Sediment underneath charophyte meadows is enriched in viable ephippia and enhances the benthic periphytic biofilm

We contribute to the knowledge of charophyte meadows as key components of aquatic systems by analysing how they affect wetland sediments. We performed a factorial-design experiment with limnocorrals (outdoor mesocosms) in a Mediterranean protected wetland with presence or absence of charophytes [Chara vulgaris (CV) and Chara hispida (CH), planted from cultures or recruited in situ from germination of their fructifications]. The first 1 cm-surficial and 2 cm-bottom sediment layers were analysed for cladoceran ephippia, ostracods valves, benthic community of bacteria and periphytic biofilm, and charophyte fructifications. In the surficial sediment, the ephippia density was fourfold higher in the conditions with charophytes than in sites with no-charophytes and higher apparent viability was found. The surficial sediment periphyton biofilm was composed mainly of diatoms, with tenfold higher biomass underneath charophytes, and a much diverse community. The specific microhabitat generated by each charophyte species was reflected in the different abundances and relationships between the analysed components, firstly establishing a divergence with the sediment without meadows and, secondly, a distinction between the meadows of CH and CV that exhibit particular morphology-architecture, might exudate different metabolites and might have different allelopathic capacities over microalgae and microinvertebrates. Thus, the charophyte–sediment tandem is relevant for biodiversity and habitat conservation.

Early life neonicotinoid exposure results in proximal benefits and ultimate carryover effects

Neonicotinoids are insecticides widely used as seed treatments that appear to have multiple negative effects on birds at a diversity of biological scales. Adult birds exposed to a low dose of imidacloprid, one of the most commonly used neonicotinoids, presented reduced fat stores, delayed migration and potentially altered orientation. However, little is known on the effect of imidacloprid on birds growth rate despite studies that have documented disruptive effects of low imidacloprid doses on thyroid gland communication. We performed a $$2 \times 2$$ 2 × 2 factorial design experiment in Zebra finches, in which nestling birds were exposed to a very low dose (0.205 mg kg body $$\hbox {mass}^{-1}$$ mass - 1 ) of imidacloprid combined with food restriction during posthatch development. During the early developmental period, imidacloprid exposure resulted in an improvement of body condition index in treated nestlings relative to controls. Imidacloprid also led to compensatory growth in food restricted nestlings. This early life neonicotinoid exposure also carried over to adult age, with exposed birds showing higher lean mass and basal metabolic rate than controls at ages of 90–800 days. This study presents the first evidence that very low-dose neonicotinoid exposure during early life can permanently alter adult phenotype in birds.

The Effect of Money Denomination on Prosocial Behavior: Through the Perspective of Metaphorical Cognitive Theory

Based on metaphorical cognitive theory, this research did four experiments to examine whether and how one important feature of money, denomination, could influence prosocial behavior. Study 1 was an experiment with a sample size of 209 undergraduates ( Mage = 18.97) showed that a larger denomination enhanced the probability of participants engaging in prosocial behavior rather than with a smaller denomination. Study 2 collecting data from 269 undergraduates ( Mage = 18.50) further showed that larger denominations condition inspired more prosocial behavior than the control condition; and the small denominations condition produced similar levels of prosocial behavior to the control condition. Study 3 used single factor design with a sample size of 192 undergraduates ( Mage = 20.49) repeated the results of Study 2. Furthermore, Study 3 excluded an important alternative explanation that the value rather than the denomination influenced prosocial behavior. Last, Study 4 applied a factorial design experiment with a sample size of 132 undergraduates ( Mage = 20.92) which demonstrated that generosity mediated the effect of denomination on prosocial behavior; the effect of denomination on prosocial behavior did not depend on money priming methods. Finally, theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Experimental and Statistical Evaluation of the Interaction Effect of Recycled Aggregate and Water/Cement Ratio on Concrete Compressive Strength

The production of concrete using recycled aggregates, obtained from the processing of construction and demolition waste, is extensively practiced worldwide. However, the effect of simultaneous adding fine recycled aggregate and the recycled coarse aggregate on the mechanical properties of concrete is still unfamiliar. This work aims to evaluate the influence of the water/cement ratio (WC Ratio), the fine recycled aggregate content (%FRA), the coarse recycled aggregate content (%CRA), as well as the interaction between factors on the compressive strength of concrete. Accordingly, a factorial design experiment was developed, analyzing these factors at three levels, which resulted in the production of 27 mixtures. These levels were: WC Ratio (0.50; 0.65 and 0.80); %FRA (0; 50 and 100) and %CRA (0; 50 and 100). Statistical analysis was performed on the response surface, and an enhanced approximation of the two-way interaction model was identified. The results indicate that the substitution of the natural aggregate with recycled aggregate shows a significant influence on the compressive strength, and its effect depends on the water-cement ratio. Furthermore, considering the interaction between the content and type of aggregate and the water-cement ratio is fundamental for obtaining the proper mix design of this type of concrete.

The Effects of Product Line Prices and Competitors' Prices on Consumers’ Evaluations of Reference Price Advertisements

This study presents empirical evidence on the effect of product-line prices and competitors' prices on consumers' price judgments as well as on consumers' use of advertised reference price (A.R.P.) as reference across two product categories. Using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design experiment, the findings indicated that consumers did not consider product line prices as an important reference. Competitors' prices were found to be a significant reference in the case of frequently purchased product categories. The moderating roles of product line prices and competitors' prices in reference price advertisements were not found. A.R.P. still exerted the greatest influence on consumers' evaluations of a promotional offer across two product categories.

Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types

Provision of adequate nutrient intake in late gestation of the ewe is an important determinant of dam and offspring performance. A 2 × 3 factorial design experiment examining two forage types, whole crop wheat silage (WCWS) or grass silage (GS) offered to one of three prolific breed types, (Belclare X, Lleyn X, Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Blackface Mountain)), was conducted. Forage type had no impact on dry matter (DM) or metabolizable energy (ME) intake, body weight and body condition score change, or colostrum production (p > 0.05). Ewes offered WCWS had lower crude protein (CP) intake (p < 0.0001) and a lower combined litter weight (p < 0.05). Mule ewes consumed less DM, CP, (p < 0.05), and ME (p < 0.01) compared to Belclare X and Lleyn X ewes however, water intake per kg DM consumed did not differ with breed type (p > 0.05). Colostrum yield over the first 18 h postpartum was lower for Mule ewes compared to other breed types (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results from this study suggest nutrient concentration and balance as opposed to forage type is important for late gestation nutrition and breed type can impact feed intake and colostrum yield.

Guests’ perceptions of robot concierge and their adoption intentions

Purpose The hotel industry has witnessed an increasing number of service automation through service robots such as robot concierges. However, few studies have documented how to identify how hotel guests perceive a robot concierge for their service encounter. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of robot concierges on hotel guests’ attitudes and adoption intentions of robot concierges. Design/methodology/approach This study investigated the effects of robot concierges’ morphology and their level of interactivity with guests at different levels of hotel service on guests’ attitudes and their intentions to adopt robot concierges. To achieve the study’s objectives, this study conducted a 3 × 2 × 3 between-subjects factorial design experiment. Moreover, the survey asked questions about subjects’ preferences of their service encounters (e.g. human employees, robot concierges and/or no preference) and reasons for their selected preference. Findings The results demonstrated that the robot’s morphology significantly influenced guests’ attitudes toward robot concierges. In particular, the caricatured robot was the most preferred morphology of robot concierges. The findings showed that even if guests had favorable attitudes toward robot concierges, they preferred human employees to robot concierges because of humans’ sincere and genuine interactions. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by investigating the causal impacts of the morphology of robot concierges, level of interactivity and level of hotel service on guests’ attitudes toward robot concierges. The thematic analysis of service encounter preference provides an overview of the factors that guests expect for their service encounters in a hotel setting.

Analisis Kemampuan Memecahkan Permasalahan Lingkungan dan Ekoliterasi Siswa

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of students to solve environmental problems through ecoliteration. The research method used in this study was a 2 x 2 factorial design experiment. The population in this study were all class X students of 176 respondents. The research sample was obtained through simple sampling with 11 respondents from each plot so that the total respondents were 44. Data analysis techniques consisted of two parts, namely descriptive analysis, and inferential analysis. In the form of two-way ANAVA. Based on the Two-Way Anova calculation results obtained F count 2.03 <F table 4.08, then accept H0, which means that there are differences in the ability to solve students' environmental problems that are not significant between participants who have high ecoliteration and low ecoliteration. In this case, it is empirically proven that there are no significant differences related to the ability to solve environmental problems of students who have high ecoliteration and low ecoliteration. Keywords: The ability to solve problems, Ekoliterasi students Abstrak Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui kemampuan pemecahan masalah lingkungan peserta didik melalui ekoliterasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah eksperimen 2 X 2 faktorial disain. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh peserta didik kelas X sebanyak 176 responden. Sampel penelitian diperoleh melalui simple randon sampling dengan 11 responden dari setiap plot, sehingga total responden sebanyak 44. Teknik analisis data terdiri atas dua bagian yaitu analisis deskriptif dan analisis inferensial. berupa ANAVA dua jalur. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan Two-Way Anova diperoleh F hitung 2,03 < F tabel 4,08 maka terima H0 yang berarti terdapat perbedaan kemampuan pemecahan masalah lingkungan peserta didik yang tidak signifikan antara peserta yang memiliki ekoliterasi tinggi dan ekoliterasi rendah. Dalam hal ini, secara empirik dibuktikan bahwa tidak terdapat perbedaan signifikan terkait kemampuan pemecahan masalah lingkungan peserta didik yang memiliki ekoliterasi tinggi dan ekoliterasi rendah. Kata kunci : Kemampuan memecahkan masalah, Ekoliterasi siswa

Irrigation scheduling techniques and irrigation frequency on capsicum growth and yield

The present study aimed to evaluate different irrigation scheduling strategies on capsicum growth and yield inprotected environment. The experiment was carried out at the Northeastern of Brazil. Five irrigation scheduling techniques to define water depth (weighing lysimeter, Hargreaves-Samani equation, Piché evaporimeter, tensiometer and soil moisture sensor) andtwo application frequencies (F1-once a day and F2-alternating frequency) were tested. A completely randomized factorial design experiment was installed in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with eight replicates. It was observed that the variables stem diameter and leaf area index were influenced by the irrigation scheduling techniques, and treatments based on Hargreaves-Samani and lysimeter scheduling methods led to the lowest values. Fruit biometric parameters were significantly affected only by the Hargreaves-Samani treatment. It can be concluded that both irrigation scheduling techniques and frequencies influenced capsicum growth and yield. Furthermore, irrigation management techniques based on soil sensors caused the highest yields.