Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF FRESH VERSUS OXIDIZED SOYBEAN OIL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE , ORGANS WEIGHTS AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKS

Over a period of six weeks, 90 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted into two experimental groups comprising forty five chicks on each treatment. Two experimental rations containing 2% fresh soybean oil (3 mEqO2/kg and acid value 2.52 mg/g of oil) and 2% oxidized soybean oil (50 mEqO2/kg and acid value 7.26 mg/g of oil) were formulated for both starter (0-4 week) and finisher (5-6 week) phases. At the end of feeding trial, six chicks per treatment were slaughtered and meat and liver tissues were ground and stored at 4°C for thiobarbituric acid numbers. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in chicks fed on diet containing fresh soybean oil (FSO) compared to the chicks fed diet containing oxidized soybean oil (OSO). Feed intake was non-significantly different between the two groups. Dressing percentage and organs weights of birds were found to be non-significant for both treatments. However, liver weight increased (P<0.05) in OSO group compared to FSO group. Higher (P<0.05) thiobarbituric acid numbers were found of liver of chicks fed OSO containing diet compared to FSO group, however, no difference was found in meat thiobarbituric acid number of both groups. This study suggested that addition of oxidized oil had negative effect on weight gain, feed conversion ratio, liver weight and liver thiobarbituric acid numbers.
Should Ohio Invest in Universal Preschooling

A growing body of evidence shows that quality preschooling is associated with a host of benefits to students, schools, and society at large. These benefits can have a positive impact on a state’s budget, too: Children who attend preschool are not only more successful throughout their school careers, they also graduate and go on to college more often, commit fewer crimes, and earn higher wages once they enter the workforce. Research suggests that making public pre-schooling available to all children would be a cost-effective way to improve academic performance. This Commentary explains why making public preschooling available to all children in the state would be a wise investment for Ohio.
Collaborative similarity metric learning for face recognition in the wild

Utilising different representations of face images is known to be helpful in face recognition. In this study, the authors propose two fusion techniques that make use of multiple face image features by collaboratively training a similarity metric learner, based on Siamese neural networks. This training procedure takes two (or possibly more) features of two face images and outputs a similarity score that depicts whether the faces belong to the same person or not. The authors investigate two approaches of collaborative similarity metric learning (CoSiM), both of which are based on training Siamese neural networks jointly, as a means of early fusion. The experiments are employed on hand-crafted features such as scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and variants of the local binary pattern (LBP), on the YouTube Faces and the Labeled Faces in the Wild data sets. The authors provide theoretical and empirical comparisons of the proposed models against the related methods in the literature. It is shown that the proposed technique improves on the verification accuracy, compared to single feature-based baselines. By only utilising simple features like SIFT and LBP, the proposed techniques are shown to yield comparable results to the state of the art techniques, which depend on deep convolutional architectures or higher level features.
Asymmetries in the Price Setting Behavior of Firms: Evidence from a Panel of Italian Firms

In this paper, we analyze firms' pricing behavior using a full informative micro dataset that accounts for a large part of Italian firms. In our view, “the black boxes” to examine are the relations between price setting, market structure and spatial disparities. A first goal of the research is to investigate the link between asymmetries in price changes and spatial dependence. Besides, we compare the price dynamics among sectors, namely manufacturing vs. service. It is irrefutable that prices stickiness is linked to good market rigidities. Consequently, these issues have extremely important policy implications; for instance, the Monetary Authority considers the macro price indexes to determine the right policy to stabilize the economy and to improve social welfare. However, the Central Bank does not distinguish the likely aggregation bias source from the cross sector-region-country heterogeneities. On the other hand, the propagation mechanism of an adverse monetary policy impulse, following a cost-push shock, may induce considerable mortality for firms' survival, expressed by the entry/exit balance. Overall, the purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of survey data that allows us to collect important aspects for Economic Policy analysis, which could not be drawn from analysis with “mesoeconomic” or aggregate data.
An Evidence-Based Approach to Defining the Symptom Complex of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

The objective of this study was to determine whether the symptom complex of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) identified in adults occurs in adolescents, and whether it can be designated as a syndrome. The study involved a clinical group of 189 young people (mean age 15 years; range 10.6-18.6) presenting with a defined onset over hours or days of persistent or relapsing, debilitating fatigue, exacerbated by exercise and not resolved with bed rest, for a duration of greater than 6 months. A 38-item symptom questionnaire was completed (inter alia), from which symptom frequency, severity and factor structure of responses were compared with those obtained from a control group (n = 68; mean age 14.5 years; range 12-18). This paper reports key findings from the study, indicating that the identified symptom complex of CFS can be designated legitimately as a syndrome, with immunological symptoms being primary. An alternative hypothesis of somatization disorder could not be supported because of inconsistent and low response frequencies of such symptoms. The implications of having been able to measure and define the syndrome are discussed.
Under- and overnutrition and evidence of metabolic disease risk in rural black South African children and adolescents

Abstract Objectives: The objective was to determine the prevalence of under- and overnutrition, as well as evidence of metabolic disease risk in rural black South African children and adolescents. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: The setting was the Agincourt Health and Socio-demographic Surveillance System site, Mpumalanga province. Subjects: Six hundred children were randomly selected, of whom 588 were included in the analytical sample (mean age of 11.5 years, range of 7-15 years). Outcome measures: Outcome measures were anthropometric and blood pressure assessments, Tanner pubertal staging, as well as the determination of fasting serum lipid and glucose concentrations. Results: Using age and sex-specific World Health Organization 2007 growth references, the prevalence of stunting was determined to be 6.2% in the boys, and 2.7% in the girls, while 4.1% of the boys and 4.4% of the girls were underweight. Combined overweight and obesity prevalence was higher in the girls (13.5%) than in the boys (2.7%). Girls had significantly a higher body mass index and hip circumference than the boys in the early, mid and late pubertal stages. Pre-hypertension prevalence, using either systolic or diastolic blood pressure for sex, age and height, was 15% and 10% in the girls and boys, respectively. Furthermore, impaired fasting glucose (FG) (FG ≥ 5.6 mmol/l) was detected in 5% of the children. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations less than 1 mmol/l were observed in 0.7% of the boys and in 12% of the girls, which is indicative of cardiometabolic risk. Conclusion: Stunting levels were higher in the boys than in the girls in mid to late childhood in a rural setting in South Africa, while the girls had a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than the boys. Pre-hypertension prevalence in the boys and girls was high. Other metabolic risk factors, i.e. impaired FG and lipids, were also seen in this population and were associated with adiposity. The study highlights the critical need for targeted health promotion interventions to optimise child health as part of a noncommunicable disease preventative strategy.
Partitioning of strontium between calcite and fluid

The Sr/Ca ratio of biogenic carbonate is widely used as a proxy for paleotemperature. This application is supported by empirical calibrations of Sr/Ca as a function of temperature, but it is also known that Sr uptake in calcite gauged by KdSr = is affected by other variables, including bulk precipitation rate (KdSr increases with increasing precipitation rate). There are no data from controlled experiments specifically addressing the effect of radial growth rate of individual crystals on KdSr. For this reason, we conducted two series of experiments to explore Sr partitioning at varying growth rates: (1) growth from a CaCl2–NH4Cl–SrCl2 solution by diffusion of CO2 from an ammonium carbonate source (“drift” experiments) and (2) “drip” precipitation of calcite on a substrate, using a steady flow of CaCl2–SrCl2 and Na2CO3 solutions, mixed just before passage through a tube and dripped onto a glass slide precoated with calcite (“cave‐type” experiments). The growth rates of individual crystals were determined by periodic monitoring of crystal size through time or, roughly, by comparison of the final size with the duration of the experiment. Electron microprobe analyses across sectioned crystals grown in the drift experiments show that the concentration of Sr is high in the center (where radial growth rates are highest) and decreases systematically toward the edge. The center‐to‐edge drop in Sr concentration is a consequence of the slowing radial growth rate as individual crystals become larger. In general, high crystal growth rate (V) enhances Sr uptake in calcite due to a type of kinetic disequilibrium we refer to as “growth entrapment. ” The apparent KdSr ranges from 0.12 to 0.35 as V increases from 0.01 nm/s to 1 μm/s at 25°C.
Popular Summary Latent Heating from TRMM Satellite Measurements

Rainfall production is the fundamental variable within the Earth’s hydrological cycle because it is both the principal forcing term in surface water budgets and its energetics corollary, latent heating, is the principal source of atmospheric diabatic heating. Latent heat release itself is a consequence of phase changes between the vapor, liquid, and frozen states of water. The properties of the vertical distribution of latent heat release modulate large-scale meridional and zonal circulations within the tropics -as well as modifying the energetic efficiencies of midlatitude weather systems. This paper focuses on the retrieval of latent heat release from satellite measurements generated by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observatory, which was launched in November 1997 as a joint American-Japanese space endeavor. Since then, TRMM measurements have been providing an accurate four-dimensional account of rainfall over the global tropics and sub-tropics, information which can be used to estimate the space-time structure of latent heating across the Earth’s low latitudes. The paper examines how the observed TRMM distribution of rainfall has advanced an understanding of the global water and energy cycle and its consequent relationship to the atmospheric general circulation and climate via latent heat release. A set of algorithm methodologies that are being used to estimate latent heating based on rain rate retrievals from the TRMM observations are described. The characteristics of these algorithms and the latent heating products that can be generated from them are also described, along with validation analyses of the heating products themselves. Finally, the investigation provides an overview of how TRMM-derived latent heating information is currently being used in conjunction with global weather and climate models, concluding with remarks intended to stimulate further research on latent heating retrieval from satellites.
Deconjugation of bile acids with immobilized genetically engineered Lactobacillus plantarum 80pCBH1

Bile acids are important to normal human physiology. However, bile acids can be toxic when produced in pathologically high concentrations in hepatobileary and other diseases. This study shows that immobilized genetically engineered Lactobacillus plantarum 80 pCBH1 LP80 pCBH1 can efficiently hydrolyze bile acids and establishes a basis for their use. Results show that immobilized LP80 pCBH1 is able to effectively break down the conjugated bile acids into glycodeoxycholic acid GDCA and taurodeoxycholic acid TDCA with bile salt hydrolase BSH activities of 0.17 and 0.07 μmol DCA/mg CDW/h, respectively. The deconjugation product, deoxycholic acid DCA, was diminished by LP80 pCBH1 within 4 h of initial BSH activity. This in-vitro study suggests that immobilized genetically engineered bacterial cells have important potential for deconjugation of bile acids for lowering of high levels of bile acids for therapy.
Influence of Organisational Culture on Total Quality Management Implementation and Firm Performance: Evidence from the Vietnamese Construction Industry

The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between organisational culture (OC) and Total Quality Management (TQM), and the influence of TQM implementation on organisational performance improvement within the context of the Vietnamese construction industry. A survey was conducted with 104 respondents from Vietnamese construction firms, using validated survey instruments developed in past research. Analysis techniques include cluster analysis and Structural Equation Modelling. Findings showed that Vietnamese construction firms are dominated by clan and hierarchy cultures rather than adhocracy and market cultures according to Competing Value Framework (CVF) of OC classification. Furthermore, it was found that organisations dominated by either clan or adhocracy cultures could provide a favourable environment for successful TQM implementation, whereas this is not the case for those dominated by both market and hierarchy cultures. This study also confirmed the significant and positive relationship between TQM implementation and organisational performance improvement.
The effects of the small-scale DM power on the cosmological neutral hydrogen (HI) distribution at high redshifts

The particle nature of dark matter remains a mystery. In this paper, we consider two dark matter models—Late Forming Dark Matter (LFDM) and Ultra-Light Axion (ULA) models—where the matter power spectra show novel effects on small scales. The high redshift universe offers a powerful probe of their parameters. In particular, we study two cosmological observables: the neutral hydrogen (HI) redshifted 21-cm signal from the epoch of reionization, and the evolution of the collapsed fraction of HI in the redshift range 2 < z < 5. We model the theoretical predictions of the models using CDM-like N-body simulations with modified initial conditions, and generate reionization fields using an excursion set model. The N-body approximation is valid on the length and halo mass scales studied. We show that LFDM and ULA models predict an increase in the HI power spectrum from the epoch of reionization by a factor between 2–10 for a range of scales 0.1 < k < 4 Mpc−1. Assuming a fiducial model where a neutral hydrogen fraction x̄HI = 0.5 must be achieved by z = 8, the reionization process allows us to put approximate bounds on the redshift of dark matter formation zf > 4 × 105 (for LFDM) and the axion mass ma > 2.6 × 10−23 eV (for ULA). The comparison of the collapsed mass fraction inferred from damped Lyman-α observations to the theoretical predictions of our models lead to the weaker bounds: zf > 2 × 105 and ma > 10−23 eV. These bounds are consistent with other constraints in the literature using different observables; we briefly discuss how these bounds compare with possible constraints from the observation of luminosity function of galaxies at high redshifts. In the case of ULAs, these constraints are also consistent with a solution to the cusp-core problem of CDM.
Data Classification with Modified Density Weighted Distance Measure for Diffusion Maps

Clinical data analysis is of fundamental importance, as classifications and detailed characterizations of diseases help physicians decide suitable management for patients, individually. In our study, we adopt diffusion maps to embed the data into corresponding lower dimensional representation, which integrate the information of potentially nonlinear progressions of the diseases. To deal with nonuniformaity of the data, we also consider an alternative distance measure based on the estimated local density. Performance of this modification is assessed using artificially generated data. Another clinical dataset that comprises metabolite concentrations measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy was also classified. The algorithm shows improved results compared with conventional Euclidean distance measure.
Re-watering: An effective measure to recover growth and photosynthetic characteristics in salt-stressed Brassica napus L.

Salinity is one of major environmental problem which is limiting the agricultural production. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of re-watering on Brassica napus L. , and determination of an appropriate regime for dilution of salted water by studying photosynthetic and growth response of B. napus to salt stress and subsequent re-watering. Plants were treated with NaCl (Nc 1 : 2.5, Nc 2 : 5, Nc 3 : 10; g L -1 ); Na 2 SO 4 (Ns 1 : 2.5, Ns 2 : 5, Ns 3 : 10; g L -1 ) and mixed salts treatments (M 1 : Nc 1 + Ns 3 ; M 2 : Nc 3 + Ns 1 ; M 3 : Nc 2 + Ns 2 ; g L -1 ) and 0 as control, followed by re-watering. In salt stress phase, maximum reduction in net photosynthetic rate (P N ) was noted 79.54%, 80.72%, 84.54%, and 74.84% for Nc 3 , Ns 3 , M 1 and M 2 , respectively, under high concentration levels. To maintain P N , carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was stimulated and kept water status stable under low (Nc 1 and Ns 1 ) to medium concentration levels (Nc 2 , Ns 2 and M 3 ), and the decreases in P N under Nc 2 , Ns 2 and M 3 were 48.28%, 55.58% and 58.69%, respectively. However, during re-watering phase, growth and physiological parameters were recovered well due to regulation of CA activity under low to medium concentration levels. Relatively as compare to other stress levels more recovery in P N was found after re-watering under medium concentration levels, which were 44.94%, 53.45% and 63.04%, respectively. Though aimed at consideration of high production in B. napus , the best re-watering time was found to be when plants undergo medium concentration levels. Therefore, this study provides a new method for dilution of saline irrigation based on plant physiology. ABSTRACT
ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF URBAN DISPERSION EXPERIMENTS IN DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME ATMOSPHERE

Predictions of air pollutant dispersion over urban areas is a challenging problem because of the complexity of the topography, the number of physical factors governing the phenomenon, and their inherent uncertainty. We focus on the mean concentration field at ground level, which is a fundamental risk assessment factor. In general, the consensus is that the maximum ground-level mean concentration C as a function of the alongwind distance from the source x decays according to a C ∝ x−2 power law. Robins and Cheng (2003) present an empirical relationship establishing an upper bound to the observed concentrations:
A Novel Method of Ontology-Based Semantic Mining of Heterogeneous Data for Leadership Decision-Making

To deal with the lack of semantics in the leadership decision making domain, this paper puts forward ontology-based semantic mining/extraction method for heterogeneous data. The research is carried out as follows: i) a semantic extraction framework for scientific data from the leadership decision making domain is constructed, ii) a corresponding semantic transformation and abstract rules are worked out for structured and semi-structured data to form local domain ontology, iii) an overall ontology in leadership domain of data is constructed through dependence mapping among heterogeneous data. As a result effective organization and uniform management of heterogeneous data are achieved. Finally, correlation methods are applied in leadership domain to provide support for effective management of leadership scientific data and service sharing.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Functional Nausea and Vomiting

Functional nausea and vomiting is a broad term used to be described a subset of individuals who have chronic nausea and vomiting without apparent cause, despite extensive evaluation. According to the Rome III criteria, functional nausea and vomiting can be subdivided into three separate entities: chronic idiopathic nausea, functional vomiting and cyclic vomiting syndrome. Although no specific test can diagnose these diseases, the diagnostic approach requires excellent history taking combined with judicious diagnostic testing to exclude some organic cause of chronic nausea and vomiting. These conditions are probably not psychogenic in origin. Treatment remains empirical for all patients with functional nausea and vomiting. Reassurance and supportive physician-patient relationship, along with use of low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, can be beneficial in caring for patients with chronic idiopathic nausea and functional vomiting. The cornerstones of management for patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome are identifying and avoidance of triggering factors, treatment with prophylactic antimigraine agents, 5-HT3 antagonists, benzodiazepines and 5-HT1 agonists (sumatriptan), with supportive therapy. (Korean J Med 2012;82:543-548)
Three-dimensional Modelling of Poorly Detailed RC Frame Joints

This paper presents preliminary work on three-dimensional numerical modelling of seismic strengthening measures for poorly detailed reinforced concrete frames, primarily designed for gravity loads, as was typical in seismic-prone countries before the introduction of more advanced seismic codes in the early 1970s. These buildings are at risk due to inadequate structural detailing, deficiencies in reinforcement anchorage and the absence of measures to prevent brittle failure modes. Representative beam-column joints tested experimentally at the University of Pavia are analyzed using a continuum finite element program specially developed for detailed modelling of fracture in quasi-brittle materials. The microplane material model with relaxed kinematic constraint is used for the concrete. In the first stage of this work, which is presented in this paper, the proper modelling of the behaviour of smooth reinforcement with hooked ends, as well as the accurate representation of brittle shear failure modes in joints, are of particular interest. In the second stage of the project, strengthening measures that incorporate post-installed anchors for connection to the existing structure will be assessed.