Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral plasticity in nest building increases fecundity in marsh birds

ABSTRACT Many bird species nest in precarious, unpredictable locations to decrease the risk of predation. Although it is likely that many species have adapted behaviors to deal with stochastic habitats, there is currently limited evidence of plastic behavior increasing avian fecundity in the wild. Virginia Rails (Rallus limicola) and Soras (Porzana carolina) live in the littoral zones of wetlands that experience high hydrologic variability. During the summers of 2010 and 2011, we tested for the effects of hydrology and behavioral plasticity on the survival of Virginia Rail (n = 75) and Sora (n = 22) nests across 10 wetlands in Maine, USA. We identified the best predictors of both (1) nesting success at individual nests and (2) mean nesting success at the site level, using logistic-exposure models and an information-theoretic approach. Daily nesting survival was 98% for both species, and apparent nest survival was 31 of 85 nests, or 63.5%. Ninety percent of all nesting failures was from predation. Hydrology had a positive effect on nesting survival, and deeper, more variable water levels increased both individual nesting survival and mean site-level nest survival. Both species added material to their nests throughout the season in response to water-level increases, and we found that this behavioral plasticity had a positive effect on nesting survival. We caution that more variable water depths than those observed during our 2 yr of study could lead to increases in flood-related nest loss, because these birds require a delicate balance: the water must be deep enough to deter predators, yet shallow enough that they can build up their nests to prevent flooding during rain events. More information is needed on the extent of this behavior across marsh birds and other bird species.
Fermentação da torta de linhaça como estratégia para o enriquecimento nutricional e potencialização de atividade antioxidante

A extracao do oleo da semente do linho (Linum usitatissimun) tem despertado interesse devido as expressivas quantidades de compostos bioativos presentes na linhaca. Entretanto, apos a obtencao do oleo, uma grande quantidade de residuos e gerada, obtendo como subproduto a "torta de linhaca". Esse produto na maioria dos casos e descartado, apesar do seu grande potencial nutritivo. A partir de processos de biotransformacao da materia-prima, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo melhorar a disponibilidade dos compostos com potencial bioativo na torta de linhaca. A torta de linhaca, obtida de uma industria localizada na regiao Sul do Brasil, apresentou uma quantidade consideravel de lipideos (11,97%) e proteinas (24,33%). Diferentes solventes (metanol PA, etanol PA, agua, etanol 75%) e temperaturas (30, 50 e 70 graus centigrados) foram testados durante o processo de extracao dos compostos fenolicos em ultrassom assistido no tempo fixo de 15 minutos. Utilizando agua como solvente e em temperaturas mais elevadas foi obtido os melhores resultados, obtendo em torno de 2,00 mg de EAG g−¹ em base seca e uma atividade antioxidante de 13 μmol equivalente a TEAC g−¹. A biotransformacao da torta de linhaca foi realizada atraves de um processo de fermentacao no estado solido, utilizando o Rhizopus oligosporus NRL2710. Apos 288 horas de cultivo, foi observado um incremento de 10% no teor de composto fenolicos na torta de linhaca, apresentando um extrato aquoso com 19,2 mg de EAG g−¹ e uma atividade antioxidante de 81,1 μmol equivalente a TEAC g−¹.
African sunbirds hover to pollinate an invasive hummingbird-pollinated plant

Why do hummingbirds hover while Old World nectar-feeding birds perch? A unique opportunity to explore this question is presented by the invasion into Africa of a plant adapted for pollination by hovering hummingbirds. Like other hover-pollinated plants of the New World, the flowers of the tree tobacco Nicotiana glauca lack perches and are oriented towards open space. We find that Old World nectarivores, especially the malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa, hover 80% of the time when taking nectar from these flowers. They hover for up to 30 s, and are able to sustain this hovering lifestyle in an area where native nectar plants are absent. Nicotiana glauca greatly increases the local abundance of sunbirds compared with uninvaded areas. In turn, flowers visited by sunbirds formed significantly more capsules and set significantly more seed than sunbird-excluded flowers, possibly facilitating the invasion. The results suggest a prominent role for plant, rather than bird traits in determining the occurrence of hover-pollination, begging the question of why plants adapted for hover pollination do not occur outside the New World.
Compositional changes over space and time along an occurrence–abundance continuum: anthropogenic homogenization of the North American avifauna

Aim Changes in community attributes due to the influence of anthropogenic activities have been examined primarily using occurrence data with little consideration of associated changes in abundance. To determine how this influences our perception of biotic homogenization, we examined compositional patterns for avian assemblages over space and time along an occurrence–abundance continuum.
Reinforcement Learning based HVAC Optimization in Factories

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units are responsible for maintaining the temperature and humidity settings in a building. Studies have shown that HVAC accounts for almost 50% energy consumption in a building and 10% of global electricity usage. HVAC optimization thus has the potential to contribute significantly towards our sustainability goals, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In this work, we explore ways to optimize the HVAC controls in factories. Unfortunately, this is a complex problem as it requires computing an optimal state considering multiple variable factors, e.g. the occupancy, manufacturing schedule, temperature requirements of operating machines, air flow dynamics within the building, external weather conditions, energy savings, etc. We present a Reinforcement Learning (RL) based energy optimization model that has been applied in our factories. We show that RL is a good fit as it is able to learn and adapt to multi-parameterized system dynamics in real-time. It provides around 25% energy savings on top of the previously used Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers.
Future energy potential of Miscanthus in Europe

European field experiments have demonstrated Miscanthus can produce some of the highest energy yields per hectare of all potential energy crops. Previous modelling studies using MISCANMOD have calculated the potential energy yield for the EU27 from mean historical climate data (1960–1990). In this paper, we have built on the previous studies by further developing a new Miscanthus crop growth model MISCANFOR in order to analyse (i) interannual variation in yields for past and future climates, (ii) genotype‐specific parameters on yield in Europe. Under recent climatic conditions (1960–1990) we show that 10% of arable land could produce 1709 PJ and mitigate 30 Tg of carbon dioxide‐carbon (CO2‐C) equivalent greenhouse gasses (GHGs) compared with EU27 primary energy consumption of 65 598 PJ, emitting 1048 Tg of CO2‐C equivalent GHGs in 2005. If we continue to use the clone Miscanthus×giganteus, MISCANFOR shows that, as climate change reduces in‐season water availability, energy production and carbon mitigation could fall 80% by 2080 for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A2 scenario. However, because Miscanthus is found in a huge range of climates in Asia, we propose that new hybrids will incorporate genes conferring superior drought and frost tolerance. Using parameters from characterized germplasm, we calculate energy production could increase from present levels by 88% (to 2360 PJ) and mitigate 42 Tg of CO2‐C equivalent using 10% arable land for the 2080 mid‐range A2 scenario. This is equivalent to 3.6% of 2005 EU27 primary energy consumption and 4.0% of total CO2 equivalent C GHG emissions.
Utility of spent Single Comb White Leghorn hens for production of polyclonal egg yolk antibody.

SUMMARY Egg yolks can be used for the mass production of polyclonal antibodies for general binding purposes such as detection and neutralization. The intended use of egg antibodies can be limited by the value of the egg for food uses. A series of experiments were conducted to determine if spent hens could be used as a viable source of eggs for the production of egg antibodies. Experiments were designed to determine the effects of hen age and molting on egg production of an antibody to a commercially relevant soluble protein antigen (SPA). The titer, or relative concentration of antibody to SPA in the egg, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The total yield of antibody from spent hens, as compared with first-cycle hens, was estimated based on antibody titer, egg-laying frequency, and egg weight. From wk 3 to 5 after primary immunization, old hens 104 wk of age had increased egg antibody titer to SPA as compared with young hens 20 wk of age. Egg-laying frequency and egg size did not correlate with egg antibody titer. Molting had minimal effects on titer of egg antibody to SPA; hence, molted spent hens are viable as a source of hens for the production of egg antibody. Total egg antibody yield of a flock was positively correlated with total egg mass yield because the egg antibody titer (relative concentration) was independent of egg production. Although molted spent hens produce less total egg mass than first-cycle hens, the total antibody yield may not differ significantly because of the increased antibody titer of each egg.
The Distribution of Reef Corals in Curaçao

About the middle of the eighteenth century, the question whether the corals originally known only from collections of curiosities were animal, vegetable, or mineral was definitely decided in favour of the first of these categories (MARSILLI 1786). During the second half of the eighteenth and the entire following century, the former Lithophyta, as a subdivision of the Anthozoa, were an object of study for anatomists, taxonomists and, particularly in the nineteenth century, palaeontologists.
Modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence: a tool for teaching photosynthesis

In vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence is a key technique in photosynthesis research. The recent release of a low cost, commercial, modulated fluorometer enables this powerful technology to be used in education. Modulated chlorophyll a fluorescence measurement in vivo is here proposed as a tool to demonstrate basic photosynthesis phenomena to students of Years 11 and 12 in secondary education. These phenomena are already part of the Portuguese Biology syllabus and include: light absorption by photosystems; primary charge separation at the reaction centre of photosystem II; electron transport in the Z-scheme; energy transduction; and integration between photochemistry and the Calvin-Benson cycle.
Fat deposition in Hereford and Friesian steers: 3. Growth efficiency and fat mobilization

SUMMARY Food utilization in relation to growth of body components, and fat mobilization and its hormonal control in vivo, were examined in 15 Hereford and 15 Friesian steers which were slaughtered at 20 months of age. Changes in body composition between 6 and 20 months were calculated from the body composition of these animals and from an additional four and two steers from each breed slaughtered at 6 and 13 months of age, respectively. The Friesians consumed more food overall (14%) and grew more rapidly (14%), but their intake in relation to metabolic body weight was not different from that of the Herefords. Although the Friesians deposited more protein in relation to lipid there was no breed difference in food conversion ratio, and maintenance requirement relative to empty-body weight0·75 was estimated to be 7% greater in the Friesians than the Herefords. Friesians therefore had a lower efficiency of conversion of food energy to body energy. It is speculated that the higher maintenance requirement of the Friesians was due to a faster rate of protein deposition and a higher proportion of visceral organs with an associated higher rate of protein turnover. Changes in plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA), insulin, growth hormone (GH), adrenaline and noradrenaline were examined in response to fasting at 12 and 20 months of age. Inaddition plasma concentrations of glucose, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured at 20 months of age. At both ages, FFA concentration increased almost linearly with duration of fasting and was not different between breeds. It was therefore unrelated to fat partitioning and a poor index of breed differences in metabolic and body type. Within breeds, the rate at which FFA concentration increased during fasting was correlated with estimated maintenance requirement (r = 0·53). This suggests a different relationship between FFA utilization and maintenance requirement in the two breeds. During fasting at 12 months of age, Friesians had higher concentrations of plasma GH and noradrenaline. At 20 months of age they had higher concentiations of glucose, insulin and catecholamines. There was no obvious hormonal explanation for the observed differences in body composition or growth efficiency. Correlations between indices of fat partitioning and maintenance requirement were low, suggesting no direct link between the two traits.
Influence of Refuge Habitats and Cover Crops on Seasonal Activity-Density of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Field Crops

Carabid beetles are important predators of arthropods and weed seeds in annual crops but may be limited in impact by the frequent and intense disturbances imposed on these systems. Pitfall trap sampling conducted in 1996 and 1997 examined the effect of refuge strips and cover crops on enhancing the seasonal activity-density of carabid beetles. The study site followed a soybean, Glycine max L. Merr, oats, Avena sativa L. , and corn, Zea mays L. , rotation. Refuges consisted of a central strip of 3 perennial flowering plants, Agastache foeniculun (Pursh) O. Kuntze, Origanum vulgare L. , and Scropularia nodosa L, with orchard grass, Dactylis glomerata L. , white clover, Trifolium repens L. , and sweet clover, Melilotus officinalis L. , seeded on each side. A cover crop was present only in 1996 and consisted of frost seeded red clover, Trifolium pratense L. A total of 5,117 and 2,316 carabid beetles was captured in pitfall traps comprising 14 species in 1996 and 20 species in 1997. Carabid beetle seasonal activity-density was greater (1996) or equal (1997) in refuge strips than in control areas without refuge strips; however, the presence of a refuge strip did not alter carabid populations in the surrounding subplots in either year. In 1996, subplots containing a cover crop had significantly higher carabid beetle activity-density than subplots without a cover crop. There was no carryover effect of cover crop on beetle activity-density in 1997. Among the most abundant species, a greater proportion of captures of the fall breeding species Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger), Pterostichus permundus (Say), and the spring breeding species Poecilus lucublandus (Say) occurred in the refuge strips. The spring breeders Poecilus chalcites (Say), Harpalus herbivagus Say, and Agonum cupripenne (Say), and the phytophagous fall breeder Harpalus pensylvanicus (De Geer) occurred in greater proportions in the crop areas. The potential use of these strategies for conserving carabid beetles in agricultural systems is discussed.
COMPARATIVE BIOACTIVITY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AND SYNTHETIC INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS AGAINST Spodoptera litura (F.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to compare the effects of the leaf extract of Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) with synthetic insect growth regulators (IGRs) triflumuron and buprofezin against Spodoptera litura (F.). The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were two concentrations of A. indica extracts 1000 and 2000 ppm, two concentrations of buprofezin 100 and 200 ppm, two concentrations of triflumuron 120 and 240 ppm and control. Each treatment was replicated three times. Second instar larva of S. litura were used for the bioassays. Mortality and biological variables of treated and control larvae were recorded daily. The results indicated that the application of A. indica extracts and synthetic IGRs (buprofezin & triflumuron) significantly caused the S. litura mortality throughout the experimental period. At first, the toxicity of triflumuron on larval S. litura was significantly higher compared to those of buprofezin and Acalypha indica leaf extract. However, at the end of experimental period all treatments caused high mortality on S. litura, and those all were significantly different from control. The treatments also caused abnorrmal growth in larval, pupal, and adult stages. While in the control, larvae molted into normal adults. The results indicated that the use of biorational control agents such as synthetic insect growth regulators (IGRs) and those based on naturally derived products such as botanical insecticides show promise as a potential tool in S. litura management programs.
Impact of Village Hunting on Wildlife Populations in the Western Dja Reserve, Cameroon

Abstract: The Dja Biosphere Reserve, a lowland rainforest in southern Cameroon, supports extensive biotic communities with a high proportion of endemic fauna and flora. A growing human population afflicted by an economic crisis and a predilection for game meat has augmented pressures on the faunal resources. We conducted a 2‐year study to assess the spatial distribution and intensity of hunting in the western Dja Reserve and the implications for the management of these activities. We mapped the area where the villagers hunt, determined snare densities, and collected biological data on species killed. Surveys using standard line‐transect methodology were conducted on mammalian game species in the various hunting zones across strata of human‐disturbed and less‐disturbed areas. In the three hunting zones of the village of Mekas, snare density decreased as distance from the village increased. Despite a 64% lower snare density, the monthly overall capture rate was four times higher there than in the zone closest to the village. The number of animals that rotted on snares was three times higher in the farthest hunting region from the village. Except for the four common arboreal primates, encounter rates and densities of game species tended to decrease with proximity to human activity and with an increase in snare densities. Duikers (Cephalophus spp.) comprised 63.5% of animals killed. We used Robinson and Redford’s (1991) production model to determine the sustainability of the present harvest rates. Harvest rates of C. monticola, C. dorsalis, and C. callipygus in two of the hunting zones were between one and three times higher than the populations can theoretically sustain. As species are depleted, hunters will journey even further into the forest to hunt. To reduce waste, subsistence hunting should be limited to within 15 km of the village. Ecological studies to determine stochastic and deterministic influences on the duiker populations are required to ensure their conservation within the Dja Reserve.
FLIGHT ACTIVITY AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF PHYTOPHAGOUS SCARABS (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEOIDEA) FROM TWO LOCATIONS IN FLORIDA

Abstract The seasonal abundance of phytophagous scarabs in Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was documented with ultraviolet blacklight traps operated from April 2002 to November 2004. Over 44,000 adult scarabs were trapped and identified, including 30 species from 14 genera. Hybosorus illigeri Reiche was the most abundant species trapped (n = 12,306 or 27.9% of total trap catches). Phyllophaga was the most diverse genus with ten species collected. Tomarus cuniculus (F.) and Dyscinetus morator (F.) adults were trapped every month of the year. Anomala innuba (F.), Cyclocephala lurida (Bland), C. parallela Casey, H. illigeri, and Phyllophaga bruneri Chapin exhibited bimodal flight patterns. Adults of these five species combined represented 49.1, 56.5, and 64.6% of the collections in 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. Species that occurred in both locations tended to be active earlier in Fort Lauderdale than in Gainesville. The flight activity and species composition of potential scarab pests in Florida appears to be different from those in the midwestern and northern U.S., suggesting that turfgrass and ornamental plant managers need to adjust their management strategies accordingly.
Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Formation

Abstract : The physiological effect known as long-term potentiation (LTP) is widely suspected of being the substrate of several forms of memory encoded by synapses in the forebrain of humans and other mammals. Work in the past year established that translational suppression with antisense oligonucleotides of one of the subunits of the AMPA (glutamate) transmitter receptor blocks the capacity of synapses to exhibit LTP. This confirms the hypothesis that the AMPA receptor is the agent of LTP expression. Changes in the waveform of the synaptic responses were found to occur in conjunction with LTP and were suggestive of a shift in the kinetic properties of the AMPA receptor channel. Computer simulations of the receptor led to the discovery that all known phenomenology of LTP expression can be reproduced by simply increasing the rates at which the receptor channel opens and closes. In parallel studies, a drug which acts on the AMPA receptor channel was shown to facilitate the induction of LTP. This led to a drug development program to find potent compounds of this kind which cross the blood-brain barrier and enhance the AMPA receptor and LTP in behaving rats. This effort was successful and one of the new drugs was then tested extensively in large numbers of rats across three learning tasks; as predicted, this compound produced substantial improvements in the encoding of short and long-term memories.