Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diaspore morphology and the potential for attachment to animal coats in Mediterranean species: an experiment with sheep and cattle coats

Abstract Morphological traits of diaspores that can predict their potential attachment to animal coats may help to model epizoochory in plant populations and communities. The present study tested the role of seed mass, shape and the presence of dispersal structures in the attachment potential of a sample of 14 abundant species in Mediterranean grassland and shrubland, using sheep and cattle coats that were shaken mechanically using a standardized protocol. We also tested recently proposed predictive models for the attachment potential of diaspores. Attachment potential measured on cattle hide was low in comparison with sheep wool for all types of diaspores. Differences between vertically and horizontally positioned coats were significant only for cattle, in which attachment potential was higher in vertically positioned coats. Seed weight was highly significant to predict attachment potential in sheep coats, but yielded significant results only in the case of vertically positioned cattle coats. In both cases, light seeds were best retained. Shape yielded marginally significant results only in the case of horizontally positioned cattle coats. In this case, elongated seeds seemed to be best retained. The presence of appendages in diaspores was significant only for sheep, in which attachment potential was higher for seeds with appendages. Recently proposed predictive models for the attachment potential were found to be highly robust for predicting this parameter in sheep coats, and thus support their generalization for this type of coat.
Recovery of Germination from Different Osmotic Conditions by Four Halophytes from Southeastern Spain

Seeds of four halophytes from southeastern Spain (the perennials Halocnemum strobilaceum,Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Sarcocornia fruticosa, and the annual Salicornia ramosissima) were exposed to iso-osmotic stress with NaCl, MgCl2, MgSO4and Na2SO4. The osmotic potential that enforced dormancy in the majority of seeds was determined. The percentage of ungerminated seeds that recovered when they were transferred to distilled water did not differ significantly from the percentage germination of seeds in distilled water controls, irrespective of the salt used to impose the stress. Therefore, the factor responsible for the dormancy of seeds seems to be the decrease in osmotic potential. Such osmotic pretreatments promoted an increase in the rate of recovery germination which, inArthrocnemum macrostachyum and Sarcocornia fruticosa, doubled their rates of germination compared to distilled water controls. The osmotic potentials of the soils where the four species occur naturally were more negative than those allowing seeds to germinate after osmotic stress.
Occupancy estimation of jaguar Panthera onca to assess the value of east-central Mexico as a jaguar corridor

Abstract The use of wildlife corridors to maintain landscape connectivity has become increasingly relevant to the conservation of wide-ranging species, including the jaguar Panthera onca. Jaguars are particularly threatened in Mexico, where corridor linkages are tenuous as a result of habitat fragmentation. Our study assessed a section of potential corridor south of the Sierra Madre Oriental in eastern Mexico. We conducted 245 interviews with local inhabitants in 140 36-km2 sampling units over a 5-month period and compiled detection histories for jaguars and five prey species: collared peccary Pecari tajacu, red brocket deer Mazama americana, white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, spotted paca Agouti paca, and nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. These detection histories were then analysed using site occupancy modelling. Each sampling unit was assigned a probability of habitat use based on (1) the two smaller prey species (paca and armadillo) and (2) at least two of the larger prey species (collared peccary and two deer species) using habitat in that unit. This probability estimate was considered a proxy for the prey base of each sampling unit and therefore the unit's suitability as a jaguar corridor. Although the prey base in some areas appears adequate to support a jaguar population, large-scale development projects and the paucity of jaguar sign are major obstacles to this region's potential as a jaguar corridor. Our results suggest that the eastern coast of Mexico may not be a priority area for range-wide jaguar conservation.
Fast and Simple Monitoring of Introgressive Gene Flow from Wild Beet into Sugarbeet

Weed beet, so-called bolters, can arise either from self dedomestication of sugarbeet or from hybridisation with wild sea beet relatives. Previous investigations indicated that weed beet may evolve from hybridisation between wild and cultivated beet when they occur in close proximity. Beet seed can persist several years in soil allowing the formation of a seed bank that subsequently releases weed beet again. Microsatellite markers were used to trace hybridisation events within weed beet populations from 12 fields in Brandenburg, Germany. Seeds derived from bolter offspring were analyzed at three microsatellite loci and population allelic patterns were compared with sugarbeet varieties and wild beet as reference genotypes. The results demonstrate past hybridisation and introgression of wild beet alleles, even in the seeds of the bolters. The use of only three highly polymorphic microsatellites provides a simple and fast method to monitor individuals for feral or wild beet characters that may cause adverse effects if recombination with GM beets were to occur.
Technological Challenges set up by Continuous Wireless Monitoring designed to Improve Management of Critically Ill Patients in an Internal Medicine Unit (LIMS study): Study Design and Preliminary Results

Background: Wireless vital parameter continuous monitoring (WVPCM) is compared to regular nurse monitoring in order to provide data on the clinical and economic impact of critically ill patients (CIPs) in Internal Medicine Units (IMU). Study Design: Pilot prospective randomized controlled open-label multi-center study with WIN@Hospital wearable wireless system creating alerts on portable devices (ipad). Experimental Arm: CIPs with MEWS (Modified Early Warning Score) ≥ 3 and/or NEWS (National Early Warning Score) ≥ 5 at admission underwent WCPCM over the first 72 h. Active Comparator: CIPs with MEWS ≥ 3 and/or NEWS ≥ 5 at admission undergoing regular nurse monitoring. Primary outcomes: Reduction of major complications (MC) from 15% to 5%. Secondary outcomes: One day reduction in length of stay (LOS); reduced nurse monitoring time; accurate patient stratification and definition of end stage disease. Statistical methods: According to the preliminary study (Manerbio, 2016), 27% of hospitalized patients, of which 15% have MC, are critical (MEWS ≥3), and require monitoring. Clinical significance is set at 5% relative reduction in MCs in the experimental arm. 148 patients shall be recruited per arm (total 296; calculated by setting the alpha error at 5%, beta error at 20%, 80% test power, 5% loss). Preliminary results: Enrolled 95 and evaluable 89 patients (35 M/54 F), mean age 80.5 years, Comorbidity: Cumulative Illness Rating Scale CIRS-CI: 4, CIRS SI: 1.8. About 38% scored a BRASS (Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score) ≥20 indicating need for discharge planning requiring step-down care. More than 50% of patients present IIA index >3 indicating high dependency from nursing assistance. Nurses saved a minimum of 49,6 minutes to a maximum of 58,1 minutes on time spent monitoring each patient per day. Conclusions: WVPCM, detecting early deterioration in CIPs, may facilitate timely response in at-risk patients, increasing safety and reducing costs.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms are associated with overeating both with and without loss of control in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity

Background: There is growing evidence that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and loss of control (LOC) eating, both prevalent in children and adolescents, may be related to one another. However, the relationship between ADHD and overeating without LOC has been largely unexamined, thus precluding an understanding of the independent contributions of LOC and episode size in these associations. The current study sought to examine associations between ADHD symptoms and maladaptive eating by evaluating three different types of eating episodes characterized by the presence/absence of LOC and the amount of food consumed: objectively large LOC episodes [objective binge eating (OBE)], subjectively large binge episodes [subjective binge eating (SBE)], and objectively large overeating episodes without LOC [objective overeating (OO)]. Methods: Participants were 385 youth (M age = 10.89, SD = 2.25) drawn from five different research protocols at institutions across the United States. Participants and their parents completed questionnaires and semistructured interviews to assess ADHD symptoms, OBE, SBE, and OO. Results: As hypothesized, negative binomial regressions revealed that ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with OBE, v(1) = 16.61, p < 0.001, and with OO, v(1) = 10.64, p < 0.01. Contrary to expectations, they were not associated with SBE. Conclusions: These results indicate the need for future studies to explore possible shared mechanisms (e.g., impulsivity) underlying associations between ADHD symptoms, OBE, and OO. Clinical implications include support for considering ADHD symptoms in programs that target both prevention of LOC eating and obesity more generally.
Economic downturns and the Greek referendum of 2015: Evidence using night-time light data

Much like Brexit, the Greek bailout referendum of 2015 could have been a watershed event that significantly affected the European Economic and Monetary Union and possibly the European Union as a whole. While the referendum did not live up to the hype, the fact remains that the Greek people decided to risk ‘exit’ and reject their international creditors’ bailout terms. In this article, we explore how the cycle of sovereign debt crisis, the externally imposed austerity and the resulting recession affected the outcome of that referendum. We further provide a limited test for the ‘left-behind’ hypothesis, which has been a prominent explanation for recent ‘unexpected’ or ‘surprising’ choices that have been made at the polls. Using municipality data and novel data sources, such as night-time light transmission, we provide aggregate-level support for our expectations.
Generation and phenotypic analysis of coronin-1 deficient mice

Coronins represent an evolutionary conserved family of WD-repeat actin-binding proteins for which a role in regulating membrane and cytoskeleton related functions have been proposed. In mammalian organisms seven members of the coronin protein family have been described of which coronin-1 respresents the thus far best characterized molecule. Coronin-1 is specifically expressed in leukocytes and was originally identified as a key player in mediating the survival of pathogenic mycobacteria in infected murine macrophages by inhibiting the fusion of the mycobacterial phagosome with lysosomes. Further analyses demonstrated the capacity of coronin-1 to link the leukocyte plasma membrane with the underlying actin cytoskeleton suggesting a regulatory role of coronin-1 in leukocyte specific functions. However, a precise biological activity of coronin-1 in leukocytes and in mammalian organisms in general has not yet been defined. The aim of the work described in this thesis was to contribute to our understanding of the function of coronin-1 by generating and phenotypically characterizing coronin-1 knock-out mice. Coronin-1 deficient mice were found to be viable and fertile. In-depth analysis of the immune system revealed that the lack of coronin-1 expression severly affected the homeostasis of the peripheral T-cell pool. Whereas T-cell development could be shown to be independent on coronin-1, peripheral T-cell numbers were found to be strongly reduced. The reduction of peripheral T-cell numbers in coronin-1 deficient mice was accompanied by changes in the composition and function of the peripheral T-cell pool. Coronin-1 deficient peripheral T-cells were prone to apoptosis, less efficient in homing to secondary lymphoid organs and unable to mount a proliferative response to allogeneic MHC stimuli. Cytoskeletal structures in coronin-1 deficient T-cells were found to be normally organized. Coronin-1 deficiency did not affect other leukocyte subsets, such as B-cells and macrophages. Macrophages isolated from coronin-1 deficient mice did neiter show any abnormalities in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton nor did the absence of coronin-1 expression affect their phagocytic properties. We therefore conclude that coronin-1 plays a crucial role in maintaining T-cell but not macrophage functions. Based on the results described in this thesis we propose a function of coronin-1 in regulating T-cell homeostasis by modulating T-cell specific functions such as T-cell activation.
Population Characteristics of Northern Pike in a Southern Kansas Impoundment

Northern pike, Esox lucius, were historically stocked throughout Kansas; however, lack of suitable habitat generally led to the senescence of these populations. Currently, Kingman State Fishing Lake (SFL) is the only public fishery in Kansas that still supports a self-sustaining northern pike population. Due to the extreme habitat conditions on the far southern edge of the northern pike's range, traditional sampling methods (e.g., fall trap nets and gill nets, spring electrofishmg) generally cause excessive mortality or are not effective at capturing northern pike. As such, data regarding the only Kansas northern pike fishery are lacking. Northern pike were sampled with trap nets during February and March 2011, to estimate population charactensties such as recruitment, growth, mortality, and population size. Kingman SFL northern pike grew quickly, generally lived less than 10 years, and exhibited annual recruitment. Total annual mortality was 44%. Population estimates obtained from mark-recapture data suggest the population density is approximately four to nine adult northern pike per surface hectare.
Species Distribution Models: Ecological Explanation and Prediction Across Space and Time

Species distribution models (SDMs) are numerical tools that combine observations of species occurrence or abundance with environmental estimates. They are used to gain ecological and evolutionary insights and to predict distributions across landscapes, sometimes requiring extrapolation in space and time. SDMs are now widely used across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine realms. Differences in methods between disciplines reflect both differences in species mobility and in “established use. ” Model realism and robustness is influenced by selection of relevant predictors and modeling method, consideration of scale, how the interplay between environmental and geographic factors is handled, and the extent of extrapolation. Current linkages between SDM practice and ecological theory are often weak, hindering progress. Remaining challenges include: improvement of methods for modeling presence-only data and for model selection and evaluation; accounting for biotic interactions; and assessing model uncertainty.
Conservation status and reintroduction of the Cocos Buff-banded Rail, Gallirallus philippensis andrewsi

Abstract An endemic subspecies of Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis) is restricted to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, a group of 27 islands, with total area of ~15 km2, in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. Human settlement led to marked environmental degradation of the 26 islands in the southern atoll of the group. The Cocos Buff-banded Rail declined severely, with the last confirmed record from islands in the southern atoll in 1991. The subspecies has persisted, however, with a population of ~800 individuals, on a single island, Pulu Keeling, 24 km north of the southern atoll. A recovery plan for this endangered subspecies recommended reintroduction to a suitable island in the southern atoll. This paper provides a brief overview of the history and status of the subspecies, and describes an April 2013 reintroduction of 39 rails from Pulu Keeling to the 1-km2 Horsburgh Island in the southern atoll. This program has had at least short-term success, with monitoring showing successful recruitment in the reintroduced population, and its increase to ~54 individuals by October 2014 and ~121 individuals by June 2015. Much of the world's loss of biodiversity has been from, and continues to occur on, islands: this project demonstrates that well-considered mitigation of threats and translocation programs can provide solutions to this challenge.
Life history traits contribute to decline of critically endangered lizards at Macraes Flat, Otago

Mark-recapture methods were used to determine population abundance and life history of five grand (Oligosoma grande Scincidae) and two Otago (O. otagense) skink populations over 6 years at Macraes Flat, in southern New Zealand. The population ecology of declining and stable grand skink populations was contrasted and the life histories of grand and Otago skinks were compared. The life histories of both species were similar and characterised by slow maturity and longevity (3-5 and 4-6 years to produce first offspring and longevity up to 18 and 13.5 years in the wild; grand and Otago skinks respectively). With the exception of one grand skink population, all skink populations showed evidence of declines. Annual reproductive output (ARO) was estimated at 1.46 and 1.41 offspring per female per year (grand and Otago skinks respectively). These ARO values were markedly lower than those reported during a previous study at Macraes Flat during the same decade (2.17 and 2.34 respectively). The stable grand skink population excelled (relatively) in all life history traits measured: ARO of 1.66, 30% of newborns persisted 5+ years, adult survivorship averaged 0.84, and 36% of newborns were recruited to the adult population. In contrast, many of the declining populations were seriously deficient in one or more traits. This study raises concerns about the viability of small populations that have dropped below a critical size, beyond which one or multiple life history traits can act to further the decline. It is imperative that conservation managers of k-selected species move outside the 'improving adult survival' paradigm and begin to consider other potentially limiting population parameters.
Institutional Theory and the Natural Environment

This review article summarizes the main tenets of institutional theory as they apply to the topic of the Anthropocene in the domain of organization and the natural environment. But our review is distinctive for two reasons: First, it is focused on providing avenues researching the Anthropocene Era. Second, while based on the trajectory of current, accumulated theory and research, our review is forward-looking in its orientation and thus aimed at guiding future work to explore the emergence of a new social reality in Anthropocene Society. We begin by summarizing the scientific research on the Anthropocene Era, then move to its implications for grand and midrange institutional theory principles, and of institutional principles for the study of it. We end with a call to reenergize and reradicalize the organization and the natural environment field to properly address the magnitude and scope of this shift to the Anthropocene.
Demography of red clover seeds in mixed-sown meadows

To clarify the reproduction probability of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in meadows for herbage cutting, the demography of this legume was studied in a meadow in the central mountainous district of Japan. The present study shows the demography of deposited red clover seeds in a meadow, where timothy (Phleum pratense L.) predominated and herbage had been harvested for making hay or silage in early June and late August of a year. The densities of deposited seeds, buried seeds and seedlings were monitored to determine their survival. Deposited seeds were collected using seed traps, buried seeds were monitored seasonally by sampling them from topsoil and seedlings were counted in ten permanent 1×1 m quadrats. Many permeable and hard seeds of red clover were deposited on the soil surface of the meadow during the mechanical operation of the second haymaking in mid- to late August. Of the population of deposited permeable seeds, 0·16 germinated and 0·84 were lost in the present autumn. Conversely, of the population of deposited hard seeds, 0·11 germinated in the succeeding spring, 0·83 were lost and 0·06 remained as hard seeds until the succeeding autumn. The deposited permeable and hard seeds could contribute to the persistence of red clover population when their seedlings survived for seed setting in the meadow.
Determinants of Tourist Arrivals and Expenditures in Canada

This study investigated the determinants and functional forms of international tourism demand for travel to Canada from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, theformer West Germany, and Japan. The independent variables, per capita income, exchange rate, travel price index, immigration, crime rate, special events, and a time trend, were hypothesized to influence tourist arrivals and expenditure. Both linear and log-linear functions were estimated, and a statistical method was applied to choose the appropriate functional form. Overall, with few exceptions, the variables examined explained a high percentage of variations in the dependent variables, and most variables had statistically significant coefficients with expected signs. This study shows that determinants of tourism demand may vary by country, suggesting that pooling data across countries needs to be treated with caution. While there appears to be almost universal agreement that the log-linear form is better than the linear form in the international tourism demand literature, it is shown that the popular view is often not supported by the data.
Validation of the Hermans Questionnaire Measure of Achievement Motivation

In 1970, Hermans introduced a questionnaire measure of achievement motivation (PMT), with evidence supporting both its internal and external validity. The benefits of such a measure,of n Ach are several: it is not subject to the ambiguities inherent in scoring the commonly used projective tests; it is less likely to be affected by cues present during administration; and it need not be given in a precisely controlled setting to all experimental subjects at one time. Hermans reported that the PMT was a good predictor of performance when n Ach was aroused and also of aspiration and performance in an unstructured academic program. The present study investigates the relationship between the PMT and persistence in a difficult task. Persistence is an accepted behavioral maifestation of n Ach, and has been related to both common projective measures of n Ach: the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; McClelland, Atkinson, Clark, & Lowell, 1953~, by Feather (1961); and the French Test of Insight (FTI; French, 1958), by Atkinson & Litwin (1960). A second aspect of the present study is that whereas Hermans’ researc h utilized Dutch students as Ss, the present study uses American students. ’. This is important because n Ach is largely cultural in its manifestations (McClelland et _al., 1953)-and therefore it cannot be assumed that findings pertinent to members of one nationality are generalizable to members of another. Research using the TAT and FTI has focused not only on the relationship between these neasures and behavior, but also on these measures in combination with a third, the Mandler-Sarason Test Anxiety Questionnaire (TAQ; I~aldler & Sarason, 1952). The TAQ is thought to measure achievement anxiety, and its use follows from the theory that both n Ach and achievement anxiety combined should predict behavior better than n Ach alone (Atkinson, 1957). The resulting construct--net tendency to seek success--is conceived