Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress and disturbance: vegetation dynamics in the dry Chaco region of Argentina

This paper analyses two processes acting on The second process is the dynamics of gallery forest vegetation dynamics in the dry Chaco region of Argentina. resulting from intensive river-bed migrations which The major one is the response of herbaceous/woody species characterize the region. A main process model relates the to overgrazing. Extensive cattle breeding reached a peak largest and most frequent floods to the complex structure, shortly before the 1940s, when animal production in the high diversity and Amazonian lineage of the floristic region became saturated. Thus over-exploitation reached a composition of the forests. It also attributes the null water crisis during this decade and there followed a sharp supply of abandoned river-beds to Chaco lineage forests, decrease in the number of cattle and the efficiency of the adjusted to rainfall seasonality. However, owing to the high production system. The number of puestos (stations), on the morphological instability of the region these courses may contrary, remained fairly constant. Thus overgrazing has become active or inactive throughout time by means of led to degradation of the natural systems. Today the most digression or filling in, which leads to well-developed intensely degraded areas form a 25-50 ha fringe around forests growing on ancient river-beds and, conversely, dry each puesto headquarters and represent less than 1 % of the forests growing along the margin of permanent rivers. A total area studied. Here, marked changes in soil model is presented which, by analysing river bank physiochemical properties can be seen together with the community dynamics in terms of the geomorphological elimination of trees and shrubs. Away from this fringe, instability (constant river-bed migration, river-bed filling, degradation basically involves the herbaceous cover, bank formation and disintegration), shows how the changing the original landscape of forests and savannas structure and composition of these forests would be into one of forests and shrub patches. There are not only determined by past floods rather than by the present one. structural alterations but also changes in the system's dynamics due to modifications in the relationships between Key words. Overgrazing, riverine, savanna vegetation its components. The sequence of changes seems to exhibit dynamics, disturbance, gallery forests, stability, Chaco, resilient behaviour showing hysteresis. Argentina.
PARASITES OF THE STOUT RAZOR CLAM TAGELUS PLEBEIUS (PSAMMOBIIDAE) FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN

Abstract This work describes the parasites and their respective pathologies in the stout razor clam, Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) (Psammobiidae) from Argentinean coasts. It represents the first report about a histopathological survey for these species in the Southwestern Atlantic. Specimens of T. plebeius were collected at Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37°46′S, 57°27′W) (n = 104 dissected under stereomicroscope, n = 28 histologically sectioned and microscopically examined) and from the mouth of the Quequén Salado River (38°56′S, 60°33′W) (n = 14 dissected under stereomicroscope). Tagelus plebeius was found housing two ciliate species without apparent host reaction and acting as first intermediate host for two digenetic trematode species of the families Fellodistomidae and Gymnophallidae, by hosting sporocysts (mainly in gonad and digestive gland that results in the replacement of host tissues) and as second intermediate host by housing a gymnophallid metacercaria. Likewise, T. plebeius was found parasitized by a larval spirurinae nematode encapsulated by hemocytes. The finding of two ciliate species, the gymnophallid cercaria and metacercaria, and the larval nematode represents the first record for the host. The Southwestern Atlantic populations of this clam seem to be devoid of serious pathogens in the study area.
Replacement of dicalcium phosphate by rock phosphate in cattle diets: nutrients digestibility, plasma parameters, ruminal fermentation and microbial synthesis efficiency

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of replacing dicalcium phosphate by rock phosphate in diets of growing steers. It was determined the following aspects: apparent digestibility of diets; phosphorus (P), calcium and fluorine apparent absorption; ruminal pH; ruminal ammonia concentration; microbial efficiency and plasma P. Five rumen fistulated Holstein steers weighting 275 - 283 kg were used. Experimental design was a 5 × 5 Latin square and diets consisted of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of dicalcium phosphate replacement by rock phosphate in the mineral supplement. Addition of rock phosphate in the diets produced a linear increase on intake, rumen outflow and fecal output and total disappearance of fluorine. Diets did not differ to apparent absorption of calcium as well as dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates intake, excretion, digestion and partial and total apparent digestibility. Plasma phosphorus was not influenced by diets and the average was 5.93 mg/dL. There was no difference for ruminal pH and ruminal ammonia concentration. Dicalcium phosphate replacement did not affect apparent and true protein microbial synthesis. Total replacement of dicalcium phosphate by rock phosphate in growing steer mineral supplement did not affect ruminal environment and protein synthesis in rumen. Considering this, dicalcium phosphate replacement in growing steer diets decreases P absorption and depending on its requirements it should be carefully seen.
Biofilm In Endodontics: New Understanding To An Old Problem

The main goal in endodontic infection is to recognize and removal of etiological factors. Debridement of the root canal by instrumentation, irrigation and removal of biofilm is considered important factor to prevent and treat endodontic disease. The root canal morphology provides excellent conditions for a biofilm formation which is one of the main causes for endodontic reinfection. The following review article explores the biofilm formation which commences from adhesion of planktonic microorganisms to a surface followed by colonization, coadhesion, growth and maturation and finally detachment of some microorganisms. Bacteria’s present in biofilm display a wide range of characteristics that provide a number of advantages over planktonic bacteria.
Taxonomic review of Afrotropical Watshamia Bouček (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), with description of a new species

Watshamia Bouček, 1974 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) has three known world species described by Bouček: W. versicolor and W. turneri (Afrotropical), and W. malaica (Oriental). In this paper, Watshamia gero sp. nov. is described from Kenya. It is the only known species in which females have hyaline fore wings. Wing interference pattern (WIP) is used for the first time in the taxonomy of Pteromalidae as a differential feature. An illustrated key to females and males of Afrotropical Watshamia is given and the first indications of the biology of the Afrotropical species are presented. Watshamia versicolor is newly reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Evolutionary history of mole rats (genus Nannospalax) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence

Mole rats (genus Nannospalax) display prolific chromosomal variation with more than 50 distinct cytotypes. These cytotypes are largely indistinguishable morphologically, are mainly allopatric and their taxonomic ranking is contradictory. We established a cytochrome b phylogeny for 15 cytotypes belonging to all three species recognized on morphological grounds (morphospecies): N. leucodon, N. xanthodon and N. ehrenbergi. Phylogenetic reconstructions yielded two highly divergent groups which are in agreement with the current division into two subgenera (Nannospalax and Mesospalax). The former comprised samples from south-eastern Turkey, Israel and Egypt (the morphospecies N. ehrenbergi). Basal dichotomy within Mesospalax remained unresolved and the putative sister position of N. leucodon against the two lineages of N. xanthodon was not supported in our analysis. Net divergences between sister cytotypes were low (< 2.0%) and two N. leucodon cytotypes were not even reciprocally monophyletic. Among the three morphospecies, the genetic diversity was lowest in N. leucodon (2.4% ± 0.3%), highest in N. xanthodon (8.8% ± 0.7%) and intermediate in N. ehrenbergi (5.0% ± 0.5%). Our results show that associations between genetic and chromosomal variation are not widespread and common in mole rats, and therefore refute the generalization of a ‘cytotype-equals-species’ approach. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 105, 446–455.
The impact of researcher disturbance on nest predation rates: a meta-analysis: Impact of researchers on nest predation

The effects of visits to nests by researchers interested in quantifying avian nesting success have received considerable attention, as researchers have long been concerned about the possible negative effects of their own activities on the resulting estimates. There is a widely held view that investigator disturbance has an overall negative effect on breeding success by increasing nest predation rates in the nests studied. However, to date no one has statistically assessed the empirical evidence for such a relationship. We undertook a meta-analysis of published results to assess whether researcher activities increase nest predation in birds. We also assessed the variability in this effect in relation to the traits of the study species and the methodology used. These analyses used data from 18 experimental studies involving 25 species from six avian orders. Our results suggest that, contrary to the traditional view, researcher activities do not generally affect the incidence of nest predation. Moreover, this relationship appears inconsistent among avian orders and, surprisingly, nest survival of passerines increased weakly with researcher activities. We also found significant positive effects of researcher activity on nest survival for species breeding on coastal areas and for species nesting on the ground. The possible explanation for these differences among orders and guilds could be due to different nest predator communities. This new perspective on the effect of investigators could have important implications for bird management and conservation, as well as for other fields of study such as ecology and evolution, in which nest survival rates measured in the field are widely used to test and support a range of hypotheses.
THE NYMPHS OF AESCHNA JUNCEA L. AND A. SUBARCTICA WLK

In the writer's treatise on the North American species of the genus Aeschna (Walker, '12) the nymph of A. juncea L. was described from exuviae collected by the late Dr. F. Ris at Cierfs, Switzerland. One of the exuviae was accompanied by a teneral imago. A single female exuvia from Nipigon, Ont. , very closely resembling the Swiss specimens, was tentatively referred in the same work (p. 98) to A. subarctica Wlk. rather than juncea, although both species were flying at the spot where the exuvia was found.
A cross-continental look at the patterns of avian species diversity and composition across an urbanisation gradient

Abstract Context. As humans become increasingly urban, the need for conservation of nature in cities increases and requires an understanding of the patterns and processes of urban ecosystems. In particular, because humans are the most dominant species in urban areas, understanding the role humans play in these ecosystems (direct and indirect) will be of primary importance. Aims. We examine the diversity and composition of bird species across an urbanisation gradient in two cities (Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, Washington, USA). We determine the degrees of species urban tolerance and examine how certain biological traits of species, namely, diet, whether or not species use bird feeders, nest sites and innovation rate, characterise species urban tolerance. Finally, we determine whether human provisioning (bird feeders and nest boxes) influences what types of species persist across the urbanisation gradient. Methods. We surveyed bird abundance and species richness using point counts and surveyed human provisioning by conducting door-to-door interviews of residents across an urbanisation gradient in Berlin and Seattle. Key results. We found that patterns of species richness were similar in both cities, but that species composition in Berlin changed less across the urbanisation gradient than it did in Seattle. The majority of birds in Berlin were urban tolerant, whereas in Seattle, they were moderately urban tolerant and intolerant. A cluster analysis revealed that, in general, in Berlin, omnivorous, open-nesting birds that use bird feeders and have relatively high innovation rates tended to be urban tolerant. In Seattle, birds that were mostly omnivorous, nested in open cups, and used bird feeders tended to be moderately urban tolerant and they were influenced by provisioning of food by humans. Conclusion. Urbanisation and human interactions with birds can act as ecological filters, favouring certain bird species that can lead to varying species compositions across an urban gradient. These differences in species composition across the gradient may be more noticeable in younger cities than in older cities where the filtering process has been occurring for longer time. Implications. By providing a variety of habitats and supplementing natural foods and nesting places, urban planners and residents can help conserve bird diversity in urban areas.
Neuronal Voltage‐Activated Calcium Channels: On the Roles of the α1Eand β3 Subunits

ABSTRACT: Many neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems display multiple high voltage‐activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents, often classified as L‐, N‐, P‐, Q, and R‐type. The heterogeneous properties of these channels have been attributed to diversity in their pore‐forming α1, subunits, in association with various β subunits. However, there are large gaps in understanding how individual subunits contribute to Ca2+ channel diversity. Here we describe experiments to investigate the roles of α1E and β3 subunits in mammalian neurons. The α1E subunit is the leading candidate to account for the R‐type channel, the least understood of the various types of high voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels. Incubation with α1E antisense oligonucleotide caused a 53% decrease in the peak R‐type current density, while no significant changes in the current expression were seen in sense oligonucleotide‐treated cells. The specificity of the α1E antisense oligonucleotides was supported by the lack of change in the amplitude of P/Q current. These results upheld the hypothesis that members of the E class of α1 subunits support the high voltage‐activated R‐type current in cerebellar granule cells. We studied the role of the Ca2+ channel β3 subunit using a gene targeting strategy. In sympathetic β3−/− neurons, the L‐type current was significantly reduced relative to wild type (wt). In addition, N‐type Ca2+ channels made up a smaller proportion of the total Ca2+ current than in wt due to a lower N‐type current density in a group of neurons with small total currents. Voltage‐dependent activation of P/Q‐type Ca2+ channels was described by two Boltzmann components with different voltage dependence. The absence of the β3 subunit was associated with a shift in the more depolarized component of the activation along the voltage axis toward more negative potentials. The overall conclusion is that deletion of the β3 subunit affects at least three distinct types of HVA Ca2+ channel, but no single type of channel is solely dependent on β3.
Identification of postlarvae of the genus Penaeus appearing in shore waters.

: Diagnostic features for the identification of postlarval Penaeus found in the shore waters of the Philippines are described and categorized based on specimens caught from the wild and those hatched and reared in the laboratory. Differentiating features for postlarval Penaeus are given which include the relative length of the antennular fiagellum ， the shape of the rostrum and number of rostral teeth ， the antennal spine ， the spinules on the dorsal carina of the sixth abdominal segment ， and chromatophore patterns. into species and follows: ， presence of spinules on the dorsal carina of the sixth abdominal segment ， and dense chromatophores. The determinations were confirmed by rearing experiments.
High throughput mitochondrial dna analysis. Optimization of sequence chemistry, characterization of local dye terminator sequencing frames, and tools for the development of an expert system

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analysis is a technique that is wellcharacterized, validated, and useful in the analysis of forensic evidence and identification of human remains. The technique has become more popular as a result of successes in identifying hair samples and older skeletal remains. Mixed DNA samples are very common in casework. Analysis of mixed specimens for nuclear DNA is well-documented and accepted in forensic casework. Additionally, forensic analysts have recently adopted Y-STRs which amplify only the male DNA and are ideal for sexual assault evidence. However, an additional tool that may prove to be very useful in the forensic community would be the analysis of mixed mitochondrial DNA. As of this date, it is not commonplace to report mixed results obtained from mtDNA sequence analysis. In this study, I will present a procedure to improve sequence quality which reduces background noise and artifacts. Further, I will show the work that has been conducted in conjunction with a software company to automatically output base sequence relative heights. With these output files, I have been able to develop a bioinformatics tool to automatically characterize the patterns seen with the sequence data. This study focuses on the improved chemistry and output of data using today's higher throughput multicapillary ABI PRISM 31xx instrumentation. This combination of chemistry and instrumentation is routine in the forensic mtDNA sequencing laboratory. An evaluation of the patterns, trends, and statistical analysis of these patterns will be reported. Further, I will present new bioinformatic tools developed for this project to critically evaluate sequence data. This model is used for the statistical evaluations and to demonstrate the non-random patterns displayed in a sequence frame of three bases due to the different rates of incorporation of the different dye chemistries. Identifying these patterns in local sequence frames from single-source samples can increase base calling accuracy. A single base change can affect the peak heights, or patterns, in these local sequence frames. Patterns in peak heights are characterized using dRhodamine and Big DyeTM terminator sequencing on an ABI PRISM 3100
A phylogenetic study of the family Tephritidae (Insecta: Diptera) using a mitochondrial DNA sequence.

Achievements in tephritid taxonomy have greatly contributed to both basic research and pest management programmes. However, despite the large amount of taxonomic data available, the higher classification of the family Tephritidae is still a matter of debate. A molecular approach could help to provide a more accurate classification. A molecular study was therefore undertaken to gain insight into the phylogenetic relationships within the family Tephritidae. A DNA region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II gene was compared in species representing six genera of the family, namely Ceratitis, Rhagoletis, Dacus, Bactrocera, Anastrepha and Toxotrypana. A dendrogram was constructed using the neighbour-joining method with Liriomyza huidobrensis and Drosophila yakuba as outgroups. Two main clusters were obtained in the tree, the first grouping being the Ceratitis species, C. capitata, C. rosa, and C. cosyra, and the second showing two main branches, one for Dacus, Bactrocera and Rhagoletis, and the other for Anastrepha and Toxotrypana. The results are discussed in relation to published phylogenies.
FILOGENIA Y BIOGEOGRAFÍA DE CUBADRILUS (OLIGOCHAETA: OCTOCHAETIDAE), UN GÉNERO NUEVO DE LOMBRIZ DE TIERRA DE CUBA

La descripción de tres especies nuevas de lombrices de tierra de Cuba hizo necesario separar en un género nuevo (Cubadrilus gen. nov.) todas las especies cubanas asignadas al género Zapatadrilus. Los resultados de un análisis filogenético de parsimonia (PAUP, V. 3.1.1) de las especies de los géneros Cubadrilus, Zapatadrilus, Trigaster, Borgesia y Neotrigaster apoyan totalmente esta separación y señalan como sinapomorfías de Cubadrilus gen. nov. a los conductos espermatecales largos y pegados al septo anterior, divertículos espermatecales semianillados y presencia en el esófago de una invaginación bífida ventral. Con este nuevo arreglo Cubadrilus aparece como un taxon intermedio entre las lombrices de México, representadas por Zapatadrilus, y las de las restantes Antillas mayores. Dada la historia geológica de Cuba, se propone que los ancestros de Cubadrilus invadieron Cuba dispersándose del sur de Norteamérica a mediados del terciario
Estudo comparativo da resistência à tração do peritônio (bovino, eqüino, suíno e canino) a fresco e conservado em glicerina

Several factors such as neoplasia, trauma, abscess and parasitic nodules can impair normal function of the organs. When it happens, it is often necessary to perform a surgical correction using implants made of biological membranes or synthetic material. Our objectives were to evaluate how glycerin 98% can influence the resistance and elasticity of equine, swine, bovine and canine peritoneus to be used as implants, and to determine the nature of their histological structures. Standard pieces, 6 mm width - 50 mm lenght, both fresh and glycerinated for 15, 30 and 60 days were submitted to the ratio of maximum strength. Tests were carried out using Universal Assay Machine. Right after the strength tests, the membrane pieces were fixed in formaline and processed for histological examination after hematoxylin-eosin staining. Considering the stretching range caused by traction, data showed that the different membranes did not present the same resistance, and rupture points among the 4 samples were also different.
A Practical Method for Forecasting Strawberry Anthracnose Caused by Glomerella cingulata Using an Ethanol-spray Treatment in Nara Prefecture, Japan

An ethanol-spray treatment was evaluated as a practical method for forecasting strawberry anthracnose caused by Glomerella cingulata in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Evaluations were conducted on latent infections of the pathogen to determine the disease occurrence in commercial strawberry nurseries from 2010 to 2014. The latent infection was highest in early July and corresponded highly to disease occurrence throughout the experiments. The results showed that the ethanol-spray treatment was a reliable and useful method for forecasting anthracnose in strawberry nurseries.