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This action research was conducted to overcome the problem of students’mastery in the Moon phases concept for year 5 students. The 3 dimensional Moon phases model was used to improve the mastery of the students in the concept of the Moon phases. This study is also carried out to see if the students' motivation increases to study the concept of Moon phases by using 3 dimensional Moon phases model. In addition, this study was also carried out to improve the teaching practice of the Moon Phase concept through the application of 3 dimensional Moon phases model. This study was conducted on qualitatively and quantitatively. The sample of the study comprised of 5-year students. A total of 37 students with the moderate achievement of a total of 236 years 5 students in a school in Cheras were selected as sample studies. This study uses the 3D Moon phases model as independent variables and the achievement of post-test as dependent variables. This study uses two sets of objective tests for pre and post-test, questionnaire form to see the acceptance level of students on the use of Moon phases model, an analysis of the number of questions that can be answered on reinforcement training sheets and semi-structured student interviews. Analysis data is done using statistical inference and descriptive statistic. The results showed that there were significant differences in the mean of student performance in pre and post-test. While the level of acceptance of the students to the Moon phases model is at a moderate positive level. In general, the use of 3 dimensional Moon phases model contributes to improving students’ mastery for the Moon phases concept.

Variation in moonlight affects foraging, hunting and vigilance behaviours in many nocturnal species. Here, we explore the effect of moonlight on the movement and hunting behaviour of African lions. Previous studies found bright moonlight is associated with reduced hunting success; however, those studies were largely undertaken in open habitats where predators are easily seen by prey species on moonlit nights. In this study we explored whether moonlight affected hunting behaviour and success in a largely wooded environment. Measures of short-term lion movements (distance moved, displacement, and path tortuosity) derived from GPS telemetry data were used as indicators of movement behaviour. Field observations of belly distension were used to assess recent food intake. Lions had greater belly distension (indicating feeding success) on dark nights. However, this change in feeding success was not reflected by lion movement patterns – there was no evidence that these changed across moon phases. There was no evidence that lions used more covered habitats on brighter nights to facilitate concealment.

Fracto-emission signals (Acoustic Emission AE, Electromagnetic Emission EME, and Neutron Emission NE), triggered by high-frequency pressure waves at the different scales, can be used as a promising tool for environmental protection against seismicity. So far, no reliable method has been developed yet for the successful application of earthquake prediction because the physical mechanism of earthquakes and precursors is at present poorly understood, as well as the estimation of the so-called “earthquake preparation zone”. On the other hand, recent studies are also re-evaluating the possible correlation between seismic activity and lunar periodicity. Since July 2013 an in-situ experimental campaign has started at a gypsum mine located in Northern Italy, revealing the strong seismic forecasting potentialities of the fracto-emission peaks by means of a dedicated monitoring platform and a multi-modal statistical analysis. In the present paper, an innovative interpretation of the earthquake preparation area is proposed, and the new experimental evidences obtained at the gypsum mine are reported confirming the previous results (Carpinteri and Borla, 2017). Finally, the relationship between small magnitude earthquake swarms occurred in the surroundings of the mine and the Moon phases is also investigated.

The purpose of the presented article is to study the strategy of the Hublot company at all stages of its life cycle, and the tasks of the study include the study of the history of the company's development and its competitive advantages in the watch market. Aspects of competition in the luxury watch sector are reviewed, as well as measures taken by the company's management to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Even though the educational researchers have developed and implemented various educational strategies to teach the concepts of the phases of the Moon and the formation of the lunar eclipse more effectively, many studies conducted by them in recent years reveal that the teachers still do not understand the causes and scientific processes related to the phases of the Moon phases and lunar eclipse. In addition, this situation shows that there are deep problems in teaching the subjects of Moon phases and lunar eclipse to students. Examining the main causes of learning difficulties in the phases of the Moon and lunar eclipse, this study is designed on the basis of development and implementation of a project supported by STRCT (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) in order to discuss the possible solutions. A 5-day activity program including basic astronomy education was applied to science teachers by using the model developed within the scope of the project, and the changes in mental models of the teachers in the subjects of Moon phases and lunar eclipse were examined. This research was carried out with 29 teachers voluntarily participating in the project in the field of Science. In this study in which qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were applied together, as a result of the evaluation of the obtained data, it was observed that the project was very successful in understanding the phases of the Moon and the causes of the lunar eclipse. The obtained results were interpreted by comparing them with the literature. Son yıllarda eğitim araştırmacılarının yaptığı birçok araştırma, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşması kavramlarını daha etkili bir şekilde öğretmek için çeşitli eğitim stratejileri geliştirip uygulamalarına rağmen, öğretmenlerin Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşma nedenlerini ve bilimsel süreçlerini hala kavrayamadıklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu durum, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularının öğrencilere öğretilmesinde derin sorunlar yaşandığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularındaki öğrenme zorluklarının temel nedenlerinin araştırılarak, olası çözümlerin tartışılması için TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) tarafından desteklenen bir proje geliştirilmesi ve uygulanması üzerine kurgulanmıştır. Proje kapsamında geliştirilen model kullanılarak fen bilimleri öğretmenlerine temel astronomi eğitimi konularını da kapsayan 5 günlük bir etkinlik programı uygulanmış ve öğretmenlerin Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulması konularındaki zihinsel modellerinin değişimleri incelenmiştir. Bu çalışma Fen Bilimleri alanında projeye gönüllü olarak katılan 29 öğretmen ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Nitel ve nicel veri toplama yöntemlerinin bir arada kullanıldığı bu araştırmada, elde edilen verilerin değerlendirilmesi sonucu, Ay’ın evreleri ve Ay tutulmasının oluşum nedenlerinin kavranmasında oldukça başarılı olunduğu gözlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar literatürle karşılaştırılarak yorum yapılmıştır. Article visualizations

This article studies the relationship between biorhythm variables and stock returns from November 2009 until December 2018, with application on the Romanian capital market. Taking into consideration the seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the fall effect, daylight savings time changes and moon phases, we check for any impact on the decision-making process, keeping in mind that investors are driven by feelings and emotions, especially in uncertain and risky circumstances. Our findings indicate minor but significant impact on the stock returns from the SAD effect, the fall effect, and the lunar cycle. Investors become more pessimists and uncertain when facing light deficiency during fall and winter and in proximity to full moon periods, which ultimately leads to a drop in their trading activity, respectively, stock returns. Our results are consistent with previous research.

Objective: to understand the number of births and the characteristics of labours with spontaneous onset on full moon phase and new moon phase. Method: a retrospective study conducted in the Hospital Infanta Cristina (Parla, Madrid) in the 2009-2015 period, where 11,948 labours were managed in total. Inclusion criteria: pregnant women with spontaneous-onset labour during the full moon and new moon phases (according to the moon phases determined by the National Geographic Institute); natural or instrumental delivery, or urgent caesarean section; full-term gestation (≥ 37 weeks and ≤ 42 weeks). Data were collected from the Register of Births. There was a descriptive analysis of variables. Results: in total, 4,086 labours were spontaneously initiated in the two moon phases studied: 2,035 (49.8%) in full moon phase and 2,051 (50.2%) in new moon phase. During the new moon phase, 1,005 (49.02%) were primiparous and 1,046 (50.98%) were multiparous. The mean (SD) weeks of gestation in the full moon sample were 39,31 (1.12), and in the new moon phase, 39,27 weeks. (1.10). No significant differences were detected between labours in the full moon and new moon phases. Conclusions: the number of births and the characteristics of labours with spontaneous onset are similar in the full moon and the new moon phases.

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar a percepção espaço-temporal de crianças da pré-escola, através do trabalho de sala de aula relacionado aos fenômenos de dia/noite, fases da Lua e estações do ano. Para tanto, foram aplicados três cronogramas de entrevista, um para cada fenômeno, atividades de observação e registro do Sol e da Lua ao longo de seis meses e uma visita ao planetário. A metodologia de investigação utilizada foi mista, quanti e qualitativa, utilizando a fenomenografia como método de pesquisa e, como instrumentos para a coleta dos dados, foram utilizados registros audiovisuais das entrevistas, desenhos das crianças e anotações do diário de bordo da professora acerca das observações. A análise do diário e das entrevistas foi feita através da análise textual discursiva enquanto a análise dos desenhos dos alunos fez uso da teoria de Piaget sobre as fases do desenho infantil. Os resultados indicaram que o ensino da Astronomia deve ser cuidadosamente ajustado à faixa etária da Educação Infantil, se mostrando de suma importância, uma vez que as crianças já trazem consigo uma bagagem sobre estes fenômenos, associada à suas vivências diárias.

We present the development and validation of a new assessment tool, the Moon Phases Concept Inventory for Middle School (MPCI-MS), a concept inventory about the phases of the moon targeting students aged 10 to 14 years old. Items in the questionnaire are based on a careful examination of the concept domain of phases of the moon, ideas and concepts necessary to understand the mechanism of lunar phases, as chosen by a panel of seven professional astronomers. Questions and multiple-choice answers were tested for readability with 5th grade students, tested for reading level, and submitted to a second panel of professional astronomers to check for face and construct validity of the items. The MPCI-MS was tested with N=296 students from grade 5 in elementary school to secondary 2 (M_{age}=10.2 to 14.1). One item about global perspective on lunar phases had to be removed because of poor psychometric properties. The revised MPCI-MS has a post-test Cronbach alpha score of 0.786 and good overall psychometric properties: the mean difficulty index for the MPCI-MS pretest is 0.47, and 0.61 for the post-test; mean point-biserial correlation (post-test) is 0.376. Test-retest without instruction at one-week interval showed high test-retest reliability [M_{pre}=13.696, M_{post}=14.523; t(45)=1.315, p=0.192]. We conclude that the MPCI-MS is a reliable and valid instrument that can discriminate between novices and experts, and can be used to assess 10 to 14 year-old students’ learning gains on the topic of lunar phases. The final version of MPCI-MS is a 19-item instrument, including two new questions about eclipses, that takes between 15 and 25 min for students to complete.

Bu çalışmada Fen bilimleri öğretmenlerinin Ay’ın Evreleri konusu hakkında oluşturdukları modellerin 2018 Fen Bilimleri Dersi Öğretim Programı kazanımları doğrultusunda incelenmesi ve bu model fotoğraflarına Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerince yapılmış yorumlar incelenerek öğretmenlerin model hakkındaki algıları ve yüklediği anlamların anlaşılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda Facebook’taki 2 farklı eğitim içerikli grupta 5. Sınıf “Güneş, Dünya ve Ay” ünitesi kapsamında Ay’ın evrelerine ait model fotoğrafları ve bu fotoğraflara yapılan yorumlar incelenmiştir. Araştırmada olgubilim (fenomenoloji) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2018 Eylül ve 2019 Ekim ayları arasında sosyal medya platformu olan Facebook’ta Fen Bilimleri üzerine paylaşımların yapıldığı iki gruba üye olup, “Ay’ın Evreleri” ile ilgili model fotoğrafları paylaşmış ve bu fotoğraflarına yorum yapmış 18 Fen Bilimleri öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda 18 model fotoğrafı incelenmiş ve model fotoğraflarına Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerince yapılan yorumlar irdelenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucunda 18 model fotoğrafının 3 tanesi kendimizi Dünya’dan Ay’a bakıyormuş gibi hayal ettiğimizde görülen evreler olarak sunulurken, 15 tanesi Ay’ın evrelerinin Dünya’dan görünüş şekilleriyle ilgili sunulmuştur. Fen Bilimleri öğretmenlerinin Ay’ın evreleri konusunda kafa karışıklığının olduğu, model yapımında özensiz davrandıkları, ucuz ve basit materyaller kullandıkları, Güneş, Dünya ve Ay’ın büyüklük sıralamasına dikkat etmedikleri, dönme ve dolanma yönlerini somut bir şekilde göstermedikleri, kazanımları modellerde yeterince yansıtamadıkları ortaya çıkmıştır. Sonuçlar doğrultusunda önerilerde bulunulmuştur., In this study, it was aimed to examine the models created by science teachers on the subject of the Phases of the Moon in line with the subjects of the 2018 Science Curriculum and to understand the teachers' perceptions about the model and the meanings they attribute by examining the comments made by the Science teachers on these model photos. Model photos belonging to the phases of the Moon and the comments made to these photos were examined within the scope of the 5th grade "Sun, Earth and Moon" unit in 2 different educational groups on Facebook. Phenomenology method was used in the research. The study group of the research consisted of 18 Science teachers who were members of two groups where they shared their postings on Science on Facebook, the social media platform, between September 2018 and October 2019, shared model photos about "Phases of the Moon" and commented on these photos. In this direction, 18 model photos were examined and the comments made by Science teachers on the model photos were examined. As a result of the research, it was found that 3 of the 18 model photos were made as phases seen when we imagine ourselves from the Earth to the Moon, while 15 of them were made about the phases of the Moon from the Earth. It turned out that science teachers were confused about the phases of the Moon, behaved sloppy in model making, used cheap and simple materials, did not pay attention to the order of magnitude of the Sun, Earth and Moon, did not show the rotation and entanglement directions in a concrete way, and could not adequately reflect the gains in models. Suggestions were made in line with the results.

Moon phases influence the molting process of shrimp, which affect other physiological processes as immune response. This study analyzed some parameters of immune response: total hemocytes counts (THC), hemolymph clotting time and superoxide anion (O2−) production, total protein concentration, superoxide dismutase activity, and the presence of Vibrio spp. in Litopenaeus vannamei at different moon phases. The highest percentage of organisms in intermolt stage was observed in the first quarter moon phase (95%). The highest THC was observed at new moon phase, which was significantly different (p 0.05) between different moon phases. The higher (p

Yermishev O. V. The impact of the moon phase on the balance of the autonomous nervous system and the functional health of men of different age groups. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2020;10(1):176-187. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.01.020 https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2020.10.01.020 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3728181 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2020; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 20.12.2019. Revised: 25.12.2019. Accepted: 31.01.2020. THE IMPACT OF THE MOON PHASE ON THE BALANCE OF THE AUTONOMOUS NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE FUNCTIONAL HEALTH OF MEN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS O. V. Yermishev Vasyl' Stus Donetsk National University, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Physiology 600-richya St.21, 21021, Vinnytsia, Ukraine Tel: +380676504433. e-mail: o.yermishev@donnu.edu.ua ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5854-9678 Abstract Introduction. The autonomic nervous system is the main regulatory mechanism of a living organism that provides homeostasis. Objective: to investigate the effect of the Moon phases on the autonomic balance of the human body, the ratio of sympathetic nervous system activity to the parasympathetic nervous system and the functional health of the population. Materials and methods. 1592 males of different age were examined with the help of functional vegetative diagnostics according to the method of V. Makats. The bioelectric activity of 12 symmetric pairs of functionally active zones of the skin (24 FAZ), 12 on the hands and 12 on the feet, which reflect the functional activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems were studied. Results. In the male group aged 3-6 years old, the chaotic pattern of functional dependencies is related to the physiological and functional immaturity of the adaptation processes and the speed of their formation and stabilization in the body of children. In the male group of 12-15 years old in different phases of the Moon the changes in activity indicators of functional systems with much smaller amplitude are observed, though the nature and direction of changes in activity remain similar, which indicates the stabilization of adaptation mechanisms in the body. In the male group aged 21-50 years old maximum amplitude fluctuations in the functional activity of the systems and vegetative homeostasis are observed in the new Moon and the full one, which indicates a decrease in adaptation processes associated with age-related decrease in physiological and biochemical processes in the body and the appearance of the organism in the body. Conclusions. It has been established that the change of the Moon phases leads to significant changes in the functional activity and homeostasis of the body of men of different age groups. On-phase Moon activity indicators of functional systems duplicating the norm line have the same orientation, differing in amplitude, forming age-specific features of the tone of the autonomic nervous system. Key words: Moon; Moon phases; autonomic nervous system balance; health

Studies on activity rhythms are pivotal for the management of invasive alien species, as they provide basic insights into species basic ecology and may increase the success of control programs. The coypu Myocastor coypus, introduced from South America for fur farms, has become one of the most invasive rodents in Europe. Introduced coypus may affect crop productions, as well as natural vegetation and the breeding success of wading birds. In this study, we examined activity data collected through intensive camera-trapping in three Italian areas, including two natural areas in Northern and Central Italy, and a suburban area in Central Italy. Coypus were mostly diurnal in areas characterised by low predator pressure and, at night, they are mostly active in bright moonlight. Conversely, where predators, human pressure or numerical control programmes are present, coypus remarkably shift their behaviour towards crepuscular and night hours. In these last areas, nocturnal activity increased as moonlight decreased, possibly to reduce predation risk or encounters with humans. Where winter temperature are low, diurnal habits may have developed as a physiological adaptation and a strategy to preserve energy, potentially achieving a cost/effective thermal balance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s42991-020-00052-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Patrícia da Silva Sessa Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Pós-Graduação em Ensino e História das Ciências e da Matemática, São Bernardo do Campo, 2020. O presente estudo se insere numa perspectiva de pesquisa qualitativa, que aborda quatro grandes temáticas: "ensino de astronomia", "alfabetização científica", "modelos no ensino de ciências" e "práticas epistêmicas". Nosso principal objetivo de pesquisa é identificar quais são as práticas epistêmicas mobilizadas pelos estudantes durante uma sequência didática (SD) de astronomia e analisar como elas se relacionam com as atividades e principais etapas desta SD e com a construção de modelos. Para tanto, em uma das etapas metodológicas, desenvolvemos uma sequência didática de astronomia cujo o tema central foi a "Lua" e temáticas relacionadas a esse astro (fases da Lua, eclipses e História das Ciências). Aplicamos essa sequência durante aulas de Ciências do 8º ano em uma escola particular localizada na cidade de Arujá-SP. Os dados analisados nesta pesquisa têm origem na coleta de dados realizada durante essa aplicação, que ocorreu por meio de gravações de áudio e vídeo, observação participante, diário de campo e produções escritas dos alunos. A partir das análises, delimitamos a ocorrência de episódios, organizados a partir das três primeiras aulas da sequência, onde o foco principal foram as "fases da Lua". As gravações audiovisuais foram transcritas e as produções escritas escaneadas, para que a partir disso fizéssemos a interpretação e categorização das práticas epistêmicas mobilizadas pelos estudantes nessas situações. Para tal, elaboramos, a partir dos dados coletados e dos referenciais teóricos da área, nosso próprio conjunto de práticas epistêmicas, acompanhado de descritores para as mesmas. Verificamos que certas práticas são mobilizadas mais vezes em determinada etapa da SD, enquanto que outras começam a ser mobilizadas apenas quando determinada atividade se inicia. Nesse contexto, nossos resultados indicam relações entre a construção de modelos, a mobilização de práticas e as etapas e atividades em desenvolvimento da SD, sendo possível perceber que algumas atividades e/ou etapas da sequência estimulam e incentivam o trabalho de certas práticas epistêmicas em detrimento de outras. Nossos resultados também revelam, brevemente, algumas concepções dos estudantes a respeito do fenômeno das fases da Lua. The present study is part of a qualitative research perspective, which addresses four major themes: "astronomy education", "scientific literacy", "models in science education" and "epistemic practices". Our main research objective is to identify which epistemic practices are mobilized by students during a didactic sequence (DS) of astronomy and analyze how they are related to the activities and main stages of this DS and to the construction of models. For that, in one of the methodological stages, we developed a didactic sequence of astronomy whose central theme was the "Moon" and themes related to this celestial star (phases of the Moon, eclipses and History of Sciences). We applied this sequence during 8th grade science classes at a private school located in the city of Arujá-SP. The data analyzed in this research originates from the data collection performed during this application, which occurred through audio and video recordings, participant observation, field diary and students' written productions. From the analysis, we delimited the occurrence of episodes, organized from the first three classes of the sequence, where the main focus was the "phases of the Moon". The audiovisual recordings were transcribed and the written productions scanned, so we could, from that, interpret and categorize the epistemic practices mobilized by students in these situations. To this end, we developed, based on the data collected and the theoretical references of the area, our own set of epistemic practices, accompanied by descriptors for them. We found that certain practices are mobilized more often at a certain stage of DS, while others begin to be mobilized only when a certain activity begins. Therefore, our results indicate relationships between the construction of models, the mobilization of practices and the stages and activities in development of DS, being possible to perceive that some activities and/or stages of the sequence stimulate and encourage the work of certain epistemic practices in detriment of others. Our results also reveal, briefly, some students' conceptions about the phenomenon of the phases of the Moon.

Given the complexity of the dynamics in litter reposition, our objective was modeling the possible main and interaction effects of tidal oscillations, seasons of the year and the moon phases over the solid waste in Santos beaches. A total of 80 collections were carried out using quadrat sampling, from which we classified, counted and weighed all residue items. We fitted mixed Hurdle models to the output datasets and performed hypotheses tests based on this framework. We found plastic to be the most abundant residue in all seasons, moon phases and tides, followed by Styrofoam and wood. Our models suggest the strongest effect was due to seasonal variations, which, in turn, may be related to different human activities. Although the dynamics of different components showed independency of all interaction structures, plastics depended on the interaction of tide and season, whose impact over estuarine life and ecosystem services shall be further investigated.

While the influence of environmental variables, particularly temperature and rainfall, on the breeding behavior of amphibians is widely recognized, relatively few studies have addressed how the moon affects amphibian behavior. Yet, the lunar cycle provides several rhythmic temporal cues that animals could use to time important group events such as spawning, and the substantial changes in light levels associated with the different moon phases may also affect the behavior of nocturnal frogs. Using seven years of field observation data, we tested for lunar effects on the reproductive activity of male and female Eastern Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). We found that chorusing and breeding activity was statistically more likely to occur around the first quarter of the moon and during intermediately bright nights, but that reproductive activity also occurred during various other times during the lunar cycle. We discuss these findings in relation to the two main hypotheses of lunar effects on animals: predator avoidance and temporal synchronization of breeding.

Preliminary research conducted in Warsaw in the 1970s and 2000s showed that roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) stayed in forest habitat and avoided anthropogenic areas. Activity and exploration patterns of animals are shaped by indices of anthropogenic disturbances, elevated in large cities. The aims of the study were (1) to compare the presence of roe deer in natural and anthropogenic habitats of Warsaw during three periods: 1976–1978, 2005–2008 and 2017–2021, based on snow tracking on transect routes (681.2 km in total), and (2) to describe the presence and activity of roe deer in relation to human disturbances in selected urban forests in its reproductive period (March–August), based on camera trap survey (2019–2020, 859 observations, 5317 trap-days in total). The number of tracks was higher in natural habitat during all three periods, with the highest value in 2017–2021 (9.85/km/24h). The peak of roe deer activity was recorded at dusk, and it changed with moon phases between spring and summer. Landscape connectivity and level of light pollution did not affect the activity pattern of roe deer. Our research showed that roe deer inhabiting urban areas avoided human presence by using well-covered habitats and being active in periods when the level of human disturbance was lower.

Cette recherche est une étude de cas réalisée en classe de CM2 lors d’une séquence visant à expliquer les phases de la Lune. Dans notre étude, nous nous sommes focalisés sur les consignes, considérées comme des incitations à l’action de l’enseignant, en relation avec les activités des élèves. Nous avons étudié en quoi les caractéristiques des consignes en termes de modélisation et de représentations sémiotiques influencent les éléments pris en compte par les élèves dans leurs productions orales et écrites. Nous mettons notamment en évidence le fait que les élèves mobilisent préférentiellement le niveau des objets à celui du modèle et que les représentations sous forme de dessins sont également privilégiées. This research is a case study in a fifth grade class during a teaching sequence aiming to explain the Moon phases. In our study, we focused on the teacher’s instructions, considered as actions prompts, in relation to the student’s activities. We investigated how the characteristics of instructions in terms of modeling and semiotic registers influenced the elements taken into account by the students to produce oral and written answers. We especially highlight that students preferentially mobilize the object level to that of the model, and that the register of the drawing is predominating in answers.

Background Approximately 11% of the German population are convinced that certain moon phases and moon signs may impact their health and the onset and clinical course of diseases. Before elective surgery, a considerable number of patients look to optimize the timing of the procedure based on the lunar cycle. Especially patients awaiting living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) commonly look for an adjustment of the date of transplantation according to the moon calendar. This study therefore investigated the perioperative and long-term outcome of LDKT dependent on moon phases and zodiac signs. Methods Patient data were prospectively collected in a continuously updated kidney transplant database. Two hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent LDKT between 1994 and December 2009 were selected for the study and retrospectively assigned to the four moon phases (new-moon, waxing-moon, full-moon, and waning-moon) and the corresponding zodiac sign (moon sign Libra), based on the date of transplantation. Preexisting comorbidities, perioperative mortality, surgical outcome, and long-term survival data were analyzed. Results Of all LDKT procedures, 11.9, 39.9, 11.5, and 36.5% were performed during the new, waxing, full, and waning moon, respectively, and 6.2% during the moon sign Libra, which is believed to interfere with renal surgery. Survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplantation were 98.9, 92, and 88.7% (patient survival) and 97.4, 91.6, and 80.6% (graft survival) without any differences between all groups of lunar phases and moon signs. Overall perioperative complications and early graft loss occurred in 21.2 and 1.4%, without statistical difference (p > 0.05) between groups. Conclusion Moon phases and the moon sign Libra had no impact on early and long-term outcome measures following LDKT in our study. Thus, concerns of patients awaiting LDKT regarding the ideal time of surgery can be allayed, and surgery may be scheduled independently of the lunar phases.

Investigation about the activity pattern of the Hotson Jerboa with motorcycle and search light indicated that there is significant relationship between moon light intensity and encountering with the Hotson Jerboa’ or it’s trapping success. The results showed that the more moon light intensity the less the activity of this Jerboa. In the other word we can infer that the encounter rate with the individuals reaches its highest amount in the first and the last days of the lunar month and closing to the middle weeks of the month, they hardly can be detected. Although in completely cloudy nights even in the middle of the month the encounter rate increased as well. This is a predator-prey coevolutional mechanism that lowers the predation risk. Additionally, the activity shifted somewhat from the open to vegetation cover when the moon was high, however the least encounter rate was recorded in full moon status.

Animals can adapt their activity patterns throughout the circadian cycle. Prey may use moonlight as a predation risk cue and allocate their activity to lower risk periods. Here, we assessed moon transit influence on the activity allocation of nocturnal mammalian prey, in the presence of a predator (pumas, Puma concolor), during different moon phases, through camera trapping in Central Amazon. Thirty camera traps were installed 2 km apart from each other in each of our three study sites. Prey record distributions were assessed across the moon cycle, and their daily activity patterns were described in each moon phase. The record distributions of pacas (Cuniculus paca) (N = 262) and armadillos (Dasypus sp.) (N = 244) were concentrated in darker nights, contrasting with red brocket deer (Mazama americana) (N = 123) and pumas (N = 31), whose records were evenly distributed through the moon cycle. Yet, every prey was found to avoid the brighter times of the night regardless of the moon phase. These findings suggest prey can shift the temporal distribution of their activities under different moon phases when predators are present, perhaps in response to predation risk variations.

espanolEste articulo presenta un avance de los resultados y principales conclusiones de un estudio que busco identificar y analizar las concepciones alternativas mayoritarias (CAM) de estudiantes de Pedagogia en Fisica, en contenidos seleccionados sobre Universo, para tres cohortes (2014, 2015 y 2016). Para identificar las CAM se utilizo una version modificada de la prueba estandarizada Astronomy Diagnostic Test v2.0. Se definieron categorias de analisis que permitieron seleccionar un conjunto de CAM para las cuales se determino la necesidad de desarrollar secuencias didacticas especificas para facilitar a los futuros profesores de Fisica el aprendizaje del conocimiento cientifico vigente sobre esos contenidos. Los resultados muestran un conjunto acotado de CAM, similares para las tres cohortes, en los topicos: movimientos en la esfera celeste, tamanos y distancias a escala, fases de la Luna, eclipses y estaciones del ano, y propiedades de las estrellas. EnglishThis paper presents a preview of results and key findings, of a study that seeks to identify and to analyze most common alternative conceptions (CAM), of future Physics teachers, in selected contents about Universe, for three cohort (2014, 2015 and 2016). Categories of analysis were defined allowing to select a set of CAM for which it was determined the need to develop specific teaching sequences to facilitate future Physics teachers learning the current scientific knowledge on those contents. To identify CAM, it was used a modified version of the standardized test Astronomy Diagnostic Test v2.0. Results show a limited set of CAM, similar to the three groups, on the following topics: movements in the celestial sphere, sizes and distances at scale, moon phases, eclipses and seasons, and star's properties.

Resumen Se presenta una lista anotada de especies de las familias Bombycidae, Saturniidae y Sphingidae recolectadas en el Parque Nacional Natural Utría, Chocó, Colombia. El muestreo se realizó en cuatro hábitats del parque durante 31 días, utilizando una trampa de luz con un bombillo de vapor de mercurio. Se registraron 35 especies: 19 Saturniidae, 15 Sphingidae y 1 Bombycidae. Por primera vez se registran 18 especies para el departamento del Chocó. Se resaltan los registros de las especies Syssphinx chocoensis, endémica del Chocó colombiano, Manduca dalica dalica depositada por primera vez en una colección colombiana y el quinto instar de Isognathus scyron. El número de individuos recolectados concuerda con la hipótesis de la fobia lunar. El presente trabajo es la primera aproximación a la diversidad de estas familias para el Parque Nacional Natural Utría. Abstract We present an annotated checklist of the species of Bombycidae, Saturniidae and Sphingidae collected in the Utría National Natural Park, Chocó, Colombia. We used mercury light trap for 31 days in four different habitats. We found 35 species: 19 Saturniidae, 15 Sphingidae and 1 Bombycidae. Eighteen species are recorded for the first time in the department of Chocó. These include the Chocó endemic Syssphinx chocoensis, the first specimen of Manduca dalica dalica, in a Colombian collection, and the fifth instar of Isognathus scyron. Our results agree with the lunar phobia hypothesis. This work is the first approach to the diversity of these families in the Utría National Park.

The occurrence and composition of meso (5–25 mm) and microplastics (1–5 mm) in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) was monitored during a complete moon cycle on the different moon phases between 17th June and 16thJuly 2019. A total of 10 points were sampled each day finding an average content of mesoplastics of 18 g/m2 (0.36 g/L) and of microplastics of 13 g/m2 (1277 items/m2 or 1.6 g/L). Polypropylene and polyethylene accounted for 19% and 76% of the total, respectively. Tar was also found in the 1–5 mm fraction (2% of the total). Among the particles found, 83% were fragments, 11% pellets, 4% fibres and 2% films. The obtained results revealed that microplastic presence could not be related in this case with the tides but with the orientation and strength/speed of the wind.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Animals making foraging decisions must balance the energy gained, the time invested, and the influence of key environmental factors. In our work, we examined the effect of predation risk cues and experience on feeding efforts when a novel food resource was made available. To achieve this, we live-trapped wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in Monte de Valdelatas (Madrid), where 80 Sherman traps were set in four plots. Traps were subjected to two food-access difficulties in treatments consisting of three consecutive nights: open plastic bottles (easy) and closed bottles (difficult), both using corn as bait. To simulate predation risk, we set fox faeces in half of the traps in each plot. We also considered moonlight (medium/low) as an indirect predation risk cue. We analysed whether bottles had been bitten by mice and the gnawed area of each bottle was measured. Our results indicated that food access difficulty, experience, and predation risk determined mice feeding decisions and efforts. The ability of mice to adapt feeding effort when a new food source is available was demonstrated because a higher proportion of closed bottles exhibited bite marks and the gnawed area was bigger. Moreover, mouse experience was determinant in the use of this new resource since recaptured mice gnawed broader orifices in the bottles and the gnawed area increased each time an individual was recaptured. Additionally, direct predation risk cues prompted mice to bite the bottles whereas the effect of different moon phases varied among the food access treatments. This study provides direct evidence of formidable efficacy of wild mice to exploit a new nutrient resource while considering crucial environmental factors that shape the decision-making procedure

Foraging decisions must balance the energy gained, the time investment and the influence of key environmental factors. In our work, we aimed to examine the importance of predation risk cues and experience in the feeding efforts and decision-making process when a novel food resource is presented. To achieve this, free ranging wood miceApodemus sylvaticuswere live-trapped in “Monte de Valdelatas” (Madrid) by setting 80 Sherman traps in 4 plots. Traps were subjected to two food access difficulties three-night consecutive treatments: open plastic bottles and closed bottles, both using corn as bait. To generate predation risk, we set fox faeces in half of the traps in each plot. Also, we considered indirect predator cues as the moon phase. We analyse whether mice had bitten the bottles and the area gnawed of each bottle was measured. We discovered that mice feeding decisions and efforts were driven by food access difficulty, experience and predation risk. The ability of mice to properly balance their energy budget was probed since they bit and performed bigger orifices in the closed bottles, hence, individuals can adapt the feeding effort when a new food source is available. Moreover, experience was determinant in the use of this new resource since recaptured mice gnawed the bottles more successfully and the skill was improved each time an individual was recaptured. Additionally, direct predation risk cues prompt mice to bite the bottles whereas the effect of different moon phases varied among the treatments. This is the first study that provides direct evidence of wild mice formidable efficacy to exploit a new nutrient resource while deepening in crucial environmental factors that shape decision-making procedure.

This study addresses the question whether to what extent (if any) light-trap catch of the harmful pest, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1805) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) depends on the Moon phases and the geomagnetic horizontal component (H-index). Therefore, daily relative catch data were assigned to the daily values of geomagnetic field above 0.2125−10 T (H-index). We correlated the daily catch results to the daily values of geometric H-index. The numbers of specimens caught and classified according to generation were calculated relative to catch values. Relative catch data were divided according to the Moon phase angle around the four Moon quarters. The relative daily catch data were assigned to the daily values of geomagnetic H-index. We correlated the daily catch results to the daily values of geometric H-index in four moon phases. More abundant catch corresponded to higher H-index values in the New Moon period. Approaching Full Moon led to increasing catch correlating to low H-index value, but there decreasing catch coincided with higher H-index values. There was also decreasing catch at the increasing H-index values in the First Quarter and Last Quarter period. The light trap catch of the H. armigera was seemingly influenced by both the moon phases and the horizontal component of geomagnetism.

Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Ay, Dünya'ya yakın konumundan dolayı yüzyıllardır insanların dikkatini çeken bir gök cismi olmuştur. Özellikle Ay'ın sürekli değişen görünüşünün sebebi merak konusu haline gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda, araştırmada 6. sınıf öğrencilerinin Ay'ın evreleri konusundaki algılarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenografik yöntem kullanılmıştır. Araştırma 20 öğrencinin katılımıyla bir devlet okulunda gerçekleşmiştir. Öğrencilerden bir ay boyunca Ay'ı gözlemlemeleri ve bu gözlemlerini her gün çizmeleri istenmiştir. Bir ay sonunda yapılan çizimler göz önünde bulundurarak 17 öğrenci ile birebir görüşme yapılmıştır. Öğrencilerin çizimleri gruplandırılarak analiz edilerek, öğrencilerin Ay'ın evreleri konusundaki algılarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Veriler incelendiğinde öğrencilerin bilimsel olarak hatalı çizimler yaptığı ve görüşme sonuçlarında kavram yanılgıları olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda öğrencilerin bireysel farklılıkları, hazırbulunuşluk düzeyleri, zihinleri, deneyimleri ve bulundukları çevre gibi etkenlerin algılarını da etkilediği ve öğrencilerin algılarının farklı olduğu belirlenmiştir, The Moon has been a celestial body that has attracted the attention of people for centuries due to its close location to Earth. The reason for the constantly changing appearance of the Moon has particularly become the subject of curiosity. In this context, this research aims to determine the perceptions of 6th grade students about the phases of the Moon. In this study, phenomenological method was used among qualitative research methods. The study was conducted in a public school with the participation of 20 students. The students were asked to observe the Moon for a month and draw these observations every day. One-to-one interviews were conducted with 17 students considering the drawings made at the end of the month. It is aimed to determine the perceptions of students about the phases of the Moon by analyzing the students' drawings. When the data were examined, it was indicated that the students made scientific drawings incorrectly and have misconceptions in the results of the interviews. At the end of the research, it was determined that 'students' individual differences, readiness levels, minds, experiences and the environment affected their perceptions and these perceptions were different.

This study assessed the relationship between season and lunar phase at conception on offspring sex ratio of four livestock species (sheep, cattle, goats and pigs). The sex of 66,830 lambs (1995–2015); 25,546 calves (2011–2015); 5671 kids (2002–2007) and 1916 piglets was recorded. Moon phases were categorized as either new moon, crescent moon, full moon or decrescent moon. Sex ratio, expressed as proportion of males (males/males + females), was tested against the expected value of 1:1. In sheep, offspring sex ratio and lunar phase were not correlated; season had a significant (p = 0.002) effect on offspring sex ratio. The proportion of males born of spring and winter matings was significantly higher than it was among offspring born of summer (p

The time of the activity may be changed throughout the circadian cycle to increase the fitness of species and allow their co-existence. The goal of this paper was to test whether the activity patterns of ocelots Leopardus pardalis are synchronized with those of their potential prey, and assess the effect of the moon cycle on this predator–prey relationship, through camera-trapping. Activity levels of ocelots and potential prey have been assessed across circadian and moon cycles and the temporal overlap between them was calculated for each moon phase. Ocelots have shown to be nocturnal and the number of their records has been constant across the moon cycle, and their activity patterns overlapped those of their nocturnal prey significantly more than remaining species', during full moon. These findings suggest that ocelots switch the type of prey (diurnal or nocturnal) they hunt in different moon phases and display higher hunting success in full moon nights.

Sin duda, los productores saben de la influencia lunar y sobre el movimiento de la savia en las plantas en determinados momentos, debido a los conocimientos ancestrales y experiencias adquiridas. Sin embargo, en relación al prendimiento de injertos en cacao (Theobroma cacao), existen pocos estudios científicos que demuestren tales efectos. El objetivo principal del estudio fue comparar los efectos de las fases lunares en el prendimiento de dos tipos de injertos en cacao. Para ello se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo bifactorial, con tres repeticiones por cada una de las fases y un universo de 576 plantas. La variable de medición únicamente fue el prendimiento de las plantas que se injertaron. Los datos fueron procesados en el programa Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) versión 21 y se sometieron al análisis de varianza ANDEVA con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Los análisis revelan que existen diferencias significativas para las técnicas de injertación (p=0.0110.05). En base al análisis combinado de varianza no existen diferencias significativas para la interacción fases lunares y técnicas de injertación puesto que (p=0.761>0.05). Summary There is no doubt the producers know of the moon influence and the sap movement in plants at certain moments, due to the ancestral knowledge and experiences gained. However, in relation to the root taking of grafts in cocoa (Theobroma cacao), there are few scientific studies that demonstrate such effects. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of moon phases in the root taking of two types of grafts in cocoa. To do this we used a complete randomized design with bifactorial order, with three replays for each of the phases and a universe of 576 plants. The measurement variable was based on the root taking of the plants that were implanted. The data were processed in the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) program (version 21), and subjected to the ANOVA analysis of variance with a reliability level of 95%. The analysis shows significant differences for grafting techniques (p=0.0110.05). Based on the combined analysis of variance there is no significant differences for the interaction between moon phases and grafting techniques since (p=0.761>0.05).

This study presents results on the collection of Panulirus inflatus pueruli in seaweed (GuSi; set at the surface) and crevice (Booth: set on the bottom) collectors from April to December 1998 in waters of the southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico. The collectors were deployed at two sites in Mazatlán Bay. A total of 15 pueruli and 26 post-pueruli were collected, of which 4 postpueruli were found in crevice collectors from 10 inspections. Examination of the crevice collectors was difficult because weather conditions made sampling problematic during the year in this zone. Seaweed collectors caught 37 pueruli in 91 observations. Most of the pueruli from these collectors were caught between April and June, with a peak settlement in May (19) and a mean surface water temperature of 24.4°C. The highest catch per unit of effort was 1.36 pueruli per collector per week in May, followed by April (0.33) and June (0.31). Statistical tests showed no significant differences among the moon phases, although the number of pueruli was higher during the first quarter. This is the first record of P. inflatus pueruli in the southeastern Gulf of California on specifically designed collectors.

En este estudio se muestran las ideas sobre el sistema Sol-Tierra-Luna que presenta un grupo de alumnos de educación primaria (8-12 años). El instrumento utilizado para recolectar los datos ha sido un cuestionario con seis preguntas abiertas. El análisis cualitativo de las respuestas reveló que un alto porcentaje de los alumnos encuestados posee concepciones alternativas, alejadas de las científicamente correctas, respecto a la órbita terrestre, las estaciones del año y las fases de la Luna.

This study describes for the first time the feeding behaviour and mesopelagic food consumption of adult Trachurus picturatus in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea), where the distinctive hydrodynamic regime and the lunar cycle influence food availability for this predator. Indeed, the Strait of Messina is characterized by the upwelling of colder, saltier and nutrient-rich Levantine Intermediate Water, supporting the congregation and abundance of the mesopelagic community. Despite the commercial importance of T. picturatus in the Mediterranean and Atlantic fisheries, its trophic ecology is almost unknown. Overall, 262 specimens of T. picturatus were collected from small-scale fisheries of the Strait of Messina (September 2016–August 2017) and their stomach content was examined to investigate dietary composition and feeding strategy. Although the absence of a dominant prey item ruled out specialized predatory behaviour in T. picturatus, mesopelagic prey dominated the diet of this species and a significant fraction of food (more than 80% in terms of Index of Relative Importance) was represented by euphausiids and mesopelagic fish. The predator exploitation of mesopelagic prey resources was analysed, considering the ecological implications of the hydrodynamic regime of the study area, which is strongly influenced by upwelling processes linked to the lunar cycle. For this reason, we tested and confirmed the hypothesis that moon phases could influence the food intake of T. picturatus and seasonal variations in the diet as well as size-related dietary shift were also observed.