Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of specific amino acid receptors in the oral cavity is associated with growth rate and feed intake in broiler chickens

One of the important challenges that broiler chicken industry deals with is growth variability, which is highly correlated (up to 90%) with variability in feed consumption. Feed consumption is affected by many factors including taste and nutrient perception in the oral cavity. Amino acids (AA) as one of the most important dietary nutrients are strongly related with growth rate of broiler chickens and feed intake regulation. In this study, we hypothesized that differences in growth and feed intake of broilers are associated with the gene expression level of AA receptors in the upper palate of oral cavity. RT-PCR analyses showed that fast growing chickens expressed T1R1 and GPR139 in upper palate at higher levels compared to slow growing chickens (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the higher expression levels of some AA sensors in fast compared to slow growing chickens was associated with differences in their nutrient specific appetites and feed intake which, in turn, resulted in different growth rates. Our results provide novel evidences that the regulation of feed intake and growth in chickens are orchestrated by nutrient sensing mechanisms.
Gonadal tissue color is not a reliable indicator of sex in rocky intertidal mussels

Gonadal tissue coloration was previously thought to be a reliable indicator of sex (male vs. female) in intertidal mussels. However, no investigations have been performed to determine whether color is an accurate representation of sex and to evaluate how this relationship varies throughout the environment. Patterns of gonadal tissue coloration were examined in the mussel Mytilus californianus along 2 environmental axes during the summer of 2004: (1) a food-availability gradient across 4 sites on the central Oregon coast and (2) a vertical (tidal height) stress gradient within each of the sites. Gonadal tissue color was unrelated to food availability. Both male and female mussels at the high edge of the mussel bed had orange gonadal tissue, contrary to conventional wisdom that mussel sex can be determined visually by gonadal color (males = white, females = orange). Field classification based on tissue color is therefore an unreliable indicator of sex in mussels. Environmental stress appears to influence patterns of tissue color (carotenoid pigment concentration) in the intertidal zone.
A unified treament of boundary conditions in least square-based Finite Volume methods A unified treament of boundary conditions in least square-based Finite Volume methods

We propose a unified treatment of internal and boundary vertex Least Squares reconstructions in second-order accurate cell-centered finite volume discretisation of 2-D steady diffusion problems. Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary conditions are taken into account in the same formulation by introducing suitable constraints in the Least Squares minimization process. The method is discussed in its theoretical framework and a representative numerical experiment illustrates its capability in providing the second order of accuracy.
THE EFFECTS OF TFLAT PRONUNCIATION TRAINING IN MALL ON THE PRONUNCIATION ABILITY OF IRANIAN EFL LEARNERS

The integration of technology into teaching and learning has contributed highly to the process teaching and learning as English language teachers and learners have recognized the place of technology in education and the way it can be effectively used to support various kinds of learning and teaching. The present research intended to find if teaching L2 pronunciation through mobile apps produce a statistically significant effect on the learning of pronunciation ability among Iranian intermediate EFL learners compared to teacher fronted instruction of pronunciation. In so doing, a sample of 30 intermediate EFL learners was selected based on their performance on QPT. The participants were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group of 15. A pretest piloted before with the reliability index of (0.86) was administered. Then, both groups received a 6-session treatment that were the use of the TFlat as a mobile courseware and the use of teacher-fronted instruction of pronunciation of units that included short vowels, long vowels, double vowel sounds, voiced consonants, voiceless consonants in experimental group and control group, respectively. A posttest was then administered to the groups. The results of the study indicated that the use of the TFlat courseware improved greatly the pronunciation ability of the students compared to the ability of the students in the control group in the same period the course of the study. The findings can be used specifically by EFL teachers who are interested in improving their students’ pronunciation ability. Article visualizations:
Questionnaire-based evaluation of characteristics of a community in SNS

Currently, SNSes (Social Networking Services) are widely available on the Internet. In a SNS, users can communicate with the users who have a similar interest in a community. To activate communications drastically in SNS, users are encouraged to join other dissimilar communities. In this paper, utilizing activities of communities and relationships with communities is proposed to realize a dissimilar community recommendation. However, such communities tend to be useless for the users, so that investigating characteristics of communities that are selected by the methods is necessary to recommend. By utilizing real data in the largest SNS in Japan, the correlations between the users' subjective judgments and the characteristics of communities are evaluated. As a result, it is clarified that effective recommendation of dissimilar communities will be possible by integrating activities of communities and relationships with communities.
XMM-Newton observations of a superbubble in N 158 in the LMC

Aims: We study the diffuse X-ray emission observed in the field of view of the pulsar B 0540-69 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) by XMM-Newton. We want to understand the nature of this soft diffuse emission, which coincides with the superbubble in the HII region N 158, and improve our understanding of the evolution of superbubbles. Methods: We analyse the XMM-Newton spectra of the diffuse emission. Using the parameters obtained from the spectral fit, we perform calculations of the evolution of the superbubble. The mass loss and energy input rates are based on the initial mass function (IMF) of the observed OB association inside the superbubble. Results: The analysis of the spectra shows that the soft X-ray emission arises from hot shocked gas surrounded by a thin shell of cooler, ionised gas. We show that the stellar winds alone cannot account for the energy inside the superbubble, but the energy release of 2 - 3 supernova explosions in the past ~1 Myr provides a possible explanation. Conclusions: The combination of high sensitivity X-ray data, allowing spectral analysis, and analytical models for superbubbles bears the potential to reveal the evolutionary state of interstellar bubbles, if the stellar content is known.
Globalisation and the international monetary transmission

This contribution introduces multinational production and trade costs in a dynamic open economy in the tradition of the new open macroeconomics, so as to analyse the impact of exports and foreign direct investments on exchange rates and prices. The mode of foreign market access is shown to play a key role in the international transmission of productivity and policy shocks, such as changes in transport costs and the global monetary stance. A generalised policy of trade liberalisation, by deteriorating the terms of trade of host relative to source countries, is shown to favour consumers in the developed (investing) world. Similarly, an easing of the global monetary stance has asymmetric e¤ects in borrowing and investing countries. A depreciation of the home currency reduces the purchasing power of domestic consumers in open economies that mainly host foreign direct investments.
Effects of Flaxseed Diets on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Fatty Acid Composition of Hanwoo Steers

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary level of whole flaxseed (WFS; 0, 10 and 15%) on performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acid composition of serum and subcutaneous, perirenal, and intramuscular adipose tissues of Korean Hanwoo cattle. The daily gains were not different among treatments. Dietary inclusion of WFS decreased (p<0.05) feed intake but improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (feed/gain). Backfat thickness and marbling score were increased (p<0.05) by dietary WFS. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin-eye area, and carcass yield and quality were not different among treatments. The proportion of C18:3 in serum and, to a lesser extent, in adipose tissues were increased (p<0.01) by dietary WFS, indicating that lipids from WFS escaped ruminal biohydrogenation. Animals fed WFS had lower proportions of saturated fatty acid (SFA; C14:0 and 16:0) and higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; C18:2. 18:3, 20:2, 20:4, 20:5 and 22:6) in perirenal and intramuscular fat than animals fed diets without WFS, resulting in an increased PUFA/SFA ratio. Furthermore, feeding WFS increased (p<0.01) proportions of ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids in intramuscular fat but decreased (p<0.05) the ω-6/ω-3 ratio. Relative treatment effects were similar between 10 and 15% WFS. Feeding WFS can effectively alter composition of adipose tissues with enhanced feed conversion
Accelerating the Convergence Rates of Distributed Subgradient Methods with Adaptive Quantization

We study distributed optimization problems over a network when the communication between the nodes is constrained, and so information that is exchanged between the nodes must be quantized. This imperfect communication poses a fundamental challenge, and this imperfect communication, if not properly accounted for, prevents the convergence of these algorithms. In this paper, our main contribution is to propose a novel quantization method, which we refer to as an adaptive quantization. The main idea of our approach is to quantize the nodes' estimates based on the progress of the algorithm, which helps to eliminate the quantized errors. Under the adaptive quantization, we then derive the bounds on the convergence rates of the proposed method as a function of the bandwidths and the underlying network topology, for both convex and strongly convex objective functions. Our results shows that using the adaptive quantization, the rate of convergence of distributed consensus-based subgradient methods with and without quantization are the same, except for a factor which captures the number of quantization bits. Finally, we provide numerical simulations to compare the convergence properties of the distributed gradient methods with and without quantization for solving the well-known regression problems over networks, for both quadratic and absolute loss functions.
GTM alpha - Towards a Graphical Notation for Topic Maps

Abstract. In the last years several drafts, recommendations andconcepts for a graphical notation for Topic Maps have been published,but till today no graphical notation is generally approved and used inthe Topic Maps community. In this paper we present GTM alpha as aconceptual new notation for a graphical representation of Topic Maps.Our objective is, to provide a practical usable notation, which allows acomplete, consistent as well as easy to use graphical representation ofany given topic map draft. GTM alpha provides a domain as well as asubject centric view and most important it considers the uniquecharacteristics of the Topic Maps paradigm. This paper serves as a useroriented GTM alpha manual for ontology designers, domain experts aswell as users. 1 Introduction Modeling a Topic Maps ontology is generally a complex and time-consumingprocess which involves many different actors [1,2]. To support the necessarydiscussion and to demonstrate modeling options a graphical representation of atopic map draft can be helpful [3, 4]. Using a standardization graphical notationfor Topic Maps (GTM) ensures that involved ontology engineers interpret a topicmap graphic correctly and uniformly, which is especially important for acollaborative modeling process [5, 6].
Tax competition strategies in corporate income tax - the case of EU countries

The process of globalization, which is ongoing in a variety of dimensions, the ever-increasing mobility of capital and production factors as well as the fiscal problems in many European countries make the debate over tax competition still relevant today. The article discusses the problem of tax competition in the corporate income tax in the context of inward foreign direct investment in the Member States of the European Union. The advantages and disadvantages of tax competition as well as its consequences for the revenues from corporate income tax and for the inward foreign direct investment have been presented for the years 2000-2013. On the basis of an analysis of the literature and a general statistical analysis, the authors identified and described three strategies of tax competition: aggressive, moderate and conservative. Furthermore, rankings of the countries were created on the basis of two elements, namely: changes to FDI and the share of CIT revenues in GDP. The authors have also estimated parameters of the dynamic panel model in order to find relations between the corporate income tax and the ratio of FDI to GDP and have found differences between crisis period and stable period and differences in results for two groups of countries (new members of the EU and old ones).
Sliding mode control applied to improve the dynamical response of a spherical 3D wind sensor for Mars atmosphere

The objective of this paper is to show how the structure of a thermal wind anemometer can be tuned to ensure a fast response when the sensor works in closed loop configuration (constant temperature operation). If the thermal filter associated to the sensor structure has only one significative time constant, the resulting system time response, working in closed loop, is enhanced beyond the natural limit imposed by its own thermal circuit. This effect is theoretically explained using the theory of sliding mode controllers. Experimental corroboration is presented by comparing the results obtained with two prototypes of a spherical wind sensor for Mars atmosphere. It will be shown that in case of having only one significant time constant, the time response in closed loop is much faster than the value associated with that time constant. It will be experimentally shown that this effect is lost when the thermal filter has more than one significant time constant. Diffusive representation is used to obtain arbitrary-order models of the thermal structures of the sensors.
Oxidative Potential of Ambient Aerosols:An Indian Perspective

Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in ambient air and therefore follow the air transport pathway. Many species present in ambient aerosols such as transition metals or some organics have the potential to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ. These ROS affect oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere. On inhalation, aerosols can generate ROS in the respiratory system of humans, which may result in a variety of cardiopulmonary diseases. Further, ROS can also affect plant growth and productivity. India has a wide variety of pollutant sources with perennial emissions. Although there are reasonable number of studies on the physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosols, virtually no information is available on the oxidative potential of ambient aerosols and its consequences. Therefore, it is important to assess the oxidative potential of ambient aerosols on a temporal and spatial scale over sites dominated by different emission sources and meteorological conditions in India.
IMPACT OF MICROPHONE POSITIONAL ERRORS ON SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY

OF THESIS IMPACT OF MICROPHONE POSITIONAL ERRORS ON SPEECH INTELLIGBILITY The speech of a person speaking in a noisy environment can be enhanced through electronic beamforming using spatially distributed microphones. As this approach demands precise information about the microphone locations, its application is limited in places where microphones must be placed quickly or changed on a regular basis. Highly precise calibration or measurement process can be tedious and time consuming. In order to understand tolerable limits on the calibration process, the impact of microphone position error on the intelligibility is examined. Analytical expressions are derived by modeling the microphone position errors as a zero mean uniform distribution. Experiments and simulations were performed to show relationships between precision of the microphone location measurement and loss in intelligibility. A variety of microphone array configurations and distracting sources (other interfering speech and white noise) are considered. For speech near the threshold of intelligibility, the results show that microphone position errors with standard deviations less than 1.5cm can limit losses in intelligibility to within 10% of the maximum (perfect microphone placement) for all the microphone distributions examined. Of different array distributions experimented, the linear array tends to be more vulnerable whereas the non-uniform 3D array showed a robust performance to positional errors.
A Strong Transcription Activity of the Bombyx mori Elongation Factor 1α Promoter

We previously isolated 9 clones that show stronger signal compared to B. mori cytoplasmic actin gene (BmA3) by using a dot blot hybridization. In this study, we focused on one clone among these clones which has high amino acid homology with elongation factor gene of B. mori. This clone, named (B. mori elongation factor ) was ubiquitously expressed in all tissues and developmental stage of B. mori. As result of promoter assay using dual luciferase assay system, we found the highest transcription activity region (-702/+38) in the 5`-flanking region of gene, which has about 20 fold more intensive promoter activity than BmA3 promoter. Moreover, the promoter was normally regulated in Bm5, Sf9, and S2 cells. Therefore, we suggest that promoter may be used more powerful and effectively for transgene expression in various insects containing B. mori as a universal promoter.
Global System Theory and ‘Market-friendly’ Religion

Abstract This article explores some implications of the interplay of neoliberal economic policy and religion for Leslie Sklair's global system theory (GST), and some implications of Sklair's theory for the study of contemporary religion. We first suggest that Sklair needlessly restricted his theory's scope by analyzing culture in terms of consumerist ideologies without systematic consideration of religious doctrines and practices. Second, based on studies of ‘market Islam’ and our own research on neo-Pentecostal Christianity in Guatemala, we argue that Sklair's notion of a transnational capitalist class is needed for an adequate understanding of the rapid growth of these religious movements. We conclude that GST can benefit from consideration of contemporary religious change, while the study of contemporary religion has perhaps even more to gain from theorizing the influence of transnational elites.
Occurrence and mechanisms of formation of a dramatic thin layer of marine snow in a shallow Pacific fjord

Huge accumulations of diatom-dominated marine snow (aggregates >0.5 mm in diam- eter) were observed in a layer approximately 50 cm thick persisting over a 24 h period in a shallow fjord in the San Juan Islands, Washington, USA. The layer was associated with the 22.4 σ t density sur- face. A second thin layer of elevated phytoplankton concentration located at a density discontinuity 1.5 to 2 m above the marine snow layer occurred within a dense diatom bloom near the surface. At the end of the study period, isopycnals shoaled and the 2 layers merged. More than 80% of the diatom bloom consisted of Thalassiosira spp. (50 to 59%), Odontella longicruris (5 to 14%), Asteri- onellopsis glacialis, and Thalassionema nitzschioides. A much higher proportion of O. longicruris occurred in marine snow (about 53%) than among suspended cells suggesting that this species differentially aggregated. Most zooplankton avoided the mucus-rich aggregate layer. The layer of marine snow was formed when sinking aggregated diatoms reached neutral buoyancy at the 22.4 isopycnal, probably due to the presence of low salinity mucus resistant to salt exchange in the interstices of the aggregates. Rates of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation throughout the water col- umn rarely exceeded 10 -8 m 2 s -3 and aggregates below the thin layer were largely detrital in compo- sition indicating that small-scale shears due to turbulence did not erode the layer of marine snow. The accumulation of marine snow and phytoplankton in persistent, discrete layers at density discontinu- ities results in habitat partitioning of the pelagic zone, impacts the distribution and interactions of planktonic organisms as well as the intensity and location of biological processes in the water col- umn, and helps maintain species diversity.
Uncertainty evaluation by gamma transmission measurements and CFD model comparison in a FCC cold pilot unit

The solid flow in air-catalyst in circulating fluidized bed was simulated with CFD model to obtain axial and radial distribution. Therefore, project parameters were confirmed and steady state operation condition was improved. Solid holds up axial end radial profiles simulation and comparison with gamma transmission measurements are in a good agreement. The transmission signal from an 241 Am radioactive source was evaluated in NaI(Tl) detector coupled to multichannel analyzer. This non intrusive measuring set up is installed at riser of a cold pilot unit to determine parameters of FCC catalyst flow at several concentrations. Mass flow rate calculated by combining solid hold up and solid phase velocity measurements was compared with catalyst inlet measured at down-comer. Evaluation in each measured parameter shows that a relative combined uncertainty of 6% in a 95% interval was estimated. Uncertainty analysis took into account a significant correlation in scan riser transmission measurements. An Eulerian approach of CFD model incorporating the kinetic theory of granular flow was adopted to describe the gas–solid two-phase flows in a multizone circulating reactor. Instantaneous and local gas-particle velocity, void fraction and turbulent parameters were obtained and results are shown in 2 D and 3D graphics.
Big Data Techniques for Supporting Official Statistics: The Use of Web Scraping for Collecting Price Data

Following the advent of Big Data, statistical offices have been largely exploring the use of Internet as data source for modernizing their data collection process. Particularly, prices are collected online in several statistical institutes through a technique known as web scraping. The objective of the chapter is to discuss the challenges of web scraping for setting up a continuous data collection process, exploring and classifying the more widespread techniques and presenting how they are used in practical cases. The main technical notions behind web scraping are presented and explained in order to give also to readers with no background in IT the sufficient elements to fully comprehend scraping techniques, promoting the building of mixed skills that is at the core of the spirit of modern data science. Challenges for official statistics deriving from the use of web scraping are briefly sketched. Finally, research ideas for overcoming the limitations of current techniques are presented and discussed. Big Data Techniques for Supporting Official Statistics: The Use of Web Scraping for Collecting Price Data