Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new scincomorph lizard from the Early Cretaceous of Puebla, México

Abstract A complete skeleton of a new scincomorph lizard from the Early Cretaceous deposits of Tepexi de Rodriguez is described. Tepexisaurus tepexii gen. et sp. nov. is the best preserved early scincomorph and the first known taxon that is morphologically primitive to scincoids and paramacellodid lizards. The presence of pointed ventral parietal downgrowths, the coronoid overlapped anteriorly and posteriorly by the dentary and surangular, a small medial flange on the retroarticular process, and weak zygosphene and zygantrum articulations suggest scincoid relationships, but the absence of ventral and dorsal osteoscutes place Tepexisaurus as sister-group of this taxon. It shares the presence of ±30 closely packed teeth with the poorly known Upper Jurassic genus Saurillus and Pseudosaurillus , but differences in the coronoid structure, Meckelian groove and jaw proportions indicate that both taxa are distinct. Similar to Tepexisaurus , the absence of osteoscutes in Saurillus , Pseudosaurillus and Saurillodon place these taxa in a more primitive position relative to other paramacellodids which should be included within Scincoidea. Thus, Paramacellodidae as previously defined is a paraphyletic assemblage. The late presence of a pre-scincoid lizard in the Albian deposits of Tlayua can be correlated with the presence of sphenodontians and the relictual nature of the basal squamate Huehuecuetzpalli mixtecus . It gives additional evidence to support the hypothesis that Tlayua was a refuge for terrestrial archaic forms during the Albian.
Early movements and dispersal of juvenile snowshoe hares

Juvenile snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) were radio-tagged at birth to examine predispersal movements, maternal–juvenile interactions, and timing of natal dispersal. Hare litters stayed at their natal sites for an average of 2.7 days, after which each individual usually found a separate hiding place from its littermates. Observations at natal sites suggested that adult female hares nursed their litters only once per day, shortly after twilight. Some females aggressively defended their newborn litters before the juveniles left the natal site. Juvenile hares ranged progressively further from their natal sites as they grew, up to the age of 20 days. From 20 to 35 days of age, leverets stayed approximately 75 m from their natal sites, after which time their movements again increased. Natal dispersal of juvenile hares began shortly after weaning at 24–28 days of age. Many third-litter juveniles were nursed for a longer period lasting at least 29–40 days. Juvenile males may disperse sooner and travel further .
Geospatial analysis of Mediterranean diet adherence in the United States

Abstract Objective: The current study aims to describe the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence across the US regions, and explore the predictive factors of MD adherence among US adults. Design: Cross-sectional secondary data analysis. MD adherence score (0–9) was calculated using the Block 98 FFQ. Hot spot analysis was conducted to describe the geospatial distribution of MD adherence across the US regions. Logistic regression explored predictors of MD adherence. Setting: Nationwide community-dwelling residency in the USA. Participants: Adults aged ≥45 years (n 20 897) who participated in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study and completed baseline assessment during January 2003 and October 2007. Results: The mean of MD adherence score was 4·36 (sd 1·70), and 46·5 % of the sample had high MD adherence (score 5–9). Higher MD adherence clusters were primarily located in the western and northeastern coastal areas of the USA, whereas lower MD adherence clusters were majorly observed in south and east-north-central regions. Being older, black, not a current smoker, having a college degree or above, an annual household income ≥ $US 75K, exercising ≥4 times/week and watching TV/video <4 h/d were each associated with higher odds of high MD adherence. Conclusions: There were significant geospatial and population disparities in MD adherence across the US regions. Future studies are needed to explore the causes of MD adherence disparities and develop effective interventions for MD promotion in the USA.
Quantitative characteristics of carcass and meat quality of ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen and Saanen goat kids fed diets with dry yeast

Twenty-seven carcasses of non-castrated confined goat kids, (18 ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen and nine Saanen) with slaughtered weight of 30.1 ± 0.27 kg were used to evaluate quantitative characteristics of the carcass and qualitative characteristics of the loin and shoulder. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (breed group × diet). The diets consisted of inclusion of dry yeast, as follows: soybean meal, soybean meal + dried yeast or dried yeast. The other ingredients of the diets were oat hay (30% DM), ground corn and mineral mixture. Hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, weight loss by cooling, true carcass yield and carcass compactness index were not influenced by the inclusion of dry yeast nor by racial group. Saanen goats presented the highest carcass commercial yield of carcass, but they needed 15 days more to reach the slaughter weight. The cut yields were not affected, but a significant interaction for shoulder yield occurred. Dry yeast and breed group did not influence the measurements of the loin, the muscle:bone ratio, the cooking losses, the shear force and composition. There was a significant interaction between the inclusion of dry yeast in the diets and the breed group for the muscle proportion on loin, which was higher in the ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen group. For the shoulder, inclusion of dry yeast and breed group did not alter the proportions of muscle, fat, protein and ash. However, in Saanen goats, the proportion of bone and moisture content were higher and total lipid content was lower. The ¾ Boer + ¼ Saanen groups showed higher precocity. Dry yeast is an alternative protein source that can be included in diets for goat kids.
Appendix I: Weather, soils, cultural practices, and cotton growth data from the 1989 face experiment in IBSNAT format

A major objective of the free-air CO{sub 2} enrichment (FACE) project is to provide data suitable for validation of plant growth models. These models are intended to have the capability to predict the effects of the increasing atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration and its interactions with climate variables on future plant growth, yield, and water use. And indeed one such model called COTCO2 has been written for cotton in cooperation with the FACE project. Therefore, it is important that the data from the project be assembled for convenient use by modelers seeking to validate COTCO2 or other cotton growth models. The objective of this Appendix is to present these data in a standard format used by many plant growth models (the data are also available on diskette by request). 31 refs.
The effects of tooth movement on estrous-cycle-dependent expression of the estrogen receptor α

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of applying force during the different stages of the estrous cycle on the dynamic expression of alpha estrogen receptors (ERα) and the rate of tooth movement, to provide insight into the timing of effective treatment. A repeated, intermittent force was loaded on the first upper molar of female rats five times during specific stages of the estrous cycle. The distance of tooth movement was measured. ERα protein and mRNA levels in the periodontal tissue were measured, and the data were analyzed by ANOVA, Student–Newman–Keuls (SNK) and cosinor analysis. The results showed that ERα expression varied among the subgroups that received force during different stages of the estrous cycle and exhibited an infradian rhythm in both groups. There were significant variations in the amount of tooth movement among the four subgroups (P < 0.01). We conclude that the highest ERα expression and the fastest periodontal remodeling were in the rats that received force during estrus.
Genome mining and functional analysis of cytochrome P450 genes involved in insecticide resistance in Leucinodes orbonalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Genome‐wide analysis of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) genes from the advanced genome project of the Leucinodes orbonalis and the expression analysis provided significant information about the metabolism‐mediated insecticide resistance. A total of 72 putative CYP genes were identified from the genome and transcriptome of L. orbonalis. The genes were classified under 30 families and 46 subfamilies based on the standard nomenclature. In the present study, a novel CYP gene, CYP324F1, was identified and it has not been reported from any other living system so far. Biochemical assays showed enhanced titers (5.81–18.5‐fold) of O‐demethylase of CYP in five field‐collected populations. We selected 34 homologous CYP gene sequences, seemed to be involved in insecticide resistance for primer design and quantitative real‐time PCR studies. Among the many overexpressed genes (>10 fold), the expression levels of CYP324F1 and CYP306A1 were prominent across all the field populations as compared with the susceptible iso‐female line. Oral delivery of ds‐CYP324F1 and ds‐CYP306A1 directed against CYP324F1 and CYP306A1 to the larvae of one of the insecticide resistance populations caused reduced expression of these two transcripts in a dose‐dependent manner (53.4%–85.0%). It appears that the increased titer of O‐demethylase is the result of increased transcription level of CYP genes in resistant populations. The data provide insight for identifying the novel resistance management strategies against L. orbonalis.
Asian carp farming systems: towards a typology and increased resource use efficiency

Resource use efficiency in Asian carp farming systems is analysed based on a survey of 2493 farms of nine countries. Multivariate classification of farms by intensity and diversity identified six farm types: four types of specialized aquaculture farms at different levels of intensity, and two types of integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems. Pond-based, specialized semi-extensive systems (using mainly inorganic fertilizers and feeds of off-farm origin), and integrated semi-intensive systems (using feeds and fertilizer of both on and off-farm origin) are by far the most common types, accounting for 59% and 27% of all farms respectively. Specialized semi-extensive systems also show the highest protein and nutrient (N and P) use efficiencies, and among the highest labour use efficiency. Super-intensive cage farms are less efficient in nutrient and labour use, but provide very high returns to land and capital investment. On average, the aquaculture components of integrated agriculture– aquaculture systems are less nutrient, land, and labour efficient than specialized semi-extensive systems. Integrated semi-extensive systems (using organic fertilizers of on-farm origin) are particularly inefficient across all indicators. Hence in practice, gains in overall resource use efficiency through on-farm integration with agricultural production are constrained by the relative inefficiency of the aquaculture subsystems on integrated farms. Although such systems can likely be improved, integration as such is not a panacea to increasing resource use efficiency. Wide variation in resource use efficiency within all systems indicates potential for substantial efficiency gains through improved management regardless of the fundamental choice of system.
Remote Sensing of Leaf Area Index and Radiation Intercepted by Understory Vegetation

To estimate leaf area index (LAI), intercepted radiation, and other related characteristics of vegetation, ecologists often require separate consideration of the under- story and overstory components of vegetation. In the open ponderosa pine (Pinus pon- derosa) forests of east-central Oregon, bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and manzanita (Arc- tostaphylospatula) are major understory species. We constructed artificial canopies of these two species and determined whether remotely sensed properties of canopy reflectance might be used to estimate LAI and the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation intercepted (,PAR). Although the two species differed in their canopy structures and leaf characteristics, they showed similar light extinction coefficients, varying only from 0.52 for bitterbrush to 0.46 for manzanita as derived from the Beer-Lambert Law. The relationship betweenfPAR and LAI was asymptotic at an LAI of 6 for both species. The normalized-difference veg- etation index (NDVI) provided a good linear estimate of fpAR(R2 = 0.86 for manzanita and 0.83 for bitterbrush), and the simple ratio of near infrared to red (SR) permitted a linear estimate of LAI (R2 = 0.86 for manzanita and 0.74 for bitterbrush) of this vegetation growing on soils with uniform reflectance properties. Aerial estimates of overstory and understory cover derived from aircraft or satellites provide a basis for assessing the pro- portional contribution of understory shrub cover to the total vegetation, given that basic relationships between spectral reflectance, LAI, and fPAR have been established, as in this study.
Side chain modifications of (indol-3-yl)glyoxamides as antitumor agents

New series of analogues of N-(pyridin-4-yl)-2-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-indol-3-yl]glyoxamide D-24851 were synthesized, characterized and tested for their in vitro anticancer properties. In the first series, an amino acid spacer was introduced in the glyoxamide chain of D-24851. In the second series, the glyoxamide chain was moved to positions 4 and 5 of indole skeleton. These new compounds were tested on four cancer cell lines (KB, SK-OV-3, NCI-H460 and SF-268), with promising activity for the glycine derivative.
Degradation of Oval‐Filefish Meat Gel Caused by Myofibrillar Proteinase(s)

There exists some discrepancy about the distribution of the gel degradation property in muscle cells among fish species. Two possible cause are assumed; methods to separate the sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar fractions, and the distribution of gel-degradation-inducing-factor in muscle cells is intrinsically different among fish species. The goal of the study was to clarify this discrepancy
Re-description and Reassignment of the Damselfish Abudefduf luridus (Cuvier, 1830) Using Both Traditional and Geometric Morphometric Approaches

Here we present a re-description of Abudefduf luridus and reassign it to the genus Similiparma. We supplement traditional diagnoses and descriptions of this species with quantitative anatomical data collected from a family-wide geometric morphometric analysis of head morphology (44 species representing all 30 damselfish genera) and data from cranial micro-CT scans of fishes in the genus Similiparma. The use of geometric morphometric analyses (and other methods of shape analysis) permits detailed comparisons between the morphology of specific taxa and the anatomical diversity that has arisen in an entire lineage. This provides a particularly useful supplement to traditional description methods and we recommend the use of such techniques by systematists. Similiparma and its close relatives constitute a branch of the damselfish phylogenetic tree that predominantly inhabits rocky reefs in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, as opposed to the more commonly studied damselfishes that constitute a large portion of the ichthyofauna on all coral-reef communities.
Breeding for improved appearance of large rainbow trout in two production environments

A quantitative genetic analysis was performed to study potential to breed for improved body shape, skin colour and skin spottiness of large rainbow trout in sea and fresh water production environments, and in different stages of growth. The results showed that heritabilities in both production environments were moderate for body shape and skin colour and very high for skin spots. For body shape and skin spots, genetic correlation between the two production environments was high (rA≥0.90), revealing weak genotype-by-environment interactions across the environments. For skin colour, genetic correlation between the environments was positive (0.78) but lower than for body shape and skin spots, indicating moderate genotype-by-environment interactions. Genetic correlations between 2- and 3-year-old fish were high for body shape and skin spots (rA≥0.93) and moderate for skin colour (0.85), showing that differences among families persisted strongly during growth. The positive correlations between the environments and between the ages imply that selection in fresh water environment at a single point of time should lead to favourable correlated genetic responses in the sea and at the other stages of growth.
Sources, sinks and pseudo-sinks

It has been suggested that the habitats which a species occupies can be divided into sources and sinks, depending on whether or not local reproduction is sufficient to balance mortality. Source populations are those where reproduction exceeds mortality, surplus individuals dispersing to sink populations where mortality exceeds local reproduction. Sink populations would not be viable in the absence of immigration. A difference equation model is constructed to show that sources and sinks cannot be identified from a simple comparison of the demographic rates between populations, as measured by the numbers of births and deaths. Viable populations may appear to be non-viable simply because the dispersal of individuals into them depresses fecundity or increases mortality as a result of density-dependence. The consequence is that local recruitment appears insufficient to balance local mortality. Viable populations that appear as sinks, as a result of the dispersal of individuals into them, are termed here as 'pseudo-sinks'. They will clearly be difficult to distinguish from genuine sinks on the basis of a simple comparison of the numbers of births and deaths in different populations. Examples of source and genuine sink populations and the data required to establish them are discussed.
Threatened birds of Guatemala: a random subset of the avifauna?

Identifying attributes that affect the vulnerability of a species to extinction is important as it allows conservation efforts to be focused on more susceptible species. We assessed whether threatened birds of Guatemala are a random subset of the avifauna, considering their taxonomic affiliation, body size, diet and geographical distribution. We found that threatened bird species in Guatemala were neither taxonomically nor geographically randomly distributed. Large-bodied species and Psittaciformes, Galliformes, Falconiformes and Ciconiformes were among the most threatened groups, and the Pacific slopes of the country hosted more threatened birds than would be expected. Published scientific information regarding Critically Endangered bird species in Guatemala is scant and biased against nocturnal and aquatic species. Research and conservation efforts ought to be oriented toward these species and regions to safeguard the Guatemalan avifauna. This study allows an overall consideration on whether we are conserving the species and areas that are important for threatened birds.
Genetic and morphological analysis of Tunisian populations of Porcellio variabilis Lucas (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)

Specimens of Porcellio variabilis coming from Tunisian populations were genetically and morphologically examined. Ten loci were analysed by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (Mdh 1, Mdh 2, Idh 1, Idh 2, Got 1, Got 2, Pgm, Est 1, Acph, Phi). The low values of genetic distance (average DN = 0.101) and the morphological differences found between the various populations do not allow a clear separation, even if the population of Ain Drahem shows the most significant differentiation with respect to all the others (about 0.150 for DN values).
EFFECTS OF TOP AND INTERMEDIATE PREDATORS IN A TERRESTRIAL FOOD WEB

To determine the effects of lizards and web spiders on species in lower trophic levels, we manipulated their abundances within large field enclosures on Staniel Cay, Bahamas, from May 1989 to March 1992. The experimental design (2 x 2 factorial) measured the separate effects of lizards and spiders and compensatory predation (lizard x spider interaction). In treatments where web spiders were unaltered, mean number of web spider individuals was 1.4 times higher in enclosures with lizards removed than in those with lizards present at natural densities. Total biomass of aerial arthropods caught in sticky traps was 1.4 times higher in treatments with web spiders removed than in treatments with web spiders unaltered. Lizards had no significant effect on aerial arthropods. Total amount of herbivore damage on sea grape leaves was 3.3 times higher in treatments with lizards removed than in treatments with lizards unaltered. Web spiders had no significant effect on leaf damage. The lizard x spider interaction was not significant in each analysis, in- dicating that compensatory predation was weak. Our results support a model in which the interaction between top predators (lizards) and herbivores is strong, whereas the interaction between intermediate predators (web spiders) and herbivores is weak. Consequently, the net effect of top predators on producers is positive.
Resting stage cells of diatoms in deep waters in Kumano-Nada, central part of Japan

The abundance and species composition of viable resting stage cells of diatoms were investigated in deep waters (200, 500 and 1,000 m depths) collected at neighboring stations in Kumano-Nada, central part of Japan, in April, August and October 2006. Viable resting stage cells were enumerated by the modified extinction dilution method (most probable number (MPN) method) based on incubation. Resting stage cells were detected from all samples, except at 500 m depth in August, in a range of abundances between 200-4,415 cells L � 1 . The resting stage cells of diatoms observed belonged to four genera of the Centrales, Chaetoceros spp. (C. curvisetus, C. socialis and Chaetoceros sp.), Leptocylindrus danicus, Skeletonema spp. and Thalassiosira spp. , and two of the Pen- nales, Cylidrotheca closterium and Navicula sp. , along with one centric and three pennate unidentified diatoms, in total. It is indicated, in this study, that the abundances enumerated by the MPN method could represent those of disassembled resting stage cells originally aggregated in marine snow, of which the sinking rate is reportedly great (e.g. 68 m day � 1 ). This, eventually, suggests that the abun- dance and species composition of resting stage cells in the deep waters reflected the states of blooms occurring just before our sam- plings in the surface water of the Kumano-Nada region. In this region, coastal upwelling occasionally occurs, implying that such rest- ing stage cells sinking from the euphotic layer to deeper depths might have some chance to return to the surface and be able to act as a "seeding population" for further blooms.
Cytochemistry of defense responses in cassava infected by Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis

Stems of susceptible and resistant cassava plants have been cytologically investigated for their defense reactions to an aggressive strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis. Histochemistry, in conjunction with gold cytochemistry, revealed that in susceptible and resistant plants, phloem and xylem parenchyma cells displayed a wide range of responses that limited the bacterial growth within the infected plants. Lignification and suberization associated with callose deposition were effective mechanisms that reinforced host barriers in the phloem. In the infected xylem, vessels were plugged by a material of pectic and (or) lignin-like origin. Flavonoids have been seen to be incorporated in secondary cell wall coatings. These reactions occurred at a higher intensity in the resistant plants. The number of phoem and xylem cells producing autofluorescent compounds was higher in infected resistant plants than in susceptible plants. Reactions have been observed in the resistant variety only, such as secretion.