Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immigration and dispersal are key determinants of cultural diversity in a songbird population

Socially learned signals and behaviors are found throughout the animal kingdom and often show striking variation within species over space and time. However, the extent to which this cultural diversity is generated by demographic factors such as immigration and dispersal has proved difficult to investigate and remains largely untested in a natural setting. Focusing on 14 different local neighborhoods within a wild population of great tits Parus major, we examined the relationship between individual movements over a 7-year period and patterns of cultural diversity at a neighborhood level, assessed using 2 indices: Song repertoire size and repertoire novelty, measured at the neighborhood (but not individual) level. We found that the repertoire size of a neighborhood is positively correlated with its levels of immigration, but that repertoire novelty is constrained by dispersal and geographic proximity among neighborhoods, both of which promote song sharing. In parallel, we show that the acoustic structure of some songs changes subtly over distance, in line with the view that learning errors can lead to the establishment of novel social traits (cultural differentiation). Our findings demonstrate that spatial variation in cultural diversity in animal societies can partly be explained as the outcome of dispersal and immigration transferring traits between neighborhoods and also suggest that trait transmission declines in fidelity over distance.
Functional analysis of the skin‐swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin

Summary 1. The phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test is widely used in immunoecology and ecotoxicology to estimate cell-mediated immunity. Although often presumed, the involvement of T cells in generating an immune response to PHA in vivo remains unclear. 2. To investigate the mechanism triggering this response we have compared in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) the immune responses to two PHA isolectins differing in their biological properties and one control protein. 3. In Experiment I, we applied PHA-P (the commonly used L and E isolectin mixture) into one wing-web and bovine serum allbumin (BSA) into the other. The swelling response to PHA-P was significantly stronger than to BSA confirming that the reaction is governed by PHA-specific properties. 4. In Experiment II, purified PHA-L (the T-cell-stimulating isolectin) and PHA-E (the erythroagglutinating isolectin) were compared. Contrary to our expectations, PHA-E induced a significantly stronger swelling response than PHA-L. Histological analysis revealed significantly higher quantities of erythrocytes and thrombocytes in PHA-E-treated patagia. Nevertheless, there was a positive correlation between the magnitudes of these swellings. 5. In Experiment III, we tested whether the results obtained by the application of PHA-P and pure PHA-L differ. Here, we failed to find any significant difference between these two preparations in their immunostimulatory activity. Magnitudes of the PHA-L- and PHA-P-induced swellings were positively correlated. 6. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to compare the biological activity of purified PHA fractions in vivo and also the first to show the importance of erythroagglutination in the development of an inflammatory response to PHA-P. 7. Our results indicate that the skin-swelling test using PHA-P reliably mirrors the individual general proinflammatory potential. However, the immunological background of the test is highly complex and the test results cannot be interpreted as measurements of the adaptive immunity or T-cell activity. This interpretational change importantly alters our view on the test results regarding the costs of the response or the evolutionary immunological adaptations.
Embalagens e recobrimento em lichias (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) armazenadas sob condições não controladas

A lichia (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) e um fruto subtropical de alto potencial comercial devido ao seu sabor levemente acidificado, excelente aroma, alto valor nutritivo e atrativa cor vermelha da casca. Ainda no campo, a cor da casca altera-se facilmente, tornando-se escurecida em resposta a estresses (alteracoes da umidade relativa e ataque de patogenos). Apos colhida, a casca da lichia perde rapidamente sua cor vermelha. O escurecimento da casca tem sido atribuido a rapida degradacao da antocianina, assim como: a rapida perda de umidade pelo fruto e a atividade de enzimas oxidativas como polifenoloxidases e peroxidases. Dada essa alta perecibilidade, o controle do escurecimento e fundamental para o aumento na vida util pos-colheita, visando ao mercado interno e a exportacao de frutas. Avaliou-se, neste trabalho, o comportamento pos-colheita de lichias da cv. Bengal quanto ao escurecimento da casca e as modificacoes relacionadas com a qualidade da polpa de lichias submetidas a diferentes embalagens: bandeja recoberta com filme de polietileno de baixa densidade com e sem perfuracoes e frutos recobertos com pelicula de fecula de mandioca (3%). Os frutos foram mantidos em temperatura ambiente (25,1oC±1,5oC; 69,3%±8,62%UR) e armazenados por seis dias. Foram realizadas analises fisicas, quimicas e bioquimicas no dia 0 e a cada 2 dias, ate osexto dia de armazenamento. A embalagem recoberta com filme de polietileno perfurado apresentou-se eficiente na reducao da perda de massa, escurecimento da casca e na manutencao do teor de antocianina da casca de lichias durante seis dias de armazenamento, em temperatura ambiente.
Key Biodiversity Areas as Site Conservation Targets

Abstract Site conservation is among the most effective means to reduce global biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is critical to identify those sites where unique biodiversity must be conserved immediately. To this end, the concept of key biodiversity areas (KBAs) has been developed, seeking to identify and, ultimately, ensure that networks of globally important sites are safeguarded. This methodology builds up from the identification of species conservation targets (through the IUCN Red List) and nests within larger-scale conservation approaches. Sites are selected using standardized, globally applicable, threshold-based criteria, driven by the distribution and population of species that require site-level conservation. The criteria address the two key issues for setting site conservation priorities: vulnerability and irreplaceability. We also propose quantitative thresholds for the identification of KBAs meeting each criterion, based on a review of existing approaches and ecological theory to date. However, these thresholds require extensive testing, especially in aquatic systems.
Overexpression of oat phytochrome A gene differentially affects stem growth responses to red/far‐red ratio signals characteristic of sparse or dense canopies

The effects of overexpression of oat phytochrome A on neighbour detection and on stem-growth responses to changes in red light (R), far-red light (FR) and blue light (B) simulating neighbours were investigated in transgenic tobacco seedlings grown under natural radiation. In wild-type (WT) seedlings, stem extension growth was promoted: (1) by lowering the R:FR by means of daytime supplementary FR, end-of-day FR, neighbours reflecting FR, or selective light filters placed around the base of the shoot to reduce R without affecting FR; and (2) by lowering phytochrome-absorbable radiation (R+FR) reaching the stem. Transgenic seedlings only responded to reductions in R:FR involving no significant changes in FR irra-diance, i.e. end-of-day FR and filters placed around the stem to reduce R. Neither daytime supplementary R nor selective filters placed around the stem to reduce B affected stem growth in any genotype. In growing canopies, WT seedlings responded to the reduction of R:FR caused by FR reflected in neighbour plants. Transgenic seedlings responded to plant density about a week later, when mutual plant shading reduced R and (to a lesser extent) FR below sunlight levels. Overexpression of phytochrome A impaired early neighbour detection.
Culicinae (Diptera, Culicidae) ocorrentes no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

This work lists the species of Culicinae recorded in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The present data is based on adult collections carried out in 11 physiographic zones from September/2001 to August/ 2002, published literature and entomological collection records. Fifty-seven species are listed, including 22 new occurrences to Rio Grande do Sul. The present study increased the geographic distribution range of Aedeomyia squamipennis, Culex chidesteri, Culex quinquefasciatus, Haemagogus leucocelaenus, Mansonia titillans, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus, Ochlerotatus crinifer, Ochlerotatus fluviatilis, Ochlerotatus scapularis, Ochlerotatus serratus, Psorophora confinnis, Psorophora ferox, Sabethes aurescens, Trichoprosopon pallidiventer and Uranotaenia lowii.
The identification and characterisation of Rab4 interacting proteins

Rab4 is a member of the Rab superfamily of small GTPases. It is localized to the early sorting endosome and plays a role in regulating the transport from this compartment to the recycling and degradative pathways. In order to further our understanding of the role Rab4 plays in endocytosis, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed to identify putative Rab4 effectors. A constitutively active mutant of Rab4, Rab4Q67L, when used as bait to screen a HeLa cDNA library, identified a novel 80kDa protein that interacted with Rab4-GTP. This protein was called Rab Coupling Protein (RCP). RCP interacts preferentially with the GTP-bound form of Rab4. Subsequent work demonstrated that RCP also interacts with Rab11, and that this interaction is not nucleotide-depenedent. RCP is predominantly membrane-bound and localised to the perinuclear recycling compartment. Expression of a truncation mutant of RCP, that contains the Rab binding domain, in HeLa cells, results in the formation of an extensive tubular network that can be labelled with transferrin. These tubules are derived from the recycling compartment since they are inaccessible to transferrin when the ligand is internalised at 18C. The truncation mutant-induced morphology can be rescued by overexpression of active Rab11, but not active Rab4. This suggests that RCP functions between Rab4 and Rab11 in the receptor recycling pathway, and may act as a ‘molecular bridge’ between these two sequentially acting small GTPases. Quantitative assays demonstrated that overexpression of the truncation mutant results in a dramatic inhibition in the rate of receptor recycling. Database analysis revealed that RCP belongs to a family of Rab interacting proteins, each characterised by a carboxy-terminal coiled-coil domain and an aminoterminal phospholipid-binding domain. KIAA0941, an RCP homologue, interacts with Rab11, but not with Rab4. Overexpression of its Rab binding domain also results in a tubular network, however, this tubulation cannot be rescued by active Rab11.
Expression of defense-related genes in papaya seedling infected with Erwinia mallotivora using real-time PCR.

Papaya is an important fruit crop in Malaysia for the domestic and export markets. The papaya industry is currently facing a major threat from the papaya dieback disease for which no effective control measure is known to prevent further spreading of the disease. The causal agent of the disease, Erwinia mallotivora was only identified lately. Hence, to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the host-pathogen interaction, leaves of papaya seedling were infected with a suspension of E. mallotivora at the concentration of 106 cfu and subsequently, the expression profiles of four identified potential defenserelated genes namely peroxidase, aquaporin, leucine-rich protein and zinc finger protein were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR. The expression profiles were captured at seven different time points post-infection at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. Among the four defense-related genes analysed, peroxidase, zinc finger protein and leucine-rich protein genes were found to be up-regulated at early stage of infection when compared to control. Meanwhile the expression of the aquaporin gene was found to be significantly up-regulated at later stage in response to E. mallotivora infection.
Sex-biased mortality analysis in chick embryos during the entire period of incubation

SUMMARY From 50,129 fertile eggs, a total of 1,712 dead chick embryos were collected from 5 different strains of chickens: ai-Jiao (233), Xing-Xing (143), HuBei-local (894), Hy-line (212), and Zhu-Si (230). the embryos were collected during the early (1 to 7 d), middle (8 to 14 d), and late (15 to 21 d) stages of incubation. Sex-biased embryonic mortality was analyzed during the different stages. We found that the overall mortality of female embryos was significantly higher than that of males in different stages of incubation (P < 0.05). We then analyzed the data by strain. In Hy-line, HuBei-local, and Zhu-Si chickens, female mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.05) during the early stage. During the middle stage, female mortality in HuBeilocal chickens was significantly greater than that of males (P < 0.005). During the late stage, female mortality was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in ai-Jiao chickens but was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in HuBei-local chickens. thus, more females died during the entire period of incubation, especially in the early and middle stages. Mortality was variable among strains during the late stage of incubation. In strains with smaller egg sizes, more females died, whereas in strains with larger egg sizes, more males died.
Microsatellite primers for the African mole-rat genus Cryptomys and cross-species amplification within the family Bathyergidae

We report 11 microsatellite loci for the African mole-rat genus Cryptomys (Rodentia: Bathyergidae), isolated from the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis) and the Common mole-rat (C. hottentotus hottentotus). All loci are highly polymorphic in the source species, with between six and 13 alleles and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.54 to 0.86. Two C. damarensis loci (DMR1 and 6) may be located on the X-chromosome. Cross-species amplification was investigated in 10 Bathyergid species, representative of the five genera. The majority of loci amplified polymorphic product in all Cryptomys species tested. Amplification was also widespread in the other genera, except in Heterocephalus.
The influence of phytoestrogens and oestradiol-17β on growth and sex determination in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Under aquaculture conditions, European eels (Anguilla anguilla) produce a high percentage of males (80–95%) that normally stop growing at 100–200 g. Females continue to grow to 500–750 g and obtain higher market value. Therefore, increasing the percentage of females in a population would be beneficial to the culture of eels. The present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of oestradiol and phytooestrogens on sex differentiation and growth rate of eels. Juvenile European eels with undifferentiated gonads were fed pellets containing oestradiol-17β (E2) or phytooestrogens for 100–150 days. Feeding E2 resulted in 50–61% increase in body weight compared with the control. Oestradiol-17β and phytooestrogens both elevated significantly the percentage of females in the population. Feeding E2 at 20 mg kg−1 feed resulted in 70% females, while lower concentration of E2 (2 mg kg−1) resulted in only 30% after 100 days (Experiment 1). The same dose given for 150 days (Experiment 2) resulted in 88% females, indicating that both, the concentration and duration of E2 treatments had a significant effect on sex differentiation. Fish fed genistein at 2 mg kg−1 for 100 days, resulted in 55% of females, but at a higher dose of 20 mg kg−1 there were only 15% females. These results demonstrate that phytooestrogens can be used as alternatives to gonadal steroids for sex manipulation in eels, but the optimal concentrations and duration are still to be determined.
Biotic and Abiotic Effects of Remnant and Restoration Soils on the Performance of Tallgrass Prairie Species

Interactions between plants and soil microbes are increasingly recognized as an important component in the functioning of ecosystems. Because these interactions affect and are affected by soil abiotic conditions, restoration efforts must consider the interactions between the plant community, the soil community, and the soil abiotic conditions. We sampled soil from 20 independently restored tallgrass prairies and 8 natural prairie remnants in southern Manitoba. Soils from the restored sites had 4.5 times higher phosphate levels than soils from the remnants. In whole soil assays, big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ) and Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) had significantly greater growth in soil from the remnant sites. A second growth assay using sterile and inoculated soil from a subset of these sites showed that while big bluestem benefited from soil biota on both remnants and restored sites, the effect was twice as strong on the remnant sites. Our results suggest that plants on restored prairies are less reliant on soil microbes due to the higher fertility found within their soils. Our data suggests that like other ecosystems, residual high fertility in tallgrass prairies may facilitate invasion by non-native plants.
Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Oviposition Behaviour on Cowpea Seeds

Egg distribution on cowpea seeds and the influence of seed population on extent of oviposition by Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) were investigated in this study. Majority of the eggs were laid on the cheek of the cowpea seeds. The number of eggs laid by females increased with increase in seed population. The results are discussed in relation to observations on oviposition behaviour of C. maculatus reported by earlier workers. RésuméOeuf distribution sur semences de cowpea at influence de semence population à nombre de oeufs pondre par Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) ▵re recherché. Majorité du oeufs ▵re déposer sur joue du cowpea semences. Les nombre de oeuf pondre par femelles croitre a croissant semence population. Discussion de les résultats relatif à observations à oviposition comportement de C. maculatus par antérieur ouvriers suivres.
Introduction for amazing (cavitation) bubbles

Although the word ‘cavitation’ was originally coined by R. E. Froude and first cited by Barnaby and Thornycroft in 1895, the phenomenon was conjectured much earlier by L. Euler in his theory of water turbines in 1754. However, actual cavitation was first discovered and investigated by Barnaby and Parsons in 1893 when they found that the formation of vapour bubbles on the propeller blades was responsible for the sea-trial failure in 1885 of a British high-speed warship HMS Daring. In 1895, Parsons established the first water tunnel for cavitation study and discovered the relationship between cavitation and the damage to the propeller. It was Rayleigh who, in 1917, laid the theoretical foundation for cavitation study by solving the problem of the collapse of an empty cavity in a large mass of liquid.
A Multiple Resource Inventory of Delaware Using Airborne Laser Data

Abstract Estimates of forest wood volume and biomass, and estimates of the surface area of asphalt, concrete, roof, and open water, were generated from a single set of airborne laser-profiling data acquired during the summer of 2000. Estimates of aboveground dry biomass for different types of land cover in each county or state were converted directly to estimates of standing carbon. A portable, inexpensive laser that measures forest canopy height and canopy cover was also used to identify and map mature forest stands that might support the Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus), an endangered species. Merchantable volume estimates were within 24 percent of US Forest Service estimates at the county level and within 15 percent statewide. Total aboveground dry biomass estimates were within 19 percent of US Forest Service estimates at the county level and within 16 percent statewide. Various types of impervious surfaces (roofs, concrete, asphalt) and open water were tallied along the flight lines to estimate areal coverage statewide, by land cover and county. Laser estimates of impervious surface area were within 28 percent of satellite-based estimates at the county level and within 3 percent at the state level. Laser estimates of open water were within 7 percent of photointerpreted geographic information system (GIS) estimates at the county level and within 3 percent of the GIS at the state level.
Conservation Genetics of California Abalone: Developing Tools for Management

Author(s): Burton, Ronald S. | Abstract: Over the past three decades, we have witnessed dramatic declines of abalone stocks along the southern California coast. What was once an important fisheries resource (commercial and recreational) has completely disappeared and there is now a moratorium on all abalone harvesting in the region (California Department of Fish and Game 2002). Populations of white, red, black, pink and green abalone have all been impacted; the former species, Haliotis sorenseni, has become the first marine invertebrate to be listed as an endangered species. Both anthropogenic (overexploitation and habitat destruction) and natural (disease and predation) processes have contributed to the decline in abalone abundance. Attempts to develop effective conservation and recovery strategies for abalone require understanding many aspects of the biology of these species. The primary question is: can reproduction in remnant populations provide the recruits necessary for recovery of abalone populations that have gone locally extinct? Two factors are important in answering this question. First, there is the question of fertilization success in low abundance populations of broadcast spawning invertebrates; can males and females locate one another and successfully produce fertilized eggs? The second issue regards the level of "connectivity" of abalone populations; can success in one part of the species range provide a natural reseeding in other parts of the range? This project used population genetic methods to address the latter question.
Changes in non‐structural carbohydrates in olive (Olea europaea) leaves during root zone salinity stress

Self-rooted olive (Olea europaea L.) plants were grown in hydroponics at various NaCl concentrations (from 0 to 200 mM) for 28 to 32 days followed by 28 to 30 days of relief from salinity over two growing seasons. Olive leaves accumulated both glucose and mannitol during the period of salinity stress. The concentrations of fructose, myo-inositol, galactose, galactinol, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose were not significantly affected by salinity. Starch content was decreased by salinity. The mannitol/glucose and mannitol/soluble carbohydrates ratios increased as the external NaCl concentration was increased, but returned to the control levels during the relief period. The increase in mannitol or glucose molar concentrations, expressed on a leaf tissue water basis, was partially due to a reduction in leaf tissue water content under salinity stress. However, an increase in mannitol concentration was also observed when expressed on a dry weight basis. The accumulation of mannitol in leaf tissue preceded any reduction in leaf area rate or net assimilation rate. The increase in leaf mannitol or glucose concentration was positively correlated with the increasing level of salinity at the root zone, but not with the accumulation of Na + in the shoot. The role of mannitol, a potential osmoregulator in leaf mesophyll during salinity stress, is discussed in relation to the complex carbohydrate composition of olive leaves.