Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of attractants for non-invasive studies of Iberian carnivore communities

Context The estimation of population parameters for mammalian carnivore species is a challenging task because of their low densities and large home ranges, which make detection probabilities very low. Several factors, such as the species abundance, habitat structure or the use of an attractant affect carnivore detection probabilities; however, attractants are the most easily manipulated. Some previous research suggests that the use of effective attractants can significantly increase detection probabilities. Aims To assess the effectiveness of several attractants for Iberian carnivores, and to evaluate their usefulness for non-invasive survey methods. Methods The responses of seven carnivore species to six potential attractants were evaluated through cafeteria-like experiments with captive specimens. A selectivity index was applied to assess the relative attractiveness of each tested substance. The enclosure tests were followed by field trials with camera-trapping, using the most promising attractants for field evaluation of their efficiency. Key results Enclosure trials revealed that lynx urine was the most effective and generalist attractant because it successfully attracted six of the seven species tested. Rubbing behaviour was also induced in the greatest number of species by lynx urine. Field tests using a combination of lynx urine and valerian extract solution induced investigative behaviours in over 50% of all detection events in all species, with the exception of the Eurasian badger. Conclusions No single attractant is effective for all species. Nevertheless, a combination of lynx urine and valerian solution should efficiently attract the majority of species present in Iberian carnivore communities. Furthermore, some species exhibit a rubbing behaviour when they come in contact with the attractants. Regardless of the generalist efficiency of the lynx urine, other tested substances revealed promising results for single-species monitoring. Implications Our results provide a baseline for selecting attractants in survey and monitoring programs that focus on carnivore species. The rubbing behaviours exhibited by several of the species tested suggest the use of these attractants could improve the efficiency of field studies that rely on rub-pads for the collection of biological samples.
Cell Permeabilization Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Supercritical fluids have unique properties which may make them ideal as reaction media for biotransformation or extractive solvents. Supercritical fluids are ideal for reducing diffusivity limitations over conventional fluids. Depending on the polarity of the fluid, a supercritical fluid can be similar to conventional organic solvents, but with few of the environmental drawbacks. The use of supercritical fluids in enzymatic research has the advantage of removing mass transport limitations so that they can act as a suitable solvent. In this study, four permeabilization techniques were compared: control, toluene, supercritical carbon dioxide, and freeze/thaw cycles. The model cell systems studied were Z. mobilis and E. coli. The cells were analyzed for lipid profiles, recovery of proteins and enzymatic activity. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide may not be the most effective of the treatments based on total protein or enzyme recovery since the greatest protein and enzyme recovery was with the freeze/thaw treatment. However, it can be selective in removing cofactors from Z. mobilis enabling sorbitol production and minimizing side reactions. In this application, supercritical carbon dioxide does show an advantage over the freeze/thaw treatment. Aspects of the mechanism of permeabilization were investigated based on the lipid profiles of the cells, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The SEM and AFM show changes of the cell surface morphology which indicate that the treatments affect the cellular surface. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide as a reaction medium was investigated. Minute quantities of sorbitol were produced when Z. mobilis and sugars were placed in a supercritical carbon dioxide environment over a period of 24 hours.
The role of oleoresin flow in the induced response of loblolly pine to a southern pine beetle associated fungus

The influence of total resin flow in loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L. , on initial inoculation of the blue stain fungus Ophiostoma minus (Hedgc.) Syd. & P. Syd. , a fungal associate of southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera:Scolytidae)), was investigated. Resin flow of trees was mechanically manipulated so that it followed the same pattern of decrease and near cessation as seen in trees successfully attacked by southern pine beetle. There were also intermediate treatments where resin flow was allowed to recover. The fungus was inoculated into holes drilled to the xylem surface and allowed to grow for a specified time period. The lesion that formed as a result of the induced reaction was then measured and compared with lesions formed in trees for which resin flow was not manipulated. The experiment was conducted three times in 1993 and 1994 and twice in 1995. It was hypothesized that with decreased resin flow, O. minus would be less inhibited and that growth would be greater before .
ASSESSING THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF MORTALITY FROM RECOVERIES OF MARKED ANIMALS

Overall mortality rates often are based upon a variety of mortality sources such as predation, disease, and accidents, and each of these sources may influence population dynamics differently. To better understand population dynamics or to derive effective con- servation plans, it is thus crucial to know the frequency of specific mortality causes as well as their variation over time. However, although the mortality cause of retrieved marked animals is often known, this information cannot be used directly to estimate the frequency of a mortality cause. By calculating the ratio of the number of animals reported dead from a specific cause to the total number of retrieved animals, one does not consider the fact that the probability of finding a dead individual depends on the cause of its death. Although frequently used, such ad hoc estimates can be heavily biased. Here we present a new way of estimating the frequency of a mortality cause from ring-recovery (band-recovery) data without bias. We consider the states ''alive,'' ''dead because of mortality cause A,'' and ''dead due to all other causes'' and estimate within a multistate capture-recapture framework the transition probabilities as well as the state-specific resighting probabilities. Among the transition probabilities are the overall survival probability and the proportion of animals dying because of A. From these, the probability that an animal dies during a year due to the specific cause of interest (cause A kill rate) can easily be calculated. We illustrate this model using data from White Storks Ciconia ciconia ringed in Switzerland to estimate the proportion of storks that died due to power line collision. Average unbiased estimates of this proportion were 0.37 6 0.08 (mean 6 1 SE) for juveniles, about 25% lower than ad hoc estimates, and 0.35 6 0.09 for adults. The annual survival rate of juveniles was 0.33 6 0.05 and of adults, 0.83 6 0.02. Power line mortality is thus important for White Storks, with about one in four juveniles and one in 17 adults dying each year because of power line collision. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of the new model and how the results could be used to explore the link between a specific mortality cause and population dynamics.
A Comparative Study of Parasites Infecting Some fishes of Shallabugh Wetland, Kashmir

An investigation of Helminth parasites of Schizothorax (Native fish) and Cyprinus carpio (Exotic fish) collected from Shallabugh Wetland was undertaken for a period of one year from august 2010 to July 2011. Out of 486 fishes collected equally throughout the year, a marked helminth infestation was observed in Schizothorax in comparison to Cyprinus carpio which showed a little trematode infection during the entire period of study. Species of Schizothorax were found to be abundantly infested with trematodes followed by Cestodes and Acanthocephala. However, less infestation oftrematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalans was observed in Cyprinus carpio, indicating the susceptible nature of the Schizothorax species to helminth infestation. From the present study, it may be inferred that the susceptibility of Schizothorax species to helminth infestation may be considered as one of the factors responsible for the decline of this native fish from the water bodies of Kashmir valley. (Ibraq Khurshid, Fayaz Ahmad andTanveer A. Sofi. A Comparative Study of Parasites Infecting Some fishes of Shallabugh Wetland, Kashmir. N Y Sci J 2013;6(1):68-72). (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub. net/newyork . 11
Potential Functional Redundancy and Resource Facilitation between Tadpoles and Insect Grazers in Tropical Headwater Streams

Summary 1. We quantified production and consumption of stream-dwelling tadpoles and insect grazers in a headwater stream in the Panamanian uplands for 2 years to assess their effects on basal resources and energy fluxes. At the onset of our study, this region had healthy, diverse amphibian populations, but a catastrophic disease-driven decline began in September 2004, which greatly reduced amphibian populations. 2. Insect grazer production was 348 mg ash-free dry mass (AFDM) m−2 year−1 during the first year of the study and increased slightly to 402 mg AFDM m−2 year−1 during the second year. 3. Prior to amphibian declines, resource consumption by grazers (tadpoles and insects) was estimated at 2.9 g AFDM m−2 year−1 of algal primary production, which was nearly twice the estimated amount available. Insect grazers alone accounted for c. 81% of total primary consumption. During the initial stages of the declines, consumption remained at c. 2.9 g AFDM m−2 year−1, but only 35% of the available resource was being consumed and insect grazers accounted for c. 94% of total consumption. 4. Production and resource consumption of some insect grazers increased during the second year, as tadpoles declined, indicating a potential for functional redundancy in this system. However, other insect grazer taxa declined or did not respond to tadpole losses, suggesting a potential for facilitation between tadpoles and some insects; differential responses among taxa resulted in the lack of a response by insect grazers as a whole. 5. Our results suggest that before massive population declines, tadpoles exerted strong top-down control on algal production and interacted in a variety of ways with other primary consumers. 6. As amphibian populations continue to decline around the globe, changes in the structure and function of freshwater habitats should be expected. Although our study was focused on tropical headwater streams, our results suggest that these losses of consumer diversity could influence other aquatic systems as well and may even reach to adjacent terrestrial environments.
Effects of granulosa cell-specific deletion of Rb in Inha-α null female mice

Our laboratory is interested in the gonadal growth regulatory properties of inhibins, members of the TGFbeta superfamily. We have previously shown that female mice lacking inhibins (Inha(-/-)) develop granulosa cell tumors and that concurrent loss of p27 accelerates tumor development. It has also been shown that the retinoblastoma protein RB regulates the G(1) to S phase transition of the cell cycle by controlling the activity of transcription factors and stabilizing the levels of the cell cycle inhibitor P27. Based on these data, we hypothesized that concurrent loss of Rb and inhibins in the ovary will exacerbate tumor formation. To test this hypothesis, we generated an ovarian granulosa cell conditional knockout (cKO) of Rb using the Cre/lox recombination system in the background of Inha(-/-) mice. Inha(-/-)/Rb cKO females show a modest increase in mortality rates compared with Inha(-/-) females. Although histologically similar to Inha(-/-) ovarian tumors, tumors from Inha(-/-)/Rb cKO females show increased number of mitotic figures and apoptotic rates. Interestingly, P27 levels are decreased in Inha(-/-)/Rb cKO ovarian tumors, likely due to the combined effect of Rb loss and increased Skp2 expression, which targets P27 to the proteosome. We propose that Rb loss may cause cell cycle delay or arrest, followed by apoptosis and that increases in p107 and p130 levels may compensate for Rb loss. These findings confirm the importance of P27 as a cell cycle regulator in granulosa cells and suggest functional compensation between RB-like proteins in ovarian tumorigenesis.
Aquatic metabolism in the Everglades: Dominance of water column heterotrophy

Using high‐frequency measurements of free water dissolved oxygen (O2), we assessed gross primary production (GPP), respiration (R), and net aquatic production (NAP) in the shallow‐water Everglades peatland between 1996 and 2005. We distinguish NAP from net ecosystem production since the boundary for shallow aquatic ecosystems may include aboveground GPP of wetland biota. Metabolism was estimated for 68 sites distributed among nine habitats and yielded 1085 5‐d deployments or 5425 site‐days. Habitats differed in vegetation composition, trophic status, and hydrology. Systemwide O2 averaged 3.8 ± 2.2 mg L−1 (mean ± SD), or 49% ± 30% of atmospheric saturation. GPP, R, and NAP averaged 103 ± 76, 220 ± 79, and −117 ± 65 mmol O2 m−2 d−1, respectively. Metabolism was greater during the summer‐wet season when greater irradiance, temperature, and material flux stimulate primary production and decomposition. Paradoxically, GPP was inversely related to total phosphorus (TP), with oligotrophic (TP < 7 mg L−1) open‐water habitats dominated by periphyton having the highest and eutrophic (TP > 35 mg L−1) habitats with dense emergent macrophytes the lowest rates. R was greatest for moderately enriched (TP = 15 mg L−1) open‐water habitats with floating macrophytes. The prevalence of net heterotrophy, 96% of the 1085 NAP estimates, reveals the importance of aboveground biota in regulating aquatic metabolism and O2 dynamics in shallow ecosystems. R is not only regulated by the influx of aboveground autochthonous carbon but also by aquatic GPP. Carbon turnover is greater in habitats where O2 production by aquatic vegetation enables aerobic respiration. Conversely, water‐column GPP is suppressed by dense emergent macrophytes, which limits O2 availability, favors anaerobic respiration, and reduces carbon turnover.
The Application of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry to Profile the Surface of Intact

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption:lonisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) as a tool for differentiating bacterial species was examined using reference strains representing gram-positive and gram-negative taxa. Initially, the effect of differences in medium composition on spectral profile was examined. The results indicated that growth on Columbia blood agar resulted in a larger spectrum of ionized residues and was therefore used for the cultivation of all strains in the rest of the study. The stability of the obtained mass spectral profiles against differences in batch and media processing suggested that no significant alterations to the profiles occurred in response to changes in media sources. The established conditions from these initial experiments were used to standardize subsequent experiments. The MALDI-TOF-MS profiles of 15 reference strains were compared and species characteristic markers were identified. The potential of using MALDI-TOF-MS as a tool for probing clonal diversity was examined using well characterized but clonally variable isolates of Bacteroides fragilis. Comparative analysis of the profiles of 20 strains revealed 5 clusters within the species but compared to other taxa such as Bacteroides merdae and Salmonella arizonae they form a closely related lineage. These results obtained strongly support the potential to use MALDI-TOF-MS as a tool for exploring bacterial surfaces for characteristic biomarkers and species-specific signatures.
The influence of temperature on the hatching, activity and lipid utilization of second stage juveniles of the potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida .

SUMMARY The hatching and persistence of eight populations of Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida were examined at six different temperatures. Interspecific comparison showed that G. pallida had a much slower initial rate of hatch and utilized its lipid reserves more slowly than G. rostochiensis. There was no difference between activity coefficients of the species at each temperature but the results do suggest that G. pallida is the species better adapted to hatch at lower temperatures. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of these factors on competition between the two species.
ARTERIAL IN VITRO REMODELING: ANALYSIS BIOMECHANICAL AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADAPTIVE RESPONSE

Objective: Vascular remodeling is an adaptive response to variations in the hemodynamic environment acting on the arterial wall. Remodeling translates into changes of structure, geometry and mechanical properties of the artery. Our aim was to study the remodeling response of pig right common carotid arteries in vitro. Methods: In vivo right carotid arteries are exposed to a non-uniform hemodynamic environment and exhibit a strong wall asymmetry in the circumferential direction that allows the study of two regions separately, as the artery remodels under in vitro perfusion. Porcine right common carotid arteries were cultured during 1(n=6), 3 (n=6) or 8 (n=6) days in an in vitro organ culture system, at a constant perfusion pressure of 100 mmHg. Geometrical, histological, biomechanical and biological analysis of the perfused segments was performed at the end of each study. Results: Smooth muscle cell nuclei density and wall thickness remain constant along the culture periods. Elastin and collagen are significantly redistributed to equilibrate their relative content along the vessel circumference. The distensibility profile is significantly different at day 8. MMP-2 expression and activity increase significantly at day 3 and 8. Conclusion: The non-axisymmetric arterial wall adapts to a uniform hemodynamic environment by redistributing the structural components of the extracellular matrix. The changes of collagen and elastin density may result from a vascular remodeling process involving MMP-2 upregulation and enzymatic activity. The remodeling response results in a new vascular wall configuration more distensible at physiological pressures (30-120 mmHg) and stiffer at higher pressures.
Morphological relationships among subspecies of the Rufous-collared Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis

The phenetic relationships among 22 described subspecies of Zonotrichia capensis, the Rufous-collared Sparrow, are investigated by analyses of variation in six external metric variables taken from over 1500 museum specimens. Both sexes show the same marked dichotomy between two groups of subspecies: pulacayensis, sanborni, antofagastae, chilensis, choraules, and australis versus all others. These six subspecies are from temperate high altitudes and high latitudes and occupy a geographically contiguous region in the southern Andes mountains and Patagonia. Within these two subgroups there is extensive overlap among individuals; finer division of the subspecies is difficult, and involves the association of subspecies from geographically disjunct regions. Thus the taxonomic hierarchy appears to be a poor representation of variation of the characters considered here. The association of geographically disjunct forms suggests that intraspecific variation in these characters reflects the local environment (via se.
Hetrosis, combining ability and gene action studies in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Heterosis and combining ability effects were estimated for yield and contributing traits in Line x Tester programme involving six lines (VRO-5, VRO-6, HRB-9-2, Pusa Sawani, Prabhani Kranti and HRB-55) and four testers (Arka Anamika, Arka Abhey, IIVR-1 1 and P-7). Among twenty four hybrids, the high sca were recorded in cross combinations namely Pusa Sawani x A. Anamika, HRB-9-2 x P-7, HRB-55 x A. Anamika, VRO-5 x A. Anamika, VRO-5 x IIVR-11 and VRO-5 x A. Abhey. Among parents, Parbhani Kranti, VRO-6, VRO-5 and IIVR-11 were found good general combiner. Hence, these parents may be used as one of the parent in okra hybrid programme. The gene action studies indicated that there was preponderance of non- additive (dominance) gene action for all the traits under study.
Tamanho e forma de parcelas experimentais para Eremanthus erythropappus

O tamanho adequado e a forma das parcelas experimentais para candeia e uma alternativa para garantir interpretacoes corretas e conclusoes bem fundamentadas sobre o cultivo dessa especie. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se definir o tamanho otimo, tamanhos convenientes e forma adequada de parcelas experimentais para Eremanthus erythropappus, para avaliacao das principais caracteristicas dendrometricas em plantios experimentais. Para isso, foi utilizado um ensaio de uniformidade contendo 400 plantas, as quais tiveram a circunferencia, a altura e o volume determinados. Foram simuladas 31 combinacoes de tamanho/forma de parcelas experimentais. Para a determinacao do tamanho otimo, foram utilizados tres metodos de curvatura e um metodo baseado no modelo linear segmentado com plato. A forma adequada foi determinada a partir do criterio de informacao relativa e coeficiente de variacao. O tamanho conveniente foi estimado pelo de metodo Hatheway. Os resultados e as conclusoes obtidas foram as de que o tamanho de parcelas experimentais para candeia, de modo a permitir analise das principais caracteristicas dendrometricas, deve ser de 60 plantas uteis, sendo a conformacao retangular 2×30 (linhas × plantas) a forma mais adequada. O tamanho conveniente e muito flexivel e permite adequacao do tamanho da parcela experimental com as condicoes, caracteristicas e limitacoes do experimento.
Interactions between nitrogen fixation and oxegenic photosynthesis in a marine cyanobacterial mat

Abstract Cyanobacterial mats developed on fine sandy sediments of the upper littoral of the island of Mellum (North Sea). Freshly colonized sediment was dominated by the non-heterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limosa . Well established mats in which the cosmopolitan cyanobacterium Microcoleus chthonoplastes was the dominant organism also usually contained O. limosa as a minor component. This mat was about 1 mm thick and contained high biomass. Photosynthesis was maximal at about 150 μm depth and reached values of 280 μmol oxygen. 1 −1 · min −1 . On the other hand, in the dark, high respiratory activity turned the mat anaerobic within minutes. Freshly colonized sediment consisted of low cyanobacterial biomass loosely attached to the sand grains and present up to a depth of 2.5 mm. Respiratory activity was low and the sediment remained aerobic to a depth of 2 mm throughout the night. Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) was measured during 24-h periods in both types of mats in order to elucidate interactions with oxygenic photosynthesis and oxygen concentration. Acetylene reduction in the mats showed very different diurnal patterns which depended on the type of mat investigated and the time of year. The results indicated that a temporary separation of oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation occurred in the mat. Established mats fixed nitrogen predominantly during the transition from dark to light and vice versa, when oxygenic photosynthesis was reduced or absent. Freshly colonized sediment-fixed nitrogen throughout the night but often a stimulation was seen at dawn. The latter showed much higher specific activities than the established type. Also in spring, specific activities were much higher.