Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary Segregation of Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins at Heard Island

This paper reports on the first quantitative study of the diet of macaroni and rockhopper penguins (Eudytes chrysolophus and E. chrysocome) undertaken on sub-Antarctic Heard Island. Stomach contents were sampled during the late incubation and early chick-rearing phase. Both penguin species generally fed on euphausiids and fish, albeit in different proportions and frequently on different species and sizes. In particular, macaroni penguins consumed considerably more fish on a per cent mass basis (23.2 v. 8.0%), selecting larger sized prey than rockhopper penguins did. It is hypothesised that these dietary differences provide macaroni penguins with a broader feeding niche leading to a greater availability of food and are thus an important factor contributing to the numerical dominance of macaroni penguins on the island.
Life and Death in the Fast Lane: Demographic Consequences of Road Mortality in the Florida Scrub‐Jay

Abstract: We examined the demographic consequences of road mortality in the cooperatively breeding Florida Scrub‐Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), a threatened species restricted to the oak scrub of peninsular Florida. Between May 1986 and July 1995 we monitored the survival and reproductive success of a color‐banded population of jays along a two‐lane highway at Archbold Biological Station. Annual mortality of breeding adults was 0.38 on road territories, significantly higher than the rate of 0.23 for breeders on nonroad territories. High mortality on road territories appeared to be a direct result of automobile traffic per se and not a consequence of road‐induced changes in habitat characteristics. Mortality was especially high for immigrants without previous experience living along the road: in their first two years as breeders on road territories, naive immigrants experienced annual mortality of 0.50 and 0.45. From year 3 onward, however, annual mortality dropped to 0.29, not significantly different from the rate for birds on nonroad territories. This experience‐dependent decline in road mortality could be caused either by surviving jays learning to avoid automobiles or by selective mortality operating through time (demographic heterogeneity). Proximity to the road had no effect on nesting success beyond its indirect effects on breeder experience and group size. Because the mortality of 30‐ to 90‐day‐old fledglings was significantly higher on road territories than on nonroad territories, however, breeder mortality greatly exceeded production of yearlings on road territories. Roadside territories therefore are sinks that can maintain populations of Florida Scrub‐Jays only via immigration. Because Florida Scrub‐Jays do not avoid roadside habitats and may even be attracted to them, road mortality presents a difficult challenge for the management and conservation of this threatened and declining species.
Antibacterial activity tannin-rich fraction from leaves of Anacardium humile.

In vitro tests conducted with extracts rich in tannins have identified several biological activities of this class of substance. Thus, this paper intends to evaluate the antibacterial activity of tannin-rich fraction obtained from leaf extracts of Anacardium humile A.St.-Hil. Extracts of A. humile leaves in 70% acetone were semi-purified with ethyl acetate and butanol. We quantified the total tannins of the semi-purified fractions, of the crude extract and of aqueous residues and then performed tests of the antibacterial activity of the tannins against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. All positive extracts underwent tannin isolation using a Sephadex LH-20 column. The tannins isolated from the samples were quantified and tested for the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The tannins from crude extracts, semi-purifications and residues showed inhibition of S. aureus growth with MIC=500 g mL-1. All tannin fractions showed MIC against all strains and MBC, except against E. faecalis. The tannin fractions from Anacardium humile have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomononas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis and, therefore, may be promising for future synthesis of new antibacterial agents.
Interspecific and Phylogenetic Relationships in the Genus Campanula L. s. str. (Campanulaceae): Karyological Approach

Chromosome numbers were determined and karyotypes were analyzed in 54 individuals from 9 populations representing 9 species of Campanula viz. C. alliariaefolia, C. carpatica, C. glomerata, C. lactiflora, C. raddeana, C. rigidipila, C. rotundifolia, C. siegizmundi and C. trachelium. The recorded diploid chromosome number in all the populations examined was 2n=2x=34, except in C. glomerata (2n=2x=30) and C. rotundifolia (2n=4x=68). Chromosome numbers in each of C. rigidipila and C. siegizmundi are scored for the first time, whereas those of the other species had confirmed previous reports. The karyotype parameters used were significantly differentiated in the species and the interspecific relationships were consistent with the current taxonomic delimitations. The evolutionary trends of the species based on their chromosomal data in relation to the morphological attributes and the geographical distribution were assessed.
Herbage losses from tiller pulling in a continuously grazed perennial ryegrass sward

Tiller pulling was studied in a perennial ryegrass sward that was continuously grazed by cattle. The treatments included severe (sward height after grazing 25 mm), medium (50 mm) or lenient (75 mm) grazing from turn-out in April to 1 June, followed by grazing to 50 mm in the remainder of the season. Tiller pulling was confined to the midsummer-autumn period of the grazing season. The losses were most severe in swards that had been leniently grazed to a mean height of 75 mm during the spring and least severe in swards grazed to a height of 25 mm. The lenient grazing treatment allowed both the true stem development and aerial tillering whereas in the more tightly grazed swards true stem development was significantly less and aerial tillering was virtually absent. The pulled organic matter in the lenient treatment was equivalent to about 5·3% of the total harvested yield. In the severely grazed swards, pulling losses were equivalent to about 1·7% of the total harvested yield. A high rate of turnover of the pulled herbage was found in all the treatments with between 69 and 78% of the freshly pulled herbage disappearing within a week of being pulled. Tiller pulling was found to have no effect on either the subsequent autumn-winter tiller density or yields of cuts taken in the following year.
Estrus after Conception in a Herd of Holstein-Friesian Cattle

Summary Estrus after conception was observed during 5.6% of 6,751 reproductive periods which terminated in nonabortive calvings. Cows in their second and third reproductive periods averaged 7.5%, as compared with little more than 4%, for animals in their first or more than seventh (P
Clarifications

TO THE EDITOR: Authors Heden and Kanaley are to be commended on the remarks in their letter that recently appeared in the Journal of Applied Physiology (1). Their concerns possibly point to a lack of clarity in my original correspondence. Before attempting to remedy that putative defect, it must be said that the devaluation of evidence-based statements appearing anywhere in the journal as “opinions” or “beliefs” is unwarranted. Even casual readers can see that the reviewers and editors of this publication are not in the business of propagating personal beliefs and opinions. It is, therefore, with some regret and a sense of finality on my part that I observe the following lest, left unaddressed, “Reply . ” should lead to lingering confusion and needless controversy. 1) The statement that no study has directly examined how the intensity of exercise performed in the postprandial period alters glycemia in the same individual with type 2 diabetes is directly at odds with the authors’ own (2) reference 21 (Manders et al.) The Manders article reports that low-intensity exercise “as opposed to” high-intensity exercise, performed at 60 min postmeal, reduced hyperglycemia in “9 type 2 diabetes patients” in a “crossover study. ” 2) The study by Mitranun et al. (Ref. 1, see Ref. 4 therein) that the authors cite as showing high-intensity exercise to be better for improving glycemia does not appear to be a postmeal study. It is not clear when the subjects exercised. (In a paragraph titled “Measurements” appears the following: “Two hours after having breakfast, the participants were asked to perform health-related physical fitness assessments.”) This is unfortunate because the glycemic effect of exercise is critically dependent on timing—how far removed the physical activity is from the last meal. 3) The comment the authors make about iAUC vs. total AUC of glucose is based on a triglyceride study (1). Even so, they take calculation-dependent amplification for accuracy.
Some mechanisms regulating nutrient utilisation in livestock during immune activation: an overview

The pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, TNFα and IFN α/β, produced during immune activation and tissue injury, override control of nutrient utilisation by the hypothalamic-somatotropic axis. The many effects of these cytokines include induction of fever and sickness behaviour, reduced fatty acid uptake by adipose tissue, reduced protein synthesis and enhanced protein breakdown in skeletal muscle, and gluconeogenesis, increased fatty acid synthesis and synthesis of acute phase proteins in the liver. Resistance to the effects of insulin, GH and IGF-1 is induced in adipose tissues, liver and muscle, at least in part through induction by pro-inflammatory cytokines of SOCS proteins which inhibit signal transduction and activation of gene transcription via the JAK/STAT pathway. These homeorhetic changes mobilise nutrients to fuel host defence responses. While an understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the catabolic state have arisen largely from studies of sepsis, trauma and acute challenge with biological mediators of the acute phase response, recent evidence in livestock suggests that graded production of pro-inflammatory cytokines during challenge with pathogens or subclinical infection can induce an incremental reduction in nutrient accretion in products of commercial value from livestock. This relationship highlights the value of good hygiene and reduced stress to improved feed utilisation for growth.
An Italian record of the aquatic oligochaete monopylephorus limosus (Tubificidae), previously known only from Japan and China

Abstract Monopylephorus limosus (Hatai, 1898) is reported from a highly polluted ditch connected with the Lambro River, E of Milan, Italy. The species was originally described from Japan, and has since only been reported from China. The genital organs of the worm are described and illustrated. It is concluded that M. limosus should be regarded as an introduced form in Europe.
Forest Age Structure and Development Following Wildfires in the Western Olympic Mountains, Washington

Fire is an important disturbance agent influencing forest composition and structure in Pacific Northwest ecosystems. I examined the effects of a long fire-return interval on forest development, composition, and tree age structure for a post-fire sere on the west slope of the moist Olympic Mountains. Similar sites that burned in 1978, 1961, 1870, 1799, and circa 1465 were selected. Tree cores and size characteristics were collected from two randomly located 0.25-ha plots at each site. Fires usually burned catastrophically, killing most overstory vegetation. Pioneer tree species were Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla); western hemlock assumed numerical dominance early in the sere. Forest reestablishment after fire was slow, taking ≥50 yr to complete establishment of shade-intolerant Douglas-fir. Understory establishment of western hemlock increased 150 yr after fire, although conditions that enhance its long-term survival may occur ≈300 yr or more after fire. Establishment of western hemlocks existent at the 1465 fire site peaked ≈365-424 yr after the fire; individuals establishing 150-300 yr after the fire occurred much less frequently. Fire exclusion would shift the replacement sequence toward a wet, very-low-frequency fire regime, favoring western hemlock over Douglas-fir.
Food selection by capercaillie chicks in southern Norway

Food selection by capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) chicks was studied using human-imprinted chicks. Invertebrates made up more than 50% of the chicks' diet during the 1st week. Feeding on plants increased to approximately 100% in 7-week-old chicks. Berries of Vaccinium myrtillus made up 85% of the plant material eaten. Berries were eaten once they ripened. Other important plant foods were flowers of Erica tetralix and Melampyrum pratense. Ants (Formicidae) were the most utilized invertebrate food. The observed decrease in the proportion of invertebrates in the diet with increasing age was not a result of decreasing invertebrate abundance. Sweep net samples showed significantly fewer invertebrates when chicks were 1 – 3 weeks old than when chicks were 4 – 6 weeks old.
Modulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein Metabolism by X11α/Mint-1

Modulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The phosphotyrosine-binding/protein interaction (PTB/PI) domain of X11α, a neuronal cytosolic adaptor protein, binds to the YENPTY sequence in the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of APP. This interaction prolongs the half-life of APP and inhibits Aβ40 and Aβ42 secretion. X11α/Mint-1 has multiple protein-protein interaction domains, a Munc-18 interaction domain (MID), a Cask/Lin-2 interaction domain (CID), a PTB/PI domain, and two PDZ domains. These X11α protein interaction domains may modulate its effect on APP processing. To test this hypothesis, we performed a deletion analysis of X11α effects on metabolism of APP695 Swedish (K595N/M596L) (APPsw) by transient cotransfection of HEK 293 cells with: 1) X11α (X11α-wt, N-MID-CID-PTB-PDZ-PDZ-C), 2) amino-terminal deletion (X11α-ΔN, PTB-PDZ-PDZ), 3) carboxyl-terminal deletion (X11α-ΔPDZ, MID-CID-PTB), or 4) deletion of both termini (PTB domain only, PTB). The carboxyl terminus of X11α was required for stabilization of APPsw in cells. In contrast, the amino terminus of X11α was required to stimulate APPs secretion. X11α, X11α-ΔN, and X11α-PTB, but not X11α-ΔPDZ, were effective inhibitors of Aβ40 and Aβ42 secretion. These results suggest that additional protein interaction domains of X11α modulate various aspects of APP metabolism.
Temporal and spatial variation in fish assemblages in Lake Taihu, China

Set-net surveys were performed monthly between January 2010 and December 2012 at six sampling sites in Lake Taihu in order to determine the spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblages in Lake Taihu and to assess the influence on fish assemblages of eutrophication and disconnection of migration routes. A total of 134,604 specimens (1456.7 kg total biomass) were caught, representing 61 species, 18 families, and 10 orders. Cyprinidae fish (36 species) contributed most of the total species richness and the most dominant species was Coilia nasus. Sampling months and sampling sites each significantly affected the Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), and Piélou's evenness index (J′) of fish assemblages and there were interactive effects between them. The ANOSIM analysis indicated that the fish assemblage structure had significant differences among the sample sites. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) both differed significantly among sites. The results of correlation analyses suggested that there was a significant negative correlation between two indices (H′ and J′) and both TP and TN (p < 0.01) as well as a significant positive correlation of catch per unit effort with both TP and TN (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that eutrophication in Lake Taihu has led to an increase in small-sized phytoplanktivorous and zooplanktivorous fishes and a decrease in prey availability for predatory fishes. Thus, the relative importance of small-sized fishes has increased and a few small-sized species (e.g., C. nasus) have become the dominant species, as reflected by reductions in the species diversity indices (H′ and J′).
Short-term influence of moose upon woody plants of an early seral wintering site in Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec

Two 0.1-ha moose (Alcesalcesamericana Cl.) exclosures and two unfenced control blocks were established in an 8-year postlogging site used for winter foraging by moose. During the 5-year experiment, moose visited the two unfenced blocks each winter removing between 22 and 58 kg (dry weight) per hectare of browse. The shrub layer comprised little other than mountain maple (Acerspicatum Lam.), beaked hazelnut (Coryluscornuta Marsh.), and balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill. ). Stem density remained relatively constant in the exclosures while increasing markedly in the unfenced blocks with hazel stems increasing from 37 to 56% of all stems. Seedlings or sprouts of mountain maple decreased slightly in the exclosures while increasing rapidly in the unfenced blocks. Plant heights and diameters at ground level increased significantly in the exclosures. Available forage from maple and hazel increased more rapidly in the controls than in the ex-closures.We conclude that moose, even at relatively low wintering densit.
The Influence of Different Organic Fertilizers on Yield and Physico-Chemical Properties of Organically Grown Tomato

The use of adequate organic fertilization is necessary to promote organic crop production. Organic nutrient sources including compost, manure, compost extract, and authorized fertilizers could be combined and used in order to achieve a balanced nutrient supply and an improved organic tomato yield and quality. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different organic fertilizer treatments on fruit yield and the physico-chemical properties of two field tomato cultivars. The three treatments used were CODA: codahumus 20; COMP: 40 t ha−1 of mixed compost (50% olive husk + 30% horse manure + 20% poultry manure) + mixed compost extract + codahumus 20; and MIX: 20 t ha−1 sheep manure + 20 t ha−1 mixed compost + mixed compost extract + codahumus 20. Total and marketable yields of the two tomato cultivars were greater for the COMP and MIX treatments compared to the CODA treatment. However, tomato physico-chemical properties were not affected by the different organic fertilizer treatments. Organic tomato yield and quality obtained in this experiment were generally satisfactory and comparable to those usually obtained in conventionally grown systems.
Relationship Between Ultrastructural Topochemistry of Lignin and Wood Properties

The main subunits of lignin could be visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with antibodies raised against synthetic lignin model polymers. Thus, immunological probes against p-hydroxyphenyl propane, guaiacyl and mixed guaiacyl-syringyl units allowed to specifically localize the qualitative distribution of lignins in plant cell tissues . Depending on the mode of preparation of the synthetic lignin antigens , the corresponding antibodies showed specificity for condensed or noncondensed interunits linkages . This specificity is illustrated with the different labellings provided by the antibodies when applied to various wood and nonwoody materials . The results c1early show the heterogeneity of lignification between tissues but also demonstrate the microheterogeneity of lignin deposition within a a single wood cell wall. Our immunological markers were successfully applied to transgenic plants in which lignin synthesis pathways had been modified, to tissues from reaction wood, as well as to materials degraded by ligninolytic fungi.
Predator Avoidance and Diel Patterns of Microhabitat Use by Larval Tiger Salamanders

Diel patterns of microhabitat use of larval tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum, were studied in three permanent ponds in the White Mountains of east—central Arizona during the summers of 1982—1984. Variation in the importance of risk of predation, distribution of food resources, and temperature gradients caused patterns of microhabitat use to vary among populations. Microhabitat use of larvae at Big Meadows Tanks (BMT) 1 and 2 was strongly influenced by risk of predation from adult predaceous diving beetles, Dytiscus dauricus. Adult beetles were active at night and moved almost exclusively in vegetated littoral areas, while larval salamanders occupied vegetated shallows during the day and moved to open, deeper areas at night. Field and laboratory experiments with larvae in the presence and absence of beetles demonstrated that larvae were responsive to changes in predation risk and altered their patterns of microhabitat use to minimize encounter rates with beetles. Dytiscus was essentially abs.
Phlebotomines (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Speleological Province of the Ribeira Valley: 2. Parque Estadual do Alto Ribeira (PETAR), São Paulo State, Brazil

O Parque Estadual Turistico do Alto Ribeira, com cerca de 250 cavernas, situado em reserva de floresta Atlântica, e uma importante atracao turistica na regiao do Vale do Ribeira, onde a leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) e endemica. Com o objetivo de investigar as especies incomodas ao homem e/ou implicadas na transmissao de Leishmania, identificou-se a fauna flebotominea e alguns aspectos ecologicos de suas populacoes no nucleo da caverna Santana. Mensalmente, de janeiro/2001 a dezembro/2002, foram realizadas capturas com armadilhas automaticas luminosas em 11 ecotopos, incluindo cavernas, florestas, area de camping e ambientes domiciliares, e com armadilhas de Shannon em mata. No total capturou-se 2.449 flebotomineos, representando 21 especies. Nas capturas com armadilhas automaticas luminosas, Psathyromyia pascalei e Psychodopygus ayrozai foram as mais abundantes. Com as armadilhas de Shannon branca e preta instaladas simultaneamente foram capturados 107 especimes, representando 13 especies, na preta (12 especies) e na branca (6 especies). Femeas de Psychodopygus geniculatus predominaram na preta (43,75%), e Psathyromyia lanei e Ps. ayrozai, igualmente (32,4%), na branca. Nyssomyia intermedia e Nyssomyia neivai, ambas implicadas na transmissao da LTA na regiao, tambem foram capturadas, Ny. intermedia, a 6a mais abundante, predominou na area de camping aberto. Baixas frequencias de flebotomineos foram observadas nas cavernas, onde Evandromyia edwardsi predominou. Destaca-se a captura de Lutzomyia longipalpis, principal vetor do agente da leishmaniose visceral americana, sendo o registro mais meridional da mata Alântica.
Population dynamics and reproduction of marsupials and rodents in a Brazilian rural area: a five-year study

A five-year mark-recapture study of small mammals was conducted with sampling every two months in a rural area of Sumidouro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 1991 to July 1996. Population sizes were estimated through MNKA estimator, survivorship and recruitment rates through Jolly-Seber estimator. Nectomys squamipes and Didelphis aurita were the most abundant species, followed by Akodon cursor, Philander frenata and Oligoryzomys nigripes. Marsupials reproduced from July/August to March, with the highest population sizes and recruitment rates in the end of the rainy periods and beginning of the dry period. Rodents were able to reproduce throughout the year. N. squamipes' population size was correlated with survivorship; peaks and the bulk of reproduction occurred during and after the rainy periods. A. cursor's population size increased in dry periods. These species displayed seasonal patterns of population dynamics related to reproduction, with some variations among years chiefly for the rodents.