Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tidal variation in numbers of waterbirds: how frequently should birds be counted to detect change and do low tide counts provide a realistic average?

Capsule Variation in numbers needs to be assessed at both site- and species-specific levels, but low tide counts are representative of average usage in most cases. Aims To determine whether the numbers of waterbirds using six intertidal sites changed across the tidal cycle, how frequently counts were needed to detect change and whether low tide counts were representative of the average numbers using a site. Methods Hourly counts of Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Wigeon Anas penelope, Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Dunlin Calidris alpina, Curlew Numenius arquata and Redshank Tringa totanus from six intertidal study sites – in Wales and Cumbria – were analysed using generalized linear models. Results Tidal state was significant in explaining the variation in species' numbers in 20 of 32 cases considered. The relative distribution of birds within one site changed across the tidal cycle for three of four species. In the 12 instances where numbers did not vary tidally, there would be no need to count birds more than once during the exposure period to obtain a representative sample. In the other cases, results suggested 11 instances where birds would need to be counted every hour to detect changes, eight where counts would be needed every two hours and one where counts would be needed every four hours. Conclusions Due to the variation between species and sites, it is difficult to recommend a minimum count frequency needed to detect changing usage across a tidal cycle. However, examination of species' feeding activity did indicate that low tide is the best time for recording the feeding distributions of many waders and the ebb or flood tide more suitable for some wildfowl. Analyses suggested that low tide counts were representative of the average usage of the study sites in 75% of cases.
Kinetic and equilibrium analyses of [123I]epidepride binding to striatal and extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptors

Quantitative SPECT measures of dopamine D2 like receptors with [123I]epidepride is complicated by its high affinity and lipophilic metabolites. The purpose of this study was to use both parent (P) and lipophilic metabolites (M) as input functions in a kinetic paradigm and in comparison to the results of equilibrium studies. Kinetic studies on eleven healthy human subjects, ages 32 ± 10 were performed following i.v. injection of ∼370 MBq of [123I]epidepride. Images were acquired for 13.5 ± 1.0 hours. Equilibrium studies were done on seven of eleven subjects with a bolus injection of ∼140 MBq, bolus/infusion ratio of 10 hours, and infusion for 30–32 hours. High (striatum) and low (temporal cortex) density regions were studied. Two (P and M) and one (P) input function models were applied in the kinetic studies. In receptor‐rich regions, the distribution volumes in nondisplaceable compartments were fixed to those in cerebellum. In addition, in the two input function model, K 1P /K 1M was fixed to the values in the cerebellum. The one input function model provided V′3 values (=f1•B′max/KD) which were consistent with those obtained in equilibrium studies in both receptor‐rich regions, while the two input function model provided consistent values only in striatum. Poor identifiability of the rate constants of metabolites seemed to be the source of errors in the two input function model. These results suggest that correct V′3 values can be obtained with the one input function model both in high‐ and low‐density regions. Synapse 34:290–304, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of a Polyunsaturated Lipid Bilayer Susceptible to Lipid Peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation is an important part of the pathological pathway of membrane damage in membranes that have high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids. Neural membranes are particularly rich in polyunsaturated acids and such damage is implicated in neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. To obtain a bilayer model that represents the property of susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, we carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a bilayer of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (PLPC). Parameters for the torsional potentials of the cis,cis-Δ9,12 bis-allylic region of the linoleate chain were fitted to the results of high-level ab initio calculations on model compounds. The MD simulations of the bilayer provided the structural properties of the system and show that the unsaturation induces disorder and affects the physical properties of the membrane.
CLO-PLA: the database of clonal and bud bank traits of Central European flora.

: Clonal growth of plants is mainly a result of the vegetative growth of organs hidden beneath the soil surface and producing potentially independent vegetative offspring. Clonal traits are difficult to measure due to inaccessibility of the space they inhabit and their morphological diversity. This causes great difficulties with descriptions, standardization of measurements across plant growth forms and, probably, a lack of appropriate questions that should be answered using them. The freely available CLO-PLA database (http://clopla.butbn.cas.cz/) can help to assess the roles of vegetative means of regeneration and spread in plant communities under the effect of various biotic and abiotic filters. It can serve as a source of reference on persistence traits of European temperate flora and, eventually, as a guide for trait sampling in other regions of the world.
Spore Associated Bacteria (SAB) of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Increase Nutrient Uptake and Plant Growth Under Stress Conditions

Microorganisms present in the rhizosphere soil plays a vital role in improving the plant growth and soil fertility. Many kinds of fertilizers including chemical and organic has been approached to improve the productivity. Though some of them showed significant improvement in yield, they failed to maintain the soil properties. Rather they negatively affected soil eventually, the land became unsuitable for agricultural. To overcome these problems, microorganisms have been used as effective alternative. For past few decades, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been used as effective inoculants to enhance the plant growth and productivity. PGPR improves the plant growth and helps the plant to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses. AM fungi are known to colonize roots of plants and they increase the plant nutrient uptake. Spore associated bacteria (SAB) are attached to spore wall or hyphae and known to increase the AMF germination and root colonization but their mechanism of interaction is poorly known. Better understanding the interactions among AMF, SAB and PGPR are necessary to enhance the quality of inoculants as a biofertilizers. In this paper, current knowledge about the interactions between fungi and bacteria are reviewed and discussed about AMF spore associated bacteria.
Development of microsatellite markers for the crown‐of‐thorns starfish Acanthaster planci

We isolated nine polymorphic microsatellites from the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. These loci provide one class of highly variable genetic marker as the number of alleles ranged from three to 12 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.130 to 0.783 and from 0.163 to 0.862, respectively. We consider that these loci are potentially useful for detailing the genetic structure and gene flow among A. planci populations.
Diurnal Variation in Scent Marking Behavior in Captive Male and Female Common Marmosets, Callithrix jacchus

Chemical communication by scent-marking behavior in New World primates is used to prevent the access of potential competitors to a territory, to identify food resources and the reproductive condition of mates, among others. In common marmosets, primates of the Callitrichidae family, this behavior also occurs as olfactory identification of an individual or of the reproductive status of females. Despite this information, the diurnal variation and gender differences in the profile of this behavior remain to be investigated. The aims of this study were to establish the diurnal profile of the distribution of this behavior and the influence of the sex of markers. We used 18 adult common marmosets, Callithrix jacchus, 10 males and 8 females from 6 family groups (6 fathers and 4 sons; 4 mothers and 4 daughters). The frequency of scent-marking behavior was recorded for each animal over a period of 8 days, twice a week, for 4 weeks, starting when the animals left the nest box (approximately at 05:00 a.m.) until the end of the photophase, at about 05:00 p.m. A MANOVA test was performed to compare the frequency of scent-marking behavior at 2 hour intervals using pooled data for males and females. The results showed that significantly higher levels of scent-marking behavior occurred during the 03:00–05:00 p.m. interval compared to all other intervals. Lower values were recorded during the 11:00–13:00 interval and an effect of the sex factor was also found, with the values being higher for females than for males, although a significant difference was recorded only for the 07:00–09:00 interval. Minimal values for males were recorded during the 07:00–09:00 interval, whereas minimum values for females were recorded during the 11:00–13:00 interval. However, the highest values for both sexes continued to occur during the 15:00–17:00 interval. These results suggest that scent marking behavior in common marmosets has a preferential incidence at the end of the day and this might be occurring in association with feeding behavior. At this time these animals usually forage more to prepare for the night's fast. Since these animals can discriminate chemical clues as long as 24 hours after they have been left, the higher incidence of this behavior at this time probably will assure that the animals will localize feeding resources used on the preceding day. Significant elevation of scent marking behavior in females in relation to males was found only at 07:00–09:00 interval and seems to be associated with signalizing of reproductive status, preferential access to foraging or both.
Toward Digital Progymnasmata

The classical arts of rhetoric described intricate training methodologies for making the writer linguistically ﬂexible and able to avoid stylistic vices. Inspired by the ancient progymnasmata , this paper presents Progym, an interactive writing system designed to notice when writers resort to expected language and encourage them to avoid these linguistic elements. Two versions of the sys-tem are presented. The ﬁrst discourages writers from using words that, within a large corpus, are often used to describe a target word. The second discourages writers from using syntactic patterns found in a small corpus. In user studies, Progym did indeed push writers away from these features, though the different versions led to different styles of revision.
Credit Ratings and Security Design∗

The poor performance of credit ratings on structured finance products leading up to the financial crisis has prompted investigation into the role of Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) in designing and marketing these products. We analyze a two-period model where a credit rating agency with reputational concerns both designs and rates structured products that are sold to different clienteles: unconstrained investors and investors constrained by minimum quality requirements. The motivation for pooling assets derives from the attempt to tailor products for constrained investors and reputational incentives. When quality requirements for constrained investors are higher it becomes more difficult to sell securities, making rating inflation increase as the benefits of maintaining reputation for the future decrease. Ratings inflation decreases if the quality of the asset pool is higher, as the incentive to pass off more valuable assets reduces opportunism.
Tooth microwear analysis of Eotragus sansaniensis (Mammalia: Ruminantia), one of the oldest known bovids

ABSTRACT A comparative tooth micro wear data base was established and analyzed for seventeen extant ungulates (six browsing species, four mixed feeder species, and seven grazing species). The three dietary categories are clearly reflected by the microwear results. Browsers have more pits, fewer total scratches, and more cross scratches, while grazers have fewer pits, more total scratches, and fewer cross scratches. The data of the mixed feeders form bimodal distributions, consisting of a browsing group and a grazing group, indicating that they either graze or browse. The microwear values of E. sansaniensis clearly fall within the browsing domain and more specifically, closest to the browser Tragelaphus strepsiceros.
Características da carcaça de tourinhos charolês e mestiços charolês x nelore terminados em confinamento

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the carcasses of young bulls Charolais (C) and crossbreeds C x Nellore (N), feedlot finished. Twelve animals of genetic groups C, 11/16CN and 5/8CN had been used, with initial age of 12 months and 270kg of average weight. The animals had been slaughtered at 17 months, showed no difference between the genetic groups studied for slaughter weight, cold carcass percentage and thickness fat, with 418.76kg; 54.67%; 2.51 mm, respectively. Group 11/16CN showed minor Longissimus dorsi area in relation to the C and 5/8CN. The crossbred animals exhibit higher leg length (70.13 and 69.75cm to 11/16CN and 5/8CN, respectively) compared defined ones (66.38cm), even so showed similarity in carcass length. In the evaluation of the ratios of commercial cuts of the carcass in forequarter, sidecut, and sawcut no group showed difference. The studied genetic groups, in the condition of non castrated and slaughter next to 420kg had showed low fat deposition. The characteristics of economic inference (commercial cuts) of the carcass had showed similarity among animals C, 5/8CN and 11/16CN.
On Collision Avoiding Fixed-Time Flocking with Measurable Diameter to a Cucker-Smale-Type Self-Propelled Particle Model

Dealing with the fixed-time flocking issue is one of the most challenging problems for a Cucker–Smale-type self-propelled particle model. In this article, the fixed-time flocking is established by employing a fixed-time stability theorem when the communication weight function has a positive infimum. Compared with the initial condition-based finite-time stability, an upper bound of the settling time in this paper is merely dependent on the design parameters. Moreover, the size of the final flocking can be estimated by the number of particles and the initial states of the system. In addition, a sufficient condition is formulated to guarantee that all particles do not collide during the process of the flocking. These results can give a reasonable explanation to some flocking phenomena such as bird flocks, fish schools, or human group behaviors. Finally, three numerical examples are granted to display the performance of the obtained results.
Isolation of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci, using an enrichment protocol, in the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium culmorum

We report the development of eight microsatellite markers in the haploid filamentous fungus Fusarium culmorum, a pathogen of numerous cereal crops. An enrichment protocol was used to isolate microsatellite loci, and polymorphism was explored with isolates of Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum from natural populations collected from several French locations.
Pictures of J** Girls in Synthesis

Pictures of Jap Girls in Synthesis 123 , is a machine that creates live, visual poetry (Figure 1). The machine reads, or listens to poetry in a variety of languages. It synthesizes in real-time, visual images illustrating its understanding and interpretation of the text. As an interactive installation, poets can perform live poetry, with the machine simultaneously translating it into visual imagery, allowing a synesthetic and a more universal experience (Figure 2).
Effects of Raffinose Intake on Human Fecal Microflora

The effects of four-week raffinose intake (15 g/day) on the fecal microflora and fecal properties were studied in healthy human volunteers. The significantly increasing numbers of Bifidobacterium spp. were observed during the raffinose intake, whereas the numbers of lecithinase-negative Clostridium spp. and bacteroidaceae during the intake were significantly lower than those before and after the intake. The percentage of Bifidobacterium spp. was increased from 11.6-15.5% of the total to 58.2-80.1% of the total during the intake. The fecal pH values during the feeding were lower than those before and after the intake.
Freshwater bryozoans of New Zealand: A preliminary survey

Five bryozoan species were encountered in a 15-day survey of freshwater habitats in New Zealand. Listed in order of decreasing frequency these were: Fredericella sultana, Plumatella repens, P. emarginata, Paludicella articulata, and one plumatellid species not previously described. Micro- structural features of the floatoblast annulus separate the P. repens specimens into two distinct varieties, named here P. repens typica and P. repens rugosa. Paludicella, reported almost 100 years ago from the City of Dunedin waterworks, was still found only in a single reservoir of that city. Species distribution did not correlate significantly with water tempera- ture, current velocity, pH, or total dissolved solids. Two additional species believed to occur in New Zealand, Fredericella australiensis and Plumatella fungosa, were not seen in this brief survey. An iden- tification key is provided for New Zealand bryozoans.
New Tools for Marine Conservation: the Leasing and Ownership of Submerged Lands

Abstract: It has been assumed that strategies for estuarine and marine conservation must be substantially different than those for terrestrial conservation because the seas are all publicly owned. This is an unfortunate misconception. We explored the leasing and ownership of submerged lands as tools for marine conservation and provide examples of the implementation of these tools from The Nature Conservancy's work in Texas, Washington, and New York (U.S.A.). We found that the leasing and ownership of submerged lands are viable new tools for marine conservation. There is a significant amount of submerged land available for lease and ownership in the United States and other countries that includes a diverse array of ecosystems (e.g., kelp forests, marshes, seagrass meadows, oyster reefs, tidal flats, clam beds, scallop beds, sponge, and coral reefs). From our review of policy and experience in practice, we have identified some key benefits and considerations for the use of these tools. Conservation benefits for the leasing and ownership of submerged lands include opportunities to restore ecologically and economically important species, protect diversity in sanctuaries, draw on substantial terrestrial experience in leasing and ownership, buy land cheaply, develop ecologically sustainable harvest practices, partner with fishers and local communities to improve water quality, create control areas for research, and partake in local management forums as a direct stakeholder. Bivalve shellfish are particularly amenable to conservation with these tools because existing policy is well established for leasing and ownership rights to sessile animals that exist on the sea floor. Conservation buyers need to consider that community sentiment does not always favor private rights to submerged lands, conservation interest in submerged lands could affect prices, association with incompatible aquaculture practices will be detrimental, enforcement of restrictions can be difficult, and there may be concerns about setting the precedent of paying for conservation of submerged lands. Policy makers should be encouraged to include more opportunities for conservation and not just exploitation of natural resources on submerged land leases.
Leakage of UV-absorbing substances as a measure of salt injury in leaf tissue of woody species

Leakage of UV-absorbing substances from leaf discs was used to determine salt and osmotic injury after treatment. A relative leakage ratio was calculated by dividing the UV absorption after treatment by the total absorption obtained after freeze-killing the tissue. Time-course results using Populus tremuloides Michx. leaves indicated 24 h as an appropriate treatment duration. NaCl and KCl caused more leakage than Na2SO4 and K2SO4 in P. tremuloides and Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh, the most sensitive species tested. Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex Roem. was more sensitive to K2SO4 than to KCl. Elaeagnus angustifolia L. and Caragana arborescens Lm. were the most tolerant to both salts. Tolerance to salts was greater in August than earlier in the growing season. Treatment of leaves with solutions of sucrose, PEG-8000 and mannitol iso-osmotic with KCl and NaCl showed that increased leakage was caused by specific ion effects, rather than osmotic effects.
Pollination of the yellow water lily Nuphar subintegerrima (Nymphaeaceae) by the shore fly Notiphila (Notiphila) maritima (Diptera: Ephydridae)

The genus Nuphar (yellow water lilies) comprises 13 aquatic perennial species distributed throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere (Lippok et al. 2000). Ecologists have been intrigued by the pollination of Nuphar species. Schneider and Moore (1977) concluded that the chrysomelid beetle Donacia piscatrix is the most efficient pollinator of Nuphar lutea in North America. They also suggested that this pollination relationship might have involved through coevolution between the Nuphar and Donacia piscatrix. However, recent studies have reported more divergent relationships betweenNuphar species and other insect pollinators. Ervik et al. (1995) reported that Nuphar lutea is mainly pollinated by the honeybee Apis mellifera, bumblebees Bombus spp. and syrphid flies in southern Norway. Lippok and Renner (1997) also reported that N. lutea and Nuphar pumila are mainly pollinated by scatophagid flies and Ephydridae flies (shore fly) in Germany and Norway. Moreover, Lippok et al. (2000) reported that Nuphar ozarkana and Nuphar advena flowers were mainly visited by sweat bees in North America. Fieldwork in Europe and North America has shown that Nuphar species are also pollinated by shore flies (S. S. Renner, pers. comm., 2005). Thien et al. (2000) reported that extant basal angiosperms, such as Nymphaeaceae, are dominated by bisexual, protogynous and fragrant flowers and mainly pollinated by beetles and flies. However, there have been no studies examining the pollination systems of any Asian Nuphar species. The present study provides information on the flowering phenology and fruit set of a Nuphar species in western Japan and illustrates a possible pollination mutualism with shore flies.
Sterols and Acylglycerols in the Brown Algae Zanardinia prototypus Nardo and Striaria attenuata (Grev.) Grev. from the Black Sea

Abstract The sterol composition of these algae appeared to be very complex. While in Zanardinia prototypus the expected fucosterol predominated, Striaria attenuata contained significant amounts of lower sterol homologues (C27- and C28-sterols). Comparisons with the sterol composition of other algae were made and the data obtained was in agreement with some classifications proposed earlier. Significant differences have also been found in the lipid composition of these algae. Zanardinia prototypus contained mainly phospholipids, while the main lipid class in Striaria attenuata appeared to be monogalactosyl diacylglycerols. The concentrations of some of the individual fatty acids in the two algae also showed significant differences.