Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting and Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dependence in Conservation Biology

Abstract: Due to the structuring forces and large‐scale physical processes that shape our biosphere, we often find that environmental and ecological data are either spatially or temporally—or both spatially and temporally—dependent. When these data are analyzed, statistical techniques and models are frequently applied that were developed for independent data. We describe some of the detrimental consequences, such as inefficient parameter estimators, biased hypothesis test results, and inaccurate predictions, of ignoring spatial and temporal data dependencies, and we cite an example of adverse statistical results occurring when spatial dependencies were disregarded. We also discuss and recommend available techniques used to detect and model spatial and temporal dependence, including variograms, covariograms, autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots, geostatistical techniques, Gaussian autoregressive models, K functions, and ARIMA models, in environmental and ecological research to avoid the aforementioned difficulties.
Partitioning of Cell Surface Class II Expression and Antigen Presenting Capacity of Macrophages in An MHC-GENE Dosage Model

Abstract Antigen presentation requires intracellular processing of foreign antigens to generate immunogenic peptides displayed at the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. We compared Sephadex‐elicited chicken peritoneal macrophages containing either two (disomic), three (trisomic), or four (tetrasomic) copies of the microchromosome encoding the MHC for both quantitative cell surface expression of MHC class II antigens and antigen presentation ability. Using indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry, an increased percentage of class II‐positive cells and elevated mean class II‐related fluorescence intensity was found among tetrasomic macrophages as compared to disomic controls harvested 4 hours after intraperitoneal (i.p.) Sephadex injection. At 42 hr post Sephadex, peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) from disomic and aneuploid (trisomic and tetrasomic) chickens were similar in the incidence of class II‐positive cells; however,.
School Students’ Conceptual Patterns about Weight Gain: A preliminary study for biology teaching focusing on obesity

Obesity is a critical global public health issue. It leads to numerous health conditions that limit the quality and length of life, placing a huge burden on healthcare systems around the world. Scholars believe that the fight against obesity can be won only through multidisciplinary efforts. However, the literature on people’s understanding of obesity is limited, perhaps because this topic does not attract the attention of educators at the appropriate level. Although existing studies show that people lack understanding about the mechanisms of obesity, most of the arguments in these papers suffer from a lack of theoretical background and methodological problems. Therefore, we conceived the present study based on a sound theory (conceptual change) in order to understand school students’ conceptual patterns regarding weight gain, which is an important component of obesity knowledge. A written questionnaire probing the mechanism of weight gain was distributed to 151 secondary school students in the Turkish part of Cyprus. Content analysis was applied to students’ compositions. The results showed that students have six major conceptual patterns about weight gain. They also hold a range of misconceptions and misunderstandings, and sometimes have no conceptions. At the end of the paper, we discuss possible curricular and teaching implications based on the patterns and incorrect knowledge structures.
Fecundity and life table parameters of Campoletis sonorensis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an endoparasitoid of the Cabbage Looper Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under laboratory conditions

Abstract The fecundity and life table parameters of Campoletis sonorensis females were measured using thirty 4-day-old Trichoplusia ni larvae daily at 24°C, 60% RH and a photoperiod of 12 h L:12 h D. The mean longevity was 34.5±2.8 days, the mean oviposition period was 22.7±1.9 days, and the mean constant oviposition period and the mean post-oviposition period were 15.9±1.3 and 11.9±2.2 days, respectively. The mean realised fecundity and the mean fertility differed significantly at 66.9±7.8 and 60.4±7.8 parasitoids per female, respectively. The mean sex ratio for the mean oviposition period (23 days) was 0.13±0.07, indicating a highly female biased ratio. The life table parameters were: intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m), 0.135 female/day; gross reproductive rate (GRR), 50.30; net reproductive rate (R o), 49.96; finite capacity for increase (λ), 1.14 female/day; mean generation time (T), 28.97 days; doubling time (DT), 5.13; capacity for increase (r c), 0.33; and cohort generation time (T c), 11.69. Campoletis sonorensis may be a suitable candidate for a biocontrol program of T. ni populations mostly because the primary selection criterion, rm , obtained for this parasitoid can be similar to or larger than the rate obtained for T. ni.
METMYOGLOBIN FORMATION IN BEEF MUSCLES AS INFLUENCED BY WATER CONTENT AND ANATOMICAL LOCATION

SUMMARY– The influence of relative humidity on the formation of metmyoglobin at 0-2°C, was studied. Decreased water content of semitendinosus muscle led to increased metmyoglobin formation, but only at degrees of dehydration that led to marked discoloration due to other causes e.g., heme concentration. Metmyoglobin formation was very dependent on the anatomical location of The muscle (P semimembranosus > longissimus dorsi = semitendinosus.
An Empirical Exploration of the (Δμ)2 Genetic Distance for 213 Human Microsatellite Markers

Summary Microsatellites are now used ubiquitously as genetic markers. One important application is to the assessment of population subdivision and phylogenetic relatedness. Such applications require a method of estimation of genetic distance. Here we examine the most widely used measure of microsatellite genetic distance, Goldstein et al.'s delta-mu squared ([Δμ] 2 ), with respect to a large data set of 213 markers typed across samples from four diverse human populations. We find that (Δμ) 2 yields plausible interpopulation distances. For the first time, we report significant interpopulation differences in mean microsatellite length, although the effect of these differences on (Δμ) 2 is negligible. However, we also show that the method is extremely sensitive to one or two loci that contribute extreme values, even when a sample size of >200 loci is used. Some of these extreme loci can be removed on the grounds that some alleles carry large indels, but for others there is no clear justification for exclusion a priori. Our data suggest a rather recent African/non-African split, with an upper limit of some 70,000–80,000 years ago.
Spatial analysis of amphibian road mortality levels in northern Portugal country roads

Animal mortality caused by vehicle collisions is one of the main ecological impacts of roads. Amphibians are the most affected group and road fatalities have a significant impact on population dynamics and viability. Several studies on Iberian amphibians have shown the importance of country roads on amphibian road mortality, but still, little is known about the situation in northern Portugal. By being more permeable to amphibian passage, country roads represent a greater source of mortality than highways, which act as barriers. Thus, mitigation measures should be applied, but due to the extensive road network, the identification of precise locations (hotspots) and variables related to animal-vehicle collision is needed to plan these measures successfully. The aim of the study was to analyse the spatial occurrence and related factors linked to amphibian mortality on a number of country roads in northern Portugal, using spatial statistics implemented in GIS and applying a binary logistical regression. We surveyed 631 km of road corresponding to seven transects, and observed 404 individual amphibians: 74 (18.3%) alive and 330 (81.7%) road-killed. Bufo bufo represented 80% of the mortality records. Three transects showed clustered distribution of road-kills, and broadleaved forests and road ditches were the most important factors associated with hotspots of road-kill. Logistic regression models showed that habitat quality, Bufo bufo’s habitat preferences, and road ditches are positively associated with amphibians’ road mortality in northern Portugal, whereas average altitude and length of walls were negatively associated. This study is a useful tool to understand spatial occurrence of amphibian road-kills in the face of applying mitigation measures on country roads from northern Portugal. This study also considers the necessity of assessing the condition of amphibian local populations to understand their road-kills spatial patterns and the urgency to apply mitigation measures on country roads.
Functional group dominance and identity effects influence the magnitude of grassland invasion

Variation in functional community composition is expected to influence the extent of exotic species invasions. Yet, whether resident functional groups control invasion through their relative biomass (mass ratio hypothesis) or by traits other than biomass (identity hypothesis) remains poorly understood. We performed a 6‐year experiment to determine the effects of removing different functional groups on exotic species biomass in a Flooding Pampa grassland, Argentina. Functional groups were defined by life‐form (grasses or forbs), phenology (winter or summer) and origin (native or exotic). Removal of each functional group was compared against the removal of an equivalent amount of random biomass. Exotic group responses were monitored over 4 years of continuous removals, and after 2 years of recovery without manipulations. Removal of dominant native summer grasses caused the greatest impact on exotic species and overall community composition. Native summer‐grass removal significantly increased exotic grass (120%) and forb (730%) biomass beyond the level (46% and 180%, respectively) expected from deleting a similar amount of biomass at random. Exotic annual grasses showed only a transient increase, whereas exotic forb invasion persisted even after 2 years without removals. Removing subordinate, native or exotic winter grasses, and rare native forbs significantly promoted exotic forbs, but to the same level (300%) as random biomass removals. Total grass removal increased exotic forbs to half the extent expected from adding the effects of single grass group removals. Dispersal limitation and harsh abiotic conditions may constrain exotic forb spread into such heavily grass‐depleted patches. Synthesis. The impact of losing a functional group on the magnitude and persistence of invasion reflected its relative contribution to community biomass. Identity attributes other than biomass (e.g. phenological niche) further enhanced the biotic control that dominant native grasses exerted on established exotic species. Our findings highlight the community legacies of past disturbances to dominant functional groups.
Dry matter level effects on alfalfa silage quality. II. Fermentation products and starch hydrolysis

ABSTRACT Alfalfa was ensiled at different dry matter (DM) levels. Increasing DM content reduced the rate and total amount of fermentation and resulted in a higher pH. The ratio of fermentation end products varied with both DM content and time. The highest relative levels of lactic acid were in silages of 40 to 55% DM. Acetic and succinic acids were highest in unwilted silages, and relative production of ethanol was greatest in > 60% DM silages. These results suggest variations in the dominant lactic acid bacterial strains as a function of DM content. High amounts of startch hydrolysis observed in unwilted alfalfa were the result of high starch contents in the crop at the ensiling. Glucose addition reduced final pH only in silages of less than 50% DM where substrate level limited fermentation.
Análise da arborização viária em dois bairros de Americana (SP)

A situacao da arborizacao viaria nas grandes cidades e muito precaria, em decorrencia da falta de planejamento adequado. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar a situacao da arborizacao viaria em dois bairros de Americana, SP, e apresentardados que possam servir de base para o planejamento urbano da cidade. Nos locais avaliados, foram encontradas 2.551 arvores plantadas, de 76 especies diferentes, sendo a maioria de especies exoticas, com maiores frequencias da Murraya paniculata (falsa-murta) – 18,42%, Ligustrum lucidum (ligustro) – 16,50% e Licania tomentosa (oiti) – 12,47%, e, ainda, 63 especies com frequencias menores que 1%. Com referencia a falsa-murta, verificou-se baixa porcentagem de podas drasticas, em V e L, porem a porcentagem de podas de conducao e topiaria foram marcantes. A maior parte das podas foi motivada pela presenca da fiacao eletrica, sendo o ligustro, a canelinha e a sete-copas os que apresentaram as maiores porcentagens. O ligustro, seguido de sibipiruna e sete-copas, apresentaram raizes que afetavam estruturas urbanas, assim como maiores porcentagens de area livre insuficiente. A falsa-murta vem substituindo essas arvores, evidenciando a preferencia da populacao e dos orgaos publicos, o que preocupa varios tecnicos, por ser um arbusto que nao apresenta tantos beneficios como uma arvore.
Effects of early weaning on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Shorthorn cattle

This study aimed to examine the impact of early weaning on residual feed intake, and other production and carcass traits, in a group of cattle subjected to early or conventional weaning treatments, but otherwise managed as contemporaries. Shorthorn (n = 140) calves were randomly allocated by sex and sire to early and conventional weaning treatments. Early weaned animals (n = 69) were weaned at an average of 123 days of age and 145 kg liveweight, while conventionally weaned steers and heifers (n = 71) were 259 days old at weaning and 273 kg. Following conventional weaning, animals were managed as contemporaries through backgrounding, and entered feedlot finishing at a mean age of 353 and 408 days for heifers and steers, respectively, for finishing and feed intake testing. At the conclusion of feed intake testing hip height was measured, and animals were ultrasound scanned to assess fat depth, eye muscle area and percent intramuscular fat. Early weaned animals were significantly lighter (P < 0.001) than their conventionally weaned contemporaries, when weighed at conventional weaning. The weight difference observed at conventional weaning of 19.4 kg between treatment groups persisted throughout the experiment, with significant (P < 0.05) differences of 17.1, 15.6 and 15.8 kg at feedlot entry, and the start and end of the feed intake test period, respectively. Weaning treatment also approached significance for daily feed intake (P = 0.06), with early weaned animals tending to eat less than their conventionally weaned contemporaries (daily feed intake = 11.6 and 12.0 kg, respectively). Weaning treat\ment did not significantly affect feed efficiency whether measured as residual feed intake (P = 0.64) or feed conversion ratio (P = 0.27). None of the other traits measured were significantly affected by weaning treatment. These data showed that early weaning, as implemented for this experiment, resulted in animals that were lighter than their conventionally weaned contemporaries through backgrounding and finishing. Weaning treatment did not, however, influence feed efficiency or the post-weaning growth and carcass composition traits measured for this experiment.
Soil respiration, ATP content, and Photobacterium toxicity test as indicators of metal pollution in soil

The effects of heavy metal deposition from four different metalworks on soil respiration, ATP content, and toxicity to Photobacterium phosphoreum were examined. Soil samples were collected along a transect through the pollution gradients. Vegetation and soil types were homogeneous throughout the transects. Soil respiration was measured as CO2 production in closed bottles using an IR-gas analyzer. The ATP content was measured with a bioluminometric assay after trichloracetic acid extraction of soil. The toxicities of distilled water extracts of soil samples were evaluated by the standard P. phosphoreum toxicity test and the metal content of these water extracts was measured as the bioavailable fraction of the heavy metal pollution in the soil. Soil respiration and ATP content were strongly affected by the heavy metal content in the soil. The correlation between the methods was high. The P. phosphoreum procedure can be used to estimate the toxicity of soils heavily polluted by metals. However, soil respiration and ATP content appear to be more sensitive indicators of soil pollution. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Baseline sensitivity of australian Phoma ligulicola isolates from pyrethrum to azoxystrobin and difenoconazole

Ray blight caused by Phoma ligulicola is an important disease of pyrethrum in Australia, and successful management relies upon the fungicides, azoxystrobin and difenoconazole. Azoxystrobin and difenoconazole were introduced into pyrethrum production in 2001. The sensitivity of P. ligulicola isolates collected in 2003 to azoxystrobin (n ¼ 56) and difenoconazole (n ¼ 61) was tested. Testing for sensitivity to azoxystrobin and difenoconazole used a conidial germination and mycelial growth assay respectively. For each fungicide, the effective dose required to reduce mycelial growth or conidial germination by 50% (EC50) was determined by probit analysis. The EC50 values ranged from 0.007 to 0.193 lg/ml for azoxystrobin and 0.04 to 13.8 lg/ml for difenoconazole. No evidence was found for cross-resistance between azoxystrobin and difenoconazole in this baseline population. This information serves as important baseline data for tracking future changes in sensitivities of P. ligulicola to these fungicides.
Osteohistological insight into the early stages of growth in Mussaurus patagonicus (Dinosauria, Sauropodomorpha)

Here, we describe the bone histology of juvenile specimens of the basal sauropodomorph Mussaurus patagonicus and interpret its significance in terms of the early growth dynamics of this taxon. Thin sections from three juvenile specimens (femur length, 111–120 mm) of Mussaurus were analysed. The sampled bones consist of multiple postcranial elements collected from the Late Triassic Laguna Colorada Formation (El Tranquilo Group, Patagonia). The cortical bone is composed of fibrolamellar bone tissue. Vascularisation is commonly laminar or plexiform in the long bones. Growth marks are absent in all the examined samples. The ‘epiphyses’ of long bones are all formed by well-developed hypertrophied calcified cartilage. The predominance of woven-fibred bone matrix in cortical bones indicates a fast growth rate in the individuals examined. Moreover, given the existence of growth marks in adult specimens of Mussaurus, as in other sauropodomorphs, and assuming that the first lines of arrested growth was formed during the first year of life, the absence of growth marks in all the bones suggest that the specimens died before reaching their first year of life. Compared with the African taxon Massospondylus carinatus (another basal sauropodomorph for which the bone histology has been previously studied), it appears that Mussaurus had a higher early growth rate than Massospondylus.
Adaptive variation in palp and gill size of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)

Significant interpopulation differences occur in palp to gill area ratios of two nonindigenous species of freshwater bivalves in North America, Dreissena polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea. Larger palps (both species) and smaller gills (C. fluminea) occur in individuals from habitats characterized by a relatively high suspended solids concentration. The extremely brief evolutionary history of both species in North America is strong evidence that these differences in palp to gill area ratios are ecophenotypic.
Composition, distribution, and diversity of pelagic fishes around the Canary Islands, Eastern Central Atlantic

Abstract Oceanic islands of volcanic origin have a narrow shelf and a steep slope that should lead to considerable spatial overlap among coastal and oceanic fauna. During six pelagic surveys in the Canarian archipelago, Eastern Central Atlantic, over 65,000 fishes belonging to 211 species were collected at depths between 8 and 1035 m. The mesopelagic families of the lanternfishes (Myctophidae) and the bristlemouths (Gonostomatidae) accounted for about 50% of all specimens. By multivariate classification and ordination methods four different assemblages associated with mesopelagic, epipelagic–oceanic or coastal habitats could be identified. Two of these assemblages were coastal, differing in the proportion of meso- and epipelagic species. These data indicate intense horizontal migrations of mesopelagic fishes (mainly Myctophidae) into the neritic realm and increased interactions between coastal and oceanic habitats. Alpha diversity indices were higher and dominance was lower in oceanic habitats compared to the coastal realm. No marked differences among oceanographically similar areas of the entire archipelago were found. Beta diversity as a measure of similarity among sites or samples revealed variabilities between areas south of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura islands. A considerable heterogeneity in species distribution was found off SE Fuerteventura in an area with high hydrographic variability. Therefore, both topography and hydrography are important factors influencing the distribution and abundance of pelagic fishes in this oceanic archipelago.