Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Movement on dark–light adaptation in beetle eyes of the neuropteran type

Beetles of several species belonging to the families Carabidae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae and Hydrophilidae have an eye of the neuropteran type which is characterized as follows. In the dark-adapted state a long column formed by retinula cells (in these families numbering seven) stretches from the cone tip to the rhabdom layer. In the light a crystalline tract, formed from the outer layer of the cone, extends about 100 µm from the cone and is surrounded by pigment cells. Scarabaeid beetles examined are similar but lack the distal rhabdomere always found in the above groups. All have a basal retinula cell with rhabdomere. In the scarabaeids the retinula cell columns have a content of solids greater than the surrounding cells, suggesting that they act as light guides across the clear zone.
Un Néandertalien dévoré par des hyènes ? La grotte de Rochelot (Saint-Amand de Bonnieure, Charente)

L'etude taphonomique de la grotte de Rochelot, entreprise lors de la reprise des fouilles de la cavite, a revele le contenu d'une taniere de hyenes et confirme l'origine de l'assemblage osseux. Des restes humains, ou l'on observe des marques identiques a celles produites par l'action des hyenes sur les autres ossements, ont ete retrouves parmi l'assemblage. L'hypothese de l'introduction de restes de ce qui semble etre un Neandertalien dans la cavite par des hyenes est envisagee
Simulation of Passive Microwave Data Toward Efficient Assimilation Over Indian Subcontinent

Brightness temperature (Tb) is sensitive to soil moisture (SM) estimates and has the advantage of increasing the spatial coverage of SM measurements. This letter focuses on the simulation of Tb from the land surface variables generated by Noah with multiparameterized (Noah-MP) and a forward observation operator, community microwave emission model (CMEM) over the Indian subcontinent with a spatial resolution of $0.25^{\circ } \times 0.25^{\circ }$ . Traditionally, soil dielectric constant and vegetation optical depth are the most important parameters that affect the sensitivity of the top of the atmosphere Tb. Hence, the results of the simulated Tb are presented for a total of 12 configurations and the one with better result (C12) is compared against the microwave polarization difference index (MPDI)-based Tb and observed SM and ocean salinity (SMOS) Tb. The simulated SM from the land surface model (LSM) is also compared with the observed SMOS SM to examine the sensitivity of the simulated Tb with SM. The results reveal that MPDI approach has immense potential in simulating the observed Tb and can be used toward the development of an efficient Tb assimilation system.
Biodegradable films made from raw and acetylated cassava starch

Studies were carried out to produce biodegradable films from cassava starch. Two alternatives were investigated. In the first, films were obtained by starch gelatinization followed by thermopressing and glycerol was used at different concentrations as a plasticizer. In the second, starch acetate films were obtained by solubilization of cassava starch acetate in organic solvents, followed by casting on a glass plate and drying at room temperature. The films obtained by gelatinization were transparent and resistant to traction. The starch acetate films were also transparent but breakable. The use of these starch acetate films in paper impregnation improved the mechanical properties of the paper.
Maintenance of biodiversity in vineyard‐dominated landscapes: a case study on larval salamanders

Alteration of natural habitats as a result of agricultural intensification is detrimental for wildlife. There is, however, growing evidence that land use and management can be wildlife friendly. In Europe, agricultural areas cover two‐thirds of the land and therefore play a major role in maintaining biodiversity. Agricultural land use is very intense in vineyard‐dominated landscapes but there are no refuges for wildlife in the form of ecological compensation areas. In our study, we assessed spatial variation in abundance of salamander (Salamandra salamandra) larvae in relation to land use and stream characteristics in vineyard‐dominated landscapes. Abundance of larval salamanders depended positively on weirs, amount of riparian vegetation along the streams and environment‐friendly agricultural practice in the vineyards. Surprisingly, road density also had positive effects, presumably through indirect effects (stone walls along roads may serve as refugia). Thus, abundance is determined by characteristics of both the aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Our results suggest that fire salamanders can persist in landscapes dominated by intensive agriculture like viticulture, indicate wildlife‐friendly management options and highlight that man‐made habitat can be valuable for wildlife.
PHYTOPLANKTON DYNAMICS IN A STABLY STRATIFIED ANTARCTIC LAKE DURING WINTER DARKNESS

Using automated overwinter sampling devices, we collected preserved phytoplankton samples from multiple depths in Lake Fryxell, a permanently ice‐covered lake in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Photosynthetic algae were maintained in a stable water column throughout winter darkness. The algal taxa overwintered in different ways in a species‐specific manner. Typical vegetative cells were the most abundant form for all species found in the water column. Populations of one chlorophyte, Stichococcus sp. , were observed in winter, but the species was absent in both summers. Two cryptophyte species were more abundant in winter than in summer. We interpret the increase in algal population size as evidence of heterotrophic growth in winter and of mixotrophic behavior throughout the year. For two chlorophyte species, some portion of the population had a distinctive morphology, for example, many Chlamydomonas subcaudata Wille. formed akinetes, whereas many Chlorella sp. contained a large amount of starch or other storage material. During winter, vegetative cells of the most abundant cyanobacterial species, Phormidium angustissimum West et West, occurred at the depth of the summer maximum and at depths below the oxycline. The presence of P. angustissimum below the oxycline may have resulted from the accumulation of settling cells at a depth with a greater density. In contrast to the settling of P. angustissimum, the general absence of the other algal species below the oxycline in winter indicated that these species were not influenced by overwinter settling.
Instagram: A platform for ultrasound education?

Introduction Social media has become an integral part of our daily life with 38 million users in the UK alone and the average user being logged-in for 135 minutes daily. Social media is increasingly used to disseminate learning in a variety of fields including medicine. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of Instagram posts using #ultrasound for educational content and compare this with #radiology. We also aimed to assess the changes in the use of the newly introduced #UltrasoundEd for ultrasound education since its introduction in November 2018. Methods Instagram searches were conducted using the hashtags: #ultrasound and #radiology, and the content of the first 100 posts from each search was analysed and classified into being either social or educational. A second search using #UltrasoundEd was conducted at baseline, 3 months and 12 months. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical data. Results The searches retrieved 461,884 #ultrasound and 243,011 #radiology posts. From the first 100 #ultrasound posts, 11 were educational and 89 were social. The social posts predominantly related to announcements of pregnancy. Of the 100 #radiology posts, 49 were educational, while 51 were classified as social. The number of posts with the hashtag #UltrasoundEd increased over the study period from 15 to 232, with the majority of posts being educational. Conclusions Educational ultrasound content is difficult to separate from social posts on Instagram. The use of the hashtag #UltrasoundEd makes educational ultrasound content more readily identifiable.
Genetic structure of natural populations of Castanea sativa in Turkey: evidence of a hybrid zone

This study points out the evidence of a hybrid zone between two groups of genetically differentiated populations of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Turkey. Genetic structure, gene flow and introgression levels, based on 16 allozyme loci, were investigated on 34 population samples spanning the entire C. sativa distribution area in this country. The occurrence of the hybrid zone, located in the Bithynian region, was inferred in a group of populations showing the following genetic characteristics: (i) enhanced genetic variability and intermediate allelic frequencies between those of the Western and Eastern groups of populations; (ii) sharp and concordant changes in allele frequencies; (iii) decreased gene flow with the Western and Eastern populations. Starting from the cline width estimated to be 324 km, strength of selection was evaluated from the gene flow distance, as indicated from the degree of genetic structuring outside the hybrid zone. Evolutionary processes shaping the observed genetic differentiation and introgression are discussed on the basis of palynological data, palaeoclimatic events and evidence of hybridization found in other plant and animal species in the same region.
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native range in Japan: a review

Among several candidate perennial taxa, Miscanthus×giganteus has been evaluated and promoted as a promising bioenergy crop. Owing to several limitations, however, of the sterile hybrid, both at the taxon and agronomic production levels, other options need to be explored to not only improve M. ×giganteus, which was originally collected in Japan, but to also consider the development of other members of its genus, including Miscanthus sinensis, as bioenergy crops. Indeed, there is likely much to be learned and applied to Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop from the long history of intensive interaction between humans and M. sinensis in Japan, which in some regions of the country spans several thousand years. Combined with its high amount of genetic variation, stress tolerance, biotic interactions with fauna, and function as a keystone species in diverse grasslands and other ecosystems within its native range, the unique and extensive management of M. sinensis in Japan as a forage grass and building material provides agronomists, agroecologists, and plant breeders with the capability of better understanding this species in terms of potential contribution to bioenergy crop development. Moreover, the studies described in this review may serve as a platform for future research of Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop in other parts of the world.
Population characteristics, space use and habitat selection of two non-migratory caribou herds in central Alaska, 1994 - 2009

Normal 0 21 false false false SV X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normal tabell"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} Conservation and management of Alaska’s caribou ( Rangifer tarandus granti ) herds are important for ecological, cultural, social, and economic reasons. While most research is directed towards the large migratory herds, smaller herds that may or may not be migratory can be an equally valuable component of the state’s faunal resources; but for many of these smaller herds, basic information on herd size, demographics, space use and movements is lacking. We compiled Very High Frequency (VHF) telemetry data collected from 1994 - 2009 on 2 such herds in central Alaska, the Hodzana Hills Herd (HHH) and the Ray Mountain Herd (RMH) and estimated abundance, survival, resource selection and seasonal home ranges to inform future management of these herds. We found that both herds were relatively small and stable with approximately 1000 – 1500 individuals; annual survivorship of adult females was high (93% and 94% for RMH and HHH, respectively) and comparable to other stable or increasing herds in Alaska. Both herds were non-migratory maintaining seasonal ranges with substantial overlap. Additionally, despite their close proximity, we did not document any exchange of individuals between the 2 herds. Their spatial separation may be partly due to a strip of non-preferred habitat that somewhat parallels the Dalton Highway. While the telemetry data we used were not originally collected for the purpose of this study, careful compilation and application of appropriate analytical techniques allowed us to glean important characteristics of these herds that will be of value to regulatory and management agencies in the future. Normal 0 21 false false false SV X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normal tabell"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
A Comparison of Gas and Water Permeability in Clay‐Bearing Fault and Reservoir Rocks: Experimental Results and Evolution Mechanisms

To better understand the discrepancy between gas and water permeability and the mechanism of permeability in response to the presence of water in clay‐bearing rocks, we performed transport property experiments on synthetic quartz‐clay mixtures and natural fault gouge, as well as clay‐bearing sandstones for comparison purpose. The experiments were performed on a fluid flow apparatus with effective pressures (Pe) cycling between 5 and 105 MPa. Each sample was subjected to nine Pe cycles, along which permeability and porosity of either the gas‐saturated (nitrogen) or water‐saturated samples were measured. The results show that the permeability of all samples investigated decreases with increasing Pe. Gas permeability exhibits strong pore pressure dependence, which can be explained by the slippage (Klinkenberg) effect. Permeability results measured by water are commonly lower than the gas results. The decrease in permeability after the addition of water can be generally explained by the evolution of porosity, as can be determined from the bulk volume and solid mineral volume measurement results. The loss of permeability is associated with the hydration expansion of clay minerals that causes the reduction of porosity. A conceptual model for the evolution of porosity that incorporates clay expansion and grain rearrangement is proposed to describe the mechanism for water permeability in clay‐bearing rocks. Based on these results, we discuss the effect of clay hydration on fluid transport and mechanical behaviors in clay‐bearing fault zones and reservoir formations following fluid injection.
Biochemical properties of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate N-malonyltransferase activity from early growing embryonic axes of chick-pea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds

In the present work, certain biochemical characteristics of the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate N-malonyltransferase (ACC N-MTase) which is responsible for the malonylation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) are described. Phosphate buffer was the most appropriate buffer with regard to enzyme stability and, therefore, ACC N-MTase was extracted, assayed and purified in the presence of this buffer. ACC N-MTase was partially purified approximately 900-fold from embryonic axes of chick-pea seeds using ammonium sulphate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction and molecular filtration chromatography. By gel filtration chromatography on Superose-12, the molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 54±4 kDa. ACC N-MTase had an optimal pH and temperature of 7.5 and 40°C, respectively, as well as a K m for ACC and malonyl-CoA of 400 μM and 90 μM, respectively. D-Phenylalanine was a competitive inhibitor of ACC N-MTase with respect to ACC (K i of 720 μM), whereas co-enzyme A was a competitive product inhibitor with respect to malonyl-CoA (K i of 300 μM) and a non-competitive inhibitor with respect to ACC (K i of 600 μM). Under optimal assay conditions, ACC N-MTase was strongly inhibited by (a) divalent [Zn 2+ > Mg 2+ > Cu 2+ >> Co 2+ > (NH 4 ) 2+ > Fe 2+ ] and monovalent metal cations (Li + > Na + > K + ), without activity being detected in the presence of Hg 2+ , and (b) PCMB or mersalic acid, suggesting that sulphydryl group(s) are involved at the active site of the enzyme.
Morphological evidence for sister group relationship between flamingos (Aves: Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae)

A recent molecular analysis strongly supported sister group relationship between flamingos (Phoenicopteridae) and grebes (Podicipedidae), a hypothesis which has not been suggested before. Flamingos are long-legged filter-feeders whereas grebes are morphologically quite divergent foot-propelled diving birds, and sister group relationship between these two taxa would thus provide an interesting example of evolution of different feeding strategies in birds. To test monophyly of a clade including grebes and flamingos, I performed a cladistic analysis of 70 morphological characters which were scored for 17 taxa. Parsimony analysis of these data supported monophyly of the taxon (Podicipedidae + Phoenicopteridae) and the clade received high bootstrap support. Previously overlooked morphological, oological and parasitological evidence is recorded which supports this hypothesis, and which makes the taxon (Podicipedidae + Phoenicopteridae) one of the best supported higher-level clades within modern birds. The phylogenetic significance of some fossil flamingo-like birds is discussed. The Middle Eocene taxon Juncitarsus is most likely the sister taxon of the clade (Podicipedidae + (Palaelodidae + Phoenicopteridae)) although resolution of its exact systematic position awaits revision of the fossil material. Contrary to previous assumptions, it is more parsimonious to assume that flamingos evolved from a highly aquatic ancestor than from a shorebird-like ancestor. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 140, 157–169.
Year-class strength and growth rate in young Atlantic cod Gadus morhua

ABSTKACT. The paradigm relat~ng early life history growth rate to survival rate and/or year-class strength has remained largely untested among marine fishes. Using Atlantic cod Gadus morhua on Georges Bank (NW Atlantic) as a test species, I reconstructed the larval and juvenile g]-owth sequences of 5 successive year-classes of cod and related them to 2 independent indices of year-class strength. Larval and juvenile growth sequences reconstructed from the otolith microstructure of young-of-theyear juveniles differed significantly among year-classes. Temperature was a significant, but not necessarily a primary, source of the w~thin-year and between-year variations in growth Neither the larval growth sequence nor the hatch date distribution was correlated with year-class strength. However, otolith size at age and body size at age at the pelagic juvenile stage were both highly correlated with year-class strength. Differences in growth rates and associated exposure t ~ m e s to high larval mortality rates were sufficient to account for much of the 4-fold difference in adult abundance among the yearclasses.
Antimycotic Screening of 58 Malaysian Plants against Plant Pathogens

Ethanolic extracts of 58 Malaysian plants belonging to 24 different families were screened for antifungal activity against seven plant pathogens using the filter paper disc diffusion technique. Two varieties of Piper betle, showed strong activity against all the pathogens tested (Colletotrichum capsici, Fusarium pallidoroseum, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium citrinum, Phomopsis caricae-papayae and Aspergillus niger), with inhibition diameters significantly (P<0·01) bigger than 2·5 mg ml−1 prochloraz or 10 mg ml−1 clotrimazole. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the ethanolic extracts of P. betle against these plant pathogens ranged between 0·01 mg ml−1 and 1 mg ml−1. Thirty-four other plants (Kucing gala, Limau batik, Bertholletia excelsa, Bixa orellana, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Cerbera odollam (fruits and leaves), Colocasia gigantea, Curcuma domestica, Curcuma manga, Derris eliptica, Elephantopus scaber, Eleusine indica, Eugenia polyantha, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia tirucalli, Gardenia florida, Hedyotis auricularia, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Juniperus chinensis (three varieties), Lawsonia inermis, Lecythis ollaria, Mentha arvensis, Mimusops elengi, Ocimum sanctum, Phyllanthus niruri, Piper nigrum, Piperomia pellucida, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, Polygonum minus, Spondias dulcis, Solanum nigrum, Tinospora tuberculata) showed selective antifungal activity, while 21 species were inactive.
Psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Mexican pregnant women

Introduction. Anxiety and depression in pregnant women are a public health problem. Their adequate detection requires valid and reliable instruments that are also useful for prevention and treatment. Objective. To identify the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a sample of Mexican pregnant women. Method. The HADS was applied to 716 pregnant women between 13 and 46 years old (M = 26.55; SD = 6.56) attended in a public hospital in Mexico City. Results. With a sample of 358 participants, a parallel analysis indicated a bifactorial structure for HADS, identified by exploratory factor analysis (Factor 1: anxiety, Factor 2: depression). The factors explained 53% of the variance and correlated positively (r = .36). The global internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .81; ordinal α = .93) and by factor (anxiety: Cronbach’s α = .79; ordinal α = .88; depression: Cronbach’s α = .79; ordinal α = .87) was acceptable. With data from the remaining 358 participants, a confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit for the structure detected (χ2/gl = 2.72; RMSEA = .06 [IC .05, .08]; GFI = .93; AGFI = .90; TLI = .90; CFI = .92). Discussion and conclusions. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale has adequate psychometric properties to be used in pregnant Mexican women. Its use in routine pregnancy controls would be useful to prevent, detect, and timely treat these conditions.