Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Confirmation of the status of three Pterocladia species (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) described by K. Okamura

Abstract We determined nucleotide sequences of the plastid-encoded large subunit of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene of 21 populations of the Pterocladia/Pterocladiella-complex in Japan. Three monophyletic clades were recognized. These include one group that comprised the most southern population, a second group that contained four populations from western to central Japan (98% bootstrap value), and a third group that consisted of the rest of populations examined and Pterocladiella capillacea (S. Gmelin) Santelices et Hommersand, from Australia, Spain, and Italy (82% bootstrap value). We have also demonstrated that these three groups can be recognized by the discontinuity of morphological measures, including the length of the axes and first-order branches, width of the second-order branches, and branching intervals of axes and first-order branches. The morphological distinctiveness of these three groups was maintained under uniform culture conditions. The molecular and morphological data indicate that these three groups represent distinct species. On morphological grounds, group 1 can be assigned to Pterocladia nana Okamura, group 2 to Pterocladia tenuis Okamura, and group 3 to Pterocladia densa Okamura. Although P. densa is a synonym of P. capillacea, P. nana and P. tenuis are transferred to Plerocladiella owing to the production of Pterocladiella-type cystocarps. The following new combinations are therefore proposed: P. nana (Okamura) Shimada, Horiguchi et Masuda and P. tenuis (Okamura) Shimada, Horiguchi et Masuda. Gelidium decumbensum Okamura is reduced to a synonym of P. tenuis.
Socio-genetics and population structure of two African colobus monkeys in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea Bissau

This thesis tested hypotheses related to the dispersal, behaviour patterns and response to forest fragmentation of two endangered colobus monkey species living in sympatry in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea Bissau. Western black-and-white colobus (BWC: Colobus polykomos) and Temminck’s red colobus (TRC: Procolobus badius temminckii) are two forest dwelling primates that share most of their ecological requirements but exhibit contrasting social systems, namely in dispersal, group size and social organization. By combining behavioural data obtained for one social group of each species and non-invasive genetic data (15 microsatellite loci and a fragment of the mitochondrial control region) from eight black and white colobus and six red colobus social groups, I examined: i) historical and current dispersal patterns; ii) the within-group distribution of social interactions among males and females, and iii) the effect of forest fragmentation on genetic structure. I found evidence for historical and/or long-range dispersal via males in BWC and via females in TRC. However, a change in the current dispersal pattern was detected for BWC, as both sexes seem to be dispersing. Behavioural analysis showed that TRC females exhibit stronger social bonding than BWC females. More interestingly, and contrary to what was described for the species, TRC females seemed to prefer to engage in grooming other females rather than males and males only rarely groomed other males. Finally, analysis of genetic structure indicates the existence of only one genetic unit for each species, although some fine-scale spatial genetic structure was found for TRC. Whereas BWC seemed to be able to use the available forest corridors to disperse between forest patches, TRC females tend to disperse to immediately adjacent groups showing some constraint in the ability to disperse throughout the park. I hypothesise that the detected changes in dispersal mode in BWC and social dynamics in TRC may constitute behavioural local responses to habitat degradation. Constraints in dispersal found for TRC support the evidence that forest fragmentation should be playing an important role shaping these colobus monkey social systems.
A General Review on Photovoltaic, Modeling, Simulation and Economic Study to Build 100 MW Power Plant in Lebanon

CZB designed the study, performed all calculations and the statistical analysis, the protocol, the first of the and managed literature searches. NM proposed supervised the study. ABSTRACT The goal of this paper is to study the possibility to build a 100 MW Photovoltaic Plant in small countries like Lebanon, it gives a general review about the basis of photovoltaics. Different electronic models of photovoltaic cells are presented. This paper presents also the functioning of a photovoltaic cell, its model using MATLAB/Simulink, and discusses some algorithms used to extract the maximum power from a PV panel. Simulated results are presented. Economic study to build a 100 MW photovoltaic farm in Lebanon is discussed, with a comparative table between its tariff and existing tariffs such as from Power Authority, Private Generators, and Regional Distributors. Some other solutions are proposed to build PV panels and plant above unused surfaces such as above lakes, rivers and rooftops are also proposed for the Lebanese case. of photovoltaic module is designed. The results are discussed, many characteristics such as I-V curves and P-V curves are simulated using different parameters. An economic study of building 100 MW photovoltaic farm is presented and discussed. Some advantages and disadvantages of different algorithms are discussed. Finally, the usage of unused surfaces such as above lakes and rivers may be very efficient for small countries like Lebanon, and the produced power using these surfaces is approximately the half produced power in Lebanon, therefore, this paper may be very helpful to resolve the problem of electricity in Lebanon and any other country which has the same characteristics and problems as for Lebanon.
STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE GULF OF MAINE I. CHEMISTRY OF THE WATERS OF THE GULF OF MAINE IN AUGUST, 1932

The hydrographic features of the Gulf of Maine-temperature, salinity, and the dominant concentration of its waters-are now known; broadly speaking (4) (5). The same may be said of the general occurrence of its principal inhabitants (3). The final goal of such studies, the explanation of the natural economy of these inhabitants in terms of their physical and chemical environment, lies ahead. It is to be sought not so much by the generalized surveys of the area as by more detailed study of the physical and, more especially, of the chemical changes in the water from season to season at selected locations, combined with simultaneous observations on the occurrence, abundance, and distribution of the animals and plants. Oceanic biologists in various parts of the world have devoted much attention during the past few years to the factors and events that control the biologic fertility of the seas. Parallelisrn has so repeatedly been established between variations in the abundance of phytoplankton on the one hand and in the available supply of plant-nutrients on the other, that a causative relationship is now universally accepted. Much of detail is yet to be learned not only regarding the nutritive requirements of different groups of planktonic plants, but equally as to the situation existing with regard to the cycle of limiting substances in different parts of the sea.
Direct and indirect effects of the most widely implemented Dutch agri‐environment schemes on breeding waders

1. In the Netherlands, agri-environment schemes are an important tool for halting the ongoing decline of meadow birds and, in particular, waders breeding on wet meadows. The effectiveness of the main scheme, postponed mowing, is heavily debated because it does not result in higher breeding densities. Recently, agri-environmental collectives have become involved in the co-ordination of scheme applications and additional measures have been introduced. One of them is per-clutch payment: farmers are paid per wader clutch without being restricted in their farming practices. 2. We evaluated the effectiveness of the combination of the two measures, postponed mowing and per-clutch payment, by determining the number of birds and territories on 12.5-ha plots where both measures (on average 1.6 ha postponed mowing and 10.9 ha per-clutch payment) were being implemented. Conventionally managed grasslands served as controls. Additionally, on a field with postponed mowing and a paired control field, we measured a number of environmental factors that might influence wader distribution. 3. On plots operating a combination of postponed mowing and per-clutch payment, more territories of all bird species were found and more redshanks Tringa totanus were observed. The same pattern occurred on fields with per-clutch payment alone. On fields with postponed mowing alone, we found more territories of the most abundant wader species but on conventional fields we observed more lapwings Vanellus vanellus. 4. The positive effects of postponed mowing on wader territories were probably caused by small differences in soil moisture and groundwater level between the two field types, as inclusion of these factors in a general linear model rendered all scheme effects insignificant. 5. Postponed mowing affected the form and amount of fertilizer applied to the fields as well as available nitrogen, but none of the other environmental factors that were measured. Additional analyses identified groundwater depth, penetration resistance and prey density (earthworms, Lumbricidae, and leatherjackets, Tipulidae larvae) as the main factors determining wader density. 6. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that conservation measures consisting of postponed mowing and per-clutch payment implemented by agri-environment collectives do not support a higher abundance of waders but do support marginally higher breeding densities of waders compared to conventional farms. These results are probably due to differences in soil moisture and groundwater depth. The effectiveness of agri-environment schemes directed towards conservation of waders might be enhanced by including raised groundwater levels into scheme prescriptions.
Remittances and Credit Provided by the Banking Sector: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Recorded international remittances to sub-Saharan African countries reached US $28 billion in 2009 and are projected to increase to reach US$ 41 billion in 2016. However, empirically it is unclear how these private transfers affect the financial sector. This paper investigates the effect of international remittances on the level of credit provided by the domestic banking sector in sub-Saharan Africa using a panel of thirty countries over five time periods, composed of non-overlapping averages from 1990 to 2012. Though sub-Saharan African region receives the least portion of the total recorded remittance flows to all developing regions, the study finds that international remittances have positive and significant effect on aggregate level of credit provided by the banking sector in the region after controlling for macroeconomic variables that are commonly used to explain financial development in developing countries. The results hold after accounting for potential endogeneity of remittances (other explanatory variables) in a system GMM estimation using both internal and external instruments for the remittance variable. The paper recommends that policy should be focused on increasing remittances through the formal financial system. Keywords : Remittances, Bank Credit, system GMM, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Finding Linked Markers to En for Efficient Selection of Pea Enation Mosaic Virus Resistance in Pea

Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) causes an important disease of cool-season food legumes, resulting in significant yield loss worldwide. The present investigation was carried out to study the inheritance and identify the molecular mark- ers linked with the PEMV resistance gene (En) in field pea ( Pisum sativum L.) using an F 7 -derived mapping population developed from the cross 'Lifter' (resistant)/'Radley' (susceptible). Three hundred ninety-three recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were phenotyped for reaction to PEMV in the field under natural inoculation and in the greenhouse using artificial inoculation. The RILs segregated in the expected 1:1 ratio for resis- tance and susceptibility in the field and green - house evaluations. Sequence tagged site mark- ers were developed through an intron targeted amplified polymorphism approach based on comparative mapping with Medicago truncatula Gaertn. and a targeted region amplified poly - morphism approach was also used to enrich the genomic region segregating for the En gene. Our results demonstrate that resistance to PEMV in pea is governed by a single gene, En, located on linkage group III between markers CNGC (2.5 cM) and tRNAMet2 (1.3 cM) with many other closely associated markers. These two markers in combination predict the presence of En with 99.4% accuracy in the Lifter/Radley mapping population and have implications for marker- assisted selection for PEMV resistance in pea improvement breeding programs.
Onion (Allium cepa L.) pollen storage

Experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratorio de Melhoramento Genetico da Embrapa Clima Temperado, em Pelotas, RS, com o objetivo de avaliar, in vitro, o potencial de armazenamento dos graos de polen de cebola da cv. Petrolini, em diferentes condicoes por dois anos. Para tanto, avaliou-se a percentagem de germinacao do grao de polen apos um e dois anos de armazenamento em criotubos, acondicionados em nitrogenio liquido (-196oC), e em frascos de vidro acondicionados no interior de dessecador contendo acido sulfurico e mantidos em freezer (-18oC). O polen conservado por um ano em nitrogenio liquido foi entao transferido para um refrigerador, registrando-se a percentagem de germinacao apos 10, 15, 20 e 30 dias de permanencia neste. O armazenamento em nitrogenio liquido foi o melhor ambiente para a conservacao dos graos de polen durante dois anos. As amostras armazenadas, por um ano, em nitrogenio liquido, que foram transferidas para refrigerador, conservaram-se viaveis por ate dez dias.
The role of the neck in the feeding behaviour of the Tyrannosauridae: inference based on kinematics and muscle function of extant avians

Tyrannosaurid necks were strong and powerful instruments for wielding the jaws during feeding. Hypotheses of tyrannosaurid neck function are here grounded by observations of neck morphology and function in extant archosaurs. Respectively derived morphologies in birds, crocodilians and tyrannosaurids compromise inferences for some muscles. However, alternate reconstructions indicate that tyrannosaurid neck muscles combined the robustness of crocodilian musculature with the functional regionalization seen in birds. Alternate hypothesized attachments of an avian-style muscle, the M. complexus, indicate different capacities for head dorsiflexion and lateroflexion. Electromyography of the M. complexus in chickens strengthens inferences about its function in both dorsiflexion and lateroflexion in extinct dinosaurs, and further suggests that it imparted roll about the longitudinal axis in concert with the actions of contralateral ventroflexors. Videography of extant raptors reveals the involvement of the neck when striking at prey and tearing flesh, and reconstructed tyrannosaurid musculature indicates capacity for similar neck function during the feeding cycle. As for birds, muscles originating in the anterior region of the neck likely stabilized the head by isometric or eccentric contraction as tyrannosaurids (and other large theropods) tore flesh by rearing back the body through extension of their hind limbs.
Habitat predicts losses of red grouse to individual hen harriers

Summary 1 Hen harriers Circus cyaneus prey on red grouse Lagopus l. scoticus and high breeding densities of harriers can limit the number of grouse available for shooting in the autumn. Ultimately, grouse hunting contributes to the maintenance of heather moorland, an ecologically important habitat for biodiversity in general and hen harriers in particular. Predation rates vary widely among harrier individuals. Understanding which factors influence this variation would be useful to target management to mitigate the effect of harriers on grouse, such as diversionary feeding. 2 We used a simple habitat-based approach to test whether we could identify harrier nests to which most grouse were delivered. Using remote sensing habitat data, we tested whether delivery rates of dead grouse to the nest by hen harriers were higher for those pairs nesting in sites with more heather Calluna vulgaris. A relationship between heather cover and grouse delivery rates might have been expected as grouse densities were correlated with heather cover. 3 After adjusting for annual variation in grouse abundance, the rate at which grouse were delivered to harrier nests was positively associated with the proportion of heather cover within 2 km of harrier nests. This was primarily due to the positive effect of heather cover on female delivery rates. 4 This result allowed us to use habitat data to predict the harrier nests to which most grouse chicks would be delivered. Comparison of predictions of the model with observations of food delivery to nests indicated that, in terms of grouse chick delivery, the model correctly predicted the top 50% of harrier nests in five of six years. 5 We undertook an experiment where carrion was provided to certain harriers at nest sites, in order to decrease their predation on grouse. Data from this experiment showed that when harriers were given diversionary food, the relationship between grouse predation rate and habitat was removed, with grouse predation reduced to negligible levels in most cases. This demonstrated the increased benefit of feeding birds with the highest proportion of heather cover within 2 km of their nest sites, rather than feeding birds at random within the conflict population. 6 Synthesis and applications. The amount of heather cover around hen harrier nests can be used to predict which pairs will predate most grouse within a population. This information should facilitate targeted management practices, which may accrue greater benefit for grouse stocks and potentially reduce the conflict between grouse shooting and conservation of biodiversity.
Feeding habits of the endemic tropical parthenogenetic lizard Cnemidophorus nativo (Teiidae) in a restinga area of northeastern Brazil

The population of Cnemidophorus nativo in the restinga of Guaratiba, Bahia State, Brazil, is carnivorous with a diet consisting predominantly of insect larvae and termites, which is similar to that of other cnemidophorines. The absence of seasonal variation in diet may be a consequence of the availability of termites throughout the year. The small size of the termites and the ease with which both juveniles and adults eat larvae independent of their length were probably the cause of the poor relationship between lizard body measurements and mean number and volume of prey consumed.
Functional diversity decreases with temperature in high elevation ant fauna

Severe environmental conditions filter community species compositions, forming clines of functional diversity along environmental gradients. Here, the changes in functional diversity in ant assemblages with severe environmental conditions in the Swiss Alps were investigated. Eight sites were sampled along an elevation gradient (1800–2550 m). The variation in functional diversity was analysed along an elevation gradient considering four traits: social structure (monogynous vs. polygynous), worker size, pupal development, and nest structure. Ant species richness and functional diversity decreased with decreasing temperature. Species found in colder habitats tended to live in subterranean nests rather than in mounds and exhibit a polymorphism in queen number, either within or across populations. The phylogenetic diversity did not decrease at colder temperature: Formicinae and Myrmicinae occupied the full range of elevations investigated. An insulation experiment indicated that mounds are more thermally insulated against the cold compared with soil. The absence of a mound‐building ant from high elevations probably results from a reduction in the amount of vegetal materials provided by coniferous trees. More severe abiotic conditions at higher elevations act as a filter on ant assemblages, directly through physiological tolerances to the abiotic conditions and indirectly as the vegetation necessary for nest building shifts with elevation.
Biotechnological production of xylitol in a three‐phase fluidized bed bioreactor with immobilized yeast cells in Ca‐alginate beads

Cells of Candida guilliermondii entrapped in Ca‐alginate beads were used for xylitol production, from concentrated hemicellulose hydrolyzate of sugarcane bagasse, in a fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR). The maximum xylitol concentration 28.9 g xylitol/L was obtained at a high aeration rate of 600 mL/min after 70 h of fermentation, indicating that the use of high aeration rate in this system is favored for better oxygen transfer into the immobilized cells. The specific xylitol productivity and the xylitol yield were of 0.4 g xylitol/L.h and 0.58 g xylitol/g xylose respectively. The immobilization efficiency at the end of the fermentation was of 65 %. After 90 h of fermentation xylitol productivity and yield decreased to 0.25 g xylitol/L.h and 0.47 g xylitol/g xylose respectively, indicating the beginning of xylitol consumption by the yeast. The use of FBR system with immobilized cells presented high xylitol yield and productivity.
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors

As well as hypercholesterolaemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are critical risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Although fibrate, simvastatin and niacin can be used for the treatment of a low HDL-C level, their effects, however, are not wholly satisfactory. Thus, better drugs for the elevation of HDL-C are desired. Among the many methods that may be used to raise HDL-C levels, this review focuses on small molecule inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and summarises recent patent and journal data.
Propagación in vitro de Heliconia bihai (L.) cv. Lobster Salmón a partir de meristemos florales

Se desarrollo un protocolo de propagacion in vitro a partir de meristemos florales para Heliconia bihai cv. Lobster Salmon. Para el efecto se establecieron 250 yemas florales en diferentes tiempos utilizando NaClO al 1% durante 20 min. El medio de establecimiento Murashige y Skoog con mejores resultados fue BAP (2 mg/lt), AIA (1 mg/lt) y 0.1 g/lt de L-cisteina. La mayor produccion de brotes en multiplicacion se obtuvo con 6 mg/lt de BAP y con un subcultivo posterior en medio con 2 mg/lt de BAP y 0.5 mg/lt de AIA, alcanzando una tasa de multiplicacion de tres nuevas yemas. El enraizamiento de las plantulas in vitro se logro con 1.3 mg/lt de AIA. La aclimatacion en vivero fue 92% de supervivencia. Se realizo un analisis de varianza (Anova) y un test de Tukey para las variables evaluadas las cuales mostraron diferencias estadisticas en cada fase. La propagacion in vitro de heliconias a partir de yemas florales requiere mayor tiempo en la fase de establecimiento y multiplicacion, no obstante permite mayores porcentajes de supervivencia y una menor contaminacion, ofreciendo material de siembra de diferentes especies de esta planta de interes comercial.