Characterisation of computed tomography noise in projection space with applications to additive manufacturing

X-ray computed tomography can be used for defect detection in additive manufacturing. Typically, several x-ray projections of the product at hundreds of angles are used to reconstruct the object in 3D to look for any defects. The process can be time-consuming. This thesis aims to investigate if it is possible to conduct defect detection from a single projection to speed up the process. An additive manufacturing test sample was created with voids to see if they can be detected. The uncertainty of the projection was modelled using a compound Poisson distribution. This arises from x-ray photon arrivals being a Poisson process and each photon has random energy. This results in a linear relationship between the mean and variance of the grey values in the projection. Fitting of the compound Poisson distribution using the expectation maximisation algorithm was unsuccessful due to identifiability issues with the model. Instead, a gamma-distributed generalised linear model was fitted onto sample variance-mean data and used for variance prediction to quantify the uncertainty. Software, called aRTist, was used to simulate the projection and compared with the experimental projection in the face of uncertainty by treating each pixel as a hypothesis test. To overcome the imperfections of the simulation, the empirical null filter was used to cater for model misspecification so that sensible inference was achieved. This was done by locally normalising the test statistics using the mode. Voids with diameters in the order of millimetres were detectable. This thesis is a contribution to real-time quality control in additive manufacturing

Characterization of Bonga and Horro indigenous sheep breeds of smallholders for designing community based breeding strategies in Ethiopia

In the framework of designing community-based breeding strategies for indigenous sheep breeds of smallholders in Ethiopia, a survey of production system and on-farm characterization of Horro and Bonga sheep breeds, was undertaken in the Horro and Adiyo Kaka districts, respectively. Purposive and random sampling was employed as sampling technique. Detailed structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, field observations of animals, body measurements, and secondary data collection were employed to produce the data. Body weight, linear body measurements, and qualitative records were taken and observed from 762 Bonga sheep and 816 Horro sheep. For the analyses of quantitative data, the main effects of breed and dentition were fitted to the model within each sex groups. Results revealed that the mean flock sizes for Adiyo Kaka and Horro districts were 11.28 ± 1.27and 8.20 ± 2.05, respectively. Sheep have multi-purpose roles in both production systems. Among the reasons for keeping sheep, source of income was ranked highest. Age at first lambing for Bonga and Horro sheep was 14.9 ± 3.1 and 13.3 ± 1.7 months, respectively. Average lambing intervals were 8.9 ± 2.1 and 9.2 ± 2.4 months, for Bonga and Horro, respectively. Disease, feed shortage, and predators were the most pertinent constraints for sheep production in that order for farmers in Horro. In Adiyo Kaka, disease, labor shortage, predators were ranked as first, second and third based upon their significant influence on sheep productivity. The mean body weight, body length, chest girth, wither height, tail circumference and tail length for Bonga females were 31.87 ± 0.19kg, 69.16 ± 0.15 cm, 72.92 ± 0.17cm, 68.12 ± 0.14cm, 15.92 ± 0.30 cm and 32.07 ± 0.37 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for males of the same breed were 29.70 ± 1.17kg, 68.27 ± 0.89cm, 70.0 ± 1.026cm, 66.53 ± 0.85cm, 20.85 ± 0.97cm and 35.40 ± 0.96cm, respectively. For Horro females, the values in the same order were 27.65 ± 0.21, 67.40 ± 0.164cm, 73.81 ± 0.19cm, 69.43 ± 0.16cm, 16.08 ± 0.15cm and 37.52 ± 0.95, respectively. The values of the measurements for males, on the other hand, were 31.66 ±1.23kg, 69.30 ± 0.94cm, 76.12 ±1.08cm,71.66± 0.90cm,23.46±0.97cm and 37.52 ± 0.95cm,respectively.Within each sex, it was found that breed had significant effect on live body weight and most of the body measurements. Accordingly, Horro females had significantly (P<0.01) greater values for chest girth, wither height and tail length than Bonga females. On the contrary, Bonga ewe’s had significantly (P<0.01) higher values than Horro with respect to body weight, body length, chest width, pelvic width and ear length. Horro male had higher values (P< 0.01) for chest girth; wither height and scrotal circumference than Bonga males. With the exceptions of ear length, tail circumference, tail length and body condition score, within the range of age studied, age was found to have a significant influence (P< 0.01) on most body measurements in females. The mean body weight and body measurements of animals at dentition 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those of the dentition class 3 to 4-years-old sheep. The correlations between body weights and body measurements at different ages were positive and significant (P<0.01). The highest correlation coefficient was found between body weight and chest girth in both of the breeds, sexes, and age groups. The regression analysis to predict body weight from linear measurements indicated that body weight, in most of the cases, could be predicted with a higher level of accuracy from more than one independent trait. However, for practical point of view, the use of chest girth as estimator variable for body weight was suggested due to ease of measurement under farmers’ conditions. To realize full benefits of the forthcoming breeding strategies, concurrent improvement in the nongenetic factors (disease and feed) is central. ==

Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveals Selection Signatures of Abigar Cattle for Local Adaptation

Over time, indigenous cattle breeds have developed disease resistance, heat tolerance, and adaptability to harsh environments. Deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying adaptive traits is crucial for their improvement and sustainable utilization. For the first time, we performed whole-genome sequencing to unveil the genomic diversity, population structure, and selection signatures of Abigar cattle living in a tropical environment. The population structure analysis revealed that Abigar cattle exhibit high nucleotide diversity and heterozygosity, with low runs of homozygosity and linkage disequilibrium, suggesting a genetic landscape less constrained by inbreeding and enriched by diversity. Using nucleotide diversity (Pi) and population differentiation (FST) selection scan methods, we identified 83 shared genes that are likely associated with tropical adaption. The functional annotation analysis revealed that some of these genes are potentially linked to heat tolerance (HOXC13, DNAJC18, and RXFP2), immune response (IRAK3, MZB1, and STING1), and oxidative stress response (SLC23A1). Given the wider spreading impacts of climate change on cattle production, understanding the genetic mechanisms of adaptation of local breeds becomes crucial to better respond to climate and environmental changes. In this context, our finding establishes a foundation for further research into the mechanisms underpinning cattle adaptation to tropical environments.</p

Genetic Structure of and Evidence for Admixture between Western and Korean Native Pig Breeds Revealed by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Comprehensive information on genetic diversity and introgression is desirable for the design of rational breed improvement and conservation programs. Despite the concerns regarding the genetic introgression of Western pig breeds into the gene pool of the Korean native pig (KNP), the level of this admixture has not yet been quantified. In the present study, we genotyped 93 animals, representing four Western pig breeds and KNP, using the porcine SNP 60K BeadChip to assess their genetic diversity and to estimate the level of admixture among the breeds. Expected heterozygosity was the lowest in Berkshire (0.31) and highest in Landrace (0.42). Population differentiation (FST) estimates were significantly different (p<0.000), accounting for 27% of the variability among the breeds. The evidence of inbreeding observed in KNP (0.029) and Yorkshire (0.031) may result in deficient heterozygosity. Principal components one (PC1) and two (PC2) explained approximately 35.06% and 25.20% of the variation, respectively, and placed KNP somewhat proximal to the Western pig breeds (Berkshire and Landrace). When K = 2, KNP shared a substantial proportion of ancestry with Western breeds. Similarly, when K = 3, over 86% of the KNP individuals were in the same cluster with Berkshire and Landrace. The linkage disquilbrium (LD) values at r2 0.3, the physical distance at which LD decays below a threshold of 0.3, ranged from 72.40 kb in Landrace to 85.86 kb in Yorkshire. Based on our structure analysis, a substantial level of admixture between Western and Korean native pig breeds was observed

Mitochondrial DNA variation reveals maternal origins and demographic dynamics of Ethiopian indigenous goats

The Horn of Africa forms one of the two main historical entry points of domestics into the continent and Ethiopia is particularly important in this regard. Through the analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) d-loop region in 309 individuals from 13 populations, we reveal the maternal genetic variation and demographic dynamics of Ethiopian indigenous goats. A total of 174 variable sites that generated 231 haplotypes were observed. They defined two haplogroups that were present in all the 13 study populations. Reference haplotypes from the six globally defined goat mtDNA haplogroups show the two haplogroups present in Ethiopia to be A and G, the former being the most predominant. Although both haplogroups are characterized by an increase in effective population sizes (Ne) predating domestication, they also have experienced a decline in Ne at different time periods, suggesting different demographic histories. We observed seven haplotypes, six were directly linked to the central haplotypes of the two haplogroups and one was central to haplogroup G. The seven haplotypes were common between Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia populations, suggesting common maternal history and the introduction of goats into East Africa via Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively. While providing new mtDNA data from a historically important region, our results suggest extensive intermixing of goats mediated by human socio-cultural and economic interactions. These have led to the coexistence of the two haplogroups in different geographic regions in Ethiopia resulting in a large caprine genetic diversity that can be exploited for genetic improvement

Avaliação do anticoncepcional Norplant no Município do Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brasil)

Anticonceptional methods for long-term have been searched for in many places. Norplant is one such, based on the use levonorgestrel capsules which introduced into women's arms, produce a daily secretion of hormones and have from two to five years' effect. It is produced under license from the Population Council and industrialised by Leiras Pharmaceutical. It has been used in Thailand, Egypt, Indonesia, Sweden, Denmark and Brazil. It is assessed the results of this method in Rio de Janeiro, where 175 Norplant users were interviewed at home, and their answers compared with those of two control groups (levonorgestrel pill-users and no-hormonal methods-users). The results show increased relative risks in Norplant users in menstrual disorders, hypertension, severe weight disturbances and hypertrichoses, all of them of statistical significance. Other non-statistical findings were angina pectoris, hypertensive encephalopaty, acne and duodenites. Some severe symptoms like headaches and behavioural disturbances were mentioned and these disappeared after the capsules had been withdrawn. It is discussed the relevance of all the side-effects in women who decided to interrupt the use of Norplant. In these cases follow-up measures are needed, in view of the fact that hemorrhage, marked weight gain and difficulties in pregnancy may developed.Métodos anticoncepcionais para longo tempo de uso têm sido buscados em vários lugares. O método Norplant é um deles, baseado em cápsulas de levonorgestrel introduzidas no braço das mulheres, através da liberação hormonal diária com efeito de dois a cinco anos. Norplant é produzido sob licença do "Population Council" e industrializado por "Leiras Pharmaceuticals", tendo sido usado na Tailândia, Egito, Indonésia, Suécia, Dinamarca e Brasil. Avaliam-se os resultados deste método, no Município do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), onde 175 usuárias de Norplant foram entrevistadas em suas casas, e as respostas comparadas com dois grupos-controle (usuárias de pílulas à base de levonorgestrel e usuárias de métodos não-hormonais). Os resultados mostram aumento dos riscos relativos das usuárias de Norplant para desordens menstruais, hipertensão, graves distúrbios de peso e hipertricose, todos estes estatisticamente significantes. Outros achados não significantes foram angina pectoris, encefalopatia hipertensiva, acne e duodenite. Alguns sintomas graves como cefaléia e alterações de comportamento foram mencionados e desapareceram após a retirada das cápsulas. É discutida a relevância de todos os efeitos colaterais em mulheres que decidiram interromper o uso do Norplant. Nestes casos, as medidas de acompanhamento são necessárias, uma vez que hemorragia, ganho de peso acentuado e dificuldades na gravidez podem se desenvolver

“ANALISIS PENGARUH THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR, NILAI YANG DIRASAKAN, DAN KESEDIAAN UNTUK MEMBAYAR TERHADAP PERILAKU PEMBELIAN KONSUMEN MELALUI MINAT BELI KONSUMEN SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING” (STUDI PADA KONSUMEN THE BODY SHOP di CITRALAND SEMARANG)

Green consumption by the community can be an effective way to minimize negative impacts on the environment. Research related to consumer behavior in consuming environmentally friendly products in developing countries such as Indonesia is very little and rarely. Considering this, researchers in this study have tried to understand consumer behavior to buy environmentally friendly products in the context of developing countries such as Indonesia. Based on the gaps phenomenon above, this study aims to analyze what factors influence consumer purchasing behavior on environmentally friendly products. And in this study using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variable and then expanding the Theory of Planned Behavior using additional variables, namely perceived value and willingness to pay and consumer buying intention as intervening variables. The population used in this study were female consumers of The Body Shop who are domiciled in Semarang aged 20-60 years and purchased The Body Shop products at the Citraland Semarang for more than 3 months. The number of samples used in this study were 150 respondents. The method of data collection is done through a questionnaire. This research uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis technique using AMOS 24.0 analysis tool. The test results using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis techniques indicate that the model is not in accordance with population data. While the hypothesis testing shows that four hypotheses from six hypotheses can be accepted and proven in this study, namely attitudes, subjective norms, and willingness to pay affect consumer buying intention and consumer buying intention influence consumer buying behavior. And the two hypotheses rejected in this study are subjective norms and values that are assessed do not have an influence on consumer buying interest

Genome-wide scans identify known and novel regions associated with prolificacy and reproduction traits in a sub-Saharan African indigenous sheep (Ovis aries)

Maximizing the number of offspring born per female is a key functionality trait in commercial- and/or subsistence-oriented livestock enterprises. Although the number of offspring born is closely associated with female fertility and reproductive success, the genetic control of these traits remains poorly understood in sub-Saharan Africa livestock. Using selection signature analysis performed on Ovine HD BeadChip data from the prolific Bonga sheep in Ethiopia, 41 candidate regions under selection were identified. The analysis revealed one strong selection signature on a candidate region on chromosome X spanning BMP15, suggesting this to be the primary candidate prolificacy gene in the breed. The analysis also identified several candidate regions spanning genes not reported before in prolific sheep but underlying fertility and reproduction in other species. The genes associated with female reproduction traits included SPOCK1 (age at first oestrus), GPR173 (mediator of ovarian cyclicity), HB-EGF (signalling early pregnancy success) and SMARCAL1 and HMGN3a (regulate gene expression during embryogenesis). The genes involved in male reproduction were FOXJ1 (sperm function and successful fertilization) and NME5 (spermatogenesis). We also observed genes such as PKD2L2, MAGED1 and KDM3B, which have been associated with diverse fertility traits in both sexes of other species. The results confirm the complexity of the genetic mechanisms underlying reproduction while suggesting that prolificacy in the Bonga sheep, and possibly African indigenous sheep is partly under the control of BMP15 while other genes that enhance male and female fertility are essential for reproductive fitness

Ethiopian indigenous goats offer insights into past and recent demographic dynamics and localadaptation in sub-Saharan African goats

Abstract Knowledge on how adaptive evolution and human socio‐cultural and economic interests shaped livestock genomes particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa remains limited. Ethiopia is in a geographic region that has been critical in the history of African agriculture with ancient and diverse human ethnicity and bio‐climatic conditions. Using 52K genome‐wide data analysed in 646 individuals from 13 Ethiopian indigenous goat populations, we observed high levels of genetic variation. Although runs of homozygosity (ROH) were ubiquitous genome‐wide, there were clear differences in patterns of ROH length and abundance and in effective population sizes illustrating differences in genome homozygosity, evolutionary history, and management. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow with ancestry modelling highlighted past and recent intermixing and possible two deep ancient genetic ancestries that could have been brought by humans with the first introduction of goats in Africa. We observed four strong selection signatures that were specific to Arsi‐Bale and Nubian goats. These signatures overlapped genomic regions with genes associated with morphological, adaptation, reproduction and production traits due possibly to selection under environmental constraints and/or human preferences. The regions also overlapped uncharacterized genes, calling for a comprehensive annotation of the goat genome. Our results provide insights into mechanisms leading to genome variation and differentiation in sub‐Saharan Africa indigenous goats