Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Larval behaviour of the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus (Acari:Ixodidae): evaluation of CO2 (dry ice), and short- and long-range attractants by bioassay

ABSTRACT We report that larvae of Dermacentor albipictus can detect CO2 from a dry ice source at distances up to 3.0 m and initiate increased activation, movement and questing behaviour. The maximum distance that larvae spread was ~0.5 m after 24 h, compared to <0.1 m without CO2 as an excitant. In Petri dish bioassays, 2,6-dichlorophenol, methyl salicylate and o-nitrophenol acted as attractants, albeit with mixed results at 1.0 m, 2.0 m and 3.0 m, respectively. The 2,6-dichlorophenol target was the most effective, although few larvae crawled >1.0 m and CO2 was required as a carrier. In Petri dish bioassays, larvae arrested into dense aggregations on eggshells collected after hatching. This arrestment was associated with the eggshell lipids cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl palmitate, implying that cholesteryl esters act as assembly pheromones for larvae. Faster response was evident at 65% relative humidity (RH) versus 95% RH. Larvae were not arrested by tick excreta, guanine or related purines. Although larvae can be activated from long distances, in the field they remain fairly localized around the egg mass (hatching location), have limited dispersal and are more responsive in drier conditions. Given their arrestant properties, cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl palmitate may prove useful in pheromone-assisted control methods because D. albipictus larvae are the single stage of infestation to the host.
Antarctica and the evolution of taxonomic diversity gradients in the marine realm

Although it will probably never be as complete as that known from any of the other continents, the Antarctic fossil record comprises a surprising amount of information. Originally gathered primarily for stratigraphical purposes, much of this is now amenable to biogeographical synthesis. In theory there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved, but one of the most important, and exciting, lies in the study of taxonomic diversity gradients. Polar-equatorial gradients, in particular, hold one of the keys to elucidating the origin and maintenance of large scale biodiversity patterns. Latitudinal gradients in species richness in the Southern Hemisphere are not necessarily a mirror-image of those seen in the north. There is growing evidence to suggest that the Southern Ocean is a repository of considerable taxonomic diversity, especially for epifaunal marine invertebrate taxa which have adapted to coarse-grained, glacial substrates. Living Antarctic gastropods, for example, comprise a surprisingly diverse group and there is evidence from the fossil record that they are the product of a substantial historical legacy. We still have a lot to learn about the nature of taxonomic diversity gradients in the fossil record. Nevertheless, a picture is beginning to emerge of comparatively steep latitudinal gradients for both bivalves and gastropods in the latest Jurassic (Tithonian). If this is substantiated through the Cretaceous, it would seem to provide striking evidence of steep gradients on a pre-glacial Earth. To some this will be taken as confirmation of the fact that gradients are a time-invariant feature of the Earth' s surface; a direct consequence of the tropics comprising by far the largest natural region (or biome). However, care must always be exercised in attributing simple patterns to simple processes, and other factors may well be involved. Studies based on the fossil record have not yet been able to show that there have been either enhanced rates of speciation in the tropics or extinction towards the poles. This fact alone suggests that something else besides area must be involved in the generation of large scale biodiversity patterns. Time is an obvious candidate here, but it should be stressed that this is very much on a geological timescale of tens or even hundreds of millions of years. Rather than concentrate on intrinsic properties of organisms which may have enabled them to proliferate in the tropics or limited their success at the poles, it may be that more attention should be paid to the role of extrinsic factors. Of prime importance among these may well have been serial range expansions and contractions in concert with repeated climatic change.
Recurrent Sublethal-Dose Selection for Reduced Susceptibility of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) to Dicamba

The management of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth has been a challenge in southern United States cropping systems. Registration of dicamba-resistant crops will provide an alternative management option to control herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth populations, particularly those having resistance to herbicide Groups 2, 3, 5, 9, 14, and 27. However, repeated use of sublethal doses of dicamba may lead to rapid evolution of herbicide resistance, especially in Palmer amaranth—a species with a strong tendency to evolve resistance. Therefore, selection experiments with dicamba were conducted on Palmer amaranth using sublethal doses. In the greenhouse, a known susceptible Palmer amaranth population was subjected to sublethal dicamba doses for three generations (P1–P3). Susceptibility of the individuals to dicamba was evaluated, and its susceptibility to 2,4-D was characterized. Based on the greenhouse study, following three generations of dicamba selection, the dose required to cause 50% mortality increased from 111 g ae ha−1 for parental individuals (P0) to 309 g ae ha−1 for the P3. Furthermore, reduced susceptibility of the P3 to 2,4-D was also evident. This research presents the first evidence that recurrent use of sublethal dicamba doses can lead to reduced susceptibility of Palmer amaranth to dicamba as well as 2,4-D. Here, we show that selection from sublethal dicamba doses has an important role in rapid evolution of Palmer amaranth with reduced susceptibility to auxin-type herbicides. Nomenclature: 2,4-D, dicamba, Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.
Seascape genetics of a flatfish reveals local selection under high levels of gene flow

Local adaptation is often found to be in a delicate balance with gene flow in marine species with high dispersal potential. Genotyping with mapped transcriptome-derived markers and advanced seascape statistical analyses are proven tools to uncover the genomic basis of biologically relevant traits under environmental selection. Using a panel of 426 gene-linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we scanned 17 samples (n¼539) of sole (Solea solea L.) from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and applied a node-based seascape analysis. Neutral loci confirmed a clear distinction between the North Sea–Baltic Sea transition zone and the other Eastern Atlantic samples. At a more subtle level, the latter unit split in an English Channel and North Sea group, and a Bay of Biscay and Atlantic Iberian coast group. A fourth group, the Irish and Celtic Sea, was identified with 19 outlier loci. A pattern of isolation by distance (IBD) characterized the latitudinal distribution. Seascape analyses identified winter seawater temperature, food availability and coastal currents to explain a significant component of geographically distributed genetic variation, suggesting that these factors act as drivers of local adaptation. The evidence for local adaptation is in line with the current understanding on the impact of two key ecological factors, the life-history trait winter mortality and the behaviour of inshore/offshore spawning. We conclude that the subtle differentiation between two metapopulations (North Sea and Bay of Biscay) mirrors local adaptation. At least three genomic regions with strong population differentiation point to locally divergent selection. Further functional characterization of these genomic regions should help with formulating adaptive management policies.
CHAPTER 2 Grounding Desire and Motivated Behavior A Theoretical Framework and Review ofEmpifical Evidence

Experiencing and dealing with desire is a central part of human existence. Whether it is for food, drink, sex, fame, social connectedness, or world peace, our desires shape and energize much of our daily life. A large literature, especially in social and health psychology, has focused on the ways in which desires affect our cognition and behavior. Similarly, many studies have outlined ways of handling such desires responsibly, for example, by planning in advance how to respond to them (e.g., Adriaanse, de Ridder, & de Wit, 2009), by thinking about one's long-term goals when tempted to give in to short-term temptations (Fishbach, Friedman, & Kruglanski, 2003; Papies, Potjes, Keesman, Schwinghammer, & van Koningsbruggen, 2014), or by applying mental strategies such as mindfulness (e.g., Alberts, Thewissen, & Raes, 2012; Jenkins & Tapper, 2014; Papies, Barsalou, & Custers, 2012). We know less, however, about how desire arises in the first place. What are the actual psychological mechanisms that produce desires and consequently affect our behavior to fulfill them? What neural mechanisms underlie the psychological processes that lead to desire, and that are associated with behaviors such as indulging in tasty food, drinking expensive wine, or driving across the state to see a loved one? To answer these questions, we develop a grounded theory of desire and motivated behavior, and we review empirical work consistent with it. Our theory does not aim to replace earlier accounts. Instead, we further develop the cognitive, affective, and neural mechanisms that underlie desire, together
Comparative study of RS4 type resistant starches derived from cassava and potato starches via octenyl succinylation.

Resistant starch is becoming important among functional foods because of its similarity to dietary fiber in many physiological properties. In the present study, an attempt has been made to compare two distinct tuber starches from cassava and potato, in the formation of RS4 type resistant starch by chemical modification with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The octenyl succinate esters of both the starches exhibited significant changes in structural, functional, and dietetic properties in comparison to their respective native counterparts. The modified starches were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and XRD analysis. The pasting, gelatinization, and in vitro digestibility properties were also determined. The water binding capacity of both the starches increased upon modification. The pasting and gelatinization properties of the two starches were affected differently. The cooked samples of octenyl succinylated potato starch showed slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) in the range of 10.53–34.86% and 3.58–29.1%, respectively, whereas these were 20.46–38.36% and 1.47–27.92%, respectively, for cassava starch. In both cases, RS and SDS of modified starches increased significantly and glycemic index (GI) decreased in comparison to corresponding native starches.
Estimation of the Lubuma-Gumel Buffalo-only model with incomplete data

In this work, a reduced model proposed by Lubuma and Gumel for transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bovine tuberculosis in a community consisting of humans andAfrican buffaloes is considered. The buffalo-only component of the model is however, examined for parameter estimation. The problem is to propose an analytical approach for restoring the state variables, EB1 and EB2 which are the early and advanced-exposed buffaloes to Bovine tuberculosis respectively. These model variables are the assumed missing information about the population of susceptible Buffaloes. The discussed method is then used to restore this missing information in the susceptibles. The approach uses differential equations that are linearized through new parameters to form an objective function that is minimized using the least-squares methods in order to compute the required model coefficients. The Results show that the approach is efficient given the relatively small absolute errors of order 10−3 and 10−4 also the estimated trends that closely mimic the simulated (observed) data of the state variables. AMS subject classification:
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Odontonema Cuspidatum (Nees) Kuntze against CCl4-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats

Objective: The present investigation deals with evaluation of hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of total methanol extract and different fractions of Odontonema cuspidatum on the CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity. Material and methods: Albino Wister rats weighing (140±20 g) of either sex were divided into seven groups (n=8). Hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl4 dissolved in olive oil (1:1, 2 ml/kg bw, S.c). Silymarin (100mg/kg) orally was used as standard drug. Test groups received total methanol extract and different fractions (aqueous, n-butanol and n-hexane fractions) of Odontonema cuspidatum aerial part in a dose of 400 mg/kg/day orally along with CCl4. Treatment was given to all the tested groups daily for 5 days. The hepatoprotective effect of Odontonema cuspidatum was evaluated by assessment of biochemical parameters [(AST), (ALT), (ALP) and total bilirubin] and the antioxidant activity in the liver tissue was estimated by measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes: reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as the level of lipid peroxidation by Malondialdehyde (MDA). Biochemical observations were also supported with histopathological examination of liver section. Results: Odontonema cuspidatum methanol extract (OCME) (400mg/kg) exhibited a highly significant reduction (p<0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin better than other fractions. Odontonema cuspidatum methanol extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg/d showed highly significant reduction (p<0.05) in MDA and rise in (p<0.05) in GSH better than other fractions. Histopathological examination of the liver denoted marked hepatoprotective effect of the total methanol extract by absence of histopathological lesions, decrease the extent of necrosis and fatty changes when compared to carbon tetrachloride group, while the other fractions showed above moderate effect on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Conclusion: Odontonema cuspidatum showed significant protection against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats by enhancing the antioxidant defense condition, lessening lipid peroxidation, and conserving against the pathological changes of the liver.
Morphometric and meristic studies of the spotted estuarine prawn, Macrobrachium equidens (Dana) of Vembanad Lake, Kerala State

The paper reports on the statistical analysis of growth pattern and meristic studies of body parts of the spotted estuarine prawn, Macrobrachium equidens (Dana) of Vembanad Lake, Kerala State. The results showed that the growth pattern of carapace length, telson length, ischium length and dactylus length in relation to total length were significantly different between the sexes at slope itself (at 1% level) and growth pattern of abdominal length, merus length, carpus length, propodus length and palm length were significant at elevations (5%, 1% levels). The average sizes of all these characters were greater in males than in females. Regression equations have been calculated for the characters and presented in the text. Among the characters of the carapace, rostrum length, post-orbital length showed significant difference between sexes at 1% level (slope value) and width of carapace at 1% level (elevations). The average sizes of all these characters were higher in males. Among the meristic characters studied, the species exhibited sexual dimorphism with regard to dorsal teeth, post-orbital teeth and ventral teeth. The fundamental data generated is essential for establishing the species status as well as it is useful for making comparison with other species.
Human Identity

Creative Evolution" or the ugly realities of self-styled supermen like Stalin, Hitler, or Mussolini. Above all, I hear in the dramatic metaphors of this passage the man who finally found the stage was the natural expression for his own personal myth, his identity. He had to become an actor. He had to make himself into a puppet in order to be controlled and fulfilled by others. But he also had to become that purposeful, fulfilling opposite himself and control the puppet and the actor. In short, he had to become a
Tribe or Title? The Effect of Coethnic Neighbors on the Demand for Formal Property Rights in a Tanzanian Slum

This paper examines the relationship between ethnic heterogeneity and the demand for formal land tenure in urban Tanzania. Using a unique census of two highly fractionalized unplanned settlements in Dar es Salaam, I show that households located near coethnics are significantly less likely to purchase a limited form of land tenure offered by the government. I attempt to address the issue of endogenous sorting by conditioning on a household’s choice of coethnic neighbors upon arrival in the neighborhood. I also find that coethnic residence predicts lower levels of perceived expropriation risk but not perceived access to credit or contributions to local public goods. These results suggest that close-knit ethnic groups may be less likely to accept state-provided goods due to their ability to generate reasonable substitutes, in this case protection from expropriation. The results are robust to different definitions of coethnicity and spatial cutoffs, controls for family ties and religious similarity, and spatial fixed effects. Finally, the main result is confirmed using a large-scale administrative data set covering more than 20,000 land parcels in the city, exploiting ethnically unique last names to predict tribal affiliation.
Zoon Politikon

We provide the most up-to-date evidence available in various behavioral fields in support of the hypothesis that the emergence of bipedalism and cooperative breeding in the hominin line—together with environmental developments that made a diet of meat from large animals adaptive as well as cultural innovation in the form of fire and cooking—created a niche for hominins in which there was a high return for coordinated, cooperative scavenging and hunting of large mammals. This was accompanied by an increasing use of wooden spears and lithic points as lethal hunting weapons that transformed human sociopolitical life. The combination of social interdependence and the availability of such weapons in early hominin society undermined the standard social dominance hierarchy of multimale/multifemale primate groups. The successful sociopolitical structure that ultimately replaced the ancestral social dominance hierarchy was an egalitarian political system in which lethal weapons made possible group control of leaders, and group success depended on the ability of leaders to persuade and of followers to contribute to a consensual decision process. The heightened social value of nonauthoritarian leadership entailed enhanced biological fitness for such leadership traits as linguistic facility, ability to form and influence coalitions, and, indeed, hypercognition in general.
Region-specific neuron recruitment in the hippocampus of brown-headed cowbirds Molothrus ater (Passeriformes: Icteridae)

Abstract Avian brood parasites do not raise their own young. Rather, they leave eggs and offspring in nests of other species. Finding potential nests to parasitize is mostly up to the female and requires enhanced spatial memory as the female must remember nest locations as well as whether each located nest is in the nest building, incubation or offspring provisioning stage. In many cases, enhancement of ecologically relevant spatial memory is associated with larger hippocampal volume compared to the sex, or a species, that does not have similar demand for spatial memory. Female brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), a parasitic species ubiquitous across North America, have greater hippocampus volume and new neuron recruitment as compared to male cowbirds and non-parasitic species. The present study reveals female cowbirds display greater new neuron recruitment compared to males specifically in the rostral hippocampal subdivision. It is still unclear, however, whether the function of new cells in the rostral hippocampus is related to sex differences in spatial memory. These data reveal the avian hippocampus exhibits subdivisions in new cell recruitment but it remains unclear whether these subdivisions serve distinct functions in spatial memory and other hippocampal functions.
The Effects of Single-Sex Schooling on Achievement and Attitudes in Nigeria

The comparison of single-sex and coeducational schooling has received attention in several recent studies. This organizational feature of schools has been compared in the Catholic secondary sector in America where approximately one-half of the schools are single sex. For the high school classes of both 1982 and 1972, students in single-sex schools evidenced higher achievement and educational aspirations than their counterparts in coeducational schools. ' For eighth graders in Thailand in 1982, Jimenez and Lockheed found higher gains in mathematics achievement for girls in single-sex schools, whereas boys fared better in a coeducational school environment.2 All of these studies found single-sex schooling more beneficial for females than for males.
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT CHARACTERIZATION OF THINNED IMMATURE CITRUS UNSHIU FRUITS

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the characterization of thinned immature Citrus unshiu fruits with regard to their phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity. Methods: Determination of total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid and ascorbic acid contents was done by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, whereas UPLC-mass detection was used for the analysis of individual flavanone (naringin, hesperidin, hesperetin, neohesperedine and narirutin) and flavonol (rutin). In addition, free radicals (DPPH, O 2 - , H 2 O 2 and NO) scavenging assays were used to determine the antioxidant capacity. Results: Naringin, hesperidine, neohesperedine and narirutin were the main flavanones in all thinned immature Citrus unshiu fruits. The contents of total phenolic, flavonoid and carotenoid were more prevalent in immature fruits than the level found in mature fruits. All thinned immature Citrus unshiu fruits possess an evident antioxidant capacity. The immature Citrus extract concentrations providing 50% inhibition (IC 50 ) for free radicals; 1.2-1.49 mg/ml for DPPH, 1.03-1.46 mg/ml for superoxide, 1.95-3.43 mg/ml for hydrogen peroxide and 1.64-3.45 mg/ml for nitric oxide was lower than those of mature Citrus extracts. Conclusion: Thinned immature Citrus unshiu fruits could be an economic and readily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food and pharmaceutical supplement.
Tel Dan

The Biblical Archaeologist is published quarterly (March, May, September, December) by the American Schools of Oriental Research. Its purpose is to provide readable, non-technical, yet thoroughly reliable accounts of archaeological discoveries as they relate to the Bible. Authors wishing to submit unsolicited articles should write the editors for style and format instructions before submitting manuscripts.