Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Area and prey requirements of African wild dogs under varying habitat conditions: implications for reintroductions

In South Africa efforts are currently being made to manage several sub-populations of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) occurring in isolated, fenced reserves, as a metapopulation. This study represents an attempt to estimate the minimum reserve size for the reintroduction of a pack of wild dogs, as a sub-population. Minimum area requirements were based on the area required to support an adequate population of the most important prey species in the diet of a pack of wild dogs. A pack size of five is the threshold below which reproductive failure is likely, and the area requirements of five wild dogs are estimated to be 65 km 2 in northern, 72 km 2 in eastern and 147 km 2 in northeastern South Africa. The presence of perimeter fencing at release sites is a potentially complicating factor, however, as in some cases wild dogs learn to use fences as a hunting tool, permitting the capture of larger prey than is normal. In the event of this happening, larger areas may be required to prevent local population declines in preferred prey species. In general, the use of larger areas is advisable to allow for variation in prey population sizes and the prey profile of wild dogs post-release, and would also be necessary if wild dogs are to be reintroduced into an area with existing populations of lions and spotted hyaenas.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENDOMYCORRHIZAL ROOT SYSTEMS II. EFFECT OF AGRONOMIC FACTORS AND SOIL CONDITIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VESICULAR‐ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION IN BARLEY AND ON THE ENDOPHYTE SPORE DENSITY

Summary The percentage of roots with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and numbers of spores were measured over 2 years in a field experiment with different crop rotations of barley, kale and fallow. Spore numbers, and subsequent infections of barley crops, were largest following barley; both kale and fallow breaks reduced spore population and infection similarly. With all crop rotations there was a long delay before appreciable percentage infection of roots developed, followed by a rapid increase, and then a constant value. Such late infections appear unlikely to improve crop nutrition, and final yield was negatively related to per cent infection. A survey of barley crops in 2 years on commercial fields following at least 3 years barley showed that infection was rather similar in most fields. There was a very slight correlation between infection percentage, clay content and pH, but no other soil factor had any influence. Early-sown crops tended to have low infection.
A refinement of models projecting future Canadian fire regimes using homogeneous fire regime zones

Broad-scale fire regime modelling is frequently based on large ecological and (or) administrative units. However, these units may not capture spatial heterogeneity in fire regimes and may thus lead to spatially inaccurate estimates of future fire activity. In this study, we defined homogeneous fire regime (HFR) zones for Canada based on annual area burned (AAB) and fire occurrence (FireOcc), and we used them to model future (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) fire activity using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). We identified a total of 16 HFR zones explaining 47.7% of the heterogeneity in AAB and FireOcc for the 1959–1999 period. MARS models based on HFR zones projected a 3.7-fold increase in AAB and a 3.0-fold increase in FireOcc by 2100 when compared with 1961–1990, with great interzone heterogeneity. The greatest increases would occur in zones located in central and northwestern Canada. Much of the increase in AAB would result from a sharp increase in fire activity during July and Aug.
Predicting the relationship between local and regional species richness from a patch occupancy dynamics model.

Summary 1. A linear relationship between the number of species in ecological communities (local richness) and the species pools from which the communities are drawn (regional richness) suggests that species interactions are not sufficient to limit local richness and that communities are not saturated with species. Instead, this relationship implies that communities are open to regional influences and are interlinked by dispersal. 2. Here we show how the linear relationship between local and regional richness in real, noninteractive, assemblages of cynipid gall wasps on California oaks, can be predicted from a simple patch-occupancy model. 3. One cynipid assemblage has been surveyed for 3 years, allowing for crude estimates of colonization and extinction rates per patch. Using the mainland/island model of patch occupancy dynamics, these rates are combined with the observed number of cynipid species associated with each oak species (regional richness) to predict the expected local species richness in each patch. Assuming that species are independently distributed among localities, the expected variance in species richness among localities is also computed. 4. The model is then tested on an independent data set. When differences in sampling effort (number of surveyed trees per locality) were accounted for, the regression equation relating observed (n = 41) to predicted local species richness does not differ statistically from the line of perfect agreement. The residuals are also distributed according to the predicted variance. 5. Although not statistically significant, the variance in local richness appears to be slightly underestimated by the model. One explanation may be that cynipid species display some positive covariance in their distribution among localities, that is, groups of species occur together in given localities more frequently than would be expected by chance. Variance ratio tests identified statistically positive covariance within cynipid assemblages for three oaks species. 6. The close fit of the model to the data supports the theoretical scenario for noninteractive communities, that the slope of the local–regional richness relationship and patch-occupancy processes are different expressions of the same phenomenon.
Encephalitic syndrome and anosmia in COVID‐19: Do these clinical presentations really reflect SARS‐CoV‐2 neurotropism? A theory based on the review of 25 COVID‐19 cases

Since the discovery of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a disease caused by the new coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the pathology showed different faces. There is an increasing number of cases described as (meningo)encephalitis although evidence often lacks. Anosmia, another atypical form of COVID‐19, has been considered as testimony of the potential of neuroinvasiveness of SARS‐CoV‐2, though this hypothesis remains highly speculative. We did a review of the cases reported as brain injury caused by SARS‐CoV‐2. Over 98 papers found, 21 were analyzed. Only four publications provided evidence of the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 within the central nervous system (CNS). When facing acute neurological abnormalities during an infectious episode it is often difficult to disentangle neurological symptoms induced by the brain infection and those due to the impact of host immune response on the CNS. Cytokines release can disturb neural cells functioning and can have in the most severe cases vascular and cytotoxic effects. An inappropriate immune response can lead to the production of auto‐antibodies directed toward CNS components. In the case of proven SARS‐CoV‐2 brain invasion, the main hypothesis found in the literature focus on a neural pathway, especially the direct route via the nasal cavity, although the virus is likely to reach the CNS using other routes. Our ability to come up with hypotheses about the mechanisms by which the virus might interact with the CNS may help to keep in mind that all neurological symptoms observed during COVID‐19 do not always rely on CNS viral invasion.
Advances in the assessment of self-determination: internal structure of a scale for people with intellectual disabilities aged 11 to 40.

BACKGROUND Advances in theoretical frameworks of self-determination require the development of new assessment instruments. This study examines the dimensional structure of a self-determination scale and analyses the factorial invariance of its measurement across age and gender. METHOD The AUTODDIS Scale was used to assess the self-determination of 541 people with intellectual disabilities aged from 11 to 40. RESULTS Different models (correlational and hierarchical structures) of the scale were tested. The correlational model obtained from the exploratory structural equation model approach provided the best fit for the data. The results also supported measurement invariance across youths (aged 11 to 21 years) and adults (aged 21 to 40 years) and across genders. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to international research on self-determination and the development of assessment tools in this field, offering a better understanding of this multifaceted and complex construct. The results provide construct validity evidence regarding a new measurement tool tested across people aged 11 to 40, using information from third parties. However, further research is needed to explore the best ways to understand and assess the different factors related to self-determination.
Dependent coupling of inorganic and organic nitrogen uptake and regeneration in the plume of the Chesapeake Bay estuary and its regulation by large heterotrophs

Nitrogen uptake and regeneration in the plume of the Chesapeake Bay estuary was studied during a series of four cruises (1985-1986). During each season we followed the short-term patterns in inorganic (NH,‘, NO3 -, NO,-), and organic (urea and dissolved free amino acids-DFAA) nitrogen uptake and regeneration as plume water aged and became incorporated into ambient coastal water over l-3 d. There was little influence of seasonally changing temperature on inorganic nitrogen uptake rates: the highest specific and absolute hourly rates of uptake occurred in April, when the availability of total N was al a seasonal high; rates were somewhat lower in early and late summer and were lowest in February. NH,+ regeneration rates, on the other hand, were highly correlated with temperature, with the highest rates occurring in late summer. Rates of DFAA uptake were highest in June. Urea contributed up to 70-80% of the total N utilized during winter and summer; in spring most nitrogen uptake was in the forms of NO, and NH,‘. The seasonal differences in the patterns of release of dissolved organic N, and the role of zooplankton in mediating this flux, paralleled the patterns previously reported for the release of dissolved organic C in the Chesapeake Bay plume. That is, in winter most organic N release was not grazer mediated, but instead was more likely due to nutrient-deficient phytoplankton. In contrast, in late summer, there seemed to be more dissolved organic N release by grazers, either directly or from “sloppy feeding. ” At all seasons, in the transition from the bay environment ‘to coastal waters, autotrophic populations appeared to become nutrient deficient, and a system dominated by heterotrophic processes rapidly became established.
Diverse Turtle Fauna from the Late Eocene of Georgia Including the Oldest Records of Aquatic Testudinoids in Southeastern North America

Abstract The Late Eocene (Chadronian NALMA) Hardie Mine local fauna of the Clinchfield Formation in Wilkinson County, Georgia, preserves the most diverse turtle fauna in the Eocene of southeastern North America. This fauna includes at least five taxa including a dermochelyid, a cheloniid, a trionychid, a testudinoid, and an unidentified cryptodire. Chelonioids and trionychids are the most common turtles in this near-shore marine deposit. The aquatic testudinoids from the Hardie Mine site represent the oldest records from southeastern North America, a region that exhibits a high diversity of extant aquatic testudinoids.
Primary productivity in the recently flooded ‘Sep Reservoir’(Puy-de-Dôme, France)

Seasonal variations in phytoplankton biomass and production were studied in 1996 and 1997 in the newly flooded (1995) Sep Reservoir (France) in relation to various physico-chemical environ- mental factors. No trophic upsurge occurred in the reservoir as has been found in most of the newly flooded reservoirs. Phytoplankton composition changed drastically from 1996 to 1997, the latter year being characterized by a rarity of diatoms. Areal euphotic chlorophyll a concentration and phyto- plankton carbon biomass were typical of mesotrophic lakes in 1996 and of somewhat oligotrophic environments in 1997. In contrast, the primary production (PP) rates were similar in both years, indi- cating a change in the factors controlling phytoplankton populations from 1996 to 1997. The low PP (compared with the algal biomass present) in 1996 seemed to be related to the instability of the water column and the Zmix:Zeu ratio, whose negative effects on the phytoplankton community were appar- ently more pronounced in 1996 than in 1997. Orthophosphate concentrations, and their contribution to total phosphorus, remained low in 1996 but increased with time in 1997. The temporal losses of orthophosphates from June to September 1996 accounted for only 42% of the measured PP, indicat- ing that PP in 1996 was also strongly affected by P availability and probably took place due to other P sources such as regenerated nutrients.
A Rare Tropical Stonefly Brahmana flavomarginata (Plecoptera: Perlidae: Acroneuriinae) from Vietnam

The perlid stonefly Brahmana flavomarginata Wu, originally described from China from the male adult, is described using reared male and female adults and nymphs from Vietnam. The male adult of B. flavomarginata is distinguished from its congeners by the blackish-brown body color and distinct head marking, hemitergal triangular chitin plates, and a median semicircular smooth subgenital plate (hammer) on the abdominal sternum IX. The female adult has a large and round subgenital plate which extends to the posterior margin of the abdominal sternum X. The nymph can be distinguished by the relatively small compound eyes and the body covered by many long stout setae and short golden brown hair-like setae. This species is known in southwestern China (Yunnan Province) and northern Vietnam (Lao Cai Province, Cao Bang Province).
Integridade biótica de um córrego na bacia do Alto Rio Paraná avaliada por meio da comunidade de peixes

The state of conservation of the Corrego da Agua Limpa, an important water supply for the Monte Aprazivel city in the northwestern portion of the Sao Paulo State, was evaluated. Attributes were selected to compose the fish index of biotic integrity (IBI), aiming to establish a long term monitoring analysis protocol for that basin. The IBI of four equidistant sites along the stream was calculated using two sampling protocols and during dry and wet periods. Biological attributes comparisons were carried out based on the reference scenarios, following a site-specific approach. Few influences of the sampling protocols and seasonality were detected in the IBI final values. Sites 1 and 4 showed fair IBI, site 2 was considered poor and site 3 very poor; such results agree with aspects of the physical habitat quality.
Lichen Colonization and Gap Structure in Wet-temperate Rainforests of Northern Interior British Columbia

Abstract Abundant canopy lichen communities characterize wet-temperate rainforests on the windward slopes of interior mountain ranges in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Historically, these forests have regenerated through gap-dynamics; however, our knowledge of lichen colonization within gaps is limited. We have now compared lichen biomass on regenerating trees in naturally occurring 1–3 ha gap-disturbances (these gaps presumed to have originated from insect out-breaks in the late 1800's) with those on regenerating trees of similar age growing in the understory of the surrounding old growth forest. Only small differences were seen in total lichen biomass on regenerating trees between the two settings, however, analysis of the individual lichen groups (Alectoria, Bryoria, Foliose, and Cyanolichen) revealed striking differences. The Bryoria group was 35% more abundant on gap trees (632 g/tree) and was distributed vertically through a larger proportion of the tree crown. The Cyanolichen functional group was largely absent from gap trees, despite high levels of biomass loading (1,332 kg/ha) in the surrounding old-growth stand. Alectoria and Foliose functional groups did not differ significantly in biomass or distribution between regenerating trees of the two types. Tree size positively affected lichen loading. Total lichen biomass was 38% greater on the larger size class (31–44 cm dbh) regenerating trees, with the Alectoria functional group alone having 45% greater biomass on larger trees. Presence or absence of leaves on branch substrate had no effect on lichen loading. Stand-level projections indicate that the old growth forest had 19% more arboreal lichen biomass (2,684 kg/ha) and contained greater lichen species diversity than did the “second-growth” regenerating forest patches. The low cyanolichen biomass in naturally occurring gap openings poses concern for the proposed utility of “new-forestry” type harvesting practices to retain canopy biodiversity using current harvest rotation intervals.
Interaction profile for As, Cd, Cr and Pb in tissues of fishes (Tilapia gallier, Clarias lazera and Heterotis niloticus).

The levels of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) referred to as the quaternary heavy metals (QHMs) were investigated in fish tissues (gill, stomach, intestine and liver) of Tilapia gallier, Clarias lazera and Heterotis niloticus caught from Lake Alau, Nigeria with the aim of presenting the QHMs interaction profile and hence provide further supportive information to existing literature. The standard calibration method of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) was employed in the determination of the QHMs. The results indicated presence of the QHMs in the all tissues and fish species analysed. Their concentrations varied for each metal in the different tissues and species, but only in few occasions were these variations statistically significant (p < 0.05). T. gallier accumulates the highest (39%) of Arsenic in the intestine, C. lazera with highest (29%) of Lead in stomach and H. niloticus showed highest (38%) of Cadmium in the liver. On the whole, the results of this study revealed that the concentrations of these QHMs are within safe limits for human consumption. The doughnut plot was found useful for profiling the interactions of the QHMs in fish tissue samples, provide supportive information to earlier findings and confirms that these metals do show varying concentrations at different facets of a particular system.
THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON HUMAN SKELETAL MUSCLE ADAPTATIONS TO RESISTANCE EXERCISE

As aerobic exercise (AE) may interfere with adaptations to resistance exercise (RE), this study explored acute and chronic responses to consecutive AE (similar to 45 min cycling) and RE (4 X 7 maximal knee extensions) vs. RE only. Ten men performed acute unilateral AE + RE interspersed by 15 min recovery. The contralateral leg was subjected to RE. This exercise paradigm was then implemented in a 5-wk training program. Protein phosphorylation, gene expression, and glycogen content were assessed in biopsies obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of both legs immediately before and 3 h after acute RE. Quadriceps muscle size and in vivo torque were measured, and muscle samples were analyzed for citrate synthase activity and glycogen concentration, before and after training. Acute AE reduced glycogen content (32%; P < 0.05) and increased (P < 0.05) phosphorylation of AMPK (1.5-fold) and rpS6 (1.3-fold). Phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4E-BP1 remained unchanged. Myostatin gene expression was downregulated after acute AE + RE but not RE. Muscle size showed greater (P < 0.05) increase after AE + RE (6%) than RE (3%) training. Citrate synthase activity (18%) and endurance performance (22%) increased (P < 0.05) after AE + RE but not RE. While training increased (P < 0.05) in vivo muscle strength in both legs, normalized and concentric torque increased after RE only. Thus AE activates AMPK, reduces glycogen stores, and impairs the progression of concentric force, yet muscle hypertrophic responses to chronic RE training appear not to be compromised.
Production and Survival of Elk (Cervus elaphus) Calves in Michigan

Abstract We determined production and survival of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) calves in Michigan using a variety of methods to index herd productivity. Calf production in Michigan was comparable with the highest rates ever recorded for North American elk. Calf survival averaged 0.90 (sd = 0.05), 0.97 (sd = 0.04) and 0.87 (sd = 0.05) for summer, winter and annually, 1987–1991. Calf survival rates in Michigan were higher than in other North American elk populations. Continued high calf production, in combination with high calf survival, indicates that elk condition is excellent in Michigan, as habitat quality allows cow elk to breed and successfully raise a calf, essentially every year, despite the high energetic demands associated with late gestation and lactation.
Peer Counselors, Network Builders for Elderly Persons

With ever-increasing budget cuts reducing services available from professionally trained staff, the utilization of volunteer elderly peer counselors/helpers in the rehabilitation process can offer professionals an opportunity to maintain or enhance current levels of coverage. Peer counselors can provide a role model, assisting elderly blind clients in rebuilding a network of contacts linking them back into the community at large. Peer counseling is a component of the Senior Blind Program, Michigan Commission for the Blind. The program for the elderly serves a five-county area composed of rural and urban areas.
CALLUS INDUCTION FROM LEAF AND SHOOT PROLIFERATION FROM NODAL EXPLANTS OF CLERODENDRUM SERRETUM L, A THRETENED MEDICINAL PLANT

Article History: Received 14, March, 2015 Received in revised form 23, March, 2015 Accepted 13, April, 2015 Published online 28, April, 2015 Protocol has been developed for the induction of callus and shoot proliferation from leaf and nodal explants of Clerodendrumm serretum L. These explants were inoculated on MS medium fortified with different combinations of 2,4-D and BAP for callus induction and BAP and L-Gluatamic acid for the shoot proliferation. After one month period leaf and nodal explants were proliferated into Green compact callus on MS medium supplemented with 2.0mg/lBAP +0.5mg/l2,4-D.Where as an optimum shoot proliferation was recorded from nodal explants on MS medium supplemented with 3.0mg/lBAP+1.0mg/L-Glutamic acid.Callus has been used for various biochemical studies and shoots were rooted on 1⁄2 strength MS medium with 3.0mg/lIBA.