Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amphibians of Alagoas State, northeastern Brazil

Alagoas State is located in the northeast Brazil and was originally covered by Atlantic Forest and Caatinga. Nowadays, only small fragments of these two biomes remain mainly due to agricultural and pasture expansion. A few studies on amphibians in this area were conducted and a comprehensive species list is lacking precluding conservation strategies on amphibians in the state. To surmount this need, a list was compiled using both specimens housed in the herpetological collection of Museu de Historia Natural, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (MUFAL), and literature (species descriptions and distribution notes). Seventy-four species of amphibians allocated in 32 genera, 13 families and 2 orders were registered in Alagoas. The number of species from Atlantic Forest was about 2.6 times higher than the Caatinga. Hylidae was the richest family with 38 species (51% of total richness). Fifty-two species (70% of total) are considered as least concern according to IUCN, 11 (15%) are data deficient, one is vulnerable and five are still awaiting evaluation. Eight species have their type locality in the state, four are known only from Alagoas and two were registered in the state for the first time. Distribution patterns and taxonomic issues are discussed.
Earthquake-triggered landslides and mudflows: Was this the wave that engulfed Ancient Helike?

The destruction of Ancient Helike in 373 BC as reported by ancient Greek and Roman writers is inconsistent with modern evidence on the geological context. The classical view of a strong earthquake, similar to the 1817 M = 6.6 earthquake and followed by a giant tsunami wave that permanently inundated the ruined city does not stand up to modern scrutiny. Evidence for co-seismic slip on the Helike Fault at that time and for a corresponding tsunami have already been shown to be lacking, and the archaeological evidence shows that part of the site was reoccupied within 40 years. New observations on outcrops, excavated sites, and boreholes show that at least two mudflow deposits several metres thick of slightly gravelly mud overlie 4th c. BC archaeological remains on the Katourlas fan. Upstream, landslides are common in the 4 km2 river basin and could have dammed the ephemeral Katourlas River. Relics of this dam are still recognised in the riverbed as a knickpoint. Temporary damming of rivers by earthquake-triggered landslides is a common phenomenon in northern Peloponnese. The destruction of Ancient Helike appears to have been a localised non-linear cascading series of disasters, with a strong earthquake followed by a destructive mudflow generated by breaching of a landslide-dammed lake in the Katourlas basin. Historical records of flooding from the west may record another landslide dam followed by a more watery flood in the Selinous River. We propose that it was mudflows and floods from inland rather than a tsunami from the sea that contributed to the final destruction of Helike.
Wax and Cutin Layers in Maize Kernels Associated with Resistance to Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus flavus.

Thirteen maize hybrids and one maize population, MAS:gk, were screened for susceptibility to aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus . Marked differences in aflatoxin B1 production were detected among the maize genotypes tested. Most commercial hybrids consistently supported high levels of aflatoxin accumulation. Aflatoxin levels did not differ between intact and wounded kernels of these genotypes. However, different results were obtained from 4 of the 13 hybrids and the maize population MAS:gk. Levels of aflatoxin accumulation in intact kernels of these genotypes were lower than in the previous susceptible group of genotypes. In addition, aflatoxin levels were higher in wounded than in intact kernels. MAS:gk not only supported the lowest levels of aflatoxin production in intact kernels, but aflatoxin levels in endosperm-wounded kernels also were significantly lower in MAS:gk than in wounded kernels of all tested hybrids. Treatment with KOH to remove cutin from intact kernels prior to inoculation with A. flavus effected substantial increases in aflatoxin accumulation in MAS:gk, but only marginal increases in the susceptible hybrid Pioneer 3154. Removing wax from the surface of MAS:gk kernels greatly increased the susceptibility of this genotype to aflatoxin accumulation. When wax removal was combined with treatment with potassium hydroxide (KOH) or purified cutinase, aflatoxin levels in kernels were equal to those in wounded control kernels in both genotypes. These results indicated that wax and cutin layers of maize kernel pericarps may play a role in resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in MAS:gk and some other genotypes. However, results suggest further that resistance in MAS:gk also may be due to other preformed compounds as well.
Effects of feed form and xylanase supplementation on performance and ileal nutrients digestibility of heat-stressed broilers fed wheat–soybean diet

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of xylanase and feed form on the performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, the gastrointestinal tract measurements, jejunal viscosity, and intestinal morphology of heat-challenged broilers fed wheat-based diets. The experiment was conducted as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with three feed forms (mash, crumbles, and pellets) and two levels of xylanase (without or with 300 mg/kg). Broilers fed mash had lower average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), carcass weight, carcass yield, abdominal fat percentage, ileal digestibility values of apparent metabolizable energy corrected to zero nitrogen retention (AMEn) and crude protein (CP), villus length, and villus length:crypt depth ratio in the jejunum segment than broilers fed crumbles or pellets. The digestive tract development and crypt depth in the jejunum were lower (P < .001) for broilers fed crumbles or pellets than for broilers fed mash. Xylanse significantly increased ADG and ileal digestibility of AMEn, CP, and Ca, but decreased the viscosity of digesta in the jejunum segment. It was concluded that feeding crumbled and pelleted diets may offer a suitable nutritional strategy to improved productive performance in broilers reared under high ambient temperatures.
Vegetation and climate change during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age on the southern Cape coast of South Africa: Pollen evidence from Bo Langvlei

This paper presents continuous, high resolution fossil pollen and microcharcoal records from Bo Langvlei, a lake in the Wilderness Embayment on South Africa’s southern Cape coast. Spanning the past ~1300 years and encompassing the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA; c. AD 950–1250) and the Little Ice Age (LIA; c. AD 1300–1850), these records provide a rare southern African perspective on past temperature, moisture and vegetation change during these much debated periods of the recent geological past. Considered together with other records from the Wilderness Embayment, we conclude that conditions in the region during the MCA chronozone were – in the context of the last 1300 years – likely relatively dry (reduced levels of Afrotemperate forest pollen) and perhaps slightly cooler (increased percentages of Stoebe-type pollen) than present. The most significant phase of forest expansion, and more humid conditions, occurred during the transition between the MCA and the most prominent cooling phase of the LIA. The LIA is clearly identified at this locality as a period of cool, dry conditions between c. AD 1600 and 1850. The mechanisms driving the changes observed in the Bo Langvlei pollen record appear to be generally linked to changes in temperature, and changes in the influence of tropical circulation systems. During warmer periods, moisture availability was higher at Bo Langvlei, and rainfall was perhaps less seasonal. During colder periods, precipitation resulting from tropical disturbances was more restricted, resulting in drier conditions. While increased precipitation has been reported during the LIA from Verlorenvlei in the Western Cape as a result of an equatorward displacement of the westerly storm-track at this time, the opposing response at Bo Langvlei suggests that any increased influence of westerlies was insufficient to compensate for the concurrent reduction in tropical/local rainfall in the region.
16. Feeding various fat sources to sows: effects on immune status and performance of sows and piglets

Foetal energy demands are greatly increased during late gestation and catabolism of maternal reserves occurs if dietary energy supply is insufficient to meet requirements. Fats and oils are traditionally introduced into late gestation and lactation diets as a highenergy supply to improve neonatal survival and milk yield, and to reduce mobilization of body reserves. Furthermore, the efficiency of using metabolizable energy from lipids is very high, and they have a minimum heat increment compared with other nutrients, thereby reducing summer heat stress. Increasing the energy intake of sows during the anabolic phase of gestation is likely to increase the amount of fat available for mobilization during late pregnancy, and may result in enhanced sow performance during lactation. Besides their general importance as an energy source, fats and oils are also a source of essential fatty acids. Recent studies have shown that several fatty acids appear to improve body function and may be important in physiological processes such as neonatal immune function and sow fertility. This chapter mainly focuses on the recent advances in dietary uses of omega fatty acids (n-3 and n-6 FA) and conjugated linoleic acid to enhance reproductive performance and immunology of sows as well as the performance and immune status of their foetuses and neonates.
Brandt's cormorant diet (1994–2012) indicates the importance of fall ocean conditions for northern anchovy in central California

Effective ecosystem-based management requires a comprehensive understanding of the functional links in the system. In many marine systems, forage species constitute a critical link between primary production and upper trophic level marine predators. As top predators, seabirds can be indicators of the forage species they consume and the ocean processes that influence these populations. We analyzed the diet and breeding success for the years 1994, 2003, 2005, and 2007–2012 of the Brandt’s cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), a piscivorous diving seabird, breeding in central California, to evaluate the extent to which cormorant diet composition relates to prey availability, and how diet composition relates to breeding success and ocean conditions. Cormorant diet was primarily composed of young-of-the-year (YOY) northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), YOY rockfish (Sebastes spp.), and several species of small flatfish (order Pleuronectiformes). YOY rockfish consumption was positively related to their abundance as measured in a late spring pelagic midwater trawl survey. Northern anchovy appeared to be the most important prey as its consumption was positively related to cormorant breeding success. More northern anchovy were consumed in years where warm-water conditions prevailed in the fall season before cormorant breeding. Thus, warm ocean conditions in the fall appear to be an important contributing factor in producing a strong year-class of northern anchovy in central California and consequently a strong-year class of Brandt’s cormorant on the Farallon Islands.
Characterization of a spore protein inducing factor from Dictyostelium discoideum

Spore coat protein synthesis during development by submerged pseudoplasmodia of Dictyostelium discoideum requires a low molecular weight factor secreted by cells incubated at high density inbuffer. The further characterization of this sporeprotein inducing factor (SPIF) is reported. Its behaviour during anion-exchange chromatography and the loss of activity upon esterification suggests the presence of a carboxylic acid group essential for biological activity. Gel permeation chromatography resolves a major SPEF activity with M r ∼ 160–200 and a minor activity with M r ∼ 340–420. Anion-exchange HPLC further resolves the major SPIF activity into four components, one major and three minor. Methionine, analogues of methionine, and precursors of methioninebio synthesis are all effective in maintainingspore coat protein synthesis. Condition edmedium contains methionine at a concentration sufficient to account for its SPIF activity and this activity is abolished by cyanogen bromide treatment. These results indicate that SPIF is eithermethionine or a close analogue of methionine.
Variabilité des teneurs et compositions des composés mineurs dans l’huile de tournesol au cours du développement du capitule

1 Universite de Toulouse ; Ecole d’Ingenieurs de Purpan ; Laboratoire d’Agro-Physiologie ; 75, voie du TOEC, BP 57611, F-31076 Toulouse Cedex 03, France 2 ONIDOL, Organisation nationale interprofessionnelle des oleagineux, 12, avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France 3 ASEDIS-SO, 39, chemin Virebent, 31200 Toulouse, France 4 COGNIS-France, Usine d’Estarac, 31 360 Boussens, France Abstract: Sunflower oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and in minor components (1 % of the oil fraction) including phytosterols, tocopherols, waxes and others components. This study evaluates the content and composition of the phytosterols in four sunflower hybrids during two growing seasons (2002 & 2003) and in seven more hybrids in a multilocal study in 2003. The phytosterol content in the maturing seeds was followed from flowering stage till full maturity. The kinetics of phytosterols accumulation was similar to that of fatty acids : a rapid increase until 25 Days After Flowering DAF and a stabilization after 50 DAF. However, the temperature during the seed development induced changes in the phytosterol content, since the total amount of phytosterols was significantly increased by high temperatures in some hybrids. On the other hand, the comparison of phytosterol content in the 11 hybrids tested in 2003 shows significant differences in phytosterol content between hybrids and low location X hybrid interaction. In this study the environment effect was the major source of variation. This study shows that phytosterol content in sunflower oil can be promoted though combined action on selection and growth conditions.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Functions of Juvenile Hormone Receptor

Juvenile hormone (JH) is one of the principal hormones that regulate insect development and reproduction. Accumulating evidence suggests that Methoprene-tolerant (Met) protein is a nuclear receptor of JH. Work by others has shown that Met is capable of binding JH at physiological concentration. An RNAi knockdown of Met causes down-regulated expression of JH-responsive genes and a phenotype similar to that observed in JH-deficient insects, suggesting that Met is required for mediating physiological and molecular responses to JH. The work in this report aims to understand the mechanisms underlying gene regulation by JH via Met. Met is a bHLH-PAS (basic-helix-loop-helix Per-ARNT-Sim) family protein. Many proteins in this family function as heterodimers formed with other proteins of this family. In a yeast two-hybrid screening, we discovered that another bHLH-PAS family protein, FISC, interacts with Met in the presence of JH. FISC is also required for JH functions as an RNAi knockdown of FISC down-regulated JH-responsive genes. To elucidate how Met and FISC mediate JH functions in gene regulation, we employed molecular biology techniques and characterized the formation of a JH-Met-FISC complex and its actions in activating gene expression using mosquito Aedes aegypti as a model. My results demonstrated that Met and FISC forms a complex when JH is present via their conserved N-terminal domains. The complex then binds to E box-like sequences presented in the promoter of JH-responsive genes to activate gene expression. This mechanism also applies to the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting that it is a conserved action of JH in insects. Further studies showed that DNA-
Conservation status of two Eastern Balkan endemic fish species in Serbia and a proposal for their protection

All waters of the Aegean drainage in South-East Serbia are inhabited by the Macedonian trout Salmo macedonica (KARAMAN, 1924). Eastern barbel Barbus cyclolepis (HECKEL, 1814) and chub Leuciscus cephalus (L., 1758) were found only in the Dragovistica River and the minnow Phoxinus phoxinus (L., 1758) was recorded in the most downstream sections of the Ljubata and Dragovistica Rivers. The hydrological (e.g. physical, chemical) characteristics indicate a well-preserved environment and good life conditions for fish in those uniform aquatic ecosystems. Based on the population status and the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Lower Risk (conservation dependent) (LR(cd)) and Vulnerable (VU) conservation status were assigned in national range for the Macedonian trout and the eastern barbel, respectively. More stringent measures are necessary to protect eastern barbel and Macedonian trout.
The Urogenital Papilla of the Tube-snout, Aulichthys japonicus

The structure of the urogenital papilla of the oviparous fish,Aulichthys japonicus, was observed and the function of the organ was discussed.The epithelium,corium and layer striated muscle place continuously from the peripheral to central portion of the papilla.Although the origin of the papilla in this species appears to be the same as that of ovoviviparous rockfishes,Sebastes and Sebastiscus,the internal structure of the former shows marked differences from that of rockfishes. The function of the urogenital papilla or copulatory apparatus in teleosts has been studied in the viviparous or ovoviviparous fishessuch as Poeciliidae(Gordon and Rosen, 1951;Rosen and Bailey,1963), Brotulidae (Suarez,1975),Zoarcidae(Nielsen.1968)and Scorpaenidae (Mizue,1959;Igarashi,1968). However,the urogenital papilla is also found in some of the oviparous fishes such as Gobioidei(Egami, 1960;Arai,1964). Cottidae (Watanabe,1960)and others. The oviparous tube-snout,Aulichthys japonicus Brevoort has a well developed urogenital papilla in the adult male.In oviparous fishes the urogenital papilla is not presumably used as a copulatory apparatus,but it appears to be closely related to the reproductive behavior of these fishes. In the present paper the structure of the urogenital papilla of the adult male of A. japonicus is described and its function is discussed. Material and methods Eleven specimens of A.japonicus,8 males, 103.5•`105.2mm TL,and 3 females,116.8 126.0mm TL,were collected by a seine in the kelp beds at Usujiri near Hakodate on April 26 and May 2,1975,just spawning period of the fish. The external feature of the urogenital papilla and the secondary sexual characters were observed under a binocular microscope. For the purposes of determination of sex and examination of maturity, the urogenital papilla and the gonad were cut out and fixed in Bouin's solution.Then the urogenital papilla and gonads were sectioned by the usual paraffin method at 10fi and were stained with Delafield's haematoxylin and eosin. Results This species exhibited marked secondary sexual characters during their breeding season. Color of the dorsal ray was light-green in males and bluish-tint in females.The male pectoral fin rays were light greenish-brown in color and those of females were colorless. There is also a tendency of the adult male to be smaller than the adult female(Figs.1,
Ants in Myrmecophytic Orchids of Trinidad (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The virgin orchid (Caularthron bicornutum) and little virgin orchid (Caularthron bilamellatum) are Neotropical epiphytes with hollowpseudobulbs that often house ants. In May 2004, we surveyed ants inhabiting the pseudobulbs of C. bicornutum and C. bilamellatum on the West Indian island of Trinidad to examine the role of these epiphytes for the arboreal ant community. We sampled 10 pseudobulbs from each of 24 Caularthron clusters in forest along the North Coast Road (n = 12) and urban areas around St. Augustine (n = 12). In 21 of 24 clusters, we found ants belonging to a total of 13 species, all apparently native to Trinidad (# of clusters with the species present in parentheses): Camponotusatriceps (8), Camponotus cf. canescens, Camponotusmus, Camponotus sp. , Cephalotes umbraculatus, Cephalotes varians, Crematogaster carinata (3), Crematogaster crinosa (2), Dolichoderus bispinosus, Dolichoderus diversus (3), Dolichoderus lutosus, Solenopsis (Diplorhoptrum) sp. , and Wasmannia auropunctata (2). The most common ant was Camponotus atriceps, found in both orchid species and in both habitats. We found no significant difference in number of ant species and proportion of ant occupancy of orchid clusters from along the North Coast Road (six species in 12 of 12 clusters) versus around urban St. Augustine (eight species in nine of 12 clusters). Epiphytic orchids appear to act as "biodiversity multipliers," increasing biodiversity by providing habitat for a wide variety of arboreal ants, and may serve as a refuge for native ants in urban habitats that are usually dominated by exotic species.
Développement et croissance comparés des larves du mulet lippu Chelon labrosus (Mugilidae) élevées en conditions intensives: eau verte et eau claire

Dans le cadre du Programme national de recherche baptise TENMIA (Technologies d'Elevage de nouvelles Especes marines a Interet aquacole), des elevages experimentaux de larves du mulet lippu Chelon labrosus (Risso, 1827) ont ete realises en conditions intensives par les deux techniques dites "eau verte" et "eau claire", a partir d'un meme lot d'œufs. Ce travail decrit le developpement des larves, compare leur survie et leur croissance en longueur et en poids entre le 1 er (J1) et le 57 e (J57) jours en fonction des conditions d'elevage. Il montre, qu'a la temperature moyenne de 15°C, l'ouverture de la bouche a lieu a J7, l'inflation de la vessie natatoire commence vers J10, et la metamorphose debute a J20 et s'acheve vers J40. Les larves de C. labrosus se caracterisent aussi par une croissance initiale tres lente qui ne s'accelere sensiblement que vers la 3 e semaine d'elevage. Il est aussi montre que les deux techniques "eau verte" et "eau claire" sont appropriees pour l'elevage larvaire de cette espece. Elles aboutissent a des taux de survie finale comparables a J57, qui sont respectivement de 22 ± 2% et 18 ± 2%, mais avec des croissances en poids et en longueur sensiblement meilleures chez les larves elevees en "eau verte". La difference relative entre les jeunes alevins obtenus a J57 est de 30% en terme de croissance en longueur et de 38% en terme de croissance ponderale, en faveur de ceux qui etaient issus de l'elevage en "eau verte".
Introducción a las redes complejas: el modelo del mundo pequeño

Se presenta en este ensayo, la historia y las herramientas matematicas necesarias para la comprension y posterior interpretacion del modelo del mundo pequeno. Comenzando con un pequeno relato sobre la ciencia de redes junto con una definicion para redes complejas, despues se describen las dos propiedades caracteristicas del fenomeno del mundo pequeno y finalmente se comenta y expone el modelo del mundo pequeno de Duncan J. Watts y Steven H. Strogatz.