Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal incentive compatible insurance with background risk

This paper reexamines the design of an optimal insurance contract with background risk from the perspective of an insured by imposing an incentive compatible constraint. The incentive compatibility means that both parties in an insurance contract are obligated to pay more for a larger realization of loss. As standard in the literature, it is assumed that the insurer is risk-neutral, that is, the insurance premium is calculated based only upon the expected indemnity. When the insured has a general mean-variance preference, we derive explicitly an optimal insurance form, which heavily relies on conditional expectation function (CEF) of background risk with respect to the insurable risk and is often significantly different from one that is obtained in the absence of incentive compatibility. It suggests that both the incentive compatible constraint and the dependence between background risk and the insurable risk play very important roles in the insured's risk transfer decision. Finally, optimal insurance is discussed in detail for some special CEFs the derivative of which has less than one change point.
CO2 fertilization in temperate FACE experiments not representative of boreal and tropical forests

Results from free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments in temperate climates indicate that the response of forest net primary productivity (NPP) to elevated CO2 might be highly conserved across a broad range of productivities. In this study, we show that the LPJ‐GUESS dynamic vegetation model reproduces the magnitude of the NPP enhancement at temperate forest FACE experiments. A global application of the model suggests that the response found in the experiments might also be representative of the average response of forests globally. However, the predicted NPP enhancement in tropical forests is more than twice as high as in boreal forests, suggesting that currently available FACE results are not applicable to these ecosystems. The modeled geographic pattern is to a large extent driven by the temperature dependence of the relative affinities of the primary assimilation enzyme (Rubisco) for CO2 and O2.
Effect of single-sex or mixed rearing and live weight on performance, technological meat quality and sexual maturity in entire male and female pigs fed raw potato starch

Abstract The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of rearing system (mixed or single-sex) on performance and carcass quality of entire male and female pigs slaughtered at around 90 or 115 kg live weight. We also studied the combined effect of live weight and dietary supplement of raw potato starch (RPS) on technological meat quality for both sexes, and boar taint compounds in entire male pigs. Furthermore, we investigated pre-slaughter routines (pen-wise or mixing with unfamiliar pigs) and sexual maturity. A total of 408 growing/finishing pigs were included in this two-year study. Performance did not differ significantly between entire male and female pigs irrespective of rearing system, except for daily weight gain in the interval from 90 kg to slaughter. Mixed pigs had significantly higher daily weight gain in this interval than single-sex pigs. Entire male pigs had higher carcass lean meat content than female pigs (1.6 percentage units). Technological meat quality differed only slightly between the sexes. Females reared in mixed pens were sexually more mature than female pigs reared in single-sex pens, and mature females had higher growth rate but lower meat content in carcasses than immature females. In contrast, female contact did not influence sexual maturity of entire male pigs. Mixing entire male pigs with unfamiliar pigs at the abattoir resulted in more damaged skin compared with pen-wise keeping whereas female pigs had almost no visible skin damage. We therefore recommend that entire male pigs are not mixed with unfamiliar pigs during transport and at the abattoir, because of fighting and subsequent skin damage. The levels of skatole in fat were significantly lower in high-weight entire male pigs fed RPS compared to high-weight pigs without RPS. Androstenone levels in fat were high in all groups.
The biochemical composition of Lepas anatifera (L.) cement (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

In an earlier study of the biochemical composition of barnacle cement, Walker (1972) found that the cements of two sessile barnacles, Balanus hameri and B. crenatus contained small amounts of lipid (< 1% of total dry wt.) and carbohydrate (♎ 2% of total dry wt.) but were mainly composed of protein ( > 85 % ° of total dry wt.). Lindner & Dooley (1973) similarly found that a large proportion of B. crenatus cement was protein (80%), but Cook (1970) found only 70% protein, lipid (27.4%) being the other major constituent. There is therefore general agreement that barnacle cement is mainly a proteinaceous secretion, but controversy still exists over the amount of lipid present.
Growth response of micropropagated banana plants to VAM inoculation

Deux experiences complementaires ont ete menees avec des vitroplants de bananier (Musa acuminata colla cv. AAA Giant Cavendish) inocules ou non avec deux souches de champignons mycorhiziens a vesicules et arbuscules (MVA), Glomus mosseae et Glomus geosporum. On a enregistre une stimulation de croissance ainsi que des teneurs en P et K plus elevees chez les plantes mycorhizees, qu'elles soient inoculees avec G. mosseae ou avec G. geosporum. Des differences de developpement de l'infection ont cependant ete observees entre les deux champignons MVA, une infection plus importante etant obtenue avec G.mosseae. Cette difference peut etre attribuee aux conditions de croissance et plus particulierement au pH [. ]
Influence of available dietary carbohydrate content on tolerance of waterborne copper by rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson*

The effect of increased available dietary carbohydrate on the tolerance of waterborne copper by rainbow trout was investigated. Trout were reared for six to eight weeks on one of four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets which varied in available carbohydrate content due to either processing (extrusion v. steam-pelleting) or supplementation with cerelose (0 or 21%). The incipient lethal level (ILL) of copper for trout reared on the low-available-carbohydrate steam-pelleted diet was 350 μg I−1, significantly higher than the 276 μg I−1 shown for trout reared on the high-available-carbohydrate extruded diet. The ILL of copper for the low-carbohydrate group (0% cerelose) was 408 μg I−1, significantly higher than the ILL of 246 μg I−1 of trout reared on the high-carbohydrate diet (21% cerelose). Increased available dietary carbohydrate resulted in increased liver glycogen content and liver-body weight ratios and decreased liver protein content. Significant correlations were evident between waterborne copper tolerance and liver glycogen, liver-body weight ratios and liver protein. Relative to those on high carbohydrate diets, livers of fish on low-carbohydrate diets contained higher concentrations of copper after seven days of exposure to 0 or 196 μg I−1 of copper. The elevated liver glycogen levels, resulting from increased dietary carbohydrate, are thought to have impaired liver function, thus reducing copper tolerance.
The breeding biology of Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus jruticus) in South Canterbury, New Zealand

Between April 1973 and March 1974, 198 males, 147 females, and 64 pouch young of Bennett's wallaby from the Hunters Hills area of South Canterbury were killed and autopsied during routine wallaby control operations. Adults were aged from annual layers in the periosteal zone of the mandible, and the ages were checked by the molar index method. Pouch young were aged from foot and tail lengths. The testes and the entire female reproductive tract were preserved for examination in the laboratory. Rapid testicular growth occurred at age 17–22 months. By 19–20 months 50% of the males were undergoing spermatogenesis, and all were mature by 21–22 months. Males would have their first opportunity to breed when 24 months old. Females became mature at 14–17 months, and two‐thirds of them may have produced pouch young in their 2nd year, though mortality of young may have been high. These females had a specific birth rate of 0.581 b/f; older females averaged 0.947 b/f. Twins may have occurred in 2.8% of the females. Mos.
Proprietes fonctionnelles des amidons de six varietes selectionness de manioc ( Manihot esculenta Crants)

FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF STARCHES OF SIX CASSAVA VARIETIES Industries are constantly searching for local starch that is resistant to certain industrial processes, which are known to alter the structure of the starch gel. Thus, several starch materials obtained from 6 cassava varieties (Yace, Bounda 1, Anango agba, TMS4 (2) 1425, IM 89, Yavo) were studied for their functional properties and pasting characteristics. Results show that the mean diameter of isolated starch granules ranged from 10.9 (Anango agba and IM 89) to 15 μm (Yace). Gelatinization temperature ranged between 66 °C for Yavo to 69 °C for TMS 4 (2) 1425, with peak temperatures at 75 °C (Yavo) and 81 °C (Anango agba). The swelling and solubility of cassava varieties (at 90 °C) ranged from 30.9 35.5 and 13.1-25, respectively. Pasting clarity was between 52.9 ± 0.78 and 36.6 ± 0.23. Yace had the highest clarity and TMS 4 (2) 1425, the lowest. After 6 weeks, syneresis, gel of cassava starches was zero. These results indicate that starches from the 6 cassava varieties can play an important role in the food industry.
Bilhares com obstáculos

Estudamos bilhares planos em mesas anulares construidas pelo acrescimo de um obstaculo circular de centro p e raio r no interior da regiao limitada por uma curva convexa . Fixando (., p) obtemos familias a um parâmetro de bilhares ao variar o raio r. Consideramos a familia de sistemas induzidos pela dinâmica de retorno ao obstaculo. Para uma escolha generica de (., p) e r pequeno o suficiente construimos familias de conjuntos hiperbolicos. Se (.) e um circulo de raio unitario e o centro do obstaculo dista (.) do centro de obtemos uma familia de bilhares a dois parâmteros (.). Para estas familias construimos conjuntos hiperbolicos (.) que sao (.) densos no espaco de fase com (.) quando (.). Tambem mostramos a existencia de subconjuntos no espaco de parâmetros, acumulando (1; 0), tais que os correspondentes bilhares admitem pontos de tangencia homoclinica e pontos periodicos elipticos de orbitas (.) densas no espaco de fase.
Crustacean Infestations in Some Cultured Marine Fishesin Relation Toeconomical Impact.

This study was conducted on 525marine fishes represented as 175 of each seabass Dicentrarcus labrax,Mullet sp (Mugil cephalus and Moolgarda seheli). The clinical examination of the infested fishes showedrespiratory distress, surface swimming, bulging of opercula, sluggish movement, emaciation , severe erosion and hemorrhages of gills . Hemorrhagic areas were found on gill cover and in late stages,as well as external ulcers located in the gill filaments. Caligus and Lernanthropus species were isolated and identified from all the examined fish species. The total prevalence of the examined fish species was 55.05% . The prevalence of crustaceans in D.labrax ,M.cephalus and M.seheli were 48.57, 78.28 and 38.29% respectively.The infested fishes with such crustaceans led to loss of body weight consequently, high economic losses at marketing in marine farms. This problem was recorded and discussed.
Effect of Non-Genetic Factors on Mortality Pattern in Crossbred Cattle (HF x DEONI) Holdeo

The studies on the mortality pattern of crossbred ‘Holdeo’ animals were conducted at MAU, Parbhani. The data of total 519 animal’s mortality were studied and tabulated according to generation, season, sex, age, and cause of mortality. The result revealed the F1 generation proved more susceptible to the situation than interse progeny. The highest overall mortality was observed in season S3 -summer (9.28 per cent), season S1 -Monsoon (7.43 per cent) and S2 -winter (5.08 per cent) respectively. There was a non-significant effect of sex on mortality pattern in all genetic groups; however, higher mortality seems in female calves. Mortality due to cause of Class-II (9.78 per cent) followed by Class-I (4.40 per cent), Class-IV (3.99 per cent), Class-III (2.06 per cent) and Class-V (1.56 per cent) respectively. The mortality percentage of different age group was found as non-significant in all generations.
Determining the Optimal Age For Selection by Modelling the Age-Related Trends in Genetic Parameters in Eucalyptus Hybrid Populations

Abstract Ten factorial mating designs using a combined total of 88 females, 107 males, 684 families and 37,206 individual trees were used to model the age-related trends in genetic parameters and genetic gain between four and 65 months in the Eucalyptus urophylla x grandis breeding population in Republic of Congo. Selection was either of pure species (as parents for continued breeding) or individual hybrids for commercial plantations based on clonal varieties. The variance components were significantly different from zero for female, male and female-by-male interaction effects for volume. The age-related trends in additive, dominance and environmental variances, modelled by nonlinear functions, showed three phases corresponding to different stages of competition and growth. Male and female narrow sense heritabilities were high (h2 Am= 0.70 and h2 Af = 0.90, respectively for highest estimates) compared with individual broad sense heritability (h2 ind= 0.45). They were modelled by polynomial functions that did not display specific trends with age. The age-age correlations, modelled by a response surface, were higher than 0.8 after 36 months. A similar trend with age was observed for additive and total genetic effects. Genetic gain was calculated by combining the different models. The genetic gain was higher for female than for male. Considerable gains can be achieved by clone selection. The efficiency of selection indicated an optimal age of 54 months for juvenile selection of males and females and a mature age for ortets. The trend in efficiency of selection per time unit showed that juvenile selection for volume is much more efficient than adult selection whatever the age.
Feno de maniçoba na alimentação de caprinos Moxotó

A utilizacao de forrageiras nativas da Caatinga configura-se em alternativa para os sistemas de producao sustentaveis no Nordeste brasileiro. Objetivou-se avaliar a substituicao total do feno de Tifton 85 pelo feno de Manicoba, em dietas a base de palma forrageira, sobre os componentes do peso corporal de caprinos Moxoto. Os animais eram machos nao castrados, pesando inicialmente 21,67±3,92 kg, confinados em baias individuais e abatidos apos 58 dias de confinamento. O tipo de feno nao influenciou (P>0,05) nenhuma das caracteristicas de carcaca dos caprinos. Os animais apresentaram peso corporal ao abate medio de 21,83 kg e pesos medios de carcaca quente e fria de 9,83 kg e 9,21 kg, respectivamente. Os rendimentos de carcaca tambem nao foram influenciados pelo tipo de feno (P>0,05) e apresentaram medias de 44,98% para carcaca quente e 42,11% para carcaca fria. A area de olho de lombo (AOL) e o indice de compacidade da carcaca apresentaram medias de 6,19 cm² e 0,159 kg cm-1, respectivamente, e nao sofreram influencia do tipo de feno na dieta. Nao foi observada diferenca (P>0,05) entre as dietas para peso de orgaos e visceras. A dieta Tifton 85 proporcionou maiores (P<0,05) pesos de pele. A substituicao do feno de Tifton 85 pelo feno de Manicoba, na dieta de caprinos Moxoto, nao altera nenhum componente da carcaca, contudo em relacao aos constituintes nao carcaca, reduz o peso da pele.
Physiological and metabolic aspects of experimental heterochrony in colonial hydroids

Hydractiniid hydroids display a range of morphological variation from sheet‐like to runner‐like forms, thus exemplifying the patterns of heterochrony found in many colonial animals. Experimental studies of clonal replicates of a Podocoryne carnea colony demonstrate a relationship between these heterochronic traits and physiological and metabolic factors. While colonies exposed to dilute solutions of 2, 4‐dinitrophenol (an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation) for 4 hours per day show a strong dose‐response relationship between within‐colony gastrovascular flow rate and the timing of morphological development, colonies exposed for 20 hours per day fail to show this relationship. Spectrofluorometric measures of redox state suggest that the degree of “loose‐coupling” of oxidative phosphorylation is proportional to the exposure time. Thus colonies exposed for 20 hours have significantly diminished ATP production relative to colonies exposed for 4 hours. Two underlying factors may be responsible for the breakdown of the dose‐response relationship between flow rate and development: (1) colonies exposed to a high dose of uncoupler for 20 hours per day allocate a larger‐than‐normal share of their total energy budget into maintaining the minimal flow rate required physiologically, and (2) colonies' redox state has a direct effect on the timing of morphological development. The latter effect is particularly intriguing, given the extensive literature relating “metabolic activity” to development. In general, these results suggest a relationship between energy allocation, metabolism, and development in these hydroids, and these interrelationships may be central to the evolutionary process of heterochrony.
Foraging activity and dietary spectrum of wood ants (Formica rufa group) and their role in nutrient fluxes in boreal forests

Abstract 1. We monitored three different‐sized wood ant (Formica aquilonia Yarrow) mounds over a 3‐year period in Finnish boreal forests dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), to assess the seasonal temperature dependency of ant activity. Additionally, we also monitored Norway spruce trees around the mounds for descending honeydew foragers.
Simultaneous co-Saccharification and Fermentation of Sago Hampas for Bioethanol Production

Abundance of lignocellulosic biomass provides a good solution to the demands of energy crops in producing biofuel like biodiesel and bioethanol. In this study, bioethanol was produced from sago hampas via the Simultaneous co-Saccharification and Fermentation (Sc-SF) process, at 2.5% and 5.0% (w/v) solid loadings. The processing step in Sc-SF is virtually similar to that of Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF). However, during Sc-SF, two enzymes, amylase and cellulase, were added for the co-saccharification of sago starch and fiber. In addition, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to ferment the sugars in the hydrolysates. The Sc-SF samples were analyzed for carbohydrate residues, ethanol and acetic acid using the dinitrosalicylic (DNS) acid assay and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results showed that the Sc-SF of the sago hampas showed high efficiencies of hydrolysis and ethanol production within the first 6 hours of fermentation. Highest glucose production was at 37.86 g/l for the 5.0% sago hampas load and 17.47 g/l for 2.5% sago hampas load. The highest ethanol production was observed in the broth with 5.0% sago hampas, with the theoretical yield of 80.50%. Meanwhile, the highest bioethanol yield in the sample with 2.5% sago hampas was 73.19%. This study indicated that there is feasibility of bioethanol production via Sc-SF from starch rich agricultural residues such as sago hampas.
How will the ‘molecular revolution’ contribute to biological recording?

Soaring throughput, plummeting costs, and increased sensitivity for assaying degraded or low-concentration DNA are driving a revolution in the way that we monitor biodiversity. Arguably the biggest ‘game-changer’ is environmental DNA (eDNA), which refers to free-floating DNA released by organisms into their environment. Rare or elusive species can be detected with greater sensitivity and accuracy using eDNA than by most conventional methods, and we have the capability to screen and describe whole communities, as well as perform targeted monitoring of single species. This paper discusses the basic approaches for molecular monitoring of biodiversity, provides case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of the techniques, and considers any challenges and limitations that could impact molecular biological recording. It is argued that eDNA surveys offer exciting new opportunities to engage the public in biological recording and that molecular approaches will complement conventional surveys, enabling unprecedented insights into species distributions. Finally, with the number of eDNA studies increasing at a rapid pace, it is argued that there is a need to rapidly establish ways of managing molecular records. Integrating molecular records into existing biological records databases would enhance our understanding of species distributions and may be something that the Biological Records Centre should be considering to mark its landmark anniversary. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, ●●, ●●–●●.
A vascular plant red list for England

The results detailed in this vascular plant Red List present for the first time the current state of England's flora measured against standardised IUCN criteria. Almost one in five species has been assessed as threatened, with many more species assessed as "Near Threatened". The destruction and transformation of semi-natural habitats across the English landscape since the publication of the first Atlas of the British Flora (Perring & Walters 1962) is well known, and these changes are mirrored not only in the long list of taxa assessed as threatened in England but also in the decline in distribution by 20% or more of a suite of "Near Threatened" species, some of which were previously assumed to be widespread and with relatively stable distributions. The strategic approach advocated by Lawton et al. (2010) to restore, create and connect extant habitats at the landscape scale is essential if the declines identified in this and other Red Lists are to be arrested. Such an approach demands long-term commitment, considerable resources and a recognition of the benefits to be gained from a more diverse and adaptable environment.