Calculated Growth Rates Research Articles

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ВПЛИВУ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ НА СТАЛИЙ РОЗВИТОК РЕГІОНІВ

The article substantiates the relevance of sustainable development in modern business settings. The study provides calculation of indices of economic, environmental and social sustainability of regions in the 2017–2019 period along with suggesting an algorithm for a multifactor dynamic regression modeling method application. Within the scope of this research, the impact of agribusiness companies’ performances on economic, environmental and social sustainability of regions has been measured to integrate them as the key elements of aggregated indices of regional sustainable development. The greatest influence among the studied indicators on the economic, ecological and social sustainability of the region was revealed. To attain the research agenda, a methodological approach based on the calculation of indices and growth rates for relevant economic, social and environmental indicators has been employed. The findings reveal that the greatest impact on regional economic sustainability have the following indicators: total output of roots, tubers, vegetables and cucurbits produced by food manufacturing companies of all categories; the crop area for harvesting grain and grain legumes; total output of industrial crops; the area for forage crops harvesting. The greatest impact on environmental regional sustainability is attributed to the following indicators: the crop area for harvesting roots, tubers, vegetables and cucurbits; the area where the pesticides were applied. The greatest impact on social regional sustainability among all indicators under study has been demonstrated by the output of grain and grain legumes and the crop area for harvesting industrial crops. Based on the research findings, in the context of agribusiness strategic planning, the study provides a reasoned argument as to the critical need to adhere to the basic principles of sustainable development to ensure further socioeconomic growth in rural areas.

MMS Observations of the Multiscale Wave Structures and Parallel Electron Heating in the Vicinity of the Southern Exterior Cusp

AbstractUnderstanding the physical mechanisms responsible for the cross‐scale energy transport and plasma heating from solar wind into the Earth's magnetosphere is of fundamental importance for magnetospheric physics and for understanding these processes in other places in the universe with comparable plasma parameter ranges. This paper presents observations from the Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) mission at the dawn‐side high‐latitude dayside boundary layer on February 25, 2016 between 18:55 and 20:05 UT. During this interval, MMS encountered both the inner and outer boundary layers with quasiperiodic low frequency fluctuations in all plasma and field parameters. The frequency analysis and growth rate calculations are consistent with the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability (KHI). The intervals within the low frequency wave structures contained several counter‐streaming, low‐ (0–200 eV) and mid‐energy (200 eV–2 keV) electrons in the loss cone and trapped energetic (70–600 keV) electrons in alternate intervals. The counter‐streaming electron intervals were associated with large‐magnitude field‐aligned Poynting fluxes. Burst mode data at the large Alfvén velocity gradient revealed a strong correlation between counter streaming electrons, enhanced parallel electron temperatures, strong anti‐field aligned wave Poynting fluxes, and wave activity from sub‐proton cyclotron frequencies extending to electron cyclotron frequency. Waves were identified as Kinetic Alfvén waves but their contribution to parallel electron heating was not sufficient to explain the >100 eV electrons.

Geochemical and mineralogical composition of ferromanganese precipitates from the southern Mariana arc: Evaluation, formation, and implications

The Mariana intraoceanic volcanic arc system in the western Pacific Ocean hosts abundant ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) precipitates. A suite (n = 22) of Fe-Mn precipitates were collected from the southern portion of the arc and their mineralogies and chemical compositions were determined. These results were used to decipher their genetic assemblage, assess their potential as a source of trace metals, and place them into context with respect to Fe-Mn precipitates sampled at higher latitudes in the Mariana arc and from other locations, globally. Minerals identified include vernadite, birnessite, 10 Å manganate, manganite, hematite, goethite, maghemite, calcite, rhodochrosite, quartz, phillipsite, various feldspar, pyroxene, and clay minerals. Element discrimination diagrams indicate that the samples are predominantly of hydrothermal and hydrogenetic-hydrothermal (i.e., mixed) origin, with most reflecting some influence of both. Rare earth element and Y (REY) profiles are distinguished by negative Ce and Y anomalies and positive Eu anomalies. Together, the samples form a continuum from the hydrogenetic to hydrothermal endmembers. Samples with the largest hydrogenetic component are friable with branching oxide/oxyhydroxide growth structures, contain mostly vernadite, and have the greatest concentrations of most metals (including the REY elements). Hydrothermal input produces denser, cemented deposits that contain more 10 Å and 7 Å manganate minerals and lower minor-metal contents. Calculated growth rates range from 6 mm to >190 m Ma−1. Average metal contents of Fe-Mn precipitates from the southern Mariana arc are low relative to hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts and hydrothermal Fe-Mn deposits from the northern Mariana arc and elsewhere, globally, and are therefore unlikely to be viable exploration targets.

The use of swimmers from sediment traps to measure summer community structure of Southern Ocean pteropods

In the Southern Ocean, pteropods play an important role in biogeochemical cycling, and sediment traps are a valuable tool for investigating this role through the collection of passively sinking matter from productive surface waters to deep sea layers. Observations of ‘swimmers’ (e.g. organisms that actively swim into traps) can also prove valuable for studying zooplankton community structure. In this study, we used two separate sediment trap studies during the 2016–2017 summer to study pteropod population structure over time scales of 24 h and 28 days. In both studies, highest densities were measured for veliger-stage Limacina helicina antarctica (0.09–0.3 mm) relative to all species and age classes. Increases in shell diameters of veligers in all traps over time enabled the calculation of an intraseasonal potential growth rate of 0.0068 mm d−1. Swimmer flux rates ranged from 121 to 2674 ind. m−2 d−1 at 53 m depth, and the 24-h vertical flux study measured 960 ind. m−2 d−1 at 57 m depth and 6692 m−2 d−1 at 90 m depth. Among a suite of environmental and biological covariates tested, fluorescence and sinking particulate organic and inorganic carbon (POC and PIC) possessed the most predictive power to explain abundances of near-surface pteropod age class and species composition. Gymnosome abundances were largely influenced by increasing adult L. helicina antarctica counts. Changes to pteropod population and community dynamics in response to climate change will have cascading effects throughout Antarctic epipelagic food webs, and these results provide a regional snapshot of patterns in structure and sedimentation from an under-surveyed region of the Southern Ocean.

Effect of temperature on the unimodal size scaling of phytoplankton growth

Contrary to predictions by the allometric theory, there is evidence that phytoplankton growth rates peak at intermediate cell sizes. However, it is still unknown if this pattern may result from the effect of experimental temperature. Here we test whether temperature affects the unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth by (1) growing Synechococcus sp., Ostreococcus tauri, Micromonas commoda and Pavlova lutheri at 18 °C and 25 °C, and (2) using thermal response curves available in the literature to estimate the growth rate at 25 °C as well as the maximum growth rate at optimal temperature for 22 species assayed previously at 18 °C. We also assess the sensitivity of growth rate estimates to the metric employed for measuring standing stocks, by calculating growth rates based on in vivo fluorescence, chlorophyll a concentration, cell abundance and biomass (particulate organic carbon and nitrogen content). Our results show that the unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth, with a peak at intermediate cell sizes, is observed at 18 °C, 25 °C and at the optimal temperature for growth, and that it prevails irrespective of the standing-stock metric used. The unimodal size scaling pattern of phytoplankton growth is supported by two independent field observations reported in the literature: (i) a positive relationship between cell size and metabolic rate in the picophytoplankton size range and (ii) the dominance of intermediate-size cells in nutrient-rich waters during blooms.

Research Publications Growth Rate of Chemistry and Related Subject Areas in Pakistan and Fifty Countries from 2001 to 2020

The study was designed to provide a comprehensive view of the chemistry research publications growth (%) of fifty (50) countries after 2000/01. Scopus; the worldand#39;s largest abstract and citation database and Scifinder; the subject specific database for chemistry were primarily used for the purpose. According to the Scopus, from 2001 to March 2020 total 10,013,057 chemistry documents (majorly research articles, reviews, and conference papers) were published. From 2001- 2020, The United States secured the top position (2403235/ 24.00%) followed by China, (1929345/ 19.26%), Germany (727246/7.27), Japan (708947/7.08%) and UK (589025/ 5.88%). The highest growth rate was recorded for the year 2005 (9.17%), followed by 2011 (8.08%) and 2004 (7.52%). Furthermore, we also calculated the % growth rate of fifty (50) countries. As per growth rate calculations, the top three slots in the last nineteen (19) years are majorly occupied by Iran (11) Pakistan (10), China (7) Malaysia (6) and Egypt (5). Emerging economies like Brazil, Mexico, Serbia, Turkey, South Africa, Romania, Mexico, Slovenia, Slovkia and Bulgaria etc… also showed significant progress in research output. For the 1st time Pakistan has topped the relative growth rate in chemistry publications for three consecutive years (for 2017-19). The growth rate for 2017-19 was found to be 18.51, 14.17 and 17.57 %, respectively. In fact, Pakistan topped the ranking in 2006 and 2013 as well. To further extend the idea, we retrieved the per year chemistry publications data of Pakistan from 1947 to 2000. Data from World Bank, Pakistan Ministry of Finance, Pakistan Education Statistics, Pakistan Research Repository, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Federal Ministry of Education was also acquired to possibly explain the increase in chemistry research growth rate in Pakistan. Although the publication growth rate of Pakistan significantly improved from 2002 onwards, it still has a meager global share of 0.5 % (approximately) and highlights that concrete policy measures must be taken to improve the publication output.

Research Publications Growth Rate of Chemistry and Related Subject Areas in Pakistan and Fifty Countries from 2001 to 2020

The study was designed to provide a comprehensive view of the chemistry research publications growth (%) of fifty (50) countries after 2000/01. Scopus; the worldand#39;s largest abstract and citation database and Scifinder; the subject specific database for chemistry were primarily used for the purpose. According to the Scopus, from 2001 to March 2020 total 10,013,057 chemistry documents (majorly research articles, reviews, and conference papers) were published. From 2001- 2020, The United States secured the top position (2403235/ 24.00%) followed by China, (1929345/ 19.26%), Germany (727246/7.27), Japan (708947/7.08%) and UK (589025/ 5.88%). The highest growth rate was recorded for the year 2005 (9.17%), followed by 2011 (8.08%) and 2004 (7.52%). Furthermore, we also calculated the % growth rate of fifty (50) countries. As per growth rate calculations, the top three slots in the last nineteen (19) years are majorly occupied by Iran (11) Pakistan (10), China (7) Malaysia (6) and Egypt (5). Emerging economies like Brazil, Mexico, Serbia, Turkey, South Africa, Romania, Mexico, Slovenia, Slovkia and Bulgaria etc… also showed significant progress in research output. For the 1st time Pakistan has topped the relative growth rate in chemistry publications for three consecutive years (for 2017-19). The growth rate for 2017-19 was found to be 18.51, 14.17 and 17.57 %, respectively. In fact, Pakistan topped the ranking in 2006 and 2013 as well. To further extend the idea, we retrieved the per year chemistry publications data of Pakistan from 1947 to 2000. Data from World Bank, Pakistan Ministry of Finance, Pakistan Education Statistics, Pakistan Research Repository, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Federal Ministry of Education was also acquired to possibly explain the increase in chemistry research growth rate in Pakistan. Although the publication growth rate of Pakistan significantly improved from 2002 onwards, it still has a meager global share of 0.5 % (approximately) and highlights that concrete policy measures must be taken to improve the publication output.

МЕХАНИЗМ ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ БИЗНЕСА САРАТОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В УСЛОВИЯХ КОРОНОКРИЗИСА: ПРОБЛЕМЫ И ПУТИ РЕШЕНИЯ

The purpose of the article is to consider the problems faced by regional business in the context of the coronavirus crisis. The main financial indicators of regional business are considered, which reflect the existing problems of entrepreneurship in the Saratov region. The volume of unprofitable organizations by various types of economic activity is presented, representing a tendency of decreasing business efficiency over the last year. The analysis of the indicator of the economic security of regional business is the indicator of the gross profit of business, which has a negative growth compared to the previous year. The main external and internal causes, as well as the problems of regional business in the context of a pandemic, are identified. Among the main problems, the authors highlight the high "Index of Administrative Pressure" on business, as well as "administrative barriers" that have a negative impact on the development and functioning of the business. The authors formulate the concept of "administrative barrier" as applied to the business of the Saratov region. As a result, the necessity of developing a single set of measures was substantiated, which would allow ensuring the economic security of business in the form of a “mechanism of economic security” for regional business. In order to select activities within the framework of ensuring the economic security of business, the authors determine the possible risk coefficient for regional business development in the current period. The calculation of the possible retrospective growth rate of its profitability is carried out in order to implement the necessary measures to improve it.

Criteria for sustainable development of the system through risk assessment

Based on modern developments in risk theory, it is proposed to identify two objectives of system risk management: the first (strategic) goal is focused on ensuring (maintaining) sustainable development of the system; the second (current) goal involves keeping the amount of risk within acceptable limits for the functioning of the system. Regarding the diagnosis of the activity of a particular object of study, the concept of stability can be used to characterize the stability of its position in an unstable environment. There are two areas of stability assessment: the stability of the environment and the stability of the system. Based on the considered properties of the beta coefficient, it is proposed to use the modified formulas of this indicator for diagnostics of stability and diagnostics of development within the mechanism of risk diagnostics of different levels of management. These formulas can be used for estimation of separate indicators, groups of risk factors, or risks of the object at whole. Evaluation of indicators in accordance with a certain diagnostic criterion takes into account the dynamics of values, therefore, the authors considers the calculation of the chain growth rate of indicators in index form for the relevant (identical) periods of time as the best option for standardization.

Computerized Optimization of Microalgal Photosynthesis and Growth

ABSTRACT We describe the use of a novel, computerized, multiple outdoor microalgal growth system to achieve conditions maximizing high photosynthesis and biomass production rates. We applied this system to determine the effects of multiple environmental and culture parameters such as light, temperature, pH, and mode of mixing and CO2 supply, and their combinations on the rates of algal photosynthesis, respiration, and growth. We continuously monitored the following parameters: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and light, concomitantly with algal growth and biomass production rates. In particular, we likewise monitored and determined the dramatic effects of CO2 supply, mixing by paddle wheel or bubbling air modes, on algal biomass production. The isolated and synergistic effects of each factor and operation regime were measured and are discussed. We found that the diel range of maxima to minimal pH and oxygen levels strongly correlated with container performance, and were controllable by CO2 supply and mixing regime. We conclude that mixing by bubble aeration was the most important growth-rate controlling factor. It limited the build-up of high oxygen and pH levels that reduce photosynthesis that were measured by O2 evolution. In this study, OD measurements calibrated with biomass concentrations were used to calculate growth rates and estimate the photosynthetic rates of the microalgae. The potential of algae as a source of food, feed, biofuel, and fine chemicals has been widely recognized, but their competitiveness depends on areal yields. Our results allow us to recommend culture parameters that increase areal biomass yields, regardless of the algal species, thereby bringing microalgal mass culture closer to economic viability.

The auxin herbicide mecoprop-P in new light: Filling the data gap for dicotyledonous macrophytes.

Mecoprop-P (MCPP-P) is an auxin herbicide which has been used against dicotyledonous weed plants since the 1980s. While fate and monitoring data of MCPP-P in the aquatic environment revealing concentrations up to 103μg/L in freshwaters are well documented, only very few toxicity data and no studies with dicotyledonous macrophytes have been published in open literature so far. To fill up this essential data gap, a microcosm study was conducted in order to test the sensitivity of nine dicotyledonous and one Ceratophyllales macrophyte species. The plant species were exposed to seven MCPP-P concentrations ranging from 8 to 512μg/L for 21/22 days in one microcosm per concentration, and two further microcosms served as controls. Plant preparation was adapted to each species and endpoints were measured to calculate growth rates. Data were generated to obtain effect concentrations (ECX) which then were used to construct species sensitivity distribution curves (SSD). Eight species proved to be sensitive to MCPP-P in the tested concentration range with EC50 values ranging from 46.9μg/L for Ranunculus aquatilis to 656.4μg/L MCPP-P for Ludwigia repens. Taking the EC50 values of this study and published data for autotrophic organisms into account, a hazard concentration (HC5) of 2.7μg/L was derived from the SSD curve, while an SSD curve without dicotyledonous macrophytes resulted in an about 100 times higher HC5 (360.8μg/L MCCP-P). This confirms that a re-evaluation for old auxin herbicides by including dicotyledonous test species into the environmental risk assessment may be indicated. Furthermore, the use of MCPP-P in bitumen felts as protection against rooting by plants is not in the focus of any risk regulation so far. This application, however, can lead to high run-off concentrations that can enter surface waters easily, exceeding the new regulatory acceptable concentration values.

Sustainable Growth Rate Model in Indonesia Manufacturing Firms

Regarding the importance of Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) calculation for firms as a basic of financial decision, many previous studies had highlighted the variability of SGR calculation. The research’s first objective focused on two methods of SGR calculation and figured out the determinant factors (internal and external) that affect firm’s SGR. One method focused on different determinants of SGR when industry or firm specific aspects were considered. Whereas, SGR (II) focused on determinant of SGR when firms are reluctant to issue new equity. The second objective was to investigate the determinant factors towards SGR in both models. Sample for the research was public-listed manufacturing firms in Indonesia from 2011 to 2019. The result shows that there is significant difference between the two methods, and not to mention that Return on Equity (ROE) becomes the only factor that affect SGR (in both models). The implication is due to the limited amount of time, so the research can only compare two different method of SGR.

Atmospheric aerosol growth rates at different background station types

Highly time-resolved particle number size distributions (PNSDs) were evaluated during 5 years (2013–2017) at four background stations in the Czech Republic located in different types of environments—urban background (Ústí nad Labem), industrial background (Lom), agricultural background (National Atmospheric Observatory Košetice), and suburban background (Prague-Suchdol). The PNSD data was used for new particle formation event determination as well as growth rate (GR) and condensation sink (CS) calculations. The differences or similarities of these parameters were evaluated from perspectives of the different pollution load, meteorological condition, and regional or long-range transport. The median growth rate (4 nm h−1) is very similar at all stations, and the most frequent length of growth lasted between 2 and 4 h. Condensation sink reflects the pollution load at the individual station and their connection to the environment type. The highest median, CS = 1.34 × 10−2 s−1, was recorded at the urban station (Ústí nad Labem), and the lowest (CS = 0.85 × 10−2 s−1) was recorded at the agricultural station (National Atmospheric Observatory Košetice). Conditional probability function polar plots illustrate the influence of source location to GR. These primary potential emission sources involve traffic, operation of a power plant, and domestic heating.

On the Statistical Reflection of Long-Term Growth in Agricultural Production

The article presents the results of a study aimed at proving the existence of systematic error in traditional calculations of long-term growth rates of agricultural production based on chain indices of agricultural production. According to the authors, the article also introduces a more accurate assessment of its dynamics with the account to the structure of the relationship between prices and the volume of agricultural production. The paper describes a theoretical model that is a methodological basis for the study and explains the discrepancy in assessing the dynamics of agricultural production using chain indices and indexes at constant prices. It allows establishing differences in the ratios of the Laspeyres, Paasche, and Lowe indices for crop and livestock production, due to factors in the formation of demand and the complex structure of the relationship between the price level and the volume of production. The adequacy of the constructed theoretical model is proved based on aggregated data that eliminated the influence of incompleteness of the initial information. As a result, it was established that livestock production is characterized by time-distributed changes in prices and quantity of products, which makes it possible to assess its dynamics using both chain indices and symmetric indices. It is proved that the dynamics of crop production cannot be adequately described using chain indices, since a positive correlation of prices of the previous period and production volumes of the current period causes an overstatement of the index in comparable prices of the previous year. Based on calculations within the proposed aggregated model, it is proved that the use of constant prices as the Lowe index weights, updated every five years, is an acceptable approximation of the Fisher symmetric index. Application of the indicated methodology for calculating the index to the data on Russian agricultural production by main types of products in 1990-2018 allowed to establish an overstatement of dynamics by 11.9%. The main difference falls on crop production (+ 19.6%), while for livestock - the differences are insignificant (-0.7%).

Intermetallics-induced directional growth of Sn whiskers in Sn-3.5Ag coating on Al substrate

In this paper, the directional growth behavior of Sn whiskers was found to be associated with the interfacial γ-Ag2Al IMCs at Sn-3.5Ag/Al interface. A 100 μm thick columnar structured Sn-3.5Ag coating consisted of β-Sn phases and γ-Ag2Al phases was fabricated on Al substrate. The as-formed interfacial IMCs between Sn-3.5Ag and Al were confirmed as γ-Ag2Al and μ-Ag3Al. After aging treatment, the growth direction of Sn whiskers was found to be consistent. μ-Ag3Al phases transformed into γ-Ag2Al. The newly formed hexagonal γ-Ag2Al grew out of the IMCs layer and provided the out-of-plane stress for whisker growth. Ag atoms diffused into Sn sub-grain boundaries and formed γ-Ag2Al IMCs leading to the formation of in-plane stress. The c-axis of the β-Sn and γ-Ag2Al is parallel, leading to the similar growth direction of the whiskers. The misorientation between the whisker and the underneath grain was lower than 2°. A transitional area formed between the whisker and underneath grain, which consists of extra half-planes of atoms. A mathematical model was proposed to calculate the heterogeneous distribution of Ag atoms. By comparing the calculated growth rate with the measured growth rate of whisker, the Sn atomic transport mode was pipe diffusion.

The effect of non-organophosphate household pesticides exposure during pregnancy on infants birth sizes and growth rate: a cohort study

BackgroundTo date, there is limited evidence on the effect of antenatal exposure to non-organophosphate household pesticides on infant health. Our hypothesis is that antenatal exposure to non-organophosphate household pesticides will be associated with birth sizes and infant growth rate.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 284 mother-infant pairs were studied. Mothers were recruited at the third trimester in two primary care centers and one private hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mothers filled out questionnaires about exposure to non-organophosphate household pesticides at the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Birth weight and length were measured at birth. Afterwards, the weight, height, and head circumference (HC) were measured at 7 days, 1, 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Linear mixed modeling and linear regression was performed to calculate growth rate of each infant. Multivariable linear regression adjusted for confounders was used to assess the association between household pesticides exposure and birth sizes and infant growth rate.ResultsBased on self-report questionnaires, 133 (46.8%) mothers were exposed to household pesticides during pregnancy. The mean HC at day 7 in the exposed group was − 7.1 mm (95%CI -13.1;-1.2) lower than in the non-exposed group. The difference was more prominent in the non-mosquito pesticide group (linear regression coefficient: − 22.1 mm, 95%CI -36.5;-7.6). No material associations were found between antenatal exposure to household pesticides with other growth measures, including weight gain, length gain, HC increment and weight-to-length gain rates. No modification of effects by breastfeeding was found.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that antenatal exposure to household non-organophosphate pesticides is associated with smaller head circumference at birth.

Using automated in-paddock weighing to evaluate the impact of intervals between liveweight measures on growth rate calculations in grazing beef cattle

Animal liveweight (LW) data collection is key to monitor health, nutrition, and reproduction of cattle. However, this is challenging in grazing systems using traditional technology due to the need of mustering animals into handling facilities with the required frequency. Such practical constraints make it difficult to gather frequent LW data to study the effects of different intervals between LW measures (ILW) to accurately describe the growth pattern of animals. However, nowadays, frequent LW data can be acquired remotely using in-paddock technologies without the need to handle the animals. Thus, the aim of this study was to quantify the impacts of ILW to capture LW and growth patterns of three beef cattle categories (calves, weaners, and cows). Liveweight data were collected using in-paddock walk-over-weighing scales (WOW), placed before the access to the water trough. The lengths of continuous LW data records were 112, 224 and 1460 days (4 years) for calves, weaners and mature cows, respectively. These datasets were then subsampled to simulate different ILW with one LW record every: (a) 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks for calves; (b) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks for weaners; and (c) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 26, 32, 52 (1 year) and 208 weeks (4 years) for cows. Daily LW change (LWC) was calculated as the difference between two consecutive LW observations divided by the number of days elapsed. The minimum (Min), mean, maximum (Max), standard deviation (STD) and coefficient of variation (CV) for LW and LWC were calculated for each animal and ILW. Minimum and Max LWC, and STD and CV of LW were affected (P < 0.05) by ILW in all animal categories whereas no effects (P > 0.05) were observed for the rest of the variables. The relationship between ILW and LW variability (STD, CV) was quadratic for calves and weaners but linear for cows (P < 0.05). In comparison to daily data, the minimum frequency required to capture Min and Max LWC was 2 weeks for calves and weaners, and 8 weeks for cows. In addition, an ILW of 4 (calves and weaners) and 8 (cows) weeks was needed to achieve similar STD and CV of LW and LWC compared to daily ILW. These results, obtained in grazing conditions, suggest that WOW could be used more strategically within and between farms, as LW data need to be captured at regular intervals but not necessarily daily.

Estimating Forest Productivity Using Site Characteristics, Multipoint Measures, and a Nonparametric Approach

Abstract Understanding the productivity of forestland is essential in sustainable management of forest ecosystems. The most common measure of site productivity is breast height–age site index (BHASI). BHASI has limitations as a productivity measure and can compound error in predictive models. We explored the accuracy of productivity predictions using an alternative productivity measure (10-meter site index) and a nonparametric approach. An orthogonal sampling design ensured samples were collected across the range of conditions known to influence Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) height-growth rates. Using climate, soil, and topographic data along with 10-meter site index measurements, we compared five possible models to estimate forest productivity. Model parameters, performance, and predictions were compared. Twelve validation sites were used to test the accuracy of model predictions. Model performance was significantly improved when smoothing span values were optimized and elevation was added as a predictor. A four-predictor nonparametric model with a bias-corrected Akaike information criterion–optimized smoothing span value produced the most accurate results and was used to produce forest productivity maps for the study area. The low resolution of currently available climatic data and the complex nature of the study area landscape necessitate a topographic variable for accurate productivity predictions. Study Implications Defining and understanding forest productivity is of interest to a wide variety of natural resource professionals including ecologists, climate change experts, forest biometricians, and forest managers. A new method of defining forest productivity using multipoint height-age pairs at 10 and 20 meters and calculated growth rates combined with an appropriate landscape-scale stratification and a nonparametric approach provides accurate productivity estimates. This method is more widely applicable and more precise for specific locations than previous productivity estimation methods. Better productivity and tree growth information will provide more accurate estimates of future forest condition and structure.

A Meta-Analysis of Scholarly Research on Corona virus through Big Data Approach

The purpose of the study is to examine the status of scholarly literature on Corona virus indexed in the big database, the Lens, taking into account, top-cited articles, top contributors, top active country region, most accepted study field and open access status. Relative growth rate (RGR) and Doubling time (Dt) calculation is also a major reflects of the paper. The study analyzes the status of scholarly publications on Corona virus research as indexed by Lens spanning a period from the oldest record until July 15, 2020. “Structured Search” was made under “New Scholar Search” using the term “Corona virus” and restrict the search result only for “Journal Article”. Results obtained were imported through email (.csv file) for further analysis and visualization using spreadsheet software. The results of the study show that out of total 26628 scholarly outputs 2109 are cited in a patent while 15963 in another scholarly literature. “The University of Hong Kong” is the most productive university with 412 scholarly literature, “The United States” as a most contributing country provides 8433 publications, “Journal of Virology” is the most contributing journal with 1012 publications, “Kwok-Yung Yuen” contributed maximum as an individual author and “Elsevier” as a top journal publisher. Among the Lens indexed scholarly publications on Corona virus, 64.04% obtained open accessibility in terms of open access colour while 64.09% under an open-access. No previous study could be identified dealing with such meta-analysis using the Lens database.

Crystal growth of La2SrB10O19 from undercooled melt

The crystal growth rate of La2SrB10O19 in an undercooled melt of stoichiometric composition was studied. The crystallization of the bulk samples was performed in a single-stage regime under isothermal conditions at the selected temperatures for the different time periods. The surface crystallization was observed and in all crystallized samples, the La2SrB10O19 crystalline phase was identified. Based on the dependence of the crystalline layer thickness on treatment time at selected temperature, crystal growth rate was obtained. The crystal growth rates were from 1.65 × 10−8 to 2.77 × 10−7 m s−1 in the temperature interval (700–780 °C). The experimental values were compared to the calculated values using theoretical model of the crystal growth. The experimental growth rate followed the same trend as the calculated growth rate, but the experimental values were higher than the calculated.