Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Group I intron-like insertions in SSU rDNA of Cladonia gracilis and C. rangiferina

During a study on population genetics of three species of Cladonia using the nuclear ribosomal 18S DNA, two species contained group I intron-like sequences located in positions 788 and 940 with reference to the E. coli 16S rDNA gene. The intron in position 940 was not typical of group I introns and had previously been described only from the Parmeliaceae and Lecanoraceae, but here we report the occurrence of this intron in the Cladoniaceae. The intron in position 788 had characteristics of group I introns and had previously been reported from the Physciaceae. In this paper we provide for the first time a putative RNA fold for the nS788 intron, compare the secondary RNA structure of the Cladonia group I introns (nS788 and nS940) to that of other taxa, and infer a phylogenetic history among 15 members of the Lecanorales based on the evolutionary history of the nS788 group I intron. The RNA fold for nS788 contained two optional hairpins, P2.1 and a potentially newly described hairpin referred to as P5.1. The phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyly of the genus Cladonia. It also supports the separation of two large groups in the Physciaceae; the Buellia-group and the Physcia-group.
Feeding Habits and Biological Features of Deep-Sea Species of the Northwest Atlantic: Large-eyed Rabbitfish (Hydrolagus mirabilis), Narrownose Chimaera (Harriotta raleighana) and Black Dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii)

Feeding habits and biological features of three deep-water species -large-eyed rabbitfish (Hydrolagus mirabilis), narrownose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana) and black dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii)distributed in the Grand Bank and Flemish Cap (Northwest Atlantic) were analyzed. Both chimaeroid species fed on endo and epi-benthic organisms, but with different behavior. Narrownose chimaera showed a closer relationship with the sea bed in the feeding habits, denoted mainly by the high polychaete and sediment presence; while in large-eyed rabbitfish, the great importance of pelagic prey (Coryphaenoides rupestris and cephalopods) would indicate wider feeding habits, increased with the predator size. Black dogfish preyed mostly on pelagic and benhopelagic prey (crustaceans, scyphozoans and fish). High infestation of Gyrocotyle affected the chimaeroid species, increasing with depth. The parasitation affected 67% of large-eyed rabbitfish, with higher percentage for smaller individuals; narrownose chimaera (84% with parasites) had a greater number of parasites per host, and bigger individuals were more affected. However, presence of Gyrocotyle did not seem to harm the well-being of the specimens. Length-weight relationship indicated bigger body weight for males in the small sizes of 108, 31.5 and 50 cm of large-eyed rabbitfish, narrownose chimaera and black dogfish respectively. However, the body-eviscerated weigh relationship did not show differences between sexes. The hepatosomatic index (HIS) was high in all species, mainly in narrownose chimaera (31.3%) and it reached in the other species a value around the fourth part of their eviscerated weight. Black dogfish showed a clear increase of HSI with the body weight, while chimaerids presented a bigger variation.
Effect of Different Extenders and Storage Periods on Motility and Fertilization Success of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Sperm During Spawning Season

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different extenders and storage periods on motility and fertilizing ability of short-term stored grass carp sperm during spawning season. Sperm was collected from anesthesized males by the abdominal massage method. Having determined the main spermatological properties, the pooled ejaculates were diluted with 3 different extenders at a ratio of 1:3. The diluted sperm was packaged in small tubes and following, the tubes were stored at 4°C in a refrigerator for 8 hours. During preservation motility (%), motility duration (s) and fertilization (%) capacity of stored sperm were evaluated 2 hours intervals. Fertilization was carried out using the dry fertilization technique at 2x10 5 spermatozoa/egg dosage. The fertilization success was determined as the percent of eyed eggs 3-4 days after fertilization. At the end of 8 hours of storage, the highest sperm motility was found as 35±2.89% (P<0.05) with extender II in June whereas the highest motility duration was determined (56±6.35 s) (P<0.05) with extender I in May. Also, the highest fertilization rate was determined as 25±1.15% (P<0.05) with extender I in June. In conclusion, results of the present study indicated that composition of extenders, spermatozoa/egg ratio and stage of the spawning season is important to improve fertilizing ability of cold stored grass carp sperm.
Temporal genetic changes between cohorts in a natural population of a marine fish, Diplodus sargus

Temporal changes at 17 allozyme loci in the Diplodus sargus population of Banyuls sur Mer (Mediterranean Sea, France) were monitored within a single population among ten year-classes (cohorts) sampled over a 6-month period. The genetic survey was combined with evaluation of the demographic structure of the population by determining variation of abundance between cohorts. The population showed variation in abundance among cohorts ranging from 16 to 214 individuals. Significant divergences in genetic structure were observed between cohorts (P < 0.0001) despite very low values of FST (multilocus FST over all cohorts = 0.0018). The heterozygosity of each cohort, as well as the FIS values, was significantly correlated with the abundance of each cohort, with abundant cohorts showing lower heterozygosity and a significant deficit of heterozygotes (positive FIS values). Finally, multilocus temporal genetic variance (Fk) computed between successive cohorts was higher in low abundance cohorts. Change of heterozygosity between cohorts, distribution of year-class genetic structure, and change in the genetic structure within a cohort appear to be affected mostly by the abundance of the cohort and are therefore driven by genetic drift. We propose that the Diplodus sargus cohorts are built up from the mixing of families during the pelagic stage or later during recruitment, and that the decrease in heterozygosity leading to a deficit of heterozygotes is characteristic of a Wahlund effect. Such a Wahlund effect would derive from the mixing of the progeny of families made up of few individuals, but exhibiting high fecundity and high variability of reproductive success. Therefore, although cohorts derived from poor recruitment would only group a few families and would exhibit limited deficit of heterozygotes (higher heterozygosity values), they would lead to high genetic drift and appear more divergent (higher mean temporal genetic variance) than cohorts with high abundance. While not demonstrating directly the family structure of marine populations, our survey provides evidence of highly structured populations. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 76, 9–20.
Conditioning of nyala (Tragelaphus angasi) to blood sampling in a crate with positive reinforcement

Habituation and positive reinforcement procedures were successfully used for low stress blood sampling of nyala (Tragelaphus angasi) at the Denver Zoological Gardens. Four adult females and three offspring were conditioned with a food reward voluntarily to enter a plywood crate for bimonthly blood sampling from the rear leg. Habituated and conditioned, nonsedated nyala could also be given intramuscular injections and be palpated on the udder and abdomen. Highly palatable sliced yams and carrots were used to train the seven animals to enter the crate and allow a handler to confine each animal in it by closing a remotely controlled, vertical slide gate. The next step was slow, careful desensitization and habituation of each animal to having its legs and body touched by a person who reached through a small hole in the side of the crate. The animal was given yam treats during this procedure. The solid sides on the crate helped keep the animal calm. Conditioning and habituation were done slowly and carefully over a period of 3 months to avoid frightening the animals or causing a dangerous escape attempt. All animals remained calm during both conditioning and blood sampling procedures. Investing the time and effort to train nyala to crate handling resulted in improved animal welfare and blood samples that were not confounded by stress. The nyala were trained for a vitamin E supplementation study. In captivity, nyala often suffer from myopathy due to vitamin E deficiency. Vitamin E levels will change when an animal is stressed. Training the animals to cooperate during blood sampling eliminated handling stress. This made it possible to accurately measure vitamin E levels, which will aid nutritionists in determining supplementation levels. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SPACING AS A PREDICTOR OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION IN KANGAROO RATS (DIPODOMYS HEERMANNI ARENAE)

Abstract We examined intraspecific space use of free-ranging kangaroo rats (Dipodomys heermanni) during the breeding season using behavioral observations and radiotelemetry. Home ranges of males were significantly larger than those of females. Female D. heermanni maintained exclusive territories with essentially nonoverlapping home ranges, whereas home ranges of males overlapped with both same- and opposite-sex conspecifics, reflecting the different strategies of the different sexes. This follows a general pattern found in mammals in which spacing reflects limiting resources. There was, however, high individual variation in home range size for males, which may suggest a role for social interactions in determining spatial behavior in this species. D. heermanni, a medium-size species, appears intermediate in space use compared with the larger D. spectabilis and the smaller D. merriami.
Karyological observations on plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands

Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 35 vascular plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers of Chaenorhinum rodriguezii (2n = 14), Coristospermum huteri (2n = 22), Carduus ibicensis (2n = 26), Filago petro-ianii (2n = 26), Ononis crispa ssp. zschackei (2n = 30), and Ophrys bertolonii ssp. balearica (2n = 36) were determined for the first time. New chromosome numbers are reported in Pimpinella bicknellii (2n = 22), Calamintha rouyana (2n = 46), Vicia bifoliolata (2n = 14), and Teucrium asiaticum (2n = 30). A new diploid cytotype (2n = 16) was found in Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi, which is restricted to populations from the western Balearics (Eivissa and Formentera), whereas tetraploid plants are known from the eastern Balearics (Mallorca). It is suggested that the tetraploid cytotype arose from the diploid cytotype through autopolyploidy. The idiograms of Coristospermum huteri, Pastinaca lucida, Pimpinella bicknellii, Carduus ibicensis, Helianthemum scopulicolum, Helichrysum crassifolium, Vicia bifoliolata, paeonia cambessedesii, Helleborus lividus, Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi, and Linaria aeruginea ssp. pruinosa are determined for the first time. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 153, 463–476.
Stable Knockdown of Polycystin-1 Confers Integrin-α2β1–Mediated Anoikis Resistance

The mechanisms of action of polycystin-1 (PC1) have been difficult to dissect because of its interaction with multiple factors, the heterogeneity of the genetic mutations, and the complexity of the experimental animal models. Here, stable knockdown of PC1 in MDCK epithelial cells was achieved by lentiviral-mediated delivery of a specific small interfering RNA for PKD1 . The reduction of PC1 expression prevented tubulogenesis in three-dimensional collagen type I culture in response to hepatocyte growth factor and induced formation of cysts. PC1 knockdown created a condition of haploinsufficiency that led to hyperproliferation, increased adhesion to collagen type I, and increased apoptosis. It was shown that the suppression of PC1 was associated with the increased expression of integrin-α2β1 and reduced apoptosis in cells grown on collagen type I. The engagement of integrin-α2β1 seemed to be essential for the survival because PC1 knockdown cells were significantly less susceptible to anoikis by a mechanism that was reversible by anti–integrin-α2β1 blocking antibodies. Overall, these data link integrin-α2β1 to some of the biologic functions that are ascribed to PC1 and establish the potential of this approach for the direct study of PC1 functions in a genetically defined background. Furthermore, these findings indicate that reduction of PC1 expression levels, rather than the loss of heterozygosity, may be sufficient to induce cystogenesis.
‘Doing denial’: audience reaction to human rights appeals

Whilst many hypotheses have been formulated on why audiences remain passive in response to distant suffering, very little empirical research has been carried out to verify these hypotheses. This article discusses audience denial in response to information about human rights abuses1, paying attention to both content and strategies used in accounts of denial, i.e. what these accounts say and by which means they effectively neutralize appeals for action. Three repertoires are identified as specific targets for neutralization: (1) The message itself (‘the medium is the message’); (2) Campaigners and, in particular, Amnesty International (AI) (‘shoot the messenger’); (3) The action recommended in the appeal (‘babies and bathwater’). These repertoires are analysed in terms of the discursive techniques — e.g. argumentation, rhetorical and semantic moves and speech acts — used to neutralize the moral claims made by Amnesty International’s appeals. The article suggests that audience denial is an operation of power and production of knowledge in so far as it plays a role in sustaining and colluding with more systemic and official operations of passivity and denial. The normative implication of audiences’ justifications for their passivity is illustrated in their banal, everyday contribution to a morality of unresponsiveness. The discussion aims to contribute to current debates on the ‘Politics of Pity’, social responsibility and distant suffering. It also contributes to psychological work on pro-social behaviour and, in particular, to research on audiences’ responses to humanitarian appeals and mediation in general.
Plesiosaur Ancestors from the Upper Permian of Madagascar

Numerus well preserved fossils from the Upper Permian of Madagascar are structurally intermediate between primitive diapsid reptiles and nothosaurs and plesiosaurs. Claudiosaurus germaini (gen.nov., sp.nov.) is similar in its basic anatomy to eosuchian reptiles such as Thadeosaurus colcanapi (gen.nov., sp.nov.), but the absence of a lower temporal bar and the closure of the palate are characteristics of sauropterygian reptiles. Claudiosaurus shows the initiation of aquatic adaptations in the proportions and reduced ossification of the carpus and manus. A third pair of sacral ribs is partially incorporated. The small size of the skull, the nature of the palate and marginal dentition and the long neck are suggestive of aquatic feeding habits. Claudiosaurus does not, however, show the specific adaptations for aquatic locomotion seen in either nothosaurs or plesiosaurs. Even the most primitive known species of nothosaurs and plesiosaurs are too specialized in the postcranial skeleton for direct comparison with Claudiosaurs , although the similarities to the skull roof of primitive nothosaurs are very close. The configuration of the cheek in nothosaurs almost certainly resulted from the loss of the lower temporal bar from a pattern like that of Youngina , rather than from the ventral emargination of the cheek. The nature of the Upper Permian sediments in Madagascar and the tectonic environment of their deposition indicate accumulation in deep rift valleys, some parts of which were open to the sea. The presence of oolites replaced with collophane suggests a rich phosphate source such as deep marine upwellings. Similar upwellings of phosphate have also been associated with the evolution of the marine iguanas on the Pacific coast of South America. The concept of the derivation of nothosaurs from protorosaurs or araeosceloids may be traced to misunderstandings of the nature of the cheek in both Nothosaurus and Protorosaurus . Araeoscelis , despite the possession of a solid cheek, is closely related to Petrolacosaurus , an ancestral diapsid.
On Woodland Bird Parties in Northern Rhodesia

Summary. The habit of insectivorous birds in tropical regions of gathering together into parties is described and some typical parties are given. The reasons adduced for such behaviour are considered, but none is really satisfactory as an explanation. The species composing the parties are divided into “nucleus” species, which may form pure parties by themselves and round which the other species group themselves, and “circumference” species. The commonest species in 107 such parties, from the eastern and western sides of Northern Rhodesia, are referred to in brief notes.
Effect of Leaf Stripping, De-tasselling and Topping of Maize on the Yield of Maize and Relay Intercropped Finger Millet

SUMMARY A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of leaf stripping, de-tasselling and topping on the yield of maize and finger millet in a maize/finger millet intercropping system at Lumle in Nepal. De-tasselling of maize before pollen shedding reduced the number of barren plants, and increased test weight and grain yield but de-tasselling after pollination had no significant effect. Defoliation of maize by removal of leaves below and above the ear, or by topping 30 days after 50% silking, had no effect on either maize grain yield or on that of the relay planted finger millet. This contradicts the hypothesis that increased light penetration due to reduced shading improves the yield of millet under maize.
Size-structured abundance relationships between upper- and mid-trophic level predators on temperate rocky reefs

Top-down control of community structure can manifest as inverse relationships between the abundances of organisms at adjacent trophic levels. Due to the time costs of handling very large prey it may be optimal for gape-limited predatory fishes to select prey with body depths that are ≤ 60% of predator gape width. We tested for inverse relationships between the abundances of different sized rockfish (prey) and of lingcod (predator) large enough to be expected to select that rockfish size. We predicted that these relationships would be stronger when assuming that body depth of selected prey is ≤ 60%, rather than ≤ 100%, of lingcod gape width. Results were consistent with this prediction for small and medium size classes of rockfish. Regardless of prey selection assumptions there were no negative relationships between lingcod and large size classes of rockfish, possibly because only 2.3% of observed lingcod were large enough to select large rockfish when assuming prey body depth selection of ≤ 60% of predator gape width. Large rockfish, therefore, may have occupied a size refuge from lingcod risk. Our results, however, are characterized by large statistical uncertainty. We suggest that prey antipredator behaviour, which has the cost of reducing access to resources and the benefit of lowering mortality rates, might explain much of this uncertainty. Quillback and copper rockfish are long-lived species with late maturity. As such, they are expected to maximize fitness by investing heavily in antipredator behaviour, and this investment may have weakened numerical relationships between lingcod and small and medium size classes.
Presentation of a modified dispersion model (MDM) for hepatic drug extraction and a new methodology for the prediction of the rate-limiting step in hepatic metabolic clearance

The main objectives were to investigate the roles of and interplay between determinants of hepatic clearance (CLH) in humans, to develop a methodology and reference system for the evaluation and prediction of the rate-limiting step in CLH, and to update the dispersion model and compare it with traditionally used liver extraction models. The new methodology enables predictions of the hepatic uptake and CLH, dissociation, and rate-limiting step. In general, absorption, dissociation and diffusion are comparably rapid processes, and metabolism is rate-limiting. The liver appears to have a high passive uptake capacity. The Modified Dispersion Model (MDM) has a dispersion number of 0.5 and a distribution factor (dƒ = 0.87) for the correction of a longer hepatic transit time of unbound molecules and the exclusion of the hidden unbound fraction within erythrocytes. Liver models are functionally equivalent at low CLH, but differ for highly extracted compounds. Well-stirred and parallel-tube models demonstrate the greatest difference in performance, for example, 6- and 800 000-fold differences in the estimated in vivo intrinsic CLH and predicted oral bioavailability of the high CLH drug naloxone, respectively. The roles of and interplay between determinants of CLH have been further clarified and can now be better predicted. Apparent advantages with the MDM include its scientific rationale and intermediate/ balanced performance.
Evidence of temperature‐independent metabolic rates in diurnal Namib Desert tenebrionid beetles

To investigate whether the sensitivity to environmental temperature varies between nocturnal and diurnal species of tenebrionid beetle, the metabolic rates of three diurnal species (Onymacris plana Peringuey, Onymacris rugatipennis Haag and Physadesmia globosa Haag) and three nocturnal species (Epiphysa arenicola Penrith, Gonopus sp. and Stips sp.) of beetles from the Namib Desert are measured over a range of temperatures (15–40 °C) that are experienced by these beetles in their natural habitat. The diurnal species O. plana, O. rugatipennis and P. globosa exhibit temperature‐independent metabolic rates (mean Q10 = 1.2) within temperature ranges that are ecologically relevant for diurnal desert beetles (30–40 °C). Onymacris plana, in particular, has a 20–40 °C rate–temperature slope (0.007 log10 mL O2 h−1 g−1 °C−1; Q10 = 1.1) that is less than half that of the other five beetle species (0.022–0.063 log10 mL O2 h−1 g−1 °C−1; Q10 ranges from 1.3–1.9), suggesting that O. plana is more metabolically independent of temperature than the other nocturnal and diurnal tenebrionids being investigated. Animals with metabolic rates that are decoupled from body temperature (or ambient temperature) may have an ecological advantage that allows them to exploit thermal and spatial niches during extreme temperature conditions.
How Self-Conception May Lead to Inequality

This research examined the influence of role (leader or follower) within a group on the use of the equality rule (dividing resources equally) in allocation decisions. Different positions in the organizational hierarchy may activate different role schemas on how individuals should behave. Role schemas for leaders communicate that they should act responsibly, but also that they deserve certain privileges relevant to the allocation situation. It was predicted that leaders would allocate more resources to themselves than to their followers. The results of three studies (two scenario studies and one experimental study) revealed that leaders violated the equality rule by allocating more than a fair share of resources to themselves. Results also showed that leaders used the equality rule more for identifiable decisions (high accountability) than for unidentifiable decisions (low accountability). Findings are discussed in terms of leadership and social decision theories. Practical implications are outlined.