Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personalities as epigenetic suites of traits: A study on a passerine bird

Over the past decade there is a growing awareness that differences between individuals do not just reflect random noise, but may reveal important biological information. Individuals of the same species differ consistently in behaviour across time and situation, and the nature, development, function and evolution of such differences are only recently being studied. The concepts of coping strategy and animal personality are cliscussed, together with those of heritability, gene-environment inreractions (epigenesis) and maternal effects, in the light of the claim that personality differences are strongly determined by genetic information. This thesis aimed at understanding the nature and development of the differences between personalities in a wild avian species. To pursue this goal, I exploited two lines of great tits (a common songbird, Parus major) bidirectionally selected for early exploratory behaviour (FAST and SLOW lines) and thought to reflect different personalities. Their behaviour and physiology was analysed from early ontogeny into adulthood under normal and challenging condition
THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN CORAL REEFS OF THE TAYRONA NATIONAL NATURAL PARK (COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN) IN RESPONSE TO SEASONAL UPWELLING

Coral reefs are subjected to physical changes in their surroundings including wind velocity, water temperature, and water currents that can affect ecological processes on different spatial and temporal scales. However, the dynamics of these physical variables in coral reef ecosystems are poorly understood. In this context, Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP) in the Colombian Caribbean is an ideal study location because it contains coral reefs and is exposed to seasonal upwelling that strongly changes all key physical factors mentioned above. This study therefore investigated wind velocity and water temperature over two years, as well as water current velocity and direction for representative months of each season at a windand wave-exposed and a sheltered coral reef site in one exemplary bay of TNNP using meteorological data, temperature loggers, and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) in order to describe the spatiotemporal variations of the physical environment. Findings revealed that water temperatures (28.7 ± 0.8 °C and maximal 30.3 °C during non-upwelling; 25.1 ± 1.7 °C and minimal 20.3 °C during upwelling) exhibited no significant differences between sites and were negatively correlated with wind velocities (0.4 ± 0.3 m s -1 during non-upwelling and 1.8 ± 1.0 m s -1 with a maximum of 4.1 m s -1 during upwelling). Water current velocity was significantly higher at the exposed compared to the sheltered site during non-upwelling periods at a water depth of 8-10 m. During upwelling, water current velocities were also higher at the exposed site (6.4 cm s -1 exposed and 5.9 cm s -1 sheltered), but when wind speed surpassed 1.7 m s -1 , no spatial differences occurred. Water currents showed a clockwise circulation during upwelling following the wind fields, but no clear circulation pattern during non-upwelling. Significant positive correlation between wind and water current velocity was detected at the sheltered, but not at the exposed site. Wind-stress at the exposed site affected water currents throughout the entire water column (at least 10 m deep) during both seasons, but reached only until 3-4 m water depth at the sheltered site during non-upwelling and down to 10 m during upwelling. Consequently, organisms at the exposed site experience constantly high water current exposure throughout the year. This may explain the pronounced site-specific reef community composition differences as water current velocity and circulation control distribution of invertebrate larvae and supply with plankton and essential nutrients.
Evaluation of bivalve clearance rate (CR) as a physiological indicator of heavy metal toxicity in freshwater mussel, Anodonta cygnea (Linea, 1876).

This study was performed to evaluate suitability of clearance rate (CR) as a physiological indicator of zinc (essential element) and chromium (non-essential element) toxicity in Anodonta cygnea (Linea, 1876). CR of bivalves was measured before and after 9 and 18 days exposure to 100 µg l -1 Zn and Cr during 120 min with 15 min intervals. 5, 25 and 125 µg l -1 concentrations of each metal were used for CR measurement. Irregular fluctuations were observed in pre-exposed CR of bivalves in all three concentrations of both metals during 2 hour period. There was significant difference (α=0/05; P < 0/025) between CR of Zn and Cr in lowest (5 µg l -1 ) and highest (125 µg l -1 ) exposure concentrations. Maximum CR for both metals was obtained in lower concentration. Also, calculated post-exposed CR for both metals in days 9 and 18 after exposure were significantly (α=0/05; P < 0/01) lower than control bivalves. Based on the results, clearance rate is a useful measure of heavy metal toxicity in A. cygnea as a model of freshwater bivalves.
RECONOCIMIENTO E IDENTIFICACION DE TRIPS FITOFAGOS (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) Y DEPREDADORES (THYSANOPTERA: PHLAEOTHRIPIDAE) ASOCIADOS A CULTIVOS COMERCIALES DE AGUACATE Persea spp. EN LOS DEPARTAMENTOS DE CALDAS Y RISARALDA (COLOMBIA)

Se consideraron tres cultivos comerciales de aguacate (Persea sp.) en los municipios de Palestina (Caldas) y Pereira y Marsella (Risaralda) evaluando arboles en produccion entre cinco y ocho anos de edad, incluyendo para los tres lugares las variedades: Santana, Choquette, Booth 8, Trinidad y Trapp; ademas en el huerto de Pereira se incluyo la variedad Fucsia, en las que se constataron los danos y distorsiones atribuidas a la accion de los trips.
The Antecedents of Financial Wellness among Young Employees: Empirical Evidence in Kuala Lumpur

The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of financial wellness among young employees in Kuala Lumpur. A survey was carried out to acquire data from 324 young employees using a self-administered on-line questionnaire, utilizing convenience sampling. Results showed that financial stress, work environment, locus of control and financial behavior has significant relationship with financial wellness. It was found that financial stress, work environment, locus of control and financial behavior has significant effect on respondents’ financial wellness. Based on the results, financial wellness can be enhanced through the decreased of the employees’ financial stress and increasing of their work environment, locus of control and financial behavior.
Effect of stocking biomass on solids, phytoplankton communities, common off‐flavors, and production parameters in a channel catfish biofloc technology production system

The effect of initial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque, 1818) fingerling biomass (1.4, 1.8, or 2.3 kg m−3) on phytoplankton communities, common off-flavours and stocker catfish production parameters was evaluated in biofloc technology production tanks. Stocker catfish size (145.5–172.6 g fish−1) at harvest did not differ among treatments, but net yield increased linearly as initial biomass increased (R2 = 0.633). Mean total feed consumption increased linearly with initial catfish biomass (R2 = 0.656) and ranged from 10.7 to 15.8 kg m−3. Total suspended solids (TSS) in all treatments increased linearly with total feed addition, and high TSS appeared to impact negatively daily feed consumption. Initial phytoplankton populations were dominated by small colonial green algae and diatoms, and later transitioned to populations dominated by a small, filamentous cyanobacteria and diatoms. Low, variable concentrations of 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin were present in biofloc tank water during most of the study and two tanks yielded catfish with 2-methylisoborneol or geosmin concentrations that might be classified as off-flavour. One isolate of actinomycete was isolated sporadically from some biofloc tanks, but its abundance was not correlated with 2-methylisoborneol concentration in tank waters. The microbial sources of 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin in biofloc tanks remain unidentified.
Seasonal Differences in Immune Profiles and Body Conditions of Migratory and Permanent Resident Neotropical Flycatchers

Abstract. The activation and maintenance of the immune system demand a cost of nutrition and energy, and this demand may result in a trade-off with other energetically demanding activities. To test for such a trade-off, in the cerrado of central Brazil, we compared the immune profile and body condition of the resident Plain-crested Elaenia (Elaenia cristata) in the rainy nonbreeding season with that in the dry breeding season. Then we compared the immune profiles and body conditions of the Plain-crested Elaenia and Lesser Elaenia (Elaenia chiriquensis), a migrant, during the breeding season. Finally, we compared the immune profiles of the Plain-crested Elaenia at four stages of molt. The Plain-crested Elaenia's immunosuppression profile was typical (decreased lymphocyte number, increased heterophil number, and H:L ratio) during the dry season but not at other seasons. Condition measured as a body-mass index did not vary significantly by season. The Plain-crested Elaenia's immunosuppression profile did not change within the breeding season, but the Lesser Elaenia's did. We found weak correlations between immune profile and body condition in both species. The immune profile of the Plain-crested Elaenia did not vary significantly by stage of molt, but it did from the wet to the dry, potentially energetically stringent season, possibly because of shortage of food. Variation in the immune profile of the Lesser Elaenia is apparently associated with migration. This study is the first to evaluate the immune profile of a wild passerine throughout the year and to compare congeneric species that differ in their migratory status.
Incidence of fungi in kareish cheese from raw milk and trial to control them.

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of fungi in kareish cheese and trial to control it. Seventy five Kareish cheese samples were collected randomly from supermarkets, groceries, small dairies and street-vendors at Gharbia Governorate for mycological examination. In addition, kareish cheese was manufactured in laboratory with addition of natamycin (0.02%, 0.015%), chitosan (1.5%, 1%) and thyme oil (1.5%, 1%) and check the quality of these cheeses during storage period. The obtained results revealed that all examined kareish cheese samples were contaminated with moulds and yeast with a mean count of 2.3×105 ±2.6×104 and 1.5x106 ± 8.4x105 cfu/g, respectively. The profile of the genera of mould isolated from kareish cheese samples were Aspergillus spp 124 (42.8%), Penicillium spp 49 (16.8%) , Phoma sorghina 15 (5%), Mucor 7 (2.4%), Nigrospora oryzae 2 (0.6%), Cladosporium cladosporidies 16 (5.5%), Chaetomium Brasiliense 4 (1.3%) Byssochlamys nivea 3 (1%), Colletotrichum gloeosporioidides 2(0.6%). Geotrichum candidum 70 (24%). The frequency distribution of yeast isolated from the examined kareish cheese samples were Candida 24.8%, Rhodotorulla 15%, Saccharomyces 13.5%, Debromyces hansenii 14.7%, Trichosporon 5.6%, Yarrowia lipolytica16.8%, Cryptococus spp. 2.2% and Torulopsis spp. 5.6%. The results of this study showed that manufactured cheese containing natamycin and chitosan had better effect on organoleptic properties and total mould count than cheese containing thyme oil.
Target-cell-specific bidirectional synaptic plasticity at the CA1-subiculum synapse

Summary 2 Introduction 4 Memory as a concept 4 Learning 4 Neural plasticity 5 Short term synaptic plasticity 5 Memory and plasticity 6 Criteria for Plasticity as a mechanism of memory 7 Long term potentiation 9 Long term depression 10 Hippocampus anatomy 10 Dentate gyrus 11 Hippocampus proper 13 Subicular complex 14 Subiculum and memory 15 The two stage model of memory formation 16 Synaptic plasticity at the CA1–subiculum synapse 18 Previous work of the group 20 Goals 21 Hypothesis 21 Materials and Methods 22 Slice preparation 22 Electrophysiology 22 Drugs 24 Results 25 Electrical characterization of subicular pyramidal cells 25 Low-frequency stimulation results in LTD in Burst firing cells and late-onset LTP in regular firing cells 28 Plasticity does not depend on membrane potential at the soma 32 LFS- induced LTP and LTD are co-expressed in subicular burst firing and regular firing Cells 35 LFS-induced LTP and LTD in subicular burst firing and regular firing cells depends on postsynaptic calcium 40 LFS induced synaptic plasticity is muscarinic acetylcholine receptors dependent 43 Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC) play a modulatory function in the bi-directional synaptic plasticity 44 Discussion 48 Reference List 59 Acknowlegements 77 List
Effects of long‐term exposure to elevated CO2 and N fertilization on the development of photosynthetic capacity and biomass accumulation in Quercus suber L.

The effects of long-term (4 year) CO 2 enrichment (70 Pa versus 35 Pa) and nitrogen nutrition (8 m M versus 1 m M NO 3 ‐ ) on biomass accumulation and the development of photosynthetic capacity in leaves of cork oak ( Quercus suber L., a Mediterranean evergreen tree) were studied. The evolution of photosynthetic parameters with leaf development was estimated by fitting the biochemical model of Farquhar et al . ( Planta 149, 78‐90, 1980) with modifications by Sharkey ( Botanical Review 78, 71‐75, 1985) to A ‐ C i response curves. CO 2 enrichment had a small reduction effect on the development of the maximum CO 2 fixation capacity by Rubisco ( V Cmax ), and no effect over maximum electron transport capacity ( J max ), day-time respiration ( R d ) and Triose-P utilization (TPU). However, there was a statistically significant effect of N fertilization and the interaction CO 2 × N over the evolution of V Cmax , J max and TPU. Relative stomatal limitation (estimated from A ‐ C i curves) was higher (+20%) for plants grown under ambient CO 2 than for plants grown under elevated CO 2 . There was a significant effect of CO 2 and N fertilization over total biomass accumulation as well as leaf area. Plants grown at elevated CO 2 had 27% more biomass than plants grown at ambient CO 2 when given high N. However, for plants grown under low N there was no significant effect of CO 2 enrichment on biomass accumulation. Plants grown under low N also had significantly higher root : shoot ratios whereas there were no differences between CO 2 treatments. The larger biomass accumulation of Q. suber under elevated CO 2 is attributable to a higher availability of CO 2 coupled to a larger leaf area, with no significant decrease in photosynthetic capacity under CO 2 enrichment and elevated N fertilization. For low N fertilization, the effects of CO 2 enrichment over leaf area and biomass accumulation are lost, suggesting that in native ecosystems with low N availability, the effects of CO 2 enrichment may be insignificant.
The influence of competition between foragers on clutch size decisions in an insect parasitoid with scramble larval competition

The effect of competition between ovipositing females on their clutch size decisions is studied in animals that lay their eggs in discrete units of larval food (hosts). In such species the effect of competition depends on the form of the larval competition within such units. In insect parasitoids, there might either be contest (solitary parasitoids) or scramble competition (gregarious parasitoids) between larvae within a host For gregarious parasitoids, a decreasing clutch size with increasing competition between foragers is predicted. This prediction is tested in experiments using the parasitoid Aphaertta minuta. Parasitoids were either kept alone or in groups of four before the experiment, in which they were introduced singly in a patch containing unparasitized hosts. Animals kept together laid on average clutches of 0.74 eggs smaller than females kept alone (average clutch is 5.3), thereby confirming the prediction. Clutch size decreased with encounter number, which might be due to the adjustment of the female's estimate of the encounter rate with hosts. Finally, the results are compared with those reported for solitary parasitoids (that have scramble larval competition), for which it is predicted that the clutch size will increase with increasing levels of competition between females. Key uwrds: competition, clutch size, parasitoids, superparasitism. [Behav Ecol 7:109-114 (1996)]
Genetic structure of three Croatian horse breeds: implications for their conservation strategy

Abstract The genetic variability for a sample of 107 animals from three autochthonous Croatian horse breeds was estimated using 20 microsatellites. The average number of alleles per locus (6.3) and proportion of heterozygosity (0.732) indicated a moderate variability. The expected heterozygosity was similar among all breeds and ranged between 0.724 in the Posavina horse, and 0.737 in the Croatian Coldblood and Murinsulaner horse. The inbreeding coefficient Fis was low and non-significant over the three populations. The genetic differentiation among the three populations was low (Fst=0.026), suggesting that only 2.6% of the total genetic variability was due to differences between the breeds, and 97% to individual differences. The results of pairwise genetic differentiation suggest that the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood were the most closely related populations (Fst=0.016). These results are confirmed by Nei’s genetic distances with the highest value observed between the Posavina horse and the Murinsulaner (0.082) and the lowest between the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood (0.044). An assignment test correctly assigned 82% of individuals to the correct breed. Strategies for preserving the original native genes in the Croatian native horse breeds should be considered in order to prevent these breeds from becoming extinct and include them in the future breeding programmes.
Comparative Analysis of DDR and DAR IMPATT Diodes for Wide Frequency Band

The analysis of Double Drift Region (DDR) and Double Avalanche Region (DAR) IMPATT diodes has been realized on basis of the precise drift-diffusion nonlinear model and special optimization procedure. DDR IMPATT diode includes one avalanche region and two drift regions and DAR IMPATT diode includes two avalanche regions inside the diode and one drift regions both for electrons and holes. The phase delay which was produced by means of the two avalanche regions and the drift region v is sufficient to obtain the negative resistance for the wide frequency band. The admittance and energy characteristics of the DAR diode were analyzed in very wide frequency band from 30 up to 360 GHz. Output power level was optimized for the second and third frequency bands near the 220 and 330 GHz.
Factors governing nutrient status of mountain lakes in the Tatra Mountains

1. Nutrient and chlorophyll a levels, and bacterial numbers of 84 glacial lakes in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia and Poland, Central Europe) were determined to assess the impact of catchment vegetation and water acidity on lake trophic status. 2. Catchment vegetation was the crucial factor governing nutrient content of lakes. 3. Concentrations of organic carbon, organic nitrogen, and chlorophyll a, and bacterial numbers were tightly correlated with total phosphorus (TP) content. Their levels were the highest in forest lakes, then decreased in alpine lakes with decreasing amount of catchment vegetation and soil cover, and were the lowest in lakes situated in bare rocks. 4. The above pattern was further modified by lake water acidity. Concentrations of TP, organic carbon, and chlorophyll a were lower in alpine lakes with pH between 5 and 6 than in more or less acid alpine lakes. Zooplankton was absent in all alpine lakes with pH between 5 and 6. 5. Nitrate concentrations followed an inverse trend to TP; lowest values were in forest lakes, then increased with decreasing amount of catchment soils and vegetation. Within the lakes of the same type of catchment vegetation, nitrate concentrations were negatively correlated to TP. N-saturation of catchment areas and lake primary production were dominant processes controlling nitrate levels in lakes and nitrate contribution to lake acidification.
The Cage Versus the Deep Litter System for the Management of Layers in the Humid Tropics

Abstract Rhode Island Red and White Rock totalling 450 were randomised to an open sided deep litter house and two cage systems that differed structurally. In each housing system, the birds were randomised to three nutritional regimes that were practically isocaloric but different in crude protein percentages (15, 18 and 21%). Birds in the cages produced significantly (P 0.05) influenced by housing system but was significantly (P 0.05) differences in the efficiency of feed utilisation, carcass percentage, the water, protein and fat contents of the egg.
Contrasting patterns in bryophyte and vascular plant species richness in relation to elevation, biomass and Soay sheep on St Kilda, Scotland

Background: It was hypothesised that bryophyte and vascular plant richness of vegetation should exhibit different patterns along gradients of elevation, vegetation productivity and sheep grazing pressure. Aims: The species richness of bryophytes and vascular plant was studied in relation to biomass, elevation and sheep preference on the oceanic northern Atlantic island of St Kilda, Scotland. Methods: Plant communities and biomass were sampled from productive lowlands to summit grasslands associated with decreasing sheep preference. The relationships between bryophyte and vascular plant diversity, elevation and sheep were examined using generalised linear models and smooth trend-surface analyses. Results: Bryophyte and vascular plant richness showed contrasting trends in relation to elevation, sheep preference and biomass. Bryophyte richness peaked at mid to high elevations, was negatively related to levels of sheep preference and standing litter, and showed a curvilinear relation to biomass. Vascular plant species richness had a negative relationship with elevation, negative or unimodal association with sheep preference, and negative relationship with biomass. Conclusions: Bryophyte and vascular plant richness patterns in relation to elevation, vegetation productivity and sheep grazing are not adequate surrogates for each other, and suggest that general species richness models could benefit from organism-specific adjustments.
Road salts and birds: an assessment of the risk with particular emphasis on winter finch mortality

Abstract There have been many documented cases of bird mortality along roadsides where salt was applied. Herbivorous and granivorous species, especially, are attracted to salt, probably to satisfy a dietary need. Because mortality appears to be primarily a result of vehicle strikes, most authors have assumed that salt was only indirectly responsible for the deaths—a case of “fatal attraction” to busy salted roads. Repeated observations of apparent behavioral toxicity along roadsides, as well as new information on the toxicology of oral salt ingestion in birds, now suggest that salt toxicity per se is contributing to the vulnerability of small songbirds to road traffic and perhaps is a direct cause of mortality in some birds. The difficulty of retrieving bird carcasses and the low rate of reporting suggest that kills probably are more widespread and frequent than indicated by documented reports alone. Most known cases of songbird mortality have occurred within a group of birds collectively known as winter finches belonging to the subfamily Carduelinae. This may result from a higher probability of exposure for these species because of their diet and presence in the snow belt but also may reflect a greater ease of detecting mortality incidents in species forming large feeding flocks. The high attraction of salted roads for winter finches suggests that the roads' ecological footprint is very large. We conclude that the importance of road salt as a mortality factor in these species long has been under-estimated by wildlife managers and transport personnel.