lower Extremity Postural Sway for Baseline Concussion Testing

Objectives: The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and King-Devick (KD) are utilized frequently in the athletic population for baseline testing, despite the BESS lacking sensitivity. Biomechanical testing detects smaller magnitudes of change but has not been validated against clinical tests. The objectives of this study were to examine the distribution of Lower Extremity (LE) sway variables in an athletic population; to examine the relationship between clinical and biomechanical concussion testing measures. Design: Cross sectional. Methods: 96 healthy Division I collegiate athletes were tested for both biomechanical and clinical concussion tests. Single Leg Stance (SLS) was performed blindfolded for 2.20 second trials each LE on a force plate system. Center of pressure data (LE sway) was converted to T-score and averaged across the two trials by side. Baseline BESS and KD scores were obtained from the athletes’ files. Descriptive statistics assessed the data distribution. Spearman’s rho (rho) correlations were used to determine the relationship between clinical and biomechanical test variables. Significance was set to P = 0.05. Results: LE sway and KD was normally distributed; BESS showed a floor effect. LE sway was significantly correlated to BESS test subsections (SLS, foam: rho = -0.30, 95% CI: -0.47, -0.11 and foam total score: rho = -0.30; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.11), BESS total score (rho = -0.31; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.12), and KD average (rho = -0.38; 95% CI: -0.54, -0.19). Conclusions: The lower extremity sway scores demonstrate validity when compared to clinical concussion tests. The distribution of sway scores indicates that this test may be better suited to detecting subtle differences in changes, and overcomes the limitations of the conventional clinical evaluations.
Effects of weed control, fertilization, and soil cultivation on the growth of Pinus radiata at midrotation in Canterbury, New Zealand

Two factorial experiments examining effects of weed control, fertilization, and soil cultivation on Pinus radiata D. Don growth were established in the Canterbury region of New Zealand during 1983. The experiments were measured every year for the first 5 years, during which effects of both weed control and fertilization were detected. Midrotation measurements of height and diameter at breast height were taken. Growth in subplot mean height and basal area per unit area over 3 years in one case and 4 years in the other, up to ages 13 and 14, respectively, was analysed. Results showed that the initial time gain due to weed control and fertilization was preserved at midrotation and that there was no continuing divergence between treated and untreated subplots after weed control. There was, however, continuing divergence after fertilization on one site where topsoil had been shifted into heaps during land clearing. Modelling revealed that effects of weed control and fertilization on basal area growth and yield of stands could be represented by the same difference equation with an additive term to represent the effects of treatments. On the other hand an existing regional growth and yield model failed to represent these effects properly.
Laticifers in crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae): Homology and evolution

Laticifer distribution is described in several genera of Euphorbiaceae, particularly in subfamily Crotonoideae, previously neglected in this respect. Branched, nonarticulated laticifers are common in both Crotonoideae and Euphorbioideae, sparse in Acalyphoideae (occurring in, e.g., Omphalea), and absent in the other two subfamilies. However, many genera without latex have elongated, highly branched sclereids in the mesophyll, which may in some instances be homologous with laticifers. Typical articulated laticifers (consisting of numerous fused cells) are currently known in only three genera of Crotonoideae, although several anomalous and transitional forms are reported. Crotonoideae differs from Euphorbioideae in that nonarticulated laticifers. Laticifer evolution is discussed in relation to the phylogeny of Euphorbiaceae
Results from the MILC collaboration's SU(3) chiral perturbation theory analysis

We present the status of the MILC collaboration's analysis of the light pseudoscalar meson sector with SU(3) chiral fits. The analysis includes data from new ensembles with smaller lattice spacing, smaller light quark masses and lighter than physical strange quark masses. Our fits include the NNLO chiral logarithms. We present results for decay constants, quark masses, Gasser-Leutwyler low energy constants, and condensates in the two- and three-flavor chiral limits.
Childhood liver diseases in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, South Africa.

Objective : To determine the pattern of liver diseases diagnosed in children at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital Histopathology Laboratory. Design : A retrospective study. Setting : Ga-Rankuwa Histopathology Laboratory. Subjects : Seventy two patients who underwent a liver biopsy during the study period. Methods : Laboratory records were reviewed and all liver biopsies were extracted. All slides were reviewed by the author to confirm the diagnoses. The findings were compared with similar studies elsewhere. Results : Biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis were the most common diseases. Metabolic liver diseases were rarely encountered. Conclusion : Neonatal hepatitis and biliary atresia are not uncommon amongst children who underwent liver biopsy at this hospital.
The Impact of Regulation on Auditor Fees: Evidence from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

SUMMARY: We examine changes in auditor fees around the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX). Audit fees are expected to increase after SOX due to an increase in both audit effort and auditors' expected legal liability. Our results indicate an economically large increase in audit fees following the enactment of SOX. Controlling for audit and client characteristics, we find that audit fee levels rose approximately 74 percent in the post‐SOX period. Nonaudit fees fell significantly over the same period, but total fees paid to auditors rose because the increase in audit fees more than offset the decline in nonaudit fees. Additionally, we find that the Big 4 audit firms increased audit fees by 42 percent more than their smaller counterparts. Finally, we find that while small and large audit firms discount fees on initial engagements to attract new clients in the pre‐SOX period, only small audit firms continue to offer fee discounts for the post‐SOX years. Our findings are robust to a host of sensitivity tests.
Use of sterile triploid Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) for aquaculture in New Brunswick, Canada

Induced triploidy is the only effective method currently available for mass production of reproductively sterile salmonids for aquaculture. Repeated studies at the Atlantic Salmon Federation's hatchery (St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada) have shown only minor differences between triploids and diploids in survival to S1 smolt age (15 months), percentage of the population which became S1 smolts, and mean S1 smolt size. However, a similar study at a commercial hatchery was terminated because of exceptionally high mortality of triploids prior to the start of feeding. Marine growout trials in sea cages showed that triploids grew well in seawater, but had reduced survival rates (leading to a 5-15% reduction in yield at harvest) and high rates of jaw abnormalities. Similar results have been reported elsewhere. Although induced triploidy can be used effectively as a management tool to ensure lack of reproduction, there is at present little support of the aquaculture industry to switch to their large-scale use. In light of fundamental biological differences, it is perhaps naive to expect triploids to perform as well as diploids using standard culture methods. Triploids should be treated as a new “species” for aquaculture development, beginning with research to determine their optimum rearing requirements.
Immunity to Chlamydia trachomatis and Host-Pathogen Interactions During Infection

Infections with the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis are a critical public health problem. Chlamydia remains the number one cause of preventable blindness worldwide and the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in the United States. In humans, repeat and persistent infections with Chlamydia result in severe inflammation. Inflammation in the conjunctiva can result in blindness, while inflammation in the genital tract can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy or infertility. In order to curb the increasing incidence of Chlamydia infections worldwide it will be necessary to develop a protective vaccine that affords long-term protection and prevents pathologies. To better inform vaccine development we must understand the mechanisms that drive long-term immunity in the genital tract and elucidate critical interactions between Chlamydia and host cells to uncover potential mechanisms of immune evasion. This dissertation is focused on understanding interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis and its host while leveraging those finding for future therapeutic intervention. First, using a novel infection model I characterized mechanisms that afford long-lived protection in the genital mucosa following C. trachomatis infection. These studies identified that CD4 T cells are necessary and sufficient to protect mice from C. trachomatis infection. I further examined the migration of CD4 T cells to the genital mucosa and discovered that the integrin α4β1 and the chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 are all required for the efficient recruitment of Chlamydia-specific T cells to the genital mucosa to mediate protection. Because immunity to Chlamydia in humans has been shown to be short-lived I next characterized how Chlamydia
SCALE STRUCTURE OF A CYPRINID FISH, CAPOETA DAMASCINA (VALENCIENNES IN CUVIER AND VALENCIENNES, 1842) USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE (SEM)

The normal and lateral line cycloid scales of a cyprinid fish Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1842) have been subjected to the scanning electron microscopy technique in order to study their detailed structure. The scales have the general morphological characteristics of the cycloid scales. In the normal scale located below the dorsal fin, the focus lies towards the anterior region and is covered by reticulate or honeycomb form structures with few mucous pores. There is a clear-cut demonstration between the anterior and posterior region. In the posterior section, the scale has several rows of pigmented granules (tubercles) with different shapes from round to oval, semi-oval and even oblong structure. On the dorsal side, the anterior circuli bear teeth-like structures called lepidonts which help the scale in firm attachment to the skin. The circuli may also have calcium projections. The lateral line scale has a canal which characteristically lies along the anterior-posterior axis, slightly towards the posterior part with two anterior and posterior openings. The anterior opening is wider than the posterior opening and is hidden by an evelike extension cantilevered over it. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that the shape and size of lepidonts on the circuli crest and also the pattern of reticulate or honeycomb form structures in the focus region may provide reliable taxonomic tools.
Establishment of White Perch, Morone americana, in Lake Erie

White perch, Morone americana, was first reported in Lake Erie in 1953. No further reports of capture were recorded until 1973, when one fish was taken. Three other captures were confirmed in 1974, and 34 in 1975. All but 3 of the 38 specimens were taken in the warm, shallow western basin and the extreme eastern end of the central basin. The widespread distribution and the sizable numbers of specimens collected in 1975 strongly indicate that this nonendemic species has become established in Lake Erie. Key words: white perch, range, Lake Erie