Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interference and Exploitation Competition Among Tadpoles of Rana Utricularia

The relative importance of exploitative and interference mechanisms for intraspecific competition among tadpoles of the Southern Leopard frog was evaluated by raising sibling tadpoles in 16 experimental environments designed to alter the costs and benefits of the two mechanisms. Growth of tadpoles in water conditioned by the 16 treatments was used to assay the level of interference chemical in each treatment. Body weights of tadpoles subjected to manipulations of density, food level, food dispersion and access to their feces increased with increasing food level and access to their feces. The largest tadpole in each replicate grew as though increased density also increased the food supply. The mean weight of tadpoles in each replicate indicated that there was less food at high densities. The largest tadpole in each replicate appears to outcompete the others for food. This food is fecal material and other particular material rather than the solid food source. Body weights of single tadpoles raised in water conditioned by their siblings increased as the food level in the conditioning treatment increased. Greater dispersion of the food source in the conditioning treatment decreased the growth of single tadpoles. Other factors affected the growth of the single tadpoles by altering the food level in the conditioning treatments. The decreased growth in conditioned water is interpreted as resulting from chemical interference competition. It may account for 5—6% of the variance in the density experiment. Interference mechanisms appear to supplant exploitative mechanisms as the relative food level decreases. I suggest that this is a general phenomenon and present evidence for its occurrence in other taxonomic groups.
Whoops! It Happened Again. Demand for Insurance that Covers Multiple Risks

This article studies insurance demand in a two-period framework in which an individual faces risks in both current and future periods. Models for insurance with and without the presence of endogenous saving are both discussed. In contrast to what most literature suggests, when decisions on insurance and saving are made separately, insurance alone does not always unambiguously reduce risk, and decision makers might demand more insurance when there is a positive loading on the premium than when the insurance price is actuarially fair. We compare the demand for insurance in our framework with that in a two-period model where risk is concentrated in the second period and derive the conditions under which these demands differ. We examine the effects of risk aversion and derive the conditions under which a more risk-averse individual demands more or less insurance.
Revision of the Australian Ameroseiidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata)

The Australian fauna of Ameroseiidae (Acarina) is revised. Six genera and 11 species are recognised, including four new species: Brontispalaelaps marianneae, sp. nov., from the wings of a moth in Queensland, Epicriopsis walteri, sp. nov., from forest litter in New South Wales and Queensland, Hattena floricola, sp. nov., from Correa flowers in Victoria, and Hattena incisa, sp. nov., from mangrove flowers in the Northern Territory. A key to genera and species is provided. Edbarellus Manson, 1974, is synonymised with Hattena Domrow, 1963.
Southern Australian Species of Ceramium Roth (Rhodophyta)

Fifteen species of Ceramium are recognized from the coast of southern Australia, and their distri- bution and ecology are outlined. Two species (C. rubrum and C. flaccidum) are of widespread distribution in other parts of the world, but the remaining species appear to be largely confined to southern Australia. The species are separated mainly on the development of the nodal cortication from the ring of periaxial cells at the upper end of each axial cell; other useful taxonomic features are the dimensions of the filaments, the branching pattern, and the arrangement of the tetrasporangia. The pattern of cortical development at the nodes is usually readily followed after aniline blue staining and mounting in corn syrup, since slight contraction of the cells in this process renders the pit-connections visible. Each periaxial cell typically cuts off two cells both acropetally and basipetally and in most species these branch further in a similar pattern; in some species three cells may occasionally be cut off, and in one species (C. flaccidum) only one cell is cut off basipetally. In a few species no cells (or only odd ones) are cut off basipetally, and in many species cortical development is greater acropetally than basipetally. The margin of the nodal cortication (whether straight through synchronous cell development or irregular) may be characteristic of certain species. A variation giving a distinctive pattern in a few species is where the periaxial cells cut off one or two pseudoperiaxial cells which interpose in the periaxial ring (e.g. C. shepherdii, C. australe and C. macilentum). In many species the cortical development is limited and soon reaches a stage which is then consistent throughout the thallus. In some species (e.g. C. tasmanicum) an extending cortex later develops which may largely or completely close the internodal space; in fully corticated species (C. rubrum and C. pusillum) the cortex extends from an early stage and maintains complete cover of the axial cell. Heavily corticated species usually have an outer cortex of small cells lying outside the larger inner cortical cells. Gland cells may be characteristic of certain species but are usually variable in frequency and not always present. The nature of the branch apices, while characteristic in some species, depends on the activity of the apical growth. Carposporophytes and spermatangial plants provide little help in taxonomic distinctions. VThe European species C. gracillimum sensu Harvey is now recognized as a very widely distributed species distinct from C. gracillimum Kuetzing. The oldest name is apparently C. flaccidum (Kuetzing) Ardissone, for which there are many synonyms. It is characterized by the formation of only a single cell basipetally from each of the periaxial cells and also by having unicellular rhizoids; the single basipetal cell may produce one or two further cells and commonly itself divides into 2-4 cells.
How Beliefs About HIV Status Affect Risky Behaviors: Evidence from Malawi, Fifth Version

This paper examines how beliefs about own HIV status affect decisions to engage in risky sexual behavior using data on married males living in Malawi. Risky behavior is measured as the propensity to engage in extramarital affairs. The empirical analysis is based on panel surveys for years 2006 and 2008 from the Malawi Diffusion and Ideational Change Project (MDICP). Beliefs vary significantly over time in the data, in part because of HIV testing and informational campaigns. We estimate the effect of beliefs about own HIV status on risky behavior using a panel data estimator developed by Arellano and Carrasco (2003), which accommodates unobserved heterogeneity as well as belief endogeneity arising from the dependence of current beliefs on lagged behaviors. We find that beliefs are an important determinant of risky behavior, with downward revisions in the belief of being HIV positive increasing risky behavior and upward revisions decreasing it. We modify Arellano and Carrasco’s (2003) estimator to allow for underreporting of affairs and find the estimates to be relatively robust to underreporting. Using our estimates and a prototypical epidemiological model of disease transmission, we show that making individuals better informed about their HIV status, either by increasing the credibility of test results and/or increasing access to testing, would on net reduce the HIV transmission rate.
Hatching asynchrony in the Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus : an experimental test of the brood reduction hypothesis

Summary 1. We tested the brood reduction hypothesis by manipulating hatching spans of Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus (Linnaeus) broods during two low vole years (1996–97) in western Finland. In addition, half the broods in 1997 were food supplemented during the entire nestling period. 2. Nestling mortality was high, occurring in 55% of nests, and the effect of manipulated hatching span on fledging success was more pronounced than either the effects of year or supplementary food. In contrast to the predictions tested, fledging success was higher in synchronous than asynchronous nests, both when food was limiting and when food conditions were substantially improved by food supplements. 3. We found no evidence that brood reduction resulted in higher quality (body mass) of surviving young in low vole years. On average, fledglings were heavier at synchronous than asynchronous nests. This was only the case, however, when food was limiting. 4. Most nestling mortality occurred when the chicks were 2 weeks old, and age of death did not differ between the brood types. Parents at synchronous nests fed their broods at a higher rate than at asynchronous broods, this divergence arising only in the latter part of nestling period. 5. This is the first hatching span experiment where synchronous hatching seemed more profitable than asynchronous during conditions of both food scarcity and food abundance. The higher parental workload at synchronous nests could, however, counterbalance the benefits of synchronous hatching. 6. Hatching in natural broods of Eurasian kestrel is more synchronous in low vole years compared to high vole years. The fact that synchronous broods out-performed asynchronous broods in both ‘low’ years of the study is consistent with the facultative manipulations. The benefit of asynchrony in high vole years is still unclear.
Differential Tree-Growth Responses to Local and Large-Scale Climatic Variation in Two Pinus and Two Quercus Species in Northwest Spain

Abstract: We assessed the seasonal climatic response of 2 Pinus and 2 Quercus tree species in a littoral island in northwest Spain, analyzing earlywood, latewood, and total ring widths. We used bootstrapped response functions to identify the variables controlling growth, and we estimated the pure and shared effects of local climate components (temperature and water balance) and a large-scale atmospheric pattern (North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO) on tree growth using a variance partitioning approach. For all species, the response functions showed stronger climatic signals in latewood and total ring than in earlywood. The pure effects of temperature, water balance, and NAO on tree growth were significant. However, a null shared effect between local climate and NAO was evidenced due to the absence of a direct link between NAO in the previous autumn and the other significant climatic variables. Pinus pinaster was the species most sensitive to local climate, mainly to water availability during its active period as a consequence of higher water use efficiency. Quercus growth was negatively influenced by winter temperature, and growth of P. pinea and both Quercus species was inversely related to NAO in the previous autumn. The obtained results suggest that Q. robur and Q. pyrenaica have similar growth behaviour and climatic sensitivity. However, both P. pinea and P. pinaster showed contrasting growth dynamics and sensitivity in this Atlantic littoral island, despite their common Mediterranean origin. Nomenclature : Castroviejo et al., 1986–1989.
Ambiguity Matters If You Invest in Many Assets

This study examines the practical performance of the multiple priors optimal portfolio based on the mean-variance preference. The multiple priors optimal portfolio is designed to be robust to model uncertainty, also known as ambiguity. A back test finds two properties: the multiple priors optimal portfolio tends to be efficient when the number of assets is large and it has fewer turnovers than the mean-variance-efficient portfolios. Furthermore, the presented simulation shows that the multiple priors optimal portfolio outperforms the others when the number of assets is large and number of observations to form a portfolio is small.
Relative efficacy of inocula from rumen fluid or faecal solution for determining in vitro digestibility and gas production

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of substituting rumen fluid (RF) with faecal suspension (FS) as an inoculum for determination of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD, experiment 1) and gas production (exp. 2). Barley grain (BG), Persian clover (PC), alfalfa (ALF), bromegrass (BR) and barley straw (BS) were used to evaluate the efficacy of the two inocula. In exp. 1, IVDMD was determined using RF or FS containing 3, 6 and 9% fresh cattle faeces as inocula. Except for BS, IVDMD values obtained with either RF or FS containing 3% faeces were not different (P > 0.05). In contrast, FS containing 6 or 9% faeces resulted in lower (P < 0.05) IVDMD than those obtained with RF. Total VFA, butyric and valeric acids of in vitro supernatant were higher (P < 0.05) in RF than FS incubated buffers. Molar proportions of acetic and propionic acids were variable among feeds. Mean acetic:propionic ratio was similar (except for BG) for RF or FS. In exp. 2, substitution of RF with FS containing 6, 11 o.
Dividend Signaling and Unions

Dividend signaling models suggest that dividends are used to convey information about future earnings to investors. However, in a world where unions also receive these signals, managers are less inclined to send the signal in order to avoid the union capturing these future earnings through higher salaries. Using information from IRS 5500 Forms to measure firm level unionization, I found that the power of dividends as predictors of future earnings tends to be higher for non-unionized firms. Moreover, I use the variation at the state level in the adoption of right-to-work laws to overcome the possible endogeneity of unionization with an instrumental variables approach. The empirical results are robust to different specifications and time periods.
Search of Autotoxic Substances in Some Leaf Vegetables

The following autotoxic organic acids: lactic, benzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, adipic, and succinic in eight leaf vegetables, cultured hydroponically, were analyzed by GC-MS method. These substances that are adsorbed by activated charcoal are effective growth inhibits were bioassayed, using the seedlings of their origin as test materials. Strong inhibitors, such as adipic acid in parsley, lactic acid in celery, benzoic, p-hydroxybenzoic and succinic acid in mitsuba, vanillic acid in curly-leaf lettuce, succinic acid in edible burdock, benzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic and succinic acid in garland chrysanthemum, benzoic and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in pak-choi, benzoic, p- hydroxybenzoic and adipic acid in kale were found.
Evaluation of control schemes using protein supplementation and antihelminitics against gastrointestinal nematodes of dairy ewes

The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible influence of dietary protein supplementation and anthelmintic administration, in different schemes, for the control of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes of dairy ewes under field conditions. Towards this end, 40 clinically healthy ewes of a local Greek dairy breed, grazing on infected irrigated pasture, were divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: Group (1S) supplemented with 300 g soybean meal 48%, twice per year (July and periparturiently), Group (2Alb) received albendazole twice as (Group 1S), Group (3S-Alb) supplemented with soybean as in (Group 1S) combined with the use of albendazole (as in Group 2Alb), Group (4Alb3) received albendazole three times (September, periparturiently and April) and Group (5C) (control group). Faecal samples were taken from each animal monthly for nematode egg count (FEC) and blood samples every two months for haematological and biochemical analysis. The results showed that the administration of albendazole twice reduced effectively the nematode FEC, whereas the extra protein supplementation did not significantly influence it. Haematocrit and total proteins were unaffected although they tended to be lower in the control Group (5C). Pepsinogen, calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were not influenced by the treatments.
Peer Effects in Education: When Beliefs Matter

Zero or negative peer effects in academic achievement have been explained in the literature assuming that better peers negatively affect beliefs about own ability (self-concept), motivation or peer interactions. This paper provides clear-cut evidence on such mechanisms. I study peer effects among Swedish compulsory school students as-good-as-randomly assigned to classes with different levels of cognitive ability. My paper highlights the limits of assessing peer effects on academic performance alone: while students assigned to better classes perform better on standardized tests, they systematically underestimate their ability, receive lower grades in subjects lacking anchoring tests, and shy away from challenging courses. Negative effects persist after compulsory school: students exposed to better peers exhibit lower well-being and GPA in high school. Finally, I find that negative effects in self-concept and grade assignment are concentrated among disadvantaged students, who also suffer from lower parental support when assigned to higher ability classes.
Causes, Consequences, and Cures of Myopic Loss Aversion an Experimental Investigation

We examine in an experiment the causes, consequences and possible cures of myopic loss aversion (MLA) for investment behaviour under risk. We find that both, investment horizons and feedback frequency contribute almost equally to the effects of MLA. Longer investment horizons and less frequent feedback lead to higher investments. However, when given the choice, subjects prefer on average shorter investment horizons and more frequent feedback. Exploiting the status quo bias by setting a long investment horizon or low feedback frequency as a default turns out to be a successful behavioural intervention that increases investment levels.
Alcohol Advertising Bans, Consumption, and Control Policies in Seventeen OECD Countries, 1975-2000

This paper uses cross-country panel data to study the effects of advertising bans and other control policies on alcohol demand. The null hypothesis to be tested is that advertising bans do not decrease alcohol consumption. The study addresses several shortcomings in four previous studies. First, an explanatory variable is included for other alcohol control policies. The control index accounts for fourteen distinct alcohol policies in six major areas. Second, the study examines the history of advertising bans in OECD countries, including the ease of avoidance. Advertising bans are exogenous in the regression models, whereas the control index is endogenous. This result follows in part from policy changes imposed by the European Union. Third, the study also examines differences in cross-country trends that characterize developed countries, including aging of the population, increased tourism, higher unemployment rates, and increased consumption of wine. The Mediterranean wine-drinking countries are shown to be categorically distinct from the beer-drinking countries and Nordic spirits-drinking countries. Fourth, the study examines the panel data for unit roots and employs model specifications that correct for non-stationary data. The empirical results indicate significantly negative results for the control index for other policies and the market price of alcohol. Using alternative model specifications and estimation methods, the null hypothesis is not rejected. The results fail to indicate that advertising bans reduce consumption, which casts doubt on the existence of a market-wide advertising-sales response function.
The Challenge to Restore Processes in Face of Nonlinear Dynamics—On the Crucial Role of Disturbance Regimes

Increasingly, restoration ecologists and managers are challenged to restore ecological processes that lead to self‐sustaining ecosystem dynamics. Due to changing environmental conditions, however, restoration goals need to include novel regimes beyond prior reference conditions or reference dynamics. In face of these fundamental challenges in process‐based restoration ecology, disturbance ecology can offer useful insights. Here, I discuss the contribution of disturbance ecology to understanding assembly rules, ecosystem dynamics, regime shifts, and nonlinear dynamics. Using the patch and multipatch concept, all insights are organized according to two spatial and two temporal categories: “patch–event,”“patch–multievent,”“multipatch–event,” and “multipatch–multievent. ” This concept implies the consideration of both spatial patterns and temporal rhythms inside and outside of a restoration site. Emerging issues, such as uncoupling of internal and external dynamics, are considered.
Substitution of natural whey starter by mixed strains of Lactobacillus helveticus in the production of Reggianito Argentino cheese

Reggianito Argentino cheeses were manufactured with mixed strains of Lactobacillus helveticus cultured in free viable bacteria whey. As controls, cheeses with natural whey starter were made. Gross composition of cheeses did not differ significantly. The number of total termophilic lactic acid bacteria at the end of ripening was near 10 7 CFU/g, but when the strain Lh 209 was present in the mixture, this number was 10 6 . CFU/g. Soluble nitrogen at pH 4.6 did not differ between control and experimental cheeses, but soluble nitrogen in tricloroacetic acid 12% and phosphotungstic acid 2.5% showed significant differences at the end of ripening, being higher the values when the strain Lh 209 was present in the mixture. Electrophoretic profiles for control and experimental cheeses were very similar at 0, 90 and 180 days of ripening. An increase in the acid degree value offat during ripening was noticeable indicating a lipolytic activity in the cheese matrix that was similar for the different strains mixtures. Results from sensory analysis did not show differences among the cheeses of these tests. Despite some differences in the production tricloroacetic and phosphotungstic acid soluble nitrogen were observed for mixtures in which Lh 209 was present, all cheeses were good quality Reggianito Argentino cheeses. These results open and interesting prospective for the use of selected strains culture in whey in substitution of natural whey.
Atmospheric Biopollutant Monitoring in Relation to Meteorological Parameters

The present paper deals with the results of continuous aeropalynological survey of the atmosphere at Bangalore carried out for the past six years. The aeropalynological survey was conducted by trapping airborne bioparticles such as pollen and fungal spores by operating vertical cylinder pollen traps. The traps were installed at different ecogeographical sites in Bangalore City. The results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of the atmospheric biopollutants are correlated with the meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and cloud cover. It is seen that generally the higher temperature and lower relative humidity enhance the liberation and distribution of pollen in the atmosphere; whereas the higher humidity and lower temperatures trigger the liberation and distribution of fungal spores in the atmosphere. Atmospheric pollen count is drastically reduced during the rainfall.