Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic characterization of the West Africa dwarf goats and the production system in Liberia

Data on characterization of animal genetic resources are valuable in the development of breeding and conservation schemes to ensure their sustainable use. A survey was conducted to collect baseline data on the phenotypic characteristics, production system, traits of economic importance and challenges faced by goat farmers in Liberia. The survey was carried out in the 15 counties of Liberia and covered 1314 animals in their production environments. 1267 respondents participated in this study. A pre-tested structured questionnaire, group discussions and in-depth interviews were used in the data collection. Phenotypic descriptors were directly measured using a measuring tape and weighing scale. Results indicated that Liberia goats are predominantly West Africa dwarf (WAD) breed (99%) and either docile or moderate in temperament. Majority of WAD goats have solid/uniform/plain coat colour pattern (68%) and black or white coat colour (63%). Most goats are horned (70%) and have curved horns (50%). The main motivation for keeping local goats is their relative adaptation to the environment, fast growth and efficient meat production. Average body weight, body length, chest girth and height at withers were 39 kg, 65, 79 and 51 cm, respectively. Government should address the issue of feed, access to veterinary care and medicines, disease control and also assist goat farmers to put up housing and fencing for their animals. There is a need for the government to improve policies on AnGR management in Liberia. In particular, the recently adopted NSAP on AnGR which provides a clear framework for the development of the livestock sector should be validated and implemented by the MOA/CARI and other stakeholders. In situ and ex situ conservation strategies including establishment of national breeding and conservation centres and community-based breeding programs for goat farmers are viable options which should be pursued. Key words: Liberia, phenotypic characterization, West African dwarf goat, production system, AnGR.
Double density dynamics: realizing a joint distribution of a physical system and a parameter system

To perform a variety of types of molecular dynamics simulations, we created a deterministic method termed ‘double density dynamics’ (DDD), which realizes an arbitrary distribution for both physical variables and their associated parameters simultaneously. Specifically, we constructed an ordinary differential equation that has an invariant density relating to a joint distribution of the physical system and the parameter system. A generalized density function leads to a physical system that develops under nonequilibrium environment-describing superstatistics. The joint distribution density of the physical system and the parameter system appears as the Radon–Nikodym derivative of a distribution that is created by a scaled long-time average, generated from the flow of the differential equation under an ergodic assumption. The general mathematical framework is fully discussed to address the theoretical possibility of our method, and a numerical example representing a 1D harmonic oscillator is provided to validate the method being applied to the temperature parameters.
Effect of foliar application of moringa leaf extract on growth and yield of late sown wheat

Moringa oleifera leaf extract has a potential effect as a growth enhancer of many crops. An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate the effect of foliar application of moringa leaf extract on growth and yield of late sown wheat (BARI Gom-26). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were T 1 (Control), T 2 [moringa leaf extract (MLE) sprayed only at tillering stage], T 3 (MLE sprayed at tillering and jointing stages), T 4 (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing and booting stages), T 5 (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing, booting and heading stages), and T 6 (MLE sprayed only at heading stage). Application of moringa leaf extract significantly increased the growth and yield attributes as well as grain and straw yield of wheat. Among various treatments with moringa leaf extract the performance of T 4 (MLE sprayed at tillering, jointing and booting stages) was the best as it produced the tallest plant (87.87 cm), the highest fresh and dry weight of root (16.51 g and 11.37 g respectively), the highest number of spikelets spike -1 (19.70) and filled grains spike -1 (45.53), as well as the highest grain and straw yield (3.62 t ha -1 and 5.43 t ha -1 respectively) of wheat. Therefore, moringa leaf extract as a foliar spray can be applied at critical growth stages to increase the growth and yield potentiality of late sown wheat. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2017, 3(3): 323-329
The Changing Face of Motivation: A Study of Second Language Learners' Motivation over Time.

Motivation to learn a second language (L2) is considered a crucial individual factor in explaining success or lack thereof in second language learning. This study examined learners’ motivation to learn Chinese as a second language (L2). The study was longitudinal and cross-sectional. Interviews were conducted with learners at different year levels over the course of a university semester to analyse motivation to choose a particular L2, how motivation changes over time, and factors contributing to that change. The study found that motivation is diverse, complex, and undergoes many fluctuations. Motivation to begin language study was related to both past L2 learning experiences and personal goals. Once language study began, factors related to the learning environment were the most important factors to impact on motivation, and were also most likely to demotivate learners. However, when learners had a clear future image of themselves as speakers of the L2, they were able to continue motivating themselves, regardless of the demotivation stemming from their learning environment. These findings lend some support for Dornyei’s (2005, 2009) L2 Motivational Self-System theory, which highlights the importance of the ideal L2 self as a powerful motivator to learn an L2.
Effects of the number of presences on reliability and stability of MARS species distribution models: the importance of regional niche variation and ecological heterogeneity

Question: What are the effects of the number of presences on models generated with multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS)? Do these effects vary with data quality and quantity and species ecology? Location: Spain and Ecuador. Methods: We used two data sets: (1) two trees from Spain, representing high-occurrence number data sets with real absences and unbalanced prevalence; (2) two herbs from Ecuador, representing lowoccurrence number data sets without real absences and balanced prevalence. For model quality, we used two different measures: reliability and stability. For each sample size, different replicates were generated at random and then used to generate a consensus model. Results: Model reliability and stability decrease with sample size. Optimal minimum sample size varies depending on many factors, many of which are unknown. Regional niche variation and ecological heterogeneity are critical. Conclusions: (1) Model predictive power improves greatly with more than 18-20 presences. (2) Model reliability depends on data quantity and quality as well as species ecological characteristics. (3) Depending on the number of presences in the data set, investigators must carefully distinguish between models that should be treated with skepticism and those whose predictions can be applied with reasonable confidence. (4) For species combining few initial presences and wide environmental range variation, it is advisable to generate several replicate models that partition the initial data and generate a consensus model. (5) Models of species with a narrow environmental range variation can be highly stable and reliable, even when generated with few presences.
Controlling and disclosing your personal information

As organizations come to rely on the collection and use of personal information in order to complete the transactions and providing good services to their users, more and more user personal information is being shared with web service providers leading to the need to protect the privacy. Personal information is processed, stored and disclosed and often it generated in the course of making a commercial exchange. Credit card numbers, individual identity number, purchase records, monthly income, and related types of personal information all have important role with his this commercial information system. However this creation and use of personal information raises issues of privacy not only for the individual, but also for organizations. Easy access to private personal information will cause the misuse of data, no control over the information and others. Because of this, it's important to protect the information not only from external threats but also from insider threats. Data disclosure when performing a task in web-based application should be ensured. Within the electronic scenario, personal information have been collected, stored, manipulated and disclosed without the owner's consent. This paper will discuss on the relationship between personal information and its privacy. We also extended the model introduced by Al-Fedaghi as a way to control the personal information disclosure. We also suggested that the use of Hippocratic Database concepts as a way to control the personal information disclosure.
Comparative artemisinin analysis in Artemisia dubia transformed with two different Agrobacteria harbouring rol ABC genes.

Artemisinin, a potent antimalarial drug and a major constituent of Artemisia , is effective against quinine resistant strains of Plasmodium . The aim of the present study was to enhance artemisinin production in the roots of Artemisia dubia through transformation with rol genes by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 containing pRT99 and Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain LBA8196 and 9402 harboring rol ABC genes were used for the transformation experiments. PCR and Southern hybridization confirmed the T-DNA integration events in Artemisia dubia roots. The transformed roots proliferated two fold more as compared to untransformed roots. After 30 days of roots proliferation, the HPLC analysis showed higher concentration of artemisinin (36.581 µg/g DW) in roots of Artemisia dubia transformed with A. rhizogenes (strain 9402) compared to that of roots transformed with A. tumefaciens (0.855 µg/g DW) while no artemisinin was observed in control roots.
Mediated Mate Selection And Courtship: The Lived Experience Of Muslim American Women In Using Online Matchmaking Websites

MEDIATED MATE SELECTION AND COURTSHIP: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF MUSLIM AMERICAN WOMEN IN USING ONLINE MATCHMAKING WEBSITES by ANNISA MEIRITA PATIMURANI ROCHADIAT December 2015 Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Tom Tong Major: Communication Studies Degree: Master of Arts This thesis examines how technology affects two major components of courtship among Muslim American women: (1) mate selection and (2) cross-gender interactions between Muslim men and women. Sixteen individuals who self-identify as Muslim American women who are active users of online matchmaking websites participated in interviews conducted through Skype about their online dating experience. Qualitative data analysis suggests that these women balance the perceived advantages of online dating (e.g., increased individual agency in initiating romantic relationships) with their desire to maintain traditional cultural and religious courtship practices. This study contributes towards a deeper understanding of CMC and online dating among Muslim American women, and gives insights into the nature of technological change and adaptation in society more generally.
Book Review: Apocalypse: From Antiquity to the Empire of Modernity

Alexander, J.C. and Smith, P., (2003), ‘The strong programme in cultural sociology: elements of a structural hermeneutics’, in Alexander, J.C. (ed.), The Meanings of Social Life: A Cultural Sociology, 11–26, New York: Oxford University Press. Gilroy, P., Grossberg, L. and McRobbie, A. (eds), (2000), Without Guarantees: In Honour of Stuart Hall, London: Verso. Schatzki, T.R. , Knorr Cetina, K. and von Savigny, E. (eds), (2001), The Practice Turn in Contemporary Theory, London: Routledge.
Population genetics and demographic history of guava fruit fly Bactrocera correcta (Diptera: Tephritidae) in northeastern Thailand

Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) is among the most destructive fruit fly pests of the genus Bactrocera. This species infests 62 species of plants belonging 30 families, many of which are commercially important. In this study, the genetic structure, diversity and demographic history of B. correcta in Thailand were inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences. High genetic diversity was recorded in the 171 samples collected from 15 locations. This was due largely to the existence of two divergent lineages (I, II) revealed by median joining (MJ) network analysis. Genetic structure analysis revealed an overall low level of genetic differentiation between populations suggesting that the flies can move freely across geographic regions. Because the host plants are commonly grown in Thailand, continuity of habitats is the factor most likely responsible for the genetic homogeneity. In addition, the recent population history could also be a factor that contributed to the overall low level of the genetic structure. Mismatch distribution analysis as well as Tajima's D and Fu's FS tests detected evidence of recent demographic expansion dating back to the end of the last glaciations.
Musical Query-by-Content Using Self-Organizing Maps

As chair of the candidate’s graduate committee, I have read the thesis of Kyle Britton Dickerson in its ﬁnal form and have found that (1) its format, citations, and bibli-ographical style are consistent and acceptable and fulﬁll university and department style requirements; (2) its illustrative materials including ﬁgures, tables, and charts are in place; and (3) the ﬁnal manuscript is satisfactory to the graduate committee and is ready for submission to the university library. ABSTRACT The ever-increasing density of computer storage devices has allowed the average user to store enormous quantities of multimedia content, and a large amount of this content is usually music. Current search techniques for musical content rely on meta-data tags which describe artist, album, year, genre, etc. Query-by-content systems, however, allow users to search based upon the actual acoustical content of the songs. Recent systems have mainly depended upon textual representations of the queries and targets in order to apply common string-matching algorithms and are often conﬁned to a single query style (e.g., humming). These methods also lose much of the information content of the song which limits the ways in which a user may search. We present a query-by-content system which supports querying in several styles using a Self-Organizing Map as its basis. The results from testing our system show that it performs better than random orderings and is, therefore, a viable option for musical query-by-content.
Variation in the erythrocyte size among larvae, juveniles and adults of Hypsiboas cordobae (Anura, Hylidae)

We aimed at determining sizes and shape of erythrocytes and evaluating the differences among larva, juvenile and adult Hypsiboas cordobae. Length and width of 40 randomly chosen erythrocytes and their respective nuclei from individuals of different ages collected in the experimental field “Las Guindas” (Cordoba, Argentina) were measured. Erythrocyte and nuclear areas were estimated assuming an ellipsoidal shape, and the aspect ratio, which reflects the shape of the cell, was calculated. The erythrocytes were oval, and their nuclei were also oval and centrally located. Erythrocyte size increased with age, whereas nuclei were larger in tadpoles than in juveniles. The cell and nucleus shapes also changed with age from the spherical shape in larvae to the more ellipsoidal one in adults. Discriminant analysis confirmed the existence of highly significant (P < 0.0001) differences in erythrocyte and nuclear areas among larvae, juveniles and adults, with a classification rate of 93.33%.
The Influence of Internal Communities of Practice on Customer Perceived Value in Professional Service Relationships

Effective customer-related knowledge transfer can be seen as the cornerstone of customer value creation in collaborative relationships between professional service organisations and their customers. Our intention in this paper is to describe how different work groups within organisations (communities of practice) influence the perceived customer value. We approach this phenomenon from a relationship management perspective and use literature from relationship marketing, organisation research and knowledge management as a theoretical basis. Empirically the paper is based on an information-rich explorative case study of a professional service organisation, operating in the consultancy and training business, and its relationship with one of its customers.
Viscosity Measurements of Dilute Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) Aqueous Solutions Near Theta Temperature Analyzed within the Joint Rouse-Zimm Model

The steady-state shear viscosity of low-concentrated Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOX) aqueous solutions is measured near the presumed theta temperature using the falling ball viscometry technique. The experimental data are analyzed within the model that joins the Rouse and Zimm bead-spring theories of the polymer dynamics at the theta condition, which means that the polymer coils are considered to be partially permeable to the solvent. The polymer characteristics thus depend on the draining parameter h that is related to the strength of the hydrodynamic interaction between the polymer segments. The Huggins coefficient was found to be 0.418 at the temperature 20°C, as predicted by the theory. This value corresponds to h = 2.92, contrary to the usual assumption of the infinite h. This result indicates that the theta temperature for the PEOX water solutions is 20°C rather than 25°C in the previous studies. The experimental intrinsic viscosity is well described coming from the Arrhenius equation for the shear viscosity.
Jarabugo (Anaecypris hispanica) and freshwater blenny (Salaria fluviatilis): habitat preferences and relationship with exotic fish species in the middle Guadiana basin

Jarabugo (Anaecypris hispanica) and freshwater blenny (Salariauviatilis ): habitat preferences and relationship with exoticsh species in the middle stretch of the Guadiana basin In this work the habitat preferences of two endangered freshwatersh species, jarabugo ( Anaecypris hispanica) and freshwater blenny (Salariauviatilis ) are analysed, and the distribution of both species in relation to the presence of exoticsh species in the middle stretch of the Guadiana basin is assessed (28 sampling sites). The jarabugo as well as the blenny showed a very restricted distribution, mainly jarabugo (only present in 14.3 % of the sites) which in comparison with previous studies suffered a strong reduction on its distribution area (86 %). This species preferred small streams (generally less than 10 m channel width) and with submerged aquatic vegetation, while the blenny appeared mostly in large downstream stretches (> 10 m channel width), a higher waterow, and water availability (permanent waterow) . Based on a randomisation test (Monte Carlo simulation), blenny distribution was random with respect to exotic species. However, the jarabugo and the centrarchidae (Lepomis gibbosus and Micropterus salmoides) never coexisted in the same locations, despite a high probability of co-occurrence expected by chance (Monte Carlo simulation P = 0.965). The spatial segregation between the jarabugo and centrarchids, together with the decline of the former in areas which experienced an increase in centrarchid abundance, suggest these exotics are a threat for the conservation of jarabugo.
Impact of hard coal usage for metal production on economic growth of Poland

This study provides an analysis of causal links between GDP and usage of hard coal in production of metals in Poland. In order to assure the correctness of computations a third variable – employment – was included in the dataset. Linear and nonlinear dynamic interactions were investigated for the period 2000–2009 on a quarterly basis. The results suggest that in examined period there was a short–run unidirectional causality from GDP to coal usage. On the other hand, the usage of hard coal in production of metals was found to cause GDP and employment in the long–run. Moreover, the impulse response analysis confirmed that the impact of coal usage on GDP and employment was generally negative. All these findings lead to conclusion that in recent decade the usage of hard coal in production of metals did not have a positive impact on economic growth and employment in Poland.
Working Copy Exploring the impact of stakeholder pressure on environmental management strategies at the plant level and industry . docx

Stakeholder theory and empirical evidence confirm the positive relationship between stakeholder pressure and the implementation of environmental practices and strategies. However, the specific mechanisms and impact of selected stakeholder groups on environmental management strategies are relatively underexplored. In this paper, this shortcoming is addressed by exploring the impact of selected stakeholder groups on environmental management strategies taking the contingency factor industry into consideration (i.e., dynamic vs. static industries). Basing the arguments primarily on stakeholder theory, it is suggested that stakeholder pressures are perceived differently in plants in dynamic versus static industries. Similarly, it is suggested that the influence of stakeholder pressures on the implementation of environmental strategies is influenced by industry type. To test the proposed research model, primary survey data from 502 plants collected in the United States across multiple industries is used. Thus, this paper contributes to the sustainability operations management literature through exploring the relationship between stakeholder pressure, environmental strategy implementation and contextual factors (i.e., industry type) through hypotheses testing. Results indicate that industry type does indeed affect stakeholder pressure, and the relationship between stakeholder pressure and environmental strategy implementation. Plants situated in dynamic industries experience a significantly higher level of stakeholder pressures as opposed to plants situated in static industries across an array of environmental strategies. Subject Areas: Sustainability, stakeholder theory, industry, survey