Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recycling Agricultural Wastes as Feed for Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

In order to investigate the impact of recycling agricultural wastes as feed for mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), we evaluated the replacing effect by the different level of tangerine shell, Chinese cabbage, king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) and Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrates on wheat bran feed. Larval survival rate, larval weight, developmental period of larva, pupation rate and pupal weight were evaluated. In tangerine shell and Chinese cabbage replacement group, no replacing effects found. In all groups replacing by spent King oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) substrate, survival rate of larva was similar to that of control group but larvae weighed less than control group significantly. Developmental period of larva increases in the group of King oyster mushroom substrate replacement. Larval and pupal weight in Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrate by the level of 40 and 50%, replacement effect showed best results in successive breeding considering pupation rate. It is concluded that replacing 40 and 50% of Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrate is appropriate to substituted diet of Tenebrio molitor larvae.
Effects of light and nutrient availability on the growth, secondary chemistry, and resistance to herbivory of two brown seaweeds

The separate and interactive effects of light intensity and nutrient availability on the growth, protein content, concentration of C-based secondary metabolites, and susceptibility to herbivory of two brown seaweeds, Dictyota ciliolata (Dictyotales) and Sargassum filipendula (Fucales), were assessed in the context of the carbon/nutrient balance (CNB) hypothesis. Responses of Dictyota and its terpenoid secondary metabolites were often at variance with predictions of the CNB hypothesis while several responses of Sargassum and its phenolic secondary metabolites were often predicted by the CNB hypothesis. Findings for these, and other, seaweeds parallel recent terrestrial studies suggesting that the CNB hypothesis rarely predicts responses of terpene producing plants, but more commonly predicts responses of phenolic producing plants. In a microcosm experiment, nutrient addition significantly increased Dictyota growth but had no effect on concentrations of sterols, proteins, terpenes, or susceptibility to herbivores. In a field experiment, nutrient addition did not affect growth or protein levels, generally increased terpenoid metabolites, but did not affect the susceptibility of Dictyota to herbivores. Increased light in outdoor microcosms resulted in more growth, reduced terpene concentrations, and increased protein content in Dictyota. The high-light plants with more protein and less terpenes were preferentially consumed by the sea urchin Arhacia punctulata, but were eaten significantly less readily by the amphipod Ampithoe longimana. In a field experiment, higher light intensity increased growth but had no effect on secondary metabolites, protein content, or the alga's susceptibility to herbivores. For Sargassum filipendula, plants that settled from spores and grew naturally in an experimentally shaded environment had lower concentrations of phlorotannins than less-shaded plants, but this difference did not affect the plants' susceptibility to amphipod grazing. Branches of S. filipendula transplanted to a heavily shaded environment grew less than branches transplanted to a less shaded environment (i.e., light limited growth) ; however, the concentration of protein and phlorotannins, and the susceptibility of plants to amphipod grazing did not differ. Nutrient addition had no effect on protein or phlorotannin concentrations, but significantly increased the palatability of plants in the higher light treatment. Although the CNB hypothesis has been influential and provides a theoretical template for predicting how various stresses will affect plant defenses and susceptibility to herbivory, ecologists need to consider additional factors in predicting the responses of plants to environmental variation.
Feeding behaviour of the caracal Felis caracal Schreber 1776 in the Mountain Zebra National Park

A total of 21 caracal kills were recorded in the Mountain Zebra National Park of which 15 were mountain reedbuck. In 200 scats analysed, mammals made up 93,8% of the prey species identified, birds 5,3% and reptiles 0,9%. Cape dassies (53,3%) and mountain reedbuck (19,6%) were the most common prey items in the scats. The way in which prey is eaten, food consumption and hunting behaviour are discussed.
Management Quality and Antitakeover Provisions

We present the first empirical analysis of the relationship between a firm’s management quality and the prevalence of antitakeover provisions in its corporate charter and their influence on initial public offering (IPO) valuation and post-IPO performance. We test the implications of the managerial entrenchment hypothesis, which implies that antitakeover provisions serve only to enhance the control benefits of incumbent management, and the long-term value creation hypothesis, which implies that such provisions can enhance value in the hands of higher quality management. We find that, first, firms with higher quality management and greater growth options are associated with a greater number of antitakeover provisions. Second, firms with higher management quality and a greater number of antitakeover provisions outperform other firms in the sample in terms of post-IPO operating and stock return performance and obtain higher IPO valuations. Our findings reject the managerial entrenchment hypothesis and support the long-term value creation hypothesis.
Introduction, establishment and replacement of sea-rockets (Cakile, Cruciferae) in Australia

Cakile edentula (Bigel.) Hook. , native to sandy beaches of eastern North America, was first collected in Australia in the 1860s near Melbourne; it presumably was introduced in ships' ballast. Within 60 years it had spread along the coast of Victoria and to New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and into southern Queensland, becoming locally abundant. C. maritima Scop. , native to coastal beaches of the Mediterranean and Western Europe, was first collected in Australia in the 1890s near Perth; presumably it also was introduced in ships' ballast. It spread along the coast of southern Australia, and over the period 1920-60 replaced C. edentula in South Australia and Victoria. It has spread to New South Wales where it is now sympatric with C. edentula, while that species has recently extended its range the opposite direction, into Western Australia. The two beach species also co-occur in Tasmania. Areas of sympatry present opportunities for experimental and observational study of the likely competitive replacement of colonizing species.
Seasonal changes in diel activity of Cottus poecilopus and C. gobio (Pisces) at the Arctic Circle

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Phytoplankton biomass and production in the Gulf of California: a review

Abstract The Gulf of California has three main natural fertilization mechanisms: upwelling, tidal mixing, and water exchange with the Pacific Ocean. Waters high in nutrients occur at very shallow depths in the gulf, and little energy is required for these nutrients to reach the euphotic zone. Upwelling off the eastern coast is strong, chlorophyll a concentration (Chl) can exceed 10 mg m-3, and because of eddy circulation it increases the phytoplankton biomass across the gulf. Because of strong stratification during summer, upwelling off the western coast causes Chl to increase only to ∼0.5 mg m-3. The annual cycle is the dominant mode of Chl variability in most of the gulf. El Niño events cause the suppression of Chl mostly in areas on the eastern side of the central and southern gulf, with the effect decreasing from the mouth to the central gulf. 14C data show that highest productivities occur during winter–spring, and in the Guaymas Basin (up to >4 g C m-2 day-1). Averages of total integrated production (PTint) for “winter” and for whole regions within the gulf estimated from satellite imagery are in good agreement with averages of 14C estimates (∼1.8 g C m-2 day-1). PTint values for “summer” are ∼30% of those for “winter. ”
Colonization of Sand "Islands" by Psammophilous Ciliates: The Effect of Microhabitat Size and Stage of Succession

Colonization of uninhabited sand "islands" of different size by ciliates from sources of different degrees of maturity was investigated on a sand beach at the White Sea during summer 1983. The process appears to be generally comparable with the equilibrium model of MacArthur and Wilson. The seasonal succession determines the donor composition and, eventually, the composition of the initiated community. The initial rate of colonization increases with increasing isolate relative perimeter, and the total density and diversity of ciliates. The area of the isolate influences the degree of autonomy of the community formed and the equilibrium species number in it. In small isolates and when the donor community is mature the colonization is initiated faster and proceeds more intensively. In large isolates and also at late succession stages (a more mature donor) the new community develops and dominating species change at a slower rate and more independently. The total density of ciliates in isolates reaches an equilibrium faster in spring, whereas the number of species reaches the equilibrium faster in summer. The rate of species turnover at equilibrium is higher in spring than in late summer.
Spatial and temporal patterns in the emergence and survival of seedlings in arid Karoo shrubland

1. The influence of seed availability, weather and microsite on natural emergence and survival of seedlings was investigated over 38 months in arid shrubland in the southern Karoo, South Africa, developed under < 200 mm annual precipitation. 2. Small-scale clearing and herbivore exclusion experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses that seedling survival and growth were unaffected by competition and herbivory. 3. In undisturbed vegetation 20-800 seedlings m −2 emerged in the relatively cool and humid austral autumn. Densities of emerging seedlings were greater in microsites influenced by grazing, termitaria and plant litter than in undisturbed or exposed sites. The species composition of seedling assemblages resembled that of the vegetation. Survival varied from 5% in 1989 and 1990 to 25% in 1991, and appeared to be limited by the quantity of rain in winter and spring. 4. Vegetation clearing increased the amplitude of soil moisture oscillations at 50 mm below the soil surface, but reduced the rate of soil-moisture depletion at 150 mm below the surface. 5. The species composition of perennial seedlings in cleared vegetation was influenced by the original plant cover and the presence of plant litter on the soil surface. 6. Established plants had more influence on seedling survival than did grazing by wild animals or sheep. Proximity to mature perennials reduced both survival and growth of Karoo annuals and perennials. 7. Grazing by sheep and wild animals reduced the size, but not the survival, of perennial seedlings palatable to mammalian herbivores. Annual plants were larger and more abundant in clearings than in undisturbed shrubland
Common Tern Egg Predation by Ruddy Turnstones

Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) are opportunistic feeders with a varied diet (Beven and England 1977). Predation on eggs by Ruddy Turnstones has been reported for Grey-backed Terns (Sterna lunata, Bent 1929), Sooty Terns (S. fuscata, Crossin and Huber 1970), Royal Terns (S. maxima, Loftin and Sutton 1979), and Common Terns (S. hirundo, Parkes et al. 1971). The observations of Parkes et al. (1971) in 1970 on Great Gull Island (Long Island Sound, New York) involving a single turnstone, were the first reported cases of Common Tern egg predation by turnstones in North America. The authors wondered whether this, presumably new, behavior might spread in following years. In this note, we report several cases involving many turnstones depredating Common Tern eggs at the Eastern Headland of the Toronto Outer Harbour. This landfill site extends ca. 5 km into Lake Ontario. At the time of our observations there were seven Common Tern colonies (A through G) on the Headland.
Seasonal abundance, size, and host selection of western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary

— Little is known about the basic biology and ecology of most native lampreys, including the use of estuaries by anadromous lampreys. To address this deficiency, we provide the first analysis of anadromous western river ( Lampetra ayresii ) and Pacific ( Entosphenus tridentatus ) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary, using data from 2 fish assemblage studies that span 3 decades (1980–1981 and 2001–2012). Pacific lamprey juveniles and adults in the estuary clearly were separated by size, whereas western river lamprey formed one continuous size distribution. Pacific lamprey juveniles and adults were present in the estuary in winter and spring, and western river lamprey were present from spring through early fall. Depth in the water column also differed by lamprey species and age class. During 2008–2012, we documented wounds from lampreys on 8 fish species caught in the estuary. The most frequently wounded fishes were non-native American shad ( Alosa sapidissima ), subyearling Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), shiner perch ( Cymatogaster aggre-gata ), and Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii ). This basic information on western river and Pacific lampreys in the Columbia River estuary adds to the growing body of regional research that should aid conservation efforts for these ancient species.
Limb bone stress in the mara Dolichotis patagonum (Caviomorpha; Caviidae; Dolichotinae)

Acknowledgements We thank Dr. Itatí Olivares for allowing access to mara specimens under its care at Museo de La Plata (La Plata), and Dr. Carlos Capiel and the sta of Instituto Radiológico (Mar del Plata). Thanks to Dr. Leandro Hohl for review the MS text. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their criticism of the manuscript. Financial support A.I.V. : CONICET PIP 2014-2016 N°11220130100375 and Grant EXA918 / 18 from University of Mar del Plata; O.R. B. : Programa Prociência/UERJ, CAPES, (UAB). CRBio 2085. Abstract
Effects of dietary protein and energy on growth performance of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon reared in seawater

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum protein: energy (P/E) ratio for tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon under seawater rearing conditions. Two dietary protein levels, 40 and 36%, and six energy levels, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, and 380 kcal/100g diet at each protein level, were employed. Carbohydrate (dextrin) was used to adjust the dietary energy level. After an initial 8 week conditioning period, the experimental diets were fed for 8 weeks to triplicate groups of 10 shrimp having average weights of 0.82±0.10g stocked in aquarium of which salinity was maintained at 32-34 ppt. The weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein gain of shrimp improved as dietary energy level was raised up to around 330 kcal/100g when 36% protein diet was fed and up to around 320 kcal/100g when 40% protein diet was fed, respectively. Further elevation in dietary energy content had no beneficial effect in either protein level. These data suggest that when the energy level of the diet increased to 330 kcal/100g, the dietary protein level for tiger shrimp reared in seawater can be lowered from 40 to 36%.
Effects of Growth Regulators and Sucrose on in vitro Nodal Segments and Shoot Tip Culture of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Genotypes

The responses of four jojoba genotypes to in vitro nodal segments and shoot tip culture under different growth regulators combinations and sucrose concentrations were investigated. All experiments were laid out in Completely Randomized Blocks (CR) design using 5 replicates. The results revealed that the jojoba genotype ‘Al-Maddenah’ conveyed the highest response to nodal segments, with MS culture medium supplemented with BAP (3 mg) alone and BAP (3 mg), in combination with IAA (7 mg). Modifying sucrose concentration in the culture medium (20 g, 40 g, 50 g and 60 g) enhanced shoot formation of nodal segments of the genotype ‘Hada Al-Sham”. Concerning shoot tip culture, explants of the genotype ‘Hada Al-Sham’ were cultured on MS+BAP (5 mg)+IAA (5 mg) produced the highest percentages of bud sprouting and shoot formation. Increasing sucrose concentration from 20 g to 60 allowed the genotype ‘Hail-B’ to produced the highest percentage of bud sprouting and shoot formation.
Nest-Site Selection by Sage Sparrows

--In 1980, 1981, and 1982, we studied nest-site selection by Sage Sparrows (Amphispiza belli) in a sagebrush community in Idaho to provide a thorough description of nest-site characteristics and preferences. Sage Sparrows nested in areas where sagebrush coverage was sparse but shrubs were clumped. All nests were situated in big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) plants; large, living shrubs were strongly preferred. Nest placement relative to the ground and shrub perimeter seemed quite specific. Sage Sparrows avoided positioning nests on the southwest side of shrubs. The Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belh) is a common species breeding throughout much of the Great Basin region of the western U.S. (Wiens and Rotenberry 1981). Some investigators have considered Sage Sparrows to be sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) obligates (Braun et al. 1976), although Hill (1980) and Green (1981) recorded them nesting in low densities in fields with little or no sagebrush. Rich (1980) and Reynolds (1981) reported limited information on Sage Sparrow nest placement, but some questions were not addressed: Do Sage Sparrows show preferences in the nest sites they choose as well as in the manner in which they position their nests within the nesting substrate? Are habitat characteristics in the immediate vicinities of nests important in Sage Sparrow nestsite selection? Our objective was to comprehensively measure nest-site selection by Sage Sparrows occupying a sagebrush community in order to provide a more complete description of nest-site characteristics of this species and to identify nest-site preferences. Because Sage Sparrows are closely associated with sagebrush habitat and because sagebrush rangeland often is altered (Braun et al. 1976), thorough documentation of Sage Sparrow nesting habitat requirements is needed. STUDY AREA AND METHODS
Reconstructing δ13C isoscapes of phytoplankton production in a coastal upwelling system with amino acid isotope values of littoral mussels

Compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSI-AA) is increasingly used to decouple trophic isotopic effects from isotopic composition at the base of food webs. The delta C-13 values of essential amino acids (EAAs) are particularly useful as recorders of primary production, because animals cannot synthesize EAAs de novo, so diagnostic biosynthetic delta C-13(EAA) patterns remain unchanged up food chains. To test the potential for delta C-13(AA) values to identify C source and resource flow in complex littoral ecosystems, we measured bulk and delta C-13(AA) values of Mytilus californianus adductor muscle tissue in samples spanning > 1700 km of coastline from San Diego, California, to southern Oregon, USA. The average bulk delta C-13 value for the entire region clustered around a relatively constant value (-15.7 +/- 0.9 parts per thousand), with no latitudinal trend (R-2 = 0.022). delta C-13(AA) patterns were highly consistent in all mussels, and delta C-13(EAA) patterns closely matched expectations for marine phytoplankton, supporting the hypothesis that consumer EAA isotope values are unchanged from primary production. While bulk delta C-13 values were ambiguous in terms of source, application of a multivariate delta C-13(EAA) 'fingerprinting' approach clearly indicated microalgae as the major source for all mussel EAAs. We hypothesize that integrated delta C-13 values of coastal phytoplankton production can therefore be directly derived from delta C-13(EAA) of filter feeders in coastal regions. A correction derived from literature data for phytoplankton delta C-13(EAA) values yielded reasonable d(13)C values for coastal production, supporting this idea. Together, our results suggest delta C-13(EAA) as a new approach for constructing baseline delta C-13 isoscapes and may have important implications for ecosystem studies in both modern and paleo-environments.
Small-Group Composition Effects on Executive Function in Early Elementary School

Executive function (EF) skills have been found to be particularly important for regulating behavior and subsequent math and literacy achievement in elementary school. Understanding classroom environmental factors that maximize EF skills is crucial for future educational interventions. Since small group activities are so common in elementary school classrooms, an environmental factor worth examining is the composition of these groups, mainly two characteristics, size and gender ratio. In this study, we examined the effects of group size and gender ratio on group-based measures of EF skills in kindergarteners (N = 251). We did not find a significant main effect of group size on any of the group-based EF measures, even after controlling for the relevant covariates. Our results showed no significant main effect of gender ratio on any of the group-based EF measures, and no significant correlations between gender ratio and performance on any of these measures. However, we did find significant main effects of gender on the group-based measures of attention and working memory. Future research is necessary to confirm the results of this study. We hope that these findings will help inform small-group selection in kindergarten, allowing teachers more flexibility in creating groups without concern for the size or gender ratio of each group.
The marine nematodes of the Bay of Bengal.

In January 1956 the writer made a large collection of free-living marine nematodes at Cox's Bazar, located on the Bay of Bengal below Chittagong near the Burma border. Most of the nematodes were obtained off Sonadia Island, a sand island about two miles from the mainland. The island has sand banks on its south side and broad mud flats on the north side. The prevailing current is from the southeast. The species reported here are of the Class Phasmidea, a group which is plant-parasitic, animal-parasitic, or free-living in soil and freshwater, but rarely in the sea.
The overriding influence of flash floods on species-area curves in ephemeral Negev Desert pools: a consideration of the value of island biogeography theory

We examined the relationship between species richness of the arthropod fauna in temporary Negev desert pools and key environmental variables. Treating these pools as habitat islands, we found that three of the five predictions of island biogeography theory were upheld. However, the crucial claim of island biogeography theory that there is turnover of species while species richness remains constant was not supported. Although there was turnover, species richness increased steadily throughout the study. The slope of the species richness v. pool area regression decreased with time while the coefficient of determination for this relationship steadily increased. We found that the percentage cover of terrestrial plantspecies in the pools explained more of the variance in species richness than pool size over most of the study. Flash floods may be of overriding importance in these pools, because a single flood can flush all species out of the pools, forcing colonization to be repeated