Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloacal protuberance and cloacal sperm in passerine birds: comparative study of quantitative relations

Size of cloacal protuberance, a putative criterion of male sex and breeding condition in many passerines, and number of sperm in cloacal lavages were determined in males of 21 passerine species (n = 275 individuals), at Foley, Missouri, 1 to 14 May 1984. The objective was to test the quantitative relations of these two measures and to compare their vernal temporal changes. Relative size of the cloacal protuberance (cp) was scored, providing a cloacal protuberance index (CPI: 0 to + + + +). Numbers of sperm in lavages without massage were estimated from counts using phase contrast microscopy of dried smears, giving a cloacal sperm index (CSI: 0 to 5.0 = 0 to 1.2 x 107 sperm/lavage). Correspondence between CPI and CSI was generally slight to lacking. Indeed, some males lacking a cp had abundant cloacal sperm, either as migrants and/or during the beginning of their breeding and nesting, while some others of the same species with a well developed large cp lacked cloacal sperm. The CSI was equivalent in first-year and older male Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), although secondary sex, or dimorphic, characteristics (CPI and plumage) were greater in the latter. It is concluded: (1) that in examined passerines, presence of a large cp can be used as a criterion of male sex, but that its absence or small size is not a valid criterion of either sex; (2) cloacal release of normal sperm in large numbers occurs in males both with and without a cp, and therefore the cp is not a reliable criterion of breeding capability.
The Genus Euarestoides in the United States and Mexico (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Examination of the types of E. abstersa (Loew, 1862) and E. acutangula (Thomson, 1868) shows these to be distinct species. Specimens of abstersa have been seen only from the Atlantic States, from New York to Florida, while acutangula is known to range from the Pacific States eastward at least to Minnesota and Indiana. E. arnaudi from California and E. dreisbachi from Mexico are included in a key to the four species now known in the genus.
Effect of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing signal molecules on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation

The Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis is an etiological agent of endodontic infections in oral biofilms. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing signal molecules on E. faecalis biofilm formation ability. Our results provide important effects of N-Hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) and N-octanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL) molecules on E. faecalis biofilm formation. These AHLs molecules promoted the biofilm formation of E. faecalis. Key words: N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), bacterial communication, biofilm, Enterococcus faecalis, quorum sensing.
The Role of Nutrition and Carrying Capacity in Models of Small Rodent Population Dynamics

The asymptote of the logistic growth equation defines carrying capacity as the equilibrium density at which a population's intrinsic rate of increase is counterbalanced by the negative effects of crowding. Although the mechanism that produces this crowding effect need not be explicitly stated, most ecologists assume that the ultimate cause is a shortage of resources, usually food. Thus nutrition and carrying capacity are inextricably linked, and it seems appropriate to consider them together in a review of their treatment by modellers. There is no consensus as to the importance of resource availability as a factor limiting the density of natural populations. Other important environmental factors, such as weather, predators and disease, may keep populations well below limitations set by food supply. But that neither vitiates the concept of resource limitation nor reduces its usefulness for modelling. We need to know how environmental factors influence population densities when acting in concert, and no one factor is likely to dominate the others completely. The combined effects of factors on populations are not likely to be modelled appropriately if the effects of individual factors are not correctly expressed, so again each major factor is worthy of careful consideration. Both the quantity and quality of food influence the carrying capacity of a habitat, which suggests that nutritional measures can be used as indicators of habitat
The Distribution of Fright Reaction and Alarm Substance Cells in Fishes

The Ostariophysi and Gonorynchiformes are considered to be related since they share a number of osteological characteristics (Greenwood et al., 1966). They also have one highly complex physiological feature in common which is absent in all other groups of teleostean fishes: the fright reaction elicited by alarm substance produced by special epidermal alarm substance cells (Pfeiffer, 1967). This was believed to be of such significance that both groups were united in a single superorder, the Ostariophysi (Rosen and Greenwood, 1970). This conclusion was based on both Greenwood's osteological characterization and Pfeiffer's histological and physiological studies concerning the presence of alarm substance cells and fright reaction in some hundred species from various families and orders. However, the species' names are widely scattered in the literature, and have never been ordered taxonomically. In addition, in the most recent review on the fright reaction the names of the species studied are not mentioned (Pfeiffer, 1974). Therefore it is desirable to present a list containing all species studied with respect to fright reaction and alarm substance cells, ordered taxonomically with reference to the original literature. This list will facilitate further research. Some aspects of the fright reaction in fish are reviewed.
Is foot squeezing pressure by two raptor species sufficient to subdue their prey

We quantified foot squeezing pressure exerted by Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) and Eurasian Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) while grasping a rodent. The birds were offered either a dead laboratory mouse, a fake mouse consisting of a laboratory mouse skin surrounding a rubber pipe connected to a pressure transducer, or a live laboratory mouse. Direct observations and necropsy of the depredated mice confirm death by suffocation from the raptor's grasp. The two raptor species differed in technique of constricting the fake mouse: the buzzard relied on strong, but very brief squeezing bouts, whereas the kestrel compensated for less squeezing strength by performing constriction with prolonged duration. When observed, bites to the head were consistent with immobilizing live prey but not killing it. In contrast, squeezing by thoracic compression is sufficient to kill the prey without the need to use beak or talons.
Ripening-dependent Changes in Phytonutrients and Antioxidant Activity of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Fruits Cultivated under Open-field Conditions

To understand ripening-dependent changes in phytonutrients, five commercial cultivars of red peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in an open field in Taean, South Korea, were selected and their fruits were harvested at green mature (GM), intermediate breaker (BR), and red ripe (RR) stages and their phytonutrient contents and antioxidant activities were compared. Three major patterns in relation to ripening progress were observed. First, continuous increases were observed in vitamin C, total phenol, vitamin E (especially a-tocopherol), total free sugar, b-carotene, linolenic acid content, and antioxidant activity. Second, decreasing patterns were observed in phytosterols (cam- pesterol, stigmasterol, and b-sitosterol) and linoleic acid. Third, total flavonoid and squalene contents were relatively higher at the BR stage compared with the GM and RR stages. These results indicate that each phytonutrient has a unique pattern of accumu- lation and degradation during the fruit-maturing process. Unlike the mentioned phytonu- trients, which showed similar patterns in all tested cultivars, capsaicinoids exhibited quite different patterns of ripening-dependent changes among the cultivars. Throughout the ripening processes, positive correlations with antioxidant activity were observed in vitamin E (r= 0.814**), b-carotene (r= 0.772*), vitamin C (r= 0.610**), and total phenol (r= 0.595**) contents, whereas capsaicinoids, total flavonoid, and phytosterols exhibited no or slightly negative correlations. In conclusion, the ripening of red pepper fruits is accompanied by continuous increments in various phytonutrients and subsequent antioxidant activity.
Resistance of canola cultivars affect life table parameters of Nysius cymoides (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

A life table can be used as an important and appropriate tool to evaluate the susceptibility or resistance level of different host plant cultivars to insect pests. In the current study, we determined the suitability or inferiority of five different canola cultivars (Hayula420, Hayula401, Hayula50, Hayula60, RGS) to Nysius cymoides, under laboratory conditions. Data were analysed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Nysius cymoides which fed on Hayula420 had the longest nymphal period, while those which fed on Hayula50 had the shortest nymphal period. Developmental times (sum of incubation and nymphal periods) was longest for those which fe d on Hayula420 and the shortest for those which fed on Hayula50. The adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total pre-oviposition period (TPOP), mean fecundity, and adult longevity of adults reared on different canola cultivars showed significant differences. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R 0 ) were obtained for those which fed on Hayula420 (11.40 offspring per individual) and Hayula401 (5.47 offspring per individual), respectively. The highest value (0.0395 d-1) for the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was obtained for those which fed on Hayula 60 cultivar and the lowest value (0.0261 d-1) for those which fed on Hayula401 cultivar. The shortest and longest mean generation times (T) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and H401 cultivars, respectively. The lowest and highest values of life expectancy (e xj ) were obtained for those which fed on RGS and Hayula420 cultivars, respectively. The results showed that Hayula401 and RGS were not susceptible cultivars to N. cymoides. These cultivars showed higher resistance to N. cymoides, while Hayula60, Hayula420, and Hayula50 were found to be suitable cultivars but with lower resistance to N. cymoides, respectively.
Guide for the identification of archaeological sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio and A. oxyrinchus) remains

Cybium 2015, 39(3): 175-192. (1) royal Belgian institute of natural sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. [els.thieren@naturalsciences.be] [wim.wouters@naturalsciences.be] (2) Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics, Ku Leuven, Ch. Debériotstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. * Corresponding author [wim.vanneer@naturalsciences.be] Faunal remains found on archaeological sites allow reconstructing human subsistence strategies but can also contribute to biodiversity and nature conservation issues (Lyman, 2006). archaeozoological remains have the potential of documenting invasions and extinctions in a particular region and can provide evidence at the centennial or millennial scale, which largely exceeds the historical information fishery biologists have, at best, at their disposal. An example, in Western Europe and the Baltic region, where the fate of a fish taxon can be followed through time is the sturgeon. indeed, research published since 2002 has shown that besides the ‘traditional’ Acipenser sturio Linnaeus, 1758, Acipenser abstract. remains of sturgeons (Acipenser sturio and A. oxyrinchus) are regularly found on western European archaeological sites. The identification of these isolated bones should ideally be carried out with the aid of a comparative skeletal collection, consisting of modern specimens of different sizes. Because such reference material of sea sturgeons (A. sturio and A. oxyrinchus) is relatively rare and dispersed over many different museums and institutes, a practical guide is presented here as an aid to the identification of the most commonly found archaeological sturgeon remains. This guide, which is based on observations made on 64 individuals housed in 13 different natural history collections, should allow identifying most archaeological sturgeon remains from western European sites. Presented are the morphological characteristics of the bones of the skull roof and circumorbital region (posttemporal, dermopterotic, parietal, frontal, dermosphenotic, postorbital, jugal and supraorbital), bones of the braincase (parasphenoid), opercular series (subopercle and branchiostegals), the palatoquadrate and associated bones and lower jaw (palatopterygoid, dermopalatine and dentary), the hyoid and gill arches with the hyomandibula, the isolated skeletal elements from the pectoral girdle (clavicle, cleithrum and supracleithrum), the bones of the fin and fin supports (pectoral fin spine, fin rays and fulcra) and the dorsal, ventral, lateral and accessory scutes. For each element, descriptions and pictures are provided of modern and archaeological specimens. Regression equations allowing fish length reconstructions on the basis of single bone measurements are given for 14 elements and the scutes. Finally, criteria for species identification are provided. In the case of the dentary, dermopalatine and palatopterygoid, these are differences in shape of the skeletal elements, whereas for the dermal bones the external surface pattern is diagnostic when reconstructed fish length is over one meter.
Effects of nitrogen rate on nitrogen loss from rice plant tissue

In this paper,15N differential method was adopted to study the influences of nitrogen fertilizer levels on N loss from rice plant tissue,and the factors of affecting the N loss were analyzed.The N loss from rice tissue was studied by supplying different N rates(N 0,40,80 and 160 mg/L) for 10 d under solution culture.Before the treatments,the N was fed with 15N(abundance 10%),and then the 15N was substituted by normal N during the 10 d treatments.The results show that there are not significant changes in biomass for the 10 d treatments with application of different N rates,which indicates that the absorbed N at the previous stage is available to maintain the growth of rice plant for a period of time.N contents of leaves and root are increased with the increase of N levels,while the 15N abundances of leaves and root are decreased noticeably with the increase of N levels,and the 15N abundance of leaves is noticeably higher than that of root.Obviously,N absorption by plants is increased in the high N treatment,and the absorbed 15N at early stage is diluted,which indicates N is transferring from root to leaves.N deficiency(N 0 mg/L) and over N supply(N 160 mg/L) both increase N loss from plant noticeably,and appropriate N supply(N 80 mg/L) increases N utilization noticeably.The growth stages of rice affect N loss rates remarkably.Under the condition of N 80 mg/L,N loss from plant is increased from 11.6% to 22.3% with the increase of rice growth period.Meanwhile,NH+4-N contents,and GOT activities are increased with the increase of N amount,and pH values of rice leaves are also increased.These results indicate that N use efficiency N is decreased due to the N loss from rice tissue,and ammonia volatilization may be one of the reasons for the N loss.
Experimental manipulation of habitat structures in intensively managed spruce plantations to increase their value for biodiversity conservation

Six intensively managed white spruce ( Picea gl auca (Moench) Voss) plantations located in three general landscape con texts (plantation dominated, hardwood dominated, and mixed hardwood and plantation) in northern New Brunswick underwent alternative commercial thinning (CT) treatments: 1) an unthinned control; and three 40% basal area CT removals, with 2) slash and tops remaining on site ( status quo CT), 3) branches and tops extracted from the site (biomass removal CT), and 4) clumps of unthinned trees left, and one-half girdled to create snags (enhanced structure CT). We examined responses of taxa that have a clear connection to deadwood and thinning response: beetles and bird species that are directly dependent upon deadwood, ground vegetation species sensitive to disturbance, and small mammals that have been observed to have low density in planted stands. Results three years post-thinning showed that crown width and tree growth responded positively to CT, and herbaceous vegetation diverged from reference stands and unthinned treatments with CT, but greatest compositional change was associated with biomass removal CT. Beetles responded positively to CT, small mammal species responded both positively (red-backed voles) and negatively (woodland jumping mice) to CT, but areas dominated by plantations had negative effects on voles. Effects of CT on songbirds were unclear and their quantifi cation would require larger treated blocks, but maintenance of habitat at the landscape level is essential for the conserva tion of bird species that require deadwood. The experimental biomass removal CT was least similar to both unthinned and older unmanaged stands, and may therefore be detrimental to biodiversity conservation efforts. These results are only the initial three years after treatment but set the study up to permit a long-term legacy of determining long-term responses of taxa over stand development.
FORAGING ECOLOGY OF COMMON DOLPHINS (Delphinus sp.) IN THE HAURAKI GULF, NEW ZEALAND

This study investigated the foraging ecology of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, off the east coast of Auckland, New Zealand. Like most species of small cetacea in the Southern Hemisphere, its foraging habits are poorly described. A total of 59 focal group follows of common dolphins were conducted between January and April 2006. Observations were conducted at the surface, recording the predominant behavioural state of the group, foraging phase, foraging strategy, group dispersion, group formation, swimming style, group heading, calf presence and associated species. All occurrences of fission-fusion events and surface behaviours were recorded. This study tested the hypothesis that foraging behaviour of common dolphins would be influenced by environmental and physical parameters, group size, calf presence and associations with other species. In the Hauraki Gulf, foraging behaviour was recorded during all common dolphin follows, with 14% ± 1.7 (mean ± s.e.) of time spent feeding. Larger groups of dolphins spent more time foraging than smaller groups. Herding accounted for a large part of the foraging behaviour of common dolphins (mean ± s.e. = 28% ± 2.3, n = 54). Larger groups were found to spend significantly more time herding than smaller groups. Herding was generally directed towards the nearest landmass. Common dolphins use a variety of foraging strategies, both individual and group coordinated strategies. High-speed pursuits (n = 29) and kerplunking (n= 15) were the only individual foraging strategies recorded. Coordinated feeding strategies employed were synchronous diving (n = 50), line-abreast (n = 28), carouselling (n = 26) and wall-formation (n = 4). Synchronous diving and carouselling were the most enduring strategies, accounting for a significant proportion of foraging behaviour (mean ± s.e. = 32% ± 0.05 and 24% ± 0.08 of instantaneous samples, respectively). Foraging strategies were typified by various group formations, dispersion between group members, swimming styles and breathing intervals. Foraging strategies were also observed to have different roles in dolphin foraging. Line-abreast and wallformation were associated with herding. However, high-speed pursuit, kerplunking and carouselling were strategies synonymous with feeding. Foraging strategies were shown to be dynamic, with dolphin groups changing strategies within a foraging bout (mean ± s.e. = 3 strategies per foraging bout ± 0.4). Larger groups spent more time engaged in coordinated foraging strategies than smaller groups. Noisy surface behaviours and fission-fusion events were frequently seen in synchrony with
A UME Kibble balance displacement measurement procedure

The redefinition of the kilogram in terms of Planck constant came into effect on 20 May 2019. The National Metrology Institute of Turkey (UME) realised the new definition by means of the oscillating magnet Kibble balance. The novel dynamical measurement procedure developed for Kibble balance in Turkey has the advantage of being less sensitive to environmental disturbances compared to the traditional Kibble balance experiments. Precise displacement measurements are performed either with Michelson or Fabry-Perot interferometers in worldwide Kibble balances. Moreover, most of them operate in a global vacuum. A commercial Michelson interferometer has been used in UME’s Kibble balance experiment. In this article, we determine the contribution of ultra-small oscillations to the Planck constant by taking simultaneous displacement measurements on two back-to-back mirrors attached to the piezoelectric transducer, undergoing an oscillatory motion with the Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometers. The following novel measurement procedure makes such measurements possible in a regular laboratory environment. Otherwise, the experiment needs to be performed in a global vacuum. This is why we were required to investigate the resolution performances of these devices in laboratory conditions. As the expected relative uncertainty in the redefinition of kilogram is above the resolution uncertainties of both interferometers, we may conclude that a commercial Michelson interferometer will serve our purposes in our route to the redefinition of a kilogram by means of local vacuum.
Leucettines, a family of pharmacological inhibitors of DYRKs & CLKs kinases derived from the marine sponge Leucettamine B

C.N. R.S. , USR3151, ‘Protein Phosphorylation & Human Disease’, Station Biologique, place Georges Teissier, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, FRANCE (XF, ED). Inserm/UPS UMR 1048, ‘Production et fonctions plaquettaires: signalisation et phosphoinositides’ group, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), 1, Avenue Jean Poulhès, BP 84225, 31432 Toulouse cedex 4, FRANCE (GC, BP). Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA (DS, AS). Laboratoire Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR CNRS 6226, Groupe Ingénierie Chimique & Molécules pour le Vivant (ICMV), Université de Rennes 1, Bât. 10A, Campus de Beaulieu, Avenue du Général Leclerc, CS 74205, 35042 Rennes cedex, FRANCE (EL, FC, JPB). ManRos Therapeutics, Perharidy Research Center, 29680 Roscoff, Bretagne, FRANCE (LM). Molecular Pharmacology Fast Forward. Published on December 23, 2013 as doi:10.1124/mol.113. 090837
The Occurrence of Para-Quinones in the Abdominal Secretion of Eleodes hispilabris (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The false wireworm Eleodes hispilabris Say ejects a pungent spray from the elevated tip of the abdomen when disturbed. The ejected secretion consists of a mixture of 2-methyl-l,4-benzoquinone and 2-ethyl-l,4-benzoquinone, and a hydrocarbon in which the quinones probably are dissolved. The quinoidal mixture consists of approximately two parts of methylquinone to three parts of ethylquinone. Experiments employing the imported fire ant Solenopsis sacvissima v. richteri Forel as a predator demonstrated that the spray of Eleodes was repellent and often would induce abnormal locomotor activity in the ants.