Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON TRICHINELLOSIS IN THE FOX (VULPES VULPES) IN TUSCANY (CENTRAL ITALY)

Abstract During the years 2004-2005, 112 foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) and 4 badgers ( Meles meles ) were caught in different areas of Tuscany (Central Italy) and examined for Trichinella infection, using the diagnostic technique of artificial digestion through Stomacher. No animal was positive for Trichinella larvae. According to our results, Tuscany can be considered a low-risk area for trichinellosis in the fox. In this region the presence of the parasite cannot be ruled out, two cases of infection being reported in 1993. Riassunto Epidemiologia della trichinellosi della volpe ( Vulpes vulpes ) in Toscana (Italia centrale). Nel corso degli anni 2004-2005, 112 volpi ( Vulpes vulpes ) e 4 tassi ( Meles meles ) sono stati catturati ed esaminati per la presenza di infestione da Trichinella in differenti aree della Toscana (Italia centrale). L'indagine di laboratorio e stata condotta mediante digestione artificiale tramite Stomacher. Nessun animale e risultato positivo. Da questi risultati si puo ritenere la Toscana una regione a basso rischio di infezione. La presenza del parassita non puo pero essere esclusa totalmente. Infatti, nel 1993 sono stati riportati due casi di infestione.
Biological Traits of Impatiens parviflora DC. under Different Habitat Conditions

Small balsam Impatiens parviflora DC. (Balsaminaceae) is the invasive species that colonises natural European forest. The morphological and physiological traits of the species under different natural conditions were analysed. The studies were carried out in the forest communities in the National Park (Ojcow National Park – Southern Poland) with the known history of the plot: P1 – bottom of the valley, Alno-Ulmion Br. -Bl. et R.Tx. 1943, P2 – terrace of the valley, Tilio-Carpinetum Tracz. 1962 stachyetosum , P3 – south slope of the valley, Tilio-Carpinetum Tracz. 1962 typicum . The plots differed with the soil parameters and microclimatic conditions as well as with species richness, species composition and cover of I. parviflora . The significant statistical differences in the length of the aboveground parts of collected small balsam specimens on the studied plots were showed. The longest shoots among specimens growing in plot P1, and the shortest in plot P3 were observed. In the above ground part of plants, the highest values of water content among the specimens on plot P1 and the lowest on plot P3 were revealed. The highest percentage of electrolytes leakage among the specimens from the plot P2 and the lowest of the plot P1 were observed. The significant differences of the chlorophyll a fluorescence of I. parviflora leaves on the plot P2 were observed, compared to specimens from the two remaining plots. The results pointed that disturbance light availability in dense forest canopy could influence on abundance the local population of small balsam.
School Leaders as Progress Makers: Opening a New Vista for School Leadership in Mauritius

Abstract . This small scale study aims at exploring how far school leaders consider themselves progress makers. This is felt important as there is now much emphasis on schools to be more successful in terms of both academic and socio-economic outcomes. The challenge lies in knowing how to make it happen. A qualitative research was conducted. Furthermore, this article expands current knowledge on school leadership by reporting data gathered from a group of school leaders (n=6) who were mandated during their course in educational leadership to explore new vistas in school leadership and be pioneers as progress makers. Data gathered by means of a semi-structured interview, was analysed using the conceptual framework developed by Clampitt and DeKoch (2011)1 on transforming leaders into progress makers. The main findings illustrate how school leaders struggle to come to terms with the various strategies and tactics associated with progress makers. The study’s implications for future practice and training of school leaders are also considered. The authors hint that school leaders can become progress makers, that is, that metamorphosis can occur, if they consider leading differently and use new leadership practices .
Consumption of Non-cow's Milk and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Early Childhood

Noncow’s milk includes goat’s milk and plant-based milk beverages. Vitamin D fortification of non-cow’s milk is voluntary in North America. The effect of non-cow’s milk on serum 25hydrxovytamin D levels is unclear. Through two studies, I aimed to determine the association between non-cow’s milk consumption (both animal and plant based) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels in early childhood. Children ages 1-6 years were recruited through the TARGet Kids! practice based research network between 2008 and 2013. Non-cow’s milk consumption, 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels and clinically relevant covariates were collected. In study 1, I identified a dose dependent association between higher non-cow’s milk consumption and lower 25-hydroxyvitmian D levels. In study 2, I demonstrated that consumption of plant-based milk beverages was associated with lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D; the magnitude of this association was both smaller and in the opposite direction to the relationship of both cow’s milk and goat’s milk and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Enhanced Device and Circuit-Level Performance Benchmarking of Graphene Nanoribbon Field-Effect Transistor against a Nano-MOSFET with Interconnects

Comparative benchmarking of a graphene nanoribbon field-effect transistor (GNRFET) and a nanoscale metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (nano-MOSFET) for applications in ultralarge-scale integration (ULSI) is reported. GNRFET is found to be distinctly superior in the circuit-level architecture. The remarkable transport properties of GNR propel it into an alternative technology to circumvent the limitations imposed by the silicon-based electronics. Budding GNRFET, using the circuit-level modeling software SPICE, exhibits enriched performance for digital logic gates in 16 nm process technology. The assessment of these performance metrics includes energy-delay product (EDP) and power-delay product (PDP) of inverter and NOR and NAND gates, forming the building blocks for ULSI. The evaluation of EDP and PDP is carried out for an interconnect length that ranges up to 100 μm. An analysis, based on the drain and gate current-voltage (- and -), for subthreshold swing (SS), drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL), and current on/off ratio for circuit implementation is given. GNRFET can overcome the short-channel effects that are prevalent in sub-100 nm Si MOSFET. GNRFET provides reduced EDP and PDP one order of magnitude that is lower than that of a MOSFET. Even though the GNRFET is energy efficient, the circuit performance of the device is limited by the interconnect capacitances.
Relationships Between Beliefs About Group Work, Motivation, Communication Confidence, and Willingness to Communicate in Group Work

Abstrak: Hubungan antara Keyakinan tentang Kerja Kelompok, Motivasi, Kepercayaan Diri dalam Berkomunikasi, dan Kesediaan Berkomunikasi dalam Kerja Kelompok. Kerja kelompok telah digunakan dalam ruang kelas Bahasa Inggris sebagai Bahasa Asing (EFL) untuk mengembangkan kompetensi komunikasi siswa dalam bahasa Inggris karena pergeseran orientasi dari pembelajaran tradisional menjadi komunikatif. Artikel ini memaparkan hubungan antara empat faktor dalam kerja kelompok dengan menggunakan bahasa asing: keyakinan tentang kerja kelompok, kepercayaan diri dalam berkomunikasi, motivasi, dan kesediaan untuk berkomunikasi. Kuesioner diberikan kepada 100 pembelajar bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa asing yang sedang mengambil gelar master mereka dalam program Pengajaran Bahasa Inggris di salah satu universitas negeri di Indonesia. Dirumuskan sebuah model hubungan kesediaan untuk berkomunikasi dalam kelompok kerja dengan bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa asing ditentukan oleh keyakinan dalam kelompok kerja dan diperkuat oleh motivasi dan kepercayaan diri dalam berkomunikasi. Pemodelan persamaan struktural digunakan untuk mengkonfirmasi model. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa keyakinan tentang kelompok kerja dengan menggunakan bahasa Inggris memiliki pengaruh yang relatif kuat terhadap kesediaan untuk berkomunikasi di dalam kelompok kerja melalui motivasi dan kepercayaan diri dalam berkomunikasi. Sebaliknya kepercayaan diri dalam berkomunikasi dalam kelompok kerja dengan menggunakan bahasa Inggris memiliki hubungan langsung yang negatif terhadap kesediaan untuk berkomunikasi dalam kelompok kerja dengan menggunakan bahasa Inggris. Karakteristik belajar siswa mempengaruhi kepercayaan diri mereka dalam berkomunikasi seperti ditegaskan oleh hasil wawancara mendalam.
Micro mineral distribution on fiber fraction of feeds

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of micro minerals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Co and Cu) of feeds and their distribution in fiber fractions (Neutral Detergent Fiber/NDF and Acid Detergent Fiber/ADF). Three species of common feeds namely ground nut cake (Arachis hypogaea), mustard cake (Brassica juncea), soybean meal (Glycine max), were collected. Micro minerals concentration in the feed samples and fiber fractions were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) Icap 6000 Series. The results showed that micro minerals concentration of feed and their distribution in fiber fraction varied among species. The concentration of all the minerals in feed was above the critical level. Distribution of micro minerals in NDF and ADF were also estimated. Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc(Zn), in feeds were the highest elements associated in NDF and ADF, while the lowest was found in cobalt (Co) and manganese(Mn).
AMMONIATION OF RICE STRAW AND SUPPLEMENTATION OF Paraserianthes falcataria AND Sapindus rarak ON IN VITRO RUMEN FERMENTATION AND METHANE PRODUCTION

This study aimed to observe the effects of rice straw ammoniation and supplementation of Paraserianthes falcataria and Sapindus rarak on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro . Rice straw was ammoniated by adding 2% urea. Rice straw, ammoniated rice straw, P. falcataria leaves and S. rarak fruits were oven-dried and finely ground. Experimental treatments were arranged as follow: rice straw (T1), ammoniated rice straw (T2), T2 80% + P. falcataria 20% (T3), T2 60% + P. falcataria 40% (T4), T2 80% + P. falcataria 10% + S. rarak 10% (T5), and T2 60% + P. falcataria 20% + S. rarak 20% (T6). An amount of 1 g sample from each treatment was added with 100 ml rumen fluid and buffer mixture (1:2 v/v), and incubated in a water bath at 39 oC for 48 h. The incubation was performed in four replicates and each replicate was represented by four incubation bottles. Results showed that urea treatment increased gas production of rice straw at 24 and 48 h, higher ammonia production, higher IVDMD, and lower methane production as compared to the untreated rice straw (P<0.05). Addition of P. falcataria or S. rarak at lower level produced similar ammonia concentration as ammoniated rice straw whereas their addition at higher level decreased ammonia concentration (P<0.05). Paraserianthes falcataria addition to ammoniated rice straw decreased protozoa population (P<0.05) and S. rarak further decreased the fauna population (P<0.05) as well. Inclusion of S. rarak at 20% DM (T6) produced the lowest methane production both at 24 and 48 h after incubation and lowest methane production per unit of DM degraded. It was concluded that ammoniation of rice straw improved its nutritional quality with lower methane production, and its mixture with P. falcataria and S. rarak further increased the quality and lower the production of methane, respectively.
Nitrogen Modulates the Diurnal Regulation of Nitrate Reductase in Wheat Plants - Projections Towards Climate Change

This study investigates whether the diurnal regulation of nitrate reductase activity in the flag leaf of wheat is affected by combined increases of CO2 and temperature in the air and to ascertain whether the nitrogen supply modifies these effects. Spring wheat was grown at ambient (360 μmol mol −1 ) or elevated (700 μmol mol −1 ) CO2, under ambient and 4°C warmer temperatures, and with two levels of nitrogen supply in field temperature gradient chambers. At ear emergence, NR activity reaches a maximum in the early part of the light period and declines later in the light period and during the first part of the night. Although elevated CO2 did not increase NR activity, it led to a modification of the diurnal regulation. During the last part of the photoperiod the decline of the activity was faster in plants grown in ambient CO2, in which the accumulation of amino acids was higher. The maximum reached in the first hours of the light period in plants grown in elevated CO2 and nitrogen abundance was related to a higher accumulation of soluble carbohydrates. The dark inactivation of NR was prevented in plants grown in elevated CO2 with low nitrogen. Additionally, the higher decline of NR activation in plants grown with ample nitrogen supply and higher temperatures was related to the accumulation of amino acids. It is concluded that nitrogen plays a role in the activity and post- translational regulation of NR under the future climatic scenario.
Has U.S. Monetary Policy Tracked the Efficient Interest Rate?

Interest rate decisions by central banks are universally discussed in terms of Taylor rules, which describe policy rates as responding to inflation and some measure of the output gap. We show that an alternative specification of monetary policy, in which the interest rate tracks the Wicksellian efficient rate of return as the primary indicator of real activity, fits the U.S. data better than otherwise identical Taylor rules. This result holds for a variety of specifications of the other ingredients of the policy rule, including the output gap, and of private agents׳ behavior.
Prediction of Financial Distress for Commercial Banks in Kuwait

The main objective of this article was to find the most accurate model for financial distress prediction. As it is known, predicting bank financial distress reduces the incurred loss and helps avoiding misallocation of Bank's financial resources. A total of six Kuwaiti commercial banks were financially analyzed using data compiled for nine consecutive years from 2001 to 2009. Data has been collected from the annual financial report represented in the balance sheet and income statement for Kuwaiti Commercial Banks. Logistic regression, which can be used as a part of an “early warning” system with respect to the financial distress of the commercial banks, was then undertaken to form a prediction model for time periods in which the banks were going into financial distress. Results have shown that during the operation of the banks; 41.7% of time periods the banks were expected to go into financial distress, whereas 83.8% of time periods the banks were expected to be in a good financial situation. Out of the eleven ratios that have been included in the study, only three ratios are statistically significant in predicting financial distress of the banks. The 1 st ratio is (Investment in Securities to Total Assets), the 2 nd ratio is (Loans to Total Assets) and the 3 rd ratio is (Loans to Deposits). These ratios are considered to be the best predictors of financial distress for the banks under this study.
A Generic MEMS Fabrication Process Based on a Thermal Budget Approach

A modular and generic monolithic integrated MEMS process for integrating CMOS technology with polysilicon microstructures is presented. The proposed process flow is designed with an intra CMOS approach to fabricate the microstructures into trenches without the need of planarization techniques. After annealing at 1000°C at significant period of time, it is shown that Id-Vg characteristics of the CMOS transistors remain almost unchanged, indicating their robustness to the intra process fabrication for the micromechanical structures. The CMOS module is designed with a 3 μm length as a minimum feature and this process results with a minimum of residual strain and stress on the micromechanical devices (e = 1.28 × 10-4 and σ = -21 MPa).
Changes in older Dutch adults’ role networks after moving

Using the convoy model (R. L. Kahn & T. C. Antonucci, 1980), this study examined the differential impact of relocation, depending on the distance moved, on the size of 3 types of role networks. A total of 890 Dutch nonmovers and 445 movers (aged 55–86 years) were selected from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Results of analyses of variance showed that the neighbor networks changed most after relocation. Long-distance movers discontinued the largest number of relationships with fellow club members. As expected, moving did not affect coworker networks. The findings show that, consistent with the convoy model, role networks proved to be unstable. Older adults, however, restored their partial networks at the second observation by starting new relationships.
Past and present accumulation rate reconstruction along the Dome Fuji–Kohnen radio-echo sounding profile, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica

Abstract We used internal ice layers from a radio-echo sounding profile between the Kohnen and Dome Fuji deep drilling sites to infer the spatio-temporal pattern of accumulation rate in this sector of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. Continuous internal reflection horizons can be traced to about half of the ice thickness and have a maximum age of approximately 72.7 ka BP. To infer palaeo-accumulation rates from the dated layers, we derived the thinning functions from a flow calculation with a high-resolution higher-order model of Dronning Maud Land embedded into a three-dimensional thermomechanical model of the Antarctic ice sheet. The method takes into account complex ice-flow dynamics and advection effects that cannot be dealt with using traditional local approaches. We selected seven time intervals over which we determine the average accumulation rate and average surface temperature at the place and time of origin of the layer particles. Our results show lower accumulation rates along eastern parts of the profile for the late Holocene (0–5 ka BP) than are shown by existing maps, which had no surface control points. During the last glacial period we find a substantially lower accumulation rate than predicted by the usual approach linking palaeo-accumulation rates to the condensation temperature above the surface inversion layer. These findings were used to fine-tune the relation between accumulation rate and temperature.
Heat Uptake and the Thermohaline Circulation in the Community Climate System Model, Version 2

Abstract Ocean heat uptake and the thermohaline circulation are analyzed in present-day control, 1% increasing CO2, and doubled CO2 runs of the Community Climate System Model, version 2 (CCSM2). It is concluded that the observed 40-yr trend in the global heat content to 300 m, found by Levitus et al., is somewhat larger than the natural variability in the CCSM2 control run. The observed 40-yr trend in the global heat content down to a depth of 3 km is much closer to trends found in the control run and is not so clearly separated from the natural model variability. It is estimated that, in a 0.7% increasing CO2 scenario that approximates the effect of increasing greenhouse gases between 1958 and 1998, the CCSM2 40-yr trend in the global heat content to 300 m is about the same as the observed value. This gives support for the CCSM2 climate sensitivity, which is 2.2°C. Both the maximum of the meridional overturning streamfunction and the vertical flow across 1-km depth between 60° and 65°N decrease monotonic.
Estimation of Genetic Diversity in Genetic Stocks of Hexaploid Wheat Using Seed Storage Proteins

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an allohexaploid specie, consist of three genomes AABBDD having 2n = 6x = 42 chromosomes. The wheat is a staple food of human beings due to its bread making quality which is composed of seed storage proteins of wheat especially High Molecular Weight Glutenins (HMW-GS). During present research, HMW-GS were analyzed in genetic stocks of common wheat consist of Nullisomic- tetrasomic, ditelosomic and deletion lines of group 3 homoeologous chromosomes by Sodium Dodecyle Sulpahate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Protocol for protein extraction and separation was optimized. The protein profiles were used to estimate genetic distances and Phylogenetic relationships among the genetic stocks were evaluated. Genetic stocks showed different banding patterns and each protein band was considered as a locus/allele. Alleles were scored as present (1) and absent (0) to generate bivariate 1-0 data matrix. A total of 45 alleles were amplified. Genetic distance among the genetic stocks ranged from 0-72%. A dendrogram was constructed using computer program Pop Gene version 3.2. Genetic stocks of wheat were clustered in 3group A, B and C comprising 4, 4 and 1 genotypes, respectively. Maximum differences were observed among Dit-3BS and NT- 3B3D and hence it is recommended that these 2 genetic stocks should be crossed to obtain maximum genetic diversity in the segregating population of wheat.
B8.4 - Characterization of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor in a High Speed Rotating Pipe

The next generation generators will use high temperature superconductors (HTS) for its rotor construction replacing currently used conventional copper rotor. This will enhance the generator efficiency to a steep increase of 0.5% which results in saving of $ 3.8 M for 900 MVA Generator according to calculation done in 2007. The HTS rotor, rotates at 3600 rpm will be cooled by liquid Neon to 30 K using cooling channel arrangements. The temperature profile of the cooling channels has to be continuously monitored to ensure the sufficient cooling. But, it is a challenging task to identify a feasible sensing system and the associated signal transmission/processing unit. One of the possible sensing systems for the above described application could be Fiber Bragg Grating. Gratings with different spatial period are arranged at various positions along a single mode fiber in the HTS Generator. Rotor temperature will vary the gratings’ periods, which can be read out with a tunable laser in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) scheme. The spectral position of the reflections may be correlated with the spatial position of the gratings, and the shift of the gratings’ maximum reflection indicates the change of the gratings’ period, which in turn measures temperature. In this paper, the initial experiments, which demonstrate the rotational effect on FBG sensor at room temperature is reported.
Explicit coupling argument for non-uniformly hyperbolic transformations

The transfer operator corresponding to a uniformly expanding map enjoys good spectral properties. We verify that coupling yields explicit estimates that depend continuously on the expansion and distortion constants of the map. For non-uniformly expanding maps with a uniformly expanding induced map, we obtain explicit estimates for mixing rates (exponential, stretched exponential, polynomial) that again depend continuously on the constants for the induced map together with data associated with the inducing time. Finally, for non-uniformly hyperbolic transformations, we obtain the corresponding estimates for rates of decay of correlations.
Exact Methods for Path-Dependent Credit Exposure

Path dependent counterparty credit risk exposure modeling poses challenges. In this paper, we present models for consistent and accurate estimation of counterparty credit exposure involving barrier option and European swaption under the general Monte Carlo simulation framework. In particular, we discuss how to consistently estimate the pathwise swaption exercise probability and accurate monitoring of barrier crossing. We present exact formulation for standalone expected exposure and potential future exposure for swap, swaption and barrier option without monte carlo simulation. The exact formulation is of practical importance to computing standalone exposure profiles, exposure model validation and system benchmarking.