Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Crowding on Terrestrial Isopods

Caged populations of two species of oniscoid isopod, Armadillidium nasatum and A. vulgare, were maintained at varying levels of density, food availability, species composition, and population size structure. Growth rate, rate of mortality, and the size at first reproduction of the young animals were measured in each cage. Increased density reduced the growth rate, survivorship, and the size at first reproduction of both species. Limited food reduced the growth and mortality rates of A. nasatum and the growth rate of A. vulgare. Including both species in the cage increased the growth rate, survivorship, and size at first reproduction of A. nasatum and increased the growth rate of A. vulgare. The presence of large animals increased the growth rate of A. nasatum and reduced it for A. vulgare. These results demonstrate that the density and species composition affect growth, survivorship, and reproduction when food is in excess, probably by interference competition between conspecifics.
Pollen spectra of different unifloral honeys from La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain)

The pollen content of twenty-four unifloral honey samples from twelve different apiaries in La Palma (Canary Islands) was subjected to qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analysis. The quantitative analysis showed that 4% of the honey belonged to Maurizio's Class I, 8% to Class II, 58% to Class III, 17% to Class IV and 13% to Class V. According to the qualitative analysis, eight honeys were typified as unifloral of Castanea sativa , five of Carlina salicifolia , three of Echium brevirame , three of Reseda luteola , two of Erica arborea , two of Lotus hillebrandii and one of Lamiaceae Origanum vulgare ssp. virens -type. No honeydew elements were found. 62 pollen types were identified belonging to 42 different families. There is no pollen type common to all samples but Foeniculum vulgare -type is present in 22 of the samples (91.7%) and the combination Cistus sp. , Erica arborea , Aspalthium bituminosum , Origanum vulgare ssp. virens -type and Rumex sp. in 21 (87.5%). The organoleptic analysis indicated that they are of good quality.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in soil

We review the current knowledge on biodiversity in soils, its role in ecosystem processes, its importance for human purposes, and its resilience against stress and disturbance. The number of existing species is vastly higher than the number described, even in the macroscopically visible taxa, and biogeographical syntheses are largely lacking. A major effort in taxonomy and the training of a new generation of systematists is imperative. This effort has to be focussed on the groups of soil organisms that, to the best of our knowledge, play key roles in ecosystem functioning. To identify such groups, spheres of influence (SOI) of soil biota - such as the root biota, the shredders of organic matter and the soil bioturbators - are recognized that presumably control ecosystem processes, for example, through interactions with plants. Within those SOI, functional groups of soil organisms are recognized. Research questions of the highest urgency are the assignment of species to functional groups and determining the redundancy of species within functional groups. These priorities follow from the need to address the extent of any loss of functioning in soils, associated with intensive agriculture, forest disturbance, pollution of the environment, and global environmental change. The soil biota considered at present to be most at risk are species-poor functional groups among macrofaunal shredders of organic matter, bioturbators of soil, specialized bacteria like nitrifiers and nitrogen fixers, and fungiforming mycorrhizas. An experimental approach in addressing these research priorities is needed, using longterm and large-scale field experiments and modern methods of geostatistics and geographic information systems. (Less)
Tardigrades from Australian Marine Caves. With a Redescription of Actinarctus neretinus (Arthrotardigrada)

Abstract Several marine caves in Australia have been investigated for meiofauna using a freshwater technique to shock large sediment samples. Several species of nematodes, gastrotrichs, crustaceans, polychaetes and aplacophorans were found, and one new species of kinorhynch has been described. In addition, two new species of loriciferans from marine caves in New South Wales, Australia, are under description. This paper is the second in a series describing the unique meiofauna in submarine caves and inland anchialine caves of Australia. The paper deals with the tardigrade fauna of two caves, Jim's Cave and Fish Rock Cave, both located off the coast of New South Wales. The sediment consists of carbonate sediments (shell-hash to shell-gravel) mixed with organic detritus. The abundance of tardigrades is very low in the two caves, but the species diversity is very high. The following arthrotardigrade genera have already been found: Actinarctus, Batillipes, Dipodarctus, Halechiniscus, Raiarctus, Styraconyx, Tanarctus, Tholoarctus, and Wingstrandarctus. The cave fauna of tardigrades seems not to be related to the well-investigated high energy beach fauna of tardigrades along the East Coast of Australia. Most surprising is the discovery of the species Actinarctus neretinus known from the Italian cave, Grotta Cattedrale, supporting the theory that marine caves serve as refuges for an old Tethyan fauna.
Robust and efficient models for action recognition and localization

Video interpretation and understanding is one of the long-term research goals in computer vision. Realistic videos such as movies present a variety of challenging machine learning problems, such as action classification/action retrieval, human tracking, human/object interaction classification, etc. Recently robust visual descriptors for video classification have been developed, and have shown that it is possible to learn visual classifiers in realistic difficult settings. However, in order to deploy visual recognition systems on large-scale in practice it becomes important to address the scalability of the techniques. The main goal is this thesis is to develop scalable methods for video content analysis (eg for ranking, or classification).
Optimization of a rapid method for studying the cellular location of β‐glucosidase activity in wine yeasts

Aims: To improve a method for determining β-glucosidase activity and to apply it in yeasts isolated from wine ecosystems from ‘La Mancha’ region and to know its cellular location. Methods and Results: A total of 82 wine yeasts were identified (PCR/RFLP) and evaluated for their β-glucosidase activity. First, they were qualitatively evaluated by growth on YNB cellobiose, the activity was quantified using different culture media, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and cells after 24–72 h of growth. To study the location activity, five fractions were obtained (supernatant, whole cell, cell wall, cytosol and cell membrane). The enzymatic assays were optimized, being: growth in YP cellobiose for 72 h in aeration conditions and, after cell removing, enzyme analysis with 128 g l−1 of cellobiose as substrate, for 30 min at 30°C. The genus that displayed the greatest activity were Pichia, Hanseniaspora and Rhodotorula, and the activity was intracellular. Conclusions: The study showed that β-glucosidase activity was induced by the carbon source and was aerobic dependent. The non-Saccharomyces species displayed the greatest activity, which was intracellular and strain-dependent. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study developed a reliable method for screening β-glucosidase activity in yeasts isolated from wine ecosystems. This activity is very important in the release of monoterpenols from glycoside precursors for the enhancement of wine aromas.
Expression kinetics of viral oncogenes, miRNAs and their targets during papilloma development in human papillomavirus 8 transgenic mice

An active role of cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPV) in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the general population is currently discussed. At least in immunosuppressed and epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients, an association between cutaneous HPV and NMSC is accepted. An oncogenic potential of the cutaneous HPV type 8 could be demonstrated in a transgenic mouse model, expressing all early genes of HPV8 (HPV8-CER), which shows spontaneous papilloma development, predominantly on scratched skin areas. A single UVA/B dose induces papillomatosis within three weeks in these mice, while the skin of FVB/N wild type mice heals completely within this time. In order to clarify the role of skin wounding and its influence on HPV gene expression in the early stages of tumor development in this mouse model, the kinetics and levels of transgene expression were analyzed in response to exogenous skin irritations induced by UVA/B-irradiation or mechanical wounding. Already on day one after irradiation enhanced HPV8 mRNA and protein levels were determined in the skin of HPV8-CER mice, which were preserved during the whole observation period of 30 days. Analogously in HPV8-E2 and -E6 mice papilloma development was also paralleled by enhanced transgene expression. Mechanically irritated skin also showed an enhanced HPV8 oncogene expression in HPV8-CER mice two days after irritation, which could be knocked down by tattooing HPV8-E6-specific small interfering RNA leading to a delay and a lower incidence of papilloma development. This substantiates the hypothesis that the early HPV8 gene expression after wounding is crucial for papillomatosis in mice. The expression kinetics of selected cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets were determined after induction of papillomatosis to check for a correlation with HPV8 oncogene expression. Several miRNAs (miRNA-17-5p, -21, -106a, -155, -206) and their targets (PTEN, PDCD4, Rb, KGF, MET) showed expression alterations often found to be associated with carcinogenesis. The alterations occurred in parallel to the increase of HPV8 oncogene expression, which raises the assumption that HPV8 can directly or indirectly induce these alterations.
Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting body weights in Marwari sheep

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on body weights in Marwari flock comprising records of 4201 animals maintained at Arid Region Campus of the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Bikaner. The overall least-squares means for body weight at birth, three, six, nine and 12 months of ages were 3.10±0.01, 15.01±0.11, 20.91±0.15, 25.24±0.15 and 28.00±0.16 kg, respectively. The results revealed significant (P<0.01) effect of sire, sex, period of birth and dam's weight at lambing on all body weights. The effect of parity was significant (P<0.01) only on birth weight.
Forest fragmentation in Vietnam : Effects on tree diversity, populations and genetics

Millions of square kilometers of the Earth’s surface is covered by forest fragments, and a quarter of remaining tropical forest has been fragmented. In Southeast Asia, about 650,000 ha of natural forests are fragmented per year. Fragmentation of old growth forests is considered to be the greatest threat to tropical forest biodiversity. Forest fragmentation has many negative effects on tree species. It causes edge effects, reduces population sizes and increases isolation between populations. This has potentially large implications for tree species and forest dynamics. In this study, the effects of forest fragmentation on tree diversity, population dynamics, and genetic diversity in Vietnam are analyzed. Our results suggested that small forest fragments (1-10 ha) still retain a significant amount tree species richness, and that large forest fragments (≥ 100 ha) are similar to continuous forest in terms of forest structure, species richness and species composition. And small fragment size limits the viability of our study species, but that these species have rather good prospects to survive in fragments of >20 ha. In addition, strong spatial genetic structure and a relatively low genetic diversity in adults in forest fragments, suggesting a genetic bottleneck due to the decline of the original population. Allele richness was lower in seedlings compared to adults, showing that populations continued to lose genetic variation after the fragmentation event. In contrast, observed and expected heterozygosity were generally not reduced in seedlings. This may indicate that a new genetic equilibrium has not been reached yet in remnant populations , but may also be caused by the observed high levels of pollen and seed influx in fragments. In summary, forest fragmentation has many negative effects on the remaining tree population. Recommendations for forest fragmentation research in Vietnam are proposed.
Fish community response to floodplain inundation in a regulated river

Floodplain connectivity has been identified as an important element of river ecosystem function for enhancing biological productivity, yet most of the world's large rivers have been managed to reduce river–floodplain connectivity to protect human interests. Flow events in the Missouri River basin during the summers of 2010 and 2011 offered a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of floodplain connectivity on fish communities. The floods created aquatic habitats not generally available on the main stem and the magnitude and duration of the 2011 event have not occurred since the main-stem dams were closed. Therefore, the objectives were to: (1) document species use on available floodplain habitats and assess age-0 fish presence, (2) compare spatial and temporal distribution of fish species, and (3) evaluate fish community responses at different discharges. Age-0 fish dominated the fish community during the 2010 and 2011 floods, representing 90% and 94% of all fish collected each year. Species composition during the 2011 flood was different above and below the Platte and Missouri rivers confluence (ANOSIM; r = 0.211; p < 0.001) and between individual sites (r = 0.667; p < 0.001) but did not change temporally (r = 0.086; p = 0.244). Comparison of the age-0 fish community response to varying water levels also differed (r = 0.619; p = 0.038) annually. The effects of this flood on the fish community of the Missouri River initially appear to have been beneficial for the native fish community; however, continued research and evaluation will verify the flood's effects.
Regional Difference in Fatty Acid Content of Korean Shellfish

Regional variation in the fatty acid content of shellfish was investigated on 5 species of Korean shellfish including murex shell, ark shell, jack-knife clam, orient hard clam, and little neck clam that were originated from 2 geographically different regions in Korea (Region 1: South coast, 34-35°N, 127-129°E; Region 2: West coast, 36-38°N, 126-127°E). Significant regional difference in total fatty acids content was observed in murex shell and little neck clam (p<0.01), but not in the other species of shellfish. The contents of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids including n-3 and n-6 fatty acids were appreciably higher in murex shell from Region 2 and in little neck clam from Region 1 than the shellfish originated from their counterpart areas (p＜0.05). Nevertheless, relative percentages of the fatty acids remained constant within same species regardless of geographic regions or species. Considering the facts of that the fish/shellfish are unique sources of n-3 fatty acids and a little neck clam is the most-consumed shellfish in Korea, n-3 fatty acids intake might vary with the habitat of the shellfish that Koreans consume.
Visual signaling and reproductive biology in a nocturnal treefrog, genus Hyla (Anura: Hylidae)

We investigated reproductive activity, courtship behavior, call structure, body size, clutch size, oviposition site, and reproductive mode of Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti). Males called in all months, but showed a peak of activity during the rainy season. Three pair formations were observed and courtship involved stereotyped behavioral sequences, including visual signaling. Males emitted three different vocalization types: advertisement calls, courtship calls, and a vocalization of unknown function. Females attained larger body sizes than males and deposited an average of 74.5 unpigmented eggs per clutch. Early larval stages are aquatic but restricted to water in constructed subterranean nests; subsequent to flooding of nests, exotrophic tadpoles live in ponds or streams. Courtship behavior in Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti) is complex and the diverse repertoire of limb movements, exhibited by males, probably provide visual stimuli to females in this nocturnal treefrog. Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti) belongs to the H. albomarginata group. Considering the reproductive modes in this group, the complexes of H. albosignata and of H. albofrenata can be considered more close related to each other than to the H. albomarginata complex.
COMPARATIVE RICHNESS OF ZOÖPLANKTON IN COASTAL AND OFFSHORE AREAS OF THE ATLANTIC

1. The abundance of the zooplankton in the coastal water, the slope water, and the Sargasso Sea at stations between Montauk Point, N. Y. , and Bermuda was investigated over a period of a year and a half by means of shallow and deep hauls made chiefly with 75 cm. scrim nets. Analysis of the plankton by volume measurement and by enumeration revealed that wide variations both in the quantity and in the composition of the hauls occurred within short periods of time and within relatively short distances.2. A noticeable diurnal migration of the crustacean plankton was detected in the coastal water and particularly in the slope water, although the vertical distribution of the plankton as a whole was not significantly affected by diurnal movement. When all observations are combined, the surface layers do not appear to have been generally richer than the deeper strata except in the case of the Sargasso Sea station.3. An unexpectedly great seasonal difference in the abundance of the plankton was revealed, the volume.
Diversity analysis of diazotrophs associated with corals from Xisha and Sanya, South China Sea

In recent years, many studies have shown an increase in coral associated microbial biodiversity in coral diseases. However, the variation of coral diazotroph, which plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle, is still unclear. To explore the changes of nitrogen fixing microbial communities, we analyzed the diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with corals in healthy vs. diseased conditions, and corals from two different locations (Xisha and Sanya). The diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with two coral species, Porites lutea and Pocillopora damicornis were assessed using cloning and sequencing of the nitrogenase gene nifH. Phylogenetic analysis indicated coral associated diazotrophs community structure varied in different coral species: Chlorobi dominated in Porites lutea, while Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were the most abundant nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Pocillopora damicornis. The dominant group of nitrogen-fixing bacteria was Chlorobi in healthy Porites lutea, but Cyanobacteria predominated in diseased ones. Moreover, the dominant nitrogen-fixing bacteria Gammaproteobacteria was replaced by Alphaproteobacteria in coral Pocillopora damicornis, from open sea to the coast. The diseased and coastal corals contained higher diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria than the healthy and open ocean corals. In conclusion, the nitrogen-fixing bacteria community structure shifted in response to the variation of coral species, coral health status and surrounding environments.
Socio-economic perspectives on the conservation of Critically Endangered vultures in South Asia: an empirical study from Nepal

Abstract Following the catastrophic decline in populations of three species of South Asian Gyps vultures, we conducted a study to explore socio-economic variables that could facilitate conservation efforts. A questionnaire survey was carried out in 103 randomly selected households in the Rampur valley, one of the Important Bird Areas of Nepal, during 2004. Among respondents, 38% were female, 62% male, 28% illiterate and 72% literate. Households belonged to three ethno-religious groups (Hindu castes, ethnic groups and Muslim) and 96% of households had some parcels of registered land to farm. About 90% of households reared one or more types of livestock while the mean Livestock Size Unit was 3.32 per household. Livestock diseases and ailments were common and usually treated with diclofenac. Livestock carcass disposal practices were favourable to vultures because 60% of households dumped carcasses in open fields. Diclofenac is lethal to vultures; 3% of diclofenac-contaminated carcasses were available annually. The majority (78%) of respondents had favourable attitudes towards the concept of vulture conservation. Diclofenac contamination and the destruction of nesting habitat were two major threats to vultures. Ensuring healthy food through economic incentives, inculcating new values through environmental education and soliciting popular participation for habitat conservation are recommended.
Illustrated Key to the Filamentous Higher Marine Fungi

This treatise deals with all filamentous higher marine fungi described up to the present time, namely, 255 Ascomycotina, 6 Basidiomycotina and 60 anamorphic fungi. A dichotomous key leads to the species and varieties, mainly by using characters of the propagules. All (except 5) taxa are illustrated by original camera lucida drawings of ascospores, basidiospores and conidia, more than half based on type material, the remainder on authentic specimens. The annotated list of species includes concise characterizations of the propagules. Quintaria gen. nov. (Q. lignatilis comb, nov.) and Corollospora novofusca sp. nov. are described, and five new combinations in the genera Coronopapillat Halosarpheia, Lindra and Luhvorthia are proposed.
Ecological Niches: Linking Classical and Contemporary Approaches

Why do species live where they live? What determines the abundance and diversity of species in a given area? What role do species play in the functioning of entire ecosystems? All of these questions share a single core concept - the ecological niche. Although the niche concept has fallen into disfavour among ecologists in recent years, Jonathan M. Chase and Mathew A. Leibold argue that the niche is an ideal tool with which to unify disparate research and theoretical approaches in contemporary ecology. Chase and Leibold define the niche as including both what an organism needs from its environment and how that organism's activities shape its environment. Drawing on the theory of consumer-resource interactions, as well as its graphical analysis, they develop a framework for understanding niches that is flexible enough to include a variety of small- and large-scale processes, from resource competition, predation and stress to community structure, biodiversity and ecosystem function. Chase and Leibold's synthetic approach should interest ecologists from a wide range of subdisciplines.