Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MINIMAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE: HOW PARASITOIDS DIVIDE RESOURCES'

Parasitoid communities show patterns in the distribution and abundance of species that fit predictions of niche partitioning models. These models treat community resources as unit volumes and conceptually treat niche partitioning, or resource division, as breakage of this unit into fractions that correlate with proportional densities of the species controlling that fraction of the resource. Unlike many other communities, parasitoid communities are particularly appropriate for applying these models. We examined four types of niche partitioning models employing three types of breakage algorithms. Of these, the overall best-fit model was a unidimensional-niche model using a breakage algorithm in which each subsequent break occurred on the smaller or larger fraction at random. Successful fit of these empirically derived, abundance distributions of parasitoid communities to this theoretically derived, expected distribution supports the hypothesis that these communities are minimally structured by a hierarchical process of random niche partitioning along a single resource axis.
Hermit crabs of the family Parapaguridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from Australia: species of Strobopagurus Lemaitre, 1989, Sympagurus Smith, 1883, and two new genera

The deep-water parapagurid hermit crab fauna from Australia is much more diverse then previously believed. The most recent information on parapagurids (De Saint Laurent, 1972) indicated the presence of three species and one subspecies in this region. The study of numerous unidentified or unreported parapagurid materials deposited in various Australian museums revealed the presence of at least 21 species. With the exception of three species of the genus Parapagurus Smith, 1879, all other parapagurids known from Australia are discussed. The heterogeneous genus Sympagurus Smith, 1883, is revised and restricted. Two new genera, Oncopagurus and Paragiopagurus, are proposed for a number of species previously assigned to Sympagurus. Four new species were discovered and are described, Sympagurus papposus, S. soela, S. villosus, and Oncopagurus cidaris. Of the previously recognised species, those found to be poorly described in the literature are diagnosed and illustrated. The Australian material is compared with types and/or supplemental material from other regions of the Pacific deposited in major museums or institutions. The affinities and important morphological variations of the species are discussed, and the overall distributions of the species updated. The subspecies of Sympagurus acutus (De Saint Laurent, 1972) are elevated to specific rank, and assigned to Paragiopagurus n.gen. The juvenile stages of S. brevipes (De Saint Laurent, 1972), an abundant species that reaches a large size, is described, and compared with the adults. Keys for the identification of all parapagurid genera and Australian species (except those of Parapagurus), are presented. The distribution of the species is summarised. LEMAITRE, RAFAEL, 1996. Hermit crabs of the family Parapaguridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from Australia: species of Strobopagurus Lemaitre, 1989, Sympagurus Smith, 1883 and two new genera. Records of the Australian Museum 48(2): 163-221. 164 Records of the Australian Museum (1996) Vol. 48
Characterising human resources management practices in Portugal: an empirical analysis

The importance of human resources as a fundamental channel towards the competitiveness and sustainability of firms is now theoretically unchallenged. This article provides an overall characterisation of the main human resources management (HRM) practices implemented in Portugal and compares them with the benchmark models proposed in the literature. To evaluate the degree to which HRM practices diverge from these benchmark models, this article relies on the analysis of five criteria: i) How do the main HRM practices fit the existing management models (familiar, professional or mixed); ii) How does the HRM conform to a work organisation of the matricial type; iii) To identify whether the role of HRM is essentially administrative or strategic; iv) To identify where the responsibility for HRM lies within the firms operating in Portugal; and v) To characterise the relation between HRM and work organisation in Portugal. Drawing on a representative sample of firms operating in Portugal, we identify three clusters that allow us to characterise and analyse the stylised HRM practices implemented in Portugal (network-based, familiar-based or bureaucratised). Results show contrasting management patterns, which can be interpreted as different stages of evolution in terms of HRM practices in Portugal.
Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factors for Some Pulses and Soybean Products

We previously reported a new and practical method of more accurately determining the conversion factors for calculating the protein content of foods from the total nitrogen content (N:P factor). The adjusted N:P factors, we called the N : P factor calculated by the new methods, correspond to the proportion of the amino acid residue content to the total nitrogen content. Thereby, when we try to estimate the protein content using the adjusted N : P factors, we do not have to consider the nonprotein nitrogen content. In this study, the adjusted N : P factor for several pulses and 3 soybean products were investigated based on the total nitrogen content, amino acid composition, amide nitrogen and free amino acids. The proportions of the amino acid nitrogen in the total nitrogen were 95% for pulses and 98% for soybean products. The average factors were 5. 43 for all the analytical samples and 5. 51 for the soybeans and its products. The N : P factor of 6. 25 commonly used for many foods was not a realistic factor for estimating the protein contents of pulses by converting the total nitrogen. The averaged value of the adjusted N : P factors for pulses was not different from that for the soybeans, except for some pulses. Considering the frequency of these food uses, 5. 51 is recommended as the universal factor for pulses and soybean products. This study seems to suggest that the new method for calculating the N : P factors is both useful and valuable.
Attitudes of Nigerian secondary school teachers to student evaluation of teachers

Abstract This study was designed to assess the attitudes of Nigerian secondary school teachers to student evaluation of teachers (SET), and to find out if the attitudes expressed were influenced by teacher characteristics such as gender, professional status, geographical location, academic qualification and teaching experience. The study was a survey, and made use of a researcher-designed questionnaire as research instrument. Teachers in one state in Nigeria were sampled, as similar conditions apply for teachers in all states in Nigeria. A stratified random technique was used to select 480 teachers from 20 schools. Four hypotheses were tested using t-test and four-way ANOVA. The findings were that: (i) Nigerian teachers expressed significantly negative attitudes to SET when the results of such evaluation were to serve both formative and summative purposes, although the attitudes were more negative when the purpose was summative; and (ii) the attitudes expressed by Nigerian teachers to SET were not significantly influenced by the gender, academic qualification and teaching experience of the teachers under the two forms of purposes. However, under both purposes, teachers in urban areas were found to express relatively more negative attitudes to SET than their counterparts in rural areas. It was concluded that Nigerian teachers are not too different from their counterparts abroad in treating SET with serious caution. It was recommended that Nigerian school policy makers and administrators should exercise great care in the use of student ratings of teachers, especially in personnel decisions.
An Experimental Study of Diffuse Competition in Harvester Ants

Experiments carried out over a 5-yr period in the Chihuahuan Desert support the a priori prediction of diffuse competition between two species of harvester ants. Despite dietary overlap between a large species (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) and a small species (Pheidole xerophila), the large species facilitates the small species indirectly by suppressing populations of an intermediate-size species (Pogonomyrmex desertorum). Although similar indirect interactions may occur frequently in natural communities and be predictable on the basis of body size, very long term studies may be necessary to demonstrate their effects experimentally.
Debris-Carrying in Larval Chrysopidae: Unraveling Its Evolutionary History

ABSTRACT Larval debris-carrying, which occurs in many insect taxa, is a remarkable behavioral trait with substantial life history significance. For the Chrysopidae, information on the topic is scattered, and the habit's diversity and evolutionary history are unassessed. Here, we compile a comprehensive, annotated catalog on chrysopid debris-carrying and its associated larval morphology, and we identify emerging systematic patterns of variation, from larval nakedness to the construction of elaborate packets. Then, we examine these patterns in the context of available phylogenies with two objectives: 1) to begin unraveling the evolutionary history of chrysopid debris-carrying and 2) to evaluate the current and potential role of larval morphology (including debris-carrying modifications) in classification and phylogeny of this family. Debris-carrying: the literature revealed that debris-carrying occurs in the chrysopoid fossil record and in all three extant chrysopid subfamilies, including those proposed as basal (Nothochrysinae, Apochrysinae). Nevertheless, the family's ancestral state remains unresolved. The habit may have evolved at least once in Nothochrysinae or been lost several times. Larvae from only one genus of Apochrysinae are known, and they are debris-carriers. Each of the four tribes of the third subfamily, Chrysopinae, has distinctive debris-carrying characteristics. In ankylopterygine larvae, debris-carrying modifications seem relatively conserved. Among the ant-associated belonopterygine genera, debris-carrying is either highly evolved or, in one case, possibly absent. Within the large chrysopine tribe, nakedness and debris-carrying appear to have evolved independently numerous times; also, some reversals may have occurred. With one possible exception, leucochrysine genera have debris-carrying larvae. Larval morphology: scrutiny of the literature showed that all chrysopid genera whose larvae are known exhibit characteristic suites of anatomical structures related to carrying debris. Moreover, larval morphology provides strong (synapomorphic) evidence for the monophyly of four of the seven suprageneric chrysopid taxa: the subfamily Nothochrysinae and three of the four tribes of Chrysopinae (Ankylopterygini, Belonopterygini, and Leucochrysini). Larval morphological and debris-carrying characteristics appear to support some, but not all, previously proposed generic relationships within the tribe Chrysopini. Given the demonstrated potential advantages for including larval characters in chrysopid phylogenetic studies, it is essential to enhance the pool of available larval data. Therefore, we propose that citizen-scientists be involved in gathering verifiable data and that systematists develop comprehensive data matrices for comparative larval studies.
Introduced animals and their parasites: The cane toad, Bufo marinus, in Australia

The impact of introducing animals into an established ecosystem can be directly observed through predator-prey and competition interactions. The impact of animals via more obscure relationships, such as the host-parasite relationship, are generally not considered. The cane toad Bufo marinus (Linnaeus) was introduced to Australia in 1935. Despite intensive research into many aspects of the biology of the toad, there has been no systematic survey of the parasite fauna of B. marinus in Australia. It is unknown exactly what parasites the toad may have introduced to Australia and also the range of parasites that may have adapted to the toad from native fauna since its introduction. The provisional conclusion from this review is that all the helminth parasites so far recorded from B. marinus in Australia have been acquired from local hosts. The interaction of toads and nativa fauna via their parasites remains unknown.
Temperature, Egg Size, and Development of Embryos and Alevins of Five Species of Pacific Salmon: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract We examined rate of development to alevin hatching and fry emergence, embryo and alevin survival, and alevin and fry size for five Pacific salmon species. There was little difference among values for hatching and emergence time predicted by a modified thermal sums model, power law model (log-inverse Belehradek), or quadratic model. Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch had the fastest rates of development to hatching and emergence of the five species investigated; rankings for the other species depended upon temperature range. Coho salmon embryos had the highest survival rates at low incubation (1.5°C) temperatures. Embryos of pink salmon O. gorbuscha had the lowest survival at temperatures less than 4°C. For all five species, incubation temperature was the more important factor in determining alevin length, and egg size was the more important factor in determining alevin weight. Egg weight was a major determinant of fry weight at emergence. Rates of development to hatching and emergence, and alevin a.
Sterols and Sterol Glucoside from Phyllanthus Species

Stigmasterol, stigmasta-5,22-dien-3- O-? -D-glucoside, ? -sitosterol, and sitosterol-3- O-? -D-glucoside were obtained from the organic solvent extractives of different parts of Phyllanthus species P. niruri, P. reticulatus, P. emblica, and P. acidus , through chromatographic separation. The structures of isolated compounds have been elucidated with the help of physical and spectroscopic studies. Medicinal importances of these species have also been discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/dujs.v60i1. 10327 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 60(1): 5-10, 2012 (January)
A method for measuring oxygen consumption in isolated perfused gills

A method is described for measuring respiration in isolated perfused flounder gills experiencing pressures and flows similar to those seen in vivo. Mean oxygen consumption of 13 preparations bathed and perfused in identical saline was 5·00 ± 0·75 (s.e.) μ mol h−1 g wet−1, whilst that of five preparations perfused with saline but bathed in sea water (32 mg l−1) was 12·06±2·39 (s.e.) μmol h−1 g wet−1. The oxygen consumption of the seawater bathed gills was significantly higher (P<0·05) than that in saline bathed gills. These results provide direct evidence both of the high metabolic activity of the gill under normal perfusion conditions and of the increased energy expenditure of the giil in hyperosmotic, compared to isosmotic, environments.
(Gendered) War

Women and girls do not have an option about fighting in the wars of the twentieth and twenty-first century. The vast majority of war casualties today are average citizens and the preponderance of these are women and children. Political violence has moved over the last century from trench warfare to assaults on the very domestic stability that gives a society shape and meaning. But these are invisible tactics: they are at one and the same time thought by military leaders to be effective, and as well to be heinous. Today's warfare globally is entrenched in a double set of betrayals: placing women at the epicenters of war and simultaneously denying this. What, then, does it mean to be a female combatant?
Reproductive Competition and the Evolution of Work Load in Social Insects

Independent studies of worker activities in colonies of social insects have shown that individuals are inactive for much of their time. Here, work load is analyzed as a heritable summary measure of individual activity, such that high work loads benefit the colony but increase the mortality rate of individuals. Thus, worker genotypes that adopt low work loads are expected to accumulate during colony growth at the expense of hard-working types if both occur in the same colony. When mature colony size is reached, this accumulation could, through nepotism, bias the production of sexuals toward the accumulated genotypes. A formal model shows that a gene coding for low levels of work load could indeed spread in a population of hard-working colonies, if colony workers are not always full sibs, that is, with polygyny or polyandry. Furthermore, the work load that is evolutionarily insensitive to slightly deviating mutants is predicted to decrease with the degree of polygyny (number of egg-laying queens), with polyandry (number of males contributing sperm), and with an increase in the degree of nepotism. Work load should also vary with ecological variables, such as the length of the colony's growth period before reproduction. To evaluate this hypothesis, several measures for work load (inactivity, self-grooming, brood care, risky tasks) are compared across species of ants. Average work load increases with reported colony size, but activity levels in colonies of monogynous and polygynous species are remarkably similar.
Efficacy of Disinfectants on Candida Biofilms at Different Concentrations and Contact Times

Aims: Candida species cause a wide spectrum of diseases, including hospital-acquired and device-associated infections. The biofilm formation is a major virulence factor in Candida pathogenesis and the cells in biofilm show enhanced resistance to disinfectants. Our aim was to evaluate the efficiency of the commonly used hospital disinfectants (glutaraldehyde (GLU), hydrogen peroxide (HP), peracetic acid (PA), ortho-phtalaldehyde (OPA) and sodium hypochlorite (SH) on biofilms of clinical Candida ( C. albicans , C. glabrata , C. parapsilosis , C . krusei and C. tropicalis ) isolates. Study Design: An experimental study. Microbiology, Electron Microscope Eskisehir University, between January 2011 and May 2011. Methodology: These selected due to recommended concentration, results showed many variations depending on the disinfectant type, contact times and species. Conclusion: Our results also emphasize the importance of regular disinfection, before the starting of biofilm formation.
Phylogeny of the genus Tethya (Tethyidae: Hadromerida: Porifera): molecular and morphological aspects

The genus Tethya represents a large cosmopolitan group of 81 recognized and a significant number of additional, still undescribed sponge species. The phylogenetic relationships within this old taxon are almost unknown. This is represented by the fact that several species are regarded as cosmopolitan. However, some of them might represent groups of closely related but distinct species. Using molecular and morphological characters, we aimed at a fundamental phylogenetic study for the genus Tethya, evaluating an existing morphological matrix and the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) as a molecular marker. Intending to create a basic phylogenetic framework for the genus we selected a number of species from main biogeographic regions covered by Tethya species: from the Mediterranean Sea (T. citrina and T. aurantium), the northern European seas (T. citrina, T. norvegica and T. hibernica), the western Atlantic (T. actinia), the eastern Pacific (T. californiana), the Indo-Pacific (T. seychellensis) as well as three species of unknown biogeographical origin, originally described from aquarium habitats (T. wilhelma, T. gracilis and T. minuta). Both the morphological matrix, consisting of 29 characters and 131 character states, as well as the molecular matrices (COI nucleotide sequences of 658 bp as well as deduced amino acid sequence of 219 aa), resolved major biogeographical subgroups within the genus. However, the nucleotide based matrices revealed a higher resolution. Two major branches seem to have diverged early: an Indo-Pacific (T. seychellensis, T. wilhelma, T. minuta) and a Pan-European clade (T. citrina, T. norvegica, T. hibernica). For T. aurantium as well as a North-American group (T. californiana, T. actinia and T. minuta) our results are not conclusive. The morphological character set will have to be re-evaluated to gain a higher phylogenetic resolution. The addition of more species to our basal phylogenetic framework will allow analysing the evolution of the various biogeographical subgroups in the genus Tethya.
An Environmental Domain Classification of New Zealand and Its Use as a Tool for Biodiversity Management

Abstract: Successful biodiversity management, including the selection and subsequent management of protected areas, depends in large measure on classifications showing land areas with similar ecosystem character. In contrast to widely used, qualitative land‐classification techniques, we used a numerical classification of explicit spatial layers describing aspects of New Zealand's climate and landforms. We chose input variables for their strong functional links with major physiological processes of trees and high statistical correlations with geographic distributions of individual tree species as determined from previous studies. Higher‐level divisions of the resulting classification were dominated by macroclimatic variation associated with change in both latitude and orographic protection provided by New Zealand's main mountain ranges, but variation in landform became more important at finer scales of classification. Classification units showed marked variation in the proportional extent of both indigenous vegetation cover and land set aside for conservation purposes. Indigenous ecosystem remnants of the highest priority for increased protection occurred in warm, lowland domains, particularly in drier environments, where both indigenous cover and protected areas are of minimal geographic extent. Such results underline the considerable potential of an environmental classification to provide a landscape context for systematic conservation management, particularly in environments where the natural ecosystem pattern has been severely modified by human activity.
Foraging ecology, fluctuating food availability and energetics of wintering brent geese

Changing energy requirements and dramatic shifts in food availability are major factors driving behaviour and distribution of herbivores. We investigate this in wintering East Canadian High Arctic light-bellied brent geese Branta bernicla hrota in Northern Ireland. They followed a sequential pattern of habitat use, feeding on intertidal Zostera spp. in autumn and early winter before moving to predominantly saltmarsh and farmland in late winter and early spring. Night-time feeding occurred throughout and made a considerable contribution to the birds' daily energy budget, at times accounting for >50% of energy intake. Nocturnal feeding, however, is limited to the intertidal, possibly because of predation risk on terrestrial habitat, and increases with moonlight. The amount of Zostera spp. , declined dramatically after the arrival of birds, predominantly, but not entirely, due to consumption by the birds. Birds gained fat reserves in the first 2 months but then this was dramatically lost as their major food source collapsed and their daily energy intake declined. Single birds consistently fared worse than paired birds and pairs with juveniles fared better than those without suggesting a benefit of having a family to compete for food. Many birds leave the Lough at this time of reduced Zostera spp. for other sea inlets in Ireland but some remain. Body condition of the latter gradually improved in early spring and reflected a heavy reliance on terrestrial habitats, particularly farmland, to meet the birds' daily energy requirements. However, even in the period immediately before migration to the breeding ground, the birds did not regain the amount of abdominal fatness observed in November. The dramatic changes in available food and requirements of the birds drive the major changes seen in foraging behaviour as the birds evade starvation in the wintering period.