Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Attaining Early Puberty in Cattle and Buffalo:A Review

Puberty is a period at which sexually organs are functionally developed and animals become able to release the gametes. A cow maturing at early age will also calve at early age and produces more milk in her life time. Delayed sexual maturity has a profound effect on the economics of dairy farm. The objective of this review is to study factors affecting age at puberty. Many factors like species, genetic potentiality or breed, plane of nutrition, growth, body weight, role of different hormones, health and other managemental conditions are responsible for the growth, puberty and sexual maturity in animals. Age at puberty can be improve by different practices but the environment improvement and new nutritional practices are more effective. New modern hormonal technologies, proper management, housing, feeding system of the dairy animals can also reduce the age of puberty and sexual maturity.
Turnover of dead jellyfish: stimulation and retardation of microbial activity

Little is known about the fate of jellyfish biomass after their populations crash. We mea- sured turnover rates of dead Periphylla periphylla in a pelagic in situ experiment in Raunefjorden, Norway. Decay was exponential, with decay-coefficients of 0.67 to 1.12 d -1 ; smaller jellyfish turned over faster than larger ones. The rapid turnover suggests that large amounts of carbon and nitrogen are transferred to the pelagic and/or benthic foodwebs at the collapse of jellyfish blooms. The inter- actions between bacteria and dead jellyfish were examined in a shipboard experiment in Lurefjor- den, Norway, using natural bacterial assemblages. Growth and morphology of the bacteria in the incubations suggested that only certain morphotypes proliferated in the vicinity of jellyfish tissue. Subsequent experiments with homogenized P. periphylla tissue and bacterial isolates from various phylogenetic groups confirmed that some bacteria could use jellyfish as substrate, while others were inhibited. Tests with sensitive isolates revealed that inhibition of bacterial growth depended on the body part, size and concentration of P. periphylla used. Because only some bacteria were able to use P. periphylla as a substrate, we suggest that the role of dead jellyfish as trophic links in specific pelagic foodwebs depends partly on bacterial community composition.
Export Behaviour in the Chilean Agribusiness and Food Processing Industry

A B S T R A C T This paper analyzes the export-behavior of Chilean agribusiness and food processing firms and the relative importance of firm-specific and geographic characteristics in this behavior. Using firm level data and regional geographic indicators, a dynamic model was used to study the export decisions and the export intensity of three industries: processing fish, processing fruits and vegetables, and wine production. Results showed that determinants of exporting behavior vary among the three industries, except the effect of sunk costs, which strongly impacts the export decisions of all analyzed industries. This implies that firms with prior export experience will have higher probability of exporting in the future. Foreign ownership positively impacts the export decision of the two processing industries. Thus, firms belonging to these industries that wish to increase the probability of being an exporter should be encouraged to have a partnership with a foreign company or investor. The export intensity is positively influenced by foreign ownership in the fruit and vegetables processing and wine industries. As in the case of the export decision of firms, foreign participation helps increase the scale of exports. In general, firm-specific characteristics significantly impact the export behavior in Chilean agribusiness and processed food industries, while the contribution of geography attributes appears mixed.
Towards an Evolutionary Perspective on Regional Resilience

Boschma R. Towards an evolutionary perspective on regional resilience, Regional Studies. This paper proposes an evolutionary perspective on regional resilience. It conceptualizes resilience not just as the ability of a region to accommodate shocks, but extends it to the long-term ability of regions to develop new growth paths. A comprehensive view on regional resilience is proposed in which history is key to understand how regions develop new growth paths, and in which industrial, network and institutional dimensions of resilience come together. Resilient regions are capable of overcoming a trade-off between adaptation and adaptability, as embodied in related and unrelated variety, loosely coupled networks and loosely coherent institutional structures.
On the absence of molecular absorption in high-redshift millimetre-band searches

We have undertaken a search for millimetre-waveband absorption (through the CO and HCO(+) rotational transitions) in the host galaxies of reddened radio sources (z = 0.405-1.802). Despite the colour selection (optical-near-infrared colours of V - K greater than or similar to 5 in all but one source), no absorption was found in any of the eight quasars for which the background continuum flux was detected. On the basis of the previous (mostly intervening) H(2) and OH detections, the limits reached here and in some previous surveys should be deep enough to detect molecular absorption according to their V - K colours. However, our survey makes the assumption that the reddening is associated with dust close to the emission redshift of the quasar and that the narrow millimetre component of this emission is intercepted by the compact molecular cores. By using the known millimetre absorbers to define the colour depth and comparing this with the ultraviolet luminosities of the sources, we find that, even if these assumptions are valid, only 12 of the 40 objects (mainly from this work) are potentially detectable. This is assuming an excitation temperature of T(x) = 10 K at z = 0, with the number decreasing with increasing temperatures (to zero detectable at T(x) greater than or similar to 100 K).
Effects of Ownership Structure on Malaysian Companies Performance

The aim of this paper is to examine effects of managerial and family ownership structure on the company performance. The sample consists of four hundred and twenty companies listed on Bursa Malaysia for the year from 2003 to 2007. The study shows that equity ownerships in Malaysia are concentrated on few owners mainly by the State government, families or large corporations. Results reveal that managerial ownership relates significantly to return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) while family ownership relates significantly to Tobin’s Q, ROA and ROE. Results suggest that an increase in the proportion of insider ownerships enhances the company performance due to re-alignment of internal and external interests and reduction in conflict of interests among shareholders. The results further indicate that the firm performance decreases when the managers’ share ownership increases. Managers with greater control and large shareholdings are more concerned with their own self-interests than the interests of the shareholders at large.
The origin of discrete multiple stellar populations in globular clusters

Recent observations have revealed that at least several old globular clusters (GCs) in the Galaxy have discrete distributions of stars along the Mg-Al anti-correlation. In order to discuss this recent observation, we construct a new one-zone GC formation model in which the maximum stellar mass (m_max) in the initial mass function (IMF) of stars in a forming GC depends on the star formation rate (SFR), as deduced from independent observations. We investigate the star formation histories of forming GCs. The principal results are as follows. About 30 Myr after the formation of the first generation (1G) of stars within a particular GC, new stars can be formed from ejecta from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of 1G. However, the formation of this second generation (2G) of stars can last only for [10-20] Myr, because the most massive SNe of 2G expel all of the remaining gas. The third generation (3G) of stars are then formed from AGB ejecta ~ 30$ Myr after the truncation of 2G star formation. This cycle of star formation followed by its truncation by SNe can continue until all AGB ejecta is removed from the GC by some physical process. Thus, it is inevitable that GCs have discrete multiple stellar populations in the [Mg/Fe]-[Al/Fe] diagram. Our model predicts that low-mass GCs are unlikely to have discrete multiple stellar populations, and young massive clusters may not have massive OB stars owing to low m_max ([20-30] M_sun) during the secondary star formation.
The analog switch-off in a cable dominated television landscape. Implications for the transition to digital television in Flanders

Abstract Flanders will complete the migration from analog to digital terrestrial television by the end of 2008. Despite the cable dominated television landscape, the Flemish government is aiming at a smooth transition from analog to digital terrestrial television. Therefore, a multi-methodical study (quantitative survey and qualitative focus group interviews) has been set up by order of the Flemish government to understand the specific features and needs of analog antenna viewers and their expectations for the analog switch-off. The study shows that there are three distinctive types of analog antenna viewers. The results demonstrate that the antenna viewers are rather badly informed about the upcoming analog switch-off, which may lead to a negative attitude and may impede a smooth transition. Finally, antenna viewers seem to be rather conservative viewers: they wish to keep on watching the same television programs from the same channels. Moreover, digital terrestrial television is their preferred alternative.
Hydrological changes and ecological impacts associated with water resource development in large floodplain rivers in the Australian tropics

The majority of rivers in the Australian tropics possess near‐natural flow regimes and are an ecological asset of global significance. We examined flow variability in large floodplain rivers in the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, and the potential ecological impacts of future water resource development (WRD). Flow metrics based on long‐term records were used to classify flow regimes and predict hydrological drivers of ecological function. Flow regimes of selected rivers were then compared with those simulated for pre‐ and post‐WRD flows in the Darling River, a highly modified river in Australia's south‐east. Generally, rivers were classified as typically ‘tropical’ (more permanent, regular flows) or ‘dryland’ (more ephemeral, with greater flow variability). In addition, all rivers displayed wet–dry seasonality associated with changes in flow magnitude or number of zero‐flow days. We propose that these features (flow permanence and regularity; flow variability and absence; wet–dry seasonality) are the key hydrological drivers of biodiversity and ecological function in the floodplain rivers of Australia's north. In terms of WRD, inter‐annual flow variability was predicted to increase or decrease depending on rivers' natural flow regimes, specifically their tendency toward lower or higher flow magnitudes. Either outcome is expected to have adverse effects on the biodiversity and ecological function of these relatively pristine rivers and floodplain habitats. In particular, reduced and homogenized habitat, loss of life‐history cues, inhibited dispersal and shifts in community composition, as a result of WRD, threaten the ecological integrity of rivers adapted to the three hydrological drivers above. These findings serve as a caution for careful consideration of WRD options for rivers in the Australian tropics and for those with similar flow regimes the world over. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shifting regimes in the relationship between interest rates and in ß ation : a threshold cointegration approach

This paper examines the long-run relationship between short term nominal interest rates and inßation using American data. As the ex ante real interest rate is supposed to be either I(0) or I(1) without a real consensus in empirical studies, we test for a unit root in the framework of a complete cointegration analysis and ECM methods with changing regimes. As a Þrst step, we conduct cointegration tests, while innovating by allowing a break in the cointegrating vector as well as a mean shift for the constant in the long-run equation following Gregory & Hansen (1996) methodology. This will help us to specify correctly any sudden and exogenous change in the process. As a second step, we undertake Threshold AutoRegressive (TAR) tests for the residuals of the cointegration relationship and for the real interest rates, as well as a test of non-linearity allowing a smooth transition from one regime to another. The null hypothesis is the unit root hypothesis while the alternative is the stationary Logistic Smooth Transition Autoregressive (LSTAR) model. An application to the US data shows strong evidence for a threshold behavior in the real interest rates. Asymmetries in interest rates changes to inßation shocks in Central Bank reaction function imply that monetary authorities are trying to run a credible anti-inßationary policy, reacting differently to positive and to negative inßation surprises. ∗The author is very grateful for helpful discussions with Marie Bessec and Melika Ben Salem. Obviously any remaining errors or omissions are mine. EUREQua, UMR 8594 du CNRS, Université de Paris I, Maison des Sciences Economiques, 106-112 Boulevard de lHôpital, 75647 Paris Cedex 13, France. Fax: 33 1 44 07 82 02. Email: million@univ-paris1.fr
Genomic Selection Accuracy using Multifamily Prediction Models in a Wheat Breeding Program

Genomic selection (GS) uses genome‐wide molecular marker data to predict the genetic value of selection candidates in breeding programs. In plant breeding, the ability to produce large numbers of progeny per cross allows GS to be conducted within each family. However, this approach requires phenotypes of lines from each cross before conducting GS. This will prolong the selection cycle and may result in lower gains per year than approaches that estimate marker‐effects with multiple families from previous selection cycles. In this study, phenotypic selection (PS), conventional marker‐assisted selection (MAS), and GS prediction accuracy were compared for 13 agronomic traits in a population of 374 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) advanced‐cycle breeding lines. A cross‐validation approach that trained and validated prediction accuracy across years was used to evaluate effects of model selection, training population size, and marker density in the presence of genotype × environment interactions (G×E). The average prediction accuracies using GS were 28% greater than with MAS and were 95% as accurate as PS. For net merit, the average accuracy across six selection indices for GS was 14% greater than for PS. These results provide empirical evidence that multifamily GS could increase genetic gain per unit time and cost in plant breeding.
The stellar mass-halo mass relation of isolated field dwarfs : a critical test of ΛCDM at the edge of galaxy formation

We fit the rotation curves of isolated dwarf galaxies to directly measure the stellar mass-halo mass relation (M*-M200) over the mass range 5 × 105 ≲ M*/M⊙ ≲ 108. By accounting for cusp-core transformations due to stellar feedback, we find a monotonic relation with little scatter. Such monotonicity implies that abundance matching should yield a similar M*- M200 if the cosmological model is correct. Using the 'field galaxy' stellar mass function from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the halo mass function from the Λ cold dark matter Bolshoi simulation, we find remarkable agreement between the two. This holds down to M200 ~ 5 × 109 M⊙, and to M200 ~ 5 × 108 M⊙ if we assume a power-law extrapolation of the SDSS stellar mass function below M* ~ 107 M⊙. However, if instead of SDSS we use the stellar mass function of nearby galaxy groups, then the agreement is poor. This occurs because the group stellar mass function is shallower than that of the field below M* ~ 109 M⊙, recovering the familiar 'missing satellites' and 'too big to fail' problems. Our result demonstrates that both problems are confined to group environments and must, therefore, owe to 'galaxy formation physics' rather than exotic cosmology. Finally, we repeat our analysis for aΛWarm Dark Matter cosmology, finding that it fails at 68 per cent confidence for a thermal relic mass of mWDM < 1.25 keV, and mWDM < 2 keV if we use the power-law extrapolation of SDSS. We conclude by making a number of predictions for future surveys based on these results. (Less)
Modelling Australia's Retail Mortgage Rate

There is an ongoing controversy over whether banks’ mortgage rates rise more readily than they fall due to their asymmetric responses to changes in the cash rate. This paper examines the dynamic interplay between the cash rate and the variable mortgage rate using monthly data in the post-1989 era. Unlike previous studies for Australia, our proposed threshold and asymmetric error-correction models account for both the amount and adjustment asymmetries. We found thatrate rises have much larger and more instantaneous impact on the mortgage rate than rate cuts, suggesting an urgent need for monitoring the banks’ lending behaviour in Australia.
The Relationship Between Resilience and Sleep Quality

Complaints about sleep quality are common and some epidemiological surveys indicate that 15-35% of adults complain of frequent sleep disturbances. Impaired sleep is also a central feature in a number of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. This study was aimed at examining the relationship between sleep quality and resilience (the ability to cope and deal with stress). The hypothesis was that the two variables would be related; as resilience increased, it was predicted that sleep quality would also increase. Individuals (N = 167) were given the opportunity to complete a number of brief, self-report inventories assessing sleep, resilience, and positive and negative affect for extra credit in their introduction to psychology course. Bivariate correlations displayed a significant indirect relationship between resilience and the severity of sleep disturbance. A partial correlation was also computed in order to rule out pain as a confounding variable; the results revealed that the relationship between resilience and sleep quality remained significant when controlling for pain. Higher resilience was also associated with higher positive affect and lower negative affect. The hypothesis of the study was supported by the data collected. These findings suggest that the relationship between the two constructs is an area of research that may be pursued, in order to add to the literature and determine the extent of the relationship. Future research includes pursuing a more effective, longitudinal design as well as obtaining samples from more representative samples in order to determine if resilience can be an effective tool in the management and treatment of sleep disturbances. The Relationship Between Resilience and Sleep Quality A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Clinical Psychology
Preparation of serocolostrum by membrane microfiltration

Treatment of bovine, equine and caprine colostrum by membrane microfiltration with a pore size of 0.1 µm was studied in order to obtain a specific separation of whey colostrum components. These components are most interesting for imparting passive immunity and positive physiological action to newborn mammals. From the carrying out of 80 kg batches of colostrum, the microfiltra- tion equipment used allowed the recovery of at least 80% of the IgG and other minor whey proteins in the microfiltrate. This liquid, named serocolostrum, is crystal clear, free of blood and somatic cells as well as fat globules and casein micelles, and it has a high hygienic and bacteriological qua- lity (less than 10 CFU·mL -1 ). Specific concentration of the serocolostrum IgG proteins by high molecular weight cut-off (MWCO: 100 kg·mol -1 ) membrane ultrafiltration was also studied in order to obtain purified IgG products suitable for preliminary animal trials. Purity (IgG/TS) as high as 90% was obtained. The use of a lower MWCO UF membrane (8 kg·mol-1) allowed concentra- tions of growth factors (TGF-β and IGF-1) but the observed separation did not agree with the data of the literature, i.e. a binding of IGF-1 with a 45 kg·mol -1 protein.
Acquired versus Non-Acquired Subsidiaries - Which Entry Mode do Parent Firms Prefer

Despite the economic importance of international foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, investment decisions of multinational firms are not well understood. A multinational firm can establish a subsidiary in a foreign country through greenfield investment or through acquiring an existing firm in the target country. The goal of this paper is to shed some light on the determinants of foreign market entry modes. In particular to analyze the systematic variation in the mode choice of FDI, namely acquisition versus non-acquisition (greenfield) investments. We propose a transparent and general applicable method to construct a data base. This database includes information about parent firms and their majority owned affiliates in foreign countries. A particular feature is the construction of a variable which allows to differentiate the establishment mode of parent firms into foreign markets. For this purpose two databases from the Bureau van Dijk are interlinked: Osiris and Zephyr. We provide evidence that firm heterogeneity is important for U.S. multinational firms in determining their entry mode choice. However, this is not a distinguishing feature for European multinational firms. For both sets of parent firms the host country characteristics play an important role in deciding on the entry mode. Higher institutional quality increases the likelihood of acquisitions versus greenfield investments.
TESTING THE NEUTRALITY OF MONEY HYPOTHESIS: COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS WITH STRUCTURAL BREAK FOR THE TURKISH ECONOMY ABSTRACT

One of the most popular topics in the literature of macroeconomics is the Neutrality of Money Hypothesis which is defined as a permanent, unexpected change to the level of money supply has no effect on the level of real GDP in the long run. If this hypothesis holds, policy makers cannot influence real macroeconomic variables by using monetary policies. The aim of this study is to test the Neutrality of Money Hypothesis in Turkey with considering possible structural breaks. In this regard, the considered hypothesis was tested by Hatemi-J (2008) cointegration test and it is concluded that the Neutrality Hypothesis does not hold for Turkey. This result implies that, policy makers can use money supply as an effective monetary policy instrument in order to affect the real macroeconomic variables.