Environmental performance measurement in arts and cultural organisations: Exploring factors influencing organisational changes.

Arts and Cultural Organisations (ACOs) have received significant attention over the last few years regarding their environmental performance. ACOs are often non-profit organisations, relying on government funding to implement various programmes to support societal development. Funding dependence can shift ACOs' focus from creating socio-cultural value to being more commercially driven. This paper explores factors influencing organisational changes in ACOs related to environmental performance measurement. Stakeholders in ACOs based in Nottingham, England, were interviewed and participated in a workshop to validate and collect additional data. Our research uncovered five interrelated factors that influence organisational change: the role of funding bodies; local policies and networks; organisational culture and leadership; lack of resources; and building proprietary-tenant relationships. This paper contributes to understanding ACOs responses to measuring environmental performance and the challenges they face as they move from measuring to implementation. Implications are explored for how funding is allocated and understood in terms of moving beyond merely measuring the carbon footprint of activities. ACOs' funding dependence indicates a focus on carbon measurement, omitting a more holistic approach towards the environment and sustainability.

Flavonoid enriched supplementation abrogates prenatal stress and enhances goat kids performance reared in a sub-tropical environment.

The subtropical climatic conditions in the winter season characterized by low temperature may enable to induce cold stress in pregnancy and transition periods which results in the production of reactive oxygen species. However, flavonoid enriched impact on pregnancy and lactation of Beetal goats remains unclear in a subtropical cold environment. Forty-eight multiparous pregnant Beetal goats were randomly assigned into two groups, mid-pregnancy (n = 24), late pregnancy to early lactation (n = 24). Mid-pregnancy and late pregnancy were further sub-grouped into control and supplemented with an equal number of animals. Both groups of animals were offered concentrates while the supplemented group was provided additional flavonoid-rich supplementation (Loxidan) at 120 mg/kg/head during the experimental period of 45 days in each phase of pregnancy plus 33 days of kids suckling period only in late pregnancy to early lactation group. Fractional biochemical analysis of Loxidan feed revealed it contained a rich source of total flavonoids (8268 ±â€¯92.1 µg/g) with total antioxidant capacity (14.6 ±â€¯1.7 µM/g DW). Blood was collected fifteen days apart during mid-pregnancy (60 to 105 days) and late pregnancy plus early lactation (120 to 165 days) for the assessment of serum biochemical parameters. Results revealed that serum profile of total flavonoids, total antioxidant activity, total oxidant status, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, total phenolic, total proteins, and progesterone level showed significant values as compared to the control group in both phases of pregnancy (P < 0.05). Moreover, flavonoid enriched supplementation increased the initial kid's weight and total average weight gain as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Overall, results illustrate that supplementation increased kid's birth weight, average daily weight gain, and fetal survival. Therefore, flavonoids could be used as an antioxidant regimen to mitigate cold stress of subtropical environment on pregnancy and lactation to improve reproductive traits.

Dietary Moringa oleifera Alters Periparturient Plasma and Milk Biochemical Indicators and Promotes Productive Performance in Goats.

The purpose of the current study was to explore the supplementing effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on plasma and milk biochemical indices and productive/reproductive performance of goats. A total of 30 healthy pregnant goats were randomly distributed (n = 10) into three experimental groups: control (M0) group (basal diet without MOLP), M2% group (basal diet + 2% MOLP), and M3.5% group (basal diet + 3.5% MOLP). The experiment started 2 months before parturition and continued till the first month of lactation. The plasma flavonoids were significantly increased in the M3.5% group during the entire experiment, whereas the total phenolic contents were enhanced only during the lactation period depending on the supplementation percentage. The amount of vitamin C increased significantly in M2% and M3.5% groups as compared to the M0 group. Supplementation of MOLP improved the plasma total antioxidant capacity by declining malondialdehyde concentration and total oxidant status values. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes were modified in M2% and M3.5% supplemented groups throughout the experiment, while the catalase activity was significantly influenced only during the lactation stage. The protein and lycopene contents in plasma were significantly improved in the M3.5% group, whereas the total sugars and carotenoid level was increased in both M2% and M3.5% groups. Dietary supplementation with 3.5% MOLP more effectively enhanced protease and amylase activities as compared to 2% supplementation. MOLP also improved the biochemical indices and antioxidant status of colostrum and milk. The milk yield, weight gain of the kids, and reproductive performance were high in M2% and M3.5% groups in comparison to the M0 group. These findings disclose that supplementing the diet with 3.5% MOLP improves antioxidant status, milk yield, and reproductive performance in goats.