Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics

Significance The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has called for a 33% increase in the number of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) bachelor’s degrees completed per year and recommended adoption of empirically validated teaching practices as critical to achieving that goal. The studies analyzed here document that active learning leads to increases in examination performance that would raise average grades by a half a letter, and that failure rates under traditional lecturing increase by 55% over the rates observed under active learning. The analysis supports theory claiming that calls to increase the number of students receiving STEM degrees could be answered, at least in part, by abandoning traditional lecturing in favor of active learning. To test the hypothesis that lecturing maximizes learning and course performance, we metaanalyzed 225 studies that reported data on examination scores or failure rates when comparing student performance in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses under traditional lecturing versus active learning. The effect sizes indicate that on average, student performance on examinations and concept inventories increased by 0.47 SDs under active learning (n = 158 studies), and that the odds ratio for failing was 1.95 under traditional lecturing (n = 67 studies). These results indicate that average examination scores improved by about 6% in active learning sections, and that students in classes with traditional lecturing were 1.5 times more likely to fail than were students in classes with active learning. Heterogeneity analyses indicated that both results hold across the STEM disciplines, that active learning increases scores on concept inventories more than on course examinations, and that active learning appears effective across all class sizes—although the greatest effects are in small (n ≤ 50) classes. Trim and fill analyses and fail-safe n calculations suggest that the results are not due to publication bias. The results also appear robust to variation in the methodological rigor of the included studies, based on the quality of controls over student quality and instructor identity. This is the largest and most comprehensive metaanalysis of undergraduate STEM education published to date. The results raise questions about the continued use of traditional lecturing as a control in research studies, and support active learning as the preferred, empirically validated teaching practice in regular classrooms.
An Integrated Case Study for Evaluating the Impacts of an Oil Refinery Effluent on Aquatic Biota in the Delaware River: Advanced Chemical Fingerprinting of PAHs

ABSTRACT More than one thousand samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the potential impact of Motiva's oil refinery effluent on the receiving water, sediment, and biota of the Delaware River. The data collected from these samples were used with advanced chemical fingerprinting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Motiva's oil refinery effluent to differentiate Motiva-related PAHs in sediment and biota from other sources. The PAHs released from the refinery between 1999 and 2002 were dominated by petrogenic 4-ring PAHs. Specifically, the refinery signature exhibited relatively high levels of fluoranthenes/pyrenes with two (FP2) and three (FP3) alkyl groups and benz(a)anthracene/chrysenes with two (BC2), three (BC3), and four (BC4) alkyl groups. This PAH signature, attributed to accelerated degradation of low molecular weight PAHs in the Motiva wastewater treatment plant, exhibited little variability over time relative to the background patterns in the Delaware River. This distinctive feature of the Motiva effluent allowed the identification of this source in other samples. Water and sediment samples identified a range of PAH characteristics associated with the Delaware River urban background signature. These characteristics included varying levels of 2- to 3-ring PAHs (likely from weathered automotive fuel, marine fuel, or bilge tank discharges), pyrogenic 4- to 6-ring PAHs (from partially combusted organic material like soot), and perylene (diagenetic product of terrestrial plant decomposition). The Motiva hydrocarbon signature was only evident at moderate to low levels in selected near-field sampling stations for sediment, bivalves, and effluent/nearfield water. PAHs in the river sediments beyond the near-field area were consistently associated with samples containing the Delaware River urban background signature, and exhibited little to no effect from the Refinery.
Effect of acute heat exposure on blood flow and its distribution in the unrestrained laying fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract 1. The effect of heat exposure (air temperature 35–45°C) for 1.5 h on blood flow distribution between the abdominal viscera and the muscles of abdominal wall and hind leg was investigated in unanaesthetised, unrestrained laying fowl. 2. Heat stressed fowl showed a significant hyperthermia (+ 1.3°C), rapid shallow breathing (229 breaths/min) and significant hypocapnia ( − 8 Torr). 3. Significant increases in absolute blood flow (ml/g per min) were measured in the kidneys, spleen, liver and duodenum during hyperthermia, but there was no change in the absolute blood flow to the reproductive tract or the relative perfusion of the reproductive tract compared with the other tissues sampled. 4. We conclude that in these acute conditions of heat exposure, blood flow to the reproductive tract of the laying fowl is not compromised by any simultaneous thermoregulatory needs.
ENDOPHYTIC ALGAE OF CHONDRUS CRISPUS (RHODOHYTA). II. ACROCHAETE HETEROCLADA SP. NOV., A. OPERCULATA SP. NOV., AND PHAEOPHILA DENDROIDES (CHLOROPHYTA) 1

The occurrence of three endophytic green algae within Chondrus crispus Stackh. is reported. Two of them are new to science and are described as Acrochaete heteroclada Correa and Nielsen sp. nov. and A. operculata Correa and Nielsen sp. nov. The algae were studied in unialgal culture and in association with the host following infection of C. crispus under laboratory conditions. The experimental infection showed A. heteroclada to be initially epiphytic, with endophytic filaments growing into the cortex of the host during late infection. A. operculata is entirely endophytic when associated with the host. Phaeophila dendroides (Crouan frat.) Batters behaves as an epiphyte at 15 and 24°C but penetrates the host tissues at 20°C. For all three species, a close physical association with the host is established only when zoospores settle and germinate on the surface of C. crispus.
How Disasters Affect Local Labor Markets

This study improves upon the Difference in Difference approach by examining exogenous shocks using a Generalized Difference in Difference (GDD) technique that identifies economic effects of hurricanes. Based on the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data, worker earnings in Florida counties hit by a hurricane increase up to 4 percent, whereas earnings in neighboring counties decrease. Over time, workers experience faster earnings and slower employment growth than workers in unaffected counties. Hurricanes have a greater impact in coastal and Panhandle counties, and powerful hurricanes have greater economic effects than weaker ones. Further, the GDD technique is applicable to analyze a wider range of exogenous shocks than hurricanes.
Dennettia Oil, a Potential New Insecticide: Tests with Adults and Nymphs of Periplaneta americana and Zonocerus variegatus

In assessing potential insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Anonaceae), samples of the oil obtained by steam distillation from the edible fruits were tested against nymphs and adults of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), and a grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus (L.). For comparative assessment, diazinon, lindane, and propoxur also were tested. Graded vol/vol dilutions in acetone of the various compounds were used for the tests, and testing was by the contact method, employing the treated surface exposure technique and the topical application technique. Irrespective of species, stage of development, or exposure technique, dennettia oil was significantly more toxic to all the insects than the other 3 compounds.
Morphological variation of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa [Cupressaceae] in three Italian localities

The intra- and interpopulational geographic variation of three distant populations of J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa was examined biometrically on the basis of morphological key-characters of needles, seeds and cones. The shortest Euclidean distances were used in the agglomerative grouping of closest neighbourhood and discrimination analysis with principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to verify the south-north differentiation of the taxon in Italy. Most of the cone and seed dimensional characters are correlated. No significant correlations were found between cone and needle characters. The sampled populations differ only insignificantly from one another, while the intrapopulational variation is slightly higher. Cone length as well as seed number, width and thickness were significantly correlated with geographic latitude, while the other four characters are not. Differences in cone shape were observed between individuals, so that several morphotypes can be distinguished.
Influence of winter weather conditions on lesser short‐tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) activity in Nothofagus forest, Fiordland

Abstract Winter activity of the New Zealand lesser short‐tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) was monitored in temperate beech (Nothofagus) rainforest in Fiordland during winter in 1997 and 1998. Thirty‐three full nights (486 h) were sampled using automatic bat detector units at 12 sites. Activity was detected on 18 nights (264 bat passes total, on 54.5% of nights). Index counts (bat passes per night, and passes per hour) were low and highly variable, implying larger sample sizes are needed before more precise estimates of activity levels can be attempted. A logistic regression model indicated that the probability of bats being active in winter increased with overnight mean temperature, and if it was raining. Dusk temperature, minimum overnight temperature, moon visibility, and significant cloud cover were excluded from the final model. Lesser short‐tailed bats were still active down to ‐1.6°C, a lower temperature than is tolerated by many other bat species reliant on flying insects. The observed winter activity followed a pattern of nights with low or no activity interspersed with nights of high activity. This is consistent with patterns observed in other lesser short‐tailed bat populations, although in the Eglinton Valley, they were generally less active over the winter months. We suggest variation in winter activity levels between populations is most likely driven by climate, the quality of foraging habitat, and the physiological constraints of body size on torpor.
Confidence of Paternity and Male Parental Care

We present a theoretical framework in order to understand how the relationship between male parental care and paternity is dependent on the relationship between male parental care and offspring recruitment. When there is an S-shaped relationship between offspring recruitment and the parental care of a single male, we predict a threshold relationship between male parental care and paternity. Tree swallows, monogamous dunnocks, and red-winged black-birds may follow this pattern. Alternatively, when there is a concave-down relationship between offspring recruitment and male parental care, we predict a continuous (gradual) decline in male parental care in response to decreasing paternity. Studies of noisy miners and polyandrous dunnocks suggest this pattern. Our model illustrates that the relationship between male parental care and paternity is more complex than assumed previously. A predicted adjustment of male parental care in response to paternity must be examined in relation to the effect of male parental care on offspring recruitment and the effect of alternative activities on male fitness
Changes in run timing and natural smolt production in a naturally spawning coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) population after 60 years of intensive hatchery supplementation

Supplementing natural fish populations with artificially propagated (hatchery) fish is a common practice. In evaluating supplementation, it is important to assess the relative fitness of both hatchery-produced and naturally produced fish when they spawn together in the wild and to evaluate how the absolute fitness of the natural population changes after many generations of supplementation. We evaluated the relative fitness of naturally produced and hatchery-produced coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Minter Creek, Washington, USA. We also evaluated long-term changes in natural smolt production in this stream after several decades of intensive hatchery supplementation. Total smolt production was estimated to be 14 660 and 19 415 in 2002 and 2003, respectively, compared with the average value of 28 425 from 1940 to 1955. We found no significant difference in relative fitness between hatchery and natural fish, probably because the natural population consists largely of fish produced from the hatchery a ge.
Mites of the genus Carabodes (Acari, Oribatida) in Norwegian coniferous forests: occurrence in different soils, vegetation types and polypore hosts

Oribatid mites (Acari) represent a considerable part of the biodiversity in Fennoscandian forests, but our knowledge about their habitat requirements is limited. We studied 10 Carabodes species in the forest floor of seven coniferous forest types, and in dead fruiting bodies (sporocarps) of 6 species of wood-living polypore fungi in southern Norway. The most common Carabodes species in soil were rare in sporocarps, and vice versa. The density of several ground-living species was significantly influenced by vegetation type and soil type. Carabodes willmanni and C. subarcticus were considered as lichen feeders on the ground, and occurred abundantly in Cladonia-rich pine forests. Three species, C. femoralis, C. areolatus and C. reticulatus, seem to be sporocarp specialists. Their relative numbers were rather similar in dead sporocarps of five different fungal species, including annual and perennial sporocarps, soft and hard. This was in contrast to beetles from the same sporocarps, which in a previous study proved to be strongly host-specific. Although being tolerant to different fungal species, the association of certain Carabodes species to dead sporocarps could make them vulnerable in forests with little dead wood and few sporocarps.
The responses of floodplain primary production to flood frequency and timing

Summary 1 River regulation and abstraction have dramatically altered the natural flow regime of many rivers world-wide, but experimental investigations of the biological effects are infrequent. In the mid-region of the Murray River, Australia, river regulation has reduced the frequency and duration of spring floods and increased the frequency of summer floods. We used controlled floods (treatments: no floods, spring floods, summer floods and spring + summer floods) to determine how the growth of river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees, aquatic macrophytes and biofilms varied with the seasonal timing and frequency of flooding. 2 After 6 years of controlled flooding, above-ground net production of wood by river red gum trees was equal and greatest in plots receiving spring + summer floods and summer floods (mean 496 g m−2 year−1). Production was significantly lower in plots receiving spring floods or no controlled floods, which had similar rates of production (mean 330 g m−2 year−1). 3 During 2 years of measurement in wetlands created by flooding, production and species richness of aquatic macrophyte were both greater in spring than in summer floods. The history of flood frequency at any experimental site did not affect macrophyte production or species richness. The aquatic macrophyte community in shallow regions of wetlands differed significantly with the seasonal timing of floods, but not flood frequency. 4 The accumulation of chlorophyll a and total mass of biofilm on wood surfaces in wetlands created by flooding were greater in spring (mean chlorophyll a, 0·88 µg cm−2; mean mass, 0·066 mg cm−2) than in summer floods (mean chlorophyll a, 0·09 µg cm−2; mean mass, 0·034 mg cm−2). The history of flood frequency at any experimental site did not affect accumulation of either the autotrophic or heterotrophic components of biofilms. 5 Spring flooding, while not as beneficial for tree growth, is critical for the growth of wetland macrophytes, the maintenance of macrophyte species richness, and favours better development of autotrophic biofilms. Maintenance of both the timber harvest and wetland conservation values of these floodplains will require the return of more natural flood flows in the spring period. Restoration of floodplain rivers requires a thorough understanding of the relationships between ecological functions and the natural flow regime.
Morphometric and alloenzymatic characterisation in the Albanian honeybee population Apis mellifera L

Afin de determiner leur statut taxonomique, les populations d'abeilles d'Albanie ont ete comparees a des populations d'Apis mellifera carnica, A m macedonica et A m ligustica provenant respectivement de Croatie, de Grece et d'ltalie. Les echantillons, constitues d'abeilles ouvrieres adultes (cinq par ruche), ont ete preleves dans 14 ruchers de diverses races repartis a Bologne, Italie (aire de repartition d'A m ligustica), a Zagreb, Croatie (A m carnica), a Thessalonique (A m macedonica) et en Albanie (fig 1). Le locus qui controle les systemes genes-enzymes, ainsi que certains caracteres de l'aile anterieure droite, ont ete utilises comme outil de diagnostic. Quinze caracteres morphologiques de l'aile anterieure droite (distances a-d ; angles A4, B4, D7, E 9 , G 18 , J 10 , J 16 , K 19 , L 13 , N 23 et O 26 : fig 2) ont ete mesures et utilises pour l'analyse discriminante des donnees. Les distances et les angles ont ete mesures avec le systeme informatique Acquired Data Elaboration System, produit par On-Line SRL a Parme (Italie) et fournit par l'Institut national d'apiculture de Bologne. Les tetes et les thorax d'abeilles ont ete analyses par electrophorese selon les methodes standard. Les enzymes et leur locus respectif analyses sont les suivants : malate deshydrogenase-1 (mdh-1), acide malique (me), esterase-3 (est-3) et aldehyde oxydase (ao). Par une analyse discriminante multivariee on a calcule les ellipses d'egale concentration (p = 0,05 ; Langonegro et Feoli, 1985). Elles ont ete utilisees pour mesurer precisement la position relative des echantillons provenant des quatre regions. La figure 3 montre que l'ellipse d'egale concentration englobant tous les echantillons d'Albanie recouvre partiellement celle d'A m carnica et celle d'A m macedonica, mais n'est pas en contact avec celle d'A m ligustica. Pour la caracterisation allozymique, basee sur la frequence des alleles, on a calcule les distances genetiques et la methode UPGMA a ete utilisee pour construire un dendogramme des relations parmi les populations considerees (fig 4). L'analyse de groupe appliquee aux donnees obtenues pour les quatre systemes enzymatiques variables a montre une relation possible etroite entre la population d'abeilles d'Albanie et les abeilles appartenant a la sous-espece A m macedonica alors que, d'apres les donnees morphologiques de notre etude, les abeilles d'Albanie se presentent comme des hybrides d'A m carnica et d'A m macedonica. Si l'on prend en compte a la fois les donnees morphologiques et allozymiques, on peut conclure que la population d'abeilles d'Albanie, etant situee soit a une zone de transition, soit a une zone de contact anterieur entre les trois races, semble plus proche d'A m macedonica que d'A m carnica, mais qu'elle ne peut pas etre consideree comme appartenant ni a A m macedonica, ni a A m carnica. Le territoire albanais doit etre considere comme la bordure meridionale de l'aire de repartition de la race A m carnica.
Increase in Nitrate Reductase Activity with Ammonium Chloride in Bacillus licheniformis by Shaking Culture

In shaking culture, nitrate reductase activity in the cell-free extracts of Bacillus licheniformis increased with the addition of NH4Cl to the medium containing NaNO3 as a single nitrogen source, where amounts of nitrogen sources were sufficient for cell growth. This increase of nitrate reductase activity therefore suggests that the activity is not for nitrate assimilation but for other physiological functions containing a dissimilatory nitrate reduction.
Different capabilities in utilizing dietary carbohydrate by fingerling and subadult giant gouramy Osphronemus gouramy

: Two experiments were conducted to determine the capability of the giant gouramy Osphronemus gouramy to assimilate dietary carbohydrate. In experiment 1, fingerlings with an initial body weight of 29–32 g were fed diets containing 20.8, 35.6, 49.8 and 57.0% carbohydrate three times daily, to satiation, for 40 days. In experiment 2, subadults with an initial body weight of 78.7–79.5 g were fed diets containing 21.2, 30.1, 38.6 and 47.5% carbohydrate three times daily, to satiation, for 60 days. The diets had the same amount of protein and the same energy content. The results of experiment 1 showed that the blood glucose levels of fish fed high carbohydrate diets (49.8 and 57.0%) in the 18 h postprandial were lower than those of fish fed low carbohydrate diets (20.8 and 35.6%). The peak of the blood glucose levels in all treatments was found 5 h postprandial. Experiment 2 showed that the blood glucose level of fish was the same among treatments; and the peak of the blood glucose levels was found 9 h postprandially. It was also found that the protein retention, daily growth rate and feed efficiency of the dietary 20.8% carbohydrate levels in experiment 1 were all significantly higher than in other treatments; whereas those in experiment 2 showed no significant difference among the treatments (P > 0.05). In both experiments 1 and 2, lipid retention increased significantly as the dietary carbohydrate level was elevated (P < 0.05). It was concluded that fingerlings of giant gouramy have a lower capability for utilizing dietary carbohydrate, and of the treatments, the 20.8% diet was optimal, whereas subadults could utilize diets with higher carbohydrate levels, as high as 47.5%.
Reproductive Biology of Pacific Ocean Perch in the Gulf of Alaska

Abstract Despite the ecological and economic importance of rockfish fisheries in Alaska waters, little information is available concerning the reproductive biology of the majority of federally managed rockfish species in the Gulf of Alaska. Pacific Ocean Perch Sebastes alutus are the most abundant and commercially important rockfish in this region. This study examines the reproductive biology of Pacific Ocean Perch within the Gulf of Alaska, utilizing histological techniques to microscopically examine ovarian tissue. Pacific Ocean Perch samples were obtained throughout the year during National Marine Fisheries Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game scientific surveys, as well as scientific charters. Ovaries of Pacific Ocean Perch began to ripen during the month of August with yolk increasing until February. Embryos appeared within the ovaries during February and continued to grow and develop until parturition in May. Results from this study indicate the fork length at 50% maturity is 33.4 cm and the age at 50% maturity is 8.4 years. Both of these values are smaller than those currently utilized in the stock assessment of Gulf of Alaska Pacific Ocean Perch. Results from this study will improve the stock assessment of this species by providing more accurate estimates of reproductive parameters and reducing the uncertainty in estimates of length and age at maturity.