Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic Relationships of North American Cyprinids and Assessment of Homology of the Open Posterior Myodome

Phylogenetic analyses based on complete nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes support the existence of three major clades within the North American phoxinins (Teleostei: Cyprinidae): the western clade, the creek chub clade and the open posterior myodome (OPM) clade. Analyses indicated strong support for the OPM clade including, among others, Mylocheilus, Pogonichthys, Tiaroga, and Rhinichthys. These latter taxa do not exhibit an OPM and previously have not been hypothesized to be related to members of the OPM clade. Parsimony analysis resolved relationships among basal members of the OPM clade and provided an opportunity to address homology of the OPM. Two hypotheses of homology of the OPM were included in analyses, with DNA sequence data allowing investigation of homology and evolution of the OPM. The OPM is best treated as a complex character exhibiting phylogenetic and ontogenetic variation. Previous attempts to simplify coding of the character do not result in hypotheses of homology that are congruent with phylogenetic hypotheses based on DNA sequence data.
International portfolio diversification and macroeconomic fluctuations when preferences are time-varying

We propose a 2-country asset pricing model where agents’ preferences change endogenously as a function of the popularity of internationally traded goods. When agents are more sensitive to changes in the popularity of domestic goods than to changes in the popularity of foreign goods, the local stock market reacts more to changes in preferences of local agents than to changes in preferences of foreign agents. Therefore, the home bias arises because the home-country stock represents a better investment opportunity to hedge against future preference fluctuations. We test our model and find that preference evolution is a plausible driver of key macroeconomic variables and stock returns.
Effect of Feeding Dietary Treated Wheat Straw with Whey and Urea on Fattening Lambs Performance

The feeds that are available to ruminants in developing countries are fibrous and relatively high in ligno-cellulose. These kinds of feeds have low digestibility and often have deficiencies in critical nutrients, such as protein, nonprotein nitrogen and minerals. Continuous attempts have been made to improve the feeding value of low quality roughage through physiological, biological and chemical process (Chabaca et al. 2000; Selim et al. 2004). There is a large amount of crop residues, mainly wheat straw. The use of straw for cattle, sheep and goat fattening has been limited by their low intake. Consequent requirement for costly supplement straw is the most abundant of all agricultural residues and has a great potential as a feedstuff for ruminants in most semi-arid and sub tropical regions. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding treated wheat straw with urea and whey on fattening lambs performance. About 4.5 kg urea and 1.5 kg salt were dissolved in 40 L water and mixed with 30 L of whey. The solution was spread over 100 kg chopped wheat straw. Thirty two male lambs were randomly divided into four feeding groups to compare performance with diets based on barley supplemented with 30% wheat straw. Treatments were (1) 30% untreated wheat straw (UWS) (control), (2) 20% UWS + 10% treated wheat straw (TWS), (3) 10% UWS + 20% TWS, (4) 30% TWS. Lambs were fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous grower diets. The animals were slaughtered after 85 days of feeding and carcass parameters were measured. Average final weights did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05). However, average live daily and weight gain were significantly (P<0.03 and P<0.001, respectively) higher in lambs fed treatment 3. Feed conversion ratio was lowest in lambs fed 20% and 10% TWS followed by those fed control diet, which in turn were superior to those fed 30% TWS diet (P<0.03). The highest values for average live weight gain and live daily gain were observed for animals fed 20% TWS diet and the differences were only significantly higher than 30% TWS diet. However, carcass weights were similar for the diets (P>0.05). Dissection of different anatomical parts showed a higher percentage of lean meat, carcass fat and internal fat in animals fed TWS compared to control but the differences were not significant. The lambs showed similar growth rates like control group, however, feeding cost per kg of body weight gain was lower in the experimental diet. Carcass and meat quality were not affected by treatments. Thus, the diet containing TWS could not represent an economic advantage for procedures. The results indicate that TWS silage can replace as part of UWS. In conclusion supplementation of TWS with a barley based concentrate support did not have positive effect on fattening lambs performance before and after slaughtering.
Compensation Disclosures and Strategic Commitment: Evidence from Revenue-Based Pay

Using detailed, grant-level compensation data for large publicly listed firms between 1998-2013, I document that revenue-based compensation is more prevalent in CEO pay packages when the benefits of committing to aggressive product market behavior are greater. Furthermore, this relation does not emerge until after the introduction of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the proxy statement (CD&A), which serves as a plausibly exogenous shock to contract observability. Lastly, post-CD&A product market outcomes are consistent with the shift towards revenue-based pay fostering more aggressive product market equilibria: higher revenues and expenses, but lower margins and profits. Collectively, these results are consistent with a large body of theoretical literature based on Schelling’s (1960) theory of “strategic delegation. ” Notably, Fershtman and Judd (1987) show that oligopolistic competitors can boost profits by strategically incentivizing managers with revenue-based pay to commit to aggressive product market behavior, and Katz (1991) demonstrates that this approach to commitment is only effective if managers’ pay packages are observable to rivals.
THE INFLUENCE OF METAL AVAILABILITY ON THE BRYOPHYTE AND MACROLICHEN VEGETATION OF FOUR ROCK TYPES ON SKYE AND RHUM

SUMMARY (1) A quantitative survey of the bryophyte and macrolichen vegetation of outcrops of Durness limestone, Torridonian sandstone, basalt and ultrabasic rocks on Skye and Rhum was undertaken to examine correlations between flora and rock type. (2) Analysis of rock leachates confirmed that the solubility of calcium from Durness limestone greatly exceeded that of all other elements from all rocks. Detectable quantities of Ca, Mg, Fe, Al and K were leached in 24 h from basalt and ultrabasic rocks by distilled water and EDTA solution, but levels of these elements in Torridonian sandstone leachates were extremely low. The major trend in the non-calcareous rocks was an increase in availability of Fe, Al and Mg in the order sandstone < basalt < ultrabasic rocks. (3) The major floristic feature, revealed by comparison of species-abundances on each rock type using a modified principal coordinates analysis of the vegetation samples, was the uniqueness of the limestone flora compared with that of the other rocks. Overlap of the limestone flora with that of the non-calcareous substrata was due to a few relatively uncommon species, and no taxon was abundant on both calcareous and non-calcareous rocks. (4) The total Ca concentration of limestone bryophytes was consistently higher than that of the calcifuges, on average by a factor of 17. Fe and Al, although generally present at low concentration in calcicoles, were not consistently high in calcifuges, indicating that elevated levels of these elements may not be a general feature of the chemical environment on non-calcareous rocks. (5) Floristic ordination also partially separated vegetation samples on the Torridonian sandstone from those on basalt and ultrabasic rocks. This separation was mainly due to differences in the relative frequencies of the calcifuge species, and is thought to reflect chemical rather than physical and climatic factors. The basalt and ultra-basic rocks may provide generally higher levels of mineral nutrients, more potentially toxic metals, and/or a higher Mg: Ca balance than the sandstone.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT PREFERENCES OF WASHINGTON GROUND SQUIRRELS (SPERMOPHILUS WASHINGTONI)

ABSTRACr-Possible locations (189) of Washington ground squirrel colonies in Washington and Oregon were identified from the literature, state databases, museum collections, and converstions with local researchers and residents. In all, 80 confirmed and 7 probable colonies were found at 179 examined sites. Most colonies were small; the largest were on protected public lands. Squirrels were gone from 68 previously reported sites, and 25 additional sites were rated as highly vulnerable to extinction. Cultivation seems most responsible for range reduction. At 13 locations, 23 habitat variables were measured at 2 randomly chosen sites within a colony and also in a paired non-colony area. Although absolute values for some variables varied greatly between the 13 paired locations, Wilcoxon tests on the differences in the variables at each area showed that squirrels inhabited sites that had significantly greater grass and forb cover, deeper soil, weaker soil, and soil with less clay. These results suggest that food availability and soil characteristics are most important in determining where squirrel colonies are located within the habitats currently available to them. The Washington ground squirrel (Spermophilus washingtoni) is a little known rodent inhabiting the steppe grasslands of the Columbia Basin Province (Franklin and Dyrness 1988) in central Washington and northeastern Oregon. Although originally confused with the similar but unspotted Townsend's ground squirrel (Spermophilus townsendii) (Bailey 1936), its identification was clarified by Howell (1938) who described two subspecies on the basis of size. However, Dalquest (1948) found no size difference in specimens he collected and concluded that the subspecies were synonymous, and Hall and Kelson (1959) combined the two subspecific ranges of Howell (1938). Although he had no specimens from the more northern subspecies proposed by Howell (1938), Hill (1978), using numerical taxonomic and karyotypic methods, found no subspecific differences in populations separated by the Snake River. Other than general descriptions of its habitat, we know little of the natural history of S. washingtoni. Scheffer (1941) included comments on its food habits in a paper devoted mostly to S. townsendii and Dalquest (1948) claimed that burrows, nests, habits, and food of S. washingtoni are nearly identical to those of S. townsendii, as is hibernation as described by Svihla (1939).
Phylogenetic Relationships among Fantail Darters (Percidae: Etheostoma: Catonotus): Total Evidence Analysis of Morphological and Molecular Data

Results of a phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 base pairs) for all species of Catonotus are presented along with a synthesis and phylogenetic analysis of published morphological data. The two datasets are combined in a total evidence analysis, and results from the molecular, morphological, and total evidence datasets are compared with each other and with previously published hypotheses. Phylogenetic relationships suggested by morphological data are similar to those from previous studies. The cytochrome b and total evidence analyses also produced trees that are generally congruent with previous hypotheses. The monophyly of the Etheostoma squamiceps group and the monophyly of a clade including members of the E. virgatum and E. flabellare groups are well supported. However, in contrast to traditional classification, E. barbouri usually clustered with the E. flabellare group, and E. percnurum usually clustered with the E. virgatum group. Etheostoma percnurum and E. barbouri possess many autapomorphies, and it is possible that they share fewer cytochrome b characters with close relatives than they share with other species due to homoplasy resulting from accelerated rates of evolution. Also, in contrast to earlier hypotheses, the molecular and total evidence analyses suggested that E. squamiceps, E. crossopterum, and E. olivaceum are closely related. An earlier hypothesis based on morphology suggested that E. olivaceum was basal to other members of the E. squamiceps group and that E. squamiceps was related to E. chienense, E. pseudovulatum, E. oophylax, and E. neopterum. Etheostoma olivaceum has been considered basal because it lacks putative synapomorphies of all other members of the E. squamiceps group. Although reversals (in E. olivaceum) and convergence (in E. squamiceps) in character states are possible, a test of the two hypotheses of relationship requires additional data.
Plasmid Mediated Quinolones Resistance ESBL-EnterobactÃÂ©riaceae in Moroccan

Multidrug Resistance (MDR) in Enterobacteriaceae including resistance to quinolones is rising worldwide. This study was conducted to assess the resistance level to antibiotics and to detect plasmid genes mediated quinolones resistance in Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae collected from regional hospitals of Fes–Meknes in central Morocco. ESBL phenotype was determined according to the combination disc method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) using double disc synergy test (DDST). The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolates showed high resistance rate to most antibiotics except imipenem which showed 100% of susceptibility. A sub-site of 27 isolates was screened for qnr genes by multiplex PCR. qnrB gene was detected in 8 ESBL isolates (2 E. coli, 4 K. pneumoniae, 01 E. aerogenes and 01 C. freundii) while no qnrA neither qnrS could be detected. aac(60)-Ib-cr gene was detected in 15 strains, 13 of them were ESBL. Our results are in agreement with the general rule that imipenem stays the drug of choice for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL producers. Moreover, the presence of qnr determinants is closely related to ESBL phenotype while aac(60)-Ib-cr gene could be detected in isolates with or without ESBL phenotype.
Placement of Noctuid Eggs (Lepidoptera) on Soybean Plants

The distribution of eggs of Noctuidae on the leaflets of soybean plants was analyzed during 2 seasons. Four species were found in the 1st yr; Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner was the most frequent, followed by Rachiplusia nu Guenee, Spodoptera latifascia Walker, and Chrysodeixis (=Pseudoplusia) includens Walker. However, in the 2nd yr, R. nu, instead of C. includens, was the least frequent species. A. gemmatalis and S. latifascia oviposited mainly on medium-height plant regions but also on leaflets with different average sizes. R. nu and C. includens laid their eggs in the upper and lower plant regions, respectively. All species oviposited preferentially on the ventral surface. These results suggest that spatial parameters of the plant are important for Noctuidae in choosing where to oviposit on soybean.
Variation in Heterostylous Reproductive Systems Among Populations of Oxalis alpina in Southeastern Arizona

Numerous stages in the evolution of distyly from tristyly may be ob- served among populations of Oxalis alpina in southeastern Arizona. At one extreme, the mid form is common in populations and features of floral morphology are similar to those of typical trimorphic species. At the other extreme, the mid form is absent and few of the morphological features of tristyly have been retained. A spectrum of populations with intermediate mid frequencies and floral morphology connects these extremes. Modifications of style form representation and floral mor- phology are consistent with those expected in populations where modified incom- patibility has resulted in selection against the mid form. Disjunction of populations and variation in evolutionary rates have probably resulted in the diversity of inter- mediate reproductive systems occurring in this region.
Variation in the lipids of tissues during the molting cycle of prawn.

This study deals with the variation in the lipids of tissues during the molting cycle of prawn, Penaeus japonicus. During the molting cycle, the most notable variation in the lipid concentration (mg/100g fresh tissue) was seen in the hepatopancreas; the lipid concentration reached a maximum at stage D0 (beginning of premolt period). Also, the pre-ecdysial increase of hepatopancreatic lipids was found to be derived from both polar and neutral lipids. In other tissues such as the muscle, eyestalk, integument, and remains, the lipid concentration varied with the molting stages, but the variation was not as remarkable as observed in the hepatopancreas.
Antler Shedding in Relation to Parturition in Female Reindeer

Observations were made on 4S individually recognized adult female reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus) as to exact date of parturition and antler shedding. Fifty percent of the cows had shed their antlers within 5 days postpartum. The maximum number of sheddings per day occurred on the sixth day after parturition. Postpartum retention of antlers varied from 1 to 11 days. No difference was found between old and young cows. The significance of antlers in female reindeer during calving season is discussed. It is supposed that possession of antlers gives the cow high social status which, combined with a high aggressive level, enables her to drive away other reindeer from the calving area, the calf thus being prevented from establishing contact with strange reindeer. It is supposed that the establishment of social mother-calf bonds would be impeded if strange reindeer were allowed to interfere. In a number of papers on reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) the shedding of antlers in females is discussed. Most authors agree that pregnant females retain their antlers until the calves are born, while barren cows cast their antlers 1-2 months earlier. There is, however, some disagreement as to the time interval between parturition and antler shedding. SemenovTyan-Shanskii ( 1948 ) reports that females drop their antlers within 3 days postpartum; Kuhmunen (unpublished data) found 24 days as the interval; Palmer (1934) gives 5-7 days; and Lent ( 1965 ), in his extensive studies on caribou, reported that no cows retained their antlers for more than 1 week after parturition. Except for Lent, the statements of the cited authors are not supported by any detailed evidence; however, Lent based his statement on several routine counts of cows with old antlers, and whether the cows were accompanied by calves. He apparently had no opportunity to relate parturition to antler shedding in 1 This work has been supported by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council. single animals because his whole study was on a population level.
Vocalization as an Isolating Mechanism in Frogs

In laboratory tests, female Hyla crucifer selected the call of their own species in preference to that of Pseudacris triseriata, but not in preference to that of P. ornata. Female triseriata selected the call of their own species instead of that of the allopatric leptodactylid Eleutherodactylus portoricensis. On the other hand, only about 8 out of 10 succeeded when given a chance to respond to the calls of sympatric hylids-P. ornata, P. brachyphona and H. crucifer. Local P. triseriata females were unable to discriminate be- tween a call of a member of their own population and that of a frog recorded in New York; however, when given a chance to respond to a call recorded in Manitoba, 8 out of 9 reacted to the locally recorded call. Thus, for some species, vocalization is a major isolating mechanism, for others it is partially effective, and :for still others, it is ineffective. In those species in which vocalization is not a complete isolating mechanism, other factors-such as body size, rather small and subtle differences in behavior, habitat preference and timing-prevent interspecific matings. As is well known, optimum conditions for amphibian reproduc- tion are generally associated with rainfall. At such times, numerous individuals of several species often aggregate in the same pond. In these situations, it is important that interspecific matings be avoided. The latter result in gross biological inefficiency. Special secretions produced by the hedonic glands of males contribute greatly in pre- venting interspecific matings from occurring among most caudate amphibians. Among the Anura, such glands are absent. Numerous workers (Noble, 1931; A. P. Blair, 1941a, 1942; W. F. Blair, 1955, 1956; and many others) have stated that the calls of anurans serve to prevent crossing of the various species utilizing the same breeding site. However, there are no experimental data to verify this conclu- sion. With the recent observations that Pseudacris triseriata under- goes reproductive behavior in the laboratory and that the mating call alone guides a female to a particular male (Martof and Thomp- son, 1958), a method was provided for the testing of frog calls as an isolating mechanism.