Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Principal components for the in vivo and carcass conformations of Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats

EnglishThis study aimed to identify the principal components (PC) that explain the highest percentages of total variance and best characterize the in vivo and carcass morphologies of Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats. Nineteen carcass morphometric traits and six in vivo morphometric traits were measured in 28 kids at eight months of age. Principal component analysis indicated that five PC were able to explain 83.57% of the total variance in the 19 original carcass traits. Those components were termed PC1-Carcass Size, PC2 - Body Condition, PC3-Carcass Width, PC4-Chest Depth, and PC5 - Hindquarter. For in vivo morphometric traits, the first two principal components explained 78.86% of the total variance. These components were called PC1-In vivo Size and PC2-In vivo Conformation. Key words: carcass; correlation; multivariate analysis; variance. portuguesEste estudo buscou identificar componentes principais (CP) que explicam os maiores percentuais de variância total e que melhor caracterizam cabritos mesticos da raca Anglo Nubiana, quanto a medidas morfologicas obtidas in vivo, e na carcaca de 28 animais com 8 meses de idade. Foram conduzidas duas analises de componentes principais, sendo uma para 19 caracteristicas de carcaca e outra para seis caracteristicas morfometricas in vivo. Os cinco primeiros CP explicaram 82,54% da variância total das 19 caracteristicas incluidas nessa analise. Estes componentes foram chamados de: CP1 - Tamanho da Carcaca, CP2 - Condicao Corporal, CP3 - Largura da Carcaca, CP4 - Profundidade do Torax e, CP5 - Comprimento do Pernil. Os dois primeiros componentes principais das morfometrias obtidas in vivo explicaram 78,86% da variância total e foram chamados de CP1 - Tamanho in vivo e CP2 - Conformacao in vivo. Palavras-chave: analise multivariada; carcaca; correlacao; variância
Effect of varieties and phosphorus doses on growth, yield attributes and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in soline-alkali soil

An investigation made for two years (2007-08 and 2008-09) at Agricultural farm of Shri Durga Ji Post Graduate, College of Chandeshwar, Azamgarh (UP), India to find out the effect of varieties (Malviya-2, Aparna, Sapana and Rachana) and phosphorus levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg/ha) on growth and yield attributes and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in saline- alkaline soil. All the treatments were tested in three replicated Randomized Block Design. The results indicated that the Sapana variety gave highest growth attributes viz. plant height, branches/plant, dry weight/plant and days to 50% flowering and maturity yield attributes viz., pods/plant, pods weight/plant, grains/pod and test weight and yields viz. grain yield, straw yield and harvest index, which was significantly inferior to all other varieties of pea during both the years. The application of phosphorus @80 kg/ha produced significantly higher all observed growth attributes, yield attributes and yield of pea which is at par with the application of phosphorus @ 60 kg/ha except growth attributes during both the years. Therefore, used Sapana variety along with 60 kg/ha P2O5 proved to be all yield attributes and yields of pea during both the years, respectively.
Physicochemical and Pasting Characteristics of Water Yam (D. alata) in Comparison with Pona (D. rotundata) from Ghana

The physicochemical and pasting characteristics of 18 varieties of Dioscorea alata (an underutilized yam species) were determined in comparison to pona, (a local and most preferred Dioscorea rontundata variety in Ghana) to contribute to knowledge base of D. alata for product diversification and further improvement. Tubers were randomly selected and moisture content determined before processing the remaining to flour for physicochemical and pasting characteristics. The results showed that test varieties had significantly (p<0.05) higher moisture and protein contents, higher peak time and pasting temperature but lower dry matter and starch content, lower swelling power and pasting viscosities in comparison with pona. Peak viscosity ranged from 74.80 to 284.60 RVU, trough (66.85 to 258.65 RVU), and breakdown (19.50 to 311.50 RVU). Peak time and pasting temperatures were 5.15 7.00 min and 83.60-90.10C respectively. Pona had 291.17 RVU as peak viscosity, 186.17 RVU troughs, 105.00 RVU breakdown and 422.75 RVU final viscosity. Others were: setback (236.58 RVU), peak time (4.73 min) and pasting temperatures (79.88 C). The physicochemical properties in conjunction with the pasting properties of the test varieties suggest the presence of strong bonding forces within their starch granules. Pastes from test varieties were relatively more stable when cooked hence will have a lower tendency to undergo retrogradation during freeze/thaw cycles than the reference variety. The study has shown significant variations among D. alata varieties and between the D. alata and pona. This could lead to selection and improvement of D. alata varieties for specific food applications to stimulate their production and utilization.
A temporal beta‐diversity index to identify sites that have changed in exceptional ways in space–time surveys

Abstract Aim This paper presents the statistical bases for temporal beta‐diversity analysis, a method to study changes in community composition through time from repeated surveys at several sites. Surveys of that type are presently done by ecologists around the world. A temporal beta‐diversity Index (TBI) is computed for each site, measuring the change in species composition between the first (T1) and second surveys (T2). TBI indices can be decomposed into losses and gains; they can also be tested for significance, allowing one to identify the sites that have changed in composition in exceptional ways. This method will be of value to identify exceptional sites in space–time surveys carried out to study anthropogenic impacts, including climate change. Innovation The null hypothesis of the TBI test is that a species assemblage is not exceptionally different between T1 and T2, compared to assemblages that could have been observed at this site at T1 and T2 under conditions corresponding to H0. Tests of significance of coefficients in a dissimilarity matrix are usually not possible because the values in the matrix are interrelated. Here, however, the dissimilarity between T1 and T2 for a site is computed with different data from the dissimilarities used for the T1–T2 comparison at other sites. It is thus possible to compute a valid test of significance in that case. In addition, the paper shows how TBI dissimilarities can be decomposed into loss and gain components (of species, or abundances‐per‐species) and how a B–C plot can be produced from these components, which informs users about the processes of biodiversity losses and gains through time in space–time survey data. Main conclusion Three applications of the method to different ecological communities are presented. This method is applicable worldwide to all types of communities, marine, and terrestrial. R software is available implementing the method.
Eggshell and Bone Quality in Two Different Genetic Groups of Aged Layer Breeders

07/January/2020 Approved: 19/April/2020 ABSTRACT The present study was conducted on pair aged commercial laying breeder strains (Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line W-36) to evaluate genetic differences of eggshell and bone quality. In addition, egg production performance, mortality rate, internal organs and reproductive measurements were determined. Correlation coefficients among some eggshell and bone traits were calculated. White layer breeder hens had significantly higher percentages of hen-day and hen-housed egg production compared to the brown one. Brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain had better eggshell quality compared to W-36 Hy-Line layer breeder strain. The white layer breeder strain had a significantly higher relative oviduct weight compared to the brown one. Brown layer breeder strain recorded the higher humerus width in comparison with the white one. Tibia bone weight of brown layer breeder strain was significantly heavier by 22.87% as compared to the white strain. Moreover, the brown breeder strain recorded the higher figure of tibia width, thickness, and strength. In conclusion, at the end of the laying cycle, brown Hy-Line layer breeder strain exhibited better eggshell quality, body weight and tibia bone quality than those of W-36 breeder strain. Positive correlation coefficients were detected between humerus bone strength and both eggshell thickness and strength in brown
Explainability of Deep SAR ATR Through Feature Analysis

Understanding the decision-making process of deep learning networks is a key challenge that has rarely been investigated for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. In this article, a set of new analytical tools is proposed and applied to a convolutional neural network (CNN) handling automatic target recognition on two SAR datasets containing military targets. First, an analysis of the respective influence of target, shadow, and background areas on classification performance is carried out. The shadow appears to be the least used portion of the image affecting the decision process, compared to the target and clutter, respectively. Second, the location of the most influential features is determined with classification maps obtained by systematically hiding specific target parts and registering the associated classification rate relative to the images to be classified. The location of the image areas without which classification fails is target type and orientation specific. Nonetheless, a strong contribution of specific parts of the target, such as the target top and the areas facing the radar, is noticed. Finally, results show that features are increasingly activated along the CNN depth according to the target type and its orientation, even though target orientation is absent from the loss function.
PCIF1 catalyzes m6Am mRNA methylation to regulate gene expression

mRNA modifications play an important role in regulating gene expression. One of the most abundant mRNA modifications is N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am). Here, we demonstrate that m6Am is an evolutionarily conserved mRNA modification mediated by the Phosphorylated CTD Interacting Factor 1 (PCIF1), which catalyzes m6A methylation on 2-O-methylated adenine located at the 5’ ends of mRNAs. Furthermore, PCIF1 catalyzes only 5’ m6Am methylation of capped mRNAs, but not internal m6A methylation in vitro and in vivo. Our global mRNA methylation analysis revealed that there is no crosstalk between m6Am and m6A mRNA methylation events, suggesting that m6Am is functionally distinct from m6A. Importantly, our data indicate that m6Am negatively impacts translation of methylated mRNAs by antagonizing cap binding protein eIF4E. Together, we identify the first and only human mRNA m6Am methyltransferase and demonstrate a novel mechanism of gene expression regulation through PCIF1-mediated m6Am mRNA methylation in eukaryotes. Highlights PCIF1 is an evolutionarily conserved mRNA m6Am methyltransferase Loss of PCIF1 leads to a complete loss of m6Am, whereas m6A level and distribution are not affected PCIF1 mediated m6Am does not affect RNA Pol II transcription or mRNA stability m6Am-Exo-Seq is a robust methodology that enables global m6Am mapping m6Am suppresses cap dependent translation
Functional ultrasound imaging of deep visual cortex in awake non-human primates

Deep regions of the brain are not easily accessible to investigation at the mesoscale level in awake animals or humans. We have recently developed functional Ultrasound (fUS) imaging fUS imaging technique to uncover deep hemodynamic functional responses. Applying fUS imaging on two awake non-human primates performing a passive fixation task, we reconstructed their retinotopic maps down to the deep calcarine and lunate sulci on visual areas (V1, V2 and V3). These maps were acquired in a single hour session with very few stimuli presentation. The spatial resolution of the technology is illustrated by mapping of Ocular Dominance (OD) columns within superficial and deep layers of the primary visual cortex. These acquisitions showed that OD selectivity is mostly present in layer IV but with evidence also in layers II/III and V. The fUS imaging technology therefore provides a new mesoscale approach to map brain activities at high spatiotemporal resolution in awake subjects within the whole depth of the cortex.
On the Detection and Characterization of Exomoons Through Survey and Targeted Observations

On the Detection and Characterization of Exomoons Through Survey and Targeted Observations Alexander Macaulay Teachey Exomoons remain amongst the most elusive targets in observational astronomy. Nevertheless, these worlds stand to provide an unprecedented window into the formation and evolution of planetary systems. If the Solar System is any guide, we can expect exomoons will be geologically active and diverse, with the potential for hosting volatiles, atmospheres, and even life. Moreover, a thorough understanding of the population and occurrence rates of exomoons will help to place our own Solar System in a galactic context, speaking to the commonality of our own history. And though there are a variety of known pathways for moon formation, the discovery of exomoons may yet reveal heretofore unanticipated system architectures and defy easy explanation, thereby enriching our theoretical understanding of system formation. In this Dissertation I present a population study of exomoons in the Kepler data, finding an apparent dearth of Galilean-analog satellites orbiting planets between 0.1 and 1 AU. I then present evidence for a large exomoon orbiting Kepler-1625b – potentially the first ever discovery of a transiting exomoon – as suggested by a joint analysis of Kepler and Hubble Space Telescope data. The following chapter further investigates a number of alternative hypotheses relating to the candidate moon, though the conclusion that an exomoon best explains the data in hand remains unchanged. Finally, I present the results of an effort to identify candidate exomoon signals in the Kepler data by developing a convolutional neural network trained on O(105) Kepler light curves injected with simulated planet and moon transit signals. The most promising exomoon candidates identified by the neural network are examined in detail, undergoing a full photodynamical model fit and Bayesian model selection. I conclude by discussing the outlook for the moon search, highlighting strategies for future work and myriad unanswered questions that should be pursued in the coming years.
Growth Performance, Metabolic Efficiency and Nutrient Utilization of BALB/C Mice Fed with Diet Made from Leftovers from Cocos nucifera Pulp

Shortage of animal feeds as a result of increased demand and competition for scarcely available animal feeds has led to drastic decrease in animal production globally. In Kenya, utilization of various plant parts including leaves, fruits and bark of various plantations is taking center stage. Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) a member of the pulp family Arecaceae has potential to feed animals from its leftovers after utilization for human food. The study sought to analyze proximate nutritional value composition of Coconut pulp leftovers and its formulated diet as well as in vivo growth performance of BALB/c mice. Formulated coconut pulp leftovers were dried before both phytochemical analysis and in vivo growth performance was determined. The Proximate analysis indicated Coconut pulp leftovers contained; 3.50±0.22% crude protein, 34.15±2.48% dry matter, 65.85±3.97% moisture content, 10.50±1.2422% total sugars and 25.00±0.35% total fats. Analysis of formulated coconut pulp diet indicated elevated crude protein 14.23±0.52%, dry matter 35.97±0.52% and total sugars 20.47±4.26% while moisture content 64.10±0.50% and total fats 22.10±0.50% declined. In vivo results for the Coconut pulp leftovers application on mice model to ascertain growth performance were as follows; weight gain 0.80±0.50%, SGR 0.33±0.29%, FCR 241.67±556.67% and conditional factor 0.47±0.12%. For formulated diet it was weight gain 3.90±3.22%, SGR 1.0483±0.91%, FCR 28.23±28.92% and conditional factor 0.58±0.04%. The result indicates Coconut pulp leftovers have potential for animal feeds diet formulation.
PSYCHO- SPIRITUAL TREATMENT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON ITS PRACTICES

The combination of spiritual and psychology terms referred as psycho-spiritual is employed globally. The literature has acknowledged the criticality of the spiritual role since it mirrors an individuals lifespan. Hence, the relationship of this spiritual role with an individuals well-being has been consistently examined in the literature. Nevertheless, no research has identified the current methods of psycho-spiritual treatment across different practices. Thus, this research aims to identify the current practices employed in this combined element and investigate the methods used. The emphasis of this study is the important influence of the spiritual role on the formation of human spirit. Content analysis is employed in this study to examine the relevant literature. The results determined several important psycho-spiritual methods in the healthcare and rehabilitation treatment processes. This stresses the criticality of a psycho-spiritual method to minimize spiritual illness which could influence the psychology of an individual. Thus, the study has contributed by offering a new perspective on the criticality of spiritual involvement in curing physiological disturbances,
Investigating Gender-biased Items in a High-stakes Language Proficiency Test: using the Rasch model measurement

There has been increasing discussion about the importance of test use and consequences of tests in language teaching, learning, and assessment. The main concern in test development and test use is establishing the valid score-based interpretations and test scores use (Bachman, 1990). Test use is considered at the center of language assessment. As Bachman (1990, p. 55) suggests, “the single most important consideration in both the development of language tests and the interpretation of their results is the purpose or purposes which the particular tests are intended to serve”. Moreover, he argues that “tests are not developed and used in a value-free psychometric test-tube; they are virtually always intended to serve the needs of an educational system or ABSTRACT
The Environmental Impact of Immigration in the United States

The Environmental Impact of Immigration in the United States by Guizhen Ma, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2020 Major Professor: Dr. Erin Trouth Hofmann Department: Sociology The argument that immigration is harmful to the environment in the United States is grounded on the population pressure caused by immigrants. However, the few empirical studies suggest that locations with higher numbers of immigrants experience better air quality than locations with greater proportions of U.S.-born residents. While spatial autocorrelation of air quality is evident, it has not been addressed in prior research. This study investigated the environmental impact of immigration in three steps. First, I tested the relationship between U.S.-born population size, foreign-born population size, and air quality across all the U.S. continental counties, using the air quality domain of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Quality Index (EQI). The findings showed that U.S.-born population was associated with worse air quality, while foreign-born population was associated with better air quality, with variation by immigrants’ origin and year of entry. Second, I extended the analysis of the association between populations and air quality to a panel study by using the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for contiguous U.S. counties from 2007 to 2014. I found that total population, U.S.-born population, and foreign-born population were not associated with
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN BODY COMPOSITION AND SPECIFIC FITNESS ABILITIES OF MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL BRIGADE OF THE SERBIAN ARMED FORCES

The research was carried out on a sample consisting of the members of the Special Brigade of the Serbian Armed Forces, members of the 63rd Parachute Battalion. A total of 100 participants took part in the study, of an average age of 30±0,5 yrs. The subject matter of this paper are their body composition and specific fitness abilities. The aim of the paper was to determine the correlation between body composition and specific fitness abilities, as well as to determine the cross-correlation between the parameters of body composition and specific fitness abilities. A canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the connection between the set of predictor variables and the criterion variable. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that there is a significant correlation (p= .010) between body composition and fitness abilities. It can be concluded that the excess of fat tissue (BF%, BFkg, index visceral BF) and BMI have a negative effect on fitness, while a greater amount of muscle mass (MM% and MMkg) has a positive influence on fitness. The results indicate that participants who do not have as many layers of fat have better values for repetitive power of the abdominal muscles, and that the percentage of muscle mass has a positive effect on the repetitive power of the pectoral muscles, muscles of the arms and abdomen.
The thermal physiology of Stenopelmus rufinasus and Neohydronomus affinis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), two biological control agents for the invasive alien aquatic weeds, Azolla filiculoides and Pistia stratiotes in South Africa

ABSTRACT Water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes, and red water fern, Azolla filiculoides, are floating aquatic macrophytes that have become problematic in South Africa. Two weevils, Neohydronomus affinis and Stenopelmus rufinasus, are successful biological control agents of these two species in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the thermal requirements of these two species to explain their establishment patterns in the field. Laboratory results showed that both weevils are widely tolerant to cold and warm temperatures. The critical thermal minima (CTmin) of N. affinis was determined to be 5.58 ± 0.31°C and the critical thermal maxima (CTmax) was 44.52 ± 0.27°C, while the CTmin of S. rufinasus was 5.38 ± 0.33°C and the CTmax 44.0 ± 0.17°C. In addition, the lower lethal temperatures were −9.85 ± 0.06°C for N. affinis and −6.85 ± 0.13°C for S. rufinasus, and the upper lethal temperatures were 42.7 ± 0.85°C for N. affinis and 41.9 ± 2.52°C S. rufinasus. Using the reduced major axis regression method, the development for N. affinis was described using the formula y = 12.976x + 435.24, while the development of S. rufinasus was described by y = 13.6x + 222.45. These results showed that S. rufinasus develops twice as fast as N. affinis. Using these formulae and temperature data obtained from the South African Weather Service, N. affinis was predicted to complete between 4 and 9 generations per year in South Africa, while S. rufinasus was predicted to complete between 5 and 14 generations per year around the country. These results suggest that both species should not be limited by cold winter, nor warm summer temperatures, and should establish throughout the ranges of the weeds in South Africa.