Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CASSIDA AZUREA FAB. (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE): HOST SPECIFICITY AND ESTABLISHMENT IN CANADA AS A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT AGAINST THE WEED SILENE VULGARIS (MOENCH) GARCKE

Abstract Cassida azurea Fab. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was studied as an agent to control the weed bladder campion, Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke (Caryophyllaceae). To supplement previously published data on the beetle’s host range, additional no-choice experiments were conducted. First-stage larvae were offered seven plant species related to bladder campion. Only one adult male developed on Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. China Doll and one female on Lychnis × haageana Lem. This female did not produce eggs when it continued to feed on L. × haageana. In tests with adults, oogenesis occurred only if fed with bladder campion, and one laid one egg while feeding on Gypsophila pacifica Kom. First-stage larvae did not develop to adults on three native North American Silene spp. , but two adults developed on three other native species. Based on results from these experiments and reports in the literature, it was concluded that C. azurea has a very narrow host range and permission for field releases was granted in 1989. Releases were made in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta from 1989 to 1993. Cassida azurea survived from 3 to 6 years and was considered established at 8 of the 18 release sites in the three provinces but has not yet increased to densities sufficient to reduce bladder campion populations. Résumé Cassida azurea Fab. (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) a été étudié comme agent de contrôle contre la mauvaise herbe silène enflé, Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke (Caryophyllaceae). Afin de supplémenter les donnés publiés auparavant concernant la spécifité d’hôte du coléoptère, d’autres expériences à choix obligatoire ont été menées. Le larves de premier stade ont été mises en presence d’un choix sept espèces apparentées au silène enflé. Seulement un adulte mâle a émergé sur Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. China Doll et une femelle sur Lychnis × haageana Lem. Cette femelle n’a pas pondu d’oeufs quand elle continuait à se nourrir de L. × haageana. Quant aux tests faits avec les adultes, oogénèse s’est produite seulement quand les coléoptères étaient nourris de silène enflé, et une femelle a pondu un oeuf pendant qu’elle se nourrissait de Gypsophila pacifica Kom. Les larves des premier stade ne sont pas maturées jusqu’au stade adulte sur trois espèces de Silene indigènes de l’Amérique du Nord, mais deux adultes son développées sur trois autres espèces indigènes. Le résultats de ces expériences ainsi que le rapports dans la littérature laissant conduire que la C. azurea a une grande spécifité d’hôte et la permission pour des lâchages dans le champs a été accordée en 1989. Des lâchages ont été effectués au Manitoba, en Saskatchewan et en Alberta de 1989 a 1993. Cassida azurea a survécu de 3 à 6 ans, et a été considéré comme établi dans 8 parmi les 18 sites de lâchage dans les trois provinces. Il ne s’est pas encore augmenté suffisammant pour réduire les populations de silène enflé.
evaluation of the conservation status of a rare cactus (mammillaria crucigera) through the analysis of its population dynamics

We used population projection matrices to analyse the demography of Mammillaria crucigera, a rare cactus endemic to a small region in Central Mexico. Matrices were based on a 2-year period of observations on survival, growth and reproduction. No seed germination or seedling survival were observed; thus, these matrix entries were experimentally estimated. Population growth rate (λ) was lower than unity when low germination values (as those expected in natural conditions) were applied. The highest elasticity values corresponded to the survival of large adults. Matrix simulations indicated that only significant increases in fecundity and seedling survival resulted in positive λ values.
The repeatability of rearing performance of Merino and Dorset Horn ewes and its relationship with mature pelvic size

Data from one Dorset Horn and three Merino flocks were used to examine factors influencing the ability of ewes lambing four times to successfully rear their lambs. Repeatability of rearing performance, defined as the ratio of lambs weaned:lambs born, was estimated in three flocks and the intra-class correlation estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.17, with a mean of 0.10. Ewes rearing at least one lamb at their first lambing reared an average of 7.6% more lambs at each of the subsequent three lambings, compared with those that failed to rear a lamb at their first lambing. Mean pelvic dimensions, notably the conjugate diameter and the area of the pelvic inlet, of mature ewes, which reared lambs on three or four occasions were significantly larger in two flocks than in ewes which had poorer rearing performances (P<0.05), whereas in a third flock they were not significantly different. In the two flocks in which the significant differences were observed, mature pelvic dimensions were correlated with rearing performance at individual lambings. Rearing performance in these two flocks increased, respectively, by 16.3 and 6.3% per cm increase in conjugate diameter, and by 1.4 and 0.5% per cm2 increase in pelvic area (P<0.05). The slopes of these linear regressions were significantly greater for single than for twin-born lambs (P<0.05). The relationships between rearing performance and pelvic dimensions were also significantly curvilinear, the slopes of the regressions being significantly steeper below the mean pelvic dimensions than above them (P<0.05). Removing differences between ewes in pelvic dimensions reduced the repeatability of rearing performance. Allowing for differences in conjugate diameter reduced the repeatability in two flocks from 0.15 to 0.05, and from 0.09 to 0.08, respectively. In both flocks, allowing for differences in pelvic dimensions reduced the repeatability of rearing single lambs more than that for twin lambs.
Produção de enzimas extracelulares por Ceratocystis spp.

The genus Ceratocystis includes several species distributed over several parts of the world. In Brazil there are reports of the existence of three species: C. cacaofunesta , C. paradoxa and C. fimbriata, the latter being related to disease in crops of economic importance. This study aimed to determine, in specific culture media, the production of the extracellular enzymes amylase, lipase, cellulase, protease, laccase, lignin peroxidase and pectiliase (pectatelyase) for isolates of Ceratocystis spp. A total of 41 isolates were used: 3 from mango (Mangifera indica), 19 from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), 15 from cocoa (Theobroma cacao), 2 from Teak (Tectona grandis) and 2 from atemoya ( Annona sp.). The colonies were incubated in the dark at 25oC , except for the medium for pectinase detection which was incubated under alternating photoperiod. Experimental design was completely randomized with 4 replicates. The specific media allowed the detection of the production of amylase, laccase and protease for almost all tested isolates of Ceratocystis sp. Production of cellulase, lipase and pectatelyase was not observed. Production of the enzyme lignin peroxidase was detected in small amounts and in only a few isolates of the fungus. This enzymatic profile obtained from the fungus population may assist in future studies related to its characterization.
Resiliency of Environmental and Social Stocks: An Analysis of the Exogenous COVID-19 Market Crash

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown brought about an exogenous and unparalleled stock market crash. The crisis thus provides a unique opportunity to test theories of environmental and social (ES) policies. This paper shows that stocks with higher ES ratings have significantly higher returns, lower return volatility, and higher operating profit margins during the first quarter of 2020. ES firms with higher advertising expenditures experience higher stock returns, and stocks held by more ES-oriented investors experience less return volatility during the crash. This paper highlights the importance of customer and investor loyalty to the resiliency of ES stocks.
European geography of Alnus incana leaf variation

The intra- and inter-population and geographic differentiation of Alnus incana were examined biometrically on the basis of morphological character of the leaves. The study results only partly confirmed the assumption that Carpathian and Alpine populations of the species differ significantly. This may indicate that gene exchange continued during glacial periods as these regions were not sufficiently isolated from each other. The geographic variation of grey alder along the Balkans–Scandinavia axis is more eminent. It is debatable whether A. incana has migrated northwards from montane refugia, along Central European rivers, mostly the Vistula and Oder. It can be, however, noted that the Masurian, Sudetan and East Carpathian populations are similar to one another.
Acute Effects Of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) on Haematology Parameters and Hepatic EROD-Activity in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The objectives of the present study were to examine the toxicological effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene on the hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity and some haematological variables, in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). This study was a first attempt to identify possible biomarkers for forthcoming fish monitoring studies close to ammunition dumping sites at sea and in lakes. The fish were divided into four groups; one received an intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil only (control), while the other three groups were injected with peanut oil and 100, 200 or 400 mg 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (kg b.w.)−1, respectively. The fish groups were kept in continuously flowing, aerated, and filtered fresh water at a temperature of 12°C for three days. Blood collected from caudal vessels was analysed for haematocrit, haemoglobin, methaemoglobin and different white blood cell number, and the blood plasma was analysed for 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and its metabolites by gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. The microsomal fraction of the liver was analysed for ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity. All fish groups treated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene had a significantly increased methaemoglobin concentration compared to the control group. The leukocytes count was increased in rainbow trout treated with the highest dose (400 mg 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (kg b.w.)−1), and the ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity was significantly inhibited in fish treated with the two highest doses (200 and 400 mg 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (kg b.w.)−1. Chemical analysis by gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer revealed the presence of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in a pooled plasma sample of fish treated with the highest dose. The present study suggests that chemical analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in blood plasma may be suitable as a direct confirmation of exposure to this compound, while increased methaemoglobin levels may be a promising aid as a general biomarker in field monitoring of possible exposure in fish caught close to ammunition dumping sites.
Insemination Doses of Frozen-Thawed Semen in Seasonally Anestrous Ewes Treated with Two Different Progesterone-lmpregnated Intravaginal Devices.

During the non-breeding season, a total of 176 Suffolk ewes at 3 sheep farms were treated with either a self-made, progesterone-impregnated intravaginal sponge (P sponge) or controlled internal drug release (CIDR®) for 9 days and an intramuscular injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) 1 day before the cessation of progesterone treatment. At 44-52 h after treatment, 174 ewes were inseminated with 0.2, 0.1 or 0.05 ml of frozen-thawed ram semen per uterine horn with the aid of a laparoscope. There was no significant difference in lambing rate between P sponge (54.2%) and CIDR®(61.5%). The insemination dose did not also affect the lambing rates in both P sponge-treated (51.7, 66.7 and 44.4% for 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 ml, respectively) and CIDR®-treated (58.1, 59.4 and 67.9%, respectively) ewes. Prolificacy was not significantly different between progesterone treatments nor among insemination doses. Lambing rates and prolificacy at the 3 sheep farms were not also significantly different. These results indicate that even a low insemination dose (0.05 ml) can result in similar rates of lambing compared with 0.1 or 0.2 ml of insemination dose per uterus in Suffolk ewes treated with either P sponge or CIDR® during the non-breeding season.
Analyzing Differences between Scenarios

Comparisons between alternative scenarios are used in many disciplines from macroeconomics to climate science to help with planning future responses. Differences between scenario paths are often interpreted as signifying likely differences between outcomes that would materialise in reality. However, even when using correctly specified statistical models of the in-sample data generation process, additional conditions are needed to sustain inferences about differences between scenario paths. We consider two questions in scenario analyses: First, does testing the difference between scenarios yield additional insight beyond simple tests conducted on the model estimated in-sample? Second, when does the estimated scenario difference yield unbiased estimates of the true difference in outcomes? Answering the first question, we show that the calculation of uncertainties around scenario differences raises difficult issues since the underlying in-sample distributions are identical for both ‘potential’ outcomes when the reported paths are deterministic functions. Under these circumstances, a scenario comparison adds little beyond testing for the significance of the perturbed variable in the estimated model. Resolving the second question, when models include multiple covariates, inferences about scenario differences depend on the relationships between the conditioning variables, especially their invariance to the interventions. Tests for invariance based on automatic detection of structural breaks can help identify in-sample invariance of models to evaluate likely constancy in projected scenarios. Applications of scenario analyses to impacts on the UK’s wage share from unemployment and agricultural growth from climate change illustrate the concepts.
Innovative Activity, Growth Options and the Heterogeneous Return Performance of Cross-border vs. Domestic M&A Firms

M&amp;A deals in the US are done mostly at the domestic level. We examine the M&amp;A performance of US acquirers during 1991-2014 based on the enhanced innovative capacity afforded by cross-border deals. We find that US firms engaging in cross-border M&amp;A have superior innovative capacity, which results in lower short-term returns and downside risk. In contrast, long-run returns following cross-border acquisition are higher.
Resposta de híbridos de milho cultivados em diferentes épocas à população de plantas e ao despendoamento

Current maize hybrids are more tolerant to the increasing of plant population than the hybrids used in the past. It is possible that modern hybrid’s better adaptation to crowding is related to the lower apical dominance of the tassel over the ear. This experiment was aimed at evaluating the evolution on maize hybrids commercially released in different times the increase in plant population and at detecting if this progress is related to the reduction of apical dominance. The experiment was carried out in Lages, SC, during the 1999/ 2000 and 2000/2001 growing seasons. A split-split plot design was used. Three plant populations were tested in the main plots: 50,000, 75,000 and 100,000pl ha -1 . Four hybrids commercially released in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, respectively, were assessed in the split plots. Each hybrid was analyzed with preserved tassels and with tassel removed at booting in the split-split plot. The trials were installed in 10/30/ 1999 and 11/02/2000. Grain yield was assessed using the variance and regression analyzes. The hybrid commercially released in the 90’s (Ag 9012) was more demanding in plant population to maximize grain yield when the conditions were favorable to yields higher than 10,000kg ha -1
Effect of Green Supply Chain Adoption on Supply Chain Performance in County Governments in Kenya

The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of green supply chain adoption on supply chain performance in county governments in Kenya. The research incorporated a descriptive survey design whereby the target population comprised of the Uasin Gishu County procurement, human resource, operations, stores and finance departments. The researcher adopted stratified random sampling and simple random sampling to select a sample size of 11 respondents. Questionnaires were the main data collection instruments that were incorporated in both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The collected data were checked for completeness and later coded into the SPSS software version 24, where descriptive and inferential statistics were determined. The findings show that environment management support has a positive and significant effect on supply chain performance, β 3 = 0.505, p < 0.001 and product re-usability has a negative and significant effect on supply chain performance , β 4 = -0.150, p < 0.001. There is a need to encourage recycling, there is also a need to address the structuring and restructuring of teams that are responsible for environmental improvements and putting in place a total quality environmental management plan and implementing it. Finally, proper enforcement mechanisms for product re-usability would enhance its effect on supply chain performance.
When Less Is More: Why Limited Entrepreneurship Education May Result in Better Entrepreneurial Outcomes

Entrepreneurship research suggests that entrepreneurship education and training can bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship, but little empirical research exists assessing the validity and impact of such initiatives. We examine a large government-sponsored entrepreneurship education program aimed at university students in Sweden. While a pre-study indicates that longer university courses are associated with short-term outcomes such as increased self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions, results from a more comprehensive study using a pre-post design suggest little effect from these extensive courses on long-term outcomes such as new venture creation and entrepreneurial income. In contrast, we do find positive effects on these long-term outcomes from more limited but more specific training interventions, especially for women. Our study suggests that less extensive but more tailored interventions can be more beneficial than longer or more extensive interventions in promoting entrepreneurship in general, and entrepreneurship of underrepresented groups in particular. We discuss implications for theory, education, and policy.
Regulation of Pathogenesis by Light in Cercospora zeae-maydis: An Updated Perspective

The fungal genus Cercospora is one of the most ubiquitous groups of plant pathogenic fungi, and gray leaf spot caused by C. zeae-maydis is one of the most widespread and damaging foliar diseases of maize in the world. While light has been implicated as a critical environmental regulator of pathogenesis in C. zeae-maydis, the relationship between light and the development of disease is not fully understood. Recent discoveries have provided new insights into how light influences pathogenesis and morphogenesis in C. zeae-maydis, particularly at the molecular level. This review is focused on integrating old and new information to provide an updated perspective of how light influences pathogenesis, and provides a working model to explain some of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Ultimately, a thorough molecular-level understanding of how light regulates pathogenesis will augment efforts to manage gray leaf spot by improving host resistance and disease management strategies.
Recovery and germination rates of seeds of Mediterranean medics and clovers offered to sheep at a single meal or continuously

SUMMARY Measurements were made of the recovery and germination rates of seed of eight species of annual medic (Medicago spp.) and three of clover (Trifolium spp.) after ingestion by sheep. Recovery of medic seed was measured as the number of seeds collected from faeces after feeding, in addition to a basal diet, either (i) 200 g of pods at a single meal, or (ii) a quantity of pods estimated to contain 30000 seeds at a single meal or (iii) 200 g of pods daily for 21 days. Only the first method was applied to the clovers. There were large differences (P < 0·001) in seed recovery between species, from < 2% to nearly 20% in medics, and up to 59% in T. campestre, which has low single-seed mass. Although there was a curvilinear decrease in seed recovery as single-seed mass increased (r2 = 0·80), the high recovery of M. rotata, a fairly large-seeded species, suggests that there are important differences between species, irrespective of seed size. When 200 g of medic pods was offered to sheep at a single meal, mean seed recovery was slightly lower than when 200 g of medic pods was offered daily for 21 days. Seed recovery of medics was much higher (P < 0·001) when 30000 seeds were offered at one meal. Germination rate before ingestion was 1·9–6·5% (P < 0·001) for hard-seeded medics and 2·7–9·7% (P < 0·001) for clovers with low single-seed mass; passage through the digestive tract increased (P < 0·001) germination rate in both medics and clovers.
The Oligopoly Lucas Tree

We analyze the quantitative asset-pricing implications of peers' strategic rivalry by embedding oligopolistic competition within an endowment economy. Rivalry intensity increases endogenously as the discount rate rises or expected growth declines, because peers care less about future cooperation. We decompose industries' exposure to consumption risk into two components, reflecting news about expected growth and discount rates. More profitable and value industries are more exposed to discount-rate and expected-growth fluctuations, respectively. Finally, we exploit the exogenous variation in the growth dynamics and market structure of industries, instrumented using natural disasters and unexpected large tariff cuts respectively, to test the central mechanisms.
Investment Incentives, Financial Constraints, and Innovation

We analyze the spillover effect of a fixed asset investment incentive on firm innovation by estimating the impacts of China’s value-added tax reform in 2004 with a difference-in-differencein-differences approach. We find that the fixed asset investment incentive significantly reduces firm innovation. This negative effect appears in firms with intermediate-level financial constraints, but not in firms with very tight and loose financial constraints. Firms with intermediate-level financial constraints also increase fixed asset and intangible asset investment more than other firms after the reform. As innovation is a major economic growth driver with positive externalities, fiscal incentives for fixed asset investment may have unintended consequences for firms with a certain level of financial constraints. (JEL O31, O32, G31)
Economic Structural Transformation and Litigation: Evidence from Chinese Provinces

A rich body of literature suggests that economic development may be related to litigation trends, yet economic structural transformation has not been considered within this framework. This paper begins to fill that gap. Using 32 years of province-level data from China, we estimate both static and dynamic models to test the relationship between litigation rates and three types of structural transformation: (1) changes in the composition of GDP across economic sectors, (2) the privatization of assets and jobs, and (3) changes in the distribution of income. Results suggest that the first two dimensions of structural transformation are related to litigation rates. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of accounting for economic structural changes in studying litigation trends and offers an explanation for the mixed findings of prior work on the connection between litigation rates and economic development.