Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of habitat on body size and tooth wear in Scottish red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Body size has profound implications for ecology and life-history traits of mammalian species. Tooth wear is an indicator of food-processing investment and diet properties, with fitness consequences through differences in comminution efficiency, nutrient gain, and senescence. We investigate the relationships between mandible length (a proxy of skeletal body size), molar dentine thickness (a measure of tooth wear), and faecal neutral detergent fibre with residual ash (NDF–ash, a combined proxy of fibre and mineral components in the diet) in 874 male and female red deer (Cervus elaphus L., 1758) from 21 locations in moorland and woodland habitats across Scotland. Significant differences in mandible length occurred between habitats: woodland deer having larger mandibles than moorland deer. Within habitats, larger mandibles were related to higher rates of dentine wear, suggesting increased body size was associated with greater intake and processing of food. Both dentine wear and faecal NDF–ash were higher in m.
Wallowing Behavior of American Bison (Bos bison) in Tallgrass Prairie: an Examination of Alternate Explanations

Abstract Wallowing is a common behavior of American bison (Bos bison). Past explanations and current hypotheses suggested for wallowing behavior include grooming behavior associated with shedding, male-male interaction (typically rutting behavior), social behavior for group cohesion, play behavior, relief from skin irritation due to biting insects, reduction of ectoparasite (tick and lice) load and thermoregulation. We monitored circannual and circadian patterns of wallowing frequency by American bison during 1996–1997 in the tallgrass prairie region of eastern Kansas. Wallowing activity increased from April to late June or July (during 1996 and 1997, respectively), decreased during midsummer, peaked again in September, decreased from September to October and then remained low from November to March. Diurnally, wallowing was low in early morning, increased to a peak in early afternoon and then decreased during mid afternoon and evening. Within the herd adult males wallowed more frequently than adult females and both adult males and females wallowed more frequently than yearlings. We observed behaviors that were consistent with all of the hypotheses previously suggested to explain wallowing behavior by bison. Based on our observations we suggest that the alternate explanations for wallowing behavior are not mutually exclusive. However, only the relief from biting insects hypotheses was consistent with both the circannual and circadian patterns of frequency of wallowing by American bison.
Crosses recommendation method for obtaining Eucalyptus spp. hybrids assisted by molecular markers.

The genetic and morphological diversity among parents selected in progeny tests of Eucalyptus grandis and E. urophylla was used as a criterion to choose the best crosses for a circulant partial diallel design. In a first stage, 127 parents were selected from 503 clone trees (70 E. urophylla and 57 E. grandis trees) considering two traits: the Mean Genetic Distance (MGD) values obtained by RAPD markers and Annual Mean Increment (AMI) values. In a second stage, these parents were analyzed with other RAPD markers and grouped by the Tocher method. These groups were used to prepare a diallel set, involving the two most divergent groups of parents of the species. Other silvicultural data were used to calculate the average Euclidean distances, which also emphasizes the great variability existing among and within populations. Correlations between the genetic distances obtained by RAPD markers and the average Euclidean distances were negative or very low.
Experimental Partitioned Co-culture of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus

Blue tilapia, Oreochromis aureus were experimentally co-cultured with channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus in floating cages, without supplemental feeding. Tilapia were stocked on April 20, 1995 at the equivalent of 5000 ha -1 and channel catfish fingerlings were stocked on Mar. 20, 1995 at 27500 ha -1 . After harvest on Oct. 23, 1995 (185 d), tilapia averaged 437.7 + 4.26 g each. From a stocking size of 24.9 + 5.16 g, the daily growth was 2.2 + 0.23 g.d -1 . Improvements in water quality in co-culture were reduced levels of pH, TAN (total ammonia-nitrogen) and UIA (un-ionized ammonia). Aeration in co-culture ponds was significantly higher in August. Chlorophyll a was not significantly different. Mean net combined yield in co-culture ponds, with the addition of 2118.55 + 367.15 kg.ha -1 tilapia, was significantly higher, 12001.64 + 767.43 vs. 10,055.74 + 734.70 kg.ha -1 , than in monoculture. FCR (food conversion ratios) for catfish were not significantly different; however, with tilapia included they were significantly lower, 1.58 + 0.11 vs. 1.85 + 0.85. Blue tilapia were beneficial to production and outperformed Nile tilapia in a similar system by reaching marketable size (0.4 kg) with no additional feed.
Pollen morphology and study of the visitors (Hymenoptera, Apidae) of Solanum stramoniifolium Jacq. (Solanaceae) in Central Amazon

A familia Solanaceae tem ampla distribuicao, principalmente nas areas tropicais e subtropicais da America do Sul. Solanum L. e um dos mais importantes generos desta familia com aproximadamente 1.200 especies. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de estudar a biologia floral com enfoque na morfologia polinica e no registro de algumas abelhas visitantes de S. stramoniifolium. Dados preliminares indicam a presenca de uma especie de abelha com ferrao e quatro especies sem ferrao como visitantes de S. stramoniifolium. O polen de S. stramoniifolium e tricolporado e psilado, ou seja, sem ornamentacao. Conclui-se, apos o estudo da biologia floral, que S. stramoniifolium constitui fonte potencial de polen para diferentes especies de abelhas com e sem ferrao, representando interessante campo para estudos de germinacao, interacoes inseto-planta e biologia floral.
First occurrence of the invasive alien species Polydora cornuta Bosc, 1802 (Polychaeta: Spionidae) on the coast of Greece (Elefsis Bay; Aegean Sea)

The present study reports on the occurrence of two specimens of the alien species Polydora cornuta Bosc, 1802, in Elefsis Bay, the Saronikos Gulf (Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean). This is the first record of this invasive alien species on the coast of Greece and the second report in the eastern Mediterranean Sea after its first finding in Izmir Bay (on the Turkish Aegean coast). This finding enhances its distributional pattern within the Mediterranean
Reproductive variability and pollen limitation in three Betula taxa in northern Sweden

This 3-yr study documents large variation in pollination and seed quality in birches (Betula) in northern Sweden between taxa, high and low altitude populations, and among years Seed quality was positively correlated with pollination degree and improved by pollen supplementation in B pubescens ssp pubescens in the mountain area, indicating pollen limitation Betula pendula showed the same tendency, but less pronounced Reduced sexual reproduction of B pendula in the mountain area might more often be due to limited resources for seed maturation and defense of the seeds against predispersal seed predation In contrast, coastal populations of both species display relatively high pollination rates and supplemental pollination had no effect on seed quality, suggesting that pollen limitation is rare or absent here The mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp tortuosa showed generally lower pollination and seed quality compared with B pubescens ssp pubescens, but not compared with mountain populations of B pendula It is concluded that pollen limitation may occur in Betula, but to what extent varies with taxon, altitude and year The seed quality is also strongly affected by other factors such as infections of gall midges (Semudobia spp, Diptera Cecidomyndae) and incomplete seed maturation
PERSISTENCE OF MATERNALLY DERIVED ANTIBODIES IN CALVES TO VACCINATION AGAINST FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

This study aimed to know the level of maternally derived antibody (MDA) titer in calves born to cows vaccinated with inactivated trivalent (type O, A and Asia 1) Foot and Mouth disease vaccine. Three groups of calves (10 calves in each group) of different age were randomly selected from two organized farms from Savar Upazilla of Bangladesh where the dams are routinely vaccinated with trivalent FMD vaccines. Blood samples were collected from these selected calves in six occasions five weeks apart and sera (n=180) were tested for antibody titer against FMDV by using liquid phase blocking ELISA (LPB-ELISA) test. The test is based upon specific blocking of the FMDV antigen in liquid phase by antibodies in the test serum sample. Protective level (PI value >50) of maternal antibody against FMDV was found in serum of calves up to the age of 22-23 wks (above five months) and decreased below protective level (PI value <50) at 27-28 weeks (above 6 months) of age. Irrespective of vaccine types, male calves had slightly higher level of MDA than that of female calves and PI values were comparatively higher against serotype O than the other two serotypes (A and Asia 1). Calves born to vaccinated dams could be vaccinated for first time after five months of their birth to lower the incidence of foot and mouth disease.
THE BREATHING AND FEEDING MECHANISM OF THE LAMPREYS. II

1. When Lampetra wilderi is swimming, the sides of the oral funnel are approximated so that the opening into it is reduced to a narrow vertical slit, fringed by the oral cirri. The compressed oral funnel then serves as a vertical wedge-shaped cut-water.2. When Lampetra wilderi is about to attach itself to any surface, the oral funnel is spread and applied to the surface with a quick backward and forward movement of the tongue and the animal becomes attached.3. If an opening is made between the pharyngeal cavity and the exterior in Lampetra wilderi, the animal is still able to attach itself in the same manner as though uninjured.4. If a communication be established between the mouth cavity or cavity of the oral funnel and the pharyngeal cavity or the exterior, the animal is unable to attach itself.5. Attachment in Lampetra wilderi is therefore effected by means of a partial vacuum created in the cavities of the oral funnel and mouth by piston-like action of the tongue.6. A dead Lampetra wilderi becomes fir.
Synthesis and Characterization of Fungus Mediated Silver Nanoparticle for Toxicity on Filarial Vector, Culex quinquefasciatus

Larvicidal activities of mycosynthesized silver nano-particles (AgNPs) against filarial vector, Cx. quinquefasciatus. The AgNPs synthesized by filamentous fungus Penecillium verucosum, characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Further, laboratory evaluation of fungus mediated nano-particle against larvae and pupae of Cx.quinquefasciatus. The characterization studies confirmed the spherical shape and size (3–24 nm) of silver nano-particles. The efficacy of mycosynthesized AgNPs tested concentrations of 25 and 50ppm against first, second, third, and fourth instar larvae and pupae of Cx. quinquefasciatus; LC50 (LC90) values are 4.91 (8.13), 5.16 (8.44), 5.95 (7.76) and 7.83 (12.63) at 25ppm. Similarly, LC50 (LC90) at 50ppm were 5.24 (8.66), 5.56 (8.85), 6.20 (10.01), 7.04 (10.92) and 7.73 (11.59) in larval instars and pupae, respectively. The mortality rates were positively correlated with the concentration of AgNPs. Significant (P<0.05) changes in the larval mortality was also recorded between the period of exposure against all instar of larvae and pupae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. These finding use of fungus synthesize silver nano-particles is a rapid, eco-friendly, and a single-step approach and potential mosquito larvicidal agents.
Individual-Level Determinants of Social Capital in Europe

This article investigates the effect that various individual-level determinants have on social capital, this in order to find out whether there are differences between transition and non-transition countries in Europe. The novelty lies in more comprehensive sets of both the determinants and the dimensions of social capital covered. Data from the World Values Survey of 31 European countries (including 16 transition countries) are analysed. Based on estimates of the measurement and structural model of all countries individually, the countries are clustered within three groups to facilitate comparison of transition and non-transition countries. In contrast to previous results, the findings of this study provide support for the argument that the sources of social capital are remarkably different between transition and non-transition countries. Moreover, the results indicate that subgroups have to be distinguished within both of these country groups.
Terrestrial carbon‐cycle feedback to climate warming: experimental evidence on plant regulation and impacts of biofuel feedstock harvest

Feedback between global carbon (C) cycles and climate change is one of the major uncertainties in projecting future global warming. Coupled carbon–climate models all demonstrated a positive feedback between terrestrial C cycle and climate warming. The positive feedback results from decreased net primary production (NPP) in most models and increased respiratory C release by all the models under climate warming. Those modeling results present interesting hypotheses of future states of ecosystems and climate, which are yet to be tested against experimental results. In this study, we examined ecosystem C balance and its major components in a warming and clipping experiment in a North America tallgrass prairie. Infrared heaters have been used to elevate soil temperature by approximately 2 °C continuously since November 1999. Clipping once a year was to mimic hay or biofuel feedstock harvest. On average of data over 6 years from 2000 to 2005, estimated NPP under warming increased by 14% without clipping (P<0.05) and 26% with clipping (P<0.05) in comparison with that under control. Warming did not result in instantaneous increases in soil respiration in 1999 and 2000 but significantly increased it by approximately 8% without clipping (P<0.05) from 2001 to 2005. Soil respiration under warming increased by 15% with clipping (P<0.05) from 2000 to 2005. Warming‐stimulated plant biomass production, due to enhanced C4 dominance, extended growing seasons, and increased nitrogen uptake and use efficiency, offset increased soil respiration, leading to no change in soil C storage at our site. However, biofuel feedstock harvest by biomass removal resulted in significant soil C loss in the clipping and control plots but was carbon negative in the clipping and warming plots largely because of positive interactions of warming and clipping in stimulating root growth. Our results demonstrate that plant production processes play a critical role in regulation of ecosystem carbon‐cycle feedback to climate change in both the current ambient and future warmed world.
Relationship between seed desiccation sensitivity, seed water content at maturity and climatic characteristics of native environments of nine Coffea L. species

Abstract A broad variability for seed desiccation sensitivity, as quantified by the water content and the water activity at which half of the initial viability is lost, has been previously observed within nine African coffee species. In order to investigate if these different degrees of desiccation sensitivity correspond to an adaptive trait, additional data, such as the duration of seed development and seed water content at maturity, were measured for these species, and the relationships between these parameters and some climatic characteristics of their specific native environments were investigated. Since flowering in all coffee species occurs only a few days after the main rainfall marking the end of the dry season, simulations could be made, based on the continuous sequences of rainfall data compiled in databases of nine climatic stations, chosen for their appropriate location in the collecting areas. The simulations revealed a highly significant correlation between the duration of seed development and that of the wet season. Consequently, mature seeds are shed at the beginning of the following dry season. Moreover, the mean number of dry months that seeds have to withstand after shedding was significantly correlated with the parameters used to quantify seed desiccation sensitivity. By contrast, seed moisture content at maturity was not correlated with the level of seed desiccation tolerance. All these results are discussed on the basis of more detailed descriptions of the natural habitats of the coffee species studied.
CYTOGENETIC ALTERATIONS IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA DETECTED BY KARYOTYPING (G-banding)

Oral carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which multiple genetic events occurs that alter the normal functions of genes. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumours in India. Many patients still die of the disease in spite of therapeutic procedures being improved. In our study 30 OSCC cases and 10 controls were studied by means of karyotyping using G-band technique, out of which 5 chromosomal abnormal patients were found, in which chromosome 18 deletion being prominent. It is also site specific, 4 out 5 patients with karyotype abnormalities had the tumour on buccal mucosa. It was also noted, most of patients with chromosomal abnormality were tobacco chewers, suggesting chemical carcinogens in tobacco has an impact on the chromosomes.
Association of Bovine CSRP3 and ACOX1 Genes with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits

There is no investigation has yet been conducted for ACOX1 and CSRP3 gene polymorphisms in Korean cattle (Hanwoo), and their associations with carcass and meat quality traits. In this study, SNPs in ACOX1 and CSRP3 genes were identified and their associations with carcass and meat quality traits were investigated in 227 Hanwoo animals. Two SNPs (g.224G＞ A and g.19491G＞ A) in ACOX1 gene and one SNP (g.14859C＞T) in CSRP3 gene were identified in Hanwoo and sequence analysis indicated that these SNPs were located in the coding regions. The allele frequencies of ACOX1 g.224G＞A and g.19491G＞A SNPs were 0.57, 0.43, and 0.56 and 0.44, respectively, For CSRP3 g.14859C＞T polymorphism, the C and T allele frequencies were 0.64 and 0.36, respectively. The Hanwoo cattle were used to detect PCR-RFLP patterns for estimating the allele frequencies. Single marker association analyses were performed between genotype of each SNP, and carcass and meat quality association traits to evaluate the relationships in Hanwoo. The g.224G＞ A SNP genotypes of ACOX1 gene, which was significantly associated with meat quantity grade at slaughter (P＜ 0.03) and backfat thickness tended to be greater (P= 0.06) in Hanwoo. The previously identified g.14859C＞T SNP was used in this study and the obtained genotype and allele frequencies are almost similar with the previous results reported by Bhuiyan et al. (2007). However, no significant association was found between g.19491G ＞A SNP in the ACOX1 and g.14859C＞T SNP genotypes of CSRP3 gene and considered carcass and meat quality traits. In conclusion, the information on the identified SNPs in CSRP3 and ACOX1 genes could be useful for further association study and haplotype analysis for the development of carcass and meat quality traits in Hanwoo.
Following Teaching of Psychology Into Middle Age

Honoring Teaching of Psychology (ToP) as it approaches its 40th anniversary, we extend prior overviews of its development and growth into 2012. We describe changes in editorial staff and journal organization, identify and describe the top 20 most frequent contributors to ToP, and present the results of a content analysis of issues published from 1999 through mid-2012 to complement past content analyses. We conclude that as ToP enters middle age, it has professionally matured throughout adulthood to have a fruitful life as a topical journal and has outgrown its earlier newsletter trappings with essentially all of its journal space now devoted to articles on teaching for teachers.
Effects of oxygen concentration on the growth of Nannochloropsis sp.

ANannochloropsissp. is a promising microalgal resource for production of food, feed and bio-based commodities, as it can grow relatively fast and combines high lipid content with high content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. High productivity with constant product quality can be achieved in fully controlled closed photobioreactors. In these closed photobioreactors, however, oxygen accumulation occurs and causes inhibition of the growth by photorespiration combined with photoinhibition. The inhibitory effects of photorespiration and photoinhibition can be partly dealt with via the carbon concentration mechanism of the cells and by activation of the water-water cycle. At constant high oxygen concentration and high light intensity, however, the growth of the cells ceases. To our surprise, the accumulating oxygen did not affect the growth rate of the algae if the oxygen was removed regularly. In large scale production in closed photobioreactors, it is thus crucial apply degassing to achieve high algal productivity.
Sexual differences in moult–breeding overlap and female reproductive costs in pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca

1. In this study I show that a sexual difference in timing of the post-nuptial moult frequently occurs in a sub-arctic population of the pied flycatcher. 2. Most pairs started to moult after fledging of their young, but an overlap between moult and nestling feeding was more common among males than females. This sexual difference in moult–breeding overlap increased as the season progressed. 3. Females with moult–breeding overlap laid smaller clutches than non-moulting females. In addition to many other factors explaining the seasonal decline in clutch size that has been found for many bird species, it is possible that females adjust their clutch size according to their own risk of having to start moulting while still feeding the nestlings. 4. Nearly 24% of the females were deserted by their mate before the young fledged. Desertion imposed no fitness costs to males in terms of fledgling number or quality, suggesting that their females managed to adjust their care for the loss of male care. 5. Deserted females started moulting later than aided females, which may be a result of their increased reproductive investment. 6. Deserted females and females aided by moulting males had lower survival rate than females aided by non-moulting males. 7. These findings suggests that delayed moult may be one mechanism causing inter-annual reproductive costs in birds, and the relationship between a sexual difference in timing of moult and its fitness consequences may be widespread among passerine birds.
SINGLE DC SOURCE-BASED MULTILEVEL CONVERTER TOPOLOGY WITH REDUCED POWER SWITCHES AND CONDUCTION LOSSES

Nowadays multilevel inverter with reduced switch count is more attractive among the researchers due to the unsuitability of the conventional multilevel inverter where the installation space is constrained. In this category, the marine ship board has limited installation space. In this paper, a new multilevel inverter with reduced power electronics components with improved conduction loss is proposed. The proposed topology is compared with conventional and recent multilevel inverter topologies in terms of the number of levels, auxiliary diode, gate driver circuits, and blocking voltage of switches. The performance of proposed multilevel inverter is measured by using simulation software MATLAB/Simulink, and laboratory workbench-based experimental test has been conducted. Finally, the comparison between the simulation output and experimental result is discussed to prove the superiority of proposed topology.