Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relative importance of body size, phylogeny, locomotion, and diet in the evolution of forelimb dexterity in fissiped carnivores (Carnivora)

Using a new rating scale of forelimb dexterity that separates the contribution of proximal components (shoulder, upper forelimb, and lower forelimb) from distal components (forepaw), we examined the relationship between functional demands and phylogeny and forelimb dexterity in 45 species of fissiped carnivores (Carnivora). Specifically, we examined the effects of body size, phylogenetic relatedness, diet (vertebrate predation), and locomotion (arboreality) on the differential evolution of forelimb dexterity. Regression analyses indicate that, although body size does appear to be positively correlated with the dexterity of the proximal components, the inclusion of phylogenetic information results in a nonsignificant relationship. Phylogenetic relatedness was found to account for a significant amount of interspecific variation in proximal, distal, and total (proximal + distal) dexterity. When phylogenetic effects were incorporated, arboreality was not significantly correlated with any of the dexterity scor.
A survey of East Palaearctic Hersiliola Thorell, 1870 (Araneae, Hersiliidae), with a description of three new genera

Th ree new genera and eight new species of Hersiliidae are described from the East Palaearctic (Afganistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). Th e genus Hersiliola Th orell, 1870 (Araneae: Hersiliidae) is revised, and four new species are described. Th e genus includes nine species: H. afghanica Roewer, 1960 (Afghanistan); H. esyunini sp. n. (Uzbekistan); H. foordi sp. n. (Iran); H. lindbergi sp. n. (Afghanistan); H. macullulata (Dufour, 1831) (type species; from Spain and Algeria to Israel and Yemen); H. simoni (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872) (from Spain and Morocco to Israel); H. sternbergsi sp. n. (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan); H. versicolor (Blackwall, 1865) (Cape Verde); and H. xinjiangenis (Liang & Wang, 1989) (Xinjiang, China). A new genus Duninia gen. n. is described, with two new species, Duninia baehrae sp. n. (type species; Turkmenistan) and D. rheimsae sp. n. (Iran). A new genus Deltshevia gen. n. is described, with two new species, Deltshevia danovi sp. n. (type species; Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan) and D. gromovi sp. n. (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan). Th e widely ranging Central Asian Hersiliola pallida Kroneberg, 1875 (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) is transferred to a new monotypic genus, Ovtsharenkoia gen. n.
Establishment of the European Rabbit Flea on Macquarie Island.

Since December 1968, 241 600 rabbit fleas (Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale)) have been released on Macquarie Island (between Australia and Antarctica) as a vector of myxomatosis for the biological control of rabbits. The flea is now established but is unevenly distributed due to its low rate of reproduction and slow rate of spread, especially into small isolated pockets of rabbits. The number of rabbits infested was greatest following the rabbit breeding season. Levels of infestation on individual rabbits were low; of 5135 rabbits shot in 3 years, only 21 carried more than 100 rabbit fleas. Limits to the spread and survival of the fleas on the island are discussed.
Biochemical and molecular indicators in aquatic ecosystems: Current status and further applications in Malaysia

Malaysia's aquatic ecosystems contribute 1.6% of her gross domestic product and provide employment to about 100,000 people. They are sources of a significant proportion of the nation's food supply, mainly by marine capture fisheries; but aquaculture, both marine and freshwater is becoming increasingly important. Hence, characterization of the species diversity of Malaysian biological resources (bioresources) is of paramount importance. One of the key components in any biodiversity investigation is elucidation of the population genetic structure of the species being studied, as it is an indication of the status of the species within the ecosystem. It is here that biochemical protein level and molecular DNA level indicators play crucial roles. Thus far, the studies that had been done in Malaysia using such biochemical and molecular markers were mainly on freshwater aquatic species that are important to aquaculture such as the catfish, Mystus nemurus and Clarias macrocephalus, and tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus and O. mossambicus, and the prawns Penaeus monodon and P. merguiensis. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers had been used to study two species of marine turtles that nest on Malaysia's pristine beaches, the hawk's bill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata and the green turtle, Chelonia mydas. However, none of the top ten marine fish species endemic in this country had been studied yet. A start had been made to study the genetic structure of the green-lipped mussel, Perna viridis, with a view to using it as a biomonitoring agent of environmental pollution. An association was found between increased heterozygosity level for allozyme loci and heavy metal pollution index in this species. This paper discusses these findings and makes suggestions for the use of biochemical and molecular markers as potential biomonitoring agents of pollution levels in future ecotoxicological studies of Malaysia's aquatic ecosystems.
Comparison of Growth and Production Performance between Male and Female Giant Freshwater Prawn in Combination with Mola

An experiment was conducted to compare growth and production performance between all-male and all-female giant freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) in combination with mola ( Amblypharyngodon mola ) at the Fisheries Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The research was carried out for a period of 120 days in nine earthen ponds with an average depth of 1.2 m. The experiment had three treatments, viz. polyculture of all-male prawn with mola (stocking density 20,000 ha -1 ), monoculture of all-male prawn and monoculture of all-female prawn were treated as T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 , respectively with three replications of each and prawn stocking density was 30,000 ha -1 in all the treatments. Formulated sinking feeds were applied twice daily for prawn, and assuming 80% survival feeding rates were gradually reduced to 10-5% of body weight from the beginning to the last month. All water quality parameters (except transparency, chlorophyll- a and plankton) did not vary statistically significantly ( P>0.05 ) among the treatments. Survival of prawn in respective of gender was lower in monoculture than in polyculture with mola, but did not vary significantly ( P>0.05 ). Considering growth and production performance in all treatments, the male prawn showed better growth and production performance than female prawn and the highest gross and net production was recorded in treatment T 1 , therefore, polyculture of all-male prawn with mola is better than monoculture. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jesnr.v4i2. 10163 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 4(2): 137-142, 2011
CHANGES IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN RESPONSE TO COMBINED IRRADIANCE AND TEMPERATURE STRESS IN CYANOBACTERIAL SURFACE WATERBLOOMS 1

Buoyant cyanobacteria, previously mixed throughout the water column, float to the lake surface and form a surface waterbloom when mixing subsides. At the surface, the cells are exposed to full sunlight, and this abrupt change in photon irradiance may induce photoinhibition; at the same time, temperature rises as well. This study investigated the damaging effects of this increase in temperature as well as the ecologically more relevant combination of both an increased temperature and a high photon irradiance. Analysis of surface blooms with oxygen microelectrodes showed that integrated oxygen contents that are dependent on the balance of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and respiratory oxygen uptake decreased when temperature was raised above the lake temperature. Gross rates of photosynthesis were unaffected by temperatures up to of 35°C; hence, a moderate increase in temperature mainly stimulated oxygen uptake. Preincubation of cells of the cyanobacterium Anabaena flos‐aquae (Lyngb.) de Brébisson at temperatures up to 35°C did not affect the subsequent measurement of rates of net photosynthesis. Another 5°C rise in temperature severely damaged the photosynthetic apparatus. Failure to restore net rates of photosynthesis was coupled to a strong quenching of the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence, Fv/Fm, that was the result of a rise in Fo. A combination of high temperature and high photon irradiance was more damaging than high temperature alone. In contrast, low photon irradiances offered substantial protection against heat injury of the photosynthetic apparatus. I conclude from this study that because cyanobacteria usually are acclimated to low average irradiance prior to bloom formation, there is a reasonable risk of chronic photoinhibition. The increase in temperature will enhance the photodamage of cells in the top layer of the bloom. Low photon irradiances in subsurface layers will offer protection against heat injury. If the high temperatures extend to the deepest, dark layers of the bloom, damage in those layers is likely to occur.
Optimizing the Management of Uneven-aged Forest Stands

Two perennial problems in the management of uneven-aged forests are considered: (i) determination of the optimal sustainable distribution of trees by diameter class, i.e. stand structure, for a given initial stocking level, and (ii) the optimal cutting schedule for the conversion of an irregular stand to a target structure. It is shown, using examples for northern hardwood stands in Wisconsin, that both problems can be solved via mathematical programming techniques. The programming approaches utilize a set of nonlinear equation models for stand table projections which consider the interdependence of size classes within the stand. To illustrate procedures, optimal stand structures are found for a case where initial stand basal area is constrained to specified levels and the objective is to maximize value growth over the cutting cycle. A conversion cutting schedule is then determined for a case in which the objective is maximization of present worth. It is emphasized that both the optimal distribution and c.
Assessing the Credibility and Authenticity of Social Media Content for Applications in Health Communication: Scoping Review

Background Nutrition science is currently facing issues regarding the public’s perception of its credibility, with social media (SM) influencers increasingly becoming a key source for nutrition-related information with high engagement rates. Source credibility and, to an extent, authenticity have been widely studied in marketing and communications but have not yet been considered in the context of nutrition or health communication. Thus, an investigation into the factors that impact perceived source and message credibility and authenticity is of interest to inform health communication on SM. Objective This study aims to explore the factors that impact message and source credibility (which includes trustworthiness and expertise) or authenticity judgments on SM platforms to better inform nutrition science SM communication best practices. Methods A total of 6 databases across a variety of disciplines were searched in March 2019. The inclusion criteria were experimental studies, studies focusing on microblogs, studies focusing on healthy adult populations, and studies focusing on either source credibility or authenticity. Exclusion criteria were studies involving participants aged under 18 years and clinical populations, gray literature, blogs, WeChat conversations, web-based reviews, non-English papers, and studies not involving participants’ perceptions. Results Overall, 22 eligible papers were included, giving a total of 25 research studies. Among these studies, Facebook and Twitter were the most common SM platforms investigated. The most effective communication style differed depending on the SM platform. Factors reported to impact credibility included language used online, expertise heuristics, and bandwagon heuristics. No papers were found that assessed authenticity. Conclusions Credibility and authenticity are important concepts studied extensively in the marketing and communications disciplines; however, further research is required in a health context. Instagram is a less-researched platform in comparison with Facebook and Twitter.
Effect of genotype-by-environment interaction on the wood properties and qualities of four-year-old Eucalyptus grandis and E. grandis hybrids.

SYNOPSIS The effect of environment on growth-stress splitting, wood density, fibre length, shrinkage and heartwood content was studied using 31 five-year-old eucalypt clones, mostly Eucalyptus grandis and E. grandis-based hybrids, grown in replicated trials at 26 sites. An analysis of variance was carried out for each wood property to test the interaction between site and clone. For each clone a linear regression of the individual property value on the mean of all clones for each site was computed as a further measure of clone-by-site interaction. Both analyses indicated that genotype-by-environment interaction does exist for some clones and that it is applicable to all the wood properties considered except fibre length. However, clones showing sensitivity to changes in the environment for a particular wood property did not necessarily show sensitivity in the case of other wood properties. In other words, no clone could be singled out for showing sensitivity towards changes in the environment for all its .
Use of Human-Altered Habitats by Bull Sharks in a Florida Nursery Area

Abstract Bull Sharks Carcharhinus leucas in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, have been documented to frequently occur in humanaltered habitats, including dredged creeks and channels, boat marinas, and power plant outfalls. The purpose of this study was to examine the short-term movements of age-0 and juvenile Bull Sharks to quantify the extent to which those movements occur in altered habitats. A total of 16 short-term active acoustic tracks (2–26 h) were carried out with 9 individuals, and a 10th individual was fitted with a long-term coded transmitter for passive monitoring by fixed listening stations. Movement and activity space statistics indicated high levels of area reuse over the span of tracking (hours to days). All but one shark used altered habitat at some point during tracking, such that 51% of all tracking positions occurred in some type of altered habitat. Of the sharks that used altered habitat, the mean ( ± 1 SD) percent of positions within altered habitat was 66 ( ± 40) %. Furthermore, tracks for 3 individuals indicated selection for altered habitats. The single passively monitored Bull Shark was detected in power plant outfalls almost daily over a 5-month period, providing the first indication of longer-term fidelity to thermal effluents. Use of one dredged creek was influenced by local salinity, the tracked sharks dispersing from the altered habitat when salinity declined. The affinity of young Bull Sharks to altered habitats in this system could help explain their reported accumulation of a variety of harmful contaminants, which could negatively affect their health and survival.
Temporal Variability of Microbial Populations and Enzyme Activities of No-tillage Soils in Argentina

Work in temperate regions has shown that long-term no-tillage (NT) affects microbiological and biochemical properties of soils. However, relatively little research has been done on this in South America or on early microbial responses after converting to NT. Enzyme activities respond to NT but information is needed on how these assays are related to the microbial populations. The goal of this research was to study temporal dynamics of microbiological and enzyme properties of soils (0–10 cm depth) under NT systems at three on-farm sites located in the primary agricultural region of Argentina. The study had a split plot design with two main plot (medium-term) treatments of years under NT (1–3 or 4–7 years) and a subplot (season) treatment of eight seasonal samplings (repeated measures) over a two-year period. Oligotrophic bacteria counts and dehydrogenase, catalase, phosphotriesterase and urease activities often showed seasonal affect with an increase over the two-year period within each range of NT years. However, seasonal variability was not closely related to seasonal climatic patterns. Urease activity had the highest variation within seasons. Soils after 4–7 years NT had 14% greater heterotrophic bacteria counts (P < 0.05) than soils after 1–3 years of NT. Ureolytic bacteria and filamentous fungi populations, and microbial biomass C were relatively stable in both the seasonal and medium-term NT periods. Of the physical and chemical properties, only soil water content had significant correlations with the microbiological properties (r = 0.52 to 0.77, P < 0.001). The results suggest that NT was improving soil biological as most properties were increasing over the years (P > 0.05) and that these changes were maintained over short-term seasonal sampling periods.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica parents work harder when foraging conditions are good

In altricial birds, the great effort involved in supplying food to nestlings can create trade-offs in the allocation of resources between the current brood and parental self-maintenance. In poor foraging conditions, parents have to adjust their energy expenditure in relation to the increased foraging costs. However, intra-specific variation in parental energy expenditure has rarely been evaluated in the context of these trade-offs. Here, we quantified the daily energy expenditure (DEE) of parent Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica during the nestling period in relation to foraging conditions while controlling for differences in brood size and nestling age. DEE varied substantially with environmental conditions, increasing by 10kJ/day per 5 degrees C in ambient temperature, and by 11kJ/day per hour in day length. Parent birds did not compensate for a poor aerial insect supply on cool days, but reduced their DEE. Parents only slightly buffered a negative energy balance during chick provisioning with stored body reserves. They did not sacrifice their own energy demands to keep up a high energy flow to the brood when foraging conditions were poor. Instead they worked harder when foraging conditions allowed a surplus intake, fully compensating for their additional efforts, and made maximum use of the rich food supply, allowing the brood to accrue body reserves to compensate for low food intake on cold days. This strategy of energy management may have evolved in the context of the adaptation to the aerial foraging mode and to the ephemeral nature of aerial food resources.
Inverse association of improved adherence to dietary guidelines with metabolic syndrome: the Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management program

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management (SMESY) program is a 1-yr lifestyle modification program targeting metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Seoul residents. This study investigated the associations between adherence to dietary guidelines and MetS among the SMESY program participants. SUBJECTS/METHODS Data of 54,385 participants aged 20–64 yrs who completed the SMESY program in 2015, had information on adherence to dietary guidelines, and were not medicated for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were analyzed. Participants underwent MetS screening and completed a lifestyle questionnaire including adherence to 10 dietary guidelines before and after participation. Participants were classified according to the number of MetS risk factors at baseline (MetS group, ≥ 3; risk group, 1–2; healthy group, none). Adherence to dietary guidelines was determined from the number of “yes” responses regarding the fulfillment of each guideline on ≥ 5 days/week. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between newly diagnosed MetS and changes in adherence to dietary guidelines. RESULTS In the MetS group, MetS prevalence decreased after the SMESY program (men, −41.9%p; women, −48.7%p), and all risk factors were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). All groups exhibited improved adherence to all dietary guidelines after participation (P < 0.0001). In the MetS group with positively changed adherence scores, the MetS prevalence decreased by −44.1%p for men and −49.5%p for women, whereas the prevalence in those with negative changes decreased by −38.1%p for men and −48.6%p for women. In the risk group, those with positively changed adherence scores had significantly decreased odds ratios (ORs) for newly diagnosed MetS compared with those with negative changes (OR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61–0.80 for men; OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99 for women). CONCLUSIONS The SMESY program may effectively reduce the risk of MetS among adults with risk factors by improving adherence to dietary guidelines.
Further evidence for the presence of Renibacterium salmoninarum in salmonid eggs and for the failure of povidone‐iodine to reduce the intra‐ovum infection rate in water‐hardened eggs

Unfertilized, water-hardened eggs, obtained from a coho salmon, Oncor-hynchus kisutch (Walbaum), with coelomic fluid containing large enough numbers of the kidney disease bacterium, Renibacterium salmoninarum, to make the fluid cloudy (∼4 × 109 cells/ml), were examined by cultural and histological methods to determine (a) whether an earlier finding of the pathogen in coho eggs could be corroborated, and (b) whether iodine (500 mg/l, in the form of povidone-iodine) was as effective at ridding them of the intra-ovum pathogen as it was at freeing them of the extra-ovum pathogen. The results confirmed that the pathogen does indeed occur within the egg (11–6%-15-l % of the eggs were infected in this manner), and suggested a location in the yolk for the pathogen. The findings also indicated that while iodine was very effective in killing the pathogen on the surface of the eggs it was completely ineffective in reducing the prevalence of the intra-ovum infections. The results point out the need for a method for treating eggs internally and confirm the inadvisability of using eggs from salmonids with cloudy coelomic fluid.
Determination of β-Glucan Molecular Weight Using SEC with Calcofluor Detection in Cereal Extracts

ABSTRACT A high-performance size-exclusion chromatography system (HPSEC) was set up with detection based on the specific binding of Calcofluor to β-glucan for determination of amount and molecular weight of β-glucan in different cereal extracts. To calibrate the HPSEC system, a purified β-glucan was fractionated into narrow molecular weight ranges and the average molecular weight was determined before analysis on the HPSEC system. The detector response was similar for β-glucans from oats and barley and appeared to be independent of molecular weight. Four different methods for extraction of β-glucan from different cereal products were tested: two alkaline, one with hot water and added α-amylase, and one with water and added xylanase. Inactivation of endogenous β-glucanase was crucial for the stability of the extracts, even when extracting at high temperature or pH. Yields varied widely between the different extraction methods but average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were similar. Extr.