Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The double vocal signature of crested penguins: is the identity coding system of rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome due to phylogeny or ecology?

Parent-offspring recognition systems are used in bird colonies to avoid misdirected parental care. In penguins, where the risk of confusion is particularly high, recognition is achieved by acoustic signals that constitute highly efficient vocal signatures. Comparisons between species from the Pygoscelis and Aptenodytes genera have revealed interspecific differences on the encoding of information within the signatures which correlate with the presence/absence of nests in the colonies. However a recent study of individual recognition in macaroni penguins Eudyptes chrysolophus revealed diversity within nest-building species. This paper investigates whether the original and intermediate signature system found in macaroni penguins is shared by another species of Eudyptes, the rockhopper penguin E. chrysocome. Vocal signatures of rockhopper penguins were analysed and compared to macaroni penguins’. We used a methodology derived from the theory of information to determine which parameters of the call were likely to encode individual identity. Playbacks of modified calls in the field complemented the analyses, and parent-chick reunions were compared between the two species. Our results reveal a similar double signature system within the Eudyptes genus, which integrates information simultaneously from the temporal and spectral domains. This double encoding is made through the tempo given by the successive syllables of the call and the harmonic content of the call. While it confirms the hypothesis that signatures are simpler in nest-building species, this result reveals differences in the efficacies of signatures within this category. This suggests that other parameters such as the mean distance recognition should be considered to account for the differences in the encoding of the vocal signatures and in their resulting efficacies.
METIER (modular ecotoxicity tests incorporating ecological relevance) for difficult substances. 4. Test chamber for cladocerans in flow‐through conditions

Continuous‐flow systems in toxicity testing are advantageous because they introduce constant toxicant concentrations and constant food to the test organisms and continuously purge wastes. Therefore, continuous‐flow systems are particularly useful in hazard assessment of substances that may readily be lost from test chambers (i.e., poorly water soluble, volatile, readily biodegradable or photodegradable, hydrolitically unstable compounds). Within METIER (Modular ecotoxicity tests incorporating ecological relevance), a European Union‐funded project, a basic design for a standard flow‐through exposure system was developed. This paper addresses the adaptation of the flow‐through system for use with cladocerans, which involved designing a suitable test chamber and appropriate operation procedures. The sublethal toxicity of a reference compound (3,4‐dichloroaniline) to Daphnia magna Straus was evaluated under both flow‐through and semi‐static conditions. Tests conducted under flow‐through conditions provided a less sensitive measure of toxicity than under semi‐static conditions. This result is probably a function of the higher food availability within the flow‐through system. The no‐observed‐effect concentration for reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint and was 5 μg/L in the flow‐through system and 2.5 μg/L in semi‐static conditions.
Influence of prepartum calcium intake on calcium mobilization rate around parturition in dairy cows fed at a high prepartum feeding level.

Summary The influence of a low and a high prepartum calcium (Ca) intake on Ca mobilization rate around parturition was studied in 44 dairy cows fed a ration sufficient for. 1.90 times maintenance requirements during the dry period. The plasma Ca level declined on the day of parturition in the group fed the low Ca intake (LCa: 26.4 g/d) as well as in the group fed the high Ca intake (HCa: 87. 2 g/d). Plasma Ca levels of the 11Ca group were lower at parturition. and in this group 1 cow had milk fever after parturition. In the HCa group 6 cows had a plasma Ca level ≤ 2.0 mmo1/1 at parturition and/or 10 h post‐partum (pp), versus 1 cow in the LCa group. Na2EDTA was intravenously infused at 10 h pp to induce hypocalcaemia to a level of plasma Ca not bound to EDTA of approximately 1.0 mmol/l. The LCa groups tended to require more Na2EDTA than the HCa groups, however the difference was significant only in the younger cows. After the Na2EDTA infusion 7 cows of the HCa group and I of the LCa group did not recover .
Early invasion population structure of quagga mussel and associated benthic invertebrate community composition on soft sediment in a large reservoir

Abstract In 2007 an invasive dreissenid mussel species, Dreissena bugensis (quagga mussel), was discovered in Lake Mead reservoir (AZ–NV). Within 2 years, adult populations have spread throughout the lake and are not only colonizing hard substrates, but also establishing in soft sediments at depths ranging from 1 to >100 m. Dreissena bugensis size class and population density distribution differs between basins; cluster analysis revealed 5 adult cohorts within Boulder Basin and Overton Arm but low densities and low cohort survival in the Las Vegas Basin. Regression analysis suggests depth and temperature are not primary controllers of D. bugensis density in Lake Mead, indicating other factors such as sediment type, food availability or other resource competition may be important. Monthly veliger tows showed at least 2 major spawning events per year, with continuous presence of veligers in the water column. Adult mussels have been found in spawn or post-spawn condition in soft sediments in shallow to deep waters (>80 m) indicating the potential for reproduction at multiple depths. Comparisons to a 1986 benthic survey suggest there have been shifts in nondreissenid macroinvertebrate composition; however, it is unclear if this is due to D. bugensis presence. Current distribution of nondreissenid macroinvertebrates is heterogeneous in all 3 basins, and their biodiversity decreased when D. bugensis density was 2500/m2 or greater.
Functional traits of common New Zealand foredune species at New Brighton, Canterbury

The introduction of exotic plant species to the sand dunes of New Zealand has displaced native dune species. To examine our hypotheses that: (1) exotic species have functional traits that allow them to outcompete native species; and (2) that traits of exotic species vary across the dune environment, we measured specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf area and plant height in five common fore-dune taxa of New Brighton, Christchurch. The native species Spinifex sericeus, Ficinia spiralis and Poa billardierei had traits indicative of a more conservative growth strategy compared with the exotic tussock grass Ammophila arenaria and the exotic succulent Carpobrotus spp. , suggesting that natives would be less competitive. In exotics, leaf size was larger at greater distances from the high tide mark, as was plant height in A. arenaria. These differences in traits across the dune environment point to phenotypic plasticity across short, but sharp, environmental gradients.
Competing predators and prey : Juvenile bottlenecks in whole-lake experiments

In size-structured populations, prey have the potential to restrict the recruit- ment of their predator by decreasing the growth rate of young predators through interspecific competition, a situation referred to as a ''competitive juvenile bottleneck. '' Two mechanisms have been advanced by which a decrease in growth may increase the mortality of young predators: (1) increased time during which juvenile predators are susceptible to gape-limited predation and (2) increased susceptibility to starvation. To study the effects of competition from a prey fish (roach, Rutilus rutilus) on the recruitment of a piscivorous fish (perch, Perca fluviatilis), roach were introduced in two of four small adjacent unproductive lakes inhabited by natural populations of perch. We thereafter studied the diet, growth, and survival of the new-born cohorts of perch during a 13-mo period. Growth and survival of larval perch were not affected by roach whereas during the latter part of the growing season, growth and condition of young-of-the-year (YOY) perch were negatively affected by roach. The growth retardation of YOY perch in roach-treatment lakes coincided with a shift in diet from free-swimming zooplankton to benthic cladocerans and chironomids, which in turn was related to a stronger decline in pelagic zooplankton resources in these lakes. The small size and poor condition of YOY perch in the roach- treatment lakes resulted in almost all these perch dying from starvation during the winter and subsequent spring. There was a tendency for there to be higher densities of YOY perch in the roach-treatment lakes, possibly due to a strong die-off of adult perch in these lakes that in turn may have reduced cannibalism in these lakes. The results from an enclosure experiment on intra-cohort competition among YOY perch, however, suggested that the discrepancy in growth of YOY perch between the lakes was mainly due to direct competition from roach for the zooplankton resource. Temporal variation in competition intensity and in duration of periods for growth and energy gain (e.g., summer) vs. periods of only energy loss (e.g., winter) are suggested to have major effects on juvenile predator growth and subsequent recruitment to the adult stage through competitive juvenile bottlenecks, and thus to affect overall community dy- namics. The relative importance of size-dependent winter starvation mortality compared to mortality caused by gape-limited predators as a mortality agent on juveniles is hypoth- esized to increase with latitude. Whole-lake experiments lend themselves both to testing the importance in natural systems of mechanisms previously identified at small spatial and short temporal scales, and also to identifying important mechanisms that cannot be studied at smaller scales.
Some ecological factors affecting the life-style of Canthon cyanellus cyanellus (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae): an experimental approach

The effects of some ecological factors on the life-style of the subsocial necrophagous ball-roller scarab Canthon cyanellus cyanellus were evaluated by experimental analysis. Survival of offspring cared for by parents was higher than survival of offspring without parental care; the latter were immediately attacked by fungi which prevents larval development. The propensity for food to be attacked during the earlier larval stages is a selective pressure which favours parental care in C. cyanellus. Early mating increased the lifetime reproductive success of females, but decreased their longevity. Female C. cyanellus maintained high reproductive success even when resource availability was uncertain. Furthermore, the longevity of the females increased with an irregular supply of food. The reproductive success of females increased with food of high nutritional quality and decreased with food of low nutritional quality.
SYNTHESIS OF IMINO-C-DISACCHARIDES RELATED TO SUCROSE[1]

Stabilised ylides 1 and 10, prepared from perbenzylated and peracetylated allyl C-glucopyranosides, respectively, were reacted with differently protected D-serinal; osmylation of the obtained α,β-unsaturated ketones 3 and 12, followed by intramolecular reductive amination, afforded different imino-C-disaccharides 14, 15, 18, and 19 related to sucrose.
Quantitative chromosome map of Arabidopsis thaliana L. by imaging methods.

Arabidopsis thaliana L. has 10 chromosomes that are small and similar in morphology. Molecular cytogenetics and image analyses were applied to characterize the somatic chromosomes. Prometaphase chromosomes were quantitatively analyzed based on their patterns of condensation, because they show a prominent uneven condensation along the chromosomes. The total length of the haploid prometaphase chromosomes is 16.5 μm, which is about 1.8 times the size of the metaphase chromosomes. We also detected the 45S (18S-5.8S-25S) and 5S rDNA loci by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and determined their locations on the chromosomes by the imaging methods. As a result, a quantitative chromosome map based on the condensation pattern was developed for the first time in Arabidopsis with the locations of rDNAs by using imaging methods. It is now possible to localize genes precisely on this map.
Some initial changes in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) physiology due to ethephon

Ethylene is used commercially to hasten ripening of avocados, but the presence of ethylene in the storage atmosphere can increase the risk of physiological disorders. To investigate the short term effect of ethylene on avocado physiology, fruit were dipped in a low concentration ethephon solution. The ethephon treatment significantly increased the ethylene production rate of avocados after 6 h, compared to untreated fruit. After 6 h, the respiration rate of treated fruit increased significantly during the investigation while that of the untreated fruit did not show a significant increase from the initial measurement. Lipid peroxidation increased after dipping, reaching a peak after 4 h, and then declined to a level similar to untreated fruit. Mannoheptulose declined significantly during the 6 h investigation in both the untreated and treated fruit. It is concluded that avocado fruit can undergo significant physiological changes, and quality loss, in a short amount of time, which is exacerbated by exposure to ethylene.
Trinomys mirapitanga, a new species of spiny rat (Rodentia: Echimyidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Summary A new species of spiny rat (genus Trinomys) from Porto Seguro, state of Bahia in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil is described based on skin, skull, and bacular characters and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences. The new species is the sister to T. dimidiatus and T. iheringi which forms a monophyletic group together with T. gratiosus. It is diagnosed by having a tail less than head and body length that is covered by short hairs, without a brush of elongated hairs on the tail tip, a round post-orbital process of the zygomatic arch that is formed by both the squamosal and jugal, an oval incisive foramen with a well developed maxillary portion of the septum, and a baculum with well developed basal expansion, a median trough on the dorsal surface and ventral flexion.
The life cycle of Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae)

G. Cronberg. 2005. The life cycle of Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae). Phycologia 44: 285–293. Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) is today one of the most common flagellates in humic lakes in Sweden and appears regularly in 30% of these lakes. The first mass development of this alga was recorded in 1948 in Lake Helgasjön, south Sweden. In this paper the life cycle of Gonyostomum is described for the first time. During the winter Gonyostomum survived as resting cysts on the surface of the bottom sediment. In spring (April to May) meiosis took place in the cysts, and on excystment two haploid gametes appeared. After a period of mobility, the gametes formed pairs. The gametes then fused, and a new diploid Gonyostomum cell developed. The vegetative stage of Gonyostomum, which was seen during the summer period (May–October), is thus the diploid phase. During this period normal, longitudinal cell division took place. Under unfavourable conditions, temporary cysts could be formed. Cyst formation started from the centre of the cell, which swelled and became spherical. This was a thin-walled, temporary cyst, which was mobile and, like ordinary cells, had one flagellum protruding forward and one trailing behind. The temporary cysts could accumulate and settle in large clusters where the flagella were lost or had become invisible. When favourable conditions reappeared, the temporary cysts divided and formed two new gametes. In autumn, when the water temperature decreased to below about 10°C, the temporary cysts went into dormancy and became resting cysts. The cyst wall thickened, and a brown body appeared within the cyst. Below 4–6°C no vegetative cells were found.
A taxonomic revision of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae)

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. has one of the widest natural distributions of any Australian tree species. It is represented in most climatic zones and the majority of river systems across Australia. Numerous studies have documented morphological and genotypic variation among populations from across its range. Its adaptation to a wide range of environments has contributed to it becoming one of the most widely cultivated eucalypts across a range of arid, temperate and tropical countries. A recent range-wide study of E. camaldulensis with microsatellite markers concluded that its patterns of genetic variation were consistent with it comprising seven infraspecific taxa. As foreshadowed in that study, here we describe these taxa, viz. subsp. acuta, subsp. arida, subsp. camaldulensis, subsp. minima, subsp. obtusa, subsp. refulgens and subsp. simulata. A key to subspecies is presented, with each subspecies being illustrated and the main differences tabulated. Operculum shape, the arrangement of stamens in the bud and the reticulation density of adult leaves are some of the main characters distinguishing taxa. Clustering patterns from further analyses of the microsatellite data were consistent with morphological affinities among subspecies. Typification issues and lignotuber status are among topics discussed.
Nutritional composition of the African locust bean ( Parkia biglobosa ) fruit pulp

Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of the African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) fruit pulp were determined using standard methods. Results showed a moisture content of 8.41%, protein 6.56%, fat 1.80%, crude fibre 11.75%, ash. 4.18% and carbohydrate of 67.30%. Sugar content was found to be 9.00 °Brix; total caroteniods, 49,175ug/ 100g and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) of 191.20mg/100g. Anti-nutritional factors/toxins analyzes showed a phytic acid content of 60.00mg/ l00g; crude saponins, 17.80mg/ 100g; tannins, 81.00mg/100g; total phenols, 204.60mg/ 100g and hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content of 17.30mg/ 100g. Keywords : Nutritional, anti-nutritional contents, toxins, African locust bean, fruit pulp. Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 25 (1) 2007: pp. 190-196
Ovarian responses of anestrous ewes to the "ram effect"

Ovarian responses to the "ram effect" were characterized in 11 anestrous Corriedale ewes. In seven ewes, there was a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge 36.7 ± 12.3 h (mean ± SEM) after ram introduction and a concurrent increase (P < 0.05) in serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Ovarian responses (monitored ultrasonographically) were highly variable. One ewe had two luteal phases (short and normal, respectively), three had delayed ovulation (days 5–7), two had luteinization of non-ovulatory follicles, one developed a luteinized follicular cyst, and four had no luteal phase. Key words: Ram effect, ovarian follicular dynamics, seasonal anestrus, ultrasonography, gonadotropin
OR07-04 A Novel Ex Vivo Live-Cell Interrogative Assay of Human Parathyroid Tissue Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Calcium Sensing Failure in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Disruption of calcium homeostasis is common to all forms of hyperparathyroidism (HPT), but the underlying biochemical mechanisms that distinguish the various forms of HPT pathology remain poorly characterized. We previously have observed that the kinetics and amplitude of CASR-mediated signaling vary significantly among parathyroid (PT) adenomas and found specific functional and gene expression profiles preferentially associated with increased risk of bone density loss. While these data established a clear connection between CASR activity and clinical phenotype, a direct comparison of the kinetics of PTH secretory behavior between normal and neoplastic intact human PT tissue has yet to be performed. Utilizing eucalcemic normal human organ donor tissues (n=3) as a reference standard, we examined a series of cryopreserved live PT tissue specimens obtained from patients with primary (n=9), secondary (n=12) and tertiary (n=5) HPT. PT tissue fragments matched for viability, mass, and cellular content were placed on permeable membranes and exposed to a series of extracellular calcium concentrations over equivalent time intervals of challenge and normocalcemic recovery to interrogate dynamic PTH secretory induction or suppression. As expected, normal tissue exhibited a sigmoid response curve indicative of allosteric calcium-mediated inhibition, with a mean EC50 of 0.95 mM (95% CI: 0.859–1.254). In contrast, the majority of primary HPT adenomas (n=6) displayed a concave response curve indicative of non-competitive inhibition, consistent with a primary sensing deficit, such as loss of CASR expression. Two distinct PTH secretory behaviors were observed in secondary HPT specimens. One subset (secondary type 1, n=4) retained a sigmoid response curve but with a modest EC50 increase (mean EC50=1.50 mM, 95% CI: 1.41–1.61) and maximal suppression similar to normal tissue, features reflective of competitive inhibition in response to elevated calcium. This pattern could indicate enhanced CASR antagonist activity relative to normal tissue. A second subset, (secondary type 2, n=8) demonstrated a large EC50 shift (mean EC50=2.46 mM; 95% CI: 1.844–2.621), a sigmoid response curve, and an elevated threshold of persistent PTH secretion at high calcium conditions. These parameters are suggestive of non-competitive inhibitory behavior, consistent with loss of a CASR-dependent downstream effector. Three of the primary HPT adenomas shared this response phenotype. Of the tertiary specimens, four matched the primary HPT adenoma pattern, while one exhibited secondary type 2 behavior. These results reveal a series of progressively attenuated dynamic response patterns, where PTH secretion becomes increasingly uncoupled from extracellular calcium sensing. These findings suggest that primary, secondary, and tertiary HPT arise through distinct mechanisms of calcium sensing failure.
Effects of the light environment on oviposition preference and survival of a leaf‐mining moth, Cameraria hamadryadella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), on Quercus alba L.

Abstract. 1. Oviposition preference and the survival and mortality of larvae of Cameraria hamadryadella (Lepidoptera) on the foliage of Quercus alba L. (Fagaceae) in sun and shade were examined. To separate the effects of the environment of foliation from that of rearing, C. hamadryadella were allowed to oviposit on oak saplings that foliated either in the sun or shade. Subsequently, trees were placed into the sun or shade and larval survival was monitored.
A novel conotoxin framework with a helix-loop-helix (Cs α/α) fold

Venomous predatory animals, such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, sea anemones, and cone snails, produce a variety of highly stable cystine-constrained peptide scaffolds as part of their neurochemical strategy for capturing prey. Here we report a new family of four-cystine, three-loop conotoxins (designated framework 14). Three peptides of this family (flf14a−c) were isolated from the venom of Conus floridanus floridensis, and one (vil14a) was isolated from the venom of Conus villepinii, two worm-hunting Western Atlantic cone snail species. The primary structure for these peptides was determined using Edman degradation sequencing, and their cystine pairing was assessed by limited hydrolysis with a combination of CNBr and chymotrypsin under nonreducing, nonalkylating conditions in combination with MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the resulting peptidic fragments. CD spectra and nanoNMR spectroscopy of these conotoxins directly isolated from the cone snails revealed a highly helical secondary structure for the four c.