Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-delayed biodiversity feedbacks and the sustainability of social-ecological systems

The sustainability of coupled social-ecological systems (SESs) hinges on their long-term ecological dynamics. Land conversion generates extinction and functioning debts, i.e. a time-delayed loss of species and associated ecosystem services. Sustainability theory, however, has not so far considered the long-term consequences of these ecological debts on SESs. We investigate this question using a dynamical model that couples human demography, technological change and biodiversity. Human population growth drives land conversion, which in turn reduces biodiversity-dependent ecosystem services to agricultural production (ecological feedback). Technological change brings about a demographic transition leading to a population equilibrium. When the ecological feedback is delayed in time, some SESs experience population overshoots followed by large reductions in biodiversity, human population size and well-being, which we call environmental crises. Using a sustainability criterion that captures the vulnerability of an SES to such crises, we show that some of the characteristics common to modern SESs (e.g. high production efficiency and labor intensity, concave-down ecological relationships) are detrimental to their long-term sustainability. Maintaining sustainability thus requires strong counteracting forces, such as the demographic transition and land-use management. To this end, we provide integrative sustainability thresholds for land conversion, biodiversity loss and human population size - each threshold being related to the others through the economic, technological, demographic and ecological parameters of the SES. Numerical simulations show that remaining within these sustainable boundaries prevents environmental crises from occurring. By capturing the long-term ecological and socioeconomic drivers of SESs, our theoretical approach proposes a new way to define integrative conservation objectives that ensure the long-term sustainability of our planet.
Investigator Group Expedition 2006: Benthic Macroalgal Studies at Islands in the Eastern Great Australian Bight Over Three Decades

Abstract Studies of benthic macroalgae have been undertaken in the Investigator Group and at St Francis Isles for over three decades, and methods of study have changed from quadrat-based biomass data and general collections, to nondestructive, line-intercept transects (LIT), in which cover of species is recorded. We review the utility of classifying data into different structural groups, based on form, and compare this with biomass data. The time series of data enabled a comparison of quadrat-based biomass data between the 1970s and 1990s surveys at Pearson I. and at St Francis I, and comparison of structural group data for Pearson I. , providing examples of both stability (and change) in macroalgal assemblages over a 22–24 year period. While the LIT approach for sampling cannot accurately record species’ richness, it is valuable for temporal comparisons, and for studies of ecosystem function and health.
Conservation of citrus germplasm: an international survey

Citrus is one of the major fruit crops of the world, with production in subtropical and tropical areas of six continents. Citrus originated in south eastern Asia. Many of the forests in this region where natural populations of wild citrus likely occur have been developed for agriculture. Climate change threatens to further reduce the remaining habitat of wild citrus. The spread of modern citrus cultivars to these areas is displacing local selections and landraces. Therefore conservation of citrus germplasm is a priority, as recognized by development of a global citrus germplasm network in 1997. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has recognized Citrus as an Annex 1 crop, and an initial meeting in 2012 began work to establish a global conservation strategy for citrus. To characterize the current state of citrus germplasm collections, a survey of citrus genebanks was developed and distributed worldwide. Eleven germplasm collections responded to the survey. These collections vary in size, age, location in developed vs developing countries, and emphasis of the collection. Most collections are expanding, but they vary in rates of turnover of accessions, with some having high rates of loss. Most collections maintain germplasm primarily as field collections, but greenhouses, nurseries, and cryopreservation are used by some. Pest and disease problems are an economic problem for most collections and affect a wide range of accessions. Loss of accessions due to these problems affects only two collections. Relatively few collections distribute germplasm beyond the country in which they are located. Most collections report having inadequate funding, and need new trained staff to better manage citrus germplasm. We conclude that a global citrus germplasm network is needed with resources to provide stable funding to important but imperilled collections.
The effect of supplemental grape seed extract on pig growth performance and body composition during heat stress

Prolonged exposure to high ambient temperature without cooling causes heat stress resulting in altered growth, body composition and metabolic dysfunction. Grape seed extract (GSE) has been shown to reduce inflammation, and improve glucose transport and metabolism. Thus, GSE may be an effective supplement to combat the consequences of heat stress; however this possibility has not been evaluated in a large animal model. The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of GSE supplementation on pig performance and body composition during heat stress. Twenty‐four female pigs (62.3± 8 kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 2X2 factorial experiment; thermal neutral (TN; 21–22°C) or heat stress conditions (HS; 33–34°C) for 7 days and fed either a control or a GSE supplemented diet (12mg/kg body weight). Body temperature (TB), respiration rate (RR) and feed intake (FI) were measured daily. Body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Respiration rate and TB increased in the HS control group compared to the TN control group (p<0.05), however GSE did not alter these parameters compared to control for the duration of the 7 day period. Heat stress decreased FI (P < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose concentrations were approximately 1.5‐fold greater in the control diet compared to their GSE supplemented counterpart (p>0.05) on day 6 of the HS period, but did not differ between groups on day 7 of HS. Body composition analysis indicated bone mineral density, bone mineral content, percent change of fat, and percent change of weight over the study remained unchanged between treatment groups. Lean tissue accretion was 45% greater in TN compared to HS groups (p<0.05). Grape seed extract supplementation does not appear to alter pig growth performance or body composition during heat stress.
Nesting Behavior, Provisioning Rates, and Parental Roles of Ferruginous Hawks in New Mexico

Abstract A better understanding of feeding ecology and parental roles is important for conservation of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) and their habitat. In 2004–2005, we collected and analyzed 1373 hr of video from six time-lapse video-monitored nests in New Mexico, U.S.A. , to address these behavioral data gaps. Ferruginous Hawks delivered 93 g of prey biomass per hr to each nest (g/hr), 42 g/nestling/hr, and 208 g/prey delivery. Males delivered most prey items (72%) and twice the overall prey biomass of females, but females delivered larger prey items in each delivery. As predicted by the food-niche hypothesis, males and females used prey differently, with females delivering a disproportionate number of desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) and males delivering Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) most often. Desert cottontails, the heaviest prey item, were most often delivered eviscerated. Females spent 33% of recorded time at the nest, whereas males spent <1%. We found a positive relationship between female nest attendance and male provisioning rate, and a negative relationship between female nest attendance and nestling age; the role of the male was to deliver prey whereas the female's initial role was to feed and care for nestlings, then to find food as nestlings began feeding themselves and became homeothermic. Evidence of intersexual differences in prey use may provide managers justification to focus limited resources on actions that create habitat heterogeneity and, consequently, a more diverse prey base.
Factors affecting Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) demography and habitat use at Onslow Beach, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Factors affecting Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) demography and habitat use at Onslow Beach, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina The Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) is a species of concern in most southeastern U.S. coastal states, where it breeds and winters. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan listed this species as a Species of High Concern (Prioritization Category 4), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated it as a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC). Despite its conservation status, Wilson’s Plover population trends are poorly understood and little research has been conducted examining habitat factors affecting this species’ breeding and foraging ecology. I collected Wilson’s Plover demographic data and explored which habitat characteristics influenced breeding success and foraging site selection among three coastal habitat types (i.e. fiddler crab (Uca spp.) mud flats, beach front, and interdune sand flats) at Onslow Beach, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 2008-2009. I observed little difference between years in nest success (≥ 1 egg hatched), failure, and overall nest survival. The majority of nest failures were caused by mammalian predators. For those nests that hatched successfully, greater proportions were located in clumped vegetation than on bare ground or sparsely vegetated areas. In-season chick survival for both years was higher for nests that hatched earlier in the season, and for nests farthest from the broods’ final foraging territory. Productivity estimates (chicks fledged per breeding pair) were not significantly different between years (0.88 ± 0.26 fledged/pair in 2008, 1.00 ± 0.25 fledged/pair in 2009) despite a shift in foraging behavior, possibly related to habitat alterations and availability in 2009. My findings indicate that Wilson’s Plover adults and broods were flexible in establishing final foraging territories; in 2008 all final brood foraging territories were on fiddler flats while in 2009, final foraging territories were sometimes split between fiddler flats, beach front, and interdune sand flats. For those Wilson’s Plovers establishing territories on fiddler flats, area of the flat was the
Stable isotopes as tracers in aquatic ecosystems

The addition of stable isotopes (SI) of 13 C and 15 N has been used to study several aquatic processes, thus avoiding environmental disturbance by the observer. This approach, employed for the last three decades, has contributed to expanding our knowledge of food-web ecology and nutrient dynamics in aquatic systems. Currently, SI addition is considered a powerful complementary tool for studying several ecological and biogeochemical processes at the whole aquatic ecosystem scale, which could not be addressed otherwise. However, their contributions have not been considered jointly nor been evaluated with a view to assessing the reliability and scope of their results from an ecosystem perspective. We intend to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive review (78 scientific publications reporting in situ 13C/15N additions at the whole-aquatic-ecosystem scale) addressing the main results arising from their use as tracers. Specifically, we focus on: i) reasons for SI additions at the whol.
Obtención de plantas madre de Vasconcellea x helbornii (Badillo) Badillo a partir de estacas en condiciones semicontroladas

The babaco [ Vasconcellea x helbornii (Badillo) Badillo] also known as mountain papaya is a native fruit from the highlands of Ecuador and Colombia. The present work was carried out with the objective of establishing a bank of donor plants of the babaco hybrid from cuttings, under semicontrolled conditions. Two-year-old plants grown in greenhouse was used as initial plant material. Subsequently, the stem was divided into different sections of 25 cm in length. These were planted in plastic sheaths with substrate and subjected to a phytosanitary control with 0.5% (v / v) Carbendazim fungicide. At six weeks of culture, the number of rooted cuttings, the number and length of shoots and number of leaves per cutting were quantified. The effect of biostimulant application (GERMO-TB01) was also determined to increase the number of axillary shoots. The results of this work allowed to reach a 100% budding and root formation in the different sections of stem. The best results in the formation of new shoots were reached in explants S1, S2 and S3. However, when applying the biostimulant the formation of new shoots increased to 5.82 per stem sections with better quality. Since the results of this work will be available donor plant material to develop in vitro propagation protocols of this hybrid, with high genetic and phytosanitary quality. Key word: bio-stimulant, donor plant material, greenhouse, rooting
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics

The fields of pharmacogenetics, genomics, and drug transporters have profoundly impacted drug metabolism research by providing plausible mechanisms for interindividual variability in drug response and metabolism-related toxicity. Pharmacogenetics is a branch of study that analyzes the effects of genetic differences between individuals. This article discusses various issues related to pharmacogenetics, including gene regulation and its potential impact on the efficacy and safety of new drug candidates. Keywords: pharmacogenetics; drug response; gene regulation; gene polymorphism; gene encoding
Nucleotide sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region II and inter HVR in Thais

ABSTRACT In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region II (HVRII) and inter HVR in the Thai population were investigated. Buccal swab samples were randomly collected from 100 unrelated healthy individuals residing in Thailand. The analysis of HVRII revealed a total of 65 different haplotypes of which 47 were unique and 18 were found in more than one individual. The most frequent haplotype observed was A73G-A249D-A263G-309.1C–315.1C (7%). Nucleotide transition from adenine (A) to guanine (G) was the most frequent substitution. Nucleotide transversions were also observed but with a lower frequency compared to nucleotide transitions. Insertions of C (57%), CC (14%), and CCC (1%) were found at position 309. Twenty-six samples were found to exhibit nucleotide deletion at position 249. The haplotype diversity, random match probability, and discrimination power were calculated to be 0.9859, 0.0240, and 0.976 respectively. In addition, the outside HVR fragment within the control region at positions 16381–72 (inter HVRI/HVRII) and 341–437 (inter HVRII/HVRIII) were sequenced in order to examine the polymorphic sites. High polymorphism was found at positions 16519, 150, 249, and 309. It was concluded that the nucleotide sequence variations in HVRII and inter HVRI/HVRII would be useful for forensic identification.
Consistency of spatiotemporal sound features supports the use of passive acoustics for long‐term monitoring

Many studies stress the usefulness of fish calls as effective indicators of distinct species occurrence. However, most of these studies have been undertaken in a given area and during restricted periods of time. There is a need to show passive acoustic monitoring is a reliable method to study vocal species over space and time. This study aims to use passive acoustic methods to follow the brown meagre Sciaena umbra at relevant temporal and spatial scales. Specimens of S. umbra were recorded in both aquarium and in the field. In situ recordings were made at two regions (Corsica and Sardinia) during four summers (2008–2012–2013–2015). Temporal and frequency parameters of the fish calls were collected by different teams and compared to test the ability to unequivocally identify the fish sound. The comparison between our data and the bibliography highlights the capability to identify S. umbra during a period of 17 years in different Mediterranean regions, clearly supporting the usefulness of acoustic monitoring to discover and protect aggregation sites of this endangered species. The sound producing mechanism in S. umbra consists of high‐speed sonic muscles surrounding dorsally the posterior end of the swim bladder, which can explain the low acoustic variability that helps in the species identification. Similar mechanisms are found in other Sciaenidae, suggesting that a similar conclusion can be drawn for many other adult sciaenids that could be used as sentinel species. This study should be of high interest to policymakers and scientists because it shows passive acoustic can be confidently used in resource management.
Dorsal and ventral stream contributions to goal-directed actions

The two-visual-systems hypothesis (TVSH) postulates that memory-guided movements rely on intact functions of the ventral stream. Its particular importance for memory-guided actions was initially inferred from behavioral dissociations in the well-known patient DF. Despite of rather accurate reaching and grasping movements to visible targets, she demonstrated grossly impaired memory-guided grasping as much as impaired memoryguided reaching. These dissociations were later complemented by apparently reversed dissociations in patients with dorsal damage and optic ataxia. However, grasping studies in DF and optic ataxia patients differed with respect to the retinotopic position of target objects, questioning the interpretation of the respective findings as a double dissociation. In contrast, the findings for reaching errors in both types of patients came from similar peripheral target presentations. However, new data on brain structural changes and visuomotor deficits in DF also questioned the validity of a double dissociation in reaching. A severe visuospatial short-term memory deficit in DF further questioned the specificity of her memory-guided reaching deficit. Therefore, we compared movement accuracy in visually-guided and memory-guided reaching in a new patient who suffered a confined unilateral damage to the ventral visual system due to stroke. Our results indeed support previous descriptions of memory-guided movements' inaccuracies in DF. Furthermore, our data suggest that recently discovered optic-ataxia like misreaching in DF is most likely caused by her parieto-occipital and not by her ventral stream damage. Finally, multiple visuospatial memory measurements in HWS suggest that inaccuracies in memory-guided reaching tasks in patients with ventral damage cannot be explained by visuospatial shortterm memory or perceptual deficits, but by a specific deficit in visuomotor processing. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. , 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. bingen.de (S. Cornelsen). rved. c o r t e x 7 9 ( 2 0 1 6 ) 3 2e4 1 33
Pollen morphology of Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae, Ajugoideae) in Libya

Pollen grains of 11 taxa of Teucrium from Libya were examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to provide better insight on the evaluation of palynological attributes for species characterization of Teucrium with special emphasis on the five Libyan endemic. Two main pollen shapes were documented; subprolate and prolate or perprolate in T. fruticans. The exine sculpture inspected at surface, operculum and pole were mostly verrucate, perforate or scabrate. Teucrium fruticans attained the phenomenon of pollen dimorphism with two distinct shapes and specifics sculpture for each form. The results validated the taxonomic significance of pollen grains for the discrimination among Teucrium species in Libya. Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24 (2): 219–226.
The human brain views selfish behaviour towards genetic vs. non-genetic sibling differently

Previous behavioural studies have shown that humans act more altruistically towards kin. Whether and how such kinship preference translates into differential neurocognitive evaluation of social interactions has remained an open question. Here, we investigated how the human brain is engaged when viewing a moral dilemma between genetic vs. non-genetic sisters. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, a movie depicting refusal of organ donation between two sisters was shown, with participants guided to believe the sisters were related either genetically or by adoption. The participants selfreported that genetic relationship was not relevant to them, yet their brain activity told a different story. When the participants believed that the sisters were genetically related, inter-subject similarity of brain activity was significantly stronger in areas supporting response-conflict resolution, emotion regulation, and self-referential social cognition. Our results show that mere knowledge of a genetic relationship between interacting persons can robustly modulate social cognition of the perceiver.
Neurophysiological Correlates of the Rubber Hand Illusion in Evoked and Oscillatory Brain Activity

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) allows insights into how the brain resolves conflicting multisensory information regarding body position and ownership. Previous neuroimaging studies have reported a variety of neurophysiological correlates of illusory hand ownership, with conflicting results likely originating from differences in experimental parameters and control conditions. Here, we overcome these limitations by using a fully automated and precisely-timed visuo-tactile stimulation setup to record evoked responses and oscillatory responses in the human EEG. Importantly, we relied on a combination of experimental conditions to rule out confounds of attention, body-stimulus position and stimulus duration, and on the combination of two control conditions to identify neurophysiological correlates of illusory hand ownership. In two separate experiments we observed a consistent illusion-related attenuation of ERPs around 330 ms over frontocentral electrodes, as well as decreases of frontal alpha and beta power during the illusion that could not be attributed to changes in attention, body-stimulus position or stimulus duration. Our results reveal neural correlates of illusory hand ownership in late and likely higher-order rather than early sensory processes, and support a role of premotor and possibly intraparietal areas in mediating illusory body ownership.