Genetic Diversity Associated with Eco-geographical Parameters, Morphological Characteristics and Soil Analyzes of Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in Algeria

Background: In the present study, we have set a goal, to study the genetic variability and phylogenetic affinities of 26 spontaneous Vicia sativa L. accessions collected in Algeria, as part of the recovery and enhancement of the local genetic heritage and its integration into the breeding and varietal creation programs. Methods: Morphological traits, performance parameters and phenological stages of each accession were tracked during an experimental test in pots under greenhouse conditions from December 29, 2019 to June 1, 2020. An eco-geographical characterization of samples was also carried out through geographical coordinates. On the other side and for the first time in Algeria, soil analyses of each site were undertaken. Result: The phylogenetic study of accessions confirm the taxonomic complexity of the group V. sativa L. According to the principal component analyses and kruskal-Wallis test, the most segregating variables with the highest values and the largest K variance ratios are most of the attributes associated with the flower, pod and seed. The association of the two dissimilarity matrix carried out by a Mantel test between the morphological and eco-geographic parameters showed a significant effect with a p value = 0.004 at the threshold of alpha=0.05 and a correlation coefficient r (AB) = 0.156.

How groundwater time series and aquifer property data explain heterogeneity in the Permo-Triassic sandstone aquifers of the Eden Valley, Cumbria, UK

A novel investigation of the impact of meteorological and geological heterogeneity within the Permo-Triassic Sandstone aquifers of the River Eden catchment, Cumbria (UK), is described. Quantifying the impact of heterogeneity on the water cycle is increasingly important to sustainably manage water resources and minimise flood risk. Traditional investigations on heterogeneity at the catchment scale require a considerable amount of data, and this has led to the analysis of available time series to interpret the impact of heterogeneity. The current research integrated groundwater-level and meteorological time series in conjunction with aquifer property data at 11 borehole locations to quantify the impact of heterogeneity and inform the hydrogeological conceptual understanding. The study visually categorised and used seasonal trend decomposition by LOESS (STL) on 11 groundwater and meteorological time series. Decomposition components of the different time series were compared using variance ratios. Though the Eden catchment exhibits highly heterogeneous rainfall distribution, comparative analysis at borehole locations showed that (1) meteorological drivers at borehole locations are broadly homogeneous and (2) the meteorological drivers are not sufficient to generate the variation observed in the groundwater-level time series. Three distinct hydrogeological regimes were identified and shown to coincide with heterogeneous features in the southern Brockram facies, which is the northern silicified region of the Penrith Sandstone and the St Bees Sandstone. The use of STL analysis in combination with detailed aquifer property data is a low-impact insightful investigative tool that helps guide the development of hydrogeological conceptual models.

Heterosis and combining abilities in a diverse seven-parent pearl millet population diallel tested in West Africa

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important food-security crop to smallholder farmers in West Africa (WA). Breeding for high yield and stability is a major challenge in the harsh environments of WA but could be tackled by a more systematic exploitation of hybrid vigor and heterosis in breeding of both open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and different types of hybrids. Knowledge of combining ability patterns and quantitative-genetic parameters is required for an efficient development of hybrid vigor and heterosis in breeding programs. Hence, our objectives were to complement other existing studies and estimate the combining ability of seven unique, highly diverse Sahelian pearl millet populations from Senegal, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan and Nigeria and the heterosis and stability of their 42 diallel-derived population hybrids (or hybrid populations) to inform pearl millet OPV and hybrid breeding. The materials were evaluated in six environments in WA in 2007. Grain yield (GY) exhibited an average panmictic mid-parent heterosis of 24%, ranging from − 1.51 to 64.69%. General combining ability (GCA) was significant across test environments as reflected by high heritability estimates and high GCA:SCA variance ratios. Thus, early selection for parental per se performance would be rewarding. The parental population from Sudan (IP8679) had strongly negative GCA for GY. Its lack of adaptation contributed to the predominance of additive effects in the present germplasm set. Parental populations PE02987 (Senegal), PE05344 (Mali) and ICMV IS 92222 (Niger) showed large positive GCA for GY. Their offspring, especially PE02987 × PE05344 and Kapelga × ICMV IS 92222, exhibited a high and stable GY across all test environments. Tapping the regional pearl millet genetic diversity and preselecting the crossing parents seem beneficial for OPV and hybrid breeding to increase pearl millet productivity in WA.

Meta-Prediction Models for Bullwhip Effect Prediction of a Supply Chain Using Regression Analysis

In this study, the main factors that can cause the bullwhip effect and stock amplification are investigated using a simulation-based optimization approach and regression analysis. A two-echelon supply chain with uncertain customer demand and delivery lead time operating with the periodic-review reorder cycle policy is studied. The parameters of smoothing inventory replenishment and forecasting methods are required. These parameters are optimized in terms of minimizing the Total Stage Variance Ratios (TSVRs) of both echelons. The results show that even though all factors of interest have an impact on the bullwhip effect, using smoothing proportional controllers can reduce TSVRs (the sum of the order varaince ratio and net stock amplification). The meta-prediction models can effectively help predict the amount of the bullwhip effect of a chain under various situations with an average MAPE of less than 11%. The results can assist decision makers in the management of a supply chain to realize, benchmark with the optimal results, and reduce the TSVRs under an uncertain environment.

Heterosis and Combining Abilities in a Diverse Seven-Parent Pearl Millet Population Diallel Tested in West Africa

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important food-security crop to smallholder farmers in West Africa (WA). Breeding for high yield and stability is a major challenge in the harsh environments of WA but could be tackled by hybrid breeding. Knowledge of combining ability patterns and quantitative-genetic parameters is required for an efficient development of hybrid varieties. Hence, our objectives were to estimate the combining ability of seven genetically diverse Sahelian pearl millet populations from Senegal, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan and Nigeria and the heterosis and stability of their 42 diallel-derived population hybrids to inform pearl millet hybrid breeding. The genotypes were evaluated in six environments in WA in 2007. Grain yield (GY) exhibited an average panmictic mid-parent heterosis (PMPH) of 24%, ranging from -1.51% to 64.69%. General combining ability (GCA) was significant across test environments as reflected by high heritability estimates and high GCA:SCA variance ratios. Thus, early selection for parental per se performance would be rewarding. The parental population from Sudan (IP8679) had strongly negative GCA for GY. Its lack of adaptation contributed to the predominance of additive effects in the present germplasm set. Parental populations PE02987 (Senegal), PE05344 (Mali) and ICMV IS 92222 (Niger) showed large positive GCA for GY. Their offspring, especially PE02987 × PE05344 and Kapelga × ICMV IS 92222, exhibited a high and stable GY across all test environments. Tapping the regional pearl millet genetic diversity seems therefore beneficial for hybrid breeding to increase pearl millet productivity in WA.

Precision Follicular Self-Measurement Using a Pocket-Sized Transabdominal Ultrasound Device

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the comparability of follicle diameters measured using a pocket-size transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) device that produces images for self-assessment versus those measured using a conventional transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) device. The pocket-sized device is fitted with a probe that can be connected to an electronic tablet for patient use and outputs follicle images for patient review.Methods: A prospective study was performed in 25 women (50 follicles) who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection between November 2019 and March 2020 to treat infertility. Patients were first provided with guidance from a doctor; then, they used the probe attached to the pocket-sized TAUS device to acquire the follicle images. The doctor then measured the follicle diameter using a TVUS device and compared the measurements with those obtained by viewing the images taken by the patient. The transverse cross-sectional follicle diameter measured on transabdominal images was defined as the abdominal transverse (AT) diameter. The sagittal and coronal cross-sectional follicle diameters measured on transvaginal images were defined as the vaginal sagittal (VS) and vaginal coronal (VC) diameters, respectively. The mean values of each parameter and the variance ratio of the difference between the TAUS and TVUS measurements were evaluated.Results: The results showed that the difference between AT-VS in the two imaging types was -0.382 mm (95% CI: -1.097-0.333 mm, P=0.288), whereas the difference between AT-VC was 0.342 mm (95% CI: -0.345-1.029 mm, P=0.322), and that between VS-VC was 0.724 mm (95% CI: 0.152-1.296 mm, P=0.014). The variance ratios for the differences between the TAUS and TVUS measurements and for the differences between the two TVUS cross-sectional measurements were σAT-VS2/σVS-VC2=1.56 and σAT-VC2/σVS-VC2=1.44, respectively.Conclusion(s): Despite the presence of some differences in precision due to differences in the method of imaging when patients performed follicular self-measurement using pocket-sized devices, there was little scattering. Therefore, this method can be used to measure follicle diameter at a precision that presents no issues at the clinical level.Trial Registration: Medical Park Shonan (2019001, 25 October 2019)

RANDOM WALKS AND MARKET EFFICIENCY TESTS: EVIDENCE FOR US AND AFRICAN CAPITAL MARKETS

The 2020 Russia-Saudi Oil Price War was an economic war triggered in March 2020 by Saudi Arabia in response to Russia’s refusal to reduce oil production to keep oil prices at a moderate level. This economic conflict resulted in a sharp drop in the price of oil in 2020, as well as crashes in international markets. In the light of these events, our aim was to test the efficient market hypothesis, in its weak form, in the stock markets of Botswana (BSE), Egypt (EGX 100), Kenya (NSE 20), Moroccan All Shares (MASI), Tunisia (Tunindex), and the MARKET of the USA (DOWJONES INDUSTRIALS), in the period of Septem¬ber 2, 2019 to January 11, 2021. The results therefore support the evidence that the random walk hypoth¬esis is not supported by the financial markets analyzed in this period of global pandemic. The values of variance ratios are lower than the unit, which implies that the yields are autocorrelated in time and, there is reversal to the mean. In order to validate the results, we estimate the model αDFA that shows that the stock markets NSE 20 (0.75), TUNINDEX (0.69), MASI (0.63), EGX 100 (0.64), BSE (0.61), DOW JONES (0.58) show autocorrelation in their profitability, that is, these markets show signs of (in) efficiency, in its weak form, persistence in profitability, validating the results of the variance test by Rankings and Wright Signs. In conclusion we can show that the U.S. stock market has more market efficiency when compared to the African stock markets analyzed. The authors consider that the results achieved are of interest to investors looking for opportunities for portfolio diversification in these regional stock markets.

Testing the Random Walk Hypothesis for Real Exchange Rates

This chapter aims to analyze the efficiency, in its weak form, in the exchange rates of Brazil vs. USA, Australia, Canada, Europe (Euro Zone), Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Japan from July 1, 2019 to September 20, 2020. The results suggest that exchange rates show signs of (in)efficiency, in their weak form (i.e., the values of the variance ratios are lower than the unit), which implies that returns are autocorrelated over time, and there is reversal to the average. In corroboration, the results of detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) show persistence in yields (i.e., the existence of long memories), thus validating the results of the Lo and Mackinlay model that show autocorrelation between the series of yields. As a conclusion, the authors show that the assumption of market efficiency may be questioned, since the forecast of market movement may be improved if the lagged movements of the other markets are taken into account, allowing the occurrence of arbitrage operations in these foreign exchange markets.

RANDOM WALKS AND MARKET EFFICIENCY: GOLD, PLATINUM, SILVER VS ASIA EQUITY MARKETS

This paper aims to analyze the efficiency, in its weak form, in the markets of commodities, Platinum (London Platinum Free Market $/Troy oz), GOLD (Gold Bullion LBM $/t oz DELAY), SILVER (Silver – Zurich SW. francs/kg) and the stock markets of KOREA, CHINA, JAPAN, PHILIPPINES, IN¬DONESIA, from January 1, 2019 to October 20, 2020. To perform this analysis, different approaches were undertaken to assess whether: (i) the Gold, Platinum, Silver markets have more robust levels of efficiency when compared to Asian stock markets? The results of the variance test indicate that the random walk hypothesis is rejected in the Gold, Platinum and Silver markets, as well as in the Asian stock markets, with no differences between markets. These findings show that profitability is auto-correlated over time, with a reversal of the mean, because the values of variance ratios are lower than the unit, i.e., price fluctuations are not i.i.d. The results have significant implications for investors, as market inefficiency can affect the domestic and international flows of an economy. In conclusion, the hypothesis of market efficiency, in weak form, may be questionable, since the prediction of the movement of a given market can be improved if the out-of-the-current movements of the other markets are considered, thus enabling the occurrence of arbitrage operations. These findings also make room for regulators in these markets to take steps to ensure better information between these markets and international markets.

Genetic parameters for clinical mastitis in Czech Holstein cattle

Genetic parameters were estimated for clinical mastitis in Czech Holstein cattle. The datasets included 14 329 cows with 28 626 lactations. Clinical mastitis was defined as 0/1 occurrence per lactation. Single- or multi-trait repeatability linear animal models were employed for estimation of (co)variances and prediction of conventional or genomic breeding values. The inclusion of the random herd-year-month effect in the model was analysed. The estimated heritability for clinical mastitis ranged from 2.10% to 2.72%, while permanent environmental variance ratios or random herd-year-month effect ratios were twice higher than heritability. In the multi-trait models, udder type traits, such as fore udder attachment, rear udder attachment, rear udder width, front teat placement and udder depth, were employed. The highest genetic correlations of clinical mastitis occurred with rear udder width (0.41) and the lowest with front teat placement (–0.10). Both the multi-trait model and the genomic model provided breeding value estimates with higher reliability. In contrast, the model with random herd-year-season effects provided breeding values with lower accuracy.