Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limited membership in Pleistocene reef coral assemblages from the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea: constancy during global change

One of the most intriguing questions in community ecology remains unanswered: Are ecological communities open assemblages with each species reacting individually to environmental change, or are they integrated units consisting of multispecies assemblages acting in concert? I address this question for marine organisms by examining the taxonomic composition and diversity of Indo-Pacific reef coral communities that have undergone repeated global change between 125 and 30 Ka (thousand years before present). Investigation of community constancy through time relies on two critical questions: (1) Are there significant differences in taxonomic composition among communities from different times? and if not, (2) Are the observed patterns in temporal similarity significantly different from expected patterns resulting from a random sampling of the available within-habitat species pool? Constancy in taxonomic composition and species richness of Pleistocene reef coral assemblages is maintained through a 95-k.y. interval in the raised reef terraces of the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. Fossil reef coral assemblages show limited membership in species composition despite repeated exposure to marked fluctuations in sea level (up to 120 m) and sea-surface temperatures (up to 6°). During the 95-k.y. interval, the reefs experienced nine cycles of perturbation and subsequent reassembly with similar species composition. Spatial differences in reef coral species composition were greater among the three study sites than among reefs of different ages. Thus local environmental parameters associated with riverine and terrestrial sources had a greater influence on reef coral composition than global climate and sea level changes. The ecological dynamics of reef communities from Papua New Guinea are in marked contrast to those of Quaternary terrestrial and level bottom marine communities which appear to show unlimited community membership on both larger and smaller time scales. Differences in community assembly among ecosystems mean either that coral reefs are fundamentally different or that different ecological patterns and processes are occurring at different temporal scales.
Effects of supplementing the diets of Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836 juveniles with citrus pectin

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate whether increasing the levels of citrus pectin has anti-nutritional effects when included in the diets of Mugil liza juveniles, including its effects on hepatic metabolism and modulation of the microbial community. Fish (mean weight 0.38 g � 0.01) were stocked at a density of 15 fishes per tank and fed for 60 days with either a control diet or one of three diets containing different levels of pectin (4, 8 and 12%), in triplicates. The temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity and alkalinity during the trial were, respectively, 25.0°C � 0.1, 6.82 � 0.02 mg L � 1 , 8.10 � 0.06 and 147 mg � 12.93 CaCO3. The total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) in PC4, PC8 and PC12 treatments were, respectively, 0.69 � 0.38; 0.57 � 0.35; 0.64 � 0.39 and 0.45 � 0.23 mg L � 1 . The increasing diet viscosity with pectin inclusion did not cause significant differences in growth. Fish fed with pectin demonstrated a reduction in their percentage body dry matter, crude protein and ash. Hepatic glycogen levels were elevated in the group fed with 12% pectin, while there were no effects in cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Citrus pectin did not exert any modulatory effect on the microbial community. Although the pectin-supplemented fish showed enteritis during the experimental period, this did not impair animal performance. However, the use of this polysaccharide as a binder in mullet (Mugil liza) diets for longer periods should be considered with caution.
Miniaturized orb-weaving spiders: behavioural precision is not limited by small size

The special problems confronted by very small animals in nervous system design that may impose limitations on their behaviour and evolution are reviewed. Previous attempts to test for such behavioural limitations have suffered from lack of detail in behavioural observations of tiny species and unsatisfactory measurements of their behavioural capacities. This study presents partial solutions to both problems. The orb-web construction behaviour of spiders provided data on the comparative behavioural capabilities of tiny animals in heretofore unparalleled detail; species ranged about five orders of magnitude in weight, from approximately 50‐100 mg down to some of the smallest spiders known (less than 0.005 mg), whose small size is a derived trait. Previous attempts to quantify the ‘complexity’ of behaviour were abandoned in favour of using comparisons of behavioural imprecision in performing the same task. The prediction of the size limitation hypothesis that very small spiders would have a reduced ability to repeat one particular behaviour pattern precisely was not confirmed. The anatomical and physiological mechanisms by which these tiny animals achieve this precision and the possibility that they are more limited in the performance of higher-order behaviour patterns await further investigation.
Evaluation of Hereford and first-cross cows on three pasture systems. I. Calf growth and reproductive performance of young cows

SUMMARY Hereford (H × H), Brahman × Hereford (B × H), Simmental × Hereford (S × H) and Friesian × Hereford (F × H) females born over a 5-year period (1973–77) were placed on pastures of high, medium or low nutritive value at Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, at weaning (7–8 months of age). The first mating of heifers on high pasture was at 15 months (1974) while that on medium and low pastures was delayed until 27 months of age (1975). This paper reports the reproductive performance of these cows up to 5 years of age and the preweaning growth of their calves which were sired by Hereford bulls at Grafton, Australia. In total, 1222 calving records were analysed. Most traits were subject to interaction between genotype and other main effects (pasture, year of birth of cow, cow age and sex of calf). Eyelid pigmentation was an exception, with calves from B × H cows having more than calves of other genotypes (73 v. 43%). There were significant genotype differences in calving difficulty among 2-year-old heifers only, with H × H (33%) requiring more assistance than F × H (15%) and SxH (10%) heifers, while B × H heifers did not require any assistance. Genotype differences in percentage of calves born and weaned were observed on low pastures only, where B × H (66% born, 65% weaned) exceeded H × H (48%, 39%) and S × H (39%, 38%) cows, with F × H (58%, 50%) cows being intermediate. Calves by H × H cows were the slowest-growing and were the lightest at weaning on all pastures, with mean gains of 759, 604 and 340 g/day, and mean weaning weights of 212, 188 and 110 kg, on high, medium and low quality pastures, respectively. F × H and S × H cows produced the fastest-growing calves on high quality pasture (966 and 936 g/day, respectively) while B × H cows produced the fastest-growing calves on medium (823 g/day) and low (679 g/day) quality pastures. F × H cows weaned the heaviest calves on high quality pasture (274 kg) while F × H and B × H weaned the heaviest calves on medium (230 and 229 kg, respectively) and low (162 and 169 kg, respectively) quality pastures. Differences in body measurements followed a pattern similar to weaning weight.
Assessment over time of the infectivity of gill-derived and seawater dispersed Neoparamoeba permaquidensis (Page, 1987)

A laboratory infection trial tested if Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, the protozoan responsible for AGD, remained infectious for up to 14 days when out of contact with host tissues. In the infection trial, 14 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were exposed to gill-derived paramoebae, which had been out of contact with hosts for up to 14 days. At the conclusion of the trial fish tested immunodot blot positive and were positive for histology. This implies that infection occurs from water to fish and the zone of infection around salmon farms may be very extensive.
The genus Chaetopteroides (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae) revised by fine structure analysis of parameres

The sexually dimorphic genus Chaetopteroides with combined chaetopterygini and stenophylacini characters was revised based on the well differentiated female external genitalia and on the diversified parameres of the phallic organ. We have reviewed why paramere diversifies so intensively. Re-diagnosis of genus was prepared and three new species are described: C. kosovarorum Ibrahimi et Olah sp. n. from Kosovo, C. tunik Olah sp. n. from Macedonia, and C. veges Olah sp. n. from Bulgaria.
The Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, their ruminant hosts, and potential on-farm interventions: a review

The emergence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 as a major human pathogen over the last 2 decades has focused attention on this organism’s ruminant hosts. Despite implementation of conventional control methods, people continue to become seriously ill from contaminated meat or other food products, manure-contaminated drinking and recreational water, and direct contact with ruminants. E. coli O157:H7 can cause life-threatening disease, and is a particular threat to children, through acute and chronic kidney damage. Compared with other food-borne bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 has a remarkably low infectious dose and is environmentally robust. Cattle are largely unaffected by this organism and have been identified as the major source of E. coli O157:H7 entering the human food chain. Other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can be pathogenic to humans and there is increasing evidence that their significance has been underestimated. Governments around the world have acted to tighten food safety regulations, and to investigate animal sources and on-farm control of this and related organisms. Potential intervention strategies on-farm include: feed and water hygiene, altered feeding regimes, specific E. coli vaccines, antibacterials, antibiotics, probiotics, and biological agents or products such as bacteriophages, bacteriocins, or colicins.
PERFORMANCE, BODY TEMPERATURE AND BLOOD METABOLITES OF FEEDLOT STEERS AS INFLUENCED BY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND SUPPLEMENTATION OF ZILPATEROL HYDROCHLORIDE

(MARC) near clay center, NE during the summer of 2014. The objective of this trial was to measure the effects of supplementing zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) for the final 21 days of the finishing period, and shade, on performance, body temperature, respiration rate, and mobility of finishing beef steers. Feeding ZH increased hot carcass weight, dressing percent, longissimus muscle area, and reduce USDA yield grade. Shade did not affect steer performance and did not reduce body temperature. Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased respiration rate when compared to control cattle and had minimal effect on animal mobility. Zilpaterol hydrochloride and shade had little effect on steer body temperature. (ARDC) near mead, NE. The objective of these trials was to assess the effects of environmental conditions on body temperature and blood metabolites across season on finishing steers. Body temperature was correlated to environmental temperature during both trials however the correlations weren't as strong for the winter trial. Many blood metabolites were correlated to environmental and rumen temperatures suggesting that blood metabolites are affected by environmental conditions. Trial 4 was conducted at UNL ARDC with the objective to determine the effect of feeding Agrimos (Lallemand Animal Nutrition; Montreal, Canada) and 2.5-cm ground wheat straw to finishing steers, during the summer, on body temperature and panting score in addition to performance, and blood metabolites. Hot carcass weight, dressing percent, LM area, and marbling score were not different between treatments. The addition of Agrimos (Lallemand Animal Nutrition; Montreal, Canada) increased steer body temperature with no impact on steer performance. The addition of finely ground wheat straw decreased steer panting score and reduced feed efficiency over both the control and Agrimos fed cattle. Control cattle had greater 12 th rib fat depth and as a result USDA yield grade. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Galen Erickson for the opportunity provided for me to come to Nebraska and further my education.
Patterns of specialization in the deep sea at the individual, ecosystem, and evolutionary level

Most of the deep sea is characterized by low productivity and low biomass, however there is a patchy distribution of unique habitats that support specialist communities and high biomass. These habitats include hydrothermal vents and cold seeps; geological features that provide reduced compounds like sulfide and methane to fuel chemosynthesis, an alternate form of primary production to photosynthesis. Organic falls like whale carcasses and wood support related but distinct communities of scavengers, grazers, filter feeders, and extreme specialists.This dissertation examines multiple levels of specialization to deep-sea reducing environments to address the following questions:1. Is there a common evolutionary path toward specialization in reducing habitats? 2. How have lineages modified their anatomy to specialize in deep-sea habitats? 3. How does variation in sunken wood influence community assembly? To address the first question, I used a supertree of the Gastropoda, one of the most diverse animal groups in reducing habitats, to ask whether lineages followed similar trajectories toward becoming specialists in these ecosystems. For the second question, I focused on a lineage of limpets (Lepetellidae) that has only been found living on empty Hyalinoecia polychaete tubes, and made hypotheses about how they utilize their substrate based on a detailed 3D reconstruction of the anatomy of Lepetella sierra. The third question focuses on how variation in the substrate can influence diversity and community assembly, particularly in wood fall communities colonizing experimental wood fall substrates of ten different types over the course of two years at 3200m near Monterey, CA. Through the course of exploring these three questions, I have developed collaborations, learned new skills, and contributed new data and perspectives on deep-sea reducing environments.
OP0056 Tnf-alpha blockade with infliximab in patients with active spondyloarthropathy: follow-up of one year maintenance regimen

Background In an open pilot study, the anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, infliximab, induced a rapid and significant improvement in global, peripheral and axial disease manifestations of patients (pts) with active spondyloarthropathy (SpA), without major side effects.1 Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated infusions of infliximab would effectively and safely maintain the observed effect. Methods The safety and efficacy of a maintenance regimen (5 mg/kg IV infliximab every 14 weeks) was evaluated using the same measurements reported in the open label study.1 Of the initial 21 pts 19 completed the 1 year follow-up for efficacy. Two pts (1 psoriatic arthritis, 1 undifferentiated SpA) changed to another dosing regimen of infliximab after week 12 due to partial lack of efficacy. However, these pts are still in follow-up and are included in the safety analysis. Results Efficacy: After every retreatment (at week 20, 34 and 48) a sustained significant decrease of global, peripheral and axial disease manifestations was observed (p < 0,05 compared to baseline). Before retreatment, recurrence of symptoms was observed in 3 pts (16%) at week 20, 13 pts (68%) at week 34 and 15 pts (79%) at week 48. Safety: No withdrawals due to adverse events occurred. No significant laboratory abnormalities were detected. No major peri-infusional allergic reactions were observed. Three infectious episodes (pyelonephritis, otitis media, and tooth abscess) were observed. During the 1 year follow-up 12 pts (57%) developed on at least 2 occasions antinuclear antibodies; in 4 of these pts (19%) antibodies to dsDNA were detected. However, no lupus-like syndromes occurred. Conclusion In this open follow-up study of infliximab in pts with active SpA, the significant improvement of all disease manifestations was maintained over a 1 year follow-up period without major adverse events. Since recurrence of symptoms was observed in a rising number of patients with every retreatment, the maintenance regimen (5 mg/kg every 14 weeks) probably needs adjustment (shorter interval or higher dose). Reference Ann Rheum Dis. 2000;59:428–33
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF Pimenta racemosa var. racemosa (MYRTACEAE) FROM TÁCHIRA - VENEZUELA

Pimenta racemosa var. racemosa (Mill.) J. W. Moore, commonly known as Bay-rum, Malagueta, Pepita species and pepper, is a Caribbean tree, belonging to Myrtaceae family, with a special interest in their leaves for the production of essential oil well known as "Bay-Rum". According to literature consulted there are no reports either for phytochemical or pharmacological activities with respect to extracts of this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate extracts from aerial parts (leaves, fruits, stems and bark) and roots of P. racemosa var. racemosa collected in April 2012, in order to perform a preliminary phytochemical screening. All extracts were obtained by maceration, and phytochemical screening was carried out by simple colorimetric and TLC techniques. Results indicated mainly the presence of terpenoids, steroids, saponins, phenolic nuclei, glycosides, tannins, and quinines. This information no only supports the use of this plant in traditional medicine but might be useful for further chemical and biological investigations.
Use by small mammals of a chronosequence of tropical rainforest revegetation

Abstract Context. The conversion of tropical rainforest to grazing pasture results in a drastic change in small-mammal community composition. Restoring the landscape through ecological revegetation is thus an increasingly important management technique to conserve rainforest mammals. Aims. This study aimed to determine the habitat ages at which species of small mammals recolonised revegetated habitats on the southern Atherton Tablelands, north-eastern Queensland, Australia. We focussed on changes in rainforest mammal abundance and diversity with increasing habitat age. Methods. Small-mammal trapping and mark–recapture techniques investigated mammal diversity, abundance and community composition within remnant rainforest, three age classes of ecological revegetation and abandoned grazing pasture. Key results. Small-mammal community composition differed between remnant rainforest and abandoned grazing pasture. The pasture and 3-year old revegetated sites were similar in composition, both lacking rainforest small mammals. Six- and 7-year old revegetation plantings provided suboptimal habitat for both rainforest and grassland mammals, whereas 16- and 22-year old revegetated habitats were dominated by rainforest species, with some individuals being frequently recaptured. Conclusions. As revegetated habitats aged, the small-mammal community composition transitioned from a grassland-like composition to a community dominated by rainforest species. Implications. Although rainforest small mammals were very occasionally captured within the 6- and 7-year old habitats, revegetated plantings were not dominated by rainforest species until the habitat was 16 years old. This highlights the importance of commencing revegetation as early as possible to minimise future population declines and maximise the conservation of rainforest mammals.
YEARLING AND SUBADULT BLACK BEAR SURVIVAL IN A HUNTED VIRGINIA POPULATION

Abstract Reported survival rates for yearling and subadult bears in hunted black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in North America are scarce. We estimated survival rates of yearling and subadult black bears from a hunted population in western Virginia during 1999–2002. We captured 307 individual yearling and subadult bears on 2 study sites, and we attached radiotransmitters to 54 (34M:20F) 1-year-old, 52 (23M:29F) 2-year-old, and 35 (8M:27F) 3-year-old black bears. We used the known fate model in program MARK to estimate annual, nonhunting, and hunting season survival for radiomarked bears of each age and sex class. Additionally, we used mark–recapture data in the recaptures only, dead recoveries, and Burnham's combined models within program MARK to estimate survival for each age and sex class. One-, 2-, and 3-year-old female survivorship was 0.87 (95% CI 0.78–0.92), 1-year-old male survivorship was 0.32 (95% CI 0.20–0.47), and 2- and 3-year-old male survivorship was 0.59 (95% CI 0.47 s– 0.71) from the Burnham's combined model. Survival rates for 1-year-old females (χ2 = 6.20, P = 0.01) and 2-year-old females (χ2 = 7.74, P = 0.01) were higher than males in each age category, respectively. Hunter harvest accounted for 98% of all subadult bear mortality during our study. Low yearling and subadult male survival is not likely a cause for alarm due to the importance of adult female survival to population growth and the promiscuous mating system in black bear populations.
Lotic ecosystems of Serra do Cipó, southeast Brazil: water quality and a tentative classification based on the benthic macroinvertebrate community

Abstract A general characterization of the water quality of representative rivers of Serra do Cipó, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil is provided as well as the composition and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates, mainly Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Diptera (Chironomidae). These data are used as a basis to propose a river classification for the area, comprising three major categories: undisturbed waters (Class 1), with no evidence of human influences and showing high taxa richness; waters with intermediate disturbances (Class 2), showing some degree of change in the quality of their trophic resources, due mainly to the influence of human activities (e.g., deforestation, sewage discharges); and disturbed waters (Class 3), showing evidence of eutrophication, although still preserving some diversity of benthic organisms. This proposed classification system, although broad and simple, is believed to provide the necessary basic scientific information to allow for definition of conservation policies in the area, thus contributing to the preservation of rivers and their associated biota.