Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraguild Predation between Lady Beetles and Lacewings: Outcomes and Consequences Vary with Focal Prey and Arena of Interaction

ABSTRACT We examined reciprocal intraguild predation (IGP) and cannibalism among various combinations of Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer and Chrysoperla cornea Stephens larvae as they developed feeding on greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum Rondani, on sorghum plants in microcosms. Pairs of C. maculata larvae suppressed aphids better than pairs of C. carnea larvae or heterospecific larval pairs and yielded the highest rate of plant survival. IGP by C. carnea larvae occurred mostly in the first instar, whereas C. maculata larvae were more aggressive in later instars. Although C. carnea was the superior intraguild predator, winning 62.7% of contests in microcosms, this value increased to 88.9% when the experiment was repeated in petri dishes without plant material, regardless of whether greenbugs or eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were offered as focal prey. Provision in petri dishes of the sessile, higher quality prey (Ephestia) as opposed to greenbugs, improved the survival of solitary larvae and delayed cannibalism and IGP until later developmental stages in both species. Larvae of C. maculata that cannibalized took longer to develop and weighed less at pupation, independent of the arena or prey offered. Although larvae of C. carnea did not pay a cost for cannibalism or IGP in microcosms, there were some negative developmental effects of IGP in petri dishes, particularly on the Ephestia diet. These results illustrate how the plant, as a substrate, can mediate the strength of IGP interactions and how the relative suitability of the focal prey can influence both the timing and consequences of cannibalism and IGP.
Photopic adaptations to a changing environment in two Lake Victoria cichlids

During the past 30 years, Lake Victoria cichlid fishes have encountered severe environmental and ecological changes including an introduced predator and new prey types. Furthermore, increased eutrophication has led to reduced water transparency and shifted the spectral composition of underwater light to longer wavelengths. In the present study, collections of two cichlid species, Haplochromis pyrrhocephalus and Haplochromis tanaos, from before and after the environmental changes, were compared with respect to their photopic resolution and sensitivity. Eyes of both species were dissected and retinal features were measured from tangential sections. In both species, the eyes became smaller, independently of body size. This decrease possibly occurred to make space for other structures that increased in size. In H. pyrrhocephalus, a significantly lower resolution was found. However, the size, and thus photon-catching ability of the double cones, remained unchanged, despite the smaller eyes. In the modern populations of H. tanaos, the double cone size increased in relation to eye size, so that the photon-catching ability of the smaller fish remained the same. However, no significant decrease in resolution was found. Shortwave sensitivity was found to be lower in both modern populations because of a reduction or the complete absence of single cones. The results obtained in the present study imply that these resurgent zooplanktivores are capable of adapting their eye morphology to the changed environmental conditions without losing crucial aspects used for survival and reproduction. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 106, 328‐341. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: adaptive response ‐ angular density ‐ diet change ‐ eutrophication ‐ hypoxia ‐ introgressive hybridization ‐ microevolution ‐ plasticity ‐ spatial constraints ‐ water transparency.
BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTIONS IN PRIMARY CARE: AN IMPLEMENTATION TRIAL

Developing effective strategies to keep health care providers' practice current with best practice guidelines has proven to be challenging. This trial was conducted to determine the potential for using brief educational sessions to generate significant change in physician delivery of mental health and substance use interventions in primary care. A 1-hour educational session outlining interventions for depression and risky alcohol use was delivered to a sample of 85 family physicians. The interventions used a supported self-management approach and included free patient access to appropriate selfmanagement resources. The study initially evaluated physicians' implementation of these interventions over a 2-month period. Physician uptake of the depression intervention was significantly greater than uptake of the risky-drinking intervention (32% versus 10%). A follow-up at 6-months posttraining (depression intervention only) demonstrated fairly good maintenance of intervention delivery. Implications of these fi.
In Vivo Evolution of Rock Phosphate Solubilizing Potential in Composting

Some of the Egyptian soils are deficient in organic matter, nitrogen, available phosphorus and micronutrients. The chemical fertilizers have been intensively used as alternative source of organic fertilizer. Therefore preparing compost from bagasse mixed with rock phosphate and inoculated with T. viride and A. niger fungal strains for phosphate dissolving and farmyard manure, not only used as fertilizers but also increase the availability of the fertilizer in compost. Qualities of the produced composts using the fungal activators were compared with those obtained with farmyard manure and physical, chemical and microbial community structure during the composting process were determined. To evaluate the resulting compost as organic phosphatic fertilizers, cowpea seeds were planted in pots and fertilized with different types of the obtained composts. The factors taken in consideration to evaluate the quality of composts by estimating plant dry weight, NPK uptake and determination of microbial change in soil. It was found that, inoculation of pile with microbial activators increased compost quality by increasing C/N ratio, phosphorus uptake and content, nitrogen content, potassium content compared with non-inoculated pile, as well as decreasing in pathogenic bacteria. Macro- nutrients uptake i.e NPK and total microbial in rhizosphere increased with the application of the inoculated pile.
Intention to quit amongst Generation Y academics in higher education : original research

Orientation : For a higher education institution (HEI) to maintain a long-term trajectory of excellence, a strong focus on retaining a younger generation of skilled academics is needed. Research purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate intention to quit amongst Generation Y academics in HEIs. Motivation for the study : Higher education institutions are more dependent on the abilities and commitment of their staff than most other organisations. More than 4000 academics will retire and need to be replaced by 2018, providing justification for the study of intention to quit of academics. Research design, approach and method : An ex post facto quantitative research design was followed. Academics at six HEIs in South Africa were sampled. Measurement instruments included abridged versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, Arnold and Feldman Intention to Quit Scale, Job Descriptive Scale and Chew's reward scale. Main findings : Employee engagement, job satisfaction, remuneration, reward, recognition and transformational leadership were significantly related to intention to quit. In the partial model, three of these variables explained 45% of the variance in intention to quit. Partial least square path modelling revealed that employee engagement and job satisfaction have significant negative impacts on intention to quit. Practical/managerial implications : The findings serve as input for the development of efficacious strategies to retain Generation Y academics at HEIs in South Africa. Contribution/value-add : This study contributes to our knowledge of intention to quit amongst Generation Y academics. It provides evidence of the complexity and inter-relatedness of variables in the phenomenological network of intention to quit.
The effect of drying on black tea quality

Drying is an important part of tea manufacture, where enzyme reactions in earlier phases are terminated by heat and moisture loss, and new compounds are produced by the action of heat. This work is an attempt to quantify the temperatures required to produce the desired changes without damage through exposure to excess heat. Experiments were carried out giving already-dried tea further heat exposure, drying tea from wet dhool in a thin layer, and drying a larger sample in a batch fluidized bed dryer. Temperatures in the range of 60-140 °C were used. Effects were monitored by commercial tasters, thin layer chromatography, reverse phase HPLC and size exclusion HPLC. Exposure to at least 80 °C was found to be necessary for quality development. For periods of less than 1 min, tea particle temperatures of up to 120 °C may be tolerated, but, in general, temperatures of 110 °C and above may be considered deleterious. Inlet air temperatures may be in excess of these values, but only while drying rates are high. The stewing phenomenon, cited by several authors, could not be found when drying times of less than 15 min were used.
EFFECT OF TREATMENT WITH OR WITHOUT ESTRADIOL AFTER OVSYNCH PROTOCOLS AT TIMED AI ON THE PREGNANCY RATE IN LACTATING BUFFALOES

The present study was conducted on forty lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes to compare the reproductive performance by treating with GnRH and PGF2α for synchronization of estrus, ovulation and pregnancy per artifi cial insemination with or without supplemental estradiol. All buffaloes received 25 mg PGF2α at 51 days in milk (DIM) for pre-synchronization of estrus cycles. After 13 days of PGF2α injection, buffaloes were given one of four treatments; Group A (n=10) were given an intramuscular injection of 100 μg of GnRH followed by an injection of PGF2α 7 days later and a fi nal injection of GnRH at timed artifi cial insemination (AI) 48 h after the PGF2α injection. Group B (n=10) were given the same treatment as that given to Group A buffaloes but with an injection of 1 mg of estradiol 24 h after the PGF2α injection. Group C (n=10) were given an intramuscular injection of 100 μg of GnRH followed by an injection of PGF2α 7 days later and a fi nal injection of GnRH at timed artifi cial insemination (AI) 72 h after the PGF2α injection. Group D (n=10) were given the same treatment as that given to Group C buffaloes but with an injection of 1 mg of estradiol 24 h after the PGF2α injection. Blood samples (10 ml) were collected from all buffaloes 7 days before and again at the fi rst GnRH of the BuffSynch protocols, at 48 and 72 h after the PGF2α injection of the BuffSynch and at 7 days after the fi nal GnRH of synchronization protocols. Estrus was observed in 65% (13/20) of the buffaloes after the BuffSynch72 (Groups C and D) compared with 45% (09/20) buffaloes in the BuffSynch48 (Groups Aand B). Of the buffaloes which were treated with estradiol, 70% (14/20) displayed estrus as compared to 40% (08/20) of the buffaloes which were not treated with estradiol. Irrespective of treatments, a preponderance of buffaloes observed in estrus was identifi ed 72 h after injection of PGF2α. It is obvious that estrus expression increased after estradiol treatment however merely at 72 h or 48 h after estradiol injection. Among different treatment groups, pregnancy per AI at 40 and 68 days after artifi cial insemination did not differ. At 40 days after artifi cial insemination, pregnancy per AI rates were 45.0% for BuffSynch48 (Groups A and B) and BuffSynch72 (Groups C and D), whereas 45.0% for buffaloes with (Groups B and D) or without (Groups A and C) receiving estradiol treatment. It was concluded that lactating buffaloes exposed to presynchronized timed artifi cial insemination program with variable interval of proestrus before GnRH, in which artifi cial insemination was done at the time of fi nal GnRH injection, practiced EFFECT OF TREATMENT WITH OR WITHOUT ESTRADIOL AFTER OVSYNCH PROTOCOLS AT TIMED AI ON THE PREGNANCY RATE IN LACTATING BUFFALOES
Investigating the Impact of Firm Characteristics on Capital Structure of Quoted and Unquoted SMEs

This study aims to enhance the understanding of SMEs’ capital structure in Egypt. The study tests the impact of asset structure, size, profitability, liquidity, growth, age, and ownership structure as independent variables on the leverage ratio. Three alternative variables are used as a proxy for leverage: total, long term, and short term leverage. The study further investigates the significance of the relationship between the economic sector as a control variable and the three leverage ratios. Multiple regression analysis is used to develop the explanatory models for two samples of SMEs. The first sample comprises of 28 firms, which represent all listed and traded SMEs in Egypt as of 31/12/2016, covering the period from 2008 till 2015. The second sample includes panel data of 95 non-quoted SMEs. The overall model recommends that all the independent and control variables are significantly explaining the capital structure decisions of SMEs in Egypt. The results of the two samples show a high degree of similarities. The managerial ownership is found to be negatively correlated to short term leverage, while the block holding ownership is positively correlated to the total and the short term leverage. Moreover, the sector shows a significant relationship with the capital structure. The results of the study demonstrate that the best explanation of the SMEs behavior in Egypt is the pecking order theory. Finally, the study introduces useful recommendations for policy makers and SMEs’ management in Egypt.
The function of the medial prefrontal cortex in emotions and empathy

Several approaches divide empathy into emotional and cognitive subparts. The emotional reactions are strongly related to the mirror neuron system and interact with cognitive processes as the theory of mind. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationship between empathy and emotions. For this reason the review focuses on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), because it is involved in empathy, emotion regulation, and self-conscious emotions. Overall, it can be concluded that mPFC distinguishes between self-generated emotions and empathy-generated emotions based on a self-other distinction. These findings suggest a shared network of empathy, emotion regulation and self-conscious emotions in cortical regions.
Does the Labor Share of Income Drive Inflation?

Woodford (2001) has presented evidence that the new-Keynesian Phillips curve fits the empirical behavior of inflation well when the labor income share is used as a driving variable, but fits poorly when deterministically detrended output is used. He concludes that the output gap - the deviation between actual and potential output - is better captured by the labor income share, in turn implying that central banks should raise interest rates in response to increases in the labor share. We show that the empirical evidence generally suggests that the labor share version of the new-Keynesian Phillips curve is a very poor model of price inflation. We conclude that there is little reason to view the labor income share as a good measure of the output gap, or as an appropriate variable for incorporation in a monetary policy rule.
EXAFS evidence of sorbed arsenic(V) and pharmacosiderite in a soil overlying the Echassières geochemical anomaly, Allier, France

At Echassieres (Allier, France), arsenic speciation was determined in a soil developed over a micaschist where Hercynian hydrothermal mineralization, including arsenopyrite FeAsS and lollingite FeAs2, has lead to a regional As anomaly. The overlying soils which have developed from long term weathering exhibit As levels as high as 900 ppm in the richest area, where the saprolite contains up to 5200 ppm As. Analysis by powder XRD, [nu]-X-ray diffraction on the 20[nu]m scale, SEM-EDS and electron micro-probe analyses revealed that As, released from arsenopyrite and/or lollingite alteration, is concentrated in a secondary iron arsenate, pharmacosiderite, (Bax,K2-2x) (Fe,Al)4 (AsO4)3 (OH)5 · 6H2O. Quantitative mineralogical analysis by Rietveld refinement indicates that the proportion of As hosted by this mineral decreases systematically from the saprolite to the topsoil (from 70 % to 30 % of the total bulk As content, respectively). EXAFS spectroscopy indicates that the main form of the As occurring with pharmacosiderite, consists of As(V) ions sorbed on iron oxides. Sorption processes, which dominate As speciation in the topsoil horizons, appear as a key mechanism able to delay As dissemination from soils to plant and surface waters, provided that pH and Eh conditions remain sufficiently acidic and oxidizing, respectively.
Bargaining and Delay in Patent Licensing

We consider a model of licensing of a non-drastic innovation in which the patent holder (an outside innovator) negotiates either up-front fixed fees or per-unit royal- ties with two firms producing horizontally differentiated brands and competing a la Cournot. We investigate how licensing schemes (fixed fee or per-unit royalty) and the number of licenses sold (exclusive licensing or complete technology diffusion) affect price agreements and delays in reaching an agreement. We show that the patent holder prefers to license by means of up-front fixed fees except if market competition is mild and the innovation size is small. Once there is private information about the relative bargaining power of the parties, the patent holder may prefer licensing by means of per-unit royalties even if market competition is strong. Moreover, the delay in reaching an agreement is greater whenever the patent holder chooses to negotiate up-front fixed fees instead of per-unit royalties.
A PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF ANT MORPHOLOGY ( HYMENOPTERA : FORMICIDAE ) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PONEROMORPH SUBFAMILIES

3 Introduction . 3 The Importance of Studies of Ant Morphology . 7 Digital Atlas of Ant Morphology . 10 Goals of Present Study . 11 Materials and Methods . 12 Taxon Sampling . 12 Character Sampling. 13 Morphological Analysis. 15 Digital Atlas. 15 Cladistic Analysis . 17 Character Descriptions and Discussion. 17 Abbreviations and Conventions . 17 Note on Anatomical Terminology . 17 About Character Figures . 19 Character Discussion. 19 Characters Excluded from the Analysis. 65 Results and Discussion . 66 Morphological Analysis. 66 Cladistic Analysis . 67 Final Remarks . 74 Acknowledgments . 74 References . 74 Appendix 1: List of Species Included in This Study . 82 Appendix 2: Data Matrix . 85
Biosorption of Cd (II) and As (III) ions from aqueous solution by tea waste biomass

Biosorption of Cadmium (Cd (II)) and Arsenic (As (III)) ions from wastewater by tea waste biomass was examined in a batch experimental setup. The effects of pH and temperature on the biosorption were studied in this work. The optimum pH for the maximum efficiency of biosorption of Cd (II) and As (III) were found to be 5.5 and 7.5, respectively. The adsorption process was endothermic in nature and spontaneous. About 95 and 84.5% removal of Cd (II) and As (III) ions was obtained at 200 mg/l of adsorbate and 6 g/l and 7 g/l of adsorbent dosage, respectively. The present study showed that tea waste biomass can serve as a good and cheap substitute for conventional carbon- based adsorbents. Key words: Tea waste biomass, Cd (II), As (III), biosorption.
Short-Term Effect of Sugarcane Straw on Soil Organic Carbon Pools

This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of sugarcane straw on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in tropical soils. The treatments simulated the maintenance of different rates of sugarcane straw (0, 2.2, 5.1, 7.8 and 12 t ha-1) applied on the soil surface, with four replication, and evaluated chemical and biological attributes in four depths (0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; 0.10-0.20; 0.20-0.40 m). Results from soil samples collected in the rainy and dry seasons showed evidence of positive short-term effects of green harvest either on labile and humified soil organic matter (SOM) pools. For the total SOC stocks, we observed linear responses with straw rates in both sampling seasons. A decreased humification index in the topsoil suggests more labile C pools available in the soil, resulting in a significant increase in microbial activity. Microbial indicators point towards a steady equilibrium in SOC turnover, which can lead to future lower increases in SOC stocks if high straw amounts are maintained on the soil surface. Therefore, long-term studies under low-latitude areas are necessary to model the potential of C sequestration in sugarcane green harvest systems.
Ultra-Low or Negative Yields on Euro-Area Long-Term Bonds: Causes and Implications for Monetary Policy

The importance of monetary policy for the current ultra-low interest rates is often over-estimated. As emphasised by ECB President Draghi himself, monetary policy cannot determine long-term rates directly, and its influence on long-term real rates is even more limited and indirect. Moreover, long-term bond yields have fallen to unprecedented low levels throughout developed countries. The influence of any single central bank on bond yields in its currency area must be quite limited if global capital markets are integrated. The importance of the ECB’s policy in driving down rates in the euro area is widely assumed to be substantial. But even the ECB does not attribute more than a one percentage point decline in rates to QE. The author of this study believes that the impact of QE has been much smaller, due to the state of global markets. It is widely accepted that a sudden reversal of rates to ‘normal’ would pose a threat to financial stability, but few believe that this is likely to materialise any time soon.
Embedding of bulk piezoelectric structures in low temperature co-fired ceramic

It has been over a century since the Curie brothers discovered the piezoelectric effect. Since then our knowledge about this phenomena has been constantly growing, accompanied by a vast increase in its applications. Modern piezoelectric devices, especially those meant for use in personal equipment, can often have complicated shapes and electric circuits; therefore, a suitable and cost effective packaging method is needed. The recent introduction of self-constrained Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) characterized by virtually no planar shrinkage has pushed the limits of this technology a step further. The practical lack of dimension change between “green” state and sintered ceramic has not only improved the design of multilayer smart packages but also allowed the embedding of other bulk materials within the LTCC and their co-firing in one sintering process. This thesis introduces a novel method of seamlessly embedding piezoelectric bulk structures in LTCC by co-firing or bonding with adhesive. Special attention is paid to the multistage lamination and post-firing poling of the piezoelectric ceramics. Examples of several structures from the main areas of piezoelectric applications are presented as proof of successful implementation of the new technique in the existing production environment. The performance of the structures is investigated and compared to structures manufactured using other methods. Integration of bulk piezoelectric structures through co-firing is a new technique with a wide area of applications, suitable for mass production using existing process flow.