Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ovulation Induction with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists

In the first successful human in vitro fertilizationembryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle reported by Steptoe and Edwards, superovulation was not utilized. Today, the vast majority of IVF-ET cycles utilize ovulation induction protocols with gonadotropins. In recent years, the combination of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) in conjunction with gonadotropin stimulation has gained popularity. The following review discusses the biochemistry and pharmacology of GnRHa, the value of different ovulation induction protocols using GnRHa, and the effects of GnRHa on oocyte quality, endometrial receptivity, and pregnancy outcome.
EFFECT OF STEAM PELLETING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HENS FED VARIOUS LAYING DIETS

Egg production-type pullets were fed either corn–soybean meal, wheat–soybean meal, or corn–soy rations containing 15 or 30% of wheat bran or shorts. All diets were fed both in the form of mash and as steamed crumbles. Steam treatment of the corn–soy diet resulted in egg production that was poorer than with a similar diet fed in mash form, and also inferior to that with most of the other experimental rations. In an overall comparison, the mash diets resulted in significantly more eggs per bird than did the steam-crumbled rations.In general, birds fed crumbled rations consumed more feed and gained more weight than those fed mash rations. The increase in energy consumption with the crumbled feed was apparently in excess of requirements and was consequently laid down as fat in the body, as suggested by the increased body weights. It seems evident that the energy content of diets for caged layers should be lower when crumbled feed is provided than when mash is used.The wheat-shorts diets fed in the form of mas.
Equal Weight Indexing - Five Years Later

The introduction of the S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (EWI) in January 2003 pioneered the subsequent development of noncapitalization weighted indices catering to investors who question market efficiency. Equal weighting is factor indifferent. It randomizes factor mispricing and is thus an attractive option for proponents of the theory that the market is inefficient and at times, misprices factors. The S&P 500 EWI has different properties than the S&P 500, including a lower concentration of individual stocks and slowerchanging sector exposures. The S&P 500 EWI has outperformed the S&P 500 since its inception. The level of outperformance has varied considerably under different market conditions. The outperformance of the S&P 500 EWI is a result of the differing weighting and rebalancing processes. In terms of risk factor exposures, a complex and dynamic combination of size and style risk factors have contributed to the difference in returns. It may be difficult to replicate S&P 500 EWI return outcomes through a simplistic combination of style and sector indices. Equal weighting also demonstrates long term outperformance internationally. Criticism of equal weighted indices has centered on additional turnover and increased capacity constraints relative to market capitalization weighted indices. While true in abstract theory, neither is a serious hurdle in practice.
Intra-specific Differentiation Within the Cosmopolitan Moss Species Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.

Differentiation was found between populations of Funaria hygro- metrica originating in various geographic-climatic regions when grown together experimentally. Of the morphological and cytological characters examined, spore size showed a significant inter-population variation with geographical correlations. An inter-regional differentiation was found in phenological-physiological traits, including reaction to day-length. The adaptational significance of these characters for the formation of a cosmopolitan species is evaluated. The wide geographical distribution of bryophytes, at the levels of genus and species,
External Vulnerabilities and Economic Integration - Is the Union of South American Nations a Promising Project?

This article addresses the reactions of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) economies to external shocks. Because it was conceived as a political alliance, the UNASUR is likely to be a promising integration project. Thus, assessing the union from an economic perspective is essential. Using a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) approach, this study assesses the external monetary, commercial and financial vulnerability of the bloc members, together with their preferences for stabilization tools (monetary or fiscal instruments) and the level of convergence. The results reveal mutual weaknesses to overcome and a considerable synchronization level within the UNASUR. Evidence of positive integration prospects is found.
Individual Differences in Contributions and Crowding‐Out of a Public Good

This paper reports experimental results that link other‐regarding preferences, personality, and demographic characteristics to contributions to a public good and the responsiveness of contributions to tax‐financed contributions. Contribution levels are higher among those with cooperative preferences, those with Myers–Briggs personality types of introversion and intuition, females, and upperclassmen. However, the response to a tax‐financed contribution is uniform. All player types reduce their contribution by an amount equal to the tax, a result known as complete crowd‐out.
Convergent colonial organization and reproductive function in two bryozoan species epizoic on gastropod shells

Alcyonidium nodosum O'Donoghue and de Watteville occurs on whelks, Burnupena papyracea, off the south and western Cape, South Africa. A description is given of colony structure and organization in relation to reproductive and inferred feeding functions. The thick, encrusting colony is mammillate, each mammilla comprising a group of large male zooids bearing tall, funnel-shaped lophophores. Between mammillae are smaller female zooids bearing shorter, goblet-shaped lophophores. At the time of collection, October to November, colonies were actively reproducing, with the coelom of male zooids full of mature sperm. The lophophore of female zooids incorporated an intertentacular organ, while ovaries with developing oocytes and free ovulated eggs were both present. Eggs were twice observed being discharged through an intertentacular organ. Hippoporidra dictyota sp. n. , from rocky reefs off Beaufort, North Carolina, is described. Its colonies encrust pagurid-inhabited shells and display the same colonial, and inferred functional, characteristics as those of A. nodosum. Male zooids on the mammillae bear reduced, non-feeding lophophores and are surrounded by autozooids, many bearing ovicells and presumed female, with normal lophophores. The feeding currents and flow patterns found in mammillate colonies, and their role in sperm discharge, are discussed. It is concluded that these two unrelated, shell-encrusting bryozoans have evolved identical hydrodynamic feeding systems which have been utilized to benefit reproduction. The mammillae provide foci for exhalant currents: the placement of male zooids therein concentrates all the sperm in a strong discharge, rising clear of the parent and enhancing its water-borne passage between colonies.
Short Selling, Trading Activity and Volatility in Corporate Bond Market

We investigate the impact of short selling activity on trading activity and price volatility in the U.S corporate bond market. Consistent with prior literature, we find that investors use short selling as a platform to express their difference of opinions. In addition, we find that the positive relation between short selling activity and price volatility becomes weaker during period when investors’ expectations tend to be more homogenous such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). More importantly, we show that short selling in the corporate bond market is not simply a substitute to equity short selling and option trading for investors to trade negative news and information against the underlying company. On the contrary, it is an independent conduit for investors to express difference of opinions specific to bond.
Composition of estuarine bacterial communities assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and fluorescence in situ hybridization

We compared the results from two culture‐independent techniques commonly used to investigate microbial community composition in aquatic ecosystems: fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with oligonucleotide probes and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). These two techniques were used with samples from the Delaware Estuary and from experiments in the estuary and Chesapeake Bay. Most of the ribotypes identified by DGGE were members of the phylogenetic groups identified by FISH (alpha, β, and γ proteobacteria and the Cytophaga‐like bacteria). DGGE and FISH usually (64% of all comparisons) identified the same phylogenetic group as being dominant, and both methods revealed systematic changes in bacterial community structure along the estuarine gradient. Cytophaga‐like bacteria appeared to be sampled adequately by DGGE, even though bacteria from this cluster are often underrepresented in clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes. However, there were notable instances when DGGE and FISH failed to identify the same phylogenetic group as being most abundant. In several cases, the dominant group was β‐proteobacteria according to FISH but these bacteria were absent in DGGE gels.
Effects of freeze–thaw on C and N release from soils below different vegetation in a montane system: a laboratory experiment

Unstable snow cover and more frequent freeze–thaw events have been predicted for montane areas in southern Norway, where stable winters are common today. These systems are important contributors to the flux of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to air and water. Here we quantify and compare the effects of freeze–thaw on C and N release from soils collected below Calluna, Molinia or Sphagnum. Intact organic soil cores were subjected to four different freeze–thaw regimes for four consecutive 2‐week periods: (1) slow cycling (SC) with one long freezing event during each 2‐week period, (2) fast cycling (FC) with four short freezing events during each 2‐week period, (3) permanent frost (PF) and (4) permanent thaw (PT). The freezing temperature was −5 °C and the thawing temperature was 5 °C. Before start of treatment, at the end of each 2‐week period, and during postincubation periods, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission as well as leachable dissolved organic C (DOC), dissolved organic N (DON), ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3) and absorbance at 254 nm were measured. In soils from all three vegetations, PF increased the release of CO2, DOC, DON and NH4 compared with PT. SC caused some scattered effects whereas FC only resulted in some increase in NO3 release below Molinia. Generally, the emission of CO2 and leaching of DOC, DON and NH4 increased in the following order: Sphagnum < Calluna < Molinia. The release of NO3 was greatest below Calluna. Our data suggest that vegetation cover and composition seem at least as important as increased soil frost for future winter fluxes of CO2, DOC, DON and dissolved inorganic N (DIN) from the soil to air and water. The freezing period needs to be sufficiently long to give significant effects.
Role of the plant-specific endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible gene TIN1 in the formation of pollen surface structure in Arabidopsis thaliana

Accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells triggers the transcriptional activation of ER-resident molecular chaperones and folding enzymes to maintain cellular homeostasis. This process is known as the ER stress response or the unfolded protein response. We have identified tunicamycin induced 1 (TIN1), a plant-specific ER stress-inducible Arabidopsis thaliana gene. The TIN1 protein is localized in the ER; however, its molecular function has yet to be clarified. In this study, we performed functional analysis of TIN1 in planta. RT-PCR analysis showed that TIN1 is highly expressed in pollen. Analysis using the β-glucuronidase reporter gene demonstrated that the TIN1 promoter is active throughout pollen development, peaking at the time of flowering and in an ovule of an open flower. Although a T-DNA insertion mutant of TIN1 grows normally under ambient laboratory conditions, abnormal pollen surface morphology was observed under a scanning electron microscope. Based on the current and previous observations, a possible physiological function of TIN1 during pollen development is discussed.
Scallop swimming kinematics and muscle performance: Modelling the effects of “within-animal” variation in temperature sensitivity

Escape behaviour was investigated in Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) acclimated to 5, 10 or 15°C and tested at their acclimation temperature. Scallops are active molluscs, able to escape from predators by jet-propelled swimming using a striated muscle working in opposition to an elastic hinge ligament. The first cycle of the escape response was recorded using high-speed video (250 Hz) and whole-animal velocity and acceleration determined. Muscle shortening velocity, force and power output were calculated using measurements of valve movement and jet area, and a simple biomechanical model. The average shortening speed of the adductor muscle had a Q 10 of 2.04, significantly reducing the duration of the jetting phase of the cycle with increased temperature. Muscle lengthening velocity and the overall duration of the clap cycle were changed little over the range 5–15°C, as these parameters were controlled by the relatively temperature-insensitive, hinge ligament. Improvements in the average power output of the adductor muscle over the first clap cycle (222 vs. 139 W kg−1 wet mass at 15 and 5°C respectively) were not translated into proportional increases in overall swimming velocity, which was only 32% higher at 15°C (0.37 m s−1) than 5°C (0.28 m s−1).
What’s so Special about Time Series Momentum?

We ﬁnd that the buy-and-hold (B&H) strategy for the S&P 500 index (^GSPC) for January 1950–April 2019 had a significantly higher return than that produced by time series momentum (TSM). However, TSM was superior in terms of the Sharpe ratio due to its lower volatility. The statistics for all ten- and twenty-year periods within the range January 1950–April 2019 show that the simple moving average (SMA) strategy outperformed TSM in the past, but since the late 1990s the performance of the two strategies has become very close. The proﬁtability of B&H and the trend-following trading strategies TSM and SMA may be due to the fact that the optimal autoregressive moving average model of the monthly ^GSPC returns for January 1950–April 2019 has a positive mean.
Variation in pathogenicity of Ascochyta rabiei on chickpeas.

Abstract Studies of the geographic variability of Ascochyta rabiei were done using chickpea cultivars of differing susceptibility under uniform growth room conditions. The pathogenicity of certain isolates particularly those from the Indian subcontinent and Western Asia was greater than that of most isolates collected in the Western Mediterranean. Several cultivars already deployed in breeding programmes showed stable resistance to the fungus, others with intermediate levels of resistance were less stable when exposed to a high disease pressure developed by the repeated passaging of isolates through them. In general differences in pathogenicity were attributed to variations in aggressiveness shown by the constant ranking of the cultivars used. Sporulation may not be linked to pathogenicity and significant statistical interactions with reversals in cultivar rankings suggests this to be an area for further study. Resistance to A. rabiei seems to be polygenic or at least oligogenic. In conditions of prolonge.
Acute heat-stress effects on physiology and fear-related behaviour in red jungle fowl and domestic fowl

Two experiments were conducted to compare heat tolerance of red jungle fowl (RJF) and commercial broilers (CB) at (i) a common age and (ii) a common body weight. In exp. 1, RJF and CB of a common age (8 wk) were exposed to 36 ± 1°C for 6 h. RJF had smaller increases in heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and body temperature and higher serum cholesterol concentrations than CB in response to the heat treatment, while tonic immobility (TI) measurements were not affected by heat stress. In exp. 2, RJF and CB of a common body weight (1000 ± 150 g) were subjected to similar procedures as in exp. 1 (except TI durations). Both breeds responded similarly to the heat treatment. In both experiments, RJF had higher serum glucose level than CB, and the trait was not affected by heat exposure. Key words: Heat stress, physiology, fear, jungle fowl, broilers
Effects of paint particles inhalation on superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in industrial painters

The aim of this study was to examine effects of lead (Pb)-based paints on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as an indicator for lipid peroxidation; and on activities of serum antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in industrial painters. A total of 67 male painters and 50 age-matched and gender-matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. There were 19 smokers and 48 non-smokers in the paint-exposed group and 20 smokers and 30 non-smokers in the control group. Hemoglobin concentrations were lower in painters’ blood compared to controls. The blood Pb concentrations were higher in painters compared to controls. SOD and GPx activities were significantly lower in painters compared to controls. MDA concentration was found to be significantly elevated. Smoking was found to be a major confounder. Data suggest that Pb-based paints affect oxidant parameters in occupationally exposed workers.
Nuclear-Encoded Plastid Sigma Factor SIG6 Exclusively Contributes to Chloroplast Differentiation in Plastid Differentiation of Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary Cells of land plants contain several kinds of plastids such as chloroplasts, etioplasts, proplastids, leucoplasts, and amyloplasts. Among them, the chloroplast, the most well characterized type of plastid, relies on expression of plastid-encoded photosynthetic genes. The genome of plastids encodes many photosynthetic genes that are mainly transcribed by the plastid-encoded plastid RNA polymerase (PEP). Transcriptional activity of PEP is controlled by nuclear-encoded sigma factors that are important for transcription initiation and promoter selectivity. Arabidopsis thaliana pos-sesses 6 sigma factor genes, SIG1 to 6 . Here, we analyzed the function of SIG6 , a gene related to chloroplast differentiation. The null mutant ( sig6-1 ) of the SIG6 gene exhibited a pale green phenotype in the cotyledons and in the basal part of emerging true leaves at early stages of development. Interestingly, as leaves matured, the color of cotyledons and true leaves changed to green. In the wild-type and sig6-1 mutant, plastids visualized by green ﬂ uorescent protein (GFP) were observed under the epi ﬂ uorescence microscope. In cotyledons of 3-day-old seedlings, chloroplasts of the sig6-1 mutant showed small and irregular morphology compared with that of the wild-type chloroplasts. However, amyloplasts and leucoplasts in root tissues showed no obvious differences between the wild-type and the sig6-1 mutant. These results suggest that SIG6 plays a key role during the early stages of chloroplast differentiation, but not in differentiation into other types of plastids such as leucoplasts and amyloplasts.
The Performance of Market-Timing Strategies of Italian Mutual Fund Investors

In this paper we show that simple buy-and-hold strategies over-perform market-timing strategies effectively used by Italian investors in equity mutual funds. We estimate returns from market-timing strategies using aggregate data on net flows for a large sample of equity mutual funds, available to Italian investors, that buy stocks in the following markets: Europe and the euro area, the United States, and Emerging markets. In all cases, buy-and-hold over-performs market-timing with extra returns that go from 0.24% per quarter (Europe and euro area) to 0.87% per quarter (US market). These differences are not explained by differences in risk and risk exposure. Investors should re-consider their investment strategies and choose cheaper, in terms of fees, and simpler, in terms of portfolio allocation, passive strategies.
China’s Aid and Oil for Infrastructure in Nigeria: Resource Driven or Development Motive?

China’s ascent influences the Western aid dynamic significantly and changes the landscape in aid-donor and aid-recipient relationship for resource-endowed countries in Africa. Similarly, within China-Africa relations, Nigeria established diplomatic relations with China in 2006 for a concessional oil-for-infrastructure plan to fill the development aperture. However, Nigeria opted out as political uncertainty and elite interest in rent-seeking supersedes development and well-being motive. We conclude that two interrelated causal factors – accountability and transparency – overwhelmingly obstruct Nigeria from optimising China interest in infrastructure development. The study recommends the review of National Planning Commission (NPC) 2007 ODA policy document on technical assistance, grants, and concessional loans to identify new problems and challenges associated with formulation and implementation of donor-assisted programmes. <br>
SPERM COMPETITION AND ITS EVOLUTIONARY CONSEQUENCES IN THE INSECTS

The possible advantages to a species of internal rather than external fertilization have frequently been stressed, though one important point appears persistently to have escaped comment. In terms of sexual rather than natural selection, copulation with internal fertilization may have arisen by a selective advantage conferred upon males able to eject sperm nearer to th eova than did their fellow males. Such a selective advantage would still operate in situations where virtually all ova are certain of fertilization with a minimum of time delay. This view would not preclude a natural selection pressure (favouring increased chances of fertilization in minimum time) as an important determinant of internal fertilization, but the sexual selection pressure of competition between males could have been much more important in the evolution of the process. With the onset of very close range (virtually internal) fertilization, different selective pressures would operate on the female so as to favour the evolution of special sperm storage structures and other modifications of the female reproductive system. Thus a series of behavioural, followed by anatomical and physiological steps, may be.