Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system

Abstract Fear of predators can behaviorally mediate prey population dynamics, particularly when predation risk influences reproductive investment. However, the costs of reproductive investment may mitigate predation risk aversion relative to periods when the link between reproductive output and prey behavior is weaker. We posit that intensity of reproductive investment in ungulates may predict their response to predation risk such that the sexes increase risk exposure during biological seasons that are pivotal to reproductive success, such as the fawn‐rearing and breeding seasons for females and males, respectively. We examined the activity patterns of sympatric white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a sexually segregated polygynous ungulate, and Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in the context of the “risky times – risky places hypothesis” and the reproductive strategy hypothesis. We compared detection rates and diel activity overlap of both species using motion‐triggered camera traps positioned on (n = 120) and off (n = 60) anthropogenic trails across five reproductive seasons. Florida panthers were nocturnal and primarily observed on‐trail providing an experimental framework with risky times and risky places. Contrary to studies in other taxa inversely correlating prey reproductive investment to predation risk, the sexes of deer were more risk prone during sex‐specific seasons associated with intense reproductive investment. Our results suggest spatiotemporally variable predation risk influences sex‐specific behavioral decision‐making in deer such that reproductive success is maximized.
Comparative ecology of Pachyptila species breeding sympatrically at Gough Island

VI Chapter 1: General Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Nesting distribution and relative proportions of two Pachyptila species breeding sympatrically on Gough Island . 14 Chapter 3: Spatial distribution, activity patterns, trophic niche and habitat preferences of Pachyptila vittata and P. macgillivrayi . 35 Chapter 4: Synthesis and Conclusions . 65 References . 70
The effects of anthropogenic disturbance and environmental change on multiple dimensions of microbial biodiversity

Author(s): Doll, Hannah Mariah | Advisor(s): Potts, Matthew D | Abstract: Despite recent advances in microbial ecology, including the widespread use of high- throughput sequencing and micro-array technologies, microbial taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity remain understudied and poorly understood compared to our knowledge of macrofaunal diversity. In this dissertation, I work to close this gap by: (1) addressing the challenges of quantifying and comparing modern microbial data, (2) elucidating the changes to soil microbial diversity caused by widespread land-use change in tropical ecosystems, and (3) modeling the unique evolution of marine diatoms.The dissertation begins in Chapter 1 with a general overview of the three original research projects that were carried out. In Chapter 2, I explore the use of diversity profiles, which are a novel way to analyze microbial datasets. Diversity profiles may be better suited than traditional ecological indices for quantifying data spanning multiple domains of life and dimensions of diversity. I evaluate the use of diversity profiles for analyzing microbial assemblages in order to determine whether the inclusion of rarity and similarity information changes the interpretation of comparative studies of microbial community diversity.In Chapter 3, I assess the effects of anthropogenic land-use change, soil abiotic factors, and geographic distance on the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional gene diversity of soil microbes. I discover and quantify multiple dimensions of bacterial, archaeal, and fungal diversity in five different land-use types (Primary Forest, Secondary Forest, Oil Palm, Rubber, and Rice) throughout a dipterocarp forest landscape in Peninsular Malaysia. In Chapter 4, I identify major shifts in lineage diversification rates during diatom evolution by building a new diatom phylogenetic tree with significantly more environmental diatom sequences than previously published phylogenies.The dissertation concludes in Chapter 5 with a summary of key findings: Microbial diversity comparisons may vary when taxa rarity and similarity information are considered by diversity profiles. Incorporating this information can greatly alter our comparisons and conclusions of microbial diversity in multi-community studies (Chapter 2); conversion of Primary Forest to other land-use types led to the loss of rare microbial OTUs (Chapter 3); fungal diversity was more strongly affected by land-use type than bacterial and archaeal diversity (Chapter 3); functional gene diversity was most strongly linked to abiotic soil environment (Chapter 3); and analyses of the global diatom phylogenetic tree yield estimates of diversification rate shifts across the tree with all but one of the estimated shifts corresponding to net increases in diversification rates (Chapter 4).
FOOTSTRIKE PATTERNS OF HIGH AND MID-MILEAGE NON-REARFOOT RUNNERS DURING AN EXHAUSTIVE RUN

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of fatigue on footstrike patterns in two groups of habitually non-rearfoot runners. Twenty-eight runners participating in this study were divided into two groups by their weekly mileage. Participants completed a VO2max test to determine the velocity for the fatiguing run. Kinematic, physiological and biochemical data from the beginning and the remaining 3 minutes of fatiguing treadmill run were obtained. The overall time for fatiguing run exceeded 40 minutes (t = 48,1 ± 3,6 min.). The foot angle at the instant of initial contact significantly changed in both groups following fatigue. However, there was significantly less change in the high-mileage group of runners than in the mid-mileage group. The findings of the study suggest that utilizing consistent footstrike patterns in fatigue could probably depend on the fitness level of particular runner.
Children’s knowledge and contact with native fauna: a comparative study between Portugal and Spain

ABSTRACT The present study compared Portuguese and Spanish children in the 6th year of primary school in terms of their knowledge and live experience of animals from the Iberian Peninsula (IP) and the African savannah. A questionnaire was administered to 420 children from state schools, 215 from Portugal and 205 from Spain. The questionnaire included photos of eleven mammals from each region. The pupils had to identify them, to say if they had observed them live and where, and if they are native in the IP. The results showed a greater knowledge of both groups of the savannah species, also the ones most had seen live. However, the Spanish children had a better performance in the identification of the native mammals and which animals are native on IP, probably because these children are from a less urban zone, with more direct contact with some of the species presented. The school does not seem to play, in either group, an important role in the learning about native species. Boys from both countries performed better than girls on the issues under study. A high percentage of children from both countries think that several of the savannah species occur wild on the IP.
Effect of Oral Magnesium treatment on Haematological, Biochemical profile and Liver Glycogen content in Rats

Oral magnesium supplementation has been advocated for its therapeutic and glucose regulatory effects. This study evaluated the haematology, serum biochemical profile and liver glycogen content in male Wistar rats orally treated with magnesium. Two studies were carried out using 50 male rats randomly divided into 2 groups of 25 rats each. Each study group was divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each as follows: Group 1 served as control, groups 2,3,4 and 5 received magnesium orally at 50mg/kg,100mg/kg,250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively for 28 days. Results showed no significant difference after 28 days in PCV, haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, total protein, bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), AST, ALT and ALP levels while a significant increase (P<0.05) in platelet count, albumin level and albumin/globulin ratio was observed in magnesium treated animals at all doses used compared to controls. Globulin levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in groups 2, 4 and 5 while fibrinogen levels were significantly increased (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared to controls. HDL levels were significantly increased in the 50mg/kg magnesium treated rats compared to control. Liver glycogen content was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the 100mg/kg (45.9%) and 250mg/kg (47.7%) magnesium treated rats.This study shows that oral administration of magnesium at 50,100,250 and 500mg/kg in normoglycemic rats is nontoxic, stimulates albumin, fibrinogen and platelet production and does not affect the lipid profile. At doses of 100mg/kg and 250mg/kg, oral magnesium administration may likely increase storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver.
The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Rural Farmers??? Productivity in Abuja

The effect of the HIV scourge in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, statistics shows that since the beginning of the epidemic about 2.8% of the population are affected. This seminar set out to investigate the impact of HIV/AIDs on the Agricultural sector using the rural farmers in Abuja as a case study. The paper confirmed that the impact of HIV/AIDs on the farmers and national economy is negative, substantial and, indeed, increasing. Data used in this work was sourced through group discussions, interviews, review of journals and field work. Upon analysis of data, findings showed that HIV/AIDS contributed to low productivity which ultimately culminated into food shortage. The study also showed that there are also psychological effects borne by the members of the family of the sick farmer resulting to an overall economic loss. The researcher however recommends that more emphasis should be laid on creating awareness on the disease and that poverty alleviation programmes should be targeted to address pertinent poverty situations and households. Key words: HIV, AIDS, He
NADPH-oxidase 2 is required for molecular adaptations to high-intensity interval training in skeletal muscle

Objective Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed as signaling molecules mediating exercise training adaptation, but the ROS source has remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the requirement for NADPH oxidase (NOX)2-dependent redox changes induced by acute and long-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in skeletal muscle in a mouse model lacking functional NOX2 complex due to deficient p47phox (Ncf1) subunit expression (ncf1* mutation). Methods HIIT was investigated after an acute bout of exercise and after a chronic intervention (3x week for 6 weeks) in wildtype (WT) vs. NOX2 activity-deficient (ncf1*) mice. NOX2 activation during HIIT was measured using a genetically-encoded biosensor. Immunoblotting and single-fiber staining were performed to measure classical exercise-training responsive endpoints in skeletal muscle. Results A single bout of HIIT increased NOX2 activity measured using electroporated p47roGFP oxidation immediately after exercise but not 1h after exercise. After a 6-week of HIIT regime, improvements in maximal running capacity and some muscle training-markers responded less to HIIT in the ncf1* mice compared to WT, including superoxide dismutase (SOD)2, catalase, hexokinase II (HK II), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and protein markers of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Strikingly, HIIT-training increased mitochondrial network area and decreased fragmentation in WT mice only. Conclusion This study provided evidence that HIIT exercise activates NOX2 complex in skeletal muscle and that the presence of functional NOX2 is required for specific skeletal muscle adaptations to HIIT relating to antioxidant defense, glucose metabolism, and mitochondria. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Highlights Acute HIIE induces transient NOX2 complex activity in vivo in muscle Skeletal muscle adaptations to HIIT were impaired in ncf1-deficient mice Functional NOX2 is necessary for HIIT-induced increased expression of antioxidants enzymes Ncf1-deficient mice lack HIIT-induced mitochondrial adaptations
Screening of antimicrobial producing Actinobacteria from Enggano Island, Indonesia

Actinobacteria have an important role in human medicine as antibiotic producers. Investigation to discover novel antibiotic drugs is necessary for the next future and Actinobacteria are still prominent sources of antibiotics, especially those isolated from the area that has such a huge biodiversity like Indonesia. Indonesia consists of thousands of islands and one of the islands that is still underexplored for Actinobacteria is Enggano Island, which is located in the Indian Ocean. Nineteen strains isolated from Enggano Island were studied in this research. The study included identification of the strains and antimicrobial screening of their extracts against some pathogens. Three of the strains (DHE 9-4, SHP 6-4, and SHP 1-2) were found putatively as new species of the genus Streptomyces. Extracts from SHP 1-2 showed strong growth inhibition of Bacillus substilis and Micrococcus luteus, moderate growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Chromobacterium violaceum and Pichia anomala and weak growth inhibit.
Climate, isolation and intraspecific competition affect morphological traits in an endangered steppe bird, the Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti

ABSTRACT Capsule: We assess biometric variation in the threatened Dupont’s Lark along a wide fraction of its distribution area analysing the largest data set for this bird species available to date, comprising a 28-year period and including birds captured in Spain, Morocco and Tunisia. Aims: To analyse Dupont’s Lark morphology evaluating five potential sources of divergence: (I) sexual dimorphism, (II) macro-regional differences, (III) climate, (IV) isolation and (V) intraspecific competition. Methods: Multivariate analysis was used to summarize biometric data. Sexual dimorphism and macro-regional divergence were assessed by generalized linear mixed models. Climate, isolation and intraspecific competition effects on phenotype were explored by means of model averaging. Results: Sexes differed in wing shape suggesting a sexual selection pressure on males for aerial displays. Males showed longer bills after controlling for body size. We found an increasing Spain < Morocco < Tunisia trend in body size and bill length and volume. Tunisian populations showed more pointed wings than Moroccan and Iberian ones. Maximum temperature increased bill size as predicted by Allen’s rule. We found support for Bergmann’s rule in relation to temperature in the breeding season and water availability. Intraspecific competition was associated with more rounded wing shapes suggesting a pressure related to breeding display performance. Isolation reduced wingtip pointedness. Conclusion: We found convincing results for wing morphology variation in relation to intrasexual competition, as males seem to be subjected to a sexual selection pressure for aerial display and this adaptation strengthens when intraspecific competition increases. We also found solid support for Allen’s rule, with results suggesting that bill size plays an important role in the bird’s thermoregulation, which does not occur in the case of tarsus. Although Bergmann’s rule is not supported in relation to minimum annual temperature, we found a relationship with thermal conditions in the breeding season, as well as water availability.
Structure, dimensionnalité et magnétisme de nouvelles halogéno-cobaltites

Parmi la grande diversite de composes formant la famille des perovskites hexagonales, les systemes a base de cobalt sont largement etudies a cause de leurs proprietes electroniques et magnetiques complexes. Ainsi, l'investigation des systemes Ba-Co-O-X avec X=F, Cl ou Br a permis de synthetiser de nouvelles phases dont les structures sont caracterisees par des groupements trimeres Co3O12 (trois octaedres CoO6 relies par une face) ou tetrameres Co4O15 (quatre octaedres CoO6 relies par une face). De fortes relations structurales ont ete mises en evidence entre les formes trimeres et tetrameres des composes oxydes, oxyfluorures, oxychlorures et oxybromures, notamment l'existence de desordres des atomes d'oxygene ou des transformations de phases a haute temperature (tetrameres -> trimeres). Dans tous ces materiaux, la couche d'interface entre blocs elementaires joue un role preponderant sur la dimensionnalite des structures creees. Par ailleurs, des mesures de susceptibilite magnetique combinees a des experiences de diffraction des neutrons ont permis d'etablir l'existence, en l'absence de champ magnetique, d'une mise en ordre antiferromagnetique selon l'axe c a basse temperature dans les materiaux halogeno-cobaltites. L'evolution des courbes d'aimantation en fonction du champ applique montre un comportement magnetique plus complexe pour les materiaux bromes, avec notamment la possibilite d'aligner les moments magnetiques dans le plan (ab) par application d'un champ magnetique. Finalement, ce travail de these presente les relations entre structure cristalline, dimensionnalite et proprietes magnetiques de ces nouvelles phases halogeno-cobaltites.
Have whales returned to a historical hotspot of industrial whaling? The pattern of southern right whale Eubalaena australis recovery at South Georgia

Around 176 500 whales were killed in the sub-Antarctic waters off South Georgia (South Atlantic) between 1904 and 1965. In recent decades, whales have once again become summer visitors, with the southern right whale (SRW) the most commonly reported species until 2011. Here, we assess the distribution, temporal pattern, health status and likely prey of SRWs in these waters, combining observations from a summertime vessel-based expedition to South Georgia, stable isotope data collected from SRWs and putative prey and sightings reports collated by the South Georgia Museum. The expedition used directional acoustics and visual surveys to localise whales and collected skin biopsies and photo-IDs. During 76 h of visual observation effort over 19 expedition days, SRWs were encountered 15 times (~31 individuals). Photo-IDs, combined with publicly contributed images from commercial vessels, were reconciled and quality-controlled to form a catalogue of 6 fully (i.e. both sides) identified SRWs and 26 SRWs identified by either left or right sides. No photo-ID matches were found with lower-latitude calving grounds, but 3 whales had gull lesions supporting a direct link with Península Valdés, Argentina. The isotopic position of SRWs in the South Georgia food web suggests feeding on a combination of copepod and krill species. Opportunistic reports of SRW sightings and associated group sizes remain steady over time, while humpback whales provide a strong contrast, with increased sighting rates and group sizes seen since 2013. These data suggest a plateau in SRWs and an increasing humpback whale presence in South Georgia waters following the cessation of whaling.
PDE4 inhibitors 1999

The search for novel phosphodiesterase Type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors remains one of the most active fields within the pharmaceutical industry. Recent progress within the clinical development of PDE4 inhibitors has seen two more compounds progress to Phase III development. However, both Ariflo™ (SB-207499) and roflumilast are being developed principally for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rather than asthma. This review also highlights the novel structural classes of PDE4 inhibitors disclosed in the past year’s patent applications and the concentration of effort on the identification of selective PDE4D inhibitors.
The Origin of the Dynamic Growth of Vapor Bubbles Associated With Vapor Explosions

An explosive type of vapor bubble growth was observed during pool boiling experiments in microgravity using R-113, where heater surface superheats as high as 70 °C were attained at nucleation. This corresponds to approximately 65% of the computed superheat limit of the fluid, compared to the approximate 30% observed at earth gravity for the same system. Photographs and measurements of the vapor bubble growth provide evidence for rates of growth not accountable by conventional models. The photographs reveal that the liquid-vapor interface of the explosive bubbles become wrinkled and corrugated, leading to the conclusion that some type of instability mechanism is acting. The classical hydrodynamic instability theories of Landau and Rayleigh-Taylor, used in conjunction with a model of the early growth of spherical vapor bubbles developed by the authors, predict that the early growth should be stable. These theories do not consider the effects of heat transfer at the interface, which is believed responsible for the observed instability of the evaporating surface. This was confirmed by the mechanisms proposed by Prosperetti and Plesset which, although including the effects of heat transfer, required that the unperturbed liquid temperature distribution be known at the moment of onset of the instability. This is generally unknown, so that no comparisons with experiments were possible up to this point. The present pool boiling experiments conducted in microgravity, some of which result in the explosive vapor bubble growth referred to, permit the precise determination of the unperturbed liquid temperature distribution using a model of the early vapor bubble growth along with the measurement of heater surface temperature at nucleation. The limited results to date provide good agreement with the mechanisms proposed by Prosperetti and Plesset.
Factors associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables by schoolchildren: a comparative analysis between 2007 and 2012

ABSTRACT Objective Perform comparative analysis of adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and their associated factors in schoolchildren. Methods Probabilistic samples representative of students of both sexes, 7 to 14 years old, from public and private schools in Florianópolis, SC were investigated in cross-sectional studies in 2007 (n=2,836) and 2012 (n=2,506). The exposure variables were: sex, age, family income per capita, mother’s education and school system. The outcome variable (fruit and vegetable consumption) was collected using the third validated version of the previous day’s food questionnaire. Using the Chi-Square test, exposure variables with a p-value <0.20 were eligible for analysis using crude and adjusted multiple logistic regression models. Exposure variables with p<0.05 were considered to be associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Results There were no significant differences in the adequate consumption between 2007 and 2012. While in 2007 the per capita family income was the only exposure variable associated, in 2012 only a mother with complete higher education was a protective factor for the adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables Conclusion Despite governmental strategies to stimulate the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Brazil, their results are still not perceptible, requiring more time for an evaluation of effectiveness