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Landscape modifications often undermine habitat suitability for species' persistence, with initial effects observed through the physiological responses of individuals and populations. However, some landscape features can allow tolerant wildlife species to persist in human‐modified landscapes, but they are still overlooked. Across distinct agricultural landscapes, we assessed landscape features affecting the body condition (estimate through scaled mass index ‐ SMI) of Caiman crocodilus (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) in human‐modified landscapes of the Araguaia floodplain, central Brazil. We used a spatial Bayesian model averaging approach to determine the effects of landscape attributes, ectoparasites, tail damage and severe body injuries on caiman body condition. We found that caimans had higher SMI in anthropogenic (ditches and artificial ponds) than natural habitats (lakes or rivers). Overall, caiman SMI was negatively associated with wetland cohesion (an aggregation and connectivity metric). Otherwise, landscape composition did not influence caiman SMI. Further, ectoparasites and body injuries did not affect SMI, whereas tail damage negatively affected SMI. Our findings underscore that caiman populations can adapt to artificial wetlands and irrigated rice fields, provided they incorporate natural and semi‐natural habitat patches that enhance environmental heterogeneity, prey availability, and waterbody availability and connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-layer microreactor (MR) was especially developed to assess the effects of the intensification of liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of 1-butyne (BY). The behavior of the system is described and the results of the regression of experimental data are reported. Various MR configurations, differentiated by the number of catalyst layers were constructed. A commercial Pd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst, crushed and sieved to 37–44 μm particle size, has been tested. The reaction was carried out in liquid phase, at three levels of temperature (35, 44 and 60 °C), and covering a range of hydrogen partial pressure of 1.2–5 bar. The kinetic expression used to analyze the experimental data was based on an elementary step mechanism. Fitting of the kinetic parameters allowed to reproduce the experimental results within an average deviation of 3.7%. The results presented in this study are compared to experimental data obtained previously on the same commercial catalyst, but using the original 2.3 mm spherical pellets packed in a conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR). It is concluded from such a comparison that the measurements carried out in the MR are free from diffusion limitations and that the evaluation of such effects in the FBR was satisfactorily performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We test predictions of the Morton and James hypothesis, which states that high termite diversity promotes high lizard diversity. We explore consumption of termites by lizards in the Brazilian Cerrado, a system that shares many similarites with arid Australia whose fauna formed the basis for the original hypothesis. We found that Cerrado lizards prey heavily on termites. Several species had >40% of their diet consisting of termites, some species reached up to 80%. However, lizards prey on termites independently of their diversity in the environment and do not show niche segregation in relation to termite resource. Hence, our results in the Cerrado do not support the hypothesis that termite diversity can promote lizard diversity. The diets of Cerrado lizards have a high proportion of termites; however, the diets of desert lizards from the Australian and the Kalahari deserts have a much higher proportion of termites when compared with those from the Cerrado and the Amazon. Differences in termite consumption by lizards across ecosystems do not seem to be related to local termite diversity. We hypothesize that overall prey availability can explain this pattern. Several arthropod groups are abundant in the Cerrado and the Amazon. In deserts, other prey types may be less abundant; therefore, termites may be the best available resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comoares results of closure of secundum atrial septal defect by surgery with amplatzer septal occluder. Baseline characteristics of patients involved in the study; Cardiac catherization outcome; Surgical repair by primary closure, pericardial or Gore-Tex patch.

• A commercial alumina membrane was impregnated with Pd. • A membrane reactor was designed to study the selective hydrogenation of 1-Butyne. • The catalytic membrane reactor was operated in a flow-through mode. • The catalytic membrane shows higher activity and selectivity than commercial catalyst. A catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) was applied in order to enhance the selectivity in the hydrogenation of 1-butyne in the presence of 1-butene. The performance of the CMR was studied in batch-wise operation for the hydrocarbon liquid mixture, while hydrogen was continuously fed to keep a constant partial pressure. The reaction was carried out at 44 °C and partial pressures of hydrogen in the range of 1 to 5 bar. The CMR was prepared by impregnating a commercial alumina membrane disk with Pd. Experimental results were compared with those obtained in a conventional fixed bed reactor (FBR), using a commercial catalyst of egg-shell type in its original size, and in a microreactor (MR) with the same commercial catalyst milled to a size of around 40 μm. The CMR presents high activity and selectivity, comparable to the values of the milled commercial catalyst, but significantly higher than for the commercial catalyst in its original size. Kinetic parameters for the hydrogenation of 1-butyne were obtained from the regression of the experimental data. Also, a simulation of a continuous operation of both, CMR and FBR with the commercial catalyst, was carried out to show the advantage in selectivity of the CMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and elevation, explain most of the variation in species richness at the global scale. Nevertheless, richness patterns may have different drivers across taxa and regions. To date, a comprehensive global examination of how various factors such as climate or topography drive patterns of species richness across all terrestrial vertebrates, using the same methods and predictors, has been lacking. Recent advances in species‐distribution data allowed us to model and examine the richness pattern of all terrestrial tetrapods comprehensively. We tested the relationship between environmental and biogeographical variables and richness of amphibians (5983 species), birds (9630), mammals (5004), reptiles (8939), and tetrapods as a whole, globally, and across biogeographical realms. We studied the effects of climatic, ecological, and biogeographic drivers using generalized additive models. Richness patterns and their environmental associations varied among taxa and realms. Overall precipitation was the predominant richness predictor. However, temperature was more important in realms where both cold and warm conditions exist. In the Indomalayan realm, elevational range was very important. Richness patterns of mammals, birds, and amphibians were strongly related to precipitation whereas reptile richness was mostly associated with temperature. Our results support the universal importance of precipitation but also suggest that future global‐scaled research should incorporate other relevant variables other than climate, such as elevational range, to gain a better understanding of the richness–environment relationship. By doing so, we can further advance our knowledge of the complex relationships between biodiversity and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cyberaggression (CyA) comprehends a broad spectrum of hostile behaviours carried out through electronic means. Acts of CyA were studied mostly among adolescents. This crosssectional study aims to evaluate the nature, extent and outcomes in terms of depressive and anxiety symptoms as well psychosomatic disorders in adults in Italy. Methods: An internet-based survey comprehensive of 34 items was distributed through Social Media and targeted only adults. Descriptive analysis and correlation tests were performed in order to identify the extent of the CyA phenomenon. Results: The survey received a response from 341 Participants (60% women), 43% of them declared to have been victim of CyA almost 1 time in their life and the most representative forms were insults (24.7%) and harassment (19.9%). Only 13% of participants were author of acts of CyA almost 1 time in their life, and 11% of them insulted someone else online. The 74.1% was bystander of CyA episodes as insults (62.7%), discrimination (62%) and defamation (47.8%). According to 95.1% of participants, these episodes were seen on Social Network, 17% on Facebook. The 39.5% of participants asserted an increased frequency of the events during the pandemic restriction. The main reasons of CyA declared were politics (70%), racism (65.8%), sexual orientation (65%) and female gender (53.1%). Chi square Test showed a significant correlation only between sexual orientation and victimization (69.4% of non-heterosexual asserted to be victim). The 33.6% of victims of CyA asserted anxiety and sadness after episodes, while the 39.8% stated to be angry. Conclusions: CyA episodes are widespread in the European context and potentially harmful for mental health of victims. Sexual and ethnic minorities and females are more frequently the target. Pandemics enhanced this phenomenon. European public health professionals should take into careful consideration this issue for its potential negative consequences. Key messages: Cyberaggression is a widespread phenomenon in Europe with potential negative consequences on mental health of victims, especially during the current pandemic. Sexual and ethnic minorities and females are more frequently the target of cyberbullying and European public health professionals and policy-makers should implement strategies to prevent this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geckos in the Western Hemisphere provide an excellent model to study faunal assembly at a continental scale. We generated a time-calibrated phylogeny, including exemplars of all New World gecko genera, to produce a biogeographical scenario for the New World geckos. Patterns of New World gecko origins are consistent with almost every biogeographical scenario utilized by a terrestrial vertebrate with different New World lineages showing evidence of vicariance, dispersal via temporary land bridge, overseas dispersal or anthropogenic introductions. We also recovered a strong relationship between clade age and species diversity, with older New World lineages having more species than more recently arrived lineages. Our data provide the first phylogenetic hypothesis for all New World geckos and highlight the intricate origins and ongoing organization of continental faunas. The phylogenetic and biogeographical hypotheses presented here provide an historical framework to further pursue research on the diversification and assembly of the New World herpetofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a detailed description of the sperm ultrastructure of three species of scolecophidian snakes, Leptotyphlops koppesi (Leptotyphlopidae), Typhlops reticulatus (Typhlopidae) and Liotyphlops beui (Anomalepididae), and make comparisons with the spermatozoa of Ramphotyphlops waitii (Typhlopidae) (Harding et al. 1995). All the species studied bear synapomorphies of Squamata and Serpentes. Among scolecophidian snakes, we identified eight polymorphic characters. Previous analyses of molecular and somatic morphological data provide equivocal solutions to the relationships among Anomalepididae, Leptotyphlopidae and Typhlopidae. A close relationship between Anomalepididae and Typhlopidae is corroborated by two characters of sperm ultrastructure, presence of an electron-dense structure inside the proximal centriole and rounded mitochondria in transverse sections of T. reticulatus, Li. beui and R. waitii, whereas the absence of the ridge on the acrosome surface of Le. koppesi and T. reticulatus support a closer relationship between Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae. The differences observed in sperm ultrastructure within Typhlopidae suggest the existence of snake intrafamilial polymorphism. The sperm characters of blindsnakes contain significant phylogenetic information and may provide important data for snake phylogenetic reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We describe, for the first time, the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of four species of the genus Tupinambis (Squamata, Teiidae). We identified seven polymorphic characters within this genus: the presence and shape of the perforatorial base plate, the presence of the epinuclear lucent zone, the presence of a unilateral ridge in the acrosome, the presence of a central density within the proximal centriole, the number of mitochondria and dense-bodies sets, and the shape of mitochondria. We analysed the evolution of the seven polymorphic characters by mapping them onto a current phylogeny of the species of Tupinambis , using the teiids Ameiva ameiva and Cnemidophorus sexlineatus as outgroups. Our results indicate that sperm ultrastucture characters, although of great value for phylogeny at higher taxonomic levels in reptiles and other groups, are poor predictors of phylogeny when considering the species of Tupinambis studied here. We failed to identify evidences that homoplasy in sperm ultrastructure among the species of Tupinambis is due to convergent adaptation, suggesting that the polymorphism may be selectively neutral in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tail autotomy and regeneration are perhaps the most dramatic adaptations to enhance survival among lizards. In spite of much work on the subject, the ecological significance of tail autotomy rates in natural populations remains elusive, due to difficulties in controlling several confounding factors and the paucity of accurate demographic data. On the basis of a capture--recapture study, we investigate the ecological determinants of tail autotomy rates in Micrablepharus atticolus, a bluetailed lizard from the South American Cerrado. We tested whether habitat (as a proxy of predation intensity), seasonality (as a proxy of intensity of social interactions), ontogeny and sex affected autotomy rates, and also whether autotomy rates affected body condition. We found that tail autotomy rates in M. atticolus are lower than in many other species with brightly colored tails, likely resulting from a small body size and fossorial habits. Autotomy rates were lower than expected by chance in the plot with lower mortality rates, suggesting a more prominent role of predation intensity instead of predator efficiency, and increased with age, suggesting cumulative effects of predation attempts along the ontogeny or age-specific differences in predation intensity. We also found no intersexual differences or any effect of breeding activity on autotomy rates. Our results indicate that energetic costs of tail autotomy are low, or that animals compensate tail loss with increased foraging rates. These characteristics of M. atticolus seem tightly associated with its small body size, fossorial lifestyle and very short life span, and suggest that the costs of tail regeneration should be low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pandemic has been accompanied by an infodemic, which includes false information that can lead to harmful consequences. Additionally, conspiracy theories have been linked to lower preventive behaviors. This work mainly aims to explore the skill in identifying COVID-19 fake news and the conspiracies beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been conducted amongst a convenience sample throughout Italy, using a ComputerAssisted Web Interview method (from 12 April 2021-ongoing). The survey included the Single-Item Literacy Screener (SILS), the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), a Fake News Score (FNS: percentage of misclassified news), a Conspiracy Score (CS: score from 1 to 5). Multivariable linear regressions were run (p < 0.05 as significant). Results: Up to date, participants were 1252. The median FNS and CS were: 25% (IQR=19-44) and 2.8 (IQR=2.2-3.4). For instance, 54% thought ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms and 50% agreed with ‘‘politicians usually do not tell us the motives for their decisions’’. The 17% had low health literacy (SILS) and 41% low eHealth literacy (eHEALS). COVID-19 vaccine hesitant people were 13%. The multivariable models identified many significant relationships. Low economic status and vaccine hesitancy were positively associated with FNS and CS. Higher education had a negative association with FNS and CS. Age was positively associated with FNS. Low health and eHealth literacy were positively associated with FNS. Low eHealth literacy had a negative association with CS. FNS was positively associated with CS. Conclusions: Associations between news misclassification, conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy might suggest shared determinants. EHealth literacy had a conflicting role. Attention should be paid to the mass media COVID-19 coverage as key information source for the general population. Public health campaigns should be planned to fight beliefs that hinder the reduction of transmission and might cause additional damages.Key messages: The median percentage of misclassified news was 25% (IQR=19-44) and the median Conspiracy Score was 2.8 (IQR=2.2-3.4). COVID-19 vaccine hesitant people were 13% and 41% had a low eHealth literacy. News misclassification, conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy were associated. EHealth literacy had conflicting associations with fake news and conspiracy beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first description of spermatozoal ultrastructure of Mabuya skinks. The spermatozoa of the species studied are filiform, consisting of a head region, a midpiece and a tail. The head is characterized by the following features: a depressed acrosome anteriorly, an acrosome vesicle divided into cortex and medulla, paracrystalline subacrosomal material, a pointed tip perforatorium, a circular perforatorium base plate inside the subacrosomal cone, an epinuclear lucent zone separated from the subacrosomal cone by a membrane, a large nuclear rostrum, and round nuclear shoulders. The midpiece presents a bilateral stratified laminar structure, a distal centriole, peripheral fibres 3 and 8 grossly enlarged, columnar mitochondria with linear cristae, dense body rings and a triangular annulus. Finally, the tail is composed of a principal piece and an end piece. An axoneme and a fibrous sheath characterize the principal piece, and the end piece is formed only by an axoneme, which loses its pattern in the last portion. Comparisons with members of Teiidae revealed differences in the numbers of dense rings. A well-developed epinuclear lucent zone in Mabuya is less prominent among teiids. In the spermatozoa of Mabuya, the first ring of dense bodies is very large, uniquely resembling the condition present in snakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the morphology of the spermatozoa of members of the iguanian lizard families Hoplocercidae and Opluridae for the first time. Their spermatozoa are quite similar and resemble the sperm of other iguanian lizards. Through a re-evaluation of sperm descriptions supplied in the literature we coded continuous and discrete characters through a combination of four methods: gap-weighting, step-matrix gap-weighting, reductive coding and composite coding. Parsimony analyses revealed that different methods produced highly incongruent outcomes. In view of the pros and cons of each method, we defend that the combination between composite coding and step-matrix gap-weighting are the most appropriate for our data. The cladogram derived from this analysis is totally resolved and comparatively well supported. We conclude that although the preferred cladogram was not strongly supported in some instances, sperm characters could be a good predictor of relationships among iguanian groups. We compare our hypothesis with preceding studies and we show that some previous groupings are in accordance with our results. Finally, we discuss the validity of those groupings in the light of methodological reasoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested three non-exclusive hypotheses that the lizard, Gymnodactylus carvalhoi, lives in termitaria to avoid thermal extremes, to avoid predators, or because of an abundance of food (dietary specialist). We first confirm that these geckos are restricted to termitaria in the region studied. Body temperatures ( Tb) of geckos averaged below environmental temperatures during day outside of termitaria and above outside temperatures at night; Tb averaged only slightly higher than temperatures inside termitaria. We conclude that thermal constraints in Cerrado habitats lacking rocks restrict Gymnodactylus to termite nests. High frequencies of tail loss and the presence of many potential predators within termitaria suggest high encounter rates with predators, indicating that predation pressure does not restrict these geckos to termite nests. Dietary data indicate that G. carvalhoi is a termite specialist. Published data indicate that other Gymnodactylus species and populations are also termite specialists, even though several live primarily outside termitaria (in crevices and under rocks). An evolutionary history of termite specialization and low thermal requirements in the clade ( Gymnodactylus) predispose them to feed on termites within the termitaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costa, G.C., Garda, A.A, Teixeira, R.D., Colli, G.R. and Báo, S.N. 2004. Comparative analysis of the sperm ultrastructure of three species ofPhyllomedusa(Anura, Hylidae).— Acta Zoologica(Stockholm)85: 257–262We describe the sperm ultrastructure of three species of frogs in the genusPhyllomedusa. According to micrographs, total size of the spermatozoon ofPhyllomedusa hypochondrialisis significantly smaller than those ofPhyllomedusa bicolorandPhyllomedusa tarsius. The acrosome complex consists of two conical structures covering the nucleus, the acrosome vesicle and the subacrosomal cone. The subacrosomal cone ofP. bicolorandP. tarsiusis less electron-dense and appears more granular in transverse section than inP. hypochondrialis. InP. bicolorandP. tarsius, the nuclear space is reduced and the subacrosomal cone fills most of the space between the acrosome vesicle and nucleus. The anterior region of the nucleus in the spermatozoa ofP. bicolorandP. tarsiusends abruptly, while inP.hypochondrialisit is sharp-ended. InP. bicolorandP. tarsius, the axial fibre is much larger than inP.hypochondrialis. The sperm ultrastructure ofPhyllomedusaappears conservative at the intrageneric level. Future studies on the sperm ultrastructure of hylids can provide new insights on the systematics of the group and a larger database for a cladistic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]