Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Comparative Performance of Different Breeds of Broiler Ducks Under Farmer's Condition at Farming System Research and Development (FSRD) Site, Sylhet, Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted with 40 Pekin, 40 Muscovy and 40 Deshi White day-old as hatched broiler ducklings under farmers condition to investigate the comparative performance of three breeds of ducks under farmer's management up to the 09 weeks of age. The final live weight in Pekin, Muscovy and Deshi White were 1763.0, 1225.0 and 1208.0 g/ducks respectively (P 0.05) among the breeds of ducks. The highest (70%) dressing yield was found from Pekin and the lowest (65%) from Deshi White. The highest production cost was found in Pekin and the lowest in Deshi White. The highest gross margin and BCR (Tk.34.93/duck and 1.66 respectively) were obtained from Pekin and the lowest (Tk. 11.45/duck and 1.23 respectively) from Deshi White. From the results it may be concluded that exotic breeds /improved breeds of broiler ducks rearing is possible at FSRD site, Sylhet and farmers can be benefited within short time. The breed of Pekin ducks is superior over Muscovy and Deshi White.
Propensity Score Matching and Policy Impact Analysis: A Demonstration in Eviews

Effective development policymaking creates a need for reliable methods of assessing effectiveness. There should be, therefore, an intimate relationship between effective policymaking and impact analysis. The goal of a development intervention defines the metric by which to assess its impact, while impact evaluation can produce reliable information on which policymakers may base decisions to modify or cancel ineffective programs and thus make the most of limited resources. This paper reviews the logic of propensity score matching (PSM) and, using data on the National Support Work Demonstration, compares that approach with other evaluation methods such as double difference, instrumental variable, and Heckman's method of selection bias correction. In addition, it demonstrates how to implement nearest-neighbor and kernel-based methods, and plot program incidence curves in E-Views. In the end, the plausibility of an evaluation method hinges critically on the correctness of the socioeconomic model underlying program design and implementation, and on the quality and quantity of available data. In any case, PSM can act as an effective adjuvant to other methods.
Economic Voting Behavior and the Political Right-Wing (Empirical Evidence from the Slovak Republic)

This paper evaluates the differences in the degree to which the preferences of the Slovak right-wing and left-wing parties are affected by the development of consumer prices and unemployment. Using the linear regression approach, it provides evidence that Slovak left-wing voters are resistant to economic voting, which is demonstrated by the fact that changes in the preferences of the Slovak left-wing government during 2006-2008 did not react to changes in the CPI and the unemployment rate. By contrast, the Slovak right-wing is held accountable by its voters both for rising prices and unemployment. Thus, our research unveils a new, unexpected difference between left- and right-wing voters. Furthermore, it is argued that, under constantly decreasing monetary and fiscal sovereignty in EU member states, political parties that have voters highly responsive to economic conditions are in a disadvantage as their preferences are dependent on factors they can influence less than in the past.
Face recognition system based on principal components analysis and distance measures

Face recognition plays a vital role and has a huge scope in the field of biometrics, image processing, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition and computer vision. This paper presents an approach to perform face recognition using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) as feature extraction technique and different distance measures as matching techniques. The proposed method is developed after the deep study of a number of face recognition methods and their outcomes. In the proposed method, Principal Components Analysis is used for facial features extraction and data representation. It generates eigenvalues of the facial images, hence, reduces the dimensionality. The recognition is produced using three different matching techniques (Euclidean, Manhattan and Mahalanobis) and the results are` presented. Yale and Aberdeen Face Databases are used to test and analyze the results of the proposed method.
Meat quality of calves obtained from organic and conventional farming

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare meat quality of organically and conventionally raised Simmental calves. Fifteen organic and fourteen conventional carcasses were considered, 8th rib and M. Longissimus thoracis were sampled on each carcass. Different tissues percentage of 8th rib were evaluated and meat colour, chemical and fatty acids composition of M. Longissimus thoracis were analysed. Fat percentage of 8th rib of organic calves was lower (P<0.01) than conventional ones. Cooking weight losses were lower (P<0.001) in organic meat compared to the conventional ones and red index was higher in organic calves due to the high content of heminic iron (P<0.001). Ether extract (P<0.001) and cholesterol content (P<0.05) was lower in organic meat with respect to conventional one. Positive value, from a nutritional point of view, were found in organic veal about n-3 fatty acids, n-6/n-3 ratio and CLA content.
MEASUREMENT OF CANOPY TEMPERATURE FOR HEAT TOLERANCE IN UPLAND COTTON: VARIABILITY AND ITS GENETIC BASIS

The present study was conducted with the objective to assess germplasm of American cotton for heat tolerance using canopy temperature. For this purpose seventy varieties/lines of Upland cotton were screened out at flowering stage. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the germplasm lines. Three tolerant (MNH552, FH1000 and NIAB111) and three susceptible lines (Cedix ST-362 (GL), LRA5166 and 4F) were selected. The tolerant and susceptible genotypes were crossed to develop F 1 seed of the three crosses. Six generations i.e. F 1, F 2, BC 1 and BC 2 of each cross were grown along with their parents under normal and high temperature in the field following RCBD with three replications. At flowering stage, canopy temperature was measured in both the temperature regimes. Indices of heat tolerance were calculated for genetic investigation. Generation means analysis of the data revealed that additive, dominance and epistatic component were involved in the inheritance of canopy temperature. However genetic variance analysis showed that canopy temperature was predominantly controlled by additive genes, and thus estimates of h 2 ns were high. These results suggest that rapid improvement in reducing canopy temperature of the plant material is possible through breeding and selection in F 3 population.
Integration of DNA Marker Information into Breeding Value Predictions

Currently, several commercial DNA tests (marker panels) are available for complex traits. In the fall of 2009, the American Angus Association integrated the results of an Angus-specific marker panel from a single commercial company into their national cattle evaluation for carcass traits. Despite this advancement, there still exists tremendous confusion by producers as to the efficacy of DNA diagnostics within and across breeds. The Weight Trait Project (WTP) was designed to address issues associated with creating and implementing DNAbased selection in conjunction with expected progeny differences (EPDs). The WTP is a unified effort among researchers, breed associations, seedstock producers, and a DNA testing company to improve the process of developing and validating DNA tests and to investigate the infrastructure necessary for the flow of information needed to deliver Marker-Assisted EPDs to producers. Consequently, the objectives of the current study were to illustrate methodology for incorporating DNA marker information into breeding value predictions for the trait of weaning weight, and develop mechanisms for disseminating this information to producers.
Toward realistic dynamics of rotating orbital debris and implications for light curve

Optical observations of rotating space debris near GEO contain important information on size, shape, composition, and rotational states, but these aspects are difficult to extract due to data limitations and the high number of degrees of freedom in the modeling process. For tri-axial rigid debris objects created by satellite fragmentations, the most likely initial rotation states have large components of angular velocity directed along the intermediate axis of inertia, leading to large reorientations of the body on the timescale of the rotation period. This lends some support to the simplest possible interpretation of light curves -that they represent sets of random orientations of the objects of study, although such rotation states do not typically sample orientation space uniformly even over a large number of rotations. Furthermore, effects of solar radiation can cause significant modification of rotation states within timescales of hours, for cm-sized objects of irregular shape. In order to examine the rotational dynamics under solar influence, a set of seven firstorder coupled equations of motion were assembled in state form: three are Euler equations describing the rates of change of the components of angular velocity in the body frame, and four describe the rates of change of the components of the unit quaternion. Quaternions are four-dimensional extensions of complex numbers that form a seamless, singularity-free representation of body orientation on S3. The Euler equations contain explicit terms describing torque from solar radiation. Numerical integrations reveal widely varying rotation states, such that in general, light curves for small objects of irregular shape can be expected to radically change character between different observation epochs. Because the axis of maximum rotational inertia tends to be roughly coincident with the normal to the largest projected cross-sectional area, internal friction or magnetic damping, if significant, may lead to reduced variation of light curve amplitudes at a given phase angle, but a large dependence of the amplitudes on phase angle. At a given phase angle, databases are generated that show reflected intensities at all orientations simultaneously, within a semi-transparent 3D spherical projection of the quaternion intensity database. Simulated rotational sequences form trajectories through this space which may be conveniently visually examined relative to all possible orientations. Symmetries in the problem suggest that if internal friction or magnetic retarding torques are significant, preferred rotation states will be likely, defined relative to the object-sun direction and/or the magnetic field direction in inertial space and relative to the maximum principal axis of inertia in the body coordinate system. Such rotation states may greatly simplify the problem of light curve interpretation by reducing the number of degrees of freedom in the problem. Acknowledgements: This work was produced under NASA contract NNJ05HI05.
PLURAL GOVERNANCE : A MODIFIED TRANSACTION COST MODEL Working paper

Plural governance is a form of governance where a firm both makes and buys similar goods or services. Despite a widespread use of plural governance there are no transaction cost models of how plural governance affects performance. This paper reviews the literature about plural forms and proposes a model relating transaction cost and resource-based variables to the cost of the plural form. The model is then used to analyze when the plural form is efficient compared to alternative governance structures. We also use the model to discuss the strength of three plural form synergies.
A study of primary school teachers’ professional development programme : The translation of theory into practice in schools

Professional development programmes are criticized for not meeting the practical needs of teachers and teachers are blamed for going to their comfort zones despite their participations in professional development programmes. This qualitative case study explored effectiveness of the program of primary education certificate course looking into participant teachers’ new knowledge, skills and attitude gained from the programme and the implementation of their new learning into their respective classrooms. Nine teachers and 27 students participated in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured and open-ended interviews, classroom observations, documents analysis and focused group discussions with students. The study reports a shift in teachers’ non-reflective attitudes to more reflective attitudes. The quality of their reflections however found to be technical in nature showing their inability to detect limitations of their teaching. The study also found graduate teachers using more learnercentered pedagogies but required more content specific trainings to teach some concepts. The findings also suggest that the graduate teachers developed skills in pedagogy and the utility of those pedagogical skills in their classrooms reshaped their beliefs of teaching, learning and learner. The positive experiences in turn reconstructed teachers’ conception of classroom environment vital in fostering learning of students.
Short-Term Forecasts of Euro Area Real GDP Growth: An Assessment of Real-Time Performance Based on Vintage Data

Forecasters commonly predict real gross domestic product growth from monthly indicators such as industrial production, retail sales and surveys, and therefore require an assessment of the reliability of such tools. While forecast errors related to model specification and unavailability of data in real time have been assessed, the impact of data revisions on forecast accuracy has seldom been evaluated, especially for the euro area. This paper proposes to evaluate the contributions of these three sources of forecast error using a set of data vintages for the euro area. The results show that gains in accuracy of forecasts achieved by using monthly data on actual activity rather than surveys or financial indicators are offset by the fact that the former set of monthly data is harder to forecast and less timely than the latter set. These results provide a benchmark which future research may build on as more vintage datasets become available. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Red pepper marketing in Siltie and Alaba in SNNPRS of Ethiopia: factors affecting households' marketed pepper.

This research attempted to examine red pepper marketing in Alaba and Siltie with the specific objective of identifying factors affecting volume of pepper supply. Heckman two stage model was used to investigate factors affecting pepper market participation decision and quantity supply of pepper. One of the most important variables influencing the decision to participate in pepper market was pepper production. Consequently, extension work should focus on encouraging farmers to participate in pepper production especially, there was a need to increase disease resistant variety and disseminate these technologies to potential areas. Cereal crop yield was adversely affected probability of market participation. Keeping their specialization and social role in pepper production potential areas is necessary. Moreover, pepper production and extension contacts were the determinant factors of the quantity of pepper supplied. Therefore, policies that would improve pepper production capacity by identifying new technologies and create stable demand for surplus production would enhance farmers’ decisions on marketable surplus. Non farming income and number of livestock affected the quantity of pepper supplied negatively. Thus, policy should be designed on integrated farming system to minimize income risk and to improve the livelihood of the farmers.
Analysis of TCP streaming over VANETs

—In this article is considered Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) as a technology aimed at the exchange of information between vehicles, where the nodes/vehicles of origin and destination, do not have a direct communication. Also is emphasized and analized the use interest of a TCP (Transition Control Protocol) trafﬁc ﬂow, since it is one of the fundamental protocols for Internet of things (IoT). Most Internet applications use TCP to create “connections” with each other, in order to maintain applications with a continuous data ﬂow, it is, TCP over Internet guarantees the integrity and delivery of the data to its destination without errors and in the same order in which they were originally transmitted. At the end of the article, it is discussed how the mobility in VANET networks, impacts a continuous ﬂow of data on TCP, performing this analysis by modeling a scenario in NetLogo and its simulation with NS2.
Effects of Badminton on Physical Developments of Males with Physical Disability.

This study was realized in order to determine the features of the male badminton players with physical disability, and to examine the effects of badminton on physical developments of individuals with physical disability. Totally 59 males voluntarily participated in the study, 35 of whom were male badminton players with physical disability (n=35, average exercise age; 4.9) and the rest were physically handicapped (n=24) as the control group. Forming the research group, the male badminton players with physical disability, were divided into two groups according to the disability classification of the International Paralympic Committee, SL-3, SL-4, SU-5 (on foot, n=23), and WH-1, WH-2 (on wheelchairs, n=12). As for the control groups, physically handicapped individuals (on foot, n=13, wheelchair, n=11) of inactive lifestyle were included into the study. In order to determine the physical features of the participants following tests and measurements were applied; stature, weight, BMI, length of upper extremity, arm, fore arm and hand length, arm and forearm circumference, flexibility, balance, modified sit-up, modified abdominal endurance, hand grip strength, plate tapping, and modified push-up tests. Tests and measurements were applied on dominant hand and foot. At the end of the study, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference in between badminton players on foot with disability (BMI, balance, modified sit-up, and modified push-up values) and players on wheelchair (BMI, forearm circumference, hand grip strength, and modified push-up values), (p<0.05). As a conclusion, it was determined that badminton develops physical features of the individuals with physical disability.
Loughborough University Institutional Repository Strategy formulation capabilities of construction professionals

Strategic formulation involves synthesising complex, uncertain and often ambiguous information that necessitates a continuous need for senior managers to develop appropriate cognitive attributes. Professionals involved in strategy formulation should be able to exhibit flexibility along with creativity to ensure that the organisation they lead is steered in the right direction in response to a changing and demanding business environment. This paper is set out to explore the strategy formulation capabilities of construction professionals. A range of senior managers from multidisciplinary construction organisations were interviewed in order to explore the various factors that contribute to the strategy formulation capabilities of the professionals. The key factors identified were knowledge and skills. It is suggested that such an evaluation can have a significant role in increasing and improving strategic thinking, thereby enhancing the process of strategy formulation.
Dry Times in Africa by Salvador Barrios

While there have been some references in the literature to the potential role of the general decline in rainfall in sub-Saharan African nations on their poor growth performance relative to other developing countries, this avenue remains empirically unexplored. In this paper we use a new cross-country panel climatic data set in an economic growth framework to explore the issue. Our results show that rainfall has been a significant determinant of poor economic growth for Africa, but not for other developing countries. Depending on the benchmark measure of potential rainfall, we estimate that the direct impact under the scenario of no decline in rainfall would have resulted in a reduction of between 13 and 36 per cent of today’s gap in African GDP per capita relative to rest of the developing world. Outline
An Alternative Approach to the Acquisition of a Complex Motor Skill: Multiple Movement Training on Tennis Strokes

Human movement control is called an ill-posed problem. It is effectuated by solving problems of degrees-of-freedom in the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems which comprise multiple joints. Self-organization of behavior called coordinative structures may be necessary to solve the problems of degrees-of-freedom and to realize complex movement [Bernstein, (1967); Kugler, Kelso, & Turvey, (1980)]. Since self-organization of behavior is guided various constraints, this study aims to examine the possibility of complex motor skills learning by these constraints. 1.1. Constraints and self-organization of behavior
3D palmprint pose estimation using stereo camera

Although studies on the palm recognition systems achieving are high performance ratios, hygiene problems in contact systems and change of hand pose in contactless systems were encountered. 3D recognition systems is proposed for solve these problems. But, these systems did not find the opportunity to become widespread because of expensive technologies and low scanning speed. In this study was proposed a method for determined pose variations of palmprint using stereo cameras and transferring patterns that to be used for recognition to 2D space. Thus, both a non-contact system will be obtained and can be used properties of strong 2D recognition systems.
SDN Controller Mechanisms for Flexible and Customized Networking

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is seen as the most promising networking technology today. The spread of a new technology depends on the acceptance of the engineers implementing the networks. Typically, when engineers start the conceptualization of new network devices that work with a new paradigm, and that should provide expected business values, they must identify and utilize technical enablers for the defined business use cases. This paper tries to summarize essential SDN applications and defines the technical enablers for advanced and efficient SDN networking. To this end, we identify the core technical mechanisms, expecting to provide a useful analysis for the design of new SDN networks.