Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preservation of Simmental bull sperm at 0°C in Tris dilution: effect of dilution ratio and long-distance transport

Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0°C, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen. Methods In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0°C for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution. Results The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0°C gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0°C for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0°C conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally.
Learning Multi-Layer Attention Aggregation Siamese Network for Robust RGBT Tracking

Recent years have witnessed the popularity of integrating Siamese network into RGBT tracking for fast-tracking. However, these trackers mostly utilize the feature information of the last output layer and ignore the benefits of multi-layer information. In addition, they often adopt feature-level fusion for different modalities but fail to explore the strength of decision-level fusion, which may easily decrease their flexibility and independence. In this article, a novel multi-layer attention aggregation Siamese network on the decision level is proposed for robust RGBT tracking. To be specific, a hierarchical channel attention Siamese network is built to recalibrate the extracted multi-layer features from RGB and thermal infrared images. This can focus on more discriminative features to learn robust feature representation. Then, a depth-wise correlation operation is performed to produce RGB and thermal response maps, respectively. To better exploit and utilize the complementary RGB and thermal information, a contribution-aware aggregation network is designed to adaptively aggregate them. Lastly, a classification and regression network is adopted to complete the bounding box prediction. Extensive experiments on four large-scale RGBT benchmarks demonstrate outstanding tracking ability over other state-of-the-art trackers.
Multiobjective predictive cruise control for connected vehicle systems on urban conditions with InPA‐SQP

The connected vehicle (CV) system is one of the most effective core technologies in intelligent transportation systems. In order to solve the optimal velocity prediction problem for a CV system on urban roads, a multiobjective predictive cruise controller (MOPCC) for vehicles in the CV system is proposed to coordinate multiple performances including safety, tracking ability, ride comfort, and fuel economy. Firstly, with the ad hoc wireless communication technology, the signal phase and timing information is obtained to calculate the feasible velocity range for improving mobility. Then, the optimal target velocity of vehicles is computed by minimizing the fuel economic polynomial models of the vehicle system. Secondly, in order to systematically cope with those multiple performances, the Utopia point method is applied to change the multiobjective optimization problem into Utopia tracking problem. Furthermore, the MOPCC problem is formulated and solved by a fast numerical algorithm, ie, integrated perturbation analysis and sequential quadratic programming. Finally, simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of improved the multiple performances.
Editorial: Advances in the involvement of brain cellular subpopulations and pathways in distress and stress-related disorders

COPYRIGHT © 2023 Morais-Silva, Favoretto, Pagliusi and LeGates. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Editorial: Advances in the involvement of brain cellular subpopulations and pathways in distress and stress-related disorders
Konsekuensi Enviromental Identity : studi tentang niat mengunjungi destinasi ekowisata

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peran environmental identity dalam menjelaskan sikap dan perilaku mengunjungi destinasi ekowisata dengan menguji pengaruh langsungnya terhadap sikap dan minat terhadap ekowisata, pengaruh langsung dan mediasinya terhadap niat dan tujuan mengunjungi ekowisata, serta kesediaan untuk membayar lebih mahal. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling dengan 193 responden yang telah mengunjungi destinasi ekowisata dalam 1 tahun terakhir. Data dianalisis menggunakan metode Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa environmental identity yang berpengaruh langsung terhadap sikap pada destinasi ekowisata, minat yang lebih besar terhadap ekowisata, dan kemauan membayar lebih mahal untuk berkunjung ke destinasi ekowisata. Sedangkan sikap terhadap ekowisata tidak mempengaruhi kesediaan wisatawan lebih mahal serta environmental identity tidak mempengaruhi niat berkunjung, dan kesediaan membayar lebih mahal. Studi ini memberikan bukti bahwa environmental identity berperan besar dalam menjelaskan perilaku wisatawan terhadap produk dan jasa ekowisata. Temuan ini relevan bagi pengelola destinasi ekowisata serta Kementerian Pariwisata untuk merancang strategi pemasaran yang lebih baik.
Space Geodesy Techniques: An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Antenna Related Error Sources

This thesis presents work associated with antenna related error sources, as well as antenna design, in space geodesy utilizing the techniques of Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Geodetic VLBI uses large radio telescopes, often in global networks observing at least a few times per year. As the number of dedicated antennas for this purpose is limited, also antennas designed for radio astronomical research are used. However, new feed systems are needed to handle the simultaneous dual-frequency observations and the large bandwidth in geodetic VLBI. This thesis describes and numerically evaluates such a feed system. The design has the advantage of not interfering with existing front-end receivers of traditional Cassegrain antennas. In contrast to VLBI antenna systems, GPS antennas have low directivity in order to receive signals from the satellites in different directions simultaneously. The disadvantage with such antennas is the relatively high susceptibility to scattering from structures close to the antenna. Two studies presented in this thesis show that signal scattering from structures associated with the mounting of the antenna to the pillar and with the pillar itself, might be a significant source of error. As nearby structures are in general located below the antenna, scattering from these structures may be minimized using antennas with reduced side- and back-lobe levels. This thesis presents results from a preliminary study of two new designs of such antennas. The Swedish permanent GPS network, SWEPOS, consists of 20 stations distributed across Sweden. One of the scientific motivations for this network is to monitor crustal motions associated with postglacial rebound. This thesis describes SWEPOS, and results from almost 18 months of daily observations are presented and compared to models of postglacial rebound. The results from SWEPOS have also uncovered two major error sources. One of them is the scattering effect mentioned above. The other, which also is investigated in this thesis, is related to snow accumulated on the top of the pillars and on the radomes that covers the antennas. This accumulation appears to refract and delay the GPS signals, and thus degrade the positioning accuracy.
Water and Solute Transport in Arid Vadose Zones: Innovations in Measurement and Analysis

Understanding the physics of flow and transport through the vadose zone has advanced significantly in the last three decades. These advances have been made primarily in humid regions or in irrigated agricultural settings. While some of the techniques are useful, many are not suited to arid regions. The fluxes of water and solutes typically found in arid regions are often orders of magnitude smaller than those found in agricultural settings, while the time scales for transport can be orders of magnitude larger. The depth over which transport must be characterized is also often much greater than in humid regions. Rather than relying on advances in applied tracers, arid-zone researchers have developed natural tracer techniques that are capable of quantifying transport over tens to thousands of years. Techniques have been developed to measure the hydraulic properties of sediments at all water contents, including the very dry range and at far greater depths. As arid and semiarid regions come under increased development pressures for such activities as hazardous- and radioactive-waste disposal, the development of techniques and the understanding of water and solute transport have become crucial components in defining the environmental impacts of activities at the landsurface.
The European Dimension of British Planning

1. Introduction. 2. The Development of a European Context for Spatial Planning. 3. The European Spatial Planning Perspective. 4. Categorizing EU Spatial Planning Measures. 5. The Impact of Europe on National and Regional Planning. 6. Urban and Regional Maritime Area: Kent. 7. Urban and Rural Area England: Northamptonshire. 8. Urban and Rural Area Scotland: Strathclyde. 9. Urban and Rural Area Wales: Mid Glamorgan. 10. Urban Provincial City: Leicester. 11. Rural Maritime Area: Gwynedd. 12. European Impacts on British Planning. 13. Conclusions.
Pepper fruit (Dennettia tripetala [annonaceae]) seed inhibits uterine contractions via blockade of intracellular calcium release and extracellular calcium influx in ex vivo studies

Dennettia tripetala (DT) is a tree found in rain forest belt of Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast. The seed is commonly used in preparing food for mothers after delivery because it is believed to play a role in postpartum uterine contraction. There is however no scientific evidence validating this claim. Hence, the study aimed to investigate the effects of DT seed on non-pregnant and pregnant uterus using mouse model. The dried seeds of DT were macerated in methanol and the effects of DT extract were investigated on uterus tissues isolated from non-pregnant and pregnant mice. DT extract was examined on spontaneous uterine contraction, contractions induced by oxytocin, and high potassium chloride (KCl)-induced depolarization. Its effect was also evaluated on calcium ion (Ca2+) release from internal stores. The DT extract suppressed spontaneous uterine contractility in both pregnant and non-pregnant uterus in a concentration-dependent manner. It significantly inhibited uterine contractions elicited by high KCl and oxytocin-induced contractions in both pregnant and non-pregnant uterus. The extract also inhibited uterine contractility induced by oxytocin in the Ca2+-free medium in pregnant and non-pregnant uterus. The study has provided scientific evidence that DT seed extract has uterine relaxing effect in both pregnant and non-pregnant mouse uterus possibly by blocking intracellular Ca2+ released and influx of extracellular Ca2+. The result has shown that DT has no benefit in reducing the risk of post-partum hemorrhage, however, it may have potential benefits in management of dysmenorrhea and preterm labour in non-gravid and gravid uteri respectively.
An Evaluation of a Reservoir Elevation with Markov Model in Continuous Time

A three-state Markov model in continuous time was used to study the reservoir elevation of a dam. A non-stationary transition probability was assumed for the process. The result indicates a maximum probability of 0.3 and 0.5 in about four years to have middle reservoir and upper reservoir elevation given that it is low reservoir elevation at present. The model could be used to make a forecast of the reservoir elevation of the dam in the future given the present reservoir elevation. The information could be used to plan for the maximum use of the dam resources such as the HEP generation, fresh water fishing and the cultivation of the dam basin for crop production .
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND RESEARCH ANTECEDENTS OF PERCEIVED BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AMONG PRIVATE BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS: A PARTIAL LEAST SQUARE APPROACH

This study aims to assess the direct relationships between corporate image, employee engagement, organizational culture, employee loyalty, and business performance among private business organizations. This study is vital to be carried out because many private organizations face difficulty to maintain their business performance in the coming years. The research model of this study consists of three independent variables: corporate image, employee engagement, organizational culture, employee loyalty as a mediator, and business performance as a dependent variable. Primary data were utilized in this study and a survey questionnaire which was adopted and adapted from previous studies was used for data collection. 329 clean data were used in the data analysis by utilizing the structural equation modeling technique. Initially, the convergent validity was evaluated on the measurement model by assessing the construct reliability and validity. Then, the discriminant validity was assessed and confirmed through cross-loading and Hetrotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) ratios. Subsequently, the structural model was assessed and the hypotheses testing reveals that corporate image, employee engagement, and organizational culture, have a positive and significant influence on employee loyalty and business performance was strongly affected by employee loyalty.
Regional modeling of internal-tide dynamics around New Caledonia – Part 1: Coherent internal-tide characteristics and sea surface height signature

Abstract. The southwestern tropical Pacific exhibits a complex bathymetry and represents a hot spot of internal-tide generation. Based on a tailored high-resolution regional model, we investigate for the first time the internal-tide field around the New Caledonia islands through energy budgets that quantify the coherent internal-tide generation, propagation, and dissipation. A total of 15.27 GW is converted from the barotropic to the baroclinic M2 tide with the main conversion sites associated with the most prominent bathymetric structures such as continental slopes and narrow passages in the north (2.17 GW) and ridges and seamounts south of New Caledonia (3.92 GW). The bulk of baroclinic energy is generated in shallow waters around 500 m depth and on critical to supercritical slopes, highlighting the limitations of linear semi-analytical models in those areas. Despite the strongly dominant mode-1 generation, more than 50 % of the locally generated energy either dissipates in the near field close to the generation sites or loses coherence. The remaining baroclinic energy propagates within well-defined tidal beams with baroclinic energy fluxes of up to 30 kW m−1 toward the open ocean. The New Caledonia site represents a challenge for SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) observability of balanced motion in the presence of internal tides with sea surface height (SSH) signatures >6 cm at similar wavelengths. We show for our study region that a correction of SSH for the coherent internal tide potentially increases the observability of balanced motion from wavelengths >160 km to well below 100 km.
Handbook of Weed Management Systems

The ecology of weeds preventive weed management mechanical weed management chemical weed management herbicide application equipment herbicide formulations, adjuvants, and spray drift management fate of herbicides in the environment biological weed management weed management systems for oil seed crops weed management systems for grain crops weed management systems for pastures and hay crops weed management systems for rangeland weed management systems for horticultural crops weed management systems for turfgrass weed management systems for forest nurseries and woodlands.
Eye Detection Applying a Probabilistic Algorithm Inspired to the Butterfly Flight

Eye state analysis is relevant to detect fatigue and drowsiness when driving, it is therefore essential to ensure safety of people. In this work, we propose an eye detection method applied to color images, recurring to a random exploration performed by multiple research agents simultaneously. The color image is represented in YCbCr color space, because in this space the luminance component is separated by chrominance components. At first, an algorithm is used to recognize the face area in the original image. Afterwards, a normalized EyeMap is generated to distinguish and enhance eye regions in order to make them more evident. For comparison, we performed the procedure on the YCbCr and the Chromaticity Space xy, recurring to a generalized equation. The novelty of this approach is the introduction of the z component of the Chromaticity Space. This choice is justified by its relationship with the Tristimulus Z component, which represents mostly blue wavelengths in turn strictly related to the bluish color of the sclera.The search of ocular areas is conducted through an algorithm that simulates the flight of butterflies. Initially a butterfly gives rise to a random research but, when a foraging zone is discovered, it makes non-random dispersal movements around the food source. Similarly, in the applied algorithm, if a small region containing eyes is detected, even if partially, a more circumscribed research gets started through helicoidal paths around the identified area. In this way, we avoid the arbitrariness of choosing the position and size of any search window.
Glacier melt modelling in the Donjek Range, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon Territory

Toward addressing the challenges associated with regional glacier melt modelling, I investigate the physical mechanisms of glacier melt using energy balance models, then test empirical temperature-index melt models for regional applications. First, five energy balance models are applied to two glaciers in the Donjek Range, St. Elias Mountains in order to quantify the differences between various treatments of the glacier surface temperature and subsurface heat flux. A model that assumes a constant 0 ! C surface temperature overestimates cumulative melt by up to 15%, but a simple model that computes surface temperature changes from the residual of the energy balance equation yields significant improvement. Second, I evaluate the transferability of spatially-distributed temperature-index melt models through the application of calibrated model parameters to periods and locations that differ from those used for calibration. Results show that the calibrated model parameters can be transferred between the study glaciers with minimal reductions in skill.
Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in the face of decentralization: are they still relevant in their current form

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development’s (UNCED) Rio Declaration and Statement of principles for the sustainable management of forests were adopted in 1992, with the objective of initiating sustainable forest management (SFM) to ensure conservation and maintenance of ecosystem services while still allowing for continual use of forests for economic, social and cultural purposes. Since then many other Criteria and Indicator (C&I) frameworks have been developed, reflecting the growing worldwide demand for socially and environmentally responsible forestry. Much research has been devoted to designing and refining appropriate C&Is to reflect the particular ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political characteristics of distinct forests. This work has expanded the definition of SFM and facilitated monitoring of local management actions. However, increased decentralization of forestry governance and the rise of community forestry worldwide in the past decade are rapidly transforming the face of forestry and forest services across local and international scales. In light of this trend, we revisit current C&I frameworks – which have been based on fixed expectations and measurements of stable processes against past conditions – to ask: are they still relevant? In this paper we present an analysis of case studies where this change is occurring. Within each case study, we seek to identify the limits of current C&I frameworks for addressing the shifting trends and dynamic processes that affect forest management outcomes. Recommendations for adapting current C&I frameworks are discussed.