Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Species Composition, Diversity, and Structure of Mediterranean Dung Beetle Assemblages (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Across a Bioclimatic Gradient

ABSTRACT Both spatial (bioclimatic stages) and temporal (seasons) analyses were contemplated to estimate the influence of Mediterranean bioclimate on dung beetle assemblage's distribution. Insects were pitfall trapped once per season from 2008 to 2009 at eight bioclimatic sites from north to south of Tunisia. In total, 3,278 specimens and 39 species (18 Aphodiinae and 21 Scarabaeinae) were collected and the completeness of sampling was of 76.81%. Along the bioclimatic gradient species richness of these two families were of the same order (Scarabaeinae/Aphodiinae ratio 1.16). The highest value of species richness occurs in subhumid site (27 species) and the lowest in the arid sites (5 species). More beetles were captured in spring and few beetles in autumn. However, more Scarabaeinae were captured in summer and more Aphodiinae in winter. Humid and subhumid sites were more diverse with high temporal turnover and, 80% of species occur in this area of the north-west of Tunisia. Conversely, the arid sites have the lowest values of &agr;- and &bgr;-diversity. The highest spatial turnover occurs between semiarid middle and semiarid inferior. Several factors could explain these results such as the soil nature, the geographical position, and latitude. Multivariate analyses showed that: 1) latitude greatly influenced the assemblage organization than bioclimate; 2) spatial factors (soil, bioclimate, latitude, altitude, marine influence) have greater effect than temporal factors (season); and 3) the Tunisian Dorsale is a stronger determinant where it act as a barrier or a filter that limit the colonization of arid sites by dung beetles and species occurred in these sites were those locally abundant an largely distributed. Results indicate that there were no spatio-temporal patterns according to bioclimate, but the influence of local and regional factors predominates on the dung beetle assemblages distribution.
LITTER PRODUCTION AND LITTER NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS IN A FRAGMENTED AMAZONIAN LANDSCAPE

We analyzed the effects of distance to forest edge and soil texture on fine-litter production and on nutrient concentrations in the leaf fall in an experimentally fragmented landscape in Brazilian Amazonia. Production of fine litter (leaves, twigs 250 m) from forest edges, and in clayey or sandy soils. In total, 28 plots were established, with 10 litter traps per plot. Results reveal a significant effect of distance to forest edge on litter production, but no significant effect of soil type or interaction between soil type and edge distance. On average, annual litter production on edge plots exceeded that on the interior plots by 0.68 Mg/ha (9.50 ± 0.23 vs. 8.82 ± 0.14 Mg·ha−1·yr−1, mean ± 1 se, based on a 3-yr period). With regard to nutrient concentrations in the leaf fall, we detected a significant effect of soil type on three of eight nutrients analyzed. Concentrations of N, Mg, and Mn were greater in leaves on clayey than on sandy soils. Distance to forest edge only significantly affected the concentration of Ca, which was greater near than far from edges, perhaps due to strong Ca mobilization by the roots of pioneer trees. Several factors may account for the observed increase in litterfall near forest edges, including the greater prevalence of winds, increased plant desiccation stress, and higher rates of tree recruitment, especially of pioneer trees, near edges. Elevated rates of litterfall are likely to have cascading effects on the ecology of fragmented forests, affecting the invertebrate fauna, increasing seed and seedling mortality, and causing forest fragments to be more vulnerable to destructive surface fires.
Ontogeny of black-footed ferret predatory behavior towards prairie dogs

To study the effects of environmental upbringing and predation experience on black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) predatory skills towards prairie dogs, we compared killing efficiency and behaviors of 32 black-footed ferret kits (from 24 different litters). Four treatment groups were established: group 1 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages and never exposed to live prey; group 2 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages and fed live hamsters twice a week beginning at 8 weeks of age; group 3 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages, fed live hamsters, and exposed to live prairie dogs in family trials once per week; and group 4, kits raised in outdoor enclosures with ad libitum access to live prairie dogs in natural burrows. Juvenile black-footed ferrets raised with exposure to live hamsters were more successful at killing prairie dogs than kits devoid of any predation experience. Previous experience with prairie dogs (in both indoor cages and outdoor pens) significantly increased predation efficiency. Witnessing.
PENGARUH RASIO KEUANGAN TERHADAP RETURN SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN IDX 30 YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA TAHUN 2018

Penelitian kuantitatif ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh Current Ratio (CuR), Cash Ratio (CaS), Total Debt to Total Assets Ratio (DAR), Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Return on Investment (ROI), Return on Assets (ROA), Fixed Assets Turnover (FATO), dan Total Assets Turnover (TATO), terhadap return saham pada perusahaan IDX30 Tahun 2018. Peneliti menggunakan data sekunder yang diperoleh dari laporan keuangan. Dengan menggunakan pengambilan data secara purposive sampling diperoleh 23 emiten saham sebagai sampel untuk diteliti dari 30 emiten saham yang terdaftar pada indeks IDX30. Teknik analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis regresi linier berganda untuk memperoleh gambaran yang menyeluruh mengenai hubungan antara variabel satu dengan variabel yang lain. Semua data yang sudah diolah telah lulus uji asumsi klasik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan secara simultan semua variabel independen berpengaruh terhadap return saham. Hal ini didukung dengan nilai Adjusted R Square sebesar 0,52 yang membuktikan perubahan return saham dapat dijelaskan dengan variabel independen sebesar 52%. Adapun variabel Current Ratio (CuR), Total Debt to Total Assets Ratio (DAR), Return on Assets (ROA), dan Total Assets Turnover (TATO) berpengaruh secara parsial terhadap return saham.
Sperm competition and fertilization success in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): effect of sire size and condition factor on gamete quality

Sperm competition experiments were conducted to test the null hypothesis that sperm quality is not affected by male body size in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Genetic markers (allozymes) were used to determine the proportion of larvae sired by pairs of males when their sperm was combined with eggs of a single female simultaneously. Significant differences in fertilization success between males were not explained by differences in body size. Fertilization success was positively associated with male condition factor (K) and with spermatozoa density in each male's semen when equal volumes of semen from each male were used. Male K was positively associated with male fertilization success when the volume of semen used from each male was adjusted to add approximately equal numbers of spermatozoa from each male. The relative fertilization success of males varied depending on which female was the egg donor, suggesting that female "choice" at the gamete level may be occurring in cod.
Assessing the Quality of Paraphrases Written by Third Year Costa Rican EFL Students

The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting the quality of paraphrases written by college level EFL learners. A three-dimensional paraphrasing competence model by McCarthy, Guess, and McNamara (2009) was followed to assess the texts for semantic completeness, lexical difference, and syntactic difference. The selected method was a mixed method approach. The quantitative analysis was used to measure the rate of success of each paraphrasing competence whereas the qualitative analysis aimed to describe the perceived difficulty of the competences and the reasons behind it. The subjects were 17 EFL students enrolled in a third year English composition course at the University of Costa Rica. The corpus of the study consisted of 51 paraphrases. Following three rounds of examinations and the analysis of students’ perceptions, the lexical dimension emerged as the most challenging area interfering with paraphrase quality, with semantic completeness also emerging as difficult. Other factors affecting paraphrase quality were inappropriate use of passive voice, style and register, and inaccurate lexical substitutions. The study concluded with recommendations to improve instructional cycles by reinforcing reading comprehension and lexical development, and by assessing the different dimensions of paraphrasing separately.
Internal and External Governance Impact Analysis and Contribution on Operating Performance during Goods and Services Tax Implementation. A Malaysian Evidence

The Goods & Services Tax (GST) is a beneficial consumption-based tax for a country development. However, during GST implementation an adequate planning is required in the business supply chain functions and operations as to avoid any unfavourable outcome to operating performance. The GST implementation is a challenge to internal and external governance as it requires changes in the business operations. In this paper, we analyze the impact of GST to external auditors and internal control system of the Malaysian listed firms from year 2014 to 2016 using the paired t-test. We identify that the changes in audit firms and audit partners occurred during GST implementation period. Thus, no major significant impact occurred to position of external auditors and internal control system during and after GST implementation. In addition, the 200 firm-year observations regression results from year 2015 to 2016 during GST implementation reports that the external auditors to reserve independence and do not influence the relationship between internal control system with operating performance. Further, the results reveal that lower internal control system cost provides a significant improvement to firmsâ€™ short-term commitments during GST implementation.
The moderating role of information sharing on the relationship between lean supply chain and supply chain performance: a conceptual framework

This study aims to propose a framework for integrating information sharing (IS) into lean supply chain (LSC) to improving supply chain performance (SCP). This paper reviewed the studies published in the supply chain and going deep in LSC and its impact on SCP and disclosure of other relevant factors that play a significant role in enhancing the relationship such as IS. Also, it developed a conceptual framework to explain the moderating role of IS. This paper confirmed from previous studies that the results of the relationship between LSC and SCP are inconclusive. In other words, several empirical studies demonstrated there is a significant and positive relationship between LSC and SCP. In contrast, other studies found there is no significant relationship. Hence, the inconsistency in the results of previous studies leads to the need for moderating variable to enhance the relationship between LSC and SCP. Thus, the results of the study indicate a crucial moderating role for IS. This paper focuses on bridging the gap of IS as a moderator between LSC and SCP, as well as determining the common objective of LSC and IS which is improving SCP.
Growth and age structure of alfonsino (Beryx splendens) from the lower east coast, North Island, New Zealand

Abstract Commercial landings of alfonsino (Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834) from the Palliser Bank, Tuaheni High, and Paoanui Ridge were sampled to describe growth and determine the age composition of catches. The study indicated that one opaque and one hyaline zone were formed annually in sagittal otoliths, the hyaline zone being deposited in late autumn. Fish were probably about 10 months old when the otolith nucleus was fully formed. The length‐weight equations for males and females differed and both changed throughout the year in parallel with the spawning cycle. Size‐selective mortality did not occur on the Palliser Bank. Females were significantly larger at any given age than males on all grounds examined, but growth of males and females appeared consistent between grounds. Growth was slower than in Japanese waters and the Atlantic. Age structure varied between grounds, but was reasonably constant over time on the Palliser Bank. Full recruitment to the commercial fishery occurred at age 5 on the Palliser.
Identification of fragrant gene, fgr, in traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka

A study was conducted to identify traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka that possess the fragrant gene ( fgr ) using designed allele specific markers based on the gene sequence of mutated version of Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (BAD2), which is called fragrant gene. Fifty six rice accessions including several Basmati, Suwandal, Samba and Heenati varieties, were chosen for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with fgr would markers. Three fragments that would discriminate homozygous fragrant, homozygous non-fragrant and heterozygous individuals were amplified by multiplex PCR and the fragrance was evaluated phenotipically by potassium hydrooxide (KOH) treatment. All positive accessions that amplified the fgr allele expressed the fragrance with KOH treatment. Of the traditional varieties, one accession each from Suwandal and Samba and, two accessions from Heenati were identified as the fgr genotypes that possessed mutated BAD2. Information from the investigation could be applied in breeding studies on aromatic rice suitable for the Sri Lankan environment, using marker assisted selection with local germplasms. Keywords: Fragrant gene, marker assisted selection, Oryza sativa L. , polymerase chain reaction. J.Natn. Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2010 38 (2):139-143 Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v38i2. 2040
Inheritance of Myxobolus cerebralis Resistance among F1-Generation Crosses of Whirling Disease Resistant and Susceptible Rainbow Trout Strains

Abstract A whirling disease resistant domestic strain of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (German (GR)) was crossed with a susceptible wild strain of rainbow trout (Colorado River (CR)). Thirty-two families of F1 crosses, along with five pure GR and two pure CR rainbow trout families, were then evaluated for resistance to whirling disease after experimental exposure to Myxobolus cerebralis. The pure domesticated GR strain was verified to have strong resistance to the parasite. In contrast, wild CR rainbow trout were highly susceptible. Crosses of these two strains resulted in offspring with a range of susceptibility. The resistance to whirling disease in some families was similar to that of pure GR rainbow trout, while other families were as susceptible as pure CR rainbow trout. Infection severity was significantly greater in the CR strain than in the pure GR and the GR × CR strains, as measured by both microscopic pathological scores (histology) and myxospore counts. Infection severity in the reciprocal.
Factors affecting the formation of alkylpyrazines during roasting treatment in natural and alkalinized cocoa powder.

The cocoa roasting process at different temperatures (at 125 and 135 °C for 3 min, plus 44 and 52 min, respectively, heating-up times) was evaluated by measuring the initial and final free amino acids distribution, flavor index, formol number, browning measurement, and alkylpyrazines content in 15 cocoa bean samples of different origins. These samples were also analyzed in manufactured cocoa powder. The effect of alkalinization of cocoa was studied. Results indicated that the final concentration and ratio of tetramethylpyrazine/trimethylpyrazine (TMP/TrMP) increased rapidly at higher roasting temperatures. The samples roasted with alkalies (pH between 7.20 and 7.92), such as sodium carbonate, or potassium plus air injected in the roaster during thermal treatment, exhibited a greater degree of brown color formation, but the amount of alkylpyrazines generated was adversely affected. The analysis of α-free amino acids at the end of the roasting process demonstrated the importance of the thermal treatment con.
Photosynthesis-inhibiting effects of 2-benzylsulphanylbenzimidazoles in spinach chloroplasts

Inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach chloroplasts by nineteen 2-benzylsulphanylbenzimidazoles (BZA) was studied. BZA were found to inhibit photosynthetic electron transport (PET) and for their inhibitory efficiency, electronic properties of the R substituent on the benzyl moiety are decisive. The PET inhibiting activity of the studied BZA expressed as IC50 varied in the range from 28.5 μM (R = 3,5-(CF3)2) to 394.5 μM (R = 2,4-(NO2)2). For compounds with R = H, 4-CH3, 3-CH3, 3-OCH3, 4-F, 3-F, 4-Cl, 3-Cl, 2-Cl, 4-Br, 3-Br, 3,4-F2, 3,4-Cl2, 3-CF3, 3,5-(CF3)2 linear increase of the inhibitory activity with the increasing value of the substituent’s σ constant up to 0.86 was observed. Further increase of the σ constant resulted in a sharp activity decrease of the corresponding compounds (R = 2-F-6-Cl, 2-NO2, 3,5-(NO2)2, 2,4-(NO2)2). Using EPR spectroscopy and an artificial electron donor diphenyl carbazide it was found that the site of BZA action in the photosynthetic apparatus is situated on the donor side of PS 2, prior to the Z·/D· intermediate.
Extension of shelf life of chilled hake (Merluccius capensis) by high pressure/Prolongación de la vida útil de merluza (Merluccius capensis) sometida a altas presiones conservada en refrigeración

Vacuum packed hake muscle subjected to 400 MPa (three 5-min cycles) at 7 °C proved to be more stable at chilled temperatures (2-3 °C), and sensorially acceptable, until 43 days of storage in comparison with the nine days for the non-pressurized hake. The lot pressurized at 400 MPa had the appearance of cooked muscle. The microbial load was initially reduced by two log units by pressurization at 400 MPa. Trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) values were also very low. Pressurization had no effect on dimethylamine nitrogen (DMA-N) production. The lot pressurized at 400 MPa showed slower increase in drip loss from day 15 of storage. In the lot subjected to 200 MPa (three 5-min cycles) at 7 °C, which retained the appearance of raw fish, microorganisms were one log unit lower than in the non-pressurized sample and TMA-N was lower. In conclusion, the chilled shelf life was prolonged by about one week in the lot pressurized at 200 MPa and about two weeks in the lot pressurized at 400 MPa.
Effects of Clear-cut Logging with and without Buffer Strips on juvenile Salmonids in Alaskan Streams

To assess short-term effects of logging on juvenile Oncorhynchus kisutch, Salvelinus malma, Salmo gairdneri, and Salmo clarki in southeastern Alaska, we compared fish density and habitat in summer and winter in 18 streams in old-growth forest and in clearcuts with and without buffer strips. Buffered reaches did not consistently differ from old-growth reaches; clear-cut reaches had more periphyton, lower channel stability, and less canopy, pool volume, large woody debris, and undercut banks than old-growth reaches. In summer, if areas had underlying limestone, clear-cut reaches and buffered reaches with open canopy had more periphyton, benthos, and coho salmon fry (age 0) than old-growth reaches. In winter, abundance of parr (age > 0) depended on amount of debris. If debris was left in clear-cut reaches, or added in buffered reaches, coho salmon parr were abundant (10–22/100 m2). If debris had been removed from clear-cut reaches, parr were scarce (< 2/100 m2). Thus, clear-cutting may increase fry abundance.
The Balance Condition in Search‐and‐Matching Models

Most of the literature that studies frictional search‐and‐matching models with heterogeneous agents and random search investigates steady state equilibria. Steady state equilibrium requires, in particular, that the flows of agents into and out of the population of unmatched agents balance. We investigate the structure of this balance condition, taking agents' matching behavior as given. Building on the “fundamental matching lemma” for quadratic search technologies in Shimer and Smith (2000), we establish existence, uniqueness, and comparative statics properties of the solution to the balance condition for any search technology satisfying minimal regularity conditions. Implications for the existence and structure of steady state equilibria in the Shimer–Smith model and extensions thereof are noted. These reinforce the point that much of the structure of search‐and‐matching models with quadratic search technologies carries over to more general search technologies.
Generation Mean Analysis and Molecular Markers for Drought Tolerance in Wheat during Germination and Seedling Stage

Generation mean analysis for drought tolerance was studied in wheat cross-1 (Pavon-76 X Gemmeiza-7) and cross-2 (ICR-DH18 X Pavon-76). The genotypes were evaluated under control and drought stress (15% polyethylene glycol 6000) at germination and seedling stage for seven traits. The additive–dominance model is adequate for explaining the inheritance of root and shoot lengths under both treatments and root fresh weight under drought stress in cross-1, and shoot length in both treatments and root length under drought stress in cross-2, while being inadequate in the other traits in the two crosses treatments. The additive-dominance and epistatic interaction effects recorded for germination percentage, root and shoot fresh and dry weights in both crosses suggested postponement of plant selections till the later generations for plant traits with such type of gene action. Epistasis absence and the contribution of considerable additive genetic variance in root and shoot lengths and root fresh weight indicating that recurrent selection in early segregating generations could be effective to select wheat lines with enhanced early tolerance to drought stress. Only two SSR primers and two TRAP primer pairs generated polymorphic bands from the tested genotypes. Four positive molecular markers were detected for drought tolerance. The UPGMA clustering analysis revealed correlation between drought tolerance genotypes and the studied molecular markers. The markers identified herein would allow implementing marker-assisted selection to screen wheat segregating populations for drought tolerance.
Observations on the Skull in Foetal Specimens of Whales of the Genera Megaptera and Balaenoptera

This paper furnishes descriptions of five skulls of fœtal Whales—three of Megaptera and two of Balœnoptera . The investigation was begun in July, 1912, at the British Museum (Natural History), but was discontinued, partly in consequence of the pressure of other work, and partly owing to the superior attraction of Cephalodiscus as a subject of research; it was resumed in November, 1920, in the Huxley Research Laboratory at the Royal College of Science. My thanks are due to Sir Sidney F. Harmer, Director of the Natural History Departments of the British Museum, for permission to prepare and describe the skulls; also to Prof. E. W. MacBride, and the administrative officers of the Royal College of Science, for the facilities offered by the Huxley Research Laboratory for the prosecution of the Research. For frequent hints and suggestions during the progress of the work, and for much valuable advice, I am indebted to Sir Sidney Harmer, Prof. E. W. MacBride, Dr. D. M. S. Watson, Dr. C. W. Andrews, and others.