Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF BOARD DIVERSITY ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM SRI LANKA

Purpose of the study: The study is focused to investigate the impact of board diversity on firm performance through board meetings based on listed manufacturing companies listed at the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka. Methodology: Bio-demographic diversity of Board measured by gender, age and race, and job-related diversity measured on functional, education and organizational tenure. Firm performance measured through Tobin Q and Return on Sales. The number of board meetings conducted per year was taken as a mediating variable. Listed manufacturing companies at Colombo Stock Exchange from 1985 to 2019 were the population from which twenty-eight firms that have been operating from 2013 to 2017 were filtered as the sample. Required data was collected by annual reports, published financial documents, and on which gender index, age index, race index, functional index, education index, and organization tenure index were calculated separately. Multiple regression analysis was used to measure the direct and indirect impact of board diversities on firm performance. Main findings: The regression result indicated a significant positive impact of gender diversity on firm performance; however age and race diversities had an insignificant impact. Further, the impacts of functional, education and organizational tenure diversities to firm performance were negative. Finally, the study found a significant indirect impact of biodemographic and job-related diversities on firm performance through board meetings confirming the mediating effect of the board meeting. Implications: Policymakers and authorizes listed manufacturing firms should identify the escalating trend of women participation, educational improvement in the director board and ought to take necessary actions to maintain appropriate diversity levels in terms of bio demographic and job-related to enhance the firm performance. The novelty of the study: There is a lack of research literature discussing the impact of board diversity on firm performance with the mediating effect of the board meeting.
Alien fungal species on asymptomatic live woody plant material imported into Canada

Abstract Undescribed exotic and scientifically unknown fungal species with the potential to be pathogens are often difficult to detect on imported live plant material due to their inconspicuous nature and thus represent an important risk to Canadian forests. We have developed an early warning method based on a random sampling of asymptomatic woody live plant material imported into Canada to detect such potential alien fungal species. We received 150 asymptomatic sample lots collected by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspectors. Samples were analysed by cloning and sequencing the PCR-amplified fungal nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA from plant tissues to reveal fungal diversity. Out of 1845 fungal clones obtained, 267 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Using phylogenetic profiling methods, two fungal OTUs were categorized as having potential for a moderate impact on Canadian forests, 37 OTUs had a low impact and 18 OTUs could not be assessed given their low genetic similarity with other ITS sequences in GenBank. In all cases, the potential risk associated with these 57 fungal OTUs is based on (i) the fact that they can be considered unknown species to science; and (ii) they belong to orders, classes, genera and families in which pathogenic species are common. Fungal introductions with potential for a moderate impact on Canadian forests were observed at a very low frequency (0.2%) in the sampling units (clones). Only 1.3% of the CFIA samples had an OTU with a potential moderate impact on Canadian forests and 74% of the samples were free of fungal OTUs that could have any potential impact. This early warning method sheds light on the suite of exotic fungi that may enter Canada via plant material. Additionally, this method provides the tools to assess the potential risk that these fungi may post to Canadian trees and determines the magnitude of asymptomatic material that harbours fungal pathogens.
Conocimiento y actitudes hacia el acomodo razonable de una muestra de la población universitaria de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras: Un estudio descriptivo

El objetivo del estudio fue explorar el conocimiento y las actitudes sobre el acomodo razonable en la población de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. El diseño de la investigación fue descriptivo tipo encuesta, donde participaron 183 estudiantes y sujetos empleados. Se utilizaron tres instrumentos para explorar datos sociodemográficos, conocimiento sobre acomodo razonable y actitudes. Los datos se analizaron con estadísticas descriptivas de frecuencias y porcentajes. Los hallazgos muestran un nivel de conocimiento moderado y nivel de actitudes favorables en la muestra. No obstante, expresaron deseo de recibir más adiestramientos sobre acomodo razonable y las necesidades particulares de la población con diversidad funcional. Finalmente, se hacen recomendaciones para la planificación curricular y servicios utilizando el diseño universal como base.
Analysis of Genetic Parameters for Reproductive Traits in Crossbred Dairy Cattle Maintained at Holetta Agricultural Research Center.

This study was aimed to generate information on variance components and the resulting genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability, genetic and phenotypic correlations and genetic trends) of some economic traits of Borena and its crosses with Holstein Friesian dairy cattle maintained at Holetta agricultural research center dairy farm. Traits studied were age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of service per conception (NSC). Overall, 11331 dairy cattle reproductive performance records were used for the study. WOMBAT, which is a software package for quantitative genetic analysis of continuous traits, fitting a linear, mixed model; estimates of covariance components and the resulting genetic parameters were employed and obtained. Heritability values of reproductive traits were from very low (0.071, 0.082 and 0.012) for CI, DO and NSC to moderate (0.3 and 0.22) for AFC and AFS traits. Repeatability estimate for CI, DO and NSC were low (0.17, 0.17 and 0.129). Strong and positive genetic correlation (0.98) was appeared between AFS and AFC traits. Negative genetic correlations were observed between AFS and DO (-0.001), AFC and DO (-0.05), AFS and NSC (-0.022), AFC and NSC (-0.29) and CI and NSC (-0.31). AFS were negative phenotypic correlation with CI, DO and NSC. Similarly, AFC was negative phenotypic correlation with CI and DO. Low phenotypic correlation was observed between AFC and NSC, CI and DO, CI and NSC and, DO and NSC. Strong and positive phenotypic correlation was appeared between AFS and AFC. The regression coefficient of mean breeding value for NSC, CI, DO, AFC and AFS on year of birth were -0.0066x+13.25 times/year, -1.19x+2387.4 days/year, -1.23x+2445.6 days/year, 0.2x-410 months/year and 0.48x-980 months/year, respectively.
Detection of enteroviruses from water samples using optimised RT-PCR with universal primers

A method for rapid detection of enteroviruses in water sample was established by using RT-PCR with universal primers with PV1, PV2, PV3 and CVB3 as the reference viruses. The conditions for simultaneous detection of different enteroviruses were experimentally determined and the detection limit of virus was found to be 38CCID50. Virus concentration, RNA extraction and RT-PCR operation were the main factors affecting the sensitivity of virus detection. By applying the procedures to water samples with seeded PV1 viruses, the interference of impurities in practical waters on enteroviruses detection was investigated. The method was proved to be suitable for practical application.
Effect of temperature and humidity on dorsal strial lobe densities in Tetranychus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

ABSTRACT Mites of the Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) — T. urticae Koch complex were reared at two temperature and humidity regimes for 10 generations. Adult females collected from each generation and a reference control were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Measurements from the dorsal area bounded by the 2nd and 3rd pair of dorsal hysterosomal setae indicate that the dorsal strial lobe densities change due to temperature or humidity. This indicates that the current practice of utilizing dorsal strial lobe density as a species character is not valid.
Different responses to high light stress of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis aeruginosa acclimated under two light intensities and zinc concentrations

In this study, interaction effects of high light (HL) and zinc on two Microcystis aeruginosa strains (toxic CPCC299 and non-toxic CPCC632) were investigated. Our results suggested that CPCC632 was more sensitive to high zinc (HZn; 7.8 × 10−6 M) concentration than CPCC299 when acclimated to HL (500 μmol photons m−2 s−1). When M. aeruginosa strains were treated 20 min to HL (2000 μmol photons m−2 s−1), the maximal and the operational PSII quantum yields (ΦM and ) of the two strains decreased, but CPCC632 (50 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (low light (LL)) + HZn) has the biggest decrease among the four growth conditions. Under LL growth conditions, CPCC632 was more sensitive to HL stress than CPCC299. However, these differences disappeared when they were grown under HL condition. These results suggested that CPCC632 had the lowest ability to acclimate HL stress under LL + HZn conditions. We also showed that the response mechanisms to HL stress of M. aeruginosa were linked to the change of pigments, energy dissipation processes, and microcystin content (for the toxic strain). Our data indicated that different effects of HL and zinc on M. aeruginosa strains may influence the dominance of different strains in aquatic system.
Thyroid hormone levels in flow-challenged adult salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Circulating levels of thyroid and steroid hormones in salmon (Salmo salar) that had spent one winter in seawater have been determined in fish at rest and after a 4-h exposure to increased water velocity. The responses of fish of both sexes to this challenge were examined in April and June, while the fish were in seawater; sexually maturing males only were examined in freshwater in August and November. Mean thyroxine levels in resting controls ranged from 8.8 to 15.2 ng/mL. Mean thyroxine levels in challenged fish were significantly greater on each occasion. In male fish, 11-oxotestosterone levels were reduced after challenge, while androstenedione levels in females remained unchanged. In April, thyroxine levels after challenge were correlated with 11-oxotestosterone levels in males and with androstenedione levels in females.
Climate Extreme Versus Carbon Extreme: Responses of Terrestrial Carbon Fluxes to Temperature and Precipitation

Carbon fluxes at the land‐atmosphere interface are strongly influenced by weather and climate conditions. Yet what is usually known as “climate extremes” does not always translate into very high or low carbon fluxes or so‐called “carbon extremes. ” To reveal the patterns of how climate extremes influence terrestrial carbon fluxes, we analyzed the interannual variations in ecosystem carbon fluxes simulated by the Terrestrial Biosphere Models (TBMs) in the Inter‐Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project. At the global level, TBMs simulated reduced ecosystem net primary productivity (NPP; 18.5 ± 9.3 g C m−2 yr−1), but enhanced heterotrophic respiration (Rh; 7 ± 4.6 g C m−2 yr−1) during extremely hot events. TBMs also simulated reduced NPP (60.9 ± 24.4 g C m−2 yr−1) and reduced Rh (16.5 ± 11.4 g C m−2 yr−1) during extreme dry events. Influences of precipitation extremes on terrestrial carbon uptake were larger in the arid/semiarid zones than other regions. During hot extremes, ecosystems in the low latitudes experienced a larger reduction in carbon uptake. However, a large fraction of carbon extremes did not occur in concert with either temperature or precipitation extremes. Rather these carbon extremes are likely to be caused by the interactive effects of the concurrent temperature and precipitation anomalies. The interactive effects showed considerable spatial variations with the largest effects on NPP in South America and Africa. Additionally, TBMs simulated a stronger sensitivity of ecosystem productivity to precipitation than satellite estimates. This study provides new insights into the complex ecosystem responses to climate extremes, especially the emergent properties of carbon dynamics resulting from compound climate extremes.
Increase of sea turtles stranding records in Rhodes Island (eastern Mediterranean Sea): update of a long-term survey

A total of 209 strandings of sea turtles (152 loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta, 42 green turtles Chelonia mydas, 15 unidentified) were recorded during the period 1984–2011 along the coasts of Rhodes (Aegean Sea, Greece). The proportion of dead to live individuals was different in the two species. Stranded Caretta caretta were larger than Chelonia mydas. The size range of stranded green turtles, usually juveniles, appeared to increase since 2000, including the largest specimens ever observed in Greek waters. For both species, a tendency to strand more frequently on the west coast of the island, along fishing ground areas, was noted. The higher incidence of loggerhead turtle strandings was observed in summer, while more green turtle strandings were documented in winter. Factors involved in the increased trend of stranding records of both species, along with the acceleration of this phenomenon in the last decade, are discussed. Data from Rhodes provide evidence that human activities detrimentally affect mainly larger-sized loggerhead turtles living in shallow waters.
Ion supply capacity of roots in relation to rejuvenation of primary leaves in vivo

Removal of the shoot above the primary node (detopping) of 3-week-old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) altered the metabolism and development of the remaining leaves. An increase in levels of chlorophyll, protein, stomatal opening, photosynthesis and growth, i.e. rejuvenation of primary leaves, was established within 7 days of detopping. These levels were maintained while the primary leaves of equivalent intact plants senesced. The flux of xylem solution (mineral ions, cytokinins and water) into leaves is related to the leaf area to be supplied and root supply capacity; it has been suggested that detopping leads to an increased availability of root-supplied solutes and hence rejuvenation of the remaining leaves. This assumes however that root output of solutes is not decreased by the defoliation treatment. We found that root output of ions (electrical conductivity of passive xylem exudate) in detopped plants was 30% lower than in intact plants after 24 h and 60% lower after 7 days. The output of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ were similarly reduced 7 and 14 days after detopping as were fresh and dry weights of roots. Furthermore, neither the calculated xylem flux of ions nor directly measured levels of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ were significantly increased in leaves of detopped plants during their rejuvenation. We therefore conclude that root output is tightly coupled to shoot demand and that the apparent rejuvenation of primary leaves caused by detopping bean plants is not a consequence of increased xylem flux of mineral ions into the leaves.
The Equity Differential Factor in Currency Markets

We show that the differential in trailing equity market performance across countries strongly predicts the cross-section of currency returns. Specifically, exchange rates tend to appreciate for countries with the strongest equity returns in the preceding year. Portfolios formed on this factor have outperformed those formed on traditional carry, trend, and valuation factors in currencies since 1990. The equity differential factor cannot be explained by these traditional factors and produces a statistically significant alpha in excess of them. Its performance is remarkably consistent and robust to different formulations. We provide evidence that investor demand for outperforming equity markets probably contributes to this effect. Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Editor’s Note: Submitted 4 September 2019 Accepted 30 December 2019 by Stephen J. Brown.
Use of isozyme phenotypes for rapid discrimination among sugarcane clones

Verification of cultivar identity is essential in routine plant breeding and associated research. The current study aimed to determine if scoring of isozyme phenotypes resolved with starch gel electrophoresis would provide a cheap, useful method of identifying sugarcane clones. One hundred Saccharum spp. hybrid clones selected at random from the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations's (BSES1s) parental germplasm collection at Meringa were surveyed for 20 enzyme systems. Fully expanded leaf or non-chlorophyllic leaf spindle tissue of field grown plants was used. Three enzyme systems (alcohol dehydrogenase, peroxidase and phosphoglucomutase) jointly yielded 11 reliable, inter-clonally variable markers. Isozyme variability in the population sample surveyed was lower than had been observed in earlier studies of progenitor Saccharum spp. The remaining enzyme systems were invariant or could not be scored reliably. An average of 3-52 band differences per pair allowed separation of 97% of all possible pair-wise combinations. Complete discrimination of clones cannot be achieved with these markers, but they are reliable for checking identity of suspected mislabelled clones.
Anatomical Structure and Fruit Quality According to the Fruit Developmental Stage as Affected by Gibberellins Treatments in Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Hanareum

This study was carried out to understand the physiological characteristics of early-matured 'Hanareum' (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) pears through anatomical structure and fruit characteristics and also the changes according to gibberellin (GA) treatment. The pericarp at full bloom consists of outer epidermis, hypodermis, parenchyma cell, and inner epidermis from the exterior and five types of vascular bundle tissues. Cork cell layer was formed at 70 days after full bloom (DAFB) in non-treated fruits and formed at 60 DAFB in GA treated fruits. Cell division period was from full bloom (FB) to 40 DAFB and then fruit enlargement was accomplished by the cell growth. Comparison of the fruit enlargement and fruit structure development by GA treatment or non-treatment showed that cell division of 'Hanaerum' fruits did not affect the GA treatment but fruit enlargement was affected cell growth. Fruit stalk of GA treatment fruits was larger than non-treated fruits from 40 DAFB which correspond to the period of the stop of cell division and 'Hanareum' was regarded GA treatment expedite of vascular bundle tissue growth and relatively increased nutrient transport to fruit. In addition to, average fruit quality between the non-treatment and GA treatment showed that fruit weight was higher in fruits treated by GA but firmness was lower and probably was effected fruit storing in 'Hanareum' pear.
Flood-induced recruitment of the invasive perennial herb Phyla canescens (lippia)

Phyla canescens (Kunth) Greene, lippia, (Verbenaceae) is an important invasive species in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. The general lack of quantitative information on aspects of the life-history of P. canescens is a substantial impediment to the sustainable management of this species and the communities it invades. Complementary laboratory and field experiments investigated P. canescens germination. A thermogradient plate was used to examine its germination response to a variety of temperature regimes. Recruitment in the field was investigated at four sites across two catchments following four season disturbances. In the laboratory trials, seeds required temperatures that alternated by at least 5°C, light, and to be covered by a thin film of water. Field germination occurred only at the one site that experienced a flood, despite periods of high rainfall that stimulated germination of other species. In this site seedling density and survivorship were reduced in the presence of existing vegetation. A survey of P. canescens following flooding of a temporary billabong revealed recruitment from both seed and vegetative fragments. This recruitment was almost exclusively restricted to the area that had been flooded. The results suggest that P. canescens requires inundation for successful recruitment and that these germination requirements are typical of species from disturbance-prone environments.
To study the impact of Investor’s Perception and Behavior on Volatility in Indian Stock Market

This paper focuses on the study of the impact of investor’s perception and behaviour on volatility in Indian Stock Market. For conducting this study three biases are used as proxy for judging investor’s perception and behaviour. These are Overconfidence, Disposition Effect and Herding. The final sample size collected were 612 investors who actively participate in the Indian stock market. The survey was conducted by online mode. The results indicate that Herding and Overconfidence bias has positive impact on Volatility in Indian Stock Market. On the contrary, disposition bias does not have a statistically significant impact on Volatility in Indian Stock Market. Thus, the paper concludes that there is association between investor’s perception or behaviour and volatility in Indian Stock Market.
Regulation of α2A‐Adrenergic Receptor mRNA in Rat Astroglial Cultures: Role of Cyclic AMP and Protein Kinase C

Abstract: In this study we investigated regulation of α2A‐adrenergic receptor (α2A‐AR) mRNA in rat astroglial cultures by increases in intracellular cyclic AMP levels and by protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Treatment of astroglial cultures with forskolin (FSK), an adenylyl cyclase activator, or with the membrane‐permeable cyclic AMP analogues dibutyryl cyclic AMP or Sp‐adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphothioate triethylamine caused time‐ and concentration‐dependent decreases in the levels of a ∼4.0‐kb α2A‐AR mRNA transcript. Levels of α2A‐AR mRNA were reduced to ∼10% of control levels within 4 h of 1 µM FSK treatment. PKC agonists [phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate, and mezerein] also decreased α2A‐AR mRNA levels in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent fashion. A 90% decrease in α2A‐AR mRNA levels was observed with 50 nM PMA in 4 h. The decrease in α2A‐AR mRNA levels caused by FSK and PMA treatment appears to be the result of decreases in transcription of the α2A‐AR gene and is not due to decreases in α2A‐AR mRNA degradation rate. These observations suggest that α2A‐AR mRNA levels are regulated by cyclic AMP and PKC.