Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breeding for the improvement of indigenous chickens in Bangladesh: performance of second generation

The improvement of productivity of indigenous chicken is a long desire in the country. Present research is a part of the long-term selection program being undertaken to evaluate the carcass characteristics and expected response to selection of second generation (G 2 ) of indigenous chicken under intensive management in Bangladesh. A total of 1643-day-old chicks comprising of 3 types of chicken namely Naked Neck (NN), Hilly (H) and Non-descript Desi (ND) were hatched in a two batches for this study. In second generation (G2), selection was practiced at 3 (three) stages of birds life, firstly and secondly at 8 and at 16 weeks of age, selection was performed on the basis of breeding value for 8 and 16 week body weight. Thirdly, at 40-week of age, on the basis of an index comprising the parameters of age at sexual maturity (ASM), body weight (BW), egg production (EP) and egg weight (EW). Improvement target of egg weight was to increase by 1g and improvement target of egg production rate was to increase by 2 % per generation. The main target was the mean body weight in H, ND and NN chicken has to be gone up from the initial eight-week body weight of 375, 342 and 331g to 500 g at eight weeks of age. At 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, six birds from each genotype were slaughtered to analyze the meat yield traits. Slaughter data were analyzed in a 3(genotype)×3(slaughter age) factorial arrangement in CRD by General Linear Model (GLM) Univariate Procedure in SPSS Computer Program. Genotype and slaughter age had significant effect (p<0.001) on dressing percentage. Body weight at 8 weeks of age was expected to improve by 51.21 vs. 24.03; 37.74 vs. 15.47 and 26.26 vs. 9.65g; respectively for ND, H and NN males and females. In terms of body weight H genotype was superior and NN genotype was for dressing percentage. As a result of selection; EP, BW increased and ASM reduced in second generation than that of the foundation stock. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2017, 3(1): 66-71
Understanding Perceptions Regarding Availability, Quality, Status and Methods Used in Storing Fruits and Vegetables in Pakistan′s Dera Ismail Khan District

This paper presents the results of a survey on the situation of farmers, their problems and feasibility of heat stress techniques during storage of fruits and vegetables in Pakistan. In addition, consumer perception was also surveyed regarding availability and quality of stored fruits and vegetables. The survey, which was conducted at Dera Ismail Khan District of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province during 2004, revealed that most of the farmers sell all their produce in the market just after harvest. This might be either due to the unavailability of storage facilities or the high cost to store low and medium value fruits/vegetables. High electricity costs and frequent power cuts further raised the storage prices. However, among different methods practiced locally, sun drying was the most popular method. Regarding consumer perception, the majority were not satisfied about availability of fruits and vegetables in the market all the year round. Lack of storage facilities, damages that occurred during transportation, improper packaging, the role of middlemen, and huge influx of produce in a short time were the major reasons given for reducing availability of fruits and vegetables to consumers on the one hand and lowering returns to growers on the other. The growers demanded subsidized governmental storage facilities to store their agricultural commodities.
Statistical Classification of Wooden Boards

The quality inspection of wooden boards is experiencing a large change. By the use of camera and laser technology board characteristics and defects can be instantly identified and measured. This thesis investigates how the information from a quality inspection system can be used to classify boards into different quality classes, by the use of statistical classification models. Two types of classification models have been tested, Logistic Regression and Support Vector Machines. To deal with potential overfitting a regularized version of Logistic Regression is implemented, and to deal with ordinal dependent variables a logistic regression model for ordinal variables has been implemented. The classification models have been tested against board strength classes, and similar results have been obtained by most models. It is concluded that the regularized logistic regression is the model that manages to classify most boards correctly, but the Support Vector Machine produces a better result on classes where training data is scarce. The thesis was done on behalf of RemaSawco AB, a company that manufactures measurement systems and inspection systems for the sawmill industry. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor at LTH, Johan Lindström, for his valuable guidance and advice throughout this project. I would also like to thank Erik Johansson at RemaSawco, for helping me with the collection of data, and for providing me with useful information on the quality inspection of wooden boards.
DEGRADATION OF SYNTHETIC ORGANIC DYES IN SOLUTION BY FERRATE – HYPOCHLORITE OR CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE

This study investigated the use of ferrate – hypochlorite solution or solid Ca(OCl)2 as treatment options to remove color and COD from solutions of the synthetic organic dyes: Reactive blue 19, Allura red and Reactive black 5. It was found that doses around 1000 ppm Ca(OCl)2 had color removal efficiencies around 90 % for all the dyes after 15 minutes reaction time; this treatment had a COD removal efficiency of 97 % for azo dye Allura red. The ferrate – hypochlorite (0.06 mM - <400 ppm) treatment resulted in a 50% color removal for Reactive blue 19 dye after 1 hour reaction time. The COD removal of Reactive blue 19 dye was improved from 40% to 84% when the ferrate – hypochlorite solution was used.
REAL-TIME INTERACTIVE SWARMS

The potential afforded by the open search spaces of both agent-based models and evolutionary engines have given architecture yet another set of computational tools to play with, yet more often than not, they are used in isolation from one another. This research explores the set of techniques and results of having combined swarm formations, FEM software and an evolutionary engine within a parametric modeling environment such that they induce structurally intelligent swarm (SIS) morphologies. These morphologies are situated within normative architectural assemblies by means of parametric grafting techniques. Savage gothic materiality, as described by John Ruskin, as well as the work of Eva Hesse are referenced as the basis for these explorations. Speculations are made as to refining the engineering capabilities, expanding on programmatic applications and testing integrated SIS assemblies at larger scales when tackling initial problems of adaptive reuse.
Searching for GC-like abundance patterns in young massive clusters

Studies during the last decade have revealed that nearly all Globular Clusters (GCs) host multiple populations (MPs) of stars with a distinctive chemical patterns in light elements. No evidence of such MPs has been found so far in lower-mass ($ 10^5$ M$_{\odot}$) clusters in the Local Group. Young massive clusters (YMCs) have masses and densities similar to those expected of young GCs in the early universe, and their near-infrared (NIR) spectra are dominated by the light of red super giants (RSGs). The spectra of these stars may be used to determine the cluster's abundances, even though the individual stars cannot be spatially resolved from one another. We carry out a differential analysis between the Al lines of YMC NGC 1705: 1 and field Small Magellanic Cloud RSGs with similar metallicities. We exclude at high confidence extreme [Al/Fe] enhancements similar to those observed in GCs like NGC 2808 or NGC 6752. However, smaller variations cannot be excluded.
TESTS OF TWO OPTIMAL INCENTIVE MODELS FOR EXECUTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

Using a unique data set, we test theoretical propositions relating to grant size and exercise price in determination of optimal executive compensation. For Hall and Murphy, pay-performance sensitivity does not behave as predicted with respect to CEO risk aversion and diversification, but the latter supports observed grant size while ATM grants exhibit positive abnormal returns as predicted. Consistent with Choe, exercise price is found inversely related to leverage. The unexpected positive relation between grant size and stock volatility is conjectured driven by CEOs’ influencing large grants, which are found associated with weak corporate governance but ameliorated by outside directors.
DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION AND SKIN IRRITATION OF MANGOSTEEN PEEL EXTRACT SOLID DISPERSION CONTAINING CLAY FACIAL MASK

Objective: To develop a clay facial mask containing mangosteen peel extract solid dispersion (MPESD) for enhancing α-mangostin bioavailability and to determine suitable clay-based facial mask.Methods: The MPESD were prepared by a melting-solvent method employing PVP K30 and poloxamer 188 as a carrier. The water solubility was determined by HPLC method. The in vitro skin permeability was examined using porcine ear epidermis. The effects of clay types on the physical stability of MPESD and α-mangostin adsorption capacity were evaluated. The skin irritation was determined by 4 h human patch test.Results: After dissolved optimal formulation of MPESD in water, the spherical micelle was observed with a mean size of ~150 nm and showed significantly α-mangostin water solubility enhancement of ~7 mg/ml, 700 times greater than MPE. Upon mixing the MPESD with clays, a dry powder was obtained. In vitro permeation studies of the MPESD mixed with titanium dioxide showed lowest α-mangostin permeation, while MPESD mixed with mica or talcum showed similar permeation profile as free MPESD solutions. No sign of skin irritation was observed in volunteers after application of the MPESD-based clay facial mask patch on the inner forearm skin for 4 h.Conclusion: MPESD demonstrates a promising technique for improving water solubility and permeation of α-mangostin which reducing the staining effect. In addition, it is safe for topical application and cosmetically acceptable.
Faulted Phase Selection Based on Wavelet Analysis of Traveling Waves

Accurate faulted phase selection is critical to avoid tripping of the incorrect phase or unnecessary three phase tripping. Moreover, an associated requirement of faulted phase selectors is high-speed operation, since the selection process must be completed in the immediate post-fault period before breaker opening. This paper presents a novel scheme for selecting a faulted phase on transmission line based on the traveling wave theory, meeting both the requirements of accuracy and speed. The proposed approach uses the mathematical tool of wavelet modulus maxima to solve the problem. MATLAB/ Simulink software was used to test the proposed faulted phase selection approach. Various fault conditions were simulated by varying fault type, fault resistance, fault location and fault inception angle, on a given power system model. The simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach of faulted phase selection.
Micropattern Gas Detectors

An overview of Micropattern Gas Detectors is given. Recent progress of detector research, especially in the context of Micromegas and Gas Electron Multipliers, is discussed. A particular emphasis is put on the pixelized readout with a dedicated ASIC nameed Timepix, where new results with both gas amplification stages atop this chip are presented.
Nano-Scale Hydroxyapatite: Synthesis, Two-Dimensional Transport Experiments, and Application for Uranium Remediation

Synthetic nano-scale hydroxyapatite (NHA) was prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The XRD data confirmed that the crystalline structure and chemical composition of NHA correspond to Ca5OH(PO4)3. The SEM data confirmed the size of NHA to be less than 50 nm. A two-dimensional physical model packed with saturated porous media was used to study the transport characteristics of NHA under constant flow conditions. The data show that the transport patterns of NHA were almost identical to tracer transport patterns. This result indicates that the NHA material can move with water like a tracer, and its movement was neither retarded nor influenced by any physicochemical interactions and/or density effects. We have also tested the reactivity of NHA with 1 mg/L hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) and found that complete removal of U(VI) is possible using 0.5 g/L NHA at pH 5 to 6. Our results demonstrate that NHA has the potential to be injected as a dilute slurry for in situ treatment of U(VI)-contaminated groundwater systems.
Surveillance technologies as Instruments of discipline in the elite sports coaching context: A cautionary post-structural commentary

The use of surveillance technologies as tools to encourage performance enhancement has become an accepted component of elite coaching. Those from the communities of sports physiology, psychology and biomechanics who promote the application of surveillance technologies have reported multiple benefits for the athlete. Conversely, several socio-cultural studies have suggested that surveillance technologies can lead to an oppressive mechanism of control over the athlete, significantly altering the role and responsibilities of the contemporary coach. In this critical commentary we use a post-structural position and adopt Foucault’s disciplinary analysis to contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the use of surveillance technology in sport. Specifically, we achieve this by labelling surveillance technologies in sport as what Foucault (1977) might call, instruments of discipline, and by explaining the impact they have upon the working coach and the skilled athlete. We present some suggestions surrounding how to most appropriately utilise surveillance technologies in a sports coaching context and conclude by warning against a binary consideration of the use of technology as either good or bad.
The Changing HRM Practices of Japanese Firms and the Impacts on Compensation Practices of Japanese Affiliates in Malaysia

The purpose of this article is three‑fold. First it explains the reason behind the fading importance of conventional Japanese Human Resource Management Systems (CJHRMS in Japan and the implementation problems following the adoption of pay‑for‑performance system (PFPS by Japanese firms. Secondly the author tries to identify general HRM practices of Japanese affiliates in Malaysia in particular the compensation system and performance appraisal system. Lastly the third purpose is to obtain a more complete understanding of the issues facing Malaysian employees of Japanese affiliates as well as to find whether or not ethnocentric 1 Japanese affiliates are encountering human resources (HR problems similar to those in Japan as a result of CJHRMS. The research reveals that most of the HRM practices in the Japanese affiliates are ethnocentric. However a minority of them adopt polycentric orientations on compensation schemes to a varying degree. The HR orientation to attract highly‑competent Malaysian workforce is mainly driven by policies and strategies of the parent firm and organizational background of the Japanese affiliate. As a result of CJHRMS Japanese affiliates with ethnocentric compensation practices are facing structural operational and motivation problems similar to those of parent firms. Even when Japanese affiliates adopt PFPS in accordance with parent firms’practices research reveals that formal policies and actual practices are different. Japanese affiliates should continue modifying their CJHRMS to appeal to Malaysians and fine‑tune their retention strategies to secure and motivate highly‑ competent Malaysian workforce.
The search for genes associated to disease: The LASSO method and the case of Bone Mineral Density

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tells us about the amount of minerals in bones, and gives an indication of bones strength. The BMD is influenced by genetic factors as well as nutrition, sex hormone status, glucocorticoid therapy and physical activity among others. In this project we have focused on genes making an impact on BMD, by using mathematics and regression. Since the number of explanatory variables x (genes) overrides the number of response variables y (women) we use the variable selection method called LASSO. In that way we are able to sort out the genes with the highest contribution to BMD. We discovered 55 unique genes, among which ATP5SL, TNXA /// TNXB, SOST, PBXIP1, SNCA, GTF2F2, DPP8, C4orf31, TFDP2 and MCF2L were among those with the strongest association to BMD. SOST, AFFX-M27830 M at, PBXIP1 and RNF216 found by LASSO, confirms previous literature. Most of the genes seems to be highly associated with and probably have some impact on BMD.
Rarity, trophy hunting and ungulates

The size and shape of a trophy constitute major determinants of its value. We postulate that the rarity of a species, whatever its causes, also plays a major role in determining its value among hunters. We investigated a role for an Anthropogenic Allee effect in trophy hunting, where human attraction to rarity could lead to an over‐exploitative chain reaction that could eventually drive the targeted species to extinction. We performed an inter‐specific analysis of trophy prices of 202 ungulate taxa and quantified to what extent morphological characteristics and their rarity accounted for the observed variation in their price. We found that once location and body mass were accounted for, trophies of rare species attain higher prices than those of more common species. By driving trophy price increase, this rarity effect may encourage the exploitation of rare species regardless of their availability, with potentially profound consequences for populations.
Platelet dysfunction in the perioperative and critical care setting

Achieving haemostasis and, simultaneously, preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the perioperative and critical care setting is challenging. Although the traditional coagulation parameters, including international normalised ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet count, are important, evidence suggests that far more subtle aspects of platelet dysfunction may occur without antiplatelet therapy, and play a pivotal role both in critical bleeding and the pathogenesis of VTE. With advances in our ability to measure platelet activity and function beyond platelet count alone, we are making substantial progress in our understanding of how and when platelets interact and cross-talk with coagulation factors to achieve haemostasis and, conversely, contribute to the development of VTE after major surgery or trauma. With the ability to quantify the ability of platelets to aggregate, it is clear that platelet function tests have the potential to assist prediction of bleeding after cardiac surgery, especially for those who are treated with P 2 Y 12 -blockers. In addition, unregulated platelet activation or, conversely, platelet dysfunction in the absence of antiplatelet therapy, is increasingly being recognised as one of the key missing elements in the pathogenesis of VTE or critical bleeding, respectively. Our current understanding of the coagulation system—in particular the significance of platelet dysfunction and activation—may not be adaptive to benefit survival in all patients, especially after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Indeed, cardiolipin release from damaged neuronal mitochondria into the systemic circulation may explain why coagulopathy after TBI is associated with increased VTE instead of bleeding. Similarly, in patients with acquired coagulopathy due to liver disease, sepsis or trauma, excessive platelet activation has been observed explaining why these patients are not immune to developing VTE and, hence, VTE prophylaxis is still needed. While many drugs can inhibit platelet function through one of the three major platelet activation pathways—cyclooxygenase/thromboxane A 2 , P 2 Y 12 -ADP and thrombin—currently we do not have many interventions that can improve platelet function. Recent evidence suggested that an antioxidant polyphenol, resveratrol, may improve platelet function by reducing apoptosis and improving platelet mitochondrial function. We are now entering the exciting stage of precision-medicine in the area of coagulation in perioperative and critical care. Ultimately, we would be able use information beyond abnormal platelet count, INR and aPTT to guide platelet transfusion including withholding unnecessary platelet transfusion, and also avoid omission of VTE prophylaxis in the critically ill.
The Application of a Nanostructured Material in the Fabrication of a P-I-N Diode Chip

This research focuses on the integration of conventional silicon electronics with Nanostructured materials for an improved efficiency in the detection of photons applied in Fibre Optic Communications. The PIN starting material, intrinsic region thickness and packaging technology determines the diode performance. Nanostructured materials are processed using different techniques such as ion beam sputtering, layer-by-layer deposition, Nano Milling/Etching System, spin casting, ion beam deposition etc. This research utilizes the unique effects of the wide range of phenomena offered by Nanostructured materials such as plasmonic enhancement of absorption, ultraviolet light absorption, generation of multiexciton, charge storage in surface and interface traps, and size-based spectral tuning, to improve the functions of the intrinsic region of the P-I-N diode. The traps extend the lifetime of non-circulating carriers thereby increasing gain. The presence of an introduced external electromagnetic field shifts free conduction electrons. Other achieved advantages include a very negligible package parasitic effect, negligible contact resistance, and a package inductance on the order of 0.01nH for the P-I-N diode. 
Rules of origin and uncertain cost of compliance

To consider the role of uncertain production cost resulting from complying with rules of origin (ROO), we formulate a Cournot oligopoly model of a free trade area (FTA). If exporters do not comply with ROO, they must pay an external tariff, and if they comply, they enjoy zero tariff but suffer an uncertain production cost. Because compliers must source a certain ratio of the inputs from within the area, they face input-price fluctuations in that area; this yields an uncertain production cost for compliers. This uncertain cost provides a benefit to compliers owing to its variance. Therefore, for an intermediate external tariff, strategic substitution emerges in exporters' choice. We show that the coexistence of compliers and non-compliers is seen among symmetric exporters. We also discuss the endogenous rate of ROO-compliers in the coexisting equilibrium of compliers and non-compliers. We show that if the variance of the uncertain production cost is small, the rate of ROO-compliers in the coexisting equilibrium increases with the number of total exporters inside the FTA.