Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Community structure and activity of bats (Chiroptera) over different water bodies

Summary The species composition and activity of bats flying over a small river (surrounded by dense forest), a 0.2 ha pond on a large clearing in the middle of a forest complex, and a 0.02 ha pond near the village was studied during 1998-1999 in the Darzlubska Forest (N Poland). Bats were captured in mist nets and observed with an ultrasound detector. Large differences were found in bats community structure and level of activity between the capture points. Over the river, the dominant species was Myotis daubentonii (84%), with a regular occurrence of Pipistrellus pipistrellus s. l. , while on a forest water reservoir Nyctalus noctula (63%) and P. nathusii (21%) were most numerous. Noctules and pipistrelles (both with Eptesicus serotinus ) dominated over the small pond near the village. Species diversity index (H') was the highest over the small ponds, while activity of bats was the highest over the river. The studied artificial reservoirs were situated on clearings and meadows, which made them accessible for bats adapted to flight over open areas ( Nyctalus, Eptesicus ), unable to feed and drink in the cluttered habitat of the river with a canopy closed over the water surface. Species strongly associated with waters as feeding grounds (e. g. M. daubentonii ), seem to avoid small, isolated ponds during their night time activity.
Diet and feeding ecology of great black‐backed gulls (Laws marinus) at a southern Irish breeding colony

The diet of great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) on Cape Clear Island, Ireland consists largely offish and auks. Other foods, including mammals, crabs and goose barnacles (Lepas), represent less than 10% of the diet by weight. Most fish consumed are obtained as waste from fishing boats. The use of otoliths to determine fish dimensions and problems with the technique are discussed.
The Influence of Rainfall on the Yield of Wheat at Rothamsted

At the present time very little can be claimed to be known as to the effects of weather upon farm crops. The obscurity of the subject, in spite of its immense importance to a great national industry, may be ascribed partly to the inherent complexity of the problem which it presents, and more especially to the lack of quantitative data obtained either under experimental or under industrial conditions, by the study of which accurate knowledge alone can be acquired. Of the industrial applications of such knowledge it is unnecessary to speak here in detail. It is sufficient to indicate that the present system of Life Insurance, which safeguards the economic stability of many thousands of families, and occupies the activities of many of the greatest financial corporations, was made possible by the studies of statistics of human mortality by the mathematicians of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and that on the basis of adequate knowledge similar economic stability with its attendant security of capital should be within the reach of the industrial farmer. The inherent complexity of the relationships which it is sought to elucidate, between the yields of farm crops, and the previous weather which largely controls those yields, arises primarily from the complexity of the problem of specifying the weather itself. Meteorologists have, however, gradually devised a number of instrumental observations, which although far from specifying the total environment of the growing plant, as understood by the plant physiologist, do nevertheless give a sufficiently detailed account of the general environmental conditions of the growing crop, in so far as these vary from season to season. It is probable indeed that almost all the weather influences to which crop variations are due could be expressed in terms of the instrumental observations of a modern meteorological station. The actual difficulty of calculating the crop variations from given instrumental records is, however, immense; only an attack of the most preliminary kind upon the general problem can be attempted in this paper. The complete aim of agricultural meteorology should, however, be emphasised, for it is only by its substantial achievement that other causes of crop variation can be freed from much obscurity.
Tails of enticement: caudal luring by an ambush-foraging snake (Acanthophis praelongus, Elapidae)

Summary 1Ambush foragers that attract prey via luring provide an opportunity to examine how a predator's behaviour influences its dietary composition. 2Australian death adders (Acanthophis praelongus, Elapidae) are heavy-bodied ambush foragers with broad diets; the snake's modified tail-tip is waved to attract prey. Female adders have shorter tails than males, but longer terminal spines. 3We videotaped captive snakes interacting with potential prey items (lizards and frogs) to document which prey types elicit luring, and which respond by approaching the lure. To clarify prey responses, we controlled lure size and colour by attaching snake tails (removed from dead adders) to a machine that waved the tail-tip in a manner similar to a live snake. 4Individual adders differed in luring behaviour, and the type of tail-tip movement (undulatory vs. straightline) influenced rates and duration of luring bouts. 5Lure movement was essential to attract lizards, and small lures were more effective than larger ones; the greater effectiveness of small lures may explain why caudal luring tends to be more common in juvenile snakes than in larger conspecifics. 6Death adders lured more vigorously to lizards than to frogs, and lizards were more likely to approach the lure. Thus, luring in death adders mostly enables these snakes to capture lizards; frogs (also an important dietary component in the field) must be caught another way. 7An ambush predator's overall dietary composition, as well as ontogenetic changes in that composition, thus depend upon both lure characteristics and prey responses.
The Old World genera of braconine wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

An illustrated key is provided to the Old World genera of Braconinae. In addition, notes are provided on each genus and on a number of characters employed in the key. One new tribe and five new genera based on two existing and three new species are described. The new taxa are as follows: Angustibracon gen. nov. from India (type-species: Bracon leptogaster Cameron, 1899), Bathyaulacini tribus nov. (type-genus: Bathyaulax Szepligeti, 1906), Cassidibracon gen. nov. from West Africa (type-species: Cassidibracon castus sp. nov.), Serraulax gen. nov. from the Afrotropical Region (type-species: Iphiaulax lukombensis Cameron, 1912), Virgulibracon gen. nov. from Australia (type-species: Virgulibracon vulsus sp. nov.) and Vomeribracon gen. nov. from New Guinea (type-species: Vomeribracon amplipenniger sp. nov.). The Pseudodicrogeniini Achterberg, 1976 is synonymized with the Euurobraconini Ashmead, 1900. Ten new generic synonymies are reported: Atanycolimorpha Viereck, 1913 (= Cyanopterus Haliday, 1835), Caenoprymn.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICACY OF BENTONITE- MONTMORILLONITEBINDER OR YEAST TO ALLEVIATE EFFECT OF AFLATOXIN IN TURKEY POULTS

INTRODUCTION In a 28-day feeding trial, the alleviation of the effect of aflatoxicosis in turkey was investigated by feeding 2 concentrations of yeast and bentonite-montmorillonite binders (BB) in diets contaminated with aflatoxin. One hundred and ninety two 21day-old turkey poults were randomly allotted to six experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD) as follows: D1 (positive control without aflatoxin), D2 (negative control with 0.15mg/kg of aflatoxin), D3 (negative control + 3g/kg BB), D4 (negative control + 6g/kg BB), D5 (negative control + 1.5g yeast/kg diet), D6 (negative control + 3.0g yeast/kg diet). The experiment was conducted under a standard experimental conditions and all animal management procedures were followed Addition of BB or yeast in the aflatoxin contaminated diets significantly improved the feed intake and body weight gain of turkey poults. Feed conversion ratio also showed significant improvement in turkeys fed positive control diets (D1), and diets that were treated with yeast and bentonite-montmorillonite binder in D3, D4, D5 and D6 when compared with the negative control diet (D2) which was not treated with any toxin binder. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the values of serum parameters in this study both for diets containing toxin binder and none. However, values of packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cells were significantly improved with addition of yeast or BB. In conclusion, addition of yeast and bentonite-montmorillonite binder at the two levels in this study was able to bind the aflatoxin in the diet, thus making the aflatoxin in the diet ineffective.
Combined Use of Antagonistic Microorganisms against Fusarium Head Blight on Wheat

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a serious disease of small grain crops such as wheat and barley. FHB is mainly due to infections by the fungi Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph: Gibberella zeae) and F. culmorum. Apart from causing severe yield losses, these fungi can also produce mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, preventing contaminated crops to be further used as food or feed. Control of FHB can be achieved through cultural practices (tillage, crop rotation), use of fungicides, resistant cultivars or biological control agents (BCAs). In the present work, three wheat cultivars were inoculated with G. zeae using the kernel spawn method to infect wheat ears in a natural way. Three different BCAs, each of which acts through a distinct control mechanism (SAR-inducing, antibiosis, competition for resources) were then sprayed onto the wheat plants at different developmental stages and in different combinations. To find out which BCA combination acted best and to which extent FHB symptoms were reduced, the disease incidence DI (%), disease severity DS (%) and percentage of Fusarium damaged kernels FDK were scored and the disease intensity DINT (%) computed. Wheat cultivars exerted the strongest effects on disease development. Neither of the BCA treatments nor the fungicide Folicur were able to reduce DI (%) or FDK. When applied alone, BCA P183 reduced the area under the disease pressure curve (AUDPC) DS (%) by 25% (P<0.05) compared to the control, similar to the fungicide (30% reduction, P<0.05). BCA combinations also decreased the AUDPC DS (%). Analysis of the AUDPC DINT (%) showed similar results. There is some evidence that cultivars responded differently to the BCA treatments. As even the fungicide did not control FHB to a high degree, it is assumed that more conclusive results can be obtained under less pronounced disease pressure, which seems to have been exceptionally high.
Biology of the endangered cyprinodontid Aphanius iberus in a saline wetland (SE Iberian Peninsula)

For the last few decades, Aphanius iberus, an endemic cyprinodontid from the Iberian Peninsula and included in international red lists, has been declining despite several management efforts. In this study we present the biology of the species in an isolated wetland managed for salt exploitation (its most common habitat type in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula). The population studied is found under conditions of extreme high salinity and water temperature. We have examined the effects of extractive management on catchability, population structure, growth and reproduction traits. The stock was characterized by significant differences in abundance between seasons (higher values: end of summer and early autumn). Drastic changes in salinity and water level have negatively affected the species abundance. The population structure was characterized by three age groups (0+, 1+ and 2+ in both sexes), a high degree of group‐size overlapping into the 0+ (>2 groups), a short life span and a long reproductive period (April/May to September). Gonadal mass represented a maximum of 19.6±0.5% of the total mass in females. We detected changes in life‐history traits which could be related to the management of the salt extraction, variations in water level that increase the salinity should be indirect effects on fish population by reducing vegetation mats.
Bird-like characteristics of troodontid theropod eggshell

Description of well-preserved fossil eggshell (oospecies Prismatoolithus levis), recently assigned to the theropod dinosaur Troodon formosus, reveals traits that are shared with the eggshell of both fossil and Recent avians. Bird-like characteristics of troodontid eggshell include: fibres associated with eisospherites that are attached to the bases of the mammillae, fine radiating crystals that form the spherulites and grade into blocky wedges of the mammillae, and prisms in the outer layer that exhibit squamatic ultrastructure. The presence of two layers (mammillary and squamatic) within the eggshell is either a theropod apomorphy or it arose within Theropoda; the external eggshell layer of crown-group avians is apomorphic with respect to other theropod eggshell. Despite disagreement on the putative sister taxon of birds, recent theropod phylogenies suggest strongly that prismatic ultrastructure evolved independently in Troodontidae and Neognathae. Our identification of squamatic ultrastructure in troodontid eggshell, which was previously thought to lack this structure, reveals problems with the previous assignment of this eggshell to the dinosauroid-prismatic morphotype and with the concept of eggshell morphotype in the current eggshell parataxonomy. We conclude that the dinosauroid-prismatic morphotype should be abandoned.
First ever record of cytomixis, and associated meiotic irregularities resulting into reduced pollen fertility (%age) in Clematis buchananiana DC

Clematis buchananiana DC. is a deciduous woody climber with pinnately compound leaves, commonly found on forest margins, generally climbing on small trees and bushes. Pale yellow-coloured flowers are borne in cymes in leaf axils. The species is widely distributed in Eastern Asia from Himalayas to Tibet, Burma and Western China, between altitudinal ranges of 1700-3000m. Flowering and fruiting appear during July-September.
Prominence clash does not induce rhythmic adjustments in Italian

We present experimental evidence that, contrary to common belief, speakers of Italian do not adjust prominence to avoid clashes. Speakers of some languages (e.g. English, Italian) are believed to adjust prominence by shifting stress, or by deleting and/or inserting pitch accents. Although rhythmic adjustments may be produced in certain contexts (e.g. poetic verse, lexicalized phrases), we wondered whether naïve speakers produce them spontaneously. We used visual stimuli to elicit 3-word sequences with and without clash in two experiments with a total of 24 speakers of Italian. In both experiments we found no evidence for clash-induced adjustments. In Experiment 1, we observed a surprising increase in duration of the final syllable in the first word of a clashing pair accompanied by a very small decrease in intensity. No effects were observed for F0. In Experiment 2, we observed again a very small decrease in intensity of the initial syllable of the second word of a clashing pair. No effects were observed for duration or F0. These findings show that Italian speakers do not adjust prominence to avoid clash. Rather, clash induces localized increases in syllable duration. Since experimental evidence for rhythmic adjustments in English is also weak, we suggest that rhythmic adjustments may be a perceptual phenomenon, whose existence in production is constrained to specific contexts/lexical items.
Instructional Experiences of Graduate Assistants Implementing Explicit and Reflective Introductory Biology Laboratories

Science education reform documents identify nature of science (NOS) as a critical component of scientific literacy and call for universities, colleges, and K-12 schools to explicitly integrate NOS learning into science curricula. In response to these calls, this study investigated the classroom practices of nine graduate assistants (GAs) who taught expository and inquiry laboratories that implemented an explicit and reflective (ER) pedagogy to teach NOS. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand the experiences that enabled or inhibited GA implementation of an ER strategy in a college setting. The findings revealed that achieving quality implementation in this setting was very difficult. Factors such as GAs' ability to foster meaningful classroom discussions, laboratory logistics (e.g. lack of time and supplies), and the value undergraduates and GAs saw in learning about NOS were identified by GAs and observed by the researchers as barriers to the technique maximizing its potential. Thus, for meaningful infusion of NOS into science curricula, pedagogical support for GAs to manage meaningful classroom discussions in support of NOS or other complex topics is recommended for an ER approach to NOS learning to be successful in college settings.
Genetic data support the specific status of the Italian treefrog (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)

Genetic variation at 28 protein loci was analyzed electrophoretically in populations of the Central European treefrog, Hyla arborea arborea, from Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the Balkans. Two distinct population groups were detected, differing at 9 more or less diagnostic loci, one ranging from Sicily to peninsular Italy, northwards to the Italian slope of the Alps (Italian treefrog), the second parapatrically distributed with respect to the first, north of the Alps, east of the Isonzo river, and southwards to the Balkans (H. arborea arborea s.s.). In the area of close contiguity between the two population groups (approximately coinciding with the border between Italy and Slovenia), neither mixed populations nor hybrid individuals were found. However, a number of specimens with introgressed genotypes were detected in both forms in the contact area and its surroundings, possibly as the result of past hybridization events. The lack of present gene exchange in the contact area indicates that the Italian treefrog and H. arborea arborea (s.s.) are distinct biological species. Average Nei's genetic distance between the Italian treefrog and H. arborea arborea (s.s.) is 0.47, corresponding to an estimated time for evolutionary divergence of about 2-3 million years. The Italian treefrog and H. arborea arborea (s.s.) were found to be morphologically very similar, with a single significant difference (tympanum size) among the considered characters; this is larger in the Italian treefrog. The name Hyla italica nomen novum is proposed for the Italian treefrog, as the name Hylaria variegata assigned by Rafinesque (1814) to treefrog specimens from Sicily is unavailable.
The unveiling of traumatic brain injury in an HIV/AIDS population

This study examines the frequency of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an HIV/AIDS population and its associated symptomatology. A panel of 173 individuals with HIV were split into two groups - those who have experienced a blow to the head within their lifetime (n = 128) and those who have not (n = 45). Self-reported symptoms from the TIRR Symptom Checklist were compared across both HIV panels, individuals who identified as traumatically brain injured (n = 416), and individuals with no disability (n = 282). Six clusters of symptoms (total, cognitive, physical, affective/behavioural, five symptoms sensitive and specific to TBI in general and 25 symptoms sensitive and specific to mild TBI) were analysed in a MANOVA, controlling for the demographic variables that were correlated with total symptoms, including panel membership, education, annual household income and substance use history. Significant main effects were found for panel membership. Individuals with HIV and a history of blow to the head reported a higher number of total symptoms and the 25 symptoms specific to mild TBI. The significance of these findings acknowledges the need to recognize the frequency of TBI in an HIV population and the subsequent need to provide the appropriate interventions that will lead to an enhanced overall quality of life.
Mate preference in the neotropical freshwater crab Aegla longirostri (Decapoda: Anomura): does the size matter?

This study analyzed sexual selection in Aegla longirostri through one of the mechanisms that can alter species’ evolution: mate choice. Y maze experiments were performed by placing a male or a receptive female (chooser) in the center of the maze; and two other individuals were placed each in a different corridor, according to the chooser: a receptive and an immature female, or two males that differed in size, respectively. The third corridor remained empty, and the choosers could walk among the branches of the maze. The results showed that only females spent more time in the corridors harboring a large male. Moreover, females had higher rates of movement in the corridors harboring males. Thus, female preference for larger males may be one factor that prompted the evolution of sexual dimorphism in this species.
SELF-MEDICATION WITH COMMON HOUSEHOLD MEDICINES BY YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

Our study examines the self-medication practices of children ages 10-14. We developed a questionnaire that addressed several aspects of such behavior. A convenience sample of subjects (n = 86) completed the questionnaires in school settings in a northeastern metropolitan area. The data showed that a vast majority of the adolescents (89%) have access to the medicine in their households: 36% of them medicated themselves the last time they had any medicine. Most of their medication choices were appropriate, except in the area of gastrointestinal problems. There is a need for further investigation of this issue and incorporating the findings into the practice of pediatric nurses.
Oral fingolimod for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Most people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have the relapsing-remitting type. The objective was to evaluate two clinical trials of fingolimod in relapsing MS. FREEDOMS (FTY720 Research Evaluation Effects of Daily Oral therapy in Multiple Sclerosis), a Phase III placebo-controlled trial, showed that fingolimod (0.5 or 1.25 mg) reduced the relapse rate and disability in MS, compared with placebo. Fingolimod (0.5 or 1.25 mg) has been compared to interferon-β-1a in a Phase III clinical trial (TRANSFORMS; Trial Assessing Injectable Interferon versus FTY720 Oral in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis) and shown to be more efficacious than interferon-β-1a in reducing relapse rates. However, fingolimod did increase the risk of infections and skin cancers. Only the lower dose of fingolimod (0.5 mg), which possibly has less toxicity, should be considered for prevention of relapses in relapsing-remitting MS.
COX inhibitors and their effects on bone healing

Prostaglandins (PGs) are released as part of the inflammatory response. They are synthesised from arachidonic acid by the cyclooxygenase enzymes, COX-1 and -2. NSAIDS inhibit COX activity and have become the primary means of alleviating chronic pain associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. They are also widely used as analgesics in the treatment of acute postsurgical and traumatic pain. PGs are known to play important functions in bone repair and normal bone homeostasis. Animal studies suggest that, whilst both nonspecific and specific inhibitors of COXs impair fracture healing, some studies have suggested that this impairment is due to COX-2. Although these data raise concerns about the use of COX-2-specific inhibitors as anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs in patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures, clinical reports have been largely inconclusive concerning the effects of NSAIDs on bone healing. Since animal data suggest that the effects of COX-2 inhibitors are both dose-dependent and reversible, in the absence of scientifically sound clinical evidence it is suggested that physicians consider short-term administration or use of other drugs in the management of these patients.