Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Historical ecology of Amazonian lizards : implications for community ecology

Nineteen species of lizards simultaneously studied at the Curua-Una in the central Amazon of Brazil separate on the basis of microhabitat use and prey types. There is no relationship between microhabitat niche breadths and dietary niche breadths, species using the greatest diversity of microhabitats do not necessarily use the greatest diversity of prey types. A pseudocommunity analysis revealed that the lizard assemblage is structured with respect to microhabitat and diets. A comparison of dietary overlaps with phylogenetic similarities indicates that much of the variation in dietary similarity in this assemblage is associated with phylogenetic similarity. A similar analysis with microhabitat overlaps yielded no relationship to phylogenetic similarity. These results suggest that much of the structure in this particular assemblage is historical, i.e., not the direct result of ongoing species interactions at the local level. Because this assemblage is comprised of lizards from a diversity of higher taxa (families), we suggest that historical factors may be more important in determining structure in phylogenetically deeply rooted assemblages than in phylogenetically shallow-rooted assemblages.
EXPLORATION OF MUNICIPAL MOBILITY USING SMARTPHONE GPS DATA

Abstract. Due to the advances in location-acquisition techniques, smartphone GPS location data has emerged with opportunity for research, development, innovation, and business. A variety of research has been developed to study human behaviour through exploring patterns from these data. In this paper, we use smartphone GPS location data to investigate municipal mobility. Kernel density estimation and emerging hot spot analysis are used to the GPS dataset to demonstrate GPS user (point) distribution across space and time. Flow maps are capable of tracking clustering behaviours and direction maps drawn upon the orientation of vectors can precisely identify location of the events. Case study with Indianapolis metropolitan area traffic rush hour verifies the effectiveness of these methods. Furthermore, we identify smartphone GPS data of vehicles and develop a concise and effective method for traffic volume estimation for county highway network. It is shown that the developed smartphone GPS data analytics is powerful for predicting reliable annual average daily traffic estimation. The study showcases the capability of GPS location data in identifying municipal mobility patterns for both citizens and vehicles.
THE EFFECTS OF POPULATION DENSITY ON GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA (SAY) (GASTEROPODA: PULMONATA)

influence of environmental factors such as climate, resources, and inimical forces on population growth. In contrast, little work has been done on the density-dependent mechanisms involving the exchange of specific or non-specific information between members of the same population, which may result in self-regulation even when resources are not limiting. An attempt was made, therefore, to ascertain whether such a mechanism can be induced in laboratory populations of the freshwater, pulmonate mollusc, Biomphalaria glabrata (Say), kept in a defined medium, under carefully controlled conditions, either by increasing the number of snails or by decreasing the volume available to each snail. The extent to which changes in these environmental factors receive expression in growth, natality and mortality rates of the snails was measured. Eisenberg (1966, 1970) has shown that the regulation of natural populations of Limnaea elodes (palustris) Say is achieved mainly by changes in the first two of these three parameters. The data will be used to construct a model of snail populations, to be tested by comparing predictions with observations in the field, which might eventually serve to evaluate methods of snail population control (Jobin & Michelson 1967).
Additional Remarks on the Evolution of Trunk Musculature in Snakes

Certain of the more important aspects of the epaxial trunk musculature of Xenopeltis, Eryx, Calabaria, Cylindrophis and Tropidophis are described. Some of these genera show a considerable departure from the basic myological pattern described for the Boidae. More important, several of these departures embody certain myological modifications paralleling the condition found in the family Colubridae. Two major tendencies are indicated in the evolution of more com- plex from simpler, presumably more primitive, myological types. These are: (1) the tendency for median myological elements to become asso- ciated with more lateral ones, and (2) a tendency for anterior elements to become morphologically associated with more posterior ones, thereby lengthening considerably certain functional units through fusion of shorter muscles. A number of boid or boid-like groups have indepen- dently evolved colubrid-like myological modifications several times in the past. This phenomenon in its variety of forms is termed "myological colubridization. " Details concerning the major trends in the evolution of trunk musculature are discussed, as well as their phylogenetic impli- cations. As a contribution to a much needed wider survey of snake my- ology, certain of the more important aspects of the epaxial trunk musculature of Xenopeltis, Eryx, Calabaria, Cylindrophis and Tropi- dophis are described. Some of these genera show a considerable departure from the basic myological pattern previously described for the Boidae. More important several of these departures embody certain myological modifications paralleling the condition found in the family Colubridae.
Optimization of Soil DNA Extraction Protocol Using Na2EDTA, SDS, Heating, Vortexing and CaCl2 and Its Validation for Metagenomic Studies

Aim: Several methods described previously for isolation and purification of soil DNA. Most of these protocols use combination of techniques or methods but the role and contribution of each individual method or component used is not clearly discussed. This study aims at analysing the effect of individual components used in extraction of DNA from soil and finally to optimize soil DNA isolation protocol and its validation by using 16SrDNA sequence analysis. Methods and Results: The soil was washed with anionic buffers before lysis step to reduce humic substances and release microbial cells from soil matrix, then the cells were lysed using combination of SDS, heating and vortexing and finally humic substances were removed using chemical flocculation. Pre-lysis washing of soil with 100 mmol l-1 Na2EDTA proved good for releasing microbial cells from soil matrix. Heating the soil sample at 75°C yielded good quantity (15.73 μg g-1 soil) DNA followed by 2% SDS (10.28 μg g-1 soil) and vortexing at 1400 rpm (8.94 μg g-1 soil). Combination of heating, SDS and vortexing yielded 25 μg DNA per gram of soil. Different concentrations of chemical flocculants like AlNH4(SO4)2, FeCl3, CaCl2 and MgCl2 were Original Research Article Pasha et al.; IJECC, 10(6): 1-13, 2020; Article no.IJECC. 56352 2 used to reduce humic substances. Flocculation with 100 mmol l-1 CaCl2 removed 5.2 mg humic substances without significant loss of DNA. 16S rDNA sequence analysis of DNA extracted from soil reveals presence of all the common soil bacterial species indicating the protocol is unbiased. Conclusion: Combination of chemical (SDS) and physical (heating and vortexing) methods yield good DNA whereas addition of enzyme (lysozyme) did not show significant effect on cell lysis. The digestion of isolated DNA with restriction enzyme and amplification of 16S rDNA using Taq DNA polymerase indicates the isolated DNA is pure enough for metagnomic analysis. 16Sr DNA sequencing of soil DNA indicates that this protocol can extract good quality and quantity DNA from range of bacteria present in soil varying in their cell wall composition. The optimised protocol is unbiased, very simple, does not need special equipments and many samples can be processed simultaneously.
The Relationship of Energetics of Falconiform Birds to Body Mass and Climate

I measured body temperature and resting metabolic rate as a function of ambient temperature in eleven species of falconiforms. Body temperatures range from 37.1? C to 41.3? C and are independent of body size and climate. Resting metabolic rates correlate with variations in body size and climate. Falconiforms from hot habitats have lower resting metabolic rates than those from temperate habitats. The relationship between the mass-specific metabolic rate (mW g-') and mass (g) for birds in this order may be expressed as IHm = 34.62W-o'36. The relationship between the minimal thermal conductance (mW (g*C)-') and mass (g) for falconiforms may be expressed as C = 2.96W-0.45
Pesticidal Efficacy of Four Botanical Pesticides on Survival, Oviposition and Progeny Development of Bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus in Stored Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) production is limited by various insect pests that attack and damage the crops both in the field and during storage. Cowpea bruchids, Callosobruchus maculatus are the major insect pests of cowpea which infest the cowpea grains in the field, and then carried into the store where the population builds up rapidly. Chemical insecticide application is one of the management options that has been used for many years to control the insect pests. However, due to the side effects associated with those insecticides, there has been a resurgence need of using botanical pesticides to control insect pests in the field as well as in storage. This review aims to increase an awareness of using selected botanicals ( Tephrosia vogelii,Chenopodium ambrosioides ,Tithonia
Dehydrogenase activity and adenosine triphosphate concentration of marine sediments in Lindåspollene, Norway

Abstract Microbial anaerobic metabolism was measured as dehydrogenase activity using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) per g dry sediment was correlated with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) per g dry sediment as determined by luciferin-luciferase reaction; both generally decreased with depth of sediment layer. The ratio DHA: ATP (ab-sorbance per mole ATP), however, increased significantly with depth of sediment layer. Dehydrogenase activity and oxygen debt of surface sediment and dissolved oxygen of bottom water were interrelated and all related to the depth of water; ATP content of the surface sediment had a similar but statistically insignificant trend as DHA. Data from conversion of ATP to organic carbon per m2 in the surface 4-cm layer at 11 stations showed a significant decrease in microbial biomass with increasing depth of water.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children: An emerging Public health problem in India

NAFLD was earlier believed to be the disease of adults only however in 1983, the existence of this disease was seen in paediatric population. Nearly four decades have passed since the first description of the Paediatric NAFLD (P-NAFLD), yet it is one of the areas which is given least priority in the country. The P-NAFLD is reversible and can be prevented by lifestyle and behaviour modification and hence there is a need to this review highlights the importance of P-NAFLD in the country and need for formulating strategies for prevention and control of P-NAFLD in the country. All published articles in the MEDLINE database on P-NAFLD in India were included. The important findings were summarized and critically analysed. The existing review suggests, the prevalence of P-NAFLD is uncertain in the country. NAFLD is a phenotypic product of complex interaction of heredity (nature) and environment (nurture). This review summarizes the importance of P-NAFLD in India and discusses the predisposition of these risk factors in Indian children. Further population-based studies on prevalence and incidence are required on general paediatric population to quantify the magnitude of the disease in India for better management of the condition.
Cloning and functional characterization of phytoene desaturase gene (pds) promoter from Haematococcus pluvlialis

Phytoene desaturase is one of the most important enzymes necessary for the biosynthesis of carotenoids in some cyanobacteria,green algae and plants. To locate transcriptional regulation elements,we isolated an approximate 1 kb of 5'flanking region by genome-walking method. Results of bioinformatic analysis showed that several putative cis-elements like the ABRE motif (abscisic acid responsive element),the C-repeat/DRE (dehydration responsive element) motif and the GCN4 motif were located in 5'flanking region of pds. Then,we constructed the recombinant plasmid containing the reporter gene lacZ driven by pds promoter and transferred the plasmid into the cells. The transient expression results showed that pds promoter activity can be detected.
Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta resin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model of neuropathy

Chronic pain such as peripheral neuropathy is the major complication in long term hyperglycemia. The present context was conducted to explore the protective effect of ethanolic extract of S. robusta resin (SRE) in diabetes associated pain in rats as resin has phenolic components, hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties. Pure resin was extracted with 70% ethanol using a Soxhlet apparatus and evaporated under rotary vacuum evaporator. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy rat model was generated by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats were treated for 8 week as follows: normal control with vehicle, normal with SRE (300 mg/kg), Diabetic control with vehicle and Diabetic with SRE (30,100 and 300 mg/kg). To evaluate the effects various parameters, including nociceptive response (tail flick and formalin test), oxidative status [super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO)] and histopathology (H&E) were assessed. Behavioral assessment showed significant hyperalgesia in diabetic rats but long term administration of SRE caused a concentration dependent increase in pain threshold, restored the activity of SOD and catalase activity, as well as reduced the MDA and NO level significantly (p<0.05). Furthermore diabetic rats exhibited loss of myelin sheath, loose and disorganized sciatic nerve fibers these changes were also ameliorated in treatment groups. In conclusion the results suggest that S. robusta resin can limit neurodegenerative changes in sciatic nerve by suppression of STZ-induced hyperglycemia associated oxidative stress may represent promising agents to improve peripheral nervous system functioning.
The western black-and-white colobus as a low-energy strategist : activity budgets, energy expenditure and energy intake

1. Colobines are widely described as folivorous and a prediction of low basal metabolic rate appears to be supported by low activity levels, but energy budget estimates based on data from a field study of Colobus polykomos question these assumptions. 2. Annual diet and activity budgets are shown to change seasonally: unripe tree seeds are the preferred food type, with increased time spent feeding during the peak of seed production. Time spent resting is highest during wet seasons, when seeds are not available and only leaves are eaten. 3. The high energetic value of seeds compared to fruit flesh, young and mature leaves, is demonstrated. 4. Energy budgets are estimated for adult males and females (non-reproductive, pregnant and lactating), using daily energy expenditure (DEE) as maximum, and average daily metabolic needs (ADMN) as minimum values. 5. A simple model is employed to demonstrate that a diet of 100% seeds supplies sufficient calories for all estimates of energy intake and expenditure, whereas a diet of 100% leaves is unable to meet DEE and only the highest estimates of feeding rate (grams of leaves min-1) approach ADMN. 6. The advantages of detoxification, and the limitations of energy production for small-bodied fore-gut fermenters are outlined. 7. Evidence that C. polykomos is hypometabolic is considered, and it is concluded that the adaptations they show to periodic shortages of high energy foods are behavioural rather than physiological.
Livestock Grazing: Animal and Plant Biodiversity of Shortgrass Steppe and the Relationship to Ecosystem Function

We synthesized published and unpublished data from long-term grazing treatments in North American shortgrass steppe on diversity and abundance of plants, lagomorphs, rodents, birds, aboveground and belowground macroarthropods, microarthropods, and nematodes. The relatively small response of the plant community to grazing provides an opportunity to address some broad questions concerning relationships among responses of structural and functional aspects of systems in general. Are there consistencies in diversity and abundance responses to grazing among groups of organisms? Are some groups more sensitive than others, or do responses mirror that of vegetation? Are the responses in terms of biodiversity related to ecosystem-level functional responses? Diversity, abundance, dominance, and dissimilarity responses to long-term grazing were highly variable across classes of organisms. Some groups of consumers displayed large differences among treatments even though differences in plant community attributes were relatively minor. Some responses were large even when comparing ungrazed to lightly or lightly to moderately grazed treatments. Birds appear to be particularly responsive to grazing. Differences among treatments in richness within groups other than plants and birds were relatively minor, especially when compared to large declines in abundance of some groups with increasing grazing intensity. For the well-studied groups (plants and birds), shifts in species in terms of 'quality' factors, such as exotic, endemic, and rare, generally suggest that livestock grazing may be more similar to conditions in recent evolutionary time in this particular system than would conditions resulting from the removal of the exotic, domestic grazers that appear to functionally serve as a surrogate to bison. Trophic structure composition did not vary greatly across grazing treatments. Further, large effects of grazing on some consumer groups did not translate into similarly large effects on ecosystem processes such as primary production or soil nutrient pools and cycling rates.
An ascothoracid compound eye (Crustacea)

The ultrastructure of the compound eye of an ascothoracid larva — the only known occurrence of compound eyes in the Ascothoracida — is described. The ommatidia of apposition type consist of a crystalline cone composed of three cells and up to six retinular cells. Poor fixation of the scarce material allows no safe judgement about the number of retinular cells and the nature of two distal cells surrounding the crystalline cones. The structure of these compound eyes most closely resembles the cirriped compound eye.
Metabolic Disorders: Limitations to Growth of and Mineral Deposition into the Broiler Skeleton after Hatch and Potential Implications for Leg Problems

Abstract Metabolic diseases are associated with a rapid early growth rate in poultry, especially in broilers, and their incidence can be decreased by slowing early growth. Leg problems seen in the absence of infectious agents are often the result of fast early growth and thus can be related to metabolic diseases. At hatch, the broiler skeleton is poorly mineralized; growth and mineralization occur most rapidly in the first 2 wk of life. Except for Ca, the embryo has limited access to minerals. Most minerals in the egg cannot be influenced by maternal diet, but embryo mineral uptake can be improved by dietary mineral source selection. The use of management tools to reduce metabolic diseases that rely primarily on decreasing feed consumption, without increasing prestarter mineral density, may have negative unintended consequences on skeletal development. Incidence of losses due to leg problems during growout and processing have decreased since the early 1990s, in part due to breeding programs, but not enough information is available to estimate the proportion of losses related to metabolic diseases. This information is needed if improvements are to be made.
BRAIN TUMOR DETECTION, SEGMENTATION USING WATERSHED SEGMENTATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATION

In the field of medical image processing, detection of brain tumor from magnetic resonance image (MRI) brain scan has become one of the most active researches. Brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which some cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, apparently unregulated by the mechanisms that control normal cells. This Paper Present the detection and segmentation of brain tumor using watershed and thresholding algorithm. This technique will help physicians to diagnose brain tumor effectively shape, size and area of the tumor is also calculated.
The Responses of Species to Climate Over Two Centuries: An Analysis of the Marsham Phenological Record, 1736-1947

1 The Marsham phenological data have been 'rediscovered' several times. This unique data set, spanning two centuries, consists of first dates of observation, or 'indications of spring', for 27 phenological events which relate to over 20 species of plants and animals. 2 This paper extends the 1926 appraisal of the data from 1736 to 1925 by adding the 22 years up to 1947, when publication of the record ceased. 3 The Marsham data are examined in relation to Manley's central England monthly temperature data and Craddock's annual rainfall data and are further examined for unexplained trends over time. 4 Most of the phenological variables were significantly related to climatic variables or changed through time. 5 An appraisal of the historical response of flora and fauna to climate was made and allowed us to predict changes in species performance due to climate change in the future. If commonly used climate scenarios are accurate we predict that most or all of the indications of spring noted in the Marsham record will occur earlier in the calendar year.