Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of body condition score and daily milk yield on reproduction traits of Czech Fleckvieh cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of body condition score (BCS) and daily milk yield (DMY) on reproductive characteristics of dairy cows. A total of 1249 records of Czech Fleckvieh cows raised at a private farm in Prague were enrolled. Dairy cows were grouped according to BCS (1 = ≤3.75, 2 = 4-4.25 and 3 = ≥ 4.50) and DMY groups (<20kg, 20-30 kg and >30kg). Number of inseminations per pregnancy (NI), days open (DO), service period (SP) and ovarian cyst (OC) cases were evaluated as reproduction characteristics. While the group with BCS ≥4.50 presented higher DO, the group with BCS ≤ 3.75 had lower OC cases when compared with other BCS groups. The group with DMY ˂ 20 kg had higher DO but lower OC cases than other DMY groups. Significant correlations were estimated between SP and NI (r = 0.843) or DO (r = 0.256), and between OC and DO (r = 0.546). The results revealed the effects of BCS and DMY on DO and OC and associations of reproduction traits each other. Therefore, close tracking production and reproduction data is suggested as a major process to prevent fertility problems and to obtain high productivity in dairy cows.
Computer model validation with functional output

A key question in evaluation of computer models is Does the computer model adequately represent reality? A six-step process for computer model validation is set out in Bayarri et al. [Technometrics 49 (2007) 138-154] (and briefly summarized below), based on comparison of computer model runs with field data of the process being modeled. The methodology is particularly suited to treating the major issues associated with the validation process: quantifying multiple sources of error and uncertainty in computer models; combining multiple sources of information; and being able to adapt to different, but related scenarios. Two complications that frequently arise in practice are the need to deal with highly irregular functional data and the need to acknowledge and incorporate uncertainty in the inputs. We develop methodology to deal with both complications. A key part of the approach utilizes a wavelet representation of the functional data, applies a hierarchical version of the scalar validation methodology to the wavelet coefficients, and transforms back, to ultimately compare computer model output with field output. The generality of the methodology is only limited by the capability of a combination of computational tools and the appropriateness of decompositions of the sort (wavelets) employed here. The methods and analyses we present are illustrated with a test bed dynamic stress analysis for a particular engineering system.
Wild sheep and livestock in Nepal Trans-Himalaya: coexistence or competition?

SUMMARY Excessive grazing by livestock is claimed to displace wild ungulates in the Trans-Himalaya. This study compares the seasonal diets and habitat use of sympatric wild naur Pseudois nayaur and domestic goat Capra hircus, sheep Ovis aries and free-ranging yak Bos grunniens in north Nepal and analyses their overlap both within and across seasons. Alpine meadow and the legumes Oxytropis and Chesneya were critical resources for all animal groups. High overlap occurred cross-seasonally when smallstock (sheep and goats) in summer used the spring and autumn ranges of naur. Relatively high total ungulate biomass (3028 kg km−2) and low recruitment of naur (56 young per 100 adult females in autumn) suggested interspecific competition. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity in composition and phenology of food plants across the steep gradient of altitude, together with rotational grazing, appears to indirectly facilitate coexistence of naur and smallstock. However, owing to high cross-seasonal (inter-seasonal) overlaps, competition is likely to occur between these two groups at high stocking densities. Within seasons, naur overlapped more with free-ranging yak than with smallstock. As their habitat use and diets were most similar in winter, when both fed extensively on the same species of shrubs, naur was most likely to compete with yak during that season.
Income redistribution and changes in inequality in New Zealand from 2007 to 2011: Alternative distributions and value judgements

This paper illustrates the effects of using different distributions and summary measures, using New Zealand data for the period 2007–2011. Using an annual accounting period, alternative welfare metrics and units of analysis are investigated. In addition, the sensitivity to assumptions about economies of scale within households is examined, and changes in inequality are decomposed into those arising from population and tax structure changes. When considering the period 2007–2010, all measures agree that inequality fell, although the extent of the reduction varies. For the period 2007–2011 (after the tax reforms of 2010) the answer to the question of whether inequality in New Zealand has risen or fallen depends crucially on the combination of welfare metric, income unit, adult equivalent scale and inequality measure used. In empirical studies, it is therefore important to explore a wide range of alternative approaches, providing information for readers to make their own judgements.
Relationship of selected anthropometric measurements and strength to kicking ability of soccer player

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship of leg length, thigh firth, calf girth, leg strength and abdominal strength to kicking ability for distance in soccer. The researcher has expected some significant contributions of this study in the field of Soccer. The result of this study would indicate the relationship of selected parameters to the kicking ability for distance. The finding of this study would assist in designing a suitable training programme to improve the kicking ability. For the present study the data were collected on Football players of S.G. B. Amravati University Amravati, Inter collegiate Football Tournament, were selected as subject. The age of the subjects was ranging from 18-28 years and minimum achievements of the subjects were at least intercollegiate level participant. To find out the relationship in between dependent and independent variables the research scholar selected the test. For the present study the subject by adopting a simple random group design. The Statistical analyses of data pertaining to the study The performance on the tests of kicking ability for distance, Leg length, thigh girth, calf girth, explosive leg strength and abdominal strength were recorded as described in the preceding chapter. For the purpose to determine the significant relationship between the performance of kicking ability for distance, to leg length, thigh girth, calf girth, explosive leg strength and abdominal strength, coefficient of correlation were computed. The level of significance to check the relationship obtained by Pearson’s product moment correlation was set . 05 levels. Which was considered appropriate because the research processes adopted did not involve highly sophisticated equipment, demanding the application of more strength levels of significance. While using the product moment correlation a value of 0.273 was needed of being significant at . 05 level of confidence for (N-2) 48 degrees of freedom. An analysis abdominal strength had significantly correlation to kicking ability (r=0.299) were statistically significant as the value obtained were much higher than the tabulated value (0.273) required, to be significant at 0.05 level with 48 degree of freedom. explosive leg strength had significantly correlated to kicking ability (r=0.369) which statistically significant with higher value than the tabulated value (0.273). calf girth of soccer players group was significantly correlated to kicking ability (r= 0.187) which was not statistically significant as the value obtained were much less than the tabulated value (0.273) with 0.05 significant level. thigh girth of soccer players group was significantly correlated to kicking ability (r= 0.183) which was not statistically significant as the value obtained were much less than the tabulated value (0.273) with 0.05 significant level. leg length had significantly correlated to kicking ability (r=0.353) which statistically significant with higher value than the tabulated value (0.273).
Non-radioactive in-situ hybridisation to honeybee embryos and ovaries

To study the function and expression of genes identified in the honeybee genome sequence, techniques for assaying gene expression need to be developed. We present a robust method for preparing honeybee embryos and ovaries for in-situ hybridisation. This protocol should prove useful for researchers wishing to use the genome sequence to study honeybee biology. Apis mellifera / embryo / ovary / gene expression / in-situ hybridisation
An Empirical Study of Major Determinants for Successful ESS Usage

In order to succeed in the present context of global competitiveness, corporate executives are realizing the importance of accurate and timely information for efficient and effective operations of organizations. In general, Executive Support Systems (ESS) can help corporate executives access and use the information they require about the organization's internal and external environments, such as corporate key performance indicators, competitors, suppliers, customers, etc. The ESS are becoming more enterprise-wide with greater decision support capabilities and will actually thrive in the next decade. With recognizing such potential and importance of ESS support for executives, this study systematically investigates important factors influencing ESS usage and the relationships between these factors. Among a total of 14 hypotheses, eight are statistically supported. The results show that intra- and extra-organizational support and perceived attributes of the ESS are significant antecedents of ESS usage. In addition, the results on mediating effects show that computer experience and computer self-efficacy influence the ESS usage indirectly through perceived attributes of the system. Other six hypotheses are not statistically supported. The findings of the study contribute to a better understanding of the factors that promote ESS usage and have important implications for the management of information systems.
Salt tolerance in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seedlings

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salt stress on germination of 28 red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations collected from Black Sea Region of Turkey. Seeds were germinated in 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 mM NaCl concentration. Germination percentage (%), mean germination time (MGT), promptness index (PI), root and shoot length (mm) were measured to determine the salinity tolerance on red clover populations. The results showed that as the salt concentration increased, germination percentage decreased in all populations, moreover, seeds could not germinate in 240 mM NaCl. Mean germination time increased with increasing NaCl level. Populations 17 and 19 were best suited for germination under the range of salinity stress in this study. The population 17 gave the highest PI, while population 19 produced the longest root at 180 mM NaCl concentration.
Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on production efficiency traits of Red Sindhi x Jersey crossbred cows maintained under sub-temperate Indian conditions

Production data on 544 lactations of 136 Red Sindhi x Jersey crossbred cows comprising 45 half-bred, 68 inter-se bred and 23 higher Jersey grades were utilized to derive the production efficiency traits i.e. average daily milk yield of lactation length (ADMY/LL) and daily milk yield of calving interval (ADMY/CI) and were further analyzed to study the effect of genetic group and non genetic factors of season, period and parity of calving on these performance traits. The overall least square means were estimated as 6.78±0.17 kg/day and 5.61±0.16 kg/day for ADMY/LL and ADMY/CI respectively. The analyses of variance for various effects revealed highly significant (p<0.01) effect of sire and significant (p<0.05) effect of parity of calving on the traits. However, the effect of genetic group and other non-genetic factors of season and period of calving were observed non-significant in the study. milk yield traits is important in judging their relative merits in adaptation, health and productivity in given agro-climatic conditions. The performance of Red Sindhi x Jersey crossbreds under Indian conditions had been reported for various economic traits (Rao and Nagarcenkar, 1979; Narang et al., 1994). The production efficiency traits considering both the production and reproduction aspect of an animal are important parameters for ensuring profitability of dairy animal over longer period. The milk yield expressed as average daily milk yield of lactation length (ADMY/LL) and average daily milk yield of calving interval (ADMY/CI) are good measures of both the reproduction and production performance of an animal. Such traits are reported to have moderate to high heritability and significant positive correlation with lifetime performance traits (Gandhi and Gurnani, 1992; Singh et al., 2005). The present study evaluates the performance of the Red Sindhi x Jersey crossbred cows at varying level of exotic Jersey inheritance in relation to the effect of certain non-genetic factors for certain production efficiency traits under the sub-temperate agro climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh.
PRESENCE , DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECT OF WHITE , PINK AND PURPLE MORPHS ON POLLINATION IN THE ORCHID ORCHIS

How floral polymorphism of flowering plants can be maintained in evolutionary time has long intrigued ecologists and is still debated. In particular, how floral colour polymorphism influences reproductive success is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the case of Orchis mascula, a deceptive orchid species in which the presence of rare white-flowered individuals is known to increase the percentage pollination of co-occurring coloured morphs. In a brief review, we report all the orchid species for which rare colour morphs are recorded and show that colour polymorphism occurs in most orchid genera occurring in France. In this study, more than 20,000 individuals of O. mascula were surveyed and some rare clear pink morphs were recorded. The frequencies of white-flowered and clear pink-flowered individuals were 0.59% and 0.28%, respectively. These two rare-colour flowered individuals were not randomly distributed and restricted to a few populations. In addition, the presence of pink-flowered individuals and the use of experimental pink lures resulted in an increase in the percentage pollination of surrounding purple-flowered individuals, as previously shown for white-flowered individuals and white lures. These new observations favour kin selection as the means by which floral colour polymorphism is maintained in this species. We suggest conducting comparative studies of other species in order to evaluate the importance of this mechanism in orchid pollination and that of other plant families.
Zooplankton community structure in the presence of low levels of cyanotoxins: a case study in a high altitude tropical reservoir (Valle de Bravo, Mexico)

Valle de Bravo water reservoir in the State of Mexico is being intensively studied since it provides water to about 2,500,000 people living in Mexico City. Cyanobacterial blooms reduce the water quality in this reservoir and this poses health risks. We hypothesize that one of the reasons for these persistent blooms is the dominance of small sized zooplankton throughout the year. Zooplankton samples were collected monthly by filtering 50 L of water from the surface (10-20 cm) using a 50 µm mesh and the samples were fixed in 4% formalin in the field. We measured temperature, pH, conductivity, Secchi disk transparency, dissolved oxygen, nitrates and phosphates. The microcystin levels were also quantified. The Secchi depth ranged from 0.86 to 9 m, nitrate levels were low (0.28 to 2.06 mg L -1 ), while phosphates were in the range of 1 to 14 mg L -1 . The temperature varied from 14 to 25 °C. The zooplankton community was represented by 25 species of rotifers Keratella cochlearis had the highest density (840 ind L -1 , followed by Polyarthra vulgaris (750 ind L -1 ). As compared to previous studies where the genus Brachionus was practically absent, we found four brachionid species. Among cladocerans, Bosmina longirostris was the dominant taxa reaching up to 100 ind L -1 . Small sized zooplankton (<200 µm) dominated throughout the year. The zooplankton biomass in the winter months (December to February) was contributed by Daphnia laevis , copepodites and adult copepods. Unlike a decade ago when a dominance by cyanobacteria was recorded, in this study we found that the phytoplankton was dominated by diatoms and chlorophytes with an occasional presence of the cyanobacteria Anabaena spp . and Microcystis spp . The concentration of microcystins ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 µg L -1 and was within the parameters set by the WHO. Carlson’s Trophic State Index and Sladecek’s Brachionus/Trichocera ratio indicated that the reservoir was mesotrophic during the study period.
Effects of geometry on landslide generated tsunamis

Landslide generated Tsunamis are classified as a type of impulse waves. Several parameters including the geometry of the reservoir affect the behavior of impulse waves. The effects of geometry on impulse wave parameters are not yet fully understood. In order to investigate the effects of geometry on landslide generated impulse waves a total of 168 experiments were conducted in a wave basin of 2.00 m wide and 2.10 m long with a smooth bottom. The water level was kept constant at 0.10 m throughout the experiments. A block model has been used to simulate the landslides. Experiments were performed in a wave channel, a wave basin (at two different locations) and five diverging reservoir geometries with side angles of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60° and 75°. Plexiglass sheets at different angles were laterally placed inside the basin in order to achieve the desired geometries. The results of this study indicate that geometry of the reservoir affects wave parameters such as relative wave height, relative wave amplitude, relative wave period, relative wave height decay, and relative wave amplitude decay. It was found that relative wave height at the wave generation zone corresponding to the wave channel and the wave basin are identical. Wave parameters corresponding to the wave channel are larger than in the wave basin. Results of this project show a good agreement with Huber (1980) which implies that relative wave height in the slide impact zone for 2D and 3D deviates a little. It was observed that wave parameters corresponding to geometries with reservoir side angles larger than 45° follow a similar trend in the wave basin.
Estrogen receptor β signalling in mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells

Estrogens are key players in the etiology and progression of breast cancer, and mediate their effects through the estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). ERα plays important roles in proliferation and progression of breast cancer, whereas a distinct function of ERβ in the initiation and development of breast cancer is not yet clearly established. The general aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of estrogen signalling in the normal and cancerous breast, focusing on the potential antitumourigenic effect of ERβ. Using cell lines with endogenous expression or inducible expression of ERβ we have characterised possible pathways of how ERβ could mediate its antitumourigenic effects. The role of ERβ in cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation has been characterised, mainly in vitro. In paper I we investigated how ERβ re-expression would affect breast cancer cells in in vivo. Presence of ERβ in breast cancer xenografts reduced tumour growth and the number of intratumoural blood vessels. Expression of the pro-angiogenic growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor β were also reduced upon ERβ expression, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggested an antitumourigenic role for ERβ by inhibiting growth and angiogenesis. Studies in ERβ mice have suggested a role for ERβ in the regulation of cell adhesion. In paper II we looked at cell-cell adhesion with a focus on E-cadherin. We reported that decrease of ERβ in mammary epithelial cells was associated with a decrease of E-cadherin protein levels through different posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, including protein shedding, internalisation and degradation. This correlated with an increase in β-catenin transcriptional activity and impaired morphogenesis on Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm matrix. This study suggests that ERβ has an important role in maintaining cell adhesion and a differentiated
Coastal cooling and increased productivity in the main upwelling zone off Peru since the mid‐twentieth century

We reconstructed a high‐resolution, alkenone‐based sea surface temperature (SST) record spanning the last ca. 150 years, from a sediment core retrieved within the main upwelling zone off Peru. A conspicuous SST decline is evidenced since the 1950s despite interdecadal SST variability. Instrumental SST data and reanalysis of ECMWF ERA 40 winds suggest that the recent coastal cooling corresponds mainly to an intensification of alongshore winds and associated increase of upwelling in spring. Consistently, both proxy and instrumental data evidence increased productivity in phase with the SST cooling. Our data expand on previous reports on recent SST cooling in other Eastern Boundary upwelling systems and support scenarios that relate coastal upwelling intensification to global warming. Yet, further investigations are needed to assess the role of different mechanisms and forcings (enhanced local winds vs. spin‐up of the South Pacific High Pressure cell).
Modelling the initiation of coronal mass ejections: magnetic flux emergence versus shearing motions

Context. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are enormous expulsions of magnetic flux and plasma from the solar corona into the interplanetary space. These phenomena release a huge amount of energy. It is generally accepted that both photospheric motions and the emergence of new magnetic flux from below the photosphere can put stress on the system and eventually cause a loss of equilibrium resulting in an eruption. Aims. By means of numerical simulations we investigate both emergence of magnetic flux and shearing motions along the magnetic inversion line as possible driver mechanisms for CMEs. The pre-eruptive region consists of three arcades with alternating magnetic flux polarity, favouring the breakout mechanism. Methods. The equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) were advanced in time by using a finite volume approach and solved in spherical geometry. The simulation domain covers a meridional plane and reaches from the lower solar corona up to 30 $R_\odot$. When we applied time-dependent boundary conditions at the inner boundary, the central arcade of the multiflux system expands, leading to the eventual eruption of the top of the helmet streamer. We compare the topological and dynamical evolution of the system when driven by the different boundary conditions. The available free magnetic energy and the possible role of magnetic helicity in the onset of the CME are investigated. Results. In our simulation setup, both driving mechanisms result in a slow CME. Independent of the driving mechanism, the overall evolution of the system is the same: the actual CME is the detatched helmet streamer. However, the evolution of the central arcade is different in the two cases. The central arcade eventually becomes a flux rope in the shearing case, whereas in the flux emergence case there is no formation of a flux rope. Furthermore, we conclude that magnetic helicity is not crucial to a solar eruption.