Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentiating Migration and Dispersal Processes for Pond-Breeding Amphibians

Abstract Understanding the movement of animals is critical to many aspects of conservation such as spread of emerging disease, proliferation of invasive species, changes in land-use patterns, and responses to global climate change. Movement processes are especially important for amphibian management and conservation as species declines and extinctions worldwide become ever more apparent. To better integrate behavioral and ecological data on amphibian movements with our use of spatially explicit demographic models and guide effective conservation solutions, I present 1) a synopsis of the literature regarding behavior, ecology, and evolution of movement in pond-breeding amphibians possessing biphasic life cycles to distinguish between migration and dispersal processes, 2) a working hypothesis of juvenile-based dispersal, and 3) a discussion of conservation issues that follow from distinguishing the spatial and temporal movements of amphibians at different scales. I define amphibian migration as intrapopulational, round-trip movements toward and away from aquatic breeding sites. Population-level management, in general, can be focused on spatial scales of <1.0 km with attention focused on adult population and juveniles that remain near the natal wetland. I define amphibian dispersal as interpopulational, unidirectional movements from natal sites to other breeding sites. Metapopulation- or landscape-level management can be focused on movements among populations at spatial scales >1.0–10.0 km and on importance of terrestrial connectivity. The ultimate goal of conservation for amphibians should be long-term regional persistence by addressing management issues at both local and metapopulation scales.
Melanin and novel melanin precursors from Aeromonas media

Many bacteria produce reddish brown to black pigments and some of these have been characterised. This report describes the isolation and characterisation of a diffusible brown melanin-like pigment from the bacterium Aeromonas media. Physico-chemical testing suggested that the pigment is a true melanin. New butanol-soluble yellow, red and brown pigments were isolated from the A. media strain under reducing conditions during melanogenesis and these pigments were shown to be unstable precursors of the polymeric brown melanin product.
New Early Eocene Mammalian Fauna from Western Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract Two new fossil mammal localities from the Paleogene of central-western Patagonia are preliminarily described as the basis for a new possible biochronological unit for the early Eocene of Patagonia, correlated as being between two conventional SALMAs, the Riochican (older) and the Vacan subage of the Casamayoran SALMA. The mammal-bearing strata belong to the Middle Chubut River Volcanic-Pyroclastic Complex (northwestern Chubut Province, Argentina), of Paleocene-Eocene age. This complex includes a variety of volcaniclastic, intrusive, pyroclastic, and extrusive rocks deposited after the K-T boundary. Geochronological data taken from nearby volcanic deposits that underlie and overlie the mammal-bearing levels indicate that both faunas are of late early Eocene age (Ypresian-Lutetian boundary). In addition to more than 50 species of mammals, including marsupials, ungulates, and xenarthrans, two lower molars are the oldest evidence of bats in South America. Paleobotanical and palynological evidence from inferred contemporary localities nearby indicate subtropical environments characterized by warm and probably moderately humid climate. Remarkably, this new fauna is tentatively correlated with Eocene mammals from the La Meseta Formation in the Antarctic Peninsula. We conclude that the two localities mentioned above are part of a possible new biochronological unit, but the formal proposal of a new SALMA awaits completion of taxonomic analysis of the materials reported upon here. If the La Meseta fauna is correlated biochronologically to western Patagonia, this also suggests a continental extension of the biogeographic Weddelian Province as far north as central-western Patagonia.
Serological relationships and purification of bud necrosis virus, a tospovirus occurring in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in India

A procedure for the purification of a tospovirus which causes bud necrosis disease (BND) of peanut in India is described. The virus contained three polypeptides of 78 kDa, 54 kDa and 31 kDa. In two ELISA procedures the virus failed to react with antisera to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) obtained from different sources and with an antiserum to impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV). Additionally, in reciprocal tests TSWV and INSV antigens failed to react with antiserum to the virus infecting peanut in India. In electro-blot immunoassay 54 kDa and 31 kDa polypeptides of the virus reacted with the homologous antiserum. None of the heterologous antisera reacted with any of the three viral polypeptides. On the basis of serological differences the virus that causes BND in India is distinct and therefore has been named bud necrosis virus (BNV). This serotype appears to be restricted to Asia.
Progressive vascular smooth muscle cell defects in a mouse model of Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome

Children with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) suffer from dramatic acceleration of some symptoms associated with normal aging, most notably cardiovascular disease that eventually leads to death from myocardial infarction and/or stroke usually in their second decade of life. For the vast majority of cases, a de novo point mutation in the lamin A (LMNA) gene is the cause of HGPS. This missense mutation creates a cryptic splice donor site that produces a mutant lamin A protein, termed “progerin,” which carries a 50-aa deletion near its C terminus. We have created a mouse model for progeria by generating transgenics carrying a human bacterial artificial chromosome that harbors the common HGPS mutation. These mice develop progressive loss of vascular smooth muscle cells in the medial layer of large arteries, in a pattern very similar to that seen in children with HGPS. This mouse model should prove valuable for testing experimental therapies for this devastating disorder and for exploring cardiovascular disease in general.
Social and spatial patterns determine the population structure and colonization processes in mouflon

Although it is widely accepted that populations vary in space and time, defining the spatial scale of population structure relevant for understanding temporal variation or for management and conservation purposes remains a challenge. We studied jointly temporal patterns of social and spatial structures in an introduced population of mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon (Schreber, 1782)) to define the temporal stability of these structures and to uncover the history of the colonization process. We expected social organization to remain stable between years, mouflon to stay sedentary, and colonization to have occurred through a diffusion process. We used yearly censuses performed between 1994 and 2004, and collected information in managers’ archives and newspapers reporting the presence of mouflon in different areas since its introduction in 1954 in the Bauges mountains, France. Mouflons were divided into male and nursery groups, whose number (1.88 ± 0.31 for males and 7.54 ± 0.58 for nurseries) and composition (7.
Identity Change

This research examines two mechanisms by which persons' identities change over time. First, on the basis of identity control theory (ICT), I hypothesize that while identities influence the way in which a role is played out, discrepancies between the meanings of the identity standard and the meanings of the role performance will result in change. That is, due to the hierarchical structure of identity systems, change will occur not only to the role performance (to counteract the discrepancy), but also to the meanings of identity standard over time (to bring them more into line with the disturbance). A second mechanism of change in identities is hypothesized to result from persons holding multiple identities that share meanings. Identities that share dimensions of meaning influence each other's standard to maintain the shared meaning at a common level. Changing identity standards redefines who one is. Using data from the Marital Roles Project, I examine the spousal and gender identities of newly married couples over the first years of marriage as couples engage in routine activities. Hypotheses about change in identities are supported; implications for extending identity control theory are discussed.
The integrated use of chemical insecticides and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), for the control of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The integration of chemical insecticides and infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Wesier) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), to control second instars of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was investigated. Using a sand bioassay, the effects of direct exposure of S. carpocapsae for 24 h to field rate dilutions of four insecticides (spiromesifen, thiacloprid, imidacloprid and pymetrozine) on infectivity to Galleria mellonella larvae were tested. Although all chemicals tested, except spiromesifen, produced acceptable nematode infectivity rates, they were all significantly less than the water control. The effect of insecticide treatment (dry residues of spiromesifen, thiacloprid and pymetrozine and soil drench of imidacloprid) on the efficacy of the nematode against B. tabaci was also investigated. Nematodes in combination with thiacloprid and spiromesifen gave higher B. tabaci mortality (86.5% and 94.3% respectively) compared to using nematodes alone (75.2%) on tomato plants. There was no significant difference in B. tabaci mortality when using the chemicals imidacloprid, pymetrozine and spiromesifen in conjunction with nematodes compared to using the chemicals alone. However, using thiacloprid in combination with the nematodes produced significantly higher B. tabaci mortality than using the chemical alone. The integration of S. carpocapsae and these chemical agents into current integrated pest management programmes for the control of B. tabaci is discussed.
Temperature requirements for seed germination of three Penstemon species

To determine optimum germination temperatures and effective dormancy- breaking procedures, field-grown (1983-85) seeds of 'Bandera' Rocky Mountain pen- stemon (Penstemon strictus Benth), 'Cedar' Palmer penstemon (Penstemon palmeri Gray), and firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii Gray) were subjected to various cold stratification and incubation temperature treatments. Increased germination following an 8-week stratification occurred in seed lots containing dormant seeds, but a 2-week stratification generally failed to break dormancy. Older (1983) seeds of 'Bandera' and 'Cedar' penstemon germinated to full viability without stratification. All species showed a marked decrease in germination percentage above 20C; 15C consistently produced maximum germination after 4 weeks. At 15C, mean times to 90% of total germination were 11, 22, and 29 days for 'Bandera', 'Cedar', and firecracker penstemon, respec- tively. Transfer of seeds failing to germinate at warm temperatures (25 and 30C) to 15C and applying 720 µM gibberellic acid (GA3) solution was effective in breaking primary dormancy of firecracker penstemon and secondary dormancy of 'Bandera' penstemon. Our findings suggest that incubation below 20C, combined with 8 weeks of stratification or the use of after-ripened seed, may improve seed propagation efforts for these species.
Orientierende chemische Untersuchung einiger Apocynaceen

Eine Anzahl von Apocynaceen wurde mit Hilfe von Farbreaktionen auf Anwesenheit von Alkaloiden und Glykosiden gepruft. Dabei wurde auch zwischen den verschiedenen Gruppen der Zucker (2-Desoxyzucker und normale Zucker) sowie zwischen Cardenoliden und anderen Glykosiden differenziert. Die erhaltenen Resultate lassen in der Regel eine gewisse Ubereinstimmung zwischen den nachgewiesenen Stoffen und der Stellung der betreffenden Pflanzen im naturlichen System (nach PICHON) erkennen.
Effect of ageing time on beef quality of rustic type and rustic x Charolais crossbreed cattle slaughtered at the same finishing grade

The objective was to determine the effect of ageing period on beef meat from young bulls of a rustic genotype (Morucha) and an improved crossbreed (Charolais x Morucha). The ageing periods were 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. Carcass quality, pH, meat chemical composition, myoglobin content, colour, water-holding capacity, textural parameters (20%, 80% compression, and Warner-Bratzler test) and sensory characteristics were determined. Regarding carcass quality, better results were observed in crossbreed genotype than in Morucha pure breed. Myoglobin concentrations and a* values were higher in the rustic pure breed than in the crossbreed. Although no differences were observed between genotypes in cooking losses, crossbreed animals provided higher values in thawing losses. Textural parameters did not differ significantly between genotypes. For both genotypes 20% compression and Warner-Bratzler tests showed that longer ageing periods promoted more tender meat. However, sensory analysis indicated that meat from the rustic breed may require a longer ageing period than meat from the crossbreed.
A simple and effective method for obtaining mammal DNA from faeces

The use of faecal DNA, although a promising tool for the population monitoring of mammals, has not yet become a fully exploited and standard practice, mainly because low target DNA concentration, DNA degradation, and co-purification of inhibitors demand extra laboratory procedures to improve success and reliability. Here we evaluate a simple method that enables sampling of DNA in the field through the collection of the intestinal cells present on the surface of a scat using a swab. The swab is immediately placed in a vial containing a lysis buffer that preserves the DNA for its later extraction. DNA extracts of three species of herbivores (goat, fallow deer and white-tailed deer), two carnivores (Iberian lynx and domestic dog) and one omnivore species (brushtail possum) were characterised in terms of target and total DNA quantity, PCR inhibition and genotyping success. Direct comparison was carried out with duplicate samples preserved in 96% ethanol and extracted via a commonly used commercial DNA extraction kit for faecal material. Results from these comparisons show that swabbing the samples in situ not only simplifies field collection and sample handling in the laboratory, but generally optimises target DNA recovery, minimises co-purification of PCR inhibitors and provides good quality DNA for the species tested, especially for herbivores. This method is also less time-consuming and more cost-effective, thus providing a more convenient and efficient alternative for non-invasive genetic studies.
Genetic variability and correlation studies in Gladiolus hybrida L. under tarai condition of Uttarakhand

Twenty nine genotypes of gladiolus were evaluated for fifteen different characters to ascertain the genetic variability and association among the characters during the year 2010–11 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the fifteen characters studied. The higher PCV and GCV estimates were found for number of daughter corm/mother corm and cormel production. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for plant height, days to first floret show colour, weight of corm and cormel production. The correlation studies revealed that plant height exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with weight of corm, corm diameter, rachis length and number of leaf per plant. There exists a significant and positive relationship of number of leaf per plant with weight of corm, corm diameter and rachis length; spikes length with number of leaves per plant. Floret diameter also exhibited significant and positive correlation with marketable spike per corm and number of daughter corm per mother corm. However, non-significant and positive correlation was found in characters viz., plant height with durability of spike, marketable spike per corm and number of spike per corm; days to first floret show colour with spike length, rachis length and number of floret per spike; number of leaf per plant with cormel production; durability of spike with rachis length and corm diameter.
Soft anatomy and the affinities of conodonts

Recent claims that conodonts are members of the Craniata or Vertebrata are based in part upon soft tissue features that have been preserved in a small number of specimens. These features include what appear to be radials in the caudal fin and paired structures that have been identified as eye remnants. The evidence for radials is limited, but credible. However, the anatomy of extant cyclostomes suggests that the paired structures are more reasonably interpreted as otic capsules than the remnants of sclerotic eye capsules. Moreover, even if these structures are the remnants of eyes, conodonts might equally well be a sister group to the craniates as a member of that group. Aside from these paired structures, conodont fossils exhibit no features that are suggestive of a cartilaginous skeleton. Given that cyclostome fossils sometimes show evidence of the cartilages of the head, the apparent absence of a similar skeleton in conodont animals calls into question the claim that they are craniates. The simple single chevron shape of conodont myomeres also suggests that they lie outside of the Craniata. All living craniates have double-chevron myomeres as adults, whereas simple myomeres of the conodont type are found in the non-craniate cephalochordates. Thus the available soft tissue evidence suggests that conodonts are best regarded as the sister group of the craniates.
Oceanographic variability in the Skagerrak and Northern Kattegat, May–June, 1990

Danielssen, D. S. , Edler, L. , Fonselius, S. , Hernroth, L. , Ostrowski, M. , Svendsen, E. , and Talpsepp, L. 1997. Oceanographic variability in the Skagerrak and Northern Kattegat, May‐June, 1990. ‐ ICES Journal of Marine Science, 54: 753‐773. The Skagerrak Experiment (SKAGEX), was a large, international, ICES-supported joint venture, carried out in the Skagerrak‐Kattegat area on four diVerent surveys in the period 1990‐1991. It involved some 20 institutes and, at times, up to 17 research vessels. The main aim of the Experiment was to identify and quantify the diVerent water masses entering and leaving the Skagerrak area and their variation over time. It also aimed to investigate the mechanisms that drive the circulation and to study their eVects on biological processes. The aim was to be attained mostly through extensive synoptic observations. This paper focuses on the variability in physical, chemical and biological parameters during thefirst part of SKAGEX, 24 May‐20 June 1990. During the first half of the period of investigation, the main outflow from the Skagerrak, represented by the Norwegian Coastal Current, was barotropic with daily mean velocities varying from 10‐40 cm s "1 . During the second half a clear baroclinic current component developed, giving rise to near surface velocities of up to 100 cm s "1 . A pronounced feature in the Skagerrak during the study was the counter-clockwise circulation of the Norwegian Coastal Current at times of strong northwesterly winds. During such conditions this surface water reached as far as the Danish coast south of 57)N and upwelling along the Norwegian coast was also found. During northerly winds upwelling also occurred along the Swedish coast. The nutrient-rich Jutland Coastal Water, originating from the German Bight, was never found to reach the inner part of the Skagerrak during this first part of SKAGEX. It was partly blocked or diluted by other water-masses. A large ‘‘ridge’’ of nutrient-rich Atlantic water was found in the central Skagerrak throughout the investigation. It is shown that this elongated ‘‘ridge’’ was associated with the deepest (>500 m) area of the Skagerrak. Within this area, high subsurface chlorophyll concentrations were always found and, due to the persistence of the supply of nutrients, it is concluded that this phenomenon could be one of the main reasons for the high productivity of the Skagerrak. 1997 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
Revised systematics and higher classification of pierid butterflies (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) based on molecular data

The butterfly family Pieridae comprises approximately 1000 described species placed in 85 genera, but the higher classification has not yet been settled. We used molecular data from eight gene regions (one mitochondrial and seven nuclear protein‐coding genes) comprising a total of ~6700 bp from 96 taxa to infer a well‐supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the family. Based on this hypothesis, we revise the higher classification for all pierid genera. We resurrect the tribe Teracolini stat. rev. in the subfamily Pierinae to include the genera Teracolus, Pinacopteryx, Gideona, Ixias, Eronia, Colotis and most likely Calopieris. We transfer Hebomoia to the tribe Anthocharidini and assign the previously unplaced genera Belenois and Dixeia to the subtribe Aporiina. Three lineages near the base of Pierinae (Leptosia, Elodina and Nepheronia + Pareronia) remain unplaced. For each of these, we describe and delineate new tribes: Elodinini Braby tribus nova, Leptosiaini Braby tribus nova and Nepheroniini Braby tribus nova. The proposed higher classification is based on well‐supported monophyletic groups and is likely to remain stable even with the addition of more data.
Produtividade do maxixeiro cultivado em substrato e fertirrigado com soluções nutritivas

Cultivation in substrate has expanded considerably among farmers, but studies are still scarce for many crops. This research was developed at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, in Mossoro, Brazil, to evaluate the yield of gherkin plants cultivated in coconut fiber and fertigated with different nutrient solutions. We used a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of different nutrient solutions, based on the recommended solutions for melon and cucumber for the NFT hydroponic system. Three solutions were defined from the recommended solution for melon (S1: 50%, S2: 100% and S3: 150%), three solutions based on recommendations for cucumber plants (S4: 50%, S5: 100% and S6: 150%), and a solution obtained from the average values of nutrient solutions for melon and cucumber plants (S7: average value of S2 and S5). Five harvests were carried out at weekly intervals, the first 60 days after sowing. We evaluated the yield parameters: number of fruits per plant, mean fruit mass, transversal and longitudinal diameters and fruit production per plant. Cultivating gherkin plants on substrate with fertigations is potentially interesting using recommended nutrient solution corresponding to 100% of the recommendation for melon or greater than 50% the solution concentration for the cucumber.