Exploring nest destruction and bird mortality in mown Mediterranean dry grasslands: an increasing threat to grassland bird conservation

In recent years, haying has extended to Iberian Mediterranean dry grasslands potentially impacting on grassland bird ecology. We evaluated the impact of haying on a grassland bird community of South Portugal. Our main goals were: (1) to investigate the exposure of different species to haying, (2) to investigate potential removal of nests and dead birds from hayed fields by haying machinery using the ratio (REC) between the expected number of records and the number of records collected and (3) to link clutch destruction and bird mortality with haying management practices. Hayed fields were surveyed for signs of breeding and birds censused prior to mowing. Linear models were computed, linking the REC with haying machinery and sward properties. GLMs and model averaging were used to obtain models linking clutch destruction, bird mortality and haying management variables. Only 4 % of records evidenced successful nesting attempts (N = 177). REC evaluation suggested high nest or dead bird removal by the machinery, particularly in fields with lower vegetation biomass prior to cutting. Sickle bar mowers and one-rotor rotary rakes returned higher REC but lower probability of found nests removed from the original nesting sites comparatively to discs mowers and wheel rakes. Higher probabilities of mortality events were found in fields mown earlier (but not in all years). On the other hand, lower mortality was found in fields raked with two-rotor rotary rakes. Delayed haying, silage production in temporary crops and the use haying machinery enabling simultaneously mowing and gathering hay in lines are discussed as management alternatives

Urea and yucca (Manihot esculenta) for dairy cattle in Colombia.

Doctorad

Una variante sintética para la obtencion de dominicalure racemica- feromona de agregacion del escarabajo de los granos Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae)

Las feromonas constituyen un componente decisivo en las estrategias push-pull para el desarrollo de sistemas agricolas ecológicamente sostenibles, la conseración de alimentos en las comunidades humanas y la lucha epidemiológica antivectorial preventiva. Debido a su action atractante especifica y minimo impacto ecológico que disminuyen el volumen y use de plaguicidas, estas substancias se aplican intensamente en los sistemas de protección de plantas y productos varios. En Cuba se desarrollan estudios sobre la factibilidad sintética de feromonas y su aplicabilidad en el control poblacional de especies perjudiciales, en específico la especie Rhyzopertha dominica que causa severos daños en granos almacenados. Previos reportes detallan procedimientos extensos y costosos sistemas catalíticos (butilstannatos y organocupratos) así como condiciones anhidras e inertes (Ar, -20 y -25 °C) para la obtención de la feromona de agregación de esta nociva especie. Utilizando aldehidos propiónico e isobutanal como substrates de partida se sintetizan, mediante condensación aldólica, oxidación selectiva con Ag 2O-metanol de aldehidos monoénicos, tratamiento con SOCI2 y esterificación con 2-pentanol, se sintetizan Ios respectivos componentes de la forma racemica de la feromona de agregación de esta especie. Se detalla el analisis estructural mediante RMN 1H-13C de intermediarios y de Ios esteres así como un intento de oxidacion con TEMPO derivados

The symmetry of the superconducting order parameter in PuCoGa5_5

The symmetry of the superconducting order parameter in single-crystalline PuCoGa$_5$ ($T_{\rm c} = 18.5$ K) is investigated via zero- and transverse- field muon spin relaxation ($\mu$SR) measurements, probing the possible existence of orbital and/or spin moments (time reversal-symmetry violation TRV) associated with the superconducting phase and the in-plane magnetic-field penetration depth $\lambda(T)$ in the mixed state, respectively. We find no evidence for TRV, and show that the superfluid density, or alternatively, $\Delta\lambda(T) = \lambda(T) - \lambda(0)$, are $\propto T$ for $T/T_{\rm c} \leq 0.5$. Taken together these measurements are consistent with an even-parity (pseudo-spin singlet), d-wave pairing state.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Nonlinear convective heat transport in multiple magnetized electron temperature filaments

Results are presented from a basic electron heat transport experiment consisting of multiple magnetized electron temperature filaments in close proximity. This arrangement samples cross-field transport from nonlinear drift-Alfven waves and is used to study elements of chaotic heat flow. Experiments are performed in the Large Plasma Device (LAPD) at the University of California. A biased LaB₆ cathode injects low energy electrons (below ionization energy) along a strong magnetic field into a pre-existing large and cold plasma forming an electron temperature filament embedded in a colder plasma, and far from the machine walls. A carbon masking plate with several holes is used to create 3 electron temperature filaments. Drift-Alfven and thermal waves from a single filament have been characterized and compared to previous studies with a different electron beam source. The 3-filament case exhibits a complex wave pattern and enhanced cross-field transport.Представлены результаты изучения переноса тепла между несколькими замагниченными нитями с электронной температурой, находящимися в непосредственной близости. Такое расположение позволяет изучать перенос тепла поперек поля из-за нелинейных дрейфово-альфвеновских волн и используется для изучения составных частей хаотического теплового потока. Эксперименты проводятся на LAPD (Large Plasma Device) в Университете Калифорнии. Смещённый LaB₆-катод инжектирует низкоэнергетичные электроны (ниже энергии ионизации) вдоль сильного магнитного поля в предварительно созданную холодную плазму больших размеров и создаёт вкраплённые нити электронной температуры вдали от стенок камеры установки. Углеродная накладка с несколькими отверстиями используется для создания трёх нитей с электронными температурами. Изучены дрейфово-альфвеновские и тепловые волны от одной нити и проведено сравнение с предыдущими результатами, полученными в другом источнике электронов. Случай с тремя нитями демонстрирует сложную волновую картину и повышенный перенос поперёк поля.Представлено результати вивчення перенесення тепла між декількома замагніченими нитками з електронною температурою, які знаходяться в безпосередній близькості. Таке розташування дозволяє вивчати перенесення тепла поперек поля через нелінійні дрейфово-альфвенівські хвилі та використовується для вивчення складових частин хаотичного теплового потоку. Експерименти проводяться на LAPD (Large Plasma Device) в Університеті Каліфорнії. Зміщений LaB₆-катод інжектує низькоенергетичні електрони (нижче енергії іонізації) уздовж сильного магнітного поля в попередньо створену холодну плазму великих розмірів і створює украплені нитки електронної температури далеко від стінок камери установки. Вуглецева накладка з декількома отворами використовується для створення трьох ниток з електронними температурами. Вивчено дрейфово-альфвенівські та теплові хвилі від однієї нитки та проведене порівняння з попередніми результатами, що отримані в іншому джерелі електронів. Випадок з трьома нитками демонструє складну хвильову картину і підвищений перенос поперек поля

Assessment of CD-105 as an Angiogenic Modulator in Odontogenic Myxomas and Dental Follicles

Aim. Odontogenic myxoma is a benign intraosseous neoplasm of the jaws, with a locally aggressive behavior and a high recurrence rate. CD-105 is a homodimeric cell membrane glycoprotein and is a component of the TGF-β1 growth factor receptor complex that modulates angiogenesis by regulating the proliferation, differentiation and cellular migration. The aim of this study is to quantify the microvascular density of the odontogenic myxoma based on the expression of CD-105. Materials and Methods. The analysis included 18 odontogenic myxoma and 18 dental follicles as controls. A standard immunohistochemical procedure was performed with the CD-105 antibody. Five representative fields (40×) of the odontogenic myxoma and the dental follicles were selected to determine the microvascular density, which was then followed by a descriptive and comparative statistical analysis. Results. Dental follicles presented a significantly higher microvascular density compared with odontogenic myxoma (P = .001). The odontogenic myxoma smaller than 3 cm showed a greater microvascular density than those larger than 3 cm in size (P > .05), and the microvascular density was lower in large odontogenic myxomas as compared with the dental follicles (P = .003). Conclusion. A weaker expression of CD-105 in odontogenic myxoma might indicate a lower angiogenic activity, suggesting that vascular proliferation has a limited role in the growth mechanisms and in the aggressive behavior of this neoplasm.peer-reviewe

Evaluation of ecological organic paint coatings via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The behaviour of five different water-based anticorrosive paint systems for the corrosion protection of carbon steel surfaces was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Epoxy-polyamine, epoxy-amine and epoxy-acrylic resins as primer coats, and acrylic-polyurethane and acrylic paints as top coats, were investigated both in single layer and double-layer applications. The best protection was provided by the epoxy-amine resin, whereas acrylic-polyurethane exhibited the poorest characteristics and signs of corrosion could be observed since the initial moments of immersion onwards. The impedance spectra could be satisfactorily fitted by employing an equivalent circuit which corresponds to a porous barrier fil

Electrochemical analysis of the microbiologically influenced corrosion of AISI 304 stainless steel by Sulphate Reducing Bacteria associated with Bacillus Cereus

The associative effect towards the corrosion of AISI 304 stainless steel caused by the main two bacterial species present in marine environments around the Canary Islands (Spain) has been investigated using electrochemical techniques. The test environments were sterile conditions, with SRB (sulphate-reducing bacteria) Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (strain DSM 642) isolated from its natural marine environment, with Bacillus Cereus var. mycoides (CECT 193), and with a mixture of both. EIS data demonstrate the development of a synergic effect of both bacteria, where Bacillus cereus mycoides favours the development of SRB and, consequently there is a greater tendency to the progress of corrosio

Search for solar Kaluza-Klein axions in theories of low-scale quantum gravity

We explore the physics potential of a terrestrial detector for observing axionic Kaluza-Klein excitations coming from the Sun within the context of higher-dimensional theories of low-scale quantum gravity. In these theories, the heavier Kaluza-Klein axions are relatively short-lived and may be detected by a coincidental triggering of their two-photon decay mode. Because of the expected high multiplicity of the solar axionic excitations, we find experimental sensitivity to a fundamental Peccei-Quinn axion mass up to $10^{-2}$ eV (corresponding to an effective axion-photon coupling $g_{a\gamma \gamma} \approx 2.\times 10^{-12}$ GeV$^{-1}$) in theories with 2 extra dimensions and a fundamental quantum-gravity scale $M_{\rm F}$ of order 100 TeV, and up to $3.\times 10^{-3}$ eV (corresponding to $g_{a\gamma \gamma} \approx 6.\times 10^{-13}$ GeV$^{-1}$) in theories with 3 extra dimensions and $M_{\rm F}=1$ TeV. For comparison, based on recent data obtained from lowest level underground experiments, we derive the experimental limits: $g_{a \gamma \gamma} \stackrel{<}{{}_\sim} 2.5\times 10^{-11}$ GeV$^{-1}$ and $g_{a \gamma \gamma} \stackrel{<}{{}_\sim} 1.2\times 10^{-11}$ GeV$^{-1}$ in the aforementioned theories with 2 and 3 large compact dimensions, respectively.Comment: 19 pages, extended version, as to appear in Physical Review

STIM1 R304W in mice causes subgingival hair growth and an increased fraction of trabecular bone

Calcium signaling plays a central role in bone development and homeostasis. Store operated calcium entry (SOCE) is an important calcium influx pathway mediated by calcium release activated calcium (CRAC) channels in the plasma membrane. Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is an endoplasmic reticulum calcium sensing protein important for SOCE. We generated a mouse model expressing the STIM1 R304W mutation, causing Stormorken syndrome in humans. Stim1R304W/R304W mice showed perinatal lethality, and the only three animals that survived into adulthood presented with reduced growth, low body weight, and thoracic kyphosis. Radiographs revealed a reduced number of ribs in the Stim1R304W/R304W mice. Microcomputed tomography data revealed decreased cortical bone thickness and increased trabecular bone volume fraction in Stim1R304W/R304W mice, which had thinner and more compact bone compared to wild type mice. The Stim1R304W/+ mice showed an intermediate phenotype. Histological analyses showed that the Stim1R304W/R304W mice had abnormal bone architecture, with markedly increased number of trabeculae and reduced bone marrow cavity. Homozygous mice showed STIM1 positive osteocytes and osteoblasts. These findings highlight the critical role of the gain-of-function (GoF) STIM1 R304W protein in skeletal development and homeostasis in mice. Furthermore, the novel feature of bilateral subgingival hair growth on the lower incisors in the Stim1R304W/R304W mice and 25 % of the heterozygous mice indicate that the GoF STIM1 R304W protein also induces an abnormal epithelial cell fate