Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the evolutionary impacts of plant invasions: bugs and beetles as native guides

The introduction of plants into new biogeographical realms is a main repercussion of human trade. The responses of native insects to alien plants may provide insight into how invaders influence ecological processes in their new communities. We illustrate this point with results from our field and lab studies of seed‐feeding insects on alien plants. Soapberry bugs (Jadera, Leptocoris) have colonized several species of weedy invasive plants (sapindaceous trees and vines) in the United States and Australia. After initial reduction in physiological performance, they evolved behavioral, morphological, physiological and life history adaptations permitting more efficient exploitation of those hosts. Those changes occurred quickly, in fewer than 100 generations (ca. 30–50 years). The underlying genetic changes are surprisingly complex, and also involve loss of function on native hosts. Contrasting with this is the bruchine beetle (Stator limbatus) on seeds of leguminous trees. Large numbers of S. limbatus oviposit on an alien tree in Arizona, but few offspring survive. The main influence on larval survival is a maternal effect determined by the host the mother experiences as her eggs mature. Adaptive plasticity in egg size and composition may ultimately permit successful exploitation of novel resources. Together, these studies show that both complex genetic and developmental factors influence the integration of ecological and evolutionary processes in environments altered by anthropogenically initiated plant invasions. Tractable insect study systems may be valuable guides to understanding biotic dynamics in a changing world.
THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT TIME: AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THE QUALITY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We analyze some personal characteristics of the members of the audit committee of the Spanish listed firms and the relation between these characteristics and earnings management. We find a non-linear relation with tenure, so that long tenures can initially compromise the directors’ independence but, after a given threshold, longer tenures improve the expertise of the members. Serving in too many boards has a negative influence on the ability of directors to detect earnings management, and higher academic background and more diverse professional background improve the directors’ abilities.
Employee Perception of Leadership Styles by Las Vegas Casino-Gaming Managers

As the casino-gaming industry continues to grow, the understanding of leadership styles becomes even more important because of competition and economic challenges. The purpose of this research study was to examine employee perceptions of managerial leadership styles in Las Vegas casino-gaming operations in conjunction with revenue growth between 2000 and 2006. Participants in the current research study completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 5X (MLQ) to express their perceptions about the leadership styles of casino-gaming managers. The study revealed that Las Vegas casino-gaming employee participants perceived their managers as following a transactional rather than a transformational style of leadership. In addition, revenue growth was not seen as a determining factor in how employees viewed their manager’s leadership style.
Mortality of the leafroller parasitoid Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Hym: Braconidae) exposed to orchard pesticide residues

A laboratory bioassay was used to evaluate the effect of residues from 10 orchard pesticides on mortality of Dolichogenidea tasmanica, a parasitoid of leafrollers. Adult parasitoids were caged in Petri dishes that had been sprayed with the field rate of the pesticides. Mortality was assessed over 7 days and classified using the laboratory criteria defined by the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants. Residues of buprofezin, emamectin benzoate, lufenuron, tebufenozide and thiacloprid were harmless ( 99% mortality). The implications for leafroller control in pipfruit production programmes are discussed.
In Search of ISO: An Institutional Perspective on the Adoption of International Management Standards

This paper analyzes the determinants of the cross-national adoption of the international Environmental Management System standard ISO 14001 using a panel of 102 countries from 1996 to 2000. I use new institutional economics to develop hypotheses on the impact of the institutional environment on the cost of adopting the management standard. I also develop hypotheses using the institutional sociology perspective to address the role of the institutional environment in affecting demand and legitimation processes related to the standard. The results of the statistical analysis show that both rationales of cost minimization and legitimation play a role in the adoption of the standard. Using both theories improves our understanding of institutional forces affecting the early adoption of emerging management standards.
Lessons learned practices in the engineering, procurement and construction sector

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate how Canadian engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies address lessons learned (LL) on their construction projects.Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a case study methodology.Findings – The exploitation of LL to improve performance on future projects is highly desirable for many construction organisations. The vision of an organisation that can readily recall what went well on a project and attempt to recreate those successes, as well as avoiding the repetition of past mistakes offers commercial sense.Originality/value – The paper provides a number of recommendations for UK companies regarding how the process may be improved in terms of encouraging LL to occur, the timing of LL sessions, identifying participants, the format for documenting LL and how these should be disseminated.
MOWING INTENSITY INFLUENCES DEGREE OF CHANGES IN CARABID BEETLE ASSEMBLAGES

Mowing measures are frequently used as a tool for species conservation. However, mowing intensity as well as ecological characteristics of different sites may have an influence on the respective species or assemblages. Based on a BACI study design we tested if the effect of mowing on carabid assemblages is more pronounced with a higher intensity of the mowing measures, and if the results are influenced by differences in environmental characteristics between individual study sites. Based on 2650 carabid individuals belonging to 43 species we demonstrated that an intensification of mowing intensity resulted in an increased effect on the carabid coenoses. While assemblages from study sites mown once in the year were located closer to those from unmown sites, assemblages from study sites mown twice in the year were clearly separated in ordination analysis. However, some environmental variables, as shown by plant indicator values, accounted for a comparatively high amount of the variance. The study confirms that in the context of using mowing as a measure for nature conservation the mowing intensity has to be taken into account, but also variation in environmental factors.
Original Contribution ASSESSING FRICTIONAL PROPERTIES OF RUBBER FLOORS IN FREE HOUSING SYSTEMS FOR DAIRY COWS

The investigation was conducted in a dairy cow free-stall barn. The resting area of was in individual cubicles, and walking alleys were covered with two types of rubber mats – with and without abrasion lining. An electric scraper system was used for manure cleaning, and cows were received a total mix ration ad libitum. The coefficients of static and dynamic friction of both rubber mat types when dry, wet or covered with manure were compared. It was established that static and dynamic coefficients of friction of dry rubber mats without abrasion lining were very good. Wetting reduced the frictional properties of this type of flooring. The measured static and dynamic coefficients of friction - μ = 0.44 and μ = 0.41 respectively, indicated a good contact between the non-abrasive rubber mat and hooves and no significant risk from slipping. The manure spilled on this flooring type compromised considerably the cohesion between hooves and rubber mat, and the measured static and dynamic coefficient of friction (μ = 0.4) indicated poor cohesion, and risk from slipping and falling of cows. The dry rubber mat with abrasive lining exhibited very high static (μ = 0.59) and dynamic (μ = 0.56) coefficients of friction. Wetting of these rubber mats resulted in slightly higher static friction (μ = 0.61), and lower dynamic friction (μ = 0.52). The presence of manure mass on the abrasive flooring reduced substantially (P<0.05) static (μ = 0.49) and dynamic (μ = 0.46) coefficients of friction. Nevertheless, manure spilled on rubber mats with abrasive lining provided an optimal coefficient of friction, but possibly diminished their primary purpose, i.e. claw horn abrasion.
EFFECT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON COMMON BACTERIA IN HOSPITAL SURFACES

Background: One of the most important causes of complications and mortality in medical centers are nosocomial infections. Disinfection of hospital surfaces is essential element for ensuring that infectious agents are not transmitted to patients. Alcohol-based and chlorine-based disinfectants have unfavorable properties. Given that the antimicrobial effect of heavy metals such as silver is recognized as a viable option for eliminating bacteria, the exploration of nanotechnology in this context has been described in this study. Nanotechnology uses both science and technology to produce new materials with nano-scales. Objectives: The effect of silver nanoparticles on some common hospital bacteria has been studied in this research. Patients and Methods: We have selected nine patients' metal file covers and following sterilizing, we have infected them with one of these bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. Then, the infected surfaces have been disinfected with different dilutions of silver nanoparticles. Sampling and culturing has done following four specific intervals. Afterwards, the colonies that developed have been counted and compared. Results: All of the three dilutions of silver nanoparticles could bring the colony count out of 7.5x106 to less than 100 which indicate more than a 99 percent reduction. No remarkable difference of the three dilutions of disinfectants was observed in reducing the colony count in 5,15, 30 and 60 minute disinfection intervals (P value >0.05). The effect of constant dilution of silver nanoparticles on the reduction of organisms varied in response to the time of disinfection (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles had appropriate effects in all three types of dilutions and allowing for a more protracted contact time has given significantly better results.
Does Mindful Meditation Enhance Eyewitness Memory and Prevent the Misinformation Effect

Engaging in a brief mindful meditation task prior to witnessing an event may enhance event encoding and reduce susceptibility to post-event misinformation. Participants in this study completed either a 3-minute mindful meditation exercise or an unrelated filler task (Sudoku). Half of the participants in each group were first told their task was beneficial to memory, while the other half were told nothing. After completing the task, all participants viewed a video of a fictitious crime. After viewing the video, they listened to a narrative that introduced misleading information about the video. Finally, they took a memory test on the video. Despite data indicating that the mindful meditation task was effective, there was no difference between the two groups on memory performance. However, regardless of the task completed prior to the video, participants who were told they were doing something beneficial to memory reported fewer false memories. Finally, a correlation analysis found that for participants who engaged in the meditation task, greater states of mindfulness were associated with fewer reports of misinformation and a decrease in their ability to recollect discrepancies between the video and narrative. The same correlations were not significant in the control group. These findings have interesting implications for the relationship between mindfulness and memory. It appears that mindful meditation decreases a participant's ability to evaluate incoming information.
Burnout in doctors and nurses working in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in a General Hospital

Aim: Health professionals working in intensive care units (ICU) are at high risk of developing the syndrome of professional burnout. The aim of the study was to explore the severity of professional burnout in doctors and nurses of neonatal (NICU) and pediatric ICUs (PICU) while identifying the factors associated with it. Study population and methods: Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to the nurses and doctors working in a NICU and PICU of a General Hospital. We utilized a 22-item questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory that evaluates three domains of burnout; emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Results: The response rate was 58% (52/90). The average (SD) scores were 30.71 (11.5) for EE, 10.11 (5.9) for DP, and 33.37 (8.0) for PA. DP scores were significant higher in PICU than NICU (p = 0.032) and EE and DP scores were higher in nurses than doctors (p < 0.013 and p < 0.0001 for EE and DP, respectively). Employees who reported health issues had a significantly higher degree of EE (p = 0.044) and appeared less satisfied with their PA (p = 0.046). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that ICU type and professional capacity were independent predictors of burnout. The age, marital status and years of ICU work did not significantly affect the burnout severity. Conclusions: There is a significant degree of burnout in the personnel of Greek PICUs and NICUs which is affected by the professional status, type of ICU, and health issues of the employees involved. The state must implement the necessary interventions that will effectively minimize burnout in ICU personnel in order to prevent the unfavorable consequences on both staff members and inpatients.
Challenges for rural school leaders in a developing context: A case study on leadership practices of effective rural principals

School leaders in all settings require suitable integration of leadership knowledge and skills to respond effectively to the many challenges that beset them in their daily work. However, it is argued that the rural context creates additional and distinctive challenges for school leaders, as rural schools have unique challenges and traits that differentiate them markedly from those in urban areas. To help understand how rural leaders in rural schools deal with the challenges and complexity in their work five schools were selected for the study. A qualitative research paradigm was selected. The selection process involved a purposive sample. Three of the five principals on whom the case studies were based were in their first year and the other two, were in their third and fourth year as a permanent teaching principal, respectively. Principals were interviewed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. It was found that the desirability of principals acquiring a rural lens as a strategy for enhancing leadership has important implications for their initial preparation and also for their ongoing professional training. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82. 3.2337
Determinants of Corporate Dividend Payout in Nepal

There are several studies that investigated determinants of corporate dividend payout in developed and emerging stock markets. Such a study is scant in pre-emerging stock markets like that of Nepal. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of corporate dividend payout in Nepal. This paper examines whether enterprises’ characteristics affect dividend payouts of the enterprises listed on Nepal Stock Exchange Ltd. A priori hypothesis between relationship of the dividends paid by the enterprises and enterprises’ characteristics- net profits, size, lagged dividends, liquidity, risk, investment opportunity set, and number of shareholders are set based on theoretical framework and other empirical studies, and tested on 22 listed enterprises covering a 5-year period, 2009 to 2013 by employing regression model. Purposive sampling technique is used to select the enterprises for the study. The relationships of variables firstly analysed for overall sector and further for sub-sectors of financial and non-financial sector. Overall sector analysis is performed through pooled cross-sectional data. Further to check sectoral differences, sector wise regression analysis is performed. The results, in overall, reveal that profitability, size, and liquidity are major determinants of corporate dividend payout in Nepal. This study also reveals that there is sector specific importance of the determinants of corporate dividend payout in Nepal.
In situ observations on the habitat and abundance of the squat lobster Gastroptychus perarmatus (Haig, 1968) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Chirostylidae) in the n orthern Gulf of California, Mexico

Living specimens of Gastroptychus perarmatus (Haig, 1968), a chirostylid squat lobster, were observed on colonies of gorgonian corals and sponges in the northern Gulf of California. Video footage and photographs obtained from the Remotely Operated Vehicle JASON dive north of Angel de La Guarda Island in the northern Gulf of California indicate that this squat lobster lives on coral specimens of Callogorgia, probably C. flabellum (Ehrenberg, 1834), and on one or two unidentified species of sponge(s). Seven sites were observed to contain G. perarmatus with the number of individuals per host varying from 2 to 11. No specimens were observed on the sea floor away from a host. Review of videos indicates that most individuals of G. perarmatus observed remained motionless in the same position throughout the video recording period (max. 30 seconds), with the body erect and the chelipeds extended, presumably to facilitate collection of organic particles transported by the current. At one site, however, the video shows one adult specimen grasping large particles of floating debris retained on the gorgonian. Until recently there were no records of G. perarmatus since it was described from California in depths of 229m (north of Anacapa Island). A few specimens were accidentally captured in a benthic sledge in the northern Gulf of California in 2011. This is a new record for the area, including a new maximum depth record (705-710 m) for the species. This rare species of squat lobster and its host the gorgonian coral would be subject to severe environmental impacts if fishing or mining activities were developed in the area.
Evapotranspiration, Yield Components, and Some Quality Attributes of Subsurface Drip Irrigated Broccoli under Three Soil-water Depletion Levels

This experiment aimed to determine evapotranspiration, and responses of some yield and quality parameters of subsurface drip irrigated broccoli ( Brassica oleraceae L.). Treatments included water application when available soil moistures were depleted 30, 40, and 50% during both spring and autumn cultivations. Under a semi-arid climatic condition of Tokat, Turkey, the experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design in clay and clay loam soils during, respectively, 2011 and 2012. The mean measured soil-water depletion levels of 39, 49, and 59% (irrigation treatments) yielded statistically significant results among the seasonal actual evapotranspirations with a range from 210 to 294 mm. The determined crop coefficients (Kc) during the initial growth stage of broccoli for the autumn cultivations did not follow those of standard recommendations. Furthermore, we could not find any statistically significant difference in the yield and quality components among the irrigation treatments, but among the cultivation seasons.
Histopathological alterations in Gill, Liver and Kidney of Cyprinus carpio (Linn.) exposed to Cypermethrin (25%EC)

The histopathological effects of Cypermethrin on the gill, liver and kidney tissues in Cyprinus carpio were determined by light microscopy. The fishes were exposed to 96h lethal and sublethal concentrations of cypermethrin for 4 days with parallel untre ated control. No histopathological effects were observed in control group. Hyperplasia, desquamation, and necrosis of epithelial, epithelial lifting, oedema, lamellar fusion, collapsed secondary lamellae, curling of secondary lamellae and aneurism in the secondary lamellae were observed in gill tissue. Hepatic lesions characterized by cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, congestion, vacuolar degeneration, karyolysis, karyohexis, dilation of sinusoids and nuclear hypertrophy were observed in theliver tissue. In kidney, highly degenerative changes were observed in haemopoitic tissue which includes shrinkage of glomerulus, expansion of space inside bowman’s capsule, hypertrophied cells and lumen tubules diminished. Besides the above changes severe necrosis, cloudy swelling in renal tubules and granular cytoplasm was also observed.
Intensive study of freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) in Finland

Abstract: Freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) were studied in Central Finland by examining 2224 rivers and brooks during the open water periods of the years 2012-2015 with supplementary sampling in S- and SW-Finland, the W-coast rivers and Lapland. A total of 1957 records of algae were made. Approximately 56.2% of the studied locations had 1-6 taxa. The total taxa collected were 25, with 5 taxa new to Finland. While sampling, ecological variables were recorded and measured. The most common taxa were Batrachospermum gelatinosum (37.0%), Sheathia arcuata (10.7%), Audouinella hermannii (11.2%) and Sirodotia suecica (7.0%). Lemanea spp. (9.9%) occurred in larger rivers. Most records were from July and August, but some also in winter months. From the most rare taxa, Lemanea condensata was found in Lapland rivers, Batrachospermum vogesiacum in acid, dystrophic rivers in Central Finland, B. atrum in 7 eutrophic rivers, Kumanoa globospora in 6 rivers of Central Finland, Batrachospermum elegans in 6 and K. virgatodecaisneana in 5 harder-water rivers of SW-Finland.