Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of different physiological stages and managemental practices on milk somatic cell counts of Murrah buffaloes.

To see the effect of different physiological stages and mangemental practices on the amount of milk somatic cells secreted from the udders of Murrah buffaloes, milk was collected from 64 Murrah buffaloes, which were divided into various groups according to their stage of lactation, parity, colostrums collected, body weight, body condition score (BCS), season, milking practices and fractionated. There were non-signifi cant changes in milk somatic cell counts (SCC) in early, mid and late lactation. Milk SCC increased non-signifi cantly from the 1 st to 4 th parity. Milk SCC were signifi cantly higher (P<0.01) in day-1 colostrum samples and then decreased when colostrums transformed into milk. No relationship was found between milk SCC and body weight and body condition score. Milk SCC was signifi cantly higher (P<0.01) in the summer season vis-a vis winter season. SCC was higher in machine milking than hand milking. Our results indicate that milk SCC is greates in buffaloes of higher parity and during the months of summer. Therefore, proper care of these animals should be undertaken to maintain their milk quality.
Utilization of Treated Duckweed Meal (Lemna pausicostata) as Plant Protein Supplement in African Mud Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juvenile Diets

The utilization of treated duckweed (Lemna pauciscostata) as soybean supplement in the diet of African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was carried out for 6 weeks (42 days). Freshly harvested duckweed was given varying treatments (raw, soaked in potash (maize cob as solution), sundried and blanched (at 100°C)) were included at 50% inclusion level. The experimental set up was in triplicate. The result showed highest mean weight gain in the diet 1 (Control diet) and followed by the diet 5 (blanched diet) while diet 2 (raw duckweed) gave the lowest mean weight gain. The food conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio followed the same pattern. There was no significant difference between the net profit value of control diet (601.1) and the blanched diet (592.66) (p>0.05) and the blanched diet gave the best benefit cost ratio (BCF). Apart from been viable supplement for soybean meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus, blanching of duckweed gave better performance than other treatments.
Bio-inspired Dynamic Formant Tracking for Phonetic Labelling

It is a known fact that phonetic labeling may be relevant in helping current Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) when combined with classical parsing systems as HMM's by reducing the search space. Through the present paper a method for Phonetic Broad-Class Labeling (PCL) based on speech perception in the high auditory centers is described. The methodology is based in the operation of CF (Characteristic Frequency) and FM (Frequency Modulation) neurons in the cochlear nucleus and cortical complex of the human auditory apparatus in the automatic detection of formants and formant dynamics on speech. Results obtained informant detection and dynamic formant tracking are given and the applicability of the method to Speech Processing is discussed.
Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO): prevention, management, and patient outcomes

: Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is acute pulmonary edema associated with left atrial hypertension or volume overload occurring within 6 hours following a blood transfusion. Recognized by physicians as a common complication of blood transfusion, its incidence has been difficult to measure because active surveillance is required to counteract underreporting; active surveillance indicates overall incidence rates as high as 1% per transfused patient. Recent clinical and translational research has focused on the development of electronic alert systems to measure TACO incidence and provide alerts to physicians regarding patients at high risk. Translational research regarding the utility of biomarkers such as brain natriuretic protein (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) as diagnostic tools for TACO has been only moderately successful, but the search for other biomarkers continues. Prevention strategies can be developed based upon evidence derived from both observational studies and might include: using documented risk factors to highlight patients at risk, preferably using real-time analysis of electronic medical records; implementation of modified transfusion strategies to minimize the volume and infusion rate of blood products; consideration of prophylactic diuretic therapy; and heightened diagnostic awareness combined with rapid implementation of treatment. Randomized clinical trials will be required to test such strategies before they are widely implemented. Finally, the occurrence of TACO ought to be considered as a potentially avoidable medical complication that could be used to benchmark transfusion and critical care practice across hospitals.
In Search For A Link Between Innovation, Intellectual Capital And Company Performance

The aim of the current paper is to explore the relationship between innovation/intellectual capital and the economic performance of firms in Flanders. For this purpose, use is made of a longitudinal firm-level dataset, built up by matching data from two different statistical sources: the Flemish CIS-3 (concerning innovation activities during 1998–2000) and a set of economic performance indicators drawn from the Belgian Belfirst (relating to the period 1998–2004). Our findings suggest that it is very difficult to make general conclusions on the relation between innovation and growth. In our sample, results depend on the definition of firm growth as a performance measure as well as on the method used to analyse the data.
A product feature-based user-centric product search model

During the online shopping process, users would search for interesting products and quickly access those that fit with their needs among a long tail of similar or closely related products. Our contribution addresses head queries that are frequently submitted on e-commerce Web sites. Head queries usually target featured products with several variations, accessories, and complementary products. We present in this paper a product feature-based user-centric model for product search involving in addition to product characteristics the user engagement toward the product. This model has been evaluated through the product search track of the LL4IR lab at CLEF 2015 in order to highlight the effectiveness of our model as well as the impact of the user engagement factor.
Physical and Biological Responses to Flow in a Tidal Freshwater Slough Complex

Author(s): Frantzich, Jared; Sommer, Ted; Schreier, Brian | Abstract: Although brackish marsh has been the subject of decades of research, tidal freshwater regions are still poorly understood. To provide insight into spatial and temporal dynamics of nutrients, physical conditions, and the plankton community in freshwater tidal habitat, we investigated from 2011 to 2014 a remnant freshwater tidal slough complex located in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta region of the San Francisco Estuary. Our results suggest that the tidal slough complex showed different seasonal nutrient, physical, and biological conditions when compared to a relatively homogenous adjacent large river channel, the Sacramento River. The tidal slough complex also showed substantial spatial variability in habitat conditions compared to nearby main river channels. Nutrient dynamics in the tidal slough complex appear to be driven by a complex suite of factors, including inflow from upstream tributaries and tidal flows from the downstream reach of the Sacramento River. Chlorophyll a in the tidal sloughs responded more strongly to upstream flow pulses than other environmental variables. The tidal slough complex generated significantly higher levels of chlorophyll a than other freshwater regions of the Delta. The 2011 and 2012 results were especially notable because unusually large flow pulses through the tidal slough complex appear to have contributed to rare phytoplankton blooms in downstream areas of the Delta during the fall months. Moreover, the 2012 flow pulse stimulated higher trophic levels, because significantly higher levels of zooplankton were in the tidal slough complex after the flow event. These results have important implications for our understanding of the functioning of freshwater tidal habitat, and for the design of potential restoration projects in these regions.
Is Ostracism by a Despised Outgroup Really Hurtful? A Replication and Extension of Gonsalkorale and Williams (2007)

Previous research has shown that being ostracized by members of a despised outgroup is as hurtful as being ostracized by ingroup members (Gonsalkorale & Williams, 2007). In the current study, we conduct a direct replication of the Gonsalkorale and Williams's study and also investigate whether this (lack of) effect is due to the way negative consequences of ostracism were measured. To do so, we created a new measure that directly assesses whether people were hurt from being ostracized (or not). Our results and a small-scale meta-analysis including Gonsalkorale and Williams's results show that ostracism effects are not significantly diminished when the source of ostracism is a despised outgroup. We discuss theoretical and methodological implications.
A Model for Data Governance - Organising Accountabilities for Data Quality Management

Enterprises need data quality management (DQM) that combines business-driven and technical perspectives to respond to strategic and operational challenges that demand high-quality corporate data. Hitherto, companies have assigned accountabilities for DQM mostly to IT departments. They have thereby ignored the organisational issues that are critical to the success of DQM. With data governance, however, companies implement corporate-wide accountabilities for DQM that encompass professionals from business and IT. This paper outlines a data governance model comprised of three components. Data quality roles, decision areas and responsibilities build a matrix, comparable to a RACI chart. The data governance model documents the data quality roles and their type of interaction with DQM activities. Companies can structure their company-specific data governance model based on these findings.
Collective Bargaining and the GenderWage Gap: A Quantile Regression Approach

Several studies have found that in those countries where the wage structure is more egalitarian, the gender wage gap is lower. Also, a negative relationship between the level of collective bargaining centralization and the degree of wage inequality has been found: more centralised bargaining seems to lead to lower wage gaps. In this paper we study how the gender wage gap changes throughout the distribution of wages as a function of the level of collective bargaining by which workers are covered, using quantile regression estimation methods. Our main results indicate that women at the bottom of the wage distribution are subject to less discrimination when they are covered by sectoral (national or regional) agreements, while, at the upper part of the distribution, women under firm agreements suffer less discrimination. These results are consistent with the Median Voter Theorem: at the sectoral level, agreed wages are only minimum wages and unions seem to be more concerned about workers at the bottom of the distribution, so wage compression is more effective there. Hence, wage is close to agreed tariffs, resulting in a smaller wage differential and lower discriminatory component. On the other hand, when bargaining is conducted at the firm level, unions have a greater control over the contracts signed and the reduction in wage dispersion is more effective over the whole distribution. Therefore, differences in the discriminatory component are not so important.
Intraspecific variation in Armillaria species from shrubs and trees in Northwestern Spain

Until recently, the identification of Armillaria species relied upon morphological characteristics and mating tests, but now molecular techniques based on polymorphisms in the IGS region of the fungal rDNA are more commonly used, since these are more rapid and reliable. Differences found in RFLP patterns identifying Armillaria species have suggested the existence of intraspecific variation. In this work, 185 Armillaria isolates from different plant species (including fruit trees, broadleaf and coniferous trees, ornamental shrubs, kiwifruit and grapevine) affected by white root rot were analyzed by RFLP-PCR, in order to study intraspecific variation in Armillaria and the relationship with the plant host. Armillaria mellea was found in the majority of samples (71%), and was the most frequent Armillaria species in symptomatic ornamental shrubs, kiwifruit, grapevine, fruit trees and broadleaf trees. In conifers however white root rot was generally caused by Armillaria ostoyae. Armillaria gallica was identified, although with low incidence, in ornamental, coniferous, broadleaf and fruit hosts. Intraspecies variation was recorded only in A. mellea, for which RFLP patterns mel 1 and mel 2 were found. Most plants infected with A. mellea showed the mel 2 pattern. Further research is needed to study whether Armillaria RFLP patterns are specific to certain plant hosts, and whether intraspecific variation is related to differences in pathogenicity.
Electric Field Imaging Using Intense Half-Cycle Terahertz Pulses

Characteristics of terahertz (THz) imaging using approximately half-cycle THz pulses were studied using a large-aperture biased photoconductive antenna which emits an intense THz field with a large THz beam. Studies of the dependence of the THz image quality on delay time show that real-time imaging is possible if the probe pulse is timed appropriately. The best images were observed at a time window when the THz field had a steep transient. This allows two-dimensional imaging in a fixed-time mode, which enables observation of a nonstationary object. Using phase-sensitive electrooptic detection and scanning a delay time, not only two-dimensional time-domain spectroscopy is possible, but frequency-resolved images are also available. Depending on the frequency, we found that images of the actual shape or the edge of an object were obtained.
Assessing the Impact of Sales Culture on the Quality of Bank Services in Jordan

This study aims at exploring and assessing the concepts of sales culture, the quality of service, and the relationship between them within the 23 commercial banks in Jordan, (13) of which are Jordanian banks, whereas the remained ones are non-Jordanian. For the purpose of this study, two samples were used. The first is the employees’ sample and was used to measure the sales culture. The second is the customers’ sample and was used to measure the quality of services provided by the commercial banks. The findings of the study indicate that the overall employees’ sales culture in the surveyed banks is moderate. However, it should be noted that the employees of the non-Jordanian banks have higher levels of sales culture than those of the Jordanian banks. On the other hand, the quality of services provided by those banks was measured by applying the gap model (the difference between the customers’ perceived, and expected quality). Accordingly, the results of the study indicate that this quality is low (unsatisfactory). Also, the findings of the study indicate a positive relationship between the employees’ adoption of sales culture and the quality of service. This result assures that high levels of the quality of service can be reached when banks adopt sales culture. The management must understand that strong commitment to the quality of service and sales culture is an integrated component in the bank’s culture, and that a positive attitude towards interpersonal relationships must be adopted by all of the bank’s employees. If banks in Jordan like to enhance their competitiveness in the market, they have to integrate this vision into the strategic marketing planning.
Alterations in Inhibition Underlying Treatment Effects and Recovery in PTSD

Alterations in Inhibition Underlying Treatment Effe cts and Recovery in PTSD Aileen M. Echiverri-Cohen Chair of Supervisory Committee: Professor Lori A. Zoellner Psychology Department Inhibitory deficits expressed as difficulty ignorin g irrelevant stimuli in the pursuit of goaldirected behavior may be crucial in our understandi ng of information processing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may serve as a fundament l mechanism of the disorder. If inhibitory deficits underlie the cognitive abnormalities in PT SD, then inhibition should improve with treatment; however, no published studies have exami ned changes in inhibition following PTSD treatment. Evidence of inhibitory processes as cent ral to extinction suggests that exposure-based treatments may act directly on the inhibitory defic its implicated in PTSD, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) facilitating serotonergic neurotransmission to bring about neurochemical changes in the fear circuitry. Accord ingly, the present study examined changes in inhibition at pre-and post-treatment in individuals with chronic PTSD. Two inhibitory measures, attentional blink, a task that examines the tempora l sequence of inhibition, and prepulse inhibition of startle, a behavioral measure that in dexes the strength of inhibition, were used to study inhibition preand post-treatment. Specifica lly, this study examined whether inhibition changes with 10 weeks of prolonged exposure, a vari nt of an exposure-based treatment, or sertraline, the best-studied SSRI, for chronic PTSD . Treatment modality and treatment responder were examined to ascertain whether they change inhi bition differentially. In addition, pretreatment inhibitory deficits were examined as a pr edictor of change in trauma-related symptoms. Finally, individual difference factors su ch as age, sex, and education were examined as predictors of changes in inhibition. Individuals who made greater improvements with prolonged exposure showed faster improvements in in hibition on the critical inhibitory lag of the attentional blink task than sertraline, showing a l arge effect for this interaction, and pointing to potentially different mechanisms of treatment respo nse in PTSD. Related to this, better inhibitory functioning on PPI, with a large effect at trend le vel, was associated with better treatment response, consistent with prepulse inhibitory funct ioning potentially serving as pre-treatment biomarker for treatment response. Finally, age cont ributed to slower improvements in a critical inhibitory lag of the attentional blink task over t ime, suggesting older individuals are associated with making less changes in inhibitory processes. T hus, differential modulation in fundamental attentional inhibitory processes by treatment respo nders suggests differential specificity in how prolonged exposure and sertraline normalize inhibit ory processes. Further, prolonged exposure and sertraline may use specific pathways in how the y bring about therapeutic change, however ultimately converge on a final common pathway in re ducing amygdala reactivity.
Structural and functional analysis of genes encoding fork head proteins in Cryptococcus neoformans

DRIVINYA ,A . , SZILAGYI ,Z . , SIPICZKI ,M . , TAKEO ,K . S ISSN 00063088. (Biologia). ISSN 1335-6399 (Biologia. Section Cellular and Molecular Biology). Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogenic yeast causing a fatal disease, meningitis, not only in immunocompromised patients but also in apparently healthy individuals. It is considered to be important to identify genes involved in its pathogenicity in order to overcome the infection of the fungus. We report here stuructural analysis of two novel genes of C. neoformans homologous to sep1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which encodes a transcription factor with a so-called fork head domain. Four possible open reading frames homologous to Sep1p were identified in the genome, and two of them were detected to be expressed by RT-PCR. We cloned cDNAs for the genes to analyze their structures. Their structures in two different serotypes of C. neoformans were compared to detect the diversity and conservativeness in different portions of the genes. Heterologous expression study was also conducted in order to see if fork head domain protein genes identified in this study complement sep1∆ of Sch. pombe.
Phased array scanning of artificial and impact damage in carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP)

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) materials are increasingly being used in modern civilian aircraft for structural applications. There is an urgent need to detect and classify delamination defects and evaluate the threat to the integrity of the component in-service. This paper presents a study to evaluate the use of ultrasonic phased array (PA) technology for this purpose. Linear array ultrasonic probes are used to scan CFRP panels that contain both Teflon simulated delaminations and Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID) caused by drop weight impacting. The advantages and disadvantages of using PA technology for thin composite material components are discussed.
Fractionation of phosphorus in soils amended with poultry manure co-composted with sugarcane and cabbage wastes

Organic waste recycling is a viable option for reducing energy usage, volume of landfills, air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources for future use. Composting is an easy and natural bio-degradation process that converts organic wastes into available nutrients for plants. We studied the changes in phosphorus (P) fractions in soils amended with poultry manure co-composted with sugarcane and cabbage wastes. The compost was applied to sandy clay and silt loam soils at 10 and 20 t ha. Soils were then incubated at room temperature for 8 weeks when mineralization was expected and analyzed for extractable P fractions. The P fractions in the soils varied in the order HCl-P (Ca+Mg-bound) > H2O-P (water soluble) > NaHCO3-P (readily plant-available P) > NaOH-P (Fe+Albound) and the fractions increased significantly as compost application rates increased and decreased as the amount of sugarcane and cabbage wastes in the compost increased. Phosphorus was less concentrated in the compost containing CW than that containing SW and was higher in sandy clay than silty loam soil. The overall results showed that composting reduced the bio-availability of P from poultry litter and would be beneficial for optimizing P fertility in soil and minimizing losses to the environment.
THE REMOVAL OF CO2 FROM FLUE GASES USING MAGNESIUM SILICATES, IN FINLAND

At this moment the options for reducing CO2 emissions from power generation are a decrease of fuel consumption, increase in process efficiency or changing to renewable, CO2-neutral fuel. Only a few technical applications for direct CO2 reduction are in use. Earlier studies showed that it is possible to remove CO2 from flue gases with the help of serpentine or other magnesium silicates. Laboratory experiments were done to get an insight to the kinetics of the chemical reaction. The availability of the minerals and the possibility of applying the method to large-scale combustion facilities were the main topics of this study.