Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Anatomy of Caudal Musculature Attachments in Catarrhines with Different Tail Length

Tail length in primates greatly varies and is considered an important feature for understanding primate adaptations and phylogeny. Especially in some catarrhines, tails have become extremely reduced. Previous studies suggested that some sacral morphology reflects tail length to reconstruct the process of tail reduction in catarrhines (Ankel, 1965, 1972; Ward et al., 1991; Russo & Shapiro, 2011; Tojima, 2013), but the reason why such morphology reflects tail length variation was not clarified. Generally, the muscles attached to bones must change together with the skeletal morphology. Thus, the musculoskeletal morphological variation in the sacro-caudal region must reflect differences of tail function, and it could be linked to the process of and the reason for tail reduction. In catarrhines, however, there have been few studies of caudal musculature (Howell & Straus, 1965; Swindler & Wood, 1982; Tojima, 2010) and the anatomical musculature data with different tail lengths are still incomplete. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an updated overview of caudal muscles in catarrhines and to clarify the relationships among caudal muscles, sacro-caudal skeletal morphology, and tail length variation. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Survivorship Analysis of Fossil Taxa When Real-Time Extinction Rates Vary: The Paleogene Planktonic Foraminifera

For a survivorship curve to show a meaningful pattern, it is essential that a suitably homogeneous group is selected for analysis. If taxa have originated at different times in the geological record and have consequently experienced different extinction probabilities during the times that they existed, they do not constitute such a homogeneous group. A correction factor for variations in real-time extinction rates must be employed, as is described here. By application of the “corrected survivorship score,” it is shown that the Paleogene planktonic foraminifera exhibit a very strong survivorship pattern, namely an extinction probability that progressively increases with taxonomic longevity. That is to say, when extinction occurred, it was preferentially selective of older taxa. This is manifested as convexity in the survivorship curves. However, the pattern is degraded by variations in the real-time extinction rate, which causes straightening of the survivorship curves if they are calculated in the usual uncorrected way. If the law of constant extinction is to be tested for a given group, it is necessary either that stochastically constant real-time extinction rates are demonstrated or that variations in the extinction rate are corrected for in the manner described. As a separate issue, it is also essential that biologically meaningful taxa are analyzed. The convexity of planktonic foraminiferal survivorship curves is probably an artifact of the way evolving lineages have been subdivided in the application of typological taxonomy. Consequently, we are still a long way from being able to use survivorship analysis of planktonic foraminiferal data for adequately testing evolutionary models such as the Red Queen's hypothesis.
Temporal mapping of phytoplankton assemblages in Lake Geneva: Annual and interannual changes in their patterns of succession

The implementation of a conservation program since the early 1980s resulted in a reduction in phosphorus concentrations in Lake Geneva. However, in the 1990s, phytoplankton biomass increased again, almost reaching the high values recorded during the period of greatest P loading. The structural changes in the phytoplankton of Lake Geneva over the past 25 yr have been analyzed using a recently developed statistical method based on hierarchical clustering and Bayesian probabilities. This method has been used to identify phytoplankton assemblages and to map annual and interannual successional patterns simultaneously. Characteristic species were identified for each cluster after calculation of their relative species fidelity and specificity indices. Six distinct phytoplankton assemblages were identified, and although the way species are organized into communities remains unclear, the seasonal patterns of succession are consistent with the C‐S‐R adaptive strategies and are characteristic of temperate lakes. This pattern broadly recurred over the years, but was markedly influenced by both human activity and regional climatic changes: The warmer winters and springs recorded in Europe since 1988 led to an earlier clear‐water phase. In the 1990s, the earlier and deeper depletion of dissolved inorganic phosphorus led to colonization in the summer by large species tolerant of low light levels and that could develop deeper in the water column, where phosphorus was still abundant. Their size made them less vulnerable to grazing losses, which favors their accumulation and lead to an unexpected high biomass in recent years.
Why do some species have geographically varying responses to fire history

A capacity to predict the eff ects of fi re on biota is critical for conservation in fi re-prone regions as it assists managers to anticipate the outcomes of diff erent approaches to fi re management. Th e task is complicated because species ’ responses to fi re can vary geographically. Th is poses challenges, both for conceptual understanding of post-fi re succession and fi re management. We examine two hypotheses for why species may display geographically varying responses to fi re. 1) Species ’ post-fi re responses are driven by vegetation structure, but vegetation – fi re relationships vary spatially (the ‘ dynamic vegetation ’ hypothesis). 2) Regional variation in ecological conditions leads species to select diff erent post-fi re ages as habitat (the ‘ dynamic habitat ’ hypothesis). Our case study uses data on lizards at 280 sites in a ∼ 100 000 km 2 region of south-eastern Australia. We compared the predictive capacity of models based on 1) habitat associations, with models based on 2) fi re history and vegetation type, and 3) fi re history alone, for four species of lizards. Habitat association models generally out-performed fi re history models in terms of predictive capacity. For two species, habitat association models provided good discrimination capacity even though the species showed geographically varying post-fi re responses. Our results support the dynamic vegetation hypothesis, that spatial variation in relationships between fi re and vegetation structure results in regional variation in fauna – fi re relationships. Th ese observations explain how the widely recognised ‘ habitat accommodation ’ model of animal succession can be conceptually accurate yet predictively weak.
Bionomics and control of the legume pod-borer Maruca testulalis Geyer.

The legume pod-borer, Maruca testulalis Geyer, is regarded as a key pest attacking vegetable legumes, especially the yard long bean, Vigna scsquipcdalis, in South China. Studies on its bionomics and control were conducted in Hangzhou during 1977-1980.By laboratory and field observation we found it had seven generations per year in Hangzhou. The first three generations were the most injurious. It overwintered as per-pupa near the soil surface and emerged in late May. The female moths fed with 25% glucose solution had preovipositional period of three to four days and the peak of ovi-position occurred on the sixth to eighth days after pairing. The young larvae attacked buds and flowers and the older larvae bore into the pods till pupation. Cremastus sp. and Pseudoperichaeta insidiosa were found to be larval parasites. Logarithmic regression equations of developmental time to mean atmospheric temperature of the days of larval and pupal development are Y,=3.5925-1.7766o; and Yp=3.8118-2.0800a; respectively. There are obviously two peaks of adult flight according to the light trap captures for seven years. Although the second peak is higher than the first one, the former is less important economically.Effective control may be effected by weekly application for two to three times with 80% DDVP (1:800) sparying at the moment when total amount of eggs plus larvae reaches about 40 per hundred flowers (half being the second instar larvae).
Postfire Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) Invasion at High Elevations in Wyoming

Abstract The invasive annual grass downy brome is the most ubiquitous weed in sagebrush systems of western North America. The center of invasion has largely been the Great Basin region, but there is an increasing abundance and distribution in the Rocky Mountain States. We evaluated postfire vegetation change using very large–scale aerial (VLSA) and near-earth imagery in an area where six different fires occurred over a 4-yr period at elevations ranging from 1,900 to over 2,700 m. The frequency of downy brome increased from 8% in 2003 to 44% in 2008 and downy brome canopy cover increased from < 1% in 2003 to 6% in 2008 across the entire study area. Principal component analyses of vegetation cover indicate a shift from plant communities characterized by high bare soil and forbs immediately postfire to communities with increasing downy brome cover with time after fire. The highest-elevation sampling area exhibited the least downy brome cover, but cover at some midelevation locations approached 100%. We postulate that the loss of ground-level shade beneath shrubs and conifers, accompanied by diminished perennial vegetative cover, created conditions suitable for downy brome establishment and dominance. Without a cost-effective means of landscape-scale downy brome control, and with infestation levels and climate warming increasing, we predict there will be continued encroachment of downy brome at higher elevations and latitudes where disturbance creates suitable conditions. Nomenclature: Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L Management Implications: The annual grass known as downy brome or cheatgrass is one of the worst weeds of western North America infesting nearly 23 million hectares, reducing rangeland forage and habitat value and increasing wildfire risk. Downy brome is not only expanding across the landscape, but is also expanding to higher elevations, spreading the fire risk from sagebrush lowlands into higher-elevation rangeland systems. Downy brome cover in the foothills of the southern Wind River Mountains at elevations of 1,900 to 1,700 m averaged < 1% in 2002, but expanded to > 6% cover by 2008, approaching 100% cover at some individual sites. Local spring temperatures have increased into the range that supports early downy brome growth. We speculate that fire removed shading overstory, further increasing spring soil temperatures to allow downy brome to rapidly expand. Concurrently, longer, drier growing seasons are reducing native plant growth and competitiveness. We recommend that land managers be aware of the risk of downy brome expansion at higher elevations and adjust their management to address postfire downy brome infestations.
Reinstatement and Emendation of Subfamily Micrairoideae (Poaceae)

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies of the well supported PACCAD clade of Poaceae remain uncertain. Several genera such as Micraira and Eriachne were considered incertae sedis in the most recent subfamilial classification of the grasses, but these two genera formed a well-supported clade in an analysis based on chloroplast and structural data. Another genus, Isachne, traditionally classified in the Panicoideae, also formed part of this well-supported clade. Despite strong molecular support for the clade, thus far no morphological synapomorphy has been found. Nevertheless, the strongly supported monophyly of this clade allowed us to suggest the recognition of a new subfamily within the PACCAD clade. Since there was already a name available, in this paper we propose the reinstatement and emendation of the circumscription of Micrairoideae. The reinstatement of Micrairoideae changes the acronym PACCAD to PACCMAD for this large clade of grasses.
Impact of otter trawling on an eastern Mediterranean commercial trawl fishing ground

Within the scope of the EC Study Project “The environmental impact of demersal fishing gears on the marine environment”, a commercial fishing ground on the north coast of Crete, Greece, was studied for otter-trawling impacts. The trawling season is limited to eight months between October and May. The major trawling lane, at 200 m depth off the port of Heraklion, is narrow because of bottom contouring. Four sampling stations were chosen in the vicinity, two in the lane and one on either side. Sediment chemistry and macrofaunal community structure were studied over 11 months, starting before the trawling season and ending well after. During each sampling trip a towed video survey was completed to check seabed conditions. In addition, beam-trawl samples were taken at the beginning and at the end. Video observations revealed the extent of trawling activities and showed higher numbers of epifaunal species outside the lane (particularly the echinoderms Leptometra phalangium, Stichopus regalis, and Ophiura texturata). The epifauna in the beam-trawl samples also showed lower numbers in the lane. Sediments were predominantly clay. Sedimentary organic carbon, chlorophyll, and phaeopigments all exhibited significant differences between stations during the trawling season. Species number, abundance, and biomass were all generally significantly lower in the lane during the trawling season, noticeable particularly in the phyla Echinodermata, Sipuncula, and to a lesser extent the Polychaeta. The closed season did not seem to allow recovery to pre-season levels. Impacts on the less mobile fauna were more pronounced, but degree of robustness also seems to play a major role.
Strategic sperm allocation and a Coolidge effect in an externally fertilizing species

Because sperm is costly and limiting, males are predicted to allocate sperm differentially across matings, according to the level of sperm competition, female reproductive quality, and female novelty. We investigated sperm allocation in the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus), an externally fertilizing species of fish that spawns and incubates its eggs in the gills of freshwater mussels. We predicted that males would allocate sperm differentially according to the quality and novelty of mussels. Dominant males responded to rivals by increasing both sperm investment and aggression, whereas subordinates responded chiefly through sperm investment. Dominant males invested more sperm in novel mussels in accordance with predictions for a Coolidge effect, the mussel representing a new fertilization opportunity. However, subordinate males were not influenced by mussel novelty but were responsive to order of mating. Males did not allocate sperm according to mussel quality, suggesting that certainty of paternity is a more important variable than offspring survival in shaping bitterling sperm allocation strategies. This study demonstrates strategic ejaculate expenditure in an externally fertilizing species, analogous to that in internal fertilizers, but with sperm investment operating on the level of the site of fertilization rather than the female.
Studies on the uptake of (14C) amino acids derived from both dietary (14C) protein and dietary (14C) amino acids by rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Previous studies have shown that rainbow trout fed on diets containing whole protein have superior growth rates compared to fish fed on diets of similar amino acid composition but containing a high proportion of free amino acids. The influence of several nutritional factors on the uptake of radioactivity from food pellets containing either [U-I4C] protein or [U-14C] amino acids into the systemic blood of trout has been investigated. The time taken for radioactivity in the free amino acid fraction of blood to reach a peak after a meal containing [U-14C] protein had been given was much shorter, and the level of radioactivity in the blood higher, in trout with almost empty stomachs than in fish with almost full stomachs; uptake of radioactivity into blood amino acids was also more rapid and reached much higher concentrations when pellets containing [U-14C] amino acids were fed than when [U-14C] protein was fed. Incorporation of radioactivity into blood protein continued for a much longer period and reached higher levels when a pellet containing [U-14C] protein was fed than when a pellet containing [U-14C] amino acids was fed. Previous dietary history (low or high protein intake) did not appear to affect the rate of absorption of amino acids from either protein or free amino acid pellets. The uptake rates from pellets containing free amino acids could be slowed by mixing the dietary amino acids with albumin. The distribution, postabsorption, of radioactivity in the different fractions of blood and liver suggested that incorporation of carbon residues into glycogen and lipid from an amino acid diet was greater than from a protein diet. The converse was true of incorporation of radioactivity into tissue protein.
Seasonal Variation in Composition of Key Largo Woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) Diets

Abstract Neotoma floridana smalli (Key Largo Woodrat) is currently at high risk of extinction from anthropogenic disturbances, including loss and degradation of habitat and non-native predators. Habitat degradation may affect food-resource availability, yet food habits are poorly understood. Therefore, we examined seasonal diets of Key Largo Woodrats using microhistological analysis of fecal samples. We collected fecal material from captured individuals between January 2005 and February 2006 and identified food items to the lowest possible taxon. We classified food items as leaves, fruit, and insects to examine differences in diets between seasons (wet versus dry) and sexes. Fruit and leaves made up a greater percentage of Key Largo Woodrat diets during the wet and dry seasons, respectively, likely reflecting higher fruit availability during the wet season. Across seasons, diets of males had a higher percentage of fruit and insects, but a lower percentage of leaves than females. Greater fruit consumption by males, which may be related to their higher motility, was contrary to our expectations that females would consume more fruit to meet the nutritional demands of reproduction. Although fruit and leaves are both important components of Key Largo Woodrat diets, consumption varies seasonally likely in response to differences in availability.
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Based on Methicillin-Resistance Genes and its Relatedness to some Putative Virulence Factors

The emergence and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) was a public health problem worldwide that causes nosocomial and community infections. Forty three isolates (71.66%) were characterized as S.aureus , were isolated from 60 different clinical specimens (blood, nose, wound, urine and vaginal) collected from patients from different hospitals of Baghdad. All isolates were resistant (100%) to Aztreonam, Carbenicillin, Cifixime, Cefoxitin, Ceftazidime, and showed high resistance to each of Methicillin, Oxacillin, Ampicillin and Penicillin . the MRSA isolates were typed based on ( SCC mec) typing ,the result revealed that SCC mecIVa was the most common in isolates (41.86%), following type IVc (20.93%), type II(16.27%). Virulence factors were identified to detect genes encoding for Hlg,Pvl,ClfA,Tsst-1 and Eta, and the result showed the most prevalent gene was hlg (65.11%), following pvl (53.48%), clfA (51.16%), tsst-1 (18.60%), eta (11.62%). The virulence genes profiles were observed, and the most frequent was clfA-hlg-pvl (23.25%), clfA-hlg-pvl-tsst-1 (6.97%), clfA-hlg-tsst-1 (4.65%) . Analysis of genetic similarity relationship, showed the isolates of S.aureus were classified into two main clusters . This result indicates that there a diversity in virulence genes profiles among MRSA isolates according to SCC mec types, and SCCmec IVa carried hlg, pvl , clfA genes was the most prevalent in Baghdad hospital isolates . Key words: MRSA, SCC mec, virulence genes profiles
Susceptibility of eight genetically improved local cultivars of cowpea to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Nigeria

Abstract Eight local cultivars of cowpea that have been improved for higher yield and pest tolerance which were recently released for cultivation by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, were compared with respect to their susceptibility to the cowpea bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) under laboratory conditions (30 - 35 C and 45 - 57% RH). Cultivars Kanannado, T189KD391 and Dan'ila with susceptibility indices (SI) of 0.0, 2.2 and 2.6, respectively, were found to be resistant to bruchid attack and cultivars Babura-4, IT89KD-374, Bausse-local, IT89KD-349 and Aloka-local with SI values of 11.2, 10.9, 7.5, 7.2 and 6.5, respectively, were found to be susceptible. Oviposition and egg viability were significantly reduced on seeds of the resistant cultivars. The total mean number of eggs laid on seeds of the resistant cultivars Kanannado, IT89KD-391 and Dan'ila were 16, 15 and 6, respectively, while 50, 44, 36, 35 and 26 eggs were laid on seeds of susceptible cu.
A putative effector UvHrip1 inhibits BAX-triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana, and infection of Ustilaginoidea virens suppresses defense-related genes expression

Rice false smut (RFS), caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is one of the most detrimental rice fungal diseases and pose a severe threat to rice production and quality. Effectors in U. virens often act as a set of essential virulence factors that play crucial roles in the interaction between host and the pathogen. Thus, the functions of each effector in U. virens need to be further explored. Here, we performed multiple alignment analysis and demonstrated a small secreted hypersensitive response-inducing protein (hrip), named UvHrip1, was highly conserved in fungi. The predicted SP of UvHrip1 was functional, which guided SUC secreted from yeast and was recognized by plant cells. The localization of UvHrip1 was mainly in the nucleus and cytoplasm monitored through the GFP fusion protein in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. uvhrip1 was drastically up-regulated in the susceptible cultivar LYP9 of rice during the pathogen infection, while did not in the resistant cultivar IR28. We also proved that UvHrip1 suppressed the mammalian BAX-induced necrosis-like defense symptoms in N. benthamiana. Furthermore, patterns of expression of defense-related genes, OsPR1#012 and OsPR10b, were regulated over U. virens infection in rice. Collectively, our data demonstrated that infection of U. virens suppresses defense-related genes expression and UvHrip1 was most likely a core effector in regulating plant immunity.
Does Sentiment Harm Market Efficiency? An Empirical Analysis Using a Betting Exchange Setting

This paper investigates whether the sentimental preferences of investors influence market efficiency. We use a betting exchange market environment to analyze the influence of sentimental bettors on market efficiency in 2,333 soccer matches played between 2006-2014 during the last three hours of the pre-play period. Contrary to bookmaker markets, there is no intermediary in a betting exchange and, thus, the market prices solely reflect the beliefs of person to person betting. We use three different proxy variables to measure the bettor sentiment and find that price changes are more likely to be inefficient for betting events that are more prone to sentiment. Based on that finding, we propose a trading strategy that generates positive returns before considering the transaction costs and commission fees. Although the returns turn negative after considering the transaction costs and commission fees, the proposed trading strategy still outperforms a random betting strategy.