Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

For more than a hundred million years, sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans. These magnificent, long-lived creatures spend their lives in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles leave the nest and enter a dangerous world of storms and predators. The females will return to the same beach to lay their own eggs when they reach maturity a decade later. Today, there are seven species of sea turtle: the grass-eating green turtle; the sea sponge-eating hawksbill; the olive ridley; the Kemp's ridley, which is the smallest species; the loggerhead; the flatback of Australia; and the giant leatherback. Having escaped the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, these ancient reptiles today face new dangers that threaten their survival: pollution, hunting, and the destruction of their nesting grounds. Will this century be the last to witness their majesty? Will succeeding generations live in a world devoid of their graceful presence? Marine biologist James R. Spotila has spent much of his life unraveling the mysteries of these graceful creatures and working to ensure their survival. In Sea Turtles, he offers a comprehensive and compelling account of their history and life cycle based on the most recent scientific data-and suggests what we can do now to save them. From the Kemp's ridley, which nests on a single beach on Mexico's Gulf Coast, to the nomadic leatherback, which can weigh up to a ton and is in the most imminent danger of extinction, Spotila offers a vivid description of their diets and mating habits, and the conservation efforts being made on their behalf. Illustrated with stunning color photographs by the world's leading nature photographers, Sea Turtles will inform and inspire readers of all ages everywhere.
The role of oxytocin in the maternal behaviour of the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

iii Acknowledgements.iv Chapter 1: General Introduction.1 1.1. The Role of Oxytocin in Maternal Behaviour.3 1.2. The Role of Oxytocin in Social Behaviour.6 1.3. Maternal Behaviour in the Grey Seal.8 1.4. Social Behaviour in the Grey Seal.11 1.5. Conclusions.14 1.6. Thesis Structure.15 Chapter 2: General Methodology.17 2.1. Ethics Statement.17 2.2. Study Sites.17 2.2.1. North Rona.17 2.2.2. Isle of May.19 2.2.3. The Sea Mammal Research Unit Captive Facility.20 2.2.4. Opportunistic Sampling.21 2.3. Behavioural Observations.21 2.4. Capture Protocol, Sampling and Storage.24 2.4. 1. Adult Animals – Grey Seals.24 2.4. 2. Adult Animals – Other Species.25 2.4. 3. Juveniles, Weaners and Pups.25 2.4. 4. Plasma Collection, Processing and Storage.25 2.5. Extraction and ELISA Protocol.26 2.5. 1. Plasma Sample Extraction.26 2.5. 2. Milk Sample Extraction.28 2.5. 3. ELISA.29 2.6. Statistical Analysis.32 Chapter 3: Measuring Oxytocin.33 3.
Critical engineering pedagogy: curricular peer mentoring as a case study for change in the Canadian neoliberal university

This research explores themes of pedagogy, change, and agency within education systems, by examining the possibility of changing a pedagogical discourse within an undergraduate engineering program through critical pedagogy. Changing that discourse is necessary because engineering, as engineers themselves acknowledge, cannot remain an exclusionary space given its crucial role in shaping our postmodern world. This world is full of tensions: it is defined by a pervasive neoliberalism that values technical knowledge for its commercial utility; however, it also values human rights, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. If engineering education only focuses on training students to solve technical problems, it risks producing engineering professionals who are unwilling to reflect on, and lack the agency to address, the effects of engineering on individuals, society, and the environment. To address these concerns, this study piloted a peer-based learning program that ran in an undergraduate engineering program at a Canadian university for one semester, returning rich qualitative data on implementing a change process within engineering education. The pilot program was informed by critical pedagogy, and attempted to introduce a specific model of undergraduate peer mentoring, known as curricular peer mentoring, within engineering education to question exclusionary discourses. Therefore, the pilot program primarily acted as a case study into implementing a pedagogical change within engineering education at a program and faculty-level. However, the case study was also used to assess whether introducing curricular peer mentoring within university education generally might produce graduates who are critical thinkers, and able to engage in the academic, professional, and civic discourses within and beyond their chosen fields of study and practice. This is a pressing issue of contemporary university education, for as we enter the ‗Post-Truth Era‖ there is an urgent need to train university graduates to think critically, so they can effectively evaluate social, political, and economic discourses. Finally, as the wider university continues to be impacted by a neoliberal agenda that curtails their agency and shapes their pedagogies, research, and organizational structures, they too must change. The pilot program also provided an exploration of a change process that challenges that neoliberal discourse, while at the same time existing within it.
House Dust Mites, Other Domestic Mites and Forensic Medicine

Forensic medicine is a continuously evolving science that is constantly being updated and improved, not only as a result of technological and scientific advances (which bring almost immediate repercussions) but also because of developments in the social and legal spheres. This book contains innovative perspectives and approaches to classic topics and problems in forensic medicine, offering reflections about the potential and limits of emerging areas in forensic expert research; it transmits the experience of some countries in the domain of cutting-edge expert intervention, and shows how research in other fields of knowledge may have very relevant implications for this practice.
Occurrence of root rot of sugar beet cultivars

Serious losses caused by root rot of sugar beet were observed in Poland in 2001 and 2002. The disease occurred in most of regions of sugar beet cropping from June to the end of growing season. Very high losses of yield were observed on many fields especially on cultivar Lolita in 2001. The aim of this work was to detect the casual agent of root rot (2001) and to compare susceptibility of sugar beet cultivars to this disease (2002–2003). The laboratory tests (2001) showed that most of destroyed roots were infected by Aphanomyces cochlioides Drechsler. This species is very well known as a pathogen of sugar beet seedling damping-off in Poland. The fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn was found only in 12% of rotten roots collected in south-eastern part of Poland. In field trails the highest number of infected roots and the highest infection index were found for cultivar Arthur (2002–2003). That cultivar was significantly more susceptible to root rot than the rest of tested cultivars.
Contribution to the knowledge of the Proseriata (Platyhelminthes: Seriata) from eastern Australia. II. Genera Pseudomonocelis Meixner, 1943 and Acanthopseudomonocelis n. g.

Two monocelid species with simplex copulatory bulbs and postpharyngeal ovaries have been found in E. Australia. One of them presents a combination of characters not found in any of the known genera of the Monocelididae, and the new genus Acanthopseudomonocelis is proposed for it. The new genus is characterized by the presence of four stylet-bearing accessory organs and by an internal vagina; it is related to Pseudomonocelis. The other species, Pseudomonocelis schockaerti n. sp. , is characterized by a complex bursa-vagina system, and by a highly muscular penial organ and male antrum. It is closely related to P. pardii Schockaert & Martens, 1987, from Somaliland. Two possibly additional species of the genus Pseudomonocelis, not found in a mature stage, are mentioned. The new findings considerably enlarge the known distribution of the genus Pseudomonocelis.
The role of the integrase c-terminus in replication and targeted integration of the yeast retrotransposon Ty5

iv CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. A CONSERVED MOTIF IN THE INTEGRASE C-TERMINI OF 18 TY1/COPIA RETROTRANSPOSONS IS NECESSARY FOR STABILITY OF INTEGRASE AND REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE Abstract 18 Introduction 19 Results 20 Discussion 28 Experimental Procedures 32 References 35 CHAPTER 3. PHOSPHORYLATION REGULATES INTEGRATION OF THE 40 YEAST TY5 RETROTRANSPOSON INTO HETEROCHROMATIN Abstract 40 Introduction 41 Results 42 Discussion 52 Experimental Procedures 56 References 59 CHAPTER 4. RETROTRANSPOSON TARGET SITE SELECTION BY 63 IMITATION OF A CELLULAR PROTEIN Abstract 63 Introduction 64 Results 66
Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) nest defence behaviour towards brood parasites and nest predators

Brood parasites and predators pose different threats to passerines that may favour the evolution of enemy-specific defence strategies. Furthermore, potential sex-specific variation in parental investment may be manifested in differences between male and female nest defence behaviour. We investigated these hypotheses in Oriental reed warblers ( Acrocephalus orientalis), by recording sex- and stage-specific (nests with eggs or nestlings) responses to stuffed dummies placed at their nests. Warblers showed the highest level of aggression to the co-occurring parasite, the common cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus), colour morph (grey), but showed reluctance to mob or attack the co-occurring nest predator, the magpie ( Pica pica). There was a sex difference in rate of body attacks towards rufous morph common cuckoo, sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus) (locally absent parasite and predator, respectively) and the spotted dove ( Streptopelia chinensis) (locally present, harmless species), with females showing better ability to distinguish between these species than males.
Life history strategies and sexual dimorphism of the Amphibia with special emphasis on the Urodela (Newts and Salamanders) and the Gymnophiona (Caecilians)

This thesis deals with the reproductive biology of newts and salamanders as well as with caecilian amphibians and focuses on the evolution of their life history strategies, especially parental investment and sexual dimorphism. One salamander and two caecilian species were studied using laboratory populations in search for hitherto unknown reproductive behaviours or to clarify earlier findings. In the course of this study, new and unexpected insights into the life history strategies of these species were gained. Collection-based research using large samples of museum specimens, histology, skeletochronology and synchrotron-based x-ray studies completed the approach. Life history traits, such as the mode of reproduction or the type of parental care, are more or less mutually dependent with other factors like environmental conditions, behaviour or morphology. The evolution of parental care strategies and sexual dimorphism are crucial to understand the evolutionary framework of life histories and mating systems. This thesis shows how divergent selective pressures and behavioural strategies can influence the phenotype of the genders in connection with their reproductive roles and within different habitats as well as evolutionary changes and adaptations of different reproductive modes.
Implementation of Kangaroo Mother care for low birth weight babies: supportive factors and barriers perceived by mothers

Introduction: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) consist of prolonged skin to skin contact between mother and infant and exclusive breastfeeding. It was originally developed to prevent hypothermia and to enhance bonding between mother and Infant. Methods: It was a questionnaire based cross sectional observational study. Questionnaire was prepared by authors in local native language and was validated by experts; mothers with babies fit for KMC were enrolled and interviewed with a predefined proforma having both open and close ended questions with their demographic details. Results: More than half (54%) of the mothers had no knowledge about KMC during their pregnancy. About 46% of them were made aware by their doctors (82.6%) or their relatives (mother/elder sisters). Most mothers get help from nursing staff (98%) and they felt that environment was conducive for the practice of KMC (70%) and they got help from other mothers (74%) and family members (84%). Barriers were pain due to stitches (44%), unfavorable condition to perform KMC (29.4%), fatigue/fear while performing KMC (16.3%), difficulty due to twins (9.8%). Pain/fatigue (53.75%) is the barrier to KMC according to the mothers; about 30% mothers felt temperature as a barrier while practicing KMC. Conclusion: They believed that their babies will become healthier and can feed easier after initiation of KMC. Inspiration from family members or other mothers are also an enabler of KMC. Lack of support from family members, other mothers as well as from nursing staff in some cases, this barrier can be improved by training of their family members.
A host-specific habitat former controls biodiversity across ecological transitions in a rocky intertidal facilitation cascade

Few studies have quantified facilitation cascades from rocky intertidal systems, across ecological transition zones, or where the secondary facilitator is an obligate epiphyte. Here, we address these research gaps. We first quantified distributions of the seaweed host Hormosira banksii and its obligate epiphyte Notheia anomala at different tidal elevations in summer and winter at Kaikoura, New Zealand. This analysis showed that the host and the epiphyte were, in both seasons, most abundant at ‘high’ and ‘low’ tidal elevations respectively, probably driven by contrasting responses to competitors and desiccation. We subsequently quantified richness and abundances of mobile invertebrates associated with Hormosira and various levels of epiphytic Notheia. Hormosira fronds were collected from different elevations, seasons, diurnal cycles, with different neighbouring algae and following an epiphyte-removal experiment. All tests showed positive density-dependent effects of Notheia-epiphytism on richness and abundances of invertebrates, with strongest facilitation occurring at the transition from intertidal to subtidal habitats. Our results support a growing number of facilitation cascade studies from different ecosystems and habitats, and suggest that habitat formation–driven facilitation cascades may be particularly common in marine benthic systems where epibiosis can be a dominant life form.
The Level of Depression among Older Adults Residing at Old Age Home and with the Family in an Urban Community of India

The proportion of the world’s population aged 60 years or over increased from 8 percent in 1950 to 12 percent in 2013. It will increase more rapidly in the next four decades to reach 21per cent in 2050[1]. India has around 104 million older adults (8.6% of the country’s total population) and the number is expected to increase to 296.6 million, constituting 20 per cent of the total population by 2050 [1].
Rosetting and the innate immune response to plasmodium falciparum

II Declaration IV Acknowledgments V Abbreviations VI Table of contents VIII Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Plasmodium falciparum malaria: an overview. 1 1.1.1 The global burden of malaria.1 1.1.2 The lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum.1 1.1.3 Malaria: the spectrum of disease. 5 1.2 An overview of the immune response to malaria. 8 1.2.1 Epidemiological evidence for immunity to malaria. 8 1.2. 2 Studying immunity to malaria experimentally. 11 1.2. 3 Mechanisms of immunity to malaria.12 1.3. 4 Targets of anti-malarial antibody. 12 1.3 The innate immune response to malaria parasites. 15 1.3. 1 The importance of the innate immune response to malaria. 15 1.3. 2 Initiation of the innate immune response to malaria. 17 1.3. 3 Effector mechanisms of the innate immune response to malaria. 19 1.3. 4 Immune evasion strategies of P. falciparum. 21 1.4 PfEMP1.22 1.4. 1 PfEMP1 and antigenic variation. 24 1.4. 2 PfEMP1 and cytoadherence.25 1.5 Rosetting. 32 1.5. 1 Rosetting and disease severity. 32 1.5. 2 Rosetting and parasitaemia. 33 1.5. 3 Rosetting and other Plasmodia. 34 1.5. 4 Rosette formation in vivo. 34 1.5. 5 P. falciparum parasite proteins and rosetting. 36 1.5. 6 Host receptors and P. falciparum rosetting. 37 1.5. 7 Rosetting and human genetic polymorphisms. 39 1.5. 8 Rosetting: implications for therapy and the future. 40 1.6 Aims of this thesis. 40 Chapter 2: Materials and methods 42 2.1 Aim of chapter. 42
Effect of powdered leaves of Lantana camara, Clerodendrum inerme and Citrus limon on the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica.

Powdered leaves of Lantana camara (L.) (Lamiales Verbenaceae), Clerodendrum inerme (L.) (Lamiales Verbenaceae) and Citrus limon (L.) (Sapindales Rutaceae) were tested for their efficacy against the stored grain insect pest Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera Pyralidae). Seven different doses ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 g (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g) per 20.0 g of rice were tested against this common insect pest of rice to evaluate their effect on its life cycle and mortality. Three higher doses were further tested for their effect on physiological parameters like Total Haemocyte Count (THC), total protein content and glycogen level along with starved insects. L. camara and C. inerme exhibited biopesticidal activity as evidenced by the high mortality rate in treated insects while C. limon was ineffective against C. cephalonica in the tested conditions. There was also a significant reduction in the THC (39-53%), protein (30-38%) and glycogen (40-61%) content in L. camara and C. inerme treated larvae with respect to their controls. This was however similar to the results observed in starved groups (52.0, 39.0 and 82.0% respectively for THC, protein and glycogen) which mimic a physiological condition similar to them.
Mutational processes in Dictyostelium discoideum: How mutations affect social behaviors and fitness

Part I: Mutation is the most important biological force as it generates the variation that drives evolution and may play an important role in maintaining social structure in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. Using mutation accumulation lines of the social amoeba, I estimated the rate and degree of mutational effects on the social ability to form spores in chimeras by mixing equal proportions of cells of the ancestral clone with a mutated line and determining if the resultant spore proportion differs. Through the use of assays measuring growth, migration ability, and rates of spore germination, I assessed the fitness effects of mutation. In agreement with evidence that the majority of mutations are deleterious, I have found that the ability to get into the reproductive spores is diminished following mutation accumulation. Measuring growth rates on the selective medium revealed that approximately half of the lines showing a significant deviation from the ancestor have increased growth rates, possibly indicating the presence of beneficial mutations, while growth in a non-selective medium resulted in a loss of fitness. Additionally, spore germination decreased in lines with an abundance of mutations. Part II: Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration (REMI) is a method of transformation that generates tagged mutations. We employed the REMI mutants to select for cheaters by competing pools of mutants over many generations, allowing the lines to fruit each time. We plated out high densities of spores in order to facilitate the lines bypassing the vegetative cycle but still allowing the social cycle. This process was repeated 20 times. At the end of this process, the frequency of each line was assessed and each line was sequenced to identify the genes that were affected by REMI mutagenesis. Once we had obligate cheaters, we assessed fitness in a variety of ways: axenic growth and growth on bacteria, rate of spore germination, and distance traveled by migrating slugs. We then looked for a correlation between cheating and fitness. We expect to see a tradeoff between the ability to preferentially produce spores in chimeric mixtures and other aspects of fitness.
Genótipos de maracujazeiro-azedo com resistência à bacteriose = Genotypes of passionfruit to resistance to the bacteriose

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar e selecionar genotipos de maracujazeiro-azedo com resistencia a bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae . Para a inoculacao da bacteria, nas folhas das plantas, foi empregado o metodo da agulha utilizando-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados, com 4 repeticoes e 12 plantas por parcela, em esquema de parcela subdividida, com quatro epocas de avaliacao na parcela e 18 genotipos na subparcela. Foi avaliada a incidencia e a severidade da bacteriose, com base em escala de notas variando de 0 a 4, onde foram classificadas como Resistentes, Medianamente Resistentes, Medianamente Suscetiveis, Suscetiveis e Altamente Suscetiveis. Os genotipos apresentaram variabilidade com relacao a resistencia, sendo que os genotipos Maracuja Moranga, RC-0-3, Vermelhinho e PES-7 foram selecionados, pois apresentaram mais de 30% de plantas medianamente resistentes na ultima avaliacao. O genotipo MSCA foi considerado resistente com base na severidade. As plantas individuais dos diferentes genotipos que permaneceram resistentes ate a ultima avaliacao foram selecionadas e deverao ser novamente avaliadas para a confirmacao da resistencia a bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae , incluindo diferentes isolados desta bacteria.
Life history of the Scleractinian Coral Seriatopora hystrix

We report on the development of microsatellites in Seriatopora hystrix, a coral with algal endosymbionts. In order to obtain a genomic library free of algal DNA, we conducted a whole genome preamplification from minute amounts of symbiont-free tissue. The resulting fragments were cloned into pUC18, and Escherichia coli were transformed with the recombinant plasmids. Twenty-nine microsatellites were isolated from a library screen with a fluorescently labelled (CA)15 probe. Five of these yielded reliable polymorphic markers.
Defining the desert tortoise(s):Our first priority for a coherent conservation strategy

– Many populations of tortoises within the Gopherus agassizii – G. berlandieri complex could be designated as species, subspecies, Distinct Population Segments (DPSs), Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), or Management Units (MUs). However, the appropriate designations for populations remain incompletely resolved. Ambiguities regarding the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of desert tortoises impede precise and efficient legal protection, and compromise extrapolations from the studies of one population to another. Herein, we (1) identify the impediments to constructing a phylogenetic taxonomy and both genetic and ecological determinations of conservation units, (2) examine the consequences of delaying such resolution, (3) summarize the current data base available for systematic studies, (4) compare taxonomic solutions in other terrestrial chelonians, and (5) suggest remedies. A standardized program of sampling that includes all major populations across the entire range of both G. agassizii and G. berlandieri is proposed to complete the identification of populations and their assignments to mtDNA-based ESU and MU categories. Populations in potential contact zones should be sampled more extensively to determine the absence or extent of gene flow among different ESUs to resolve the identity of species. Finally, morphological, ecological, behavioral, and physiological distinctions among populations would establish a complete and broadly based array of DPSs.