Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterization of indigenous Tswana pig population using microsatellite markers

The indigenous Tswana pig is currently listed as an endangered animal genetic resource and if not conserved, might go extinct. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity (genetic characterization) of the indigenous Tswana pig population. Blood samples were collected from 30 randomly selected Tswana pigs in Kgatleng and South-East districts of Botswana for the assessment of genetic diversity using a panel of 12 FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. All the microsatellite markers screened in indigenous Tswana pigs were polymorphic and the number of observed alleles per marker varied between 3 (SW2406) and 9 (SW225) with mean number of alleles per marker of 6.33. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.16 (SW2405) to 0.875 (SW2465) with average observed heterozygosity across all 12 loci of 0.647. The expected heterozygosity was lower than the observed heterozygosity and ranged between 0.143 (SW2405) and 0.776 (SO385) with mean expected heterozygosity across all loci of 0.603. The allelic diversity and levels of heterozygosity indicate high levels of genetic diversity in Tswana pig population. The within-locus inbreeding coefficient (Fis) ranged between -0.321(S0120) and 0.234 (SW35) with inbreeding coefficient of the entire population of -0.012 indicating that the Tswana pig population is relatively outbred. Key words: Genetic diversity, microsatellite markers, heterozygosity
Stability of association between Arabidopsis thaliana and Pseudomonas pathogens over evolutionary time scales

Crop disease outbreaks are often associated with clonal expansions of single pathogenic lineages. To determine whether similar boom-and-bust scenarios hold for wild plant pathogens, we carried out a multi-year multi-site survey of Pseudomonas in the natural host Arabidopsis thaliana. The most common Pseudomonas lineage corresponded to a pathogenic clade present in all sites. Sequencing of 1,524 Pseudomonas genomes revealed this lineage to have diversified approximately 300,000 years ago, containing dozens of genetically distinct pathogenic sublineages. These sublineages have expanded in parallel within the same populations and are differentiated both at the level of gene content and disease phenotype. Such coexistence of diverse sublineages indicates that in contrast to crop systems, no single strain has been able to overtake these A. thaliana populations in the recent past. Our results suggest that the selective pressures acting on a plant pathogen in wild hosts may be more complex than those in agricultural systems.
Why Move It When You Can Make It? Drosophila Neuronal Microtubule Polarity Requires Local Microtubule Nucleation

The polarization of neurons into axons and dendrites is essential in building functional neuronal circuits. The arrangement of microtubules is an important factor in neuronal polarity, as microtubules are used for long-range trafficking of vesicles and other cargo, cytoskeletal structure, and synaptic growth. In vertebrate neurons, axonal microtubules are primarily plus-end-out, while dendritic microtubules have mixed polarity. In contrast, Drosophila melanogaster has a simpler arrangement of neuronal microtubules. In Drosophila neurons, microtubules have opposite orientation in axons and dendrites: axons have microtubules with plus ends distal to the soma, while dendrites have minus ends distal to the cell body. Due to this simplicity, Drosophila provides a good model for the study of neuronal microtubule polarity. The commonly accepted model for how neuronal microtubules are organized is that microtubules are nucleated from the centrosome in the cell body, severed into small pieces, and transported down axons and dendrites via microtubule sliding. Using Drosophila, this model was investigated in dendritic arborization neurons. First, the role of the centrosome, an organelle that is the primary microtubule nucleator and organizer in dividing cells, was tested, since it is a key component of the microtubule sliding mechanism. Immunostaining experiments showed that the centrosome was inactive in neurons compared to mitotic cells. Additionally, the increase in microtubule nucleation after axon severing did not originate from the centriole, a core centrosomal component, and neither disruption nor ablation of the centriole yielded any changes in microtubule dynamics in the neuron. Second, the existence of an axon initial segment in Drosophila was directly assayed. Previous studies have found that the axon initial segment serves as a cue for axon recognition and sorting by molecular motors, and thus the axon initial segment could play a role in microtubule sliding. However, although FRAP experiments confirm the presence of an ankyrinbased axon initial segment in Drosophila, disruption of this plasma membrane diffusion barrier did not change microtubule orientation in axons.
Effects of Fiscal Policy on the Exportation of Agricultural Products in Nigeria: A Vector Error Correction Model Approach

The study examined the effects of fiscal policy on the agricultural products exports in Nigeria using Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) approach. Secondary data on agricultural export (AEX), total government expenditure (TGE), government expenditure on agricultural (GEA), tax on agriculture export (TAE), net food export (NFE), exchange rate (EXCH) and foreign direct investment (FDI) sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin 2014 Edition. Trend analysis, Co-integration and VECM were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The results show that GEA was far below the 25% FAO recommendation and AEX experienced occasional recessions. The result of the unit roots showed that only TAE, NFE and EXCH were stationary at level as indicated by their significant ADF-cal at 5%. The coefficient of error correction terms was -0.20791 (p<0.000) indicating a long run relationship between agricultural export and fiscal policy variables included in the model. GEA has no instantaneous positive effect on the agricultural export; TAE had crowding effect on the current export profile and increasing FDI did not significantly turn around the export profile of the sector but EXCH did. The Government should among others strive to attain the 25% budgetary allocation to agricultural sector to encourage agricultural exportation.
A comparative study of two-way and offline coupled WRF v3.4 and CMAQ v5.0.2 over the contiguous US: performance evaluation and impacts of chemistry–meteorology feedbacks on air quality

The two-way coupled Weather Research and Forecasting and Community Multiscale Air Quality (WRF-CMAQ) model has been developed to more realistically represent the atmosphere by accounting for complex chemistry–meteorology feedbacks. In this study, we present a comparative analysis of two-way (with consideration of both aerosol direct and indirect effects) and offline coupled WRF v3.4 and CMAQ v5.0. 2 over the contiguous US. Long-term (5 years from 2008 to 2012) simulations using WRF-CMAQ with both offline and two-way coupling modes are carried out with anthropogenic emissions based on multiple years of the U.S. National Emission Inventory and chemical initial and boundary conditions derived from an advanced Earth system model (i.e., a modified version of the Community Earth System Model/Community Atmospheric Model). The comprehensive model evaluations show that both two-way WRF-CMAQ and WRF-only simulations perform well for major meteorological variables such as temperature at 2 m, relative humidity at 2 m, wind speed at 10 m, precipitation (except for against the National Climatic Data Center data), and shortwave and longwave radiation. Both two-way and offline CMAQ also show good performance for ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Due to the consideration of aerosol direct and indirect effects, two-way WRF-CMAQ shows improved performance over offline coupled WRF and CMAQ in terms of spatiotemporal distributions and statistics, especially for radiation, cloud forcing, O3, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, elemental carbon, tropospheric O3 residual, and column nitrogen dioxide (NO2). For example, the mean biases have been reduced by more than 10 W m−2 for shortwave radiation and cloud radiative forcing and by more than 2 ppb for max 8 h O3. However, relatively large biases still exist for cloud predictions, some PM2.5 species, and PM10 that warrant follow-up studies to better understand those issues. The impacts of chemistry–meteorological feedbacks are found to play important roles in affecting regional air quality in the US by reducing domain-average concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), O3, nitrogen oxide (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and PM2.5 by 3.1% (up to 27.8%), 4.2% (up to 16.2%), 6.6% (up to 50.9%), 5.8% (up to 46.6%), and 8.6% (up to 49.1%), respectively, mainly due to reduced radiation, temperature, and wind speed. The overall performance of the two-way coupled WRF-CMAQ model achieved in this work is generally good or satisfactory and the improved performance for two-way coupled WRF-CMAQ should be considered along with other factors in developing future model applications to inform policy making.
Leaders Do Not Emerge from a Vacuum: Toward an Understanding of the Development of Responsible Leadership

The worldwide problem of corruption is one that requires greater knowledge about responsible leadership. Based on the literature on responsible leadership, developmental psychology, and moral development, the purpose of our study is to understand the constructions of the motivational drivers behind the behaviors of a responsible leader. Using biographical and narrative methodologies, we analyzed the individual motivational drivers of Carlos Cavelier, a recognized responsible leaders who grew up and works in Colombia, a social/economic context characterized by institutional fragility and corruption. Our findings suggest that the coherence between the immediate environments of development of the future leader, configured optimal environments in which the leader developed the moral conscience that guides his behavior as a responsible leader. Our study points out the need not to take the development of responsible leaders for granted, and presents propositions that allow for a deeper understanding of the micro&#8208;foundations of responsible leadership, highlighting the importance of the contexts in which leaders are raised and in which they develop. Thus, our study has the potential to be heuristic and generative of future studies.
Effect of dietary lipid levels on body compositions, digestive ability and antioxidant parameters of common carp

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid level on body composition, and digestive ability of common carp with initial average weight (36.12 ± 1.18)g. Five experimental diets with increasing lipid levels of 2.1%, 4.0%, 5.8%, 7.6%, 9.4% were fed to triplicate groups of fish for 9 weeks. The results showed that lipid content of whole body and muscle increased in parallel with the increase of dietary lipid levels. Protein content of muscle decreased with the increase of dietary lipid levels, and the lowest muscle protein content was observed in fish fed 9.4% lipid diet. Lipaseactivity was significantly affected by dietary lipid levels in hepatopancreas andintestine (P <0.05). Lipase activity in fish fed at 5.8% lipid level group was significantly higher than others inhepatopancreas (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in amylase and proteaseactivities (P > 0.05). The results suggested that the most excellentdigestive ability and antioxidant parameters were obtained at 7.6% lipid level group.
Sustainable innovation and the triple bottom-line: a market-based capabilities and stakeholder perspective

ABSTRACT Firms are creating sustainable innovations in response to customers and other stakeholders. Yet little is known about the capabilities required, as well as whether these innovations produce the touted people, planet, and profit – or triple bottom-line – rewards. Through the lens of market-based capabilities and stakeholder theories and based on a survey of firms working on sustainable innovations, this study determines the capabilities of market-based sustainability and organizational learning propel sustainable innovation, contingent on public ownership and organizational unlearning. We also find sustainable innovation contributes to the triple bottom-line by enhancing firms’ environmental performance and social performance, and in turn economic performance.
Joint use of insects and fungal pathogens in the management of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Perspectives for Ethiopia

Waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms] remains one of the worst aquatic weeds worldwide. Its presence in Ethiopia was officially reported in Koka Lake and Awash River about 60 yr ago. Experiences worldwide indicate that the use of bioagents is the most economical and sustainable control measure for waterhyacinth. In Ethiopia, the management of this invasive weed using bioagents is still in an experimental stage. However, the use of bioagents against waterhyacinth at the national level has currently received attention, and researchers have become engaged in surveys and programs to introduce and evaluate native, as well as classical, bioagents. The mottled waterhyacinth weevil (Neochetina eichhomiae Warner) and the chevroned waterhyacinth weevil (Neochetina bruchi Hustache) are the most successful bioagents released worldwide so far. A modeling tool, CLIMEX, has been applied to predict N. eichhomiae and N. bruchi potential distribution and adaptability in Ethiopia. Accordingly, the Ecoclimatic Index and Climate Matching results suggest that these weevils could be a potential bioagent for waterhyacinth in Ethiopia. On the other hand, 25 fungal isolates were collected during the recent survey in addition to the known prevalence of the fungus Cercospora rodmanii Conway. This indicates the opportunity for the joint use of fungal pathogens and the waterhyacinth weevils. In the article, the use of insects and pathogens, their host specificity and their herbivory/ virulence effect, as well as recent advances in the use of those bioagents to manage waterhyacinth are discussed.
Media framing of spiders may exacerbate arachnophobic sentiments

1. Spiders are able to arouse strong emotional reactions in humans. While spider bites are statistically rare events, our perception is skewed towards the potential harm spiders can cause to humans. Nevertheless, there is still limited understanding of the role of the media in spreading (mis)information about them thereby promoting this distorted perception of risk. 2. We examined the human dimension of spiders through the lens of traditional media, by analysing spider-related news published online in Italian newspapers between 2010 and 2020 (n= 314). We assessed the accuracy, circulation, and sensationalistic content of each article, and assessed how each of these features drove news’ share on social media. 3. We observed a recent, exponential increase in the frequency of the news, particularly those focused on medically important spiders – the Mediterranean black widow ( Latrodectus tredecimguttatus ) and the Mediterranean recluse ( Loxosceles rufescens ). The news quality was generally poor: 70% contained different types of error, 32% were sensationalistic, and in virtually none was an expert consulted. 4. The risk scenario depicted by the media reports sentiments may ultimately lead to lowering public tolerance towards spiders and reducing conservation efforts towards them. We discuss open questions and avenues for future research concerning the media coverage of widely feared animals, that will help bridging knowledge gaps regarding the role of traditional and social media in framing our perception of the natural world.
An Approximate Approach for Systems of Fractional IntegroDifferential Equations Based on Taylor Expansion

The main purpose of this work is to present an efficient approximate approach for solving linear systems of fractional integro-differential equations based on a new application of Taylor expansion. Using themth-order Taylor polynomial for unknown functions and employing integration method the given system of fractional integro-differential equations will be converted into a system of linear equations with respect to unknown functions and their derivatives. The solutions of this system yield the approximate solutions of fractional integro-differential equations system. The Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative is applied in calculations. An error analysis is discussed as well. The accuracy and the efficiency of the suggested method is illustrated by considering five numerical examples.
“Where are you?” An observational exploration of parental technoference in public places in the US and Israel

ABSTRACT Recent studies point to the heavy rate of smartphone use by parents while they are accompanied by their children in public places This, in turn, leads to parental technoference, which raises concerns regarding children’s safety and their emotional wellbeing. Accordingly, the present study aims to ascertain the cross-cultural manifestations of parental technoference due to mobile phone use in playgrounds and eateries in two different national contexts: the US and Israel. Parents with children aged 2 to 6 years old were selected for observations. In the US we conducted 27 observations in playgrounds and 30 observations in eateries. In Israel, we conducted 20 observations in playgrounds and 38 observations in eateries. Our data suggest that during phone use, parents ignore children’s interactional initiatives and convey lack of attention and care to the point of sometimes being inattentive to their safety and emotional needs. Children, on their part, expressed frustration and disappointment, which are manifested at times in different forms of inappropriate or risky behavior, or withdrawal from any attempt to communicate with their parents.
Tracing Extreme Updrafts in Hurricane Wilma (2005) to Their Boundary Layer Roots Using Trajectories: A Thermodynamic and Structural Analysis

This study uses a recently developed trajectory model to trace eyewall updrafts in a high-resolution Hurricane Wilma (2005) prediction to their roots in the maritime boundary layer (MBL) in order to better understand their thermodynamics and how they interact with the swirling winds. Out of 97 020 four-hour backward trajectories seeded from the upper troposphere, the 45% of them originating from the MBL are stratified into five subsamples binned by peak vertical velocity wMAX. Of particular interest are the thermodynamic characteristics of parcels belonging to the wMAX-Extreme subsample (i.e., those with wMAX exceeding 20 m s−1) that ascend through Wilma’s strongest convective burst (CB) cores. A vertical momentum budget computed along a selected wMAX-Extreme trajectory confirms that the parcel possesses large positive buoyancy that more than compensates for negative hydrometeor loading to yield an upper-tropospheric wMAX ~ 30 m s−1. Comparing all 1170 wMAX-Extreme trajectories with all 19 296 secondary circulation trajectories shows that the former tends to originate from the MBL where equivalent potential temperature θe and ocean surface heat and moisture fluxes are locally enhanced. The wMAX-Extreme parcels become further differentiated from the background ascent in terms of their (i) greater updraft width and smaller θe reduction while ascending into the midtroposphere, implying lower environmental entrainment rates, and (ii) less hydrometeor loading in the z = 3–5-km layer. The Lagrangian analysis herein bridges two previous studies that focused separately on the importance of high SSTs and fusion latent heat release to the development of CBs, the latter of which may facilitate upper-level warm core development through their compensating subsidence.
Estimating the economic returns to community‐level interventions that build resilience to flooding

Flooding is among the largest economic costs of climate change and vulnerable communities in some of the poorest countries are particularly badly affected. Community‐planned interventions to build resilience to floods following climate shocks and stresses play a role in major global development programmes but evidence on their costs and benefits is limited. This paper presents a way of combining evidence from participatory methods to understand changes that have occurred with more formal economic modelling and can be widely used for community‐planned interventions to tackle flooding. We consider projects in flood‐affected communities in Myanmar implemented as part of the Department for International Development‐funded Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters programme and find estimated economic benefits over a 10‐year period (based on 12–18 months of postintervention data) are significantly greater than estimated costs. The highest returns accrue to relatively small‐scale infrastructure investments planned with communities and local government, drawing on donor finance with community contributions of labour.
The Interaction of the Soybean Seed High Oleic Acid Oil Trait With Other Fatty Acid Modifications

Oil value is determined by the functional qualities imparted from the fatty acid profile. Soybean oil historically had excellent utilization in both food and industrial uses, but the need to increase the stability of the oil without negative health consequences has led to a significant decline in soybean oil use. One solution to oil stability is to alter the fatty acid profile of the oil to have high oleic acid (greater than 70%) and lower linolenic acid. Other fatty acid profile changes intended to meet specific market needs are to lower the total saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid plus stearic acid; in addition, an oil high in stearic acid is desired for some baking applications. Mutant alleles in different soybean genes encoding key enzymes in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathways have been identified to address each of the desired fatty acid profiles in soybean oil. The objective of this research was to determine the interaction of the high oleic acid oil trait in combination with various mutant alleles controlling fatty acid profiles. Soybean lines containing high oleic acid allele combinations plus other fatty acid modifying alleles were created, and seed was produced in field environments in two locations in 2012 and four locations in 2013. Seed samples were analyzed for fatty acid components of the oil fraction and subjected to statistical analyses for the effects on palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. The results identified allele combinations that met the target fatty acid profile thresholds and were stable across environments.