Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QTLs identification for characteristics of the root system in upland rice through DNA microarray

The aim of this work is the construction of a genetic map and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control characteristics of the root system of rice. We evaluated a F2:3 population composed of 150 families from the cross between the varieties IAC 165 × BRS Primavera. Genotyping was performed in the F2 population using 3,742 SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers. The evaluation of the root system in the F3 population was performed through a large-scale phenotyping method based on image generation with a CI-600 root scanner and on quantification through the WinRhizo(r) software. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications performed under greenhouse. The variables analyzed were root length, root surface area and root volume at the depths of 5 to 25 cm and 25 to 45 cm. The SNP markers analysis allowed the construction of the genetic map with a full length of 1424 cM. The linkage group with the largest coverage area was number 3 with 270 cM (100 SNPs), followed by linkage group 1 with 249 cM (170 SNPs) and linkage group 2 with 163 cM (99 SNPs). The genetic analysis allowed the detection of QTLs for all the characteristics.
Reducing medicines waste in the community

There is increasing concern at the amount and cost of prescribed medicines that are unused or wasted and then have to be disposed of. Previous studies have used health promotion and Dispose Unwanted Medicines Properly campaigns targeted at the patient to describe and quantify the annual cost of waste. The reasons patients return unused drugs to pharmacies have also been explored. The paper focuses on patient explanations for not needing medication; categorized as: over-collection in the past, self-management strategies, changes in medical condition, other changes in patient circumstances, or the repeat medicines policy at the surgery. The aim of the original study was to make a measurable change in prescribed medicines with a reduction in medicines wastage, whilst at the same time achieving improved standards of pharmaceutical care. Information on patient needs and behaviour came from consultation in the pharmacy monitoring forms and interview. The study was based on two medical practices in the West Midlands, UK, comparing an outer city and an inner city population. The participants were general practitioners, pharmacists and 350 repeat prescription patients. Prescriptions were issued for two three-month periods. The outcome was that 23.8% of the prescribed items were not dispensed, at a value of £13.1K, 58% of the medications that would be expected to be regularly supplied were collected. The study suggests that closer professional management at the point of dispensing and an understanding of patient experiences can help reduce the amount of unwanted medication collected by patients.
ANTIENZYMETIC ACTION OF LEAD ACETATE AND ITS POSSIBLE REVERSAL BYANTIOXIDANT IN TESTICULAR TISSUE OF SWISS ALBINO MICE DURING PUBERTALPHASE OF LIFE.

Lead intoxication has been associated with male reproductive toxicity in experimental animals and lead may have the potential to produce adverse effects on enzymatic activity in testicular tissue of Swiss albino mice. The present study was undertaken to investigate the ability of antioxidant (Vitamin E) to protect against lead acetated (LA) induced testicular enzymatic toxicity in male albino mice during pubertal phase of life. The weight of testis, caput epididymidis, cauda epididymidis, vas deferens and testicular enzymatic activity (Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Succenate dehydrogenase (SDH), 65–3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (65–3β–HSD) and 17β–hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β–HSD) were studied. Administration of LA at a dose of 1.25mg/kg body weight for 45 days lowered the weights of testes, caput epididymidis, cauda epididymidis, vas deferens and decreased the activities GSHPx, SDH, 65–3β–HSD and 17β–HSD. Coadministration of vitamin E (2 mg/kg BW) to the LA group restored all the parameters cited above to near the control values. Therefore, this study revealed that vitamin E has beneficial effects against LA induced enzymatic toxicity in testicular tissue of mice.
Proximal causes of genetic variation between and within populations of raulí (Nothofagus nervosa)

B. Carrasco. M. Garnier. L. Eaton. R. Guevara, and M. Caru. 2009. Proximal causes of genetic variation between and within populations of rauli (Nothofagus nervosa). Cien. Inv. Agr. 36(2):229-238. Random Amplifi ed Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity of 587 individuals, belonging to 22 populations of Nothofagus nervosa that were distributed through the Coastal (38°S to 41°S) and Andes Mountains in CentralSouthern Chile (36°S to 40°S). The objective of this study was to complement the genetic inferences previously determined by isozyme analysis, in order to obtain more accurate genetic diversity estimations. We scored 81.8% of the polymorphic loci of the samples tested. The average incidence of genetic polymorphism within populations was high, with values ranging between 33% and 63%. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed most of the genetic variation was distributed within populations (87.6%), but F ST values (F ST = 0.124; p < 0.00001) indicated that there was also a signifi cant difference among populations. A discriminant analysis revealed three geographically defi ned groups and showed that 14 loci explained 87.2% of the genetic differentiation among N. nervosa populations. Watterson’s neutrality test and Ohta’s two-locus analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) both suggested that stochastic demographic and environmental factors can partially explain the loci variation observed in the RAPDs. The role of the last glaciations, as well as some conservation and breeding strategies, may have infl uenced current genetic variation and fragmentation in this species.
Forward guidance and the predictability of monetary policy: a wavelet‐based jump detection approach

The publication of a projected path of future policy decisions by central banks is a controversially debated method to improve monetary policy guidance. The paper proposes a new approach to evaluate the effect of the guidance strategy on the predictability of monetary policy. The empirical investigation is based on jump probabilities of Norwegian interest rates on announcement days of the Norges Bank before and after the introduction of quantitative guidance. Within the standard semimartingale framework, we propose a new methodology to detect jumps. We derive a representation of the quadratic variation in terms of a wavelet spectrum. An adaptive threshold procedure on wavelet spectrum estimates aims at localizing jumps. Our main empirical result indicates that quantitative guidance significantly improves the predictability of monetary policy.
Can we reconstruct deer browsing history and how? Lessons from Gaultheria shallon Pursh

Nous avons identifie et analyse les signatures relatives a l'abroutissement du cerf a queue noire (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) sur le salal (Gaultheria shallon) et utilise celles-ci pour reconstituer son histoire. L'analyse de la croissance radiale a revele des decroissances brutales probablement liees a des defoliations. La pression et l'histoire d'abroutissement sont le mieux apprehendees par l'occurrence des caracteres anatomiques tels que la forme de la section, la presence de lobes, la forme et la position de la moelle, la presence de bois alteres ou le deficit en jeunes tiges. L'analyse des âges revele que les tiges de salal sont deux fois plus âgees en presence de cerfs (30 versus 16 ans). Sur les iles avec cerf, on observe un deficit de jeunes tiges qui suggere un impact fort du cerf depuis 10 ans dans les sites du sud et de 20 ans au moins dans les sites du nord.
The Wage-Productivity Gap Revisited: Is the Labour Share Neutral to Employment?

This paper challenges the prevailing view of the neutrality of the labour income share to labour demand, and investigates its impact on the evolution of employment. Whilst maintaining the assumption of a unitary long-run elasticity of wages with respect to productivity, we demonstrate that productivity growth affects the labour share in the long run due to frictional growth (that is, the interplay of wage dynamics and productivity growth). In the light of this result, we consider a stylised labour demand equation and show that the labour share is a driving force of employment. We substantiate our analytical exposition by providing empirical models of wage setting and employment equations for France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US over the 1960-2008 period. Our findings show that the time-varying labour share of these countries has significantly influenced their employment trajectories across decades. This indicates that the evolution of the labour income share (or, equivalently, the wage-productivity gap) deserves the attention of policy makers.
Investigations on the Thermodynamic Stability and Availability of Nutrients for Plants by Humic Substances Extracted from Peat Samples

This work evaluated the complexation capacity, exchange constants and availability of micronutrients for plants and humic substances extracted from peat samples. Samples of humic substances extracted from two tropical peats (HS-P1 and HS-P2) were enriched with the micronutrients Cu(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and the parameters for formation of the complexes (HS-N) were evaluated at different pH. The Scatchard model was used to calculate the maximum complexation capacity and the nutrient availability was studied using exchange capacity experiments based on ultrafiltration procedure. The optimum pH for complexation was 4.5 and the order of affinity was: Fe(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) > Mn(II) = Ni(II) > Zn(II). The maximum complexation capacity reached 56.8 mg·g -1 Fe of HS-P1 (the highest) and 1.7 mg·g -1 Zn of HS-P2 (the slightest). The exchange experiments showed that HS-P-Fe complexes were formed preferentially. The least stable complex was formed with Zn, which was therefore, more easily available. The results contribute to understand the behavior and availability of some nutrients in soils.
Using structural equation modeling to predict orofacial pain-related outcomes

Objectives: To test if the structure of a proposed theoretical model comprised of specific observed variables clustered to measure three latent variables of anxiety, depression, and fatigue exhibited good global fit with the observed data and had adequate reliability using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A secondary objective was to use structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the direct effect of the latent variables of depression, anxiety, and fatigue on orofacial pain outcomes. Methods: Subjects were evaluated and treated at an orofacial pain clinic between 2009 and 2014. Those who completed a battery of psychosocial and pain-related questionnaires were invited to participate in an online survey assessing pain outcomes 3-8 years later. Results: Of 1499 eligible participants that were invited to complete the online survey, 280 provided complete data. Of those, 27% were no longer having an orofacial pain complaint. The initially proposed model structure was modified due to misspecifications. The modified model exhibited adequate global fit indexes (χ= 111.54 (47), . 001, RMSEA = . 07 (.053, .087), CFI =. 971, SRMR=. 495) and acceptable measures of reliability. None of the proposed predictors of the modified model had a direct effect on pain outcomes (p>.05) in the SEM analysis. Discussion: The findings suggest that neither fatigue nor psychological factors were significant predictors of orofacial pain outcomes. Approximately 75% of the participants continued to have an orofacial pain complaint. Future research should explore if these associations are sample-, diagnosis-, or gender-specific. USING SEM TO PREDICT OROFACIAL PAIN-RELATED OUTCOMES | 4
The role of text messaging in team collaborative learning

Teamwork is essential to the successful completion of group tasks, and is therefore usually highlighted by universities as a desirable graduate attribute. To encourage the development of good teamwork skills among students, many university courses incorporate team assignments. In a conventional learning environment, students meet face-to-face in the classroom or somewhere on campus to complete their team assignments. However, it is interesting to note that today’s students prefer instead to have discussions or to collaborate using digital media. Today’s students use such digital communication media as email, text messaging, video chat, etc. to collaborate with team members in the process of completing their team assignments. As the students are familiar with and use some of these digital communication media in their everyday activities, it is quite possible that they also find them convenient and easy to use for academic work purposes. According to Nowak, Watt, and Walther’s (2005, 2009) efficiency framework, people tend to select communication media that they consider more effective in achieving certain objectives and those that require less cognitive and behavioural effort, and less time. However, is it true that digital communication media indeed help users to achieve greater team effectiveness, or is it just a perception myth? This study attempted to examine, when university students used text messaging for team collaboration purposes, if text messaging affected their copresence (modelled as a second-order formative construct which consists of two subconstructs: self copresence and partner copresence), media satisfaction, and perceived team effectiveness. This study conducted a questionnaire survey to collect responses from students who had been involved in team projects, and performed a partial least squares analysis of the responses. The findings show that copresence had a significant relationship with media satisfaction; media satisfaction had a significant relationship with perceived team effectiveness; and media satisfaction had a partial mediating effect between copresence and team effectiveness. This study could help explain why students may choose text messaging to facilitate team collaborative learning.
Gender Differences in Cognitive Ability of Children with Hearing Impairment on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd Edition

This research thesis investigates possible gender differences of deaf children on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd ed.). The Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) in Jacksonville, Illinois collated the standard scores of the five standard WISC-III Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ of 25 stud€nts attending ISD. To examine gender differences on the Performance scale subtests and the Performance IQ's, a series of onewayanalyses of variance was calculated. No significant differences were noted on any comparison. A hypothesis that gender differences ~1ould occur was not confirmed. The results are discussed with respect to the intellectual assessment of all persons who are deaf.
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE BETWEEN GENETICALLY IMPROVED AND TRADITIONAL SILVER BARB STRAIN: A BIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) has developed an improved namely, strain silver barb which shows superior performance in terms of growth and production in on-station condition. This paper analyses the comparative performance of improved silver barb strain on an average as well as on an efficient farm. Ordinary least squares regression and tobit models are estimated on an average weight at harvest and the survival rate, respectively to assess the comparative performance of the improved silver barb strain on an average farm. Stochastic frontier functions for weight at harvest are also estimated to assess the comparative performance of the improved strain on an efficient farm. The result shows a superior performance of the genetically improved silver barb strain compared to traditional strain on both average and efficient farms. On an average farm, the improved silver barb strain gives 25% higher body weight at harvest. The breakeven price above variable cost is 4.71% lower for the improved strain. The result shows that the improved silver barb strain has higher potential yield and average yield than the traditional strain. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/pa.v23i1-2.16577 Progress. Agric. 23(1 & 2): 133 – 142, 2012
Predict to prevent: How to improve workplace safety?

Aim of the study: Workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses continue to be a significant problem in organizations. To manage safety perfomance in a proactive way, there is a need to know which factors influence workplace safety - and to which extent. therefore, this study has developed and evaluated a model of safety performance behavior. Method: A questionnaire was conducted among permanent and temporary employees of a major manufacturer of infant formula. A total of 160 employees participated in this study. To test the hypotheses, multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the influence of the moderators. Independent-samples t-tests and ANOVA's were conducted to compare scores between different groups. Results: Safety knowledge, safety motivation and safety leadershipp were found to have a significant impact on safety performance behavior and safety compliance. Safety knowledge and safety motivation were found to have a significant influence on safety participation. No significant moderating variables were found. No significant differences were found between the scores from temporary workers and permanent employees on safety performance behavior, safety compliance and safaety participation. However, the quantity of safety training was significantly lower assessed by temporary workers than by permanent employees. Conclusion and discussion: the findings of this study have important implications for practitioners. The study shows that the factors knowledge of safety, motivation for safety and safety leadership are most relevant for creating optimal safety behavior. It is recommended that managers should think about participatin as well as compliance. This study suggests it is important that employees realize that working safely really does help to reduce the number of accidents. Lastly, the limitations of this study are addressed and future study directions are discussed.
The efficiency of nitrogen in cattle manures when applied to a double-annual forage cropping system

The use of cattle manure (CM) for fertilization presents challenges for optimizing nitrogen (N) use. Our work aimed to assess N efficiencies, in a 6-year experiment with three biennial rotations of four crops: oat–sorghum (first year) and ryegrass–maize (second year) in a rainfed humid Mediterranean area of Spain. Fertilization treatments included the following: control (no N), 250 kg mineral N ha−1 year−1 (250MN), three CM rates (supplying 170, 250 and 500 kg N ha−1 year−1) and four treatments where the two lowest CM rates were complemented with either 80 or 160 kg mineral N ha−1 year−1. Treatments were distributed randomly in each of three blocks. Maximum dry-matter yield (~44–49 t ha−1 rotation−1) was achieved in the third rotation, and only the control and the 170CM yielded significantly less. Within the limitations of the EU Nitrate Directive, the N steady state supply of 170CM always requires a complement of mineral N (80 kg N ha−1) to maximize N agronomic efficiency. The maximum N-fertilizer replacement value (250CM vs. 250MN) was 0·67, without significant differences between the two treatments in other N-related efficiency indexes, which indicates that plants took advantage of residual-N effects. Nitrogen losses by leaching in the 250CM treatment were around 5–7% of the N applied. This reinforces the sustainability of manure recycling in long cropping seasons.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Retrieve the Optimal Parameters and Structures of Adaptive Network-Based Fuzzy Inference System for Typhoon Precipitation Forecast Modeling

This study aims to construct a typhoon precipitation forecast model providing forecasts one to six hours in advance using optimal model parameters and structures retrieved from a combination of the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial intelligence. To enhance the accuracy of the precipitation forecast, two structures were then used to establish the precipitation forecast model for a specific lead-time: a single-model structure and a dual-model hybrid structure where the forecast models of higher and lower precipitation were integrated. In order to rapidly, automatically, and accurately retrieve the optimal parameters and structures of the ANFIS-based precipitation forecast model, a tabu search was applied to identify the adjacent radius in subtractive clustering when constructing the ANFIS structure. The coupled structure was also employed to establish a precipitation forecast model across short and long lead-times in order to improve the accuracy of long-term precipitation forecasts. The study area is the Shimen Reservoir, and the analyzed period is from 2001 to 2009. Results showed that the optimal initial ANFIS parameters selected by the tabu search, combined with the dual-model hybrid method and the coupled structure, provided the favors in computation efficiency and high-reliability predictions in typhoon precipitation forecasts regarding short to long lead-time forecasting horizons.
Moose antler type polymorphism : age and weight dependent phenotypes and phenotype frequencies in space and time

We provide the first detailed description of the phenotypic polymorphism of the European moose (Alces alces) bulls with three different antler types: cervina, intermediate and palmated. We assess how the frequencies of bulls with different antler types as well as antler spread and tine numbers are related to age, body weight, region and time. Our results indicate that antler type phenotypes are linked to other body and antler size characteristics. The cervina type had the smallest and the palmated the largest carcass weight, antler spread and tine numbers. The youngest age groups were predominantly of cervina type. At the prime age of 6.5-10.5 years, the prevalent types were intermediate and palmated. At an older age, the cervina type increased and the other types decreased. We propose that the penetrance of inherited antler type is best at prime age when it is important for a bull to be successful in mating competition. The cervina type was most prevalent in the southern zone and the palmated type in the northern zone. The mean age, mean carcass weight, antler spread and tine numbers all decreased from 1976-1986 to 1996-1999. The results were similar in the age-standardized prime age bulls. We hypothesize that intensive selective hunting as well as possible fitness differences between antler types in managed forests may have been involved in the decrease of the palmated antler type.