Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of body condition score and estrus phase on blood metabolites and steroid hormones in Saanen goats in the tropics

Background and Aim: Body condition scores (BCSs) assessment can be a potential management tool for the improvement of animal performance. The study investigated whether blood metabolic (protein, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and cholesterol) and steroid hormonal (progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol) parameters are affected by the BCS and estrous status in Saanen goat. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from three groups of mature, dry, and non-pregnant female goats with different BCSs: 2-2.9 (BCS 2), 3-3.9 (BCS 3), and 4-4.9 (BCS 4) on a BCS scale ranged from 1 to 5. Blood serum was collected (n = 160) to determine the blood metabolic profile and steroid hormone levels, depending on the follicular status. Results: The results demonstrate a variation in the serum metabolite and hormone (glucose, BUN, protein, estrogen, and cortisol) levels at different BCSs and at different phases of the estrous cycle. The hormonal profiles were significantly different (p<0.05) between the estrous cycle phases. The results suggest that BCSs were associated with blood metabolic profiles and steroid hormone levels. Conclusion: As it can be concluded, an association between steroid hormone levels and the phases of the estrous cycle existed in Saanen goats.
OH Group Effect in the Stator of β-Diketones Arylhydrazone Rotary Switches

The properties of several hydrazon-diketone rotary switches with OH groups in the stators (2-(2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione, 2-(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione and 2-(2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione) were investigated by molecular spectroscopy (UV-Vis and NMR), DFT calculations (M06-2X/TZVP) and X-ray analysis. The results show that, when the OH group is in ortho position, the E’ and Z’ isomers are preferred in DMSO as a result of a stabilizing intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the solvent. The availability, in addition, of a nitro group in para position increases the possibility of deprotonation of the OH group in the absence of water. All studied compounds showed a tendency towards formation of associates. The structure of the aggregates was revealed by theoretical calculation and confirmed by X-ray analysis.
The impact of business intelligence systems on profitability and risks of firms

Researchers in the field of operations management (OM) have long advocated fact-based decision-making. The use of business intelligence (BI) systems represents a great opportunity for manufacturers to improve profitability and reduce firm risks. However, the actual business value of BI systems has remained highly controversial because integrating BI systems into production and manufacturing operations is difficult. In particular, the informational sources and operational use of BI systems require substantial internal support from employees and institutionalised incorporation of BI into operations. Using a sample of 278 manufacturing firms in the US that had used BI systems from 2005 to 2014, we examine the impact of BI systems on firms’ profitability and risks. We show that firms improve their profitability and reduce risks in profit returns directly after the operational use of BI systems. Firms with superior employee relationships and higher process institutionalisation (i.e. firms that are ISO 9000 certified) benefit more from the operational use of BI systems. We provide a resource orchestration perspective (ROP) of the resource-based view (RBV) of firms for the competitive advantage derived from the operational use of BI systems; and we ascertain the circumstances in which manufacturers are more likely to benefit from BI systems.
Adaptive Strategies Adopted by Herders Against the Decollectivization of Rangeland in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in China

The domestication of the yak on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau probably dates back to 7300 years ago, when the rangelands were also utilized for cultivation. Over time, a complete system of herding and rangeland management developed. In recent years, however, the rangeland contract policy and nomadic settlement project have reduced the mobility of herds through the decollectivization of the rangeland. This process has destroyed the traditional nomadic lifestyle and caused difficulties, forcing the herders to adapt to new ways. This paper considers 3 issues: (1) the implementation of the contract policy and the settlement project—2 important policies that have caused the decollectivization of rangeland on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau; (2) the effects of the 2 policies on herding at 2 sites; and (3) the adaptive strategies employed by herders against the constraints of the policies. The study incorporates a literature review, fieldwork, key-person interviews, and focus group discussions. Community-based self-management of the rangeland appears to be the best strategy for herders. Policies such as group herding can help herders increase herd mobility, which is crucial for sustainably raising livestock on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.
The phylogenetic systematics of the miltogrammatine flies (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) of the world.

: A new system of Miltogrammatinae is proposed. Forty-six characters were coded in plesiomorphic and apomorphic states. The subfamily consists of six tribes, which are devided into two phylogenetic branches: Chorezmomyiini-Oebaliini-Metopiini and Miltogrammatini-Phyllotelini-Amobiini. The phylogenetic relationships of subtribes and genera are also discussed. Five new subtribes are described: Mesomelaenina, Phrosinellina, Sphenometopiina (Metopiini); Lampometopiina (Phyllotelini) and Aenigmetopiina (Miltogrammatini).
Estuarine Restoration of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation: The Nursery Bed Effect

The historic decline of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in mesohaline regions of Chesapeake Bay, United States involved a diversity of plant species. The recent modest recovery is mostly, however, associated with a single, prolific but ephemeral species, Ruppia maritima. Two previously abundant and more stable species, Potamogeton perfoliatus and Stuckenia pectinata, have shown virtually no evidence of recovery. Based on previous studies that demonstrated the ability of R. maritima stands to enhance water clarity and nutrient conditions for SAV growth, we hypothesized that these beds would serve as effective “nursery” areas to incite transplant success for other SAV. We conducted experiments in a two‐phase study at small and large spatial scales designed to explore this “nursery effect” as a restoration approach to increase plant species diversity. The first phase was conducted at small spatial scales to test effects of patch density by planting P. perfoliatus and S. pectinata into bare, sparse, and densely vegetated areas within three similar R. maritima beds in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay. Mean seasonal percent survivorship and shoot density were significantly higher in bare patches compared to vegetated patches. In the second phase of the study, P. perfoliatus was transplanted into separate R. maritima beds of different densities to test the effect of bed scale plant density on P. perfoliatus survival and growth. Transplant success of P. perfoliatus was positively correlated with the density of R. maritima among all sites.
Validation of Spring Wheat Responses to Elevated CO2, Irrigation, and Nitrogen Fertilization in the Community Land Model 4.5

The Community Land Model (CLM) started to incorporate crop growth models since version 4.0 in 2012. Since then, the crop model in CLM has been evolved remarkably, but some of the key crop growth responses to environmental conditions (such as the elevated CO2) have not been well validated. Here, we set up single point simulations with CLM (version 4.5) and validated spring wheat growth response against the Maricopa spring wheat Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment that consisted of multiyear paired treatments to understand the growth response to elevated CO2, irrigation, nitrogen fertilization, and their interactions. Overall, CLM showed too positive growth response to elevated CO2 but insufficient growth response to irrigation. The overestimated growth response to elevated CO2 may be due to ignoring factors (e.g., leaf traits) that will limit crop growth under elevated CO2. The insufficient response to irrigation is due to CLM simulating lower latent heat flux during April and May, which resulted in higher soil moisture. In response to nitrogen fertilization, CLM underestimated leaf area index increase but overestimated grain yield increase. In terms of energy fluxes, CLM showed decreased latent heat flux in response to elevated CO2 but increased latent heat flux in response to nitrogen fertilization, but the response magnitude was much smaller than the observations. Based on these validations, we summarized further model developments for CLM to better simulate crop growth process.
Impacts of Australia’s free trade agreements on trade in agricultural products: an aggregative and disaggregative analysis

The importance of free trade agreements (FTAs) has been increasing as such agreements help reduce barriers to trade. This paper estimates the agricultural trade creation and export diversion effects of Australia’s free trade agreements (FTAs) at the aggregate and disaggregate levels, using the Poisson pseudo‐maximum‐likelihood (PPML) estimator. It includes 24 of Australia’s major trading partner countries comprising FTA and non‐FTA members and covers 22 years from 1996 to 2017. The heteroscedasticity robust regression error specification test (RESET) confirms the relevance of PPML over the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimator. Results showed that China–Australia, Korea–Australia, Australia–USA and Japan–Australia have larger trade creation effects in the agricultural sector. At the commodity level, variation in trade creation effects is estimated from the different trade agreements. Among the selected commodities, the larger effects were generated in trade in sugar and wine by the implementation of the majority of the trade agreements. Overall, the trade creation was greater than the export diversion of the FTAs. The findings of the study have implications for Australia’s future trade agreements.
Regulation of the dominance of planktonic diatoms and cyanobacteria in four eutrophic hardwater lakes by nutrients, water column stability, and temperature

De mai a octobre, pendant une periode allant jusqu'a 4 ans, on a etudie les caracteristiques dynamiques des diatomees planctoniques et des cyanobacteries dans quatre lacs eutrophes a eaux calcaires du centre de l'Alberta, Canada. Par l'analyse de correlation canonique, on a etabli des rapports entre la biomasse de diverses especes de deux groupes du phytoplancton et sept variables environnementales. Les caracteristiques dynamiques temporelles des lacs des deux groupes presentaient des differences au cours d'une annee donnee, ce qui suggere que les profils regionaux de la meteorologie ne sont pas responsables de ces variations. Dans un lac donne, la biomasse des diatomees presentait des variations atteignant un facteur 15, alors que la biomasse des cyanobacteries restait relativement stable au fil des ans. Les diatomees dominaient dans des conditions de faible stabilite de la colonne d'eau (frequence de Brunt Vasala, N 2 < 5 x 10 -4 s -2 ) et de faible temperature (<15°C). Par contre, sauf dans le cas de certaines especes (p. ex. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae), les cyanobacteries preferaient generalement de plus fortes valeurs de temperature de l'eau et de N2 que les diatomees. Les concentrations de phosphore totales etaient plus etroitement reliees a la biomasse du phytoplancton total qu'a la biomasse des diatomees ou des cyanobacteries. Ces resultats suggerent que la predominance des cyanobacteries ou des diatomees dans ces communautes phytoplanctoniques etait reliee aux profils de temperature et de melange de l'eau, alors que la biomasse totale du phytoplancton l'etait plutot aux concentrations de phosphore totales.
Effects of Environmental Factors and Milk Protein Polymorphism on Composition of Casein Fraction in Bovine Milk

Abstract Test-day samples were collected from individual Holstein cows in 62 herds enrolled in the Quebec Dairy Herd Analysis Service. Samples were analyzed for protein, fat, casein, and serum protein content, somatic cell count, and relative percentages of α-, β-, and κ-casein and a-lactalbumin. Cows included in the study were phenotyped for the genetic variants of α s1 -, β-, and κ-casein. Unadjusted means for relative percentages of α s -, β-, and κ-casein were 59.85, 31.23, and 8.93%, respectively. Least-squares analyses showed that month of test, stage of lactation, age of the cow, somatic cell count, and phenotype of the cow for β-casein contributed to variations in the relative percentages of α s - and β-casein. Month of test, somatic cell count, and phenotype of the cow for κ-casein also had a significant effect on the relative percentage of κ-casein. When test-day milk yield; percentages of fat, protein, casein, and serum protein; casein to protein ratio; and relative percentage of α-lactalbumin were included in the model as covariates, only casein percentage did not have a significant effect on the relative percentages of α s - and β- casein. For κ-casein, only fat percent was significant.
In vivo inhibition and recovery of brain acetylcholinesterase in topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasobora parva) following exposure to fenitrothion

Freshwater fish, topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasobora parva), were pretreated with piperronyl butoxide (PBO) or triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and then exposed to different concentrations of fenitrothion (FNT) in a static system. Evaluation of brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity after 24, 48 and 96 h pesticide exposure indicated that AchE activity decreased as the concentration increased. Fish pretreated with TPP exhibited significantly decreased AchE activity whilst in the PBO pretreated group, increased activity was observed as compared with those exposed to FNT alone. The pattern of AchE recovery was also assessed in fish previously exposed for 96h and then transferred to clean (chemical free) water. Following 8 days of recovery period, the AchE activity of those exposed to FNT alone and pretreated with TPP was still lower than that of the control. This study showed that FNT may cause hazard to fish after field application.
A systematic literature review of video-based interventions to improve integrated competitive employment skills among youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND: People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have lower employment rates than their peers without disabilities or other disabilities. Clear evidence exists regarding video-based interventions (VBIs) for improving task performance and social communication skills for students with ASD. However, such interventions have rarely been applied in integrated employment settings. OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review aims to examine the utilization and efficacy of video-based interventions in improving the skills required to secure and maintain a job for youth and adults with ASD. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles on VBIs and ASD from electronic databases (n.d. – 2019), an ancestral search of retrieved studies, and a hand search of retrieved journals. RESULTS: Effective approaches were identified from among 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen of the studies focused on teaching job performance skills associated with specific job duties. Only three studies targeted the utility of VBIs to improve job search skills. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that VBIs produce positive results in improving job performance skills. These positive results suggest promising future studies using VBIs to help equip people with ASD with the skills necessary to find and obtain employment.
Regional variation in δ13C of coral reef macroalgae

Macroalgae are important components on coral reefs that underpin food webs but are also indicators of declines in coral reef condition. The sensitivity of macroalgal communities to environmental factors, including climate and pollutants from the land, is important for the future state of coral reefs. We assessed regional variation in the photosynthetic physiology of macroalgae on the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, using δ13C, tissue chemistry, and metabolic indicators over broad environmental gradients from six sites spanning 13° of latitude and varying distance from shore. Our data set included 568 samples from 54 genera and 19 macroalgal orders. The δ13C of tissues had a strong taxonomic basis (explaining 66% of the variation in δ13C), varying significantly among algal orders. Particularly low values of δ13C, indicating direct use of CO2(aq) in photosynthesis, were mainly associated with lineages within the Rhodophyta. We observed declines in δ13C with increasing depth (inshore only) and latitude, from offshore to inshore sites and with increasing tissue N and N : P ratio. Variation in δ13C of tissues among macroalgal lineages suggests evolution of a range of CO2 acquisition pathways. Patterns in δ13C availability are most consistent with higher availability of CO2(aq) in cooler water and inshore sites. δ13C in macroalgae could provide an important tool for monitoring changes in CO2(aq) with increasing atmospheric CO2, with changes in ocean circulation and with changes to runoff from the land to the coastal oceans.
Press Release Management around Accelerated Share Repurchases

ABSTRACT Accelerated share repurchases (ASRs) have gained popularity in recent years. At the inception of an ASR, a firm receives most of the shares that would be repurchased at the current stock price. At the completion of the ASR, the repurchase price is adjusted to the average stock price during the ASR contract period. I find that managers increase the media coverage of negative press releases before the inception date but not during the contract period. While prior research has documented that managers deflate stock prices before open market repurchase announcements to reduce subsequent repurchase prices, this paper suggests that, in ASRs, managers rank accelerating share delivery higher than reducing the repurchase price.
Observations and simulations of a wind farm modifying a thunderstorm outflow boundary

Abstract. On 18 June 2019, National Weather Service (NWS) radar reflectivity data indicated the presence of thunderstorm-generated outflow propagating east-southeastward near Lubbock, Texas. A section of the outflow boundary encountered a wind farm and then experienced a notable reduction in ground-relative velocity, suggesting that interactions with the wind farm impacted the outflow boundary progression. We use the Weather Research and Forecasting model and its wind farm parameterization to address the extent to which wind farms can modify the near-surface environment of thunderstorm outflow boundaries. We conduct two simulations of the June 2019 outflow event: one containing the wind farm and one without. We specifically investigate the outflow speed of the section of the boundary that encounters the wind farm and the associated impacts on near-surface wind speed, moisture, temperature, and changes to precipitation features as the storm and associated outflow pass over the wind farm domain. The NWS radar and nearby West Texas Mesonet surface stations provide observations for validation of the simulations. The presence of the wind farm in the simulation clearly slows the progress of the outflow boundary by over 20 km h−1, similar to what was observed. Simulated perturbations of surface wind speed, temperature, and moisture associated with outflow passage were delayed by up to 6 min when the wind farm was present in the simulation compared to the simulation without the wind farm. However, impacts on precipitation were localized and transient, with no change to total accumulation across the domain.
Temperature-dependent responses of the berry developmental processes of three grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivars

The intrinsic relationship between grape berry ripening and temperature is not well understood. The aim was to compare ripening in three cultivars—Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay, cv. Merlot and cv. Semillon—in response to temperature. In the post-veraison period (soluble solids 8–12 oBrix), whole vines were exposed to five controlled temperature regimes, with the day temperature ranging from 20–40 °C, and the berry attributes and the ripening processes followed. Temperature had little effect on the berry expansion process in all cultivars. However, there were marked effects of temperature on the accumulation of both dry matter and sugar in all varieties. The rate of ripening in all three cultivars was a curvilinear function of temperature. Rate of ripening of Chardonnay berries was highest at 25 °C and for Semillon and Merlot at 35 °C and 40 °C, respectively. Application of the temperature response to field-grown Semillon vines accurately predicted the seasonal progression of ripening.
Multivariate Morphometric Variability in Pacific Salmon: Technical Demonstration

A computer oriented approach to the collection and analysis of morphometric characteristics in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is described. A three-step data collection and storage method is used whereby X–Y coordinate data for relevant morphological features on a body form are collected with a digitizing pad and used to calculate morphometric characters. To test this method, I calculated two morphometric data sets, a conventional and a truss network, and compared them by multivariate analysis in a preliminary study of growth and development in one hatchery stock of fish, and in a survey of population differences in three naturally occurring populations of chinook salmon. Technical advantages of using a digitizing pad for collecting morphometric data are demonstrated. Hatchery-reared chinook salmon showed marked changes in body shape during the period of spring smoltification when marked changes in condition factor occurred. Multivariate differences were discerned among the three Orego.