Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between genotype and climates for Holstein milk production traits in Iran

This study was designed to investigate the interaction between genotype and climate for milk and fat production traits of Iranian Holstein dairy herds. Milk and fat production data were grouped in 5 climates, on the basis of Extended De Martonne method. (Co)Variance components and genetic parameters of first lactation records from 514 herds were estimated by DFREML procedure. Estimation of genetic parameters by univariate animal model showed that heritability of milk and fat yields were from 0.22 to 0.30 and 0.06 to 0.26, respectively; that proved by the results of multivariate model. Genetic correlations between different climates ranged from 0.66 to 1 for milk yield and 0.16 to 1 for fat yield, respectively. Calculated genetic correlation between milk production traits in 5 various climates of Iran showed that there is a significant interaction between humid climate with other climates for both milk and fat yield traits. Using Spearman and Rank correlation for estimation of correlation between bulls breading values, for two traits showed the significant genotype by environment interaction between humid climate and Meditrranean climate for milk yield and between humid climate and other climates for fat yield. Key words: Holstein, genetic correlation, breeding value, genotype by environment interaction.
The Role of PTHrP in Mitogenic Signaling via EGFR-Dependent Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) occurs in a high proportion of breast cancer and is strongly implicated in their metastatic spread to bone. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activated by autocrine growth factors in many types of tumors, including breast tumor. EGFR (ErbB1) has been linked to a poor prognosis in breast cancer and promote extracellular-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Erk/MAPK) which is a critical signal transduction event-mediated cell proliferation, cell migration and tumor progression. We investigated the role of PTHrP-1-34, PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86 peptides in the Erk pathway in MCF7 breast carcinoma cell line with and without Heregulins β1 (HRG β1). MCF7 were transfected with EGFR and treated overnight with 10nM of PTHrP-1-34, PTHrP-7-34, or PTHrP-1-86 and for 30min with 10ng of HRG β1 in serum free medium. PTHrP-1-34 significantly overexpressed ErbB1 receptor compared with PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86 treatment. Erk activity was significantly enhanced with HRG β1 and PTHrP-1-34. However, with PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86, Erk activity was less significantly enhanced. The level of protein kinase C found to be higher with PTHrP-1-34 than PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86 treated cells. PKC was demolished in HRG β1 treated cells and PKC activation had no effect on erbB1 induced Erk activation. Our results indicate that ErbB1 receptor induced Erk activation through the presence of HRG β1 and PTHrP and the mitogenic effects are mainly dependent on MAPK activities which might be modulated by both Erk and PKC. This evaluation of downstream signaling could potentially explain PTHrP dependent growth-promoting effects in tumor progression.
Estimating utility functions of Greek dairy sheep farmers: A multicriteria mathematical programming approach

Mathematical programming models are commonly used to approach decision making in livestock farms. The majority of these models assume gross margin maximisation as the sole objective of farmers. In this study an alternative multicriteria model is built to test the hypothesis of the multiplicity of the objectives of Greek sheep farmers. A farm typology is constructed to account for diversified farm structures and a non-interactive methodology is used to elicit the utility function of farmers. The results of the analysis indicate that the multicriteria model allows for a better representation of the farms, compared to the gross margin maximisation model.
Linear response results for phonons and electron–phonon coupling in hexagonal close packed Sc-spin fluctuations, and implications for superconductivity

We present a FP-LMTO (full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital) study of the variation in the electronic structure, phonon frequencies and electron–phonon coupling in hexagonal close packed (hcp) Sc under pressure. The electron–phonon coupling constant λ is found to increase steadily with pressure in the hcp phase, until the pressure reaches a value where the hcp phase becomes unstable. Linear response calculations for the normal pressure c/a ratio predict a phase change somewhere between calculated pressures of 22 and 30 GPa. The calculated frequencies for the equilibrium hcp lattice parameters are in good agreement with the inelastic neutron scattering results. There is a small upward shift in the Γ-point E2g mode frequency under pressure, in qualitative agreement with the Raman spectroscopy study of Olijnyk et al (2006 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 18 10971). From the measured value of the electronic specific heat constant and the calculated values of the Fermi level density of states and electron–phonon coupling constant, we conclude that the electron–paramagnon coupling constant in hcp Sc should be comparable to the electron–phonon coupling constant. This indicates that the spin fluctuation effects are strong enough to suppress superconductivity completely in hcp Sc. We argue that spin fluctuations should be reduced by a factor of two or more in the high pressure Sc-II phase. On the basis of estimates of the electron–paramagnon coupling constants and the calculated or estimated electron–phonon coupling constants, we argue that the hcp phase may become superconducting with a very low transition temperature immediately prior to the transition to the Sc-II phase and that the Sc-II phase should indeed be superconducting. The electronic, electron–phonon and spin fluctuation properties of hcp Sc under pressure are compared with those of the high pressure hcp phase of Fe, which was reported to be superconducting a few years back.
Taming Log Files From Game/Simulation‐Based Assessments: Data Models and Data Analysis Tools

Extracting information efficiently from game/simulation-based assessment (G/SBA) logs requires two things: a well-structured log file and a set of analysis methods. In this report, we propose a generic data model specified as an extensible markup language (XML) schema for the log files of G/SBAs. We also propose a set of analysis methods for identifying useful information from the log files and implement the methods in a package in the Python programming language, glassPy. We demonstrate the data model and glassPy with logs from a game-based assessment, SimCityEDU.
Simultaneous and gradient IPN of polyurethane/vinyl ester resin: morphology and mechanical properties

A series of polyurethane (PU) and vinyl ester resin (VER) simultaneous and gradient interpenetrating polymer networks (represented as s-IPN and g-IPN, resp.) curing at room temperature were prepared by changing the component ratios of PU or VER in s-IPN, time intervals, and component ratio sequences of s-IPN in g-IPN. The microstructures of s-IPN and g-IPN were detected by atomic force microscope (AFM), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and surface constitution scanning of nitrogen element of energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX), respectively. The mechanical properties of s-IPN and g-IPN were studied by values in strain-stress curves detected by electronic multipurpose tester. The results indicated that the morphology and mechanical properties are both affected by PU/VER component ratios in s-IPN, gradient time intervals, and gradient component ratio sequences. Furthermore, the morphology detection by EDX and mechanical properties study both proved the formation of gradient structures in transition regions of g-IPN.
Imprinting patterns of neutral atoms in an optical lattice using magnetic resonance techniques

We prepare arbitrary patterns of neutral atoms in a one-dimensional (1D) optical lattice with single-site precision using microwave radiation in a magnetic field gradient. We give a detailed account of the current limitations and propose methods to overcome them. Our results have direct relevance for addressing planes, strings or single atoms in higher-dimensional optical lattices for quantum information processing or quantum simulations with standard methods in current experiments. Furthermore, our findings pave the way for arbitrary single-qubit control with single-site resolution.
Compounds Exuded by Phaseolus vulgaris That Induce a Modification of Rhizobium etli Lipopolysaccharide

Exudates released from germinating seeds and roots of a black-seeded bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Midnight Black Turtle Soup) induce an antigenic change in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Rhizobium etli CE3. By spectroscopic analyses and chromatographic comparisons with derived standards, the chemical structures of the aglycone portions of the major inducing molecules from seed exudate were deduced, and they were identified as delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, and malvidin. These anthocyanidins were present in seed exudate mainly as glycosides, the chief inducer being delphinidin 3-glucoside. Also present were 3-glucosides of petunidin and malvidin and glycosides of cyanidin and delphinidin. Seed exudate from a bean variety deficient in anthocyanins did not induce the LPS conversion. The ability of root exudate to induce an antigenic change in the LPS was due to compounds other than anthocyanins.
Clinical Impact of Radiation-Resistant Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Bone Marrow Deduced from Preclinical Studies

Mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow have attracted great interest over the past decades, not only as a basic scientific subject but also as a novel and advanced clinical tool. More than 100 mesenchymal stem cell-related clinical trials are currently registered in the world. Hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow are extremely radiationsensitive, whereas mesenchymal stem cells show considerable radiation-resistance. Intrinsic cellular mechanisms, including highly efficient reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability and active DNA damage response pathways, have been reported to explain the radiation-resistance of mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow. The precise interactions between residual host mesenchymal stem cells and donor mesenchymal stem cells at the time of bone marrow transplantation following whole-body irradiation, however, remain unknown. This short review summarizes our current understanding of the clinical impact of the radiation-resistance of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow.
Production and quality aspects of rooibos tea and related products. A review

Use of the herbal tea, rooibos, made from the indigenous South African fynbos plant, Aspalathus linearis spp. linearis , has shown tremendous growth on the international markets since the 1990s. From a small beginning in 1904, solely depended on wild harvesting, the industry has developed out of the selected and cultivated Nortier type, leading to improved quality. Traditional rooibos is processed, entailing an oxidation („fermentation“) step, essential to develop the characteristic sweetish flavour and red-brown colour. Higher antioxidant levels for unfermented rooibos resulted in the development of green rooibos and extracts enriched in aspalathin, a potent antioxidant unique to rooibos. Major markets for rooibos extracts are ready-to-drink iced teas and cosmetic products.
Upward mobility and alternative lifestyles : a report from the 10 th biennial meeting on Bacterial Locomotion and Signal

Birgit E. Scharf,1 Phillip D. Aldridge,2 John R. Kirby3 and Brian R. Crane4* Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK NE2 4HH, USA. Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Effective longitudinal shear moduli of random composites comprising radially-graded fibres

The homogenization problem for random composites comprising radially-graded fibres is dealt with, in the framework of antiplane shear deformations, by generalizing the Rayleigh multipole expansion method. The statistics of the effective moduli are obtained in simulation. The feasibility of reducing the shear stress at the fibre/matrix interface by properly grading the fibre stiffness along the radius is proved.
A FAIRNESS MODEL BASED ON INTERVAL TYPE-2 FUZZY SET FOR ISLAMIC FINANCING SCORING IN INDONESIA

Conventional credit scoring model could lead to serious and unfair problems because in certain case it would incriminate one party in financing. Islamic financing scoring model complies with Sharia rules and ensures fairness among parties. Currently, there are no certain rules on Islamic financing scoring model which lead to subjective judgments. In the subjective judgments, words could mean different things to different people. Thus, this paper proposed and deployed models for scoring of default risk level by using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Set model to support the subjective judgments in maintaining Sharia rules. Installment amount and the sum of delay period has used as variables for that scoring. Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Set model was proposed to support the subjective judgments in maintaining Sharia rules. Beginning delay period also used as a weight to the risk scoring results. Besides that, this paper also proposed the method for computing real loss value. It has used as a basis for fines computation according to default risk level, bad debt expense, and installment weighted average.
Detection of Antibody and the Antigen Classes in Circulating Immune Complexes Fractionated with the Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation Using an F(ab′)2anti-C3 ELISA

Circulating immune complexes (CICs) in sera from patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), hepatitis B type (BCH) and hepatitis not including BCH (nonBCH) were analyzed using F(ab′)2anti-C3 ELISA, since CICs’ functions are intimately associated with the composition and their sizes. Positive percentages for IgG-, IgAand IgM-CIC were significantly increased in LC, PBC, BCH and nonBCH as compared to healthy specimens. The combination of F(ab′)2anti-C3 ELISA and sucrose density gradient fractionation allowed us to detect the classes of antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigens in the fractionated CICs from sera of patients with liver diseases. Properties of the fractionized CICs are discussed in the text.
Exploring the Correlations among Service Encounter, Customer Perceived Value, Purchase Intention in Hospitality Industry

Abstract Service in hospitality is a business with higher experience qualities, pursuing the final objective of consumer satisfaction with service quality. In this case, various hospitality businesses have actively provided excellent core services and favorable and complete service model to enhance the customer service quality, promote the word-of-mouth with customer satisfaction, and absorb more customers. Human factors in promoting service quality or enhancing customer satisfaction are hard to control, and most services are delivered by people that the close contact between service providers and customers is involved in the service delivery process. Such contact opportunities would affect the evaluation process and emphasis of served customers. Customers of The Grand Hotel Kaohsiung are the major research participants in this study. Total 300 copies of questionnaires are distributed, and 213 valid copies are retrieved, with the retrieval rate 71%. The research results show the significant correlations between 1.Service Encounter and Customer Perceived Value, 2.Customer Perceived Value and Purchase Intention, and 3.Service Encounter and Purchase Intention.
P REREQUISITE E VALUATION OF E NGINEERING S KILLS

Preliminary findings obtained from a threeyear study are presented where different cohorts of undergraduate civil engineering students are followed for three consecutive years while completing the Civil Engineering program at the Université de Moncton. This study outlines how a set of problem instances were developed, wherein a student performs a series of steps to formulate a solution. These steps are mapped to one or more skills, also known as procedural knowledge components, which are essential for students to have mastered from one or more previous courses in order to successfully complete the course in question. Over a hundred students from the second, third, or fourth year performed a series of problem-solving tasks that assess a common set of skills at the beginning of their respected courses. The findings obtained from the first year of this study show that students vary in their abilities to correctly solve instances of a problem on their first attempt. This suggests that there is a pressing need for assessment tools that target progressions for specific courses using the range of standards outlined by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board as progress indicators while providing individualized instructional modules developed on the basis of research-based understanding of how these skills develop over time for all students.
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF RISK-RETURN CHARACTERISTICS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSED STOCK'S COMPANIES

SKAPA STANISLAV, MELUZIN TOMAS, ZINECKER MAREK: A critical evaluation of risk-return characteristics of environmentally focused stock’s companies. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2013, LXI, No. 2, pp. 501–506 The objective of the paper is to critically evaluate and determine risk-return profi le environmentally focused stock’s companies which are covered by STOXX Global ESG Environmental Leaders Index and whether this index should be taken in as an independent asset class of investments portfolio for its risk-return improvement. This paper gives an empirical view on the ex-post asset classes characteristics focused mainly on risk side of investment.
Environmental assessment of combined acid gas emission control with alternative dry sorbent injection systems

In a holistic approach to environmental protection, the optimisation of end-of-pipe technologies for air pollution control has to take into account not only process performance but also indirect impacts related to the production of reactants and the disposal of by-products. In this perspective, a thorough environmental assessment of the life cycle impacts associated with the adoption of alternative technologies is a useful tool for the selection of an all-round environmentally sound solution. In the present study, a comparative analysis is carried out to evaluate the overall environmental footprint of two alternative dry sorbent injection configurations for acid gas removal in waste-to-energy plants, adopting a life cycle viewpoint to consider the related supply and disposal chains. A previously developed operational model is employed to quantify the streams of reactants and residues associated with acid gas emission control for the two alternatives, which are functions of the reactivity of the different sorbents towards three acid pollutants (HCl, SO2, HF). In particular, HF, which is usually present in considerably lower concentrations than HCl and SO2 in flue gases, is generally neglected in process optimisation studies, but it is particularly harmful for both human health and ecological integrity. Here its removal is taken into account in order to include the related impacts in the environmental assessment.
Flavonoid compounds and their antioxidant activity in extract of some tropical plants

The study was counducted to investigate flavonoids content and antioxidant activities in some tropical plants namely cabbage (Brassica oleracea), green chilli (Capsicum annum), red chilli (Capsicum annum), carrot (Daucus carota), red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus), white radish (Raphanus sativus), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). Total flavonoid (TF) content was observed to be highest in red chili (0.939 mg/g DW) and low content of TF was observed in red spinach (0.066 mg/g DW). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify and quantify the five important flavonoid components (quercetin, catechin, kaempferol, apigenin and rutin). High content of quercetin (0.639 mg/g DW), catechin (0.14 mg/g DW), apigenin (0.047 mg/g DW) and rutin (0.069 mg/g DW) was detected from red chilli and high content of kaempferol (0.13 mg/g DW) was detected from carrot. Red chilli with high flavonoid compounds showed highest antioxidant activity (78.66%) determined by the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results suggested a good potential of flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity in red chilli and this plant could be useful for both food flavourings and in traditional medicine. Key words: Total flavonoid, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), red chilli, antioxidant activity.
Stress , strain and fault patterns AÂ ngel

If faulting is treated as a stress-controlled phenomenon, the generation of a single fault set, or two sets in conjugate arrangement are inevitably predicted implying plane strain. Alternatively, considering faulting as a strain-controlled process, multiple-set patterns can be predicted. The analysis of multiple-set patterns requires identifying the type of fault pattern from four possibilities: Coulomb, isolated, orthorhombic and complex fault patterns. There are techniques that permit a unique solution of strain tensor for Coulomb and orthorhombic fault patterns. For isolated fault patterns, the principal paleostress directions could be used to approximate the principal strain directions. In this case, we need to assume a homogeneous stress ®eld, independence between faults, and parallelism between shear stress and slip vector on the sliding plane. For complex fault patterns, it is not possible to uniquely determine the total strain tensor without knowledge of all the slip planes. Furthermore, inverting fault-slip data to determine the stress tensor is not correct because the assumptions of the inversion methods are not satis®ed. Only a rough approximation is possible assuming that strain produced by major faults represents the total strain tensor. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Breed fast, die young: demography of a poorly known fossorial frog from the xeric Neotropics

We successfully used skeletochronology to provide the first detailed demographic data regarding Ceratophrys stolzmanni, a cryptic, fossorial amphibian inhabiting the xeric Neotropics. We observed a female-biased sexual size dimorphism, but no differences in age parameters between the two sexes. Growth rate is accelerated during the first year of life, both before and after metamorphosis, followed by a rapid sexual maturation and a short lifespan. Both males and females reached sexual maturity before they were one year old, the mean age was two years, and longevity was low for both sexes, with only 2% of the tested individuals, all females, reaching the age of four years. We discuss the implications of the observed aging and growth patterns for the long-term survival and conservation of the species, comparing our results to other tropical species.
Investigating the Economic Impact of Immigration on the Host Country: The Case of Norway

This article aims at investigating the nature of the causal relationship between immigration and economic development measured by GDP per capita in Norway using Granger causality test. The results on the unit root test indicate that all the series are non-stationary and are in I(1) process. The Johansen cointegration test reveals that there is no cointegration among the data sets. The Granger causality test shows that when the level of immigration increases, GDP per capita also increases. It has also been found that immigration has no impact on unemployment, and vice versa.