Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of floral symmetry on flower choice and foraging behaviour of bumble bees

Bumble bees are known to prefer symmetrical over asymmetrical flowers and bilateral over radial flower types. This study examined the basis of these preferences in three experiments with artificial flowers. The first experiment showed that flower-naive worker bees (Bombus impatiens) displayed no innate preference for symmetrical over asymmetrical or bilateral over radial flowers in choice tests. The second experiment tested whether bees showed a learning or memory bias for symmetrical over asymmetrical rewarding flowers when foraging on arrays of either bilateral or radial flower types. There was no evidence that bees learned or remembered symmetrical rewarding flowers better than asymmetrical rewarding flowers. The percentage of visits to rewarding flowers during test runs for bees foraging on arrays with bilateral flowers was consistently greater than on arrays with radial flowers. A third experiment examined the effect of nectar-guide symmetry on flower-handling and travel times. Bees were tested on ho.
Genetic Diversity and Variability in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Fifty two genotypes of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) were evaluated in randomized block design during rainy season of 2005 at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur for eight characters to estimate genetic diversity, variability, heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of mean. Characters like seed yield, pod length, pods/plant, primary branches/plant, 100-seed weight and pod length exhibited high variability and heritability coupled with genetic advance. The hierarchical cluster analysis indicated the presence of considerable genetic divergence among the genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into eight clusters using Ward's minimum variance method. The inter-cluster Euclidean2 distance was maximum between cluster V and VIII (54.3) followed by cluster V and VII (41.7) and cluster II and III (40.0). Cluster V showed by the maximum cluster means for plant height, primary branches/plant, pods/plant and days to 50% flowering, cluster II for pod length and seeds/pod, cluster VII for seed yield and cluster VIII for 100-seedweight. Contribution of different characters towards total genetic divergence revealed maximum contribution of pod length (24.5%) followed by seed yield (19.5%) and 100-seed weight (17.7%).
Emergence of VanB phenotype-vanA genotype in vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Brazilian hospital

In Brazil, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported as nosocomial pathogens since 1998. Recently, in a VRE surveillance in a hospital, we detected two Enterococcus faecalis isolates with vanA genotype and susceptible to teicoplanin. This is the first report of VanB phenotype-vanA genotype enterococci isolated from humans in Brazil.
The protective effects of vitamin C and folic acid against methylmercury teratogenicity in chick embryo

This study was undertaken with the aim of investigating the teratogenic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) on the chick embryos and evaluating the protective role of vitamin C and folic acid. Fertilized eggs received MeHg dose (2.5 mg/egg) alone or with addition of vitamin C (100 mM) and folic acid (100 mM) or with vitamin C and folic acid alone. Control eggs received saline. The eggs were injected on day zero of incubation. On day five, embryos were examined for viability, gross retardation and gross malformation and the hearts were processed for light and electron microscopy. Results showed that MeHg decreased the survival rate of embryos and caused gross malformations such as hypomorphic hearts, abnormal position of atria, exencephaly, hydrocephaly, anencephaly, everted viscera, microphthalmia, twisted body, limb malformation and hemorrhage, compared with control embryos. Histological examination of the hearts clearly revealed that the heart tissues have failed to develop correctly in the MeHg treated embryos. The corresponding pathological alterations were mainly characterized as cell death at the ultrastructural level. Embryos injected with MeHg plus vitamin C and folic acid were almost comparable to the control. Data obtained in this study suggest that supplementation with vitamin C and folic acid during pregnancy may prevent defects in heart development brought about by MeHg and other environmental xenobiotics. Key words: Chick embryo, methylmercury, vitamin c, folic acid, teratogenicity.This study was undertaken with the aim of investigating the teratogenic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) on the chick embryos and evaluating the protective role of vitamin C and folic acid. Fertilized eggs received MeHg dose (2.5 mg/egg) alone or with addition of vitamin C (100 mM) and folic acid (100 mM) or with vitamin C and folic acid alone. Control eggs received saline. The eggs were injected on day zero of incubation. On day five, embryos were examined for viability, gross retardation and gross malformation and the hearts were processed for light and electron microscopy. Results showed that MeHg decreased the survival rate of embryos and caused gross malformations such as hypomorphic hearts, abnormal position of atria, exencephaly, hydrocephaly, anencephaly, everted viscera, microphthalmia, twisted body, limb malformation and hemorrhage, compared with control embryos. Histological examination of the hearts clearly revealed that the heart tissues have failed to develop correctly in the MeHg treated embryos. The corresponding pathological alterations were mainly characterized as cell death at the ultrastructural level. Embryos injected with MeHg plus vitamin C and folic acid were almost comparable to the control. Data obtained in this study suggest that supplementation with vitamin C and folic acid during pregnancy may prevent defects in heart development brought about by MeHg and other environmental xenobiotics. Key words: Chick embryo, methylmercury, vitamin c, folic acid, teratogenicity.
Thermal tolerance of the nektonic puerulus stage of spiny lobsters and implications of ocean warming

Recent recruitment declines in important spiny lobster fisheries worldwide have triggered conjecture about negative impacts of anthropogenically induced environmental change on their long-lived planktonic larval life stages. Puerulus larvae are the critical transitional stage between pelagic larval development and coastal juvenile recruitment and may be particularly sensitive to environmental change due to immature cardiorespiratory capacity and exceptional energy demands associated with shoreward migration. We measured Sagmariasus verreauxi pueruli energy metabolism and defined their thermal tolerance, which are considered against published coastal recruitment data and spatially explicit ocean warming scenarios. The upper threshold of the thermal optimum window (upper pejus temperature range) was defined by the temperature optimum for aerobic scope. Within the upper pejus temperature range, pueruli had diminished aerobic capacity for physiological performance and used more of their finite lipid reserves to support an amplified metabolism. Sea surface temperatures at the northern extent of their natural range already reach the upper pejus range, and monitoring settlement data from the wild indicted that fewer puerulus successfully recruit during hot seasons in this area. Our study provides some evidence that physiological thermal tolerance constraints are already limiting postlarval recruitment. Predicted increases in water temperatures for their rapidly warming habitat will amplify the thermal challenge experienced by pueruli and may result in large shifts in lobster distribution and significant re-shuffling of species assemblages, creating challenges for sustainable natural resource management.
Business Failure Path ways: Environmental Stress and Organizational Response

This paper compares the failure of 73 firms that declared bankruptcy from 1980 to 1986 with the behavior of 73 matching firms that had not failed over the same period. We contrast the relative importance of environmental stress, measured by industry growth/decline, with organizational response, measured by asset and debt growth/decline. Firm effects dominate industry effects in explaining failure. Four distinctive business failure pathways based on firm and industry growth patterns are described. In particular, we conclude that debt-funded, forced-growth strategies create a high risk of failure regardless of industry growth rate.
Detection of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Using Multidate High-Resolution Satellite Imagery1

Leafy spurge is a deep-rooted perennial weed that displaces native rangeland vegetation and replaces forage for cattle and other forages used by vertebrate herbivores. Strategic planning to control this weed requires monitoring its distribution and spread. Classical monitoring techniques, which often involve extensive ground survey efforts, can be aided by the synoptic nature of remotely sensed imagery. This research addresses the use of Space Imaging's 4-m multispectral Ikonos imagery for the survey and detection of leafy spurge infestations. Survey data were collected at a site in western North Dakota and used to produce supervised classifications of leafy surge infestations with Ikonos imagery. Multiple image dates per year were combined with each other to assess the added accuracy afforded by multitemporal imagery. Finally, individual patches of leafy spurge were analyzed to determine the minimum patch size and percent cover that were detectable with supervised classification of Ikonos imagery. Under some circumstances, the imagery was effective at detecting leafy spurge, but in areas with a higher forb component, the classification was not as effective. Multidate imagery provided increased accuracy, but improvements were not consistently significant. Leafy spurge infestations of <30% cover and 200 m2 were not reliably detected. Nomenclature: Leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula L. #3 EPHES. Additional index words: Accuracy assessment, digital photography, EPHES, global positioning system, Ikonos, image analysis. Abbreviations: GPS, global positioning system; RMS, root-mean-square.
Determinants of B2B Adoption in South Korean Fishery Wholesale Firms: An Exploratory Study

The South Korean government regards information technology as a new tool to boost the economy and encourages all enterprises to use electronic commerce (EC). But the adoption of EC by fishery enterprises has been slow. To increase the adoption speed, an EC promotion policy needs to be formulated on the basis of business-to-business (B2B) determinants. But major factors to determine B2B adoption in the fishery industry have not as yet been identified. This study investigated significant determinants of B2B adoption in the fishery industry. To analyze the influence of the factors, a hierarchical research model was developed. The research model had three levels. The first level had four determinants. The second level had 10 factors, and the third level had 25 variables. In the first level of the model, the environmental determinant was identified as a relatively less influential one than determinants such as business, organization, and technology. In the second level of the model, technical usefulness turned out to be statistically more influential than technical burden. In the third level of the model, variables such as business benefits, market expansions, top management support, ease of use, B2B mind, technical change, security, and mutual beliefs of interfirms were statistically more influential than the other related ones. These results were different from those of previous research on other industries. They ascertained the fact that determinants of B2B adoption would be different depending on the kind of industry.
Limited contribution of left ventricular mass and remodelling to the impact of blood pressure on diastolic function in a community sample

Aims: Although the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in hypertension has traditionally been viewed as a transition process from a phase of structural LV remodelling to dysfunction, the extent to which LV mass (LVM) and remodelling account for blood pressure (BP)-associated alterations in LV diastolic function is uncertain. In product of coefficient mediation analysis, we aimed to determine the extent to which LVM index (LVMI) or relative wall thickness (RWT) account for relations between BP and LV diastolic function. Methods: In 709 randomly selected participants from a community sample with a high prevalence of hypertension (49.6%), we determined BP and LVMI, RWT and several indices of diastolic function from transmitral blood flow and myocardial tissue Doppler (E/A, e′/a′, e′ and E/e′) and left atrial volume using standard echocardiographic techniques. Results: With adjustments for confounders, LVMI (P < 0.001–0.0001) and RWT (P < 0.05–0.001) were independently associated with E/A, e′/a′, e′ and E/e′. However, in product of coefficient mediation analysis, LVM and RWT failed to account for most BP-associated changes in diastolic function. Indeed, whilst a one SD increase in DBP or SBP (13 and 22 mmHg, respectively) translated into a 0.07, 0.13 and 0.53 decrease in E/A, e′/a′, e′ and a 0.73 increase in E/e′, respectively, in mediation analysis LVMI accounted for only 0.0005, 0.0017, 0.05 and 0.08 of the impact of a one SD effect of LVMI on E/A, e′/a′, e′ and E/e′, respectively. Similar contributions of RWT as for LVMI to BP-associated LV diastolic functional changes were noted and the contribution of LVMI or RWT to BP-related alterations in diastolic function was similar in those participants not receiving antihypertensive therapy. Conclusion: Although structural LV remodelling is independently associated with changes in LV diastolic function, LVMI and RWT account for only a minor proportion of the impact of BP on diastolic function. Thus, most BP-associated decreases in LV diastolic function are likely to be a transition process independent of LV hypertrophy or concentric remodelling.
Herbivory and algal dynamics on the coral reef at Discovery Bay, Jamaica

The cover of noncoralline macroalgae increased dramatically on Caribbean reefs during the 1980s and 1990s. A top‐down hypothesis, based largely on observations at Discovery Bay, Jamaica, is that this change was caused by reduced herbivory. Herbivory was reduced by the regional mass mortality of the echinoid Diadema antillarum in 1983‐1984 and by human exploitation of herbivorous fishes. An alternative, bottom‐up explanation is that nutrient concentrations increased past threshold levels for algal blooms. Surveys at Discovery Bay showed that Diadema reappeared on the shallow fore reef after 1996, accompanied by drastically reduced macroalgal cover. There is no evidence to suggest that nutrient levels declined at the same time. These observations corroborate predictions of the top‐down hypothesis, and they confirm the key role of herbivory in structuring shallow reef communities of the Caribbean.
THE INFLUENCE OF SPORTS RECREATIONAL AEROBIC EXERCISE ON THE ADAPTIVE PROCESSES OF FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES

The aim of the research was to determine the results of the influence of a program of aerobic exercise on the adaptive processes of functional abilities, and then, through the application of the discriminant analysis, to determine their significance between the initial and final measuring. The main goal was to obtain information regarding the significance of the studied dimensions in the process of the management, modeling, planning and programming and control of training of the participants from East Sarajevo. The sample consisted of 46 participants taken from the population of high school students aged 16 and 17 (± 6 months), with a body height of 156 to 185cm and body mass of 50 to 75kg, who took part in a two weekly classes of regular physical exercise and three classes of aerobic exercise. Three tests were used in the study to evaluate functional abilities: 1. heart rate frequency after load (FPPO), 2. the Margaria test (FMARG) and 3. vital lung capacity (FVKP). The measuring instruments used to evaluate functional abilities were taken from the research of Heimar & Medved (1997). The basic statistical parameters were calculated, as well as the t-test and the multivariate canonical discriminant analysis with partiality and neutralization of differences in the initial state. The data were processed using the SPSS 12.0 and Statistika 5.0 programs. On the basis of the obtained results we can conclude that at the end of the experimental period, we were able to obtain statistically significant differences in functional abilities under the influence of sports recreational aerobic exercise.
Impact of methionine sources on performance in turkeys

SUMMARY Data are scarce for relative effectiveness of the liquid hydroxy analogue of Met (MHA-FA) relative to DL-Met (DLM) in turkeys. In the current paper, 2 experiments are presented in order to determine the relative effectiveness of liquid MHA-FA. In trial 1, female 1-d-old Hybrid Converter turkeys were fed 13 different corn-soy diets supplemented with graded levels of DLM, diluted DLM (65%), or liquid MHA-FA (0.07, 0.14, 0.21, 0.28%) from d 7 to 50. DLM (65%) treatments can be regarded as an internal standard for the validation of exponential regression analysis. In trial 2, male 1-d-old BUTA Big 6 turkeys were assigned to 63 battery cages for 21 d. Treatments consisted of a basal corn-soy diet and 2 series each containing graded levels of either DLM (0.100, 0.200, 0.300%) or liquid MHA-FA (0.154, 0.308, 0.462%). The ratio between both products at the 3 corresponding inclusion levels was 65% weight/weight. In both trials, basal diets were formulated to be deficient in Met + Cys but adequate in all other nutrients and energy. Exponential regression analysis revealed a relative effectiveness for weight gain and feed conversion of liquid MHA-FA of 68 and 56% vs. DLM in trial 1, respectively, and of 66 and 44% in trial 2, respectively. These findings support the hypothesis of a relative bioeffectiveness of approximately 65% of liquid MHAFA as compared with DLM.
Within‐population heterogeneity of habitat use by lake trout Salvelinus namaycush

To learn more about the degree of individual variation in resource use by lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, ultrasonic telemetry was used to study their habitat use in a lake without pelagic schooling fish prey. Individuals spent most of their time within the metalimnion in favourable water temperatures. They also made frequent excursions, however, into lake temperatures exceeding their optimum for physiological performance at all temporal scales considered. Their frequent use of nearshore habitats suggested that feeding in littoral areas may be common. Habitat use was highly variable among individuals, but spatial habitat use by individuals showed remarkable consistency between years. In particular, some lake trout exhibited high site fidelity to shallow, nearshore areas, whereas others used deep areas extensively. This level of between-individual variation indicated niche partitioning by depth and the possibility of alternative foraging strategies.
Langzeiteffekte ackerbaulicher massnahmen auf die bodenfruchtbarkeit

An Hand von Dauerversuchen in Braunschweig und Müncheberg wird in einer Fallstudie der Einfluß landbaulichen Managements auf Erträge und Bodenfruchtbarkeit dargestellt. Langfristig werden hohe Erträge sowie optimale Humusgehalte nur durch kombinierte organisch ‐ mineralische Düngung erreicht. In den Varianten hoher Erträge finden sich vergleichsweise höhere Bodengehalte an Corg, P(CAL) sowie höhere pH‐Werte. Ohne organische Düngung (Variante NPK) kann der Corg‐Gehalt des Bodens nicht aufrechterhalten werden. Doch auch alleinige organische Düngung (Variante Stm2) reicht auf sandigen Ackerstandorten nicht aus, optimale Humusgehalte einzustellen. Langfristig erhöht konservierende Bodenbearbeitung die Erträge und verringert die N‐Austräge in die Atmosphäre und ins Grundwasser.
Informed consent for paradata use in web surveys

Paradata are a valuable source of information to better understand the response process and to determine how the data collection processes can be improved. Currently, a debate is ongoing in academia and in the professional associations of market, opinion, and social research concerning the need to inform respondents about the collection and use of their web paradata. Unfortunately, research is lacking on the design of informed consent for web paradata use and its possible consequences for respondents’ willingness to share their paradata, completion of a survey, and response behavior. The aim of this study is to provide guidance to the survey practitioner on the optimal design of informed consent for web paradata use based on experimental evidence.
GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF SEAHORSE (Hyppocampus barbourie) LARVAE REARED UNDER DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE LEVELS

Temperature is one of the water quality parameters which significantly affect growth and survival of aquatic species particularly at early stages. The study is intended to evaluated growth and survival of seahorse (H. barbourie) reared under different temperature levels. Experimental containers were 12 L capacity buckets filled with 5 L sterile treated seawater, equipped with aeration system, a shelter and thermostat. Two days old healthy seahorse larvae were stock at density 1 ind/L. The larvae were fed with enriched Artemia nauplii at density of 1 – 2 ind/mL once per day after water exchange. Temperature levels examined in the study as treatment were 26 o C (A), 29 o C (B) and 32 o C (C) and each treatment was triplicate. To determine effect of temperature on growth and survival rate of seahorse larvae, the data were analyzed statistically. Growth of larvae reared at different temperature varied greatly both in absolute growth in weight (g) and absolute growth in length (cm). Statistical analysis results indicated absolute growth in weight (g) and length (cm) of larvae reared at 26oC significantly higher than those larvae reared in temperature 29oC and 32oC. Meanwhile, survival rate (%) of seahorse larvae reared at different temperature levels vary considerably but statistically not significant different. Results of the study suggested that rearing of seahorse (H. barbourie) larvae at temperature level of 26 o C will give better results in terms of absolute growth in weight and length, as well as survival rate (%) of the larvae compared to other two temperature (29 o C and 32 o C) examined in this study. Key word: Seahorse larvae, temperature, growth and survival.
A Reply …

Professor Preston's comment is welcome because it allows the restatement of several important pieces of information that I believe are critical to an understanding of deception in advertising. First, however, let me say that the main thrust of my article' was an attempt to define deception in advertising in a way that complements the legal definition used by the Federal Trade Commission. Second, my impressions of the manner in which the Federal Trade Commission used consumer research up through 1973 were based on experience working with its Office of Policy Planning and Evaluation in 1972-1973. Preston singles out three points in his comment. He comments on the approach not being "based on what the law says and on what lawyers do," on the act of deception, and on the use of "direct consumer evidence. " My recommended approach to studying deception is quite consistent with the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Sections 5 and 12 as amended. Unfortunately, Preston, while implying this author's unfamiliarity with what lawyers do, fails to mention that lawyers are often unfamiliar with research. This not only results in its underutilization, but also in its misuse and occasionally in the use of incorrect designs and questions.i That knowledge is also a very important part of