Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of invasion by Acacia saligna on the guild structure and regeneration capabilities of South African fynbos shrublands.

1. The impact of dense stands of the alien invasive species Acacia saligna (Labill) Wendl. on the guild structure of indigenous fynbos vegetation was investigated at three sites on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Two Acacia stands of either recent (1-2 fire cycles) or longer (>2 fire cycles) origin were compared with neighbouring uninvaded vegetation. 2. At one site fynbos recruitment was monitored following complete removal of vegetation in the three different stands in order to assess the restoration potential of invaded vegetation. 3. Fynbos species richness, cover and frequency all declined through each invasion stage in the standing vegetation. Guild structure also changed: species with vertebrate-dispersed seeds were relatively more frequent in long-invaded stands and at two of the three sites long-invaded stands had relatively more tall shrubs and fewer shrubs with leptophyllous (ericoid) leaves compared to fynbos. Serotinous shrubs were virtually absent in long-invaded stands. 4. Richness per plot of species recruited by seedlings was highest in fynbos and declined both with stage of invasion and time after clearing. However, the total stand species richness was nearly as high in recently invaded as in uninvaded fynbos. 5. Ephemeral forbs constituted the majority of seedlings in all stands, but after two years they remained the most important growth form in terms of density and cover only in the long-invaded stand. 6. At 18 months after clearing, indigenous canopy cover was about 50% in all stands, but only in uninvaded fynbos did this continue to increase over the second summer. After two years, resprouters formed about half the canopy cover in fynbos and recently invaded stands, but were insignificant in the long-invaded stand. 7. After clearing, many species recruiting in the long-invaded stand were not present in the standing vegetation, indicating that persistent seed banks exist. 8. As representatives of all the major fynbos growth forms were recruited into the long-invaded stand after clearing, albeit at a low density, such stands could revert to vegetation resembling fynbos in structure. However, in order to speed up the restoration process and to improve the probability of a fully functioning ecosystem being established, guilds which have been eliminated, such as serotinous Proteaceae, should be reintroduced.
Symposium: Emerging Role of Pathogens in Chronic Diseases Requiring Nutritional Intervention

Cross-sectional studies performed worldwide have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked with type 2 diabetes, but these endocrine and liver diseases have an insidious onset, and it has been difficult to establish that patients acquire HCV infection before the development of diabetes. It is likely that investigations in small animal models or in vitro systems will be required to determine whether a causal relationship of HCV infection and the development of diabetes can be established. We have developed an in vitro model to study the viral induction of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) based on the phenotype of the diseased biliary epithelial cells. PBC patients make antimitochondrial antibodies and also express proteins reactive to these antibodies on their biliary epithelium. In coculture studies we have found that normal biliary epithelial cells develop the phenotypic mani- festation of PBC in vitro specifically when cultivated with lymph nodes from PBC patients and not with relevant liver disease control subjects. We have also cloned a novel human retrovirus from a PBC biliary epithelium cDNA library and confirmed that the development of the PBC phenotype in vitro coincides with the presence of this virus. In clinical trials using antiretroviral therapy, we have observed a reversal of ductopenia as well as improvements in histology and hepatic biochemistry in patients with PBC. As Koch's postulates are not readily applicable to chronic diseases, we have used cocultivation viral transmission model in vitro and antimicrobial clinical studies in vivo to help establish a causal relationship with a retrovirus infection and the phenotypic manifestation of disease. J. Nutr. 131: 2805S-2808S, 2001.
Commentary on “Freudian Dream Theory, Dream Bizarreness, and the Disguise-Censor Controversy”

Claudio Colace: Public Sanitary Service, ASL Viterbo, Center for Drug Addiction, Civita Castellana, Italy. Although authors have attempted to explain bizarre characteristics of dreams from different theoretical approaches to dreaming (e.g., psychoanalytic, neurobiological, neurocognitive, phenomenological), several issues about this topic are still open today. This situation may be explained, in part, because the debate on dream bizarreness includes several important aspects of dream research and theory such as, for example, the question of the meaningless vs. meaningful nature of dreams, or its status of random vs. motivated phenomenon (Colace, 2003, submitted). Neuropsychological studies have shown their utility for dream research and for the empirical evaluation of several aspects of Freudian dream theory (Solms, 1997, 2000a), and, in my opinion, further developments of these will also allow the neural correlates of dream bizarreness to be found. The paper by Simon Boag represents an attempt to clarify the conceptual bases of Freud’s explanation of dream bizarreness. In my opinion, the attempts to clarify and systematize the Freudian concepts are a preliminary task for every neuroscientific attempt to find the neural correlates of these. It is with great pleasure that I am commenting upon this paper. I would like to focus on the following points:
Phylogeny of Bambusa and its allies (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) inferred from nuclear GBSSI gene and plastid psbA-trnH, rpl32-trnL and rps16 intron DNA sequences

Phylogenetic relationships among core taxa of the paleotropical bamboo clade placed in subtribe Bambusinae, comprising Bambusa s.l. (including Bambusa s.str. and its subgenera Leleba and Lingnania) and its allies (including Dendrocalamopsis, Dendrocalamus,Gigantochloa, Melocalamus and Thyrsostachys), and with Neosinocalamus and Oxytenanthera, were examined by separate and combined cladistic analyses of the nuclear GBSSI gene and plastid psbA-trnH, rpl32-trnL and rps16 intron sequences using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses. The taxa were strongly supported as a monophyletic group, which represents subtribe Bambusinae. Melocalamus and Thyrsostachys were confirmed as good genera. In the combined analysis, Bambusa s.l. and Dendrocalamopsis formed one of two clades with reasonable support, and Dendrocalamus clustered with Gigantochloa, Neosinocalamus and Oxytenanthera in the other. The topology also identified several taxa that were misplaced in Bambusa or Dendrocalamus. Sinocalamus (currently a subgenus of Dendrocalamus) appeared to be heterogeneous and contained taxa allied to Bambusa or Dendrocalamus. Except for Oxytenanthera, the alliance of Bambusa and allies appeared well characterized by a broadly conical, solid and typically hairy ovary summit. The taxonomic significance of rachilla and floret characters, considered useful in distinguishing subsets of genera, remains uncertain.
Tissue reaction of the three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus L. to infection with Glugea anomala (Moniez, 1887)

Studies on an experimental infection of the stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) with the microsporidian Glugea anomala conducted until day 126 post infection confirmed that xenoparasitic formations typical of the intracellular development of this microsporidian were responsible for a marked tissue reaction in the host. After a single oral infection, xenoparasitic formations developed in the subepithelial connective tissue of the glandular part of the stomach. The course of xenoma development was asynchronous. Up to the ‘cyst’ stage (xenomas filled with mature spores), their growth and development caused a pressure atrophy in the surrounding tissue. Later, the response to the presence of the xenoparasitic formation was the development of a granulomatous inflammatory reaction. Locally, the host responded to the infection by phagocytosis of mature spores by locally derived macrophages. In massive infections, changes occurred in the subepithelial connective tissue of the glandular part of the stomach (often the complete disappearance of tubular glands), which may result in a permanent influence on the function of this organ.
Monts sous-marins et thons dans l'Atlantique tropical est

It is well known by fishermen that large biomasses of tuna are sometimes concentrated on sea mounts. Many sea mounts are known in the eastern tropical Atlantic. This phenomenon has surprisin- gly never been studied by scientists. The present paper makes a review of tuna catches by the international tuna fleets during recent years (1980 to 1987) in the immediate vicinity of each of the sea mounts known in'' the area. Several thousand tons of tuna can be taken yearly on some sea mounts. Other sea mounts are apparently always poor in tuna, even when they are located in regular fishing areas. The major biological characteristics of the association between sea mount and tuna are analyzed three species - yellowfin (Tlzunnus albacares), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and bigeye tuna (Paratlzunnus obesus) - are usually taken, in similar proportions on the sea mounts. Those tuna are smaller on the sea mount compared to adjacent areas. Some hypotheses are developed to explain the causes of this concentration phenomenon and the dynamics of this aggregation, using the daily catch and effort statistics of fisheries, and the results of regular and sonic tagging. The prospects for future research on this topic of tuna aggregation on sea mounts, and the rational exploitation of those structures are discussed. As the exact locations and depth of the sea mounts are presently easily known by satellite imagery, it should be possible, in the immediate future, to know the exact positions of all the sea mounts in the area, which could help the fishermen to fish more efficiently.
S6-11_KKU 2.pmd

Background: Health behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) affect their health status in many aspects. Rate of HIV infection among Thai male prostitutes in 2005 was 15.4%. Among these, 28.3% were MSM. Thirty percent of youth suicides were conducted by gays and lesbians. Objective: To explore the health behaviors related to the development and maintenance process of men who have sex with men. Material and Method: This was a qualitative study. The study population was MSM in Mukdahan province. The subjects were recruited gradually, by snowball sampling, until the required data were saturated. In-depth interviews and participant observations were performed over a period of 17 months. A triangulation technique was applied to check reliability of the data. Data were analyzed by content analysis and compared with the Troiden’s stages of development and maintenance process of homosexual identity. Results: Eleven Thai MSM were recruited and followed up. Health behaviors of them were different according to the stages of development and maintenance process regarding Troiden’s theory. Physical, psychological, social and sexual aspects of health behaviors were identified in various stages. It was found that many factors affect health behaviors of MSM. These include health promoting and undermining factors. Conclusion: Health behaviors of MSM varied in each stage of development and maintenance of homosexual identity. Health promotion campaigns and policies for MSM should be designed accordingly.
Potential Antibacterial Activity of Indigofera Arrecta Against Some Drug Resistant Strains of Salmonella typhi and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The present study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of the aqueous, hexane, methanol and ethanol extracts of the plant Indigofera arrecta using the agar well diffusion method. The extracts were tested against methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and Salmonella Typhi strains. The plant showed the presence of phytochemical constituents such as tannins, saponins phenolic groups, flavonoids, triterpenes among others. The hexane extract showed the maximum inhibition activity against the tested bacterial strains when compared with the other extracts. No activity was found with aqueous extract for MRSA strains tested while low activity was observed for strains of Salmonella Typhi. The methanol and ethanol extracts showed moderate activity against the tested pathogens. The study suggests that leaves of I. arrecta possess components with antimicrobial properties which might be useful for production of natural antimicrobial drugs.
AN IN VIVO ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-DIARHEAL ACTIVITY OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF LEAF AND STEM BARK OF GHANAIAN PARKIA BIGLOBOSA AGAINST CASTOR OIL-INDUCED DIARRHEA IN ALBINO RATS

Parkia biglobosa is a wild plant belonging to family Fabaceae. The plant has widely been reported for its medicinal properties and used traditionally in the northern part of Ghana in the management of diarrhea. The present study evaluated the phytochemical profile, acute toxicity and anti-diarrheal effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of P. biglobosa against castor oil-induced diarrhea in albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugars, tannins, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanosides and terpenes in both leaf and stem bark. Flavonoids and saponins were only found in the leaf extracts. Alkaloids and anthraquinones were only found in the stem bark. The LD 50 of the extracts was found to be greater than 5000mg per kg body weight of the rats. The extracts induced a dose dependent anti-diarrheal effect at 200, 600 and 1000 mg per kg body weight by significantly (p<0.05) reducing the frequency of stooling in castor oil-induced diarrhea. The anti-diarrheal activities of the various extracts were significant (p<0.05) compared with the control. Diarrheal droppings were completely eliminated at dose 1000mg per kg body weight after five hours. The antidiarrheal activity of the extracts at dose 1000mg per kg body weight was comparable to that of the standard drug loperamide at 2mg per kg body weight. Results from this study show that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. biglobosa leaf and stem bark possess anti-diarrheal effects on castor oil-induced diarrhea models and this scientifically validates its traditional use in the management diarrheal conditions.
Evaluation of threshold-induced bias in the integration of single-fish echoes

In fisheries acoustics the bias introduced by a threshold in the integration of echoes from fish and other marine organisms has long been recognized. This bias is especially evident when the fish are observed in scattered concentrations. The method proposed here for evaluating the threshold-induced bias in the integration of single-fish echoes requires that the target strength distribution of the fish and the directivity pattern of the transducer be known, as well as the integration threshold in terms of the scattering cross-section of the fish. It is shown that for transducers usually employed in fisheries acoustics, the threshold effect is for all practical purposes independent of the transducer in question, thus generalizing the effect for a specific distribution. Results from direct measurements of the threshold-induced bias in the echo integration of oceanic redfish (Sebastes mentella) at 38 kHz are presented and compared with results obtained by the method proposed. The validity of the assumptions made in the numerical calculations and the effect of possible deviations from the true situation are discussed.
Diversity in the spore print of the hybrid of Lentinula and Pleurotus on the basis of nuclear DNA content

Four spore prints of the strains of Lentinula edodes L18, L. edodes L19, Pleurotus ostreatus ◊ P. ostreatus P403◊P404 and L. edodes ◊ P. ostreatus L19-1◊P404 were studied with flow cytometry. Diversity was found in the spore print of the interspecies hybrid fruitbody L19-1◊P404 and in the spore print of the fruitbodies of the parental strains P403◊P404 and L19. One fruitbody can produce two more or less equally represented subpopulations of spores with different nuclear DNA and protein contents. There exist subpopulations with similar DNA content among the spore prints produced by parental and hybrid fruitbodies. The dikaryon stage in the fungal life cycle allows for the genomes of different species to coexist and to even produce a fruitbody. Diversity of the nuclear DNA content of a spore print reflects the fate of the hybrid genome during meiosis. After karyogamy, this fruitbody distributes viable spores. It means that meiosis can even occur in the case of low density of homology between the chromosomes (CLP and aneuploidy) ensuring distribution of highly different genome sizes of strains.
Abundance of a Native Moth Homoeosoma electellum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Activity of Indigenous Parasitoids in Native and Agricultural Sunflower Habitats

Abstract Insect herbivores have been assumed to be more abundant in agricultural habitats than in native habitats; however, this hypothesis is rarely tested explicitly by comparing field populations of domesticated plants and their wild ancestors. This study examined the abundance of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst), and its parasitism by natural enemies in agricultural and native sunflower habitats. Nutrient levels and plant population factors in the two habitat types were measured to identify factors associated with the patterns of herbivory and parasitism. Adult male and larval H. electellum were consistently more abundant in agricultural habitats. In contrast, parasitism of H. electellum was 6–10 times higher in native sunflower habitats than in agricultural habitats. Also, fewer parasitoid species were found in agricultural habitats, and parasitism by individual parasitoid species was reduced by 90%. Larval densities per flower head were higher on agricultural plants, but parasitoids failed to respond to the higher densities. The relationship between flower age and larval infestation differed between agricultural and wild flowers; larval age tracked agricultural flower age, but on wild flowers, larvae moved from older to younger flowers. Among the three nutrients sampled, only nitrogen was positively correlated with habitat differences. These results indicate that patterns of trophic interactions varied by habitat type and were related to plant phenotypic changes and environmental habitat factors such as crop domestication, nitrogen fertilization, and plant phenology.
Occupation of space by the carabid beetle Abax ater

Abax ater (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was studied in a near-climax beechwood in Belgium. Population density fluctuated around an average of 2062 individuals per hectare, a roughly constant value for 13 yr. Locomotor activity was weakly correlated with daily temperature, and was higher in males. The spatial distribution of activity was weakly contagious, and increasingly approached a random distribution at larger scales. The contagious distribution was not explained by a small-scale heterogeneity in either temperature or food quantity. Movements appeared to conform to a typical random walk over relatively short distances; mean distance covered per day by males was 1.8 m. "Home range' was c660 m2, but was slightly larger in males. An individual is liable to encounter and interact with an average of 543 other individuals in its trivial movements, which suggests a considerable mixing in the population. -from Authors
Planning to Go Back Home Because of the Economic Crisis? Evidence from the Short-Term Return Intentions of Bolivian Migrants in Spain

On the basis of data collected by the RETTRANS survey (2011–2012) on Bolivian migrants living in Spain, this article aims to identify the influence of the 2008 economic crisis on the determinants marking the migrants’ return intention. In this regard, there is a need to incorporate the concept of double embeddedness based on migrants’ social networks (meso level), the way migration is imbricated in persons’ lives (micro level); and how, at a macro level, economic and social transformations of different contexts affect these decisions. The article highlights that unexpected changes in living conditions trigger a reconfiguration of these mixed factors that condition return intentions. Resumen En base a los datos procedentes de la encuesta RETTRANS (2011–2012) sobre los migrantes bolivianos residentes en Espana, este articulo analiza la influencia del impacto de la crisis economica en los factores que explican la intencion de retorno. En este sentido, se discute la necesidad de incorporar el concepto de “doble imbricacion”, basado en las redes sociales de los migrantes (nivel meso), la forma en la que la migracion se imbrica en las vidas de las personas (nivel micro); y como afectan, a nivel macro-estructural, las transformaciones economicas y sociales de los contextos estas decisiones.
Orangutan diet: lessons from and for the wild

In this thesis, I examine several aspects and determinants of orangutan diet at individual and species levels. Up to now, most orangutan studies on diet have focused on broad diet categories at the population level. As such, this study presents results at a new level of detail, which is a necessary step to better understand orangutan behavior and predict how (reintroduced) orangutans can survive and adapt to habitat changes (and to their release in unfamiliar forest). I started this study in 2007 on the island of Sumatra, with this thesis containing the main findings of 2.5 years of field and experimental work.
New records of the Turkish Lycian salamanders (Lyciasalamandra, Salamandridae)

During fieldwork conducted between end of February and mid-April 2012 14 new localities were ascertained for four different taxa of the amphibian genus Lyciasalamandra (L. l. basoglui, L. l. finikensis, L. arikani and L. atifi). This paper represents the first record of L. l. basoglui from Mugla province (Saklikent, Fethiye). Unlike the common belief in previous researches based on literature we determined that there are almost no gaps between the distributional areas of the known subspecies of L. luschani, moreover the subspecies were found in contact. The recently discovered populations of L. arikani and L. atifi were found to have some distinctive morphological differences compared to other populations of the respective species.
THE PRODUCTION OF EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDE BY THE UNICELLULAR RED ALGA PORPHYRIDIUM AERUGINEUM 1, 2

The unicellular red alga Porphyridium aerugineum was shown to be encapsulated by an amorphous, water‐soluble, polyanionic polysaccharide of high molecular weight. The encapsulating polysaccharide is qualitatively identical with polysaccharide found dissolved in large quantity in the culture medium. The kinetics of extracellular polysaccharide production as a function of cell age was studied. Rates of production (on a per cell basis) of both encapsulating and dissolved polysaccharides are greatest in stationary phase light‐grown cultures.