Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bird assemblages in mosaic forests: the relative importance of vegetation structure and floristic composition along the successional gradient

Nous avons teste l'hypothese que les oiseaux choisissent leur habitat sur une grand echelle d'apres la structure de la vegetation et que, dans des habitats homogenes, la composition en especes vegetales devient predominante dans ce choix. Nous avons etudie les assemblages d'oiseaux dans les forets riveraines du lac de Grand Lieu, en Bretagne. Ces forets sont composees d'une mosaique de differents types de vegetation. Ces types de vegetation couvrent toute la succession forestiere. Des analyses canoniques des corcespondances, contraintes par les variables de la structure de la vegetation et de la composition floristique, montrent que les variables expliquant le plus de variation dans la distribution des oiseaux sont celles liees a la succession forestiere. Nous avons utilise des ordinations partielles pour calculer les contributions dues exclusivement a la structure, exclusivement a la floristique, et conjointement a ces deux elements. La structure de la vegetation explique la plus grande fraction de variation a grande echelle, lorsque toute la succession est prise en compte. La contribution de la composition floristique devient plus importante a petite echelle, lorsque seul le dernier stade de la succession est pris en compte. Ces differences sont statistiquement significatives. L'analyse individuelle des variables montre que cette evolution est due a une forte augmentation de l'importance de la richesse en especes d'arbres et a une diminution de l'importance des variables decrivant la structure des arbres. Ces resultats sont en accord avec l'hypothese
03. Spitting behaviour of hatchling red spitting cobras ( Naja pallida )

Though spitting cobras are able to "spit" their venom even before they fully emerge from the egg, little is known about how this remarkable defensive behaviour is manifest in hatchlings. This study examined three aspects of spitting behaviour in hatchling red spitting cobras (Naja pallida) ― the amount and dispersal of the spat venom, the kinematics of the head during spitting, and the distance of both the target and the spat venom. Hatchlings spit more venom relative to their body mass than adult snakes, and produce similar patterns of spatial dispersal of the spat venom. Hatchlings exhibit cephalic oscillations during spitting that are similar to those reported in adults, although the magnitudes of these movements are more exaggerated in the hatchlings. The distance covered by the hatchling's spat venom is much less than that of the adult cobra, and, unlike the adults, the hatchlings routinely spit at targets well beyond their effective spitting range. These results suggest that while the same basic mechanisms underlie spitting in hatchlings and adults, these mechanisms undergo a distinct ontogenetic refinement leading to improved functional performance. Comparisons between the hatchlings and the adults led to the formation of a basic ethological model for venom spitting.
Ecomorphological Adaptations of Riparian Bembidiini species (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

There i s a close relationship between body shape and ecology o f the species o f the tribe Bembidiini. borso-ventrally flattened species with parallel-sided elytra tend to be lithophilous, i e , they live under or between gravel and stones on banks and shores , whereas stout species with an oviform hind body form hide among vegetation , under dead leaves or in crevices in the earth . Species occupying an intermediate position as regards morphology are either euryoecious or independent of cover (gravel/stones , vegetation etc) . An examination of information given in taxonomic literature revealed that lithophilous beetle species , almost without exception , have a depressed and often parallel-sided body, suggesting that these features have strong adaptive value . Thereare indications that competition may have contributed to the evolution of the depressed body form of the lithophilous species.
A new species of Lampromyia Macquart, from Oman: the first record of Vermileonidae (Diptera) from the Arabian Peninsula

A descriptionption is given of Lampromyia umbraticola sp. n. , discovered in the Hajar Mountains of northern Oman. This distinctive species is phylogenetically isolated and constitutes a monospecific species-group. The wide but fragmented range of Lampromyia Macquart, 1835, suggests that this genus is a relict of an old African fauna, and that it was distributed across the Saharan and Arabian areas before their aridification.
Behavioural Interactions between Hen Harriers and Their Moorland Prey

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus hunting behaviour was examined in relation to the abundance and distribution of prey on two areas of heather moorland in Scotland. During 578 hours of observation, harriers were seen hunting for 18 hours, in which they took 86 prey. The proportion of large prey (Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus chicks and lagomorph young) increased in the diet as their abundance increased, whereas the proportion of small prey (passerines and small mammals) decreased. Where large prey were scarce, harriers hunted according to passerine distribution. Where grouse were common, harriers hunted in accordance with grouse distribution. In agreement with predictions from patch models, increasing grouse density resulted in harriers spending less time attacking each brood. Interactions between harriers and grouse were observed 41 times, of which 20 resulted in capture. Adult grouse vigorously defended their young against harriers, and males responded more often than females. Observations of harriers hunting and at the nest indicated that once they had caught a grouse chick they rarely returned to the same brood to catch another.
Breeding Biology and Twinning Experiments of Rhinoceros Auklets on Cleland Island, British Columbia

A study of the Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) was conducted on Cleland Island, B.C. (49° 10'N, 126° 10'W). The second author initiated the major part of the project which was to test Lack's (1954) hypothesis that the clutch size of a bird species is determined through evolution by the average number of young the parents are able to fledge. To this end young birds were weighed daily in natural single-chick broods and in artificially doubled broods. Notes were also kept on nesting chronology, feeding behavior, and activity patterns of birds at the colony. This paper discusses the success, chronology, and behavior as observed in 1969, and relates the latter to the outcome of the twinning experiment.
Metabolic adverse effects in clozapine-treated patients with schizophrenia : Cytokine and adipokine alterations, neuropeptide Y, and genetic associations

Metabolic syndrome is associated with both schizophrenia and antipsychotic medication, especially clozapine, with alterations in inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. However, the data in this field is heterogeneous and the sample sizes of the patients are limited. In this study we assessed the serum levels of cytokines/adipokines IL-6, IL-1Ra, hs-CRP and adiponectin, and components of metabolic syndrome in 190 patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia treated with clozapine. Substantial metabolic comorbidity was found in this patient group; overweight/obesity, smoking, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol, high HOMA-IR, low adiponectin levels, elevated hs-CRP levels and elevated IL-1Ra levels. Elevated IL-1Ra levels are associated with insulin resistance, obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. Low adiponectin levels were associated with hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol and high glucose, and in male patients also with obesity and high IL-1Ra levels. After controlling for confounding factors age and smoking, levels of IL-1Ra and hs-CRP associated with obesity, and the levels of IL-6 associated with obesity in female patients. We conclude that there are partly gender dependent cytokine and adipokine alterations in patients with schizophrenia on clozapine treatment associated with metabolic comorbidity. The genetic background of these cytokine alterations needs to be further investigated. & 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Roles of Raptors in a Changing World: From Flagships to Providers of Key Ecosystem Services

Summary. Birds of prey have been, in comparison to other avian groups, an uncommon study model, mainly due to the limitations imposed by their conservative life strategy (low population density and turnover). Nonetheless, they have attracted a strong interest from the point of view of conservation biology because many populations have been close to extinction and because of their recognised role in ecosystems as top predators and scavengers and as flagship species. Today, after more than a century of persecution, and with the exception of some vultures still very much affected by illegal poisoning, many populations of birds of prey have experienced significant recoveries in many regions of Spain and the European Mediterranean. These changes pose new challenges when addressing the conservation of raptors in the coming decades. On this basis, and from a preferentially Mediterranean perspective, we have focused our attention on the need of describing and quantifying the role of these birds as providers of both regulating (rodent pest control and removal of livestock carcasses) and cultural ecosystem services. Moreover, we revisited persisting conflicts with human interests (predation of game species) and call attention to the emergence of new conflicts with a strong social and media component such as the predation on live cattle by vultures. Also, the rampant humanization of the environment determines the need for new solutions to the growing, yet scarcely explored, problem of accidents in new infrastructures such as mortality in wind farms. Finally, we explored in depth the ecological response of birds of prey to large-scale habitat changes such as urbanisation and abandonment of marginal lands that are also expected to increase in the near future. We urgently need more scientific knowledge to provide adequate responses to the challenge of keeping healthy populations of avian predators and scavengers in a rapidly changing world.
Seasonal variations in the proximate compositions of five economically- important fish species from Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

Proximate compositions of five economically-important fish species from Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania were determined using standard methods and procedures of the Association of the Analytical Chemists. Samples of Lates niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus, Rastrineobola argentea, Limnothrissa miodon and Stolothrissa tanganicae were collected during the dry and rainy seasons (December 2012 to March 2013) and (June to September, 2013). Protein contents (17.35- 21.44 g/100 g) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in wet seasons and lower (16.13 -19.77 g/100 g) during the dry season in all the species. Similarly, lipids contents were significantly (p<0.05) higher during the wet seasons (1.01 – 3.19 g/100 g) and lower (0.79 -1.79 g/100 g) during the dry season in all the species, while carbohydrate (1.89 - 4.46 g/100 g) was significantly (p<0.05) higher during the dry season in all the species. The present study showed that these species are good sources of protein in desirable quantities for normal growth, development and as a remedy to nutritional and health related problems. High contents of protein and lipid during wet season make the fish species desirable for consumption during this period. These fish species are therefore recommended to diabetic consumers due to their low carbohydrate contents. Key words : Fish species, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Proximate, Seasonal variations.
Nutritional evaluation of four optimized cassava-based complementary foods

), and energy (409.2 kcal). The diets supplied adequate amounts of most minerals, except iron (about 65% of the standard). The composites contained all the essential amino acids with adequate chemical score for most amino acids. The complementary diets contained moderate to high proportions of -linolenic acids (18:3n3) and a high proportion of linoleic acid (18:2n6), which resulted in a high total n-6/total n-3 ratio and a high linoleic/ -linolenic acids ratio. Micronutrient improved cassava varieties can be effectively used to formulate complementary food as acceptable micronutrients supplement
Considering non-predatory death in the estimation of copepod early life stage mortality and survivorship

Estimation of early stage mortality is essential for predicting copepod population dynamics and ecological linkages. Standard methods do not distinguish among types of mortality, nor do they consider that samples may include dead individuals, which can lead to misinterpretation and bias. Here, we develop theory to explain how non-predatory death, or “expiration”, influences in situ abundances. We present an amended population dynamics model that accounts for the production of non-viable eggs, expiration of live individuals and losses of dead individuals. This model is used to derive generalizations of four vertical mortality estimation methods, including the widely used Vertical Life Table approach. These new formulae are applied to data for Calanus finmarchicus in the Labrador Sea to illustrate the potential effects of reduced viability on estimated early stage loss rates and survivorship. Results show that even slight reductions in viability can impart significant changes, with the nature of the effect varying among methods, consistent with previous studies. We explain the reasons for these differences and how the common practice of aggregating stages masks the ecological significance of egg viability. Our analysis reinforces previous recommendations for scientists to consider expiration in their estimates of mortality, and in designing their empirical studies.
DNA sequence variation within and around human minisatellites

Hypervariable minisatellites have found increasing use in a wide range of applications including linkage analysis, relationship testing and forensic medicine. Conventional length analysis via restriction digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization produces at best, less than 100 resolvable alleles and involves inherently error prone length estimations. Forensic analyses based on such a system have recently been heavily criticised and the population assumptions used to calculate match frequencies questioned. However, allele length is not the only criterion by which minisatellite variability may be assessed. All well characterised hypervariable human minisatellites also show variation in the dispersion patterns of minisatellite variant repeats. At the most well characterised human minisatellite MS32, MVR variation has been assayed by both restriction analyses and a more direct MVR-PCR approach. Both procedures have shown that allele length analysis seriously underestimates the true variability at minisatellite loci. Many individuals incorrectly typed as homozygous by length analysis have been demonstrated to be heterozygous by internal MVR mapping. MVR allelic analysis has been used to directly show the existence of many hundreds of different alleles, each one absolutely defined, from which we can infer the existence of many thousands of alleles. With a theoretical capacity to define many millions of alleles MVR analysis adds a new dimension to the study of variation in human DNA. The high observed allelic variability is directly reflected in the very high individual specificity obtained when MVR-PCR is applied to total genomic DNA to obtain a diploid code of the two superimposed alleles. MVR diploid code analysis produces a highly portable digital output which provides unambiguous match criteria. Diploid code analysis may be used to obtain highly discriminatory information from mixed DNA samples and, via the use of allele specific flanking primers in knockout MVR-PCR, from admixtures far lower than currently approachable. MVR analysis of allelic variation has revealed the existence of a terminal mutation hotspot which has been confirmed in studies of de novo mutation events in pedigrees. This work has revealed the complex nature of minisatellite mutation, with, for the first time, strong evidence for a role for unequal interallelic exchange and preliminary evidence for a size increase bias.
Antimicrobial Activity of Gaseous Allyl Isothiocyanate.

A simple model system was constructed to evaluate the microbistatic and microbicidal properties of gaseous allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) against bacterial cells and fungal conidia deposited on agar surfaces. Salmonella typhimurium , Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were inhibited when exposed to 1,000 μg AIT per liter. Pseudomonas corrugata , a Cytophaga species, and a fluorescent pseudomonad failed to grow in the presence of 500 μg AIT per liter. Germination and growth of Penicillium expansum , Aspergillus flavus , and Botrytis cinerea conidia was inhibited in the presence of 100 μg AIT per liter. Bactericidal and sporicidal activities varied with strain and increased with time of exposure, AIT concentration, and temperature. E. coli O157:H7 was the most resistant bacterial species tested.
Boring crustaceans shape the land–sea interface in brackish Caribbean mangroves

Consumer effects on the structure and extent of habitat-forming foundation species such as trees and coral reefs are well known, but the role of non-consumer interactions is less studied. Red mangroves are major foundation species at the land–sea interface, creating critical habitat in the tropics and subtropics. The complex aerial roots of mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) provide structural support to the tree and support diverse marine biota including boring isopods (Sphaeroma terebrans). These isopods frequently bore into root tips of mangroves causing atrophy, which can alter the structure and extent of mangrove habitat. We conducted a large-scale isopod exclusion experiment across 18° of latitude at eight locations from Panama to Florida to test how isopods affect mangrove root structure and anchorage across a broad geographic range. We hypothesized that excluding isopods would increase root growth rates, morphological complexity, and anchorage compared to roots exposed to isopods. After one year, mangrove roots protected from boring isopods with cages increased growth by 2.5–19 times and exhibited a more complex morphology compared to uncaged controls. Further, 15% of caged roots became anchored in the sediment compared to none of the uncaged isopod-inhabited roots. This suggests that these isopods, which are native to the Indo-Pacific, are a major, widespread structuring agent of mangrove root habitat in the Caribbean and Florida, potentially limiting mangrove encroachment into estuarine waters.
Formulation and Nutritional Evaluation of Instant Weaning Foods Processed from Maize (Zea mays), Pawpaw (Carica papaya), Red Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Mackerel Fish Meal (Scomber scombrus)

The aims of this study were to evaluate the functional, nutritional and sensory qualities of five Instantaneous Complementary Foods formulated from blends of fermented maize, beans, fishmeal, pawpaw, and sugar. The different ingredients -fermented maize, beans, fishmeal, pawpaw and sugar- were incorporated in the proportions of 70-10-10-5-5 for diet A, 30-50-10-5-5 for diet B, 65-15-10-5-5 for diet C, 40-40-10-5-5 for diet D and 60-20-10-5-5 for diet E, respectively. A commercial weaning food, Phosphatine® served as control. Results of the proximate analysis showed that the formulated diets contained 363.82kcal, 333.97kcal, 362.01kcal, 341.96kcal and 358.06kcal of energy for diets A, B, C, D, and E respectively; 17.88%, 23.71%, 18.61%, 22.25%, and 19.34% of protein content for diets A, B, C, D and E respectively; 58.04%, 47.11%, 56.79%, 49.87%, 55.41% of carbohydrates for diets A B, C, D and E respectively; 4.46%, 3.41%, 4.49%, 3.72%, 4.34% of fats for diets A, B, C, D and E respectively. All the formulations contained the following elements range: Zinc (0.91-2.27mg); Sodium (31.43-492 mg), Manganese (0.27-7.70 mg), Phosphorus (85.35-756.21mg), Iron (0.00-31.7 mg), Magnesium (0.00-253 mg), Calcium (0.00-419.11mg) and Potassium (201.17-1484.01mg). Sensory analysis showed ratings within acceptable limits using a 9-point hedonic scale. The bulk density values were comparable (though slightly higher) to that for the control. The water absorption capacity ranged from 2.00 to 3.30 with diet E having the highest value while diet C had the lowest and the control had the highest WAC value with 4.65. The Oil absorption capacity ranged from 2.30 for diet E to 3.00 for diet C while the commercial weaning diet had an oil absorption capacity of 2.90. The Swelling Index ranged from 0.91 (diet A) to 1.25 (diet E) while that for the control diet was 1.00. The Foam capacity values ranged between 2.83 for diet D and 7.69 for diet E, while that for the control was 13.56. The dispersibility was within the range 94.0 (diet A) and 98.0 (diet E) while the control had a dispersibility value of 171.0. Animal feeding experiments revealed that the formulated diets gave the higher weight gain compared with the control diet as well as the higher PER (Protein Efficiency Ratio) values and higher body organ weights. The study concluded that the formulated diets could be used as alternatives to the weaning foods to improve the nutritional status of children and help to prevent protein-energy malnutrition.
Overland travel, food abundance, and wetland use by Mallards : Relationships with offspring survival

ABSTRACr. -We monitored wetland habitat use and inter-wetland moves of 52 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) broods near Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Brood-attending females were equipped with radio transmitters and their locations monitored daily. Duckling survival in the first two weeks after hatching was not related to distance traveled to the first wetland nor the total distance traveled overland in the 14-day period. Brood-rearing females were found on one to five wetlands in the first week after hatch (mode = 2), and most (17 of 32) remained on one wetland in the second week (range = 1-5). Broods were found most frequently (69-95% of days) on semi-permanent wetlands. Conductivity on most (>95%) of these wetlands was <2000 microsiemens/cm; such levels are well below those known to affect duckling growth or survival. For 12 broods for which we had data on food (chironomid) abundance, we were unable to detect a relationship between inter-wetland movements and brood use. Nor was there evidence that duckling survival was related to levels of chironomid abundance. Received 3 Sept. 1996, accepted 20 Feb. 1997.
Communal Roosting of Common Ravens in Southwestern Idaho

ABsTRACr. -From 1983-1987, Common Ravens (Corvus corax) used thirteen communal roosts on a segment of electrical transmission line that runs 597 km from south-central Idaho to south-central Oregon. Up to 2103 ravens were counted at a single roost that spanned approximately six km of transmission line and 15 transmission towers. Most roosts were occupied between spring and autumn; one was occupied year-round. Peak numbers of ravens at most roosts and peak numbers of occupied roosts occurred during late summer and early autumn. Ravens concentrated on the highest portions of transmission towers, although more ravens roosted on the lower portions of towers when winds exceeded seven km/h. Ravens arrived at roosts earlier relative to sunset during summer than during spring or fall. Soon after fledging, juvenile and adult ravens left nesting areas and moved as far as 60 km to communal roosts. Some ravens used more than one communal roost during a year, moving between roosts up to 63 km apart. Received 19 Feb. 1991, accepted 10 July 1991.