Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual differences in white and grey matter structure associated with verbal habits of thought

Modality specific encoding habits account for a significant portion of individual differences reflected in functional activation during cognitive processing. Yet, little is known about how these habits of thought influence long-term structural changes in the brain. Traditionally, habits of thought have been assessed using self-report questionnaires such as the visualizer-verbalizer questionnaire. Here, rather than relying on subjective reports, we measured habits of thought using a novel behavioral task assessing attentional biases toward picture and word stimuli. Hypothesizing that verbal habits of thought are reflected in the structural integrity of white matter tracts and cortical regions of interest, we used diffusion tensor imaging and volumetric analyses to assess this prediction. Using a whole-brain approach, we show that word bias is associated with increased volume in several bilateral language regions, in both white and grey matter parcels. Additionally, connectivity within white matter tracts within an a priori speech production network increased as a function of word bias. These results demonstrate long-term structural and morphological differences associated with verbal habits of thought.
Serpentes do Município de Viçosa, Mata Atlântica do Sudeste do Brasil

Apresentamos aqui, com base em exemplares depositados em colecoes cientificas, uma lista das especies de serpentes do Municipio de Vicosa, localizado em uma porcao da Mata Atlântica do Estado de Minas Gerais, Sudeste do Brasil. Trinta e quatro especies foram confirmadas em Vicosa. Outras duas possuem registros duvidosos e cinco especies que foram registradas em municipios vizinhos poderiam tambem ocorrer em Vicosa. Informacoes sobre distribuicao e historia natural das serpentes sao apresentadas, baseadas em dados da literatura cientifica e observacoes esporadicas na area de estudo. Podemos considerar que de maneira generalizada a fauna de serpentes de Vicosa e constituida por especies com condicoes de utilizar ambientes antropizados, mas algumas sao dependentes dos fragmentos florestais ainda existentes. Estudos de campo ainda sao necessarios para aprimorar o conhecimento sobre a riqueza de especies de serpentes nos fragmentos florestais, para confirmar a presenca das especies com registros incertos e ocorrencia potencial em Vicosa, e para investigar a possibilidade de declinio populacional daquelas especies sem registros ha mais de uma decada.
Effects of asymmetric dispersal and environmental gradients on the stability of host–parasitoid systems

We consider host-parasitoid systems spatially distributed on a row of patches connected by dispersal. We analyze the effects of dispersal frequency, dispersal asymmetry, number of patches and environmental gradients on the stability of the host-parasitoid interactions. To take into account dispersal frequency, the hosts and parasitoids are allowed to move from one patch to a neighboring patch a certain number of times within a generation. When this number is high, aggregation methods can be used to simplify the proposed initial model into an aggregated model describing the dynamics of both the total host and parasitoid populations. We show that as the number of patches increases less asymmetric parasitoid dispersal rates are required for stability. We found that the CV 2 > 1 rule' is a valid approximation for stability if host growth rate is low otherwise the general condition of stability we establish should be preferred. Environmental variability along the row of patches is introduced as gradients on host growth rate and parasitoid searching efficiency. We show that stability is more likely when parasitoids move preferentially towards patches where they have high searching efficiency or when hosts go mainly to patches where they have a low growth rate.
Scaffolding EFL Oral Performance through Story Maps and Podcasts and Students’ Attitudes toward it

The present study sought to explore the impact of story maps and audio podcasts as scaffolds on oral proficiency of Iranian EFL learners. The quasi-experimental study was launched with 36 EFL undergraduates in three groups by adopting a counterbalanced 3 3 Latin squared design. All participants were indiscriminately, but in a specified order, exposed to the three treatment conditions of story retelling, story retelling plus story map, and story retelling plus podcast, and post-tested sequentially. The Latin square analysis of the oral assessment scale showed statistically meaningful differences under the treatment conditions for the groups. The post-hoc test also showed overachievements of the participants under the treatment conditions of story retelling plus story map and story retelling plus podcasts. The performance under podcast condition was significantly better than performances under the story map and short story conditions. The post-experiment opinion survey showed the learners’ preferences for and positive attitudes towards podcast and story map as scaffolds in developing EFL oral proficiency. The participants welcomed integration of the scaffolds into EFL speaking courses.
Does Lobster Trap Bait Influence the Maine Inshore Trap Fishery

Abstract The potential role of lobster trap bait as a significant food subsidy contributing to unprecedented recent increases in abundance and landings of the American lobster Homarus americanus is seldom considered seriously outside the fishing community. Although bait input is a very small source of organic carbon compared with primary production, the yearly input of bait per unit area to the inshore waters of the Gulf of Maine is about 85 kg/ha, an amount equal to a very productive fishery yield from a marine area. Because much of the bait is imported from outside the inshore area of the Gulf of Maine, it represents a direct subsidy to secondary production within this portion of the system. An empirical relationship between fish yield and primary production in phytoplankton-based marine systems suggests that inshore primary production would have to be increased by about 80% to provide an increment in fish yield equal to the bait input. Moreover, a simple trophic calculation based on an estimated amount.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE BASAL BODY COMPLEX AND PUTATIVE VESTIGIAL FEEDING APPARATUS IN PHACUS PLEURONECTES (EUGLENOPHYCEAE)

Phacus pleuronectes (O. F. Müller) Dujardin is a phototrophic euglenoid with small discoid chloroplasts, a flat rigid body, and longitudinally arranged pellicular strips. The flagellar apparatus consisted of two basal bodies and three flagellar roots typical of many phototrophic euglenoids but also had a large striated fiber that connected the two basal bodies and associated with the ventral root. The three roots, in combination with the dorsal microtubular band, extended anteriorly and formed the major cytoskeletal elements supporting the reservoir membrane and ultimately the pellicle. A cytoplasmic pocket arose in the reservoir/canal transition region. It was supported by the ventral root and a C‐shaped band of electron‐opaque material that lined the cytoplasmic side of the pocket. A large striated fiber extended from this C‐shaped band toward the reservoir membrane. The striated fibers in the basal apparatus and associated with the microtubule‐reinforced pocket in P. pleuronectes appear to be similar to those of the phagotrophic euglenoids.
Phospholipids increase radical-scavenging activity of vitamin E in a bulk oil model system

The effect of phospholipids on the radical-scavenging activity of vitamin E in a bulk oil model was studied to clarify the mechanism of their antioxidant synergism. Phospholipids retarded the consumption of vitamin E and elongated the induction period arising from vitamin E in the mixture of methyl linoleate and methyl laurate when exposed to a water-soluble radical initiator. However, they accelerated the consumption of vitamin E in methyl laurate alone. On the other hand, phospholipids little affected the consumption of vitamin E when lipid peroxidation was initiated by a lipid-soluble radical initiator. These results implied that phospholipids enhanced the accessibility of vitamin E toward the chain-initiating radicals in an aqueous microenvironment, resulting in the interruption of chain initiation. Phospholipids could act as neither the free radical scavengers nor the regenerators for vitamin E in this model system. Thus, it is concluded that the enhanced effect of phospholipids for vitamin E in bulk oil originated from the elevation of its radical-scavenging activity.
Adaptation of Septoria nodorum to wheat or barley on detached leaves

Single-spore cultures of wheat- and barley-adapted isolates of Septoria nodorum were serially passaged through detached leaves of wheat or barley. Rare instances of change in host adaptation were observed after passaging but associated changes in other characters, including heterokaryon compatibility, identified the changed isolates as contaminants. Inoculation of progressively more dilute spore suspensions to detached leaves revealed that some isolates were highly infective to the host to which they were adapted, with a high probability of a single spore initiating infection. Inocula deliberately contaminated with a small proportion of spores of opposite host adaptation revealed changes when passaged on wheat that mimicked the rare changes observed on passaging pure wheat- or barley-adapted isolates. These results suggest that adaptation to wheat or barley is a stable property of pure cultures of S. nodorum and that the occasional changes in host adaptation observed on passaging result from selection of contaminants.
Morphological responses of crop and weed species of different growth forms to ultraviolet-B radiation

Recent evidence of a general, global decline of stratospheric ozone has heightened concern about possible ecological consequences of increases in solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280-320 nm) radiation resulting from ozone depletion. The influence of UV-B radiation (280-320 nanometers) on the morphology of 12 common dicot and monocot crop or weed species was examined to determine whether any common responses could be found that might, in turn, be useful in predicting possible changes in competitive balance under solar UV-B enhancement. Under glasshouse conditions, UV-B exposure (simulating a 20% reduction in stratospheric ozone at Logan, Utah) was found to reduce leaf blade and internode lengths and increase leaf and axillary shoot production in several species. Overall, the directions of these trends were similar in the majority of species that exhibited a significant response. These morphological changes occurred without any significant reduction in total shoot dry matter production. There was no clear distinction in the response of crops and weeds, though monocots were found to be generally more responsive than dicots. Previous work in dense canopies has shown that the photomorphogenetic effects of UV-B alter leaf placement and thereby influence competition for light. Our results suggest that, under these conditions, changes in competitive balancemore » resulting from increased UV-B might be expected more frequently when monocots are involved in mixtures, rather than mixtures of only dicots. « less
Teor foliar de nutrientes em plantas daninhas e de café cultivadas em competição

This work aimed to evaluate nutrient accumulation in young coffee plants and weeds cultivated in competition during 90 days. Mundo Novo coffee seedlings at the stage of four to five pairs of fully-expanded leaves were transplanted into pots with 25 dm-3 of substrate. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme (4 x 4), with four replications. The treatments were constituted of four weed species: Digitaria horizontalis, Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria plantaginea, and Mucuna aterrina, at four infestation densities (zero, two, four, and six plants per pot), in coexistence with one coffee plant, during 90 days. To determine the foliar nutrient content, leaves were collected from the median part of the coffee plants and of the weeds. When in coexistence with the coffee plants, all the weeds provided a lower nutrient content in the leaves of the culture, mainly with increased plant density, except for the N concentration in the leaves of the coffee plants that coexisted with M. aterrina. The nutrient contents in the leaves of the weeds differed according to the species, indicating differentiated capacity of nutrient recycling. The weeds presented higher content of some nutrients, as follows: D. horizontalis in P and Fe; B. plantaginea in P, Mg, Mn, Zn and M. aterrina in N, Ca and Zn, regardless of infestation density.
Foxes, rabbits, alternative prey and rabbit calicivirus disease: consequences of a new biological control agent for an outbreaking species in Australia

1. Rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD; also known as rabbit haemorrhagic disease) has been introduced recently as a biocontrol agent for rabbits in Australia. The consequences for fox populations that use rabbits as primary prey, for populations of alternative native prey, and for pastures, were examined using a model for rabbit- and fox-prone areas of semi-arid southern Australia. 2. Existing data were used to quantify the interactions of foxes, rabbits and pasture. A generic model for predation on native herbivores was constructed by modifying the density-dependent (Type III) functional response of foxes to rabbits to a depensatory (Type II) response that is appropriate for alternative prey. Similar dependence on pasture biomass was assumed for the dynamics of both rabbits and alternative prey in order to identify clearly the consequences of differing predation. In the absence of quantitative data for Australian conditions, the epidemiology of RCD was simulated empirically to mimic a range of potential patterns of occurrence. 3. For semi-arid Australia the model predicts that as the frequency and intensity of RCD epizootics increases: (i) the mean abundance of rabbits will decline, as will the frequency of eruptions of rabbits; (ii) there may be little increase in mean pasture biomass and a small decrease in periods of very low pasture biomass when competition between herbivores is most intense; (iii) the mean abundance of foxes will decline; (iv) there will be a reduced frequency of occasions when rabbit density is low but fox density is high due to a lag in the response of predator populations; and (v) there is potential for an increase in the mean abundance of alternative prey and in the proportion of time their density exceeds a threshold comparable to that currently required for eruptions of rabbits.
Strong antigenic selection shaping the immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire of B‐1a lymphocytes in λ2315 transgenic mice

The B lymphocyte compartment of the recombinant mouse line L2 consists predominantly of CD5+ B‐1 cells that exclusively express the transgenic (Tg) λ2 L chain of the plasmacytoma MOPC315. Using such Tg mice as a simplified model to study positive selection processes, we show that restriction to a single L chain results in a strongly oligoclonal IgH chain repertoire in fetal and neonatal liver‐derived B cells, as well as in peritoneal CD5+ B‐1 lymphocytes from adult mice. In contrast, in vitro differentiated fetal liver Pro/PreB‐I cells from L2 embryosshow a clear increase of complementarity determining region three (CDR3) diversity. These data suggest that the antibody repertoire of B‐1a cells is strongly selected by antigen during fetal as well as adult peritoneal phase.
Regional variability in nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and overstory biomass in northern Lower Michigan

Potential net nitrogen (N) mineralization, potential net nitrification, and overstory (boles and branches) biomass were measured in nine forest ecosystems commonly found within the well-drained uplands of northern Lower Michigan. The ecosystem types ranged from oak-dominated forests on coarse-textured outwash sands to mesic northern hardwood forests on sandy glacial till. Overstory biomass was calculated using species-specific allometric equations developed for Lake States hardwood species. Potential net N mineralization and potential net nitrification were measured by a 30-day aerobic laboratory soil incubation. Analyses of (co)variance were used to determine differences in potential N mineralization, net nitrification, overstory biomass, and biomass increment among the nine ecosystem types. Linear and nonlinear regression analyses were used to predict overstory biomass and biomass increment using potential net N mineralization as the independent variable. Overstory biomass ranged from 92 t•ha−1 in a xer.
Expression of Keratin Polypeptides in Human Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

Monoclonal antibodies to keratin proteins (AE1, AE-3, PKK 1) and conventional rabbit antikeratin antiserum (RAK) were used to study the intermediate filaments of clonal human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines 2102Ep, NTera-2, 1156, and Tera1. Antibodies AE-1 and AE-3 recognize two independent subfamilies of keratins, the former being predominately acidic while the latter predominately basic! PKKl reacts with the cytokeratins of internal organs but does not react with epidermal keratins. * By indirect immunofluorescence, essentially all cells of 2102Ep, 1 156, and Tera-1 reacted in a filamentous pattern with both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (FIGURE 1). Some cells of lines 2102Ep and NTera-2 representing most likely dividing cells, displayed a granular cytoplasmic reactivity. ’ NTera-2 differed from the other cell lines in that only 10% of the cells stained with AE1. Repeated incubation with detergents, altered fixation techniques, and digestion by mixed glycosidases failed to increase the number of immunoreactive cells? Following retinoic acid-induced differentiation, 70% of NTera-2 cells became reactive with AE-1. ’ Two of these lines (2102Ep and NTera-2) were examined using immunoblotting of SDS gels. Both lines expressed two keratin polypeptides, a single 40K polypeptide recognized by AE-1 and a single 52K polypeptide recognized by AE-3. The presence of keratin polypeptides in human EC cell lines indicates an epithelial nature of these cells. The staining difference with AE1 may indicate phenotypic differences between various human EC stem cell lines. The present findings document a major difference between human and mouse EC, as the latter contain vimentin rather than keratin intermediate filaments6
Natural and artificially-induced habitat complexity and freshwater fish species composition

The effects of habitat complexity, induced by construction of artificial reefs, on the fish assemblages in the Barra Bonita reservoir, Brazil, and in the lotic zone immediately below the dam were studied. Four artificial reefs were constructed in each habitat at variable distances from the shore. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that the factors distance from the shore and type of habitat were determinants for the group formation, and artificial reefs had a lesser effect. Fish species composition was about the same at locations with and without reefs.
Physiological and Antioxidative Effects of Dietary Acetyl Salicylic Acid in Laying Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) under High Ambient Temperature

The objective of the present study was to determine if acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) would have further antioxidative effects beyond lowering rectal temperature of stressed laying Japanese quail and hence improve its physiological status. During summer season when daily high temperatures averaged between 33 and 36°C and relative humidity averaged between 60 to 70%, four treatment groups of adult Japanese quail each containing three replicates of fifteen females were fed either a control diet containing 0% ASA or the control diet supplemented with 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1% ASA from 8 to 16 wk of age. Rectal body temperature was significantly decreased by feeding 0.05 and 0.1% ASA. Hen-day egg production was significantly increased for quails fed the diet containing 0.05% and 0.1% ASA. Shell thickness seemed to be thicker at the higher levels of ASA. Serum T3 concentration was decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in quails fed 0.1% ASA (0.38ng/ml) in comparison with controls (0.62ng/ml), but serum T4 concentration was not significantly affected. Dietary ASA had a positive effect on humoral immunity and quails fed 0.05 and 0.1% ASA had a significantly higher total antibody titer compared to other treatments. ASA treatments caused a significant decrease in serum cholesterol, glucose and hepatic TBARS as an indicator for lipid peroxidation, as well as enhancement in the activity of antioxidative enzymes GSH-Px and SOD in a dose dependent manner. These antioxidative effects were accompanied with a significant reduction in corticosterone levels due to ASA treatments. Therefore, it could be concluded that feeding diets containing 0.05 or 0.1% ASA during the summer season could have potential benefits for poultry welfare and productivity because of reducing body temperature and oxidative stress, which consequently allowing more physiological resources to be used for responding to environmental stressors.
Does habitat modification affect oviposition by the salt marsh mosquito, Ochlerotatus vigilax (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae)?

Studies were conducted at sites in south-east Queensland, Australia, to investigate the effect of habitat modification for mosquito control on the distribution of eggshells of the salt marsh mosquito, Ochlerotatus vigilax (Skuse). Modifications were mainly runnelling, but an Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) site and a grid-ditched site were also included. There were two separate experimental designs: one was data collected Before and After (BA) modification and the other was for other sites with a Treatment and Control (TC) experimental design. For the BA data, there were significant reductions in eggshells after modification. Eggshells were generally fewer after modification in areas which were close to unrestricted tidal flushing. A sandy substrate and vegetation changes which resulted in reduced Sporobolus virginicus or mixed Sporobolus and Sarcocornia quinqueflora also contributed to the effect. In the TC experiment, there was no effect of modification at the runnelled site, eggshells were fewer at the OMWM site, but there were more eggshells at the grid-ditched site. There was some general indication that recent oviposition activity was reduced in sites that had been modified, evidenced by a relatively small proportion of young (dark coloured) eggshells.
Population Trends in Semipalmated Sandpipers from Migration Counts

Abstract. Although Semipalmated Sandpipers are one of the most common shorebirds in North America, analyses of migration trends using data from the Maritimes, International and Ontario Shorebird Surveys, as well as the Quebec Checklist, collected between 1974–1998, consistently showed negative trends. An additional eleven years of data was assessed to determine if declines were ongoing. Analysis (Pearson correlation) of the Quebec Checklist data indicated a significant decline overall, from 1976 to 2008, and the percentage of checklists reporting flocks of >1,000 birds has decreased significantly since the 1970s. New analyses of population trends with migration monitoring data from eastern and central North America were conducted for the 35-year period from 1974 to 2009, using program ESTEQNINDEXE. Trends, although generally negative, were not statistically significant. In the North Atlantic region, where survey sites had the highest counts of Semipalmated Sandpipers, average abundance indices showed a pronounced decrease between 1985 and 1999 and an increase since then. Although the trend was not statistically significant, declines in Ontario amounted to an estimated 8% per year from 1974 to 2009. Counts were variable for Semipalmated Sandpipers in the Midcontinent region, although average abundance indices appeared lower in the second half of the analysis period (1989–2009). Thus, the population status of Semipalmated Sandpipers in North America may have improved since the 1990s, at least in the east.