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This paper reviews the nature of two quasiparticles, the Majorana fermion and vison, emergent in the Kitaev model, mainly from the theoretical point of view. We demonstrate how the fractionalization of a quantum spin into these two quasiparticles occurs and clarify their properties in the presence and absence of magnetic fields. In addition to discussions on the itinerant nature inherent to Majorana fermions, the quantum dynamics of visons induced by an applied magnetic field is revealed. Fractional quasiparticles manifest themselves in temperature evolutions of thermodynamic quantities, excitation spectra, and transport properties. The formulations for them and calculation results are shown in detail. Based on the results, we present how the signatures of fractional quasiparticles appear in physical quantities. The paper also mentions the recent developments of the experimental and theoretical works of Kitaev-related systems and presents outlooks of studies on these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating camera pose is one of the key steps in computer vison, photogrammetry and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). It is mainly calculated based on the 2D–3D correspondences of features, including 2D–3D point and line correspondences. If a zoom lens is equipped, the focal length needs to be estimated simultaneously. In this paper, a new method of fast and accurate pose estimation with unknown focal length using two 2D–3D line correspondences and the camera position is proposed. Our core contribution is to convert the PnL (perspective-n-line) problem with 2D–3D line correspondences into an estimation problem with 3D–3D point correspondences. One 3D line and the camera position in the world frame can define a plane, the 2D line projection of the 3D line and the camera position in the camera frame can define another plane, and actually the two planes are the same plane, which is the key geometric characteristic in this paper's estimation of focal length and pose. We establish the transform between the normal vectors of the two planes with this characteristic, and this transform can be regarded as the camera projection of a 3D point. Then, the pose estimation using 2D–3D line correspondences is converted into pose estimation using 3D–3D point correspondences in intermediate frames, and, lastly, pose estimation can be finished quickly. In addition, using the property whereby the angle between two planes is invariant in both the camera frame and world frame, we can estimate the camera focal length quickly and accurately. Experimental results show that our proposed method has good performance in numerical stability, noise sensitivity and computational speed with synthetic data and real scenarios, and has strong robustness to camera position noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dam is an essential structure in hydraulic engineering, and its surface cracks pose significant threats to its integrity, impermeability, and durability. Automated crack detection methods based on computer vision offer substantial advantages over manual approaches with regard to efficiency, objectivity and precision. However, current methods face challenges such as misidentification, discontinuity, and loss of details when analyzing real-world dam crack images. These images often exhibit characteristics such as low contrast, complex backgrounds, and diverse crack morphologies. To address the above challenges, this paper presents a pure Vision Transformer (ViT)-based dam crack segmentation network (DCST-net). The DCST-net utilizes an improved Swin Transformer (SwinT) block as the fundamental block for enhancing the long-range dependencies within a SegNet-like encoder–decoder structure. Additionally, we employ a weighted attention block to facilitate side fusion between the symmetric pair of encoder and decoder in each stage to sharpen the edge of crack. To demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed method, six semantic segmentation models have been trained and tested on both a self-built dam crack dataset and two publicly available datasets. Comparison results indicate that our proposed model outperforms the mainstream methods in terms of visualization and most evaluation metrics, highlighting its potential for practical application in dam safety inspection and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the results of the introduction of the muskrat and American mink in Yakutia (Russia). The time course of harvesting of muskrat skins during an 81-year period (1941–2021) is also analyzed. A map of quantitative distribution of muskrats in Yakutia was constructed on the basis of the harvesting data. The work on muskrat introduction was described within the framework of hunting activities of the unitary enterprise Sakhabult Financial Agro-Industrial Concern in 2002–2004, when 710 muskrats were resettled in the republic, including 60 animals brought from Altai krai. Data on the abundance and occurrence of the American mink in Yakutia are provided, and the modern geographic range of this animal is outlined. Information about the introduction of 337 American minks in 1985–1986 by the Ust-Mayskiy State Hunting/Fishery Enterprise in the basins of the rivers Maya and Khamna rivers is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Accurate and efficient automatic individual recognition of livestock such as goats is one of the key tasks to achieve smart farming. However, this task is challenging due to factors such as the dense distribution of livestock in a barn. To accurately recognize Chengdu ma goats, a high-quality sheep breed with local characteristics, we construct a Chengdu ma goat dataset containing nearly one thousand images with manual annotation information and propose a method for the automatic individual recognition of Chengdu ma goats using a computer. Experiments demonstrate the usability of our method to accurately recognize Chengdu ma goats under extreme conditions such as dense target distribution and drastic differences in scale. It is worth noting that the method is scalable, which enhances the network's representation ability for data by learning the structural information of goats' head area. The location and category information obtained by our automatic individual recognition method is the basis for realizing a series of subsequent intelligent breeding tasks, such as precision feeding based on age and sex. Our method provides a new idea for automatic livestock recognition and can be extended to be applied to additional types of livestock. The Chengdu ma goat is an excellent local breed in China. As one of the breeds listed in the National List of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Protection, the protection of its germplasm resources is particularly important. However, the existing breeding and protection methods for them are relatively simple, due to the weak technical force and lack of intelligent means to assist. Most livestock farmers still conduct small-scale breeding in primitive ways, which is not conducive to the breeding and protection of Chengdu ma goats. In this paper, an automatic individual recognition method for Chengdu ma goats is proposed, which saves labor costs and does not depend on large-scale mechanized facilities. The main contributions of our work are as follows: (1) a new Chengdu ma goat dataset is built, which forms the basis for object detection and classification tasks; (2) an improved detection algorithm for Chengdu ma goats based on TPH-YOLOv5 is proposed, which is able to accurately localize goats in high-density scenes with severe scale variance of targets; (3) a classifier incorporating a self-supervised learning module is implemented to improve the classification performance without increasing the labeled data and inference computation overhead. Experiments show that our method is able to accurately recognize Chengdu ma goats in the actual indoor barn breeding environment, which lays the foundation for precision feeding based on sex and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is on investigating the use of visual communication between two humanoid robots, in order to enhance the coordination of tasks between them. The problem continues to be an interesting and fruitful area of research from the days of using multiple robot manipulator arms for manufacturing as well as space robotics to current research in medical robotics. The approach here is to employ several off-the-shelf algorithms, software and hardware such as the NAO robot and support software, including Choregraphe, OpenCV to capture and process images, the SVM to classify objects in images, and the Python programming environment. Five robotic actions were studied and three modes. The experiments used one robot as the "viewer" and the second robot as the "subject" being analyzed. Results show that the visual communication system has an accuracy of 90% in correctly identifying the five movements. This research has shown an original solution, as a model that can enable robots to run in the complex service tasks consisting of multiple connected actions in a dynamic environment. This methodology can also let the intelligent operation of the robots serve in different scenes according to their actual requirements. This research focuses on enhancing the prototype robot vision function and development of additional value for consolidation manageable platform that increases service robots in the home environment of intelligent control capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss, making accurate and timely diagnosis critical. Deep learning technology has shown promise in the automated diagnosis of DR, and in particular, multi-lesion segmentation tasks. In this paper, we propose a novel Transformer-based model for DR segmentation that incorporates hyperbolic embeddings and a spatial prior module. The proposed model is primarily built on a traditional Vision Transformer encoder and further enhanced by incorporating a spatial prior module for image convolution and feature continuity, followed by feature interaction processing using the spatial feature injector and extractor. Hyperbolic embeddings are used to classify feature matrices from the model at the pixel level. We evaluated the proposed model's performance on the publicly available datasets and compared it with other widely used DR segmentation models. The results show that our model outperforms these widely used DR segmentation models. The incorporation of hyperbolic embeddings and a spatial prior module into the Vision Transformer-based model significantly improves the accuracy of DR segmentation. The hyperbolic embeddings enable us to better capture the underlying geometric structure of the feature matrices, which is important for accurate segmentation. The spatial prior module improves the continuity of the features and helps to better distinguish between lesions and normal tissues. Overall, our proposed model has potential for clinical use in automated DR diagnosis, improving accuracy and speed of diagnosis. Our study shows that the integration of hyperbolic embeddings and a spatial prior module with a Vision Transformer-based model improves the performance of DR segmentation models. Future research can explore the application of our model to other medical imaging tasks, as well as further optimization and validation in real-world clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the 'Carol I' National Defence University / Buletinul Universitatii Nationale de Aparare 'Carol I' is the property of Carol I National Defence University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: The American mink is a fur animal that has been successfully domesticated by humans. The fur products made of mink are fine, soft and strong, plush and glossy, which are deeply loved by people. The original color of farmed mink is dark brown, but people are not satisfied with a single color of fur products. After more than one hundred years of breeding, a variety of colorful fur colors have been produced. Because white is easy to dye and black can be paired with anything, these two mink species are the most widely farmed. However, the molecular mechanisms of the color formation and fur development of these two minks remain unclear. Through skin transcriptome analysis of these two minks, we obtained the molecular mechanism of their coat color formation and fur development. The expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein genes is the main reason for the formation of coat color. The keratin associated protein gene is the main regulatory gene for fur development. The research in this paper can provide data support for good breeding of mink. American mink fur is an important economic product, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its color formation and fur development remain unclear. We used RNA-seq to analyze the skin transcriptomes of young and adult mink with two different hair colors. The mink comprised black adults (AB), white adults (AW), black juveniles (TB), and white juveniles (TW) (three each). Through pair comparison and cross-screening among different subgroups, we found that 13 KRTAP genes and five signaling pathways (the JAK–STAT signaling pathway (cfa04630), signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells (cfa04550), ECM–receptor interaction (cfa04512), focal adhesion (cfa04510), and the Ras signaling pathway (cfa04014)) were related to mink fur development. We also found that members of a tyrosinase family (TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2) are involved in mink hair color formation. The expression levels of TYR were higher in young black mink than in young white mink, but this phenomenon was not observed in adult mink. Our study found significant differences in adult and juvenile mink skin transcriptomes, which may shed light on the mechanisms of mink fur development. At the same time, the skin transcriptomes of black and white mink also showed differences, with the results varying by age, suggesting that the genes regulating hair color are active in early development rather than in adulthood. The results of this study provide molecular support in breeding for mink coat color and improving fur quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 to animals has the potential to evolve independently. In this study, we distinguished several sentinel animal species and genera for monitoring the re-emergence of COVID-19 or the new outbreak of COVID-19-like disease. We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomic data from human and nonhuman mammals in the taxonomic hierarchies of species, genus, family and order of their host. We find that SARS-CoV-2 carried by domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), domestic cat (Felis catus), mink (Neovison vison), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) cluster closely to human-origin viruses and show no differences in the majority of amino acids, but have the most positively selected sites and should be monitored to prevent the re-emergence of COVID-19 caused by novel variants of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses from the genera Panthera (especially lion (Panthera leo)), Manis and Rhinolophus differ significantly from human-origin viruses, and long-term surveillance should be undertaken to prevent the future COVID-19-like outbreaks. Investigation of the variation dynamics of sites 142, 501, 655, 681 and 950 within the S protein may be necessary to predict the novel animal SARS-CoV-2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While camera traps can effectively detect semi-aquatic mammal species, they are also often temporally and monetarily inefficient and have a difficult time detecting smaller bodied, elusive mammals. Recent studies have shown that extracting DNA from environmental samples can be a non-invasive, alternative method of detecting elusive species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has not yet been used to survey American mink (Neogale vison), a cryptic and understudied North American mustelid. To help determine best survey practices for the species, we compared the effectiveness and efficiency of eDNA and camera traps in surveys for American mink. We used both methods to monitor the shoreline of seven bodies of water in northeastern Indiana from March to May 2021. We extracted DNA from filtered environmental water samples and used quantitative real-time PCR to determine the presence of mink at each site. We used Akaike's Information Criterion to rank probability of detection models with and without survey method as a covariate. We detected mink at four of the seven sites and seven of the 21 total survey weeks using camera traps (probability of detection (ρ) = 0.36). We detected mink at five sites and during five survey weeks using eDNA (ρ = 0.25). However, the highest probability of detection was obtained when both methods were combined, and data were pooled (ρ = 0.47). Survey method did not influence model fit, suggesting no difference in detectability between camera traps and eDNA. Environmental DNA was twice as expensive, but only required a little over half (58%) of the time when compared to camera trapping. We recommend ways in which an improved eDNA methodology may be more cost effective for future studies. For this study, a combination of both methods yielded the highest probability for detecting mink presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum loop and dimer models are prototypical correlated systems with local constraints, which are not only intimately connected to lattice gauge theories and topological orders but are also widely applicable to the broad research areas of quantum materials and quantum simulation. Employing our sweeping cluster quantum Monte Carlo algorithm, we reveal the complete phase diagram of the triangular-lattice fully packed quantum loop model. Apart from the known lattice nematic (LN) solid and the even Z 2 quantum spin liquid (QSL) phases, we discover a hidden vison plaquette (VP) phase, which had been overlooked and misinterpreted as a QSL for more than a decade. Moreover, the VP-to-QSL continuous transition belongs to the (2 + 1)D cubic* universality class, which offers a lattice realization of the (fractionalized) cubic fixed point that had long been considered as irrelevant towards the O(3) symmetry until corrected recently by conformal bootstrap calculations. Our results are therefore of relevance to recent developments in both experiments and theory, and facilitate further investigations of hidden phases and transitions. By using the sweeping cluster quantum Monte Carlo algorithm, the authors reveal the complete ground-state phase diagram of the triangular-lattice fully packed quantum loop model. They discover a hidden vison plaquette phase between the known lattice nematic solid and the even Z 2 quantum spin liquid (QSL) phase, which had been previously misinterpreted as the QSL, and explain how to detect it experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective long-term management of invasive non-native species (INNS) in South America is a pressing yet complex task. Critically, the environmental, historical, cultural, and economic idiosyncrasies of the region call for the inclusion of a plurality of views from those sectors of society receiving the negative and positive impacts of INNS. This is a multifaceted, and often daunting, task that can be aided by an early identification of stakeholders – those affected by or with an interest in INNS and their management – accompanied by targeted stakeholder engagement. Here, we report the procedures and results of a stakeholder mapping activity aimed at identifying stakeholders and designing engagement strategies. Using expert knowledge procedures, we compiled comprehensive lists of stakeholders for six case-studies in South America: (i) invasive grasses (Urochloa spp.) in Brazil; (ii) glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) in Argentina; (iii) lodgepole and Monterey pines (Pinus contorta and P. radiata) in Argentina; (iv) American mink (Neogale vison) in Argentina and Chile; (v) lodgepole and Monterey pines in Chile; and (vi) German yellow-jacket (Vespula germanica) in Chile. Overall, we identified 250 stakeholders, which, based on their interest and influence, were classified into "context settlers" (2%), "key players" (47%), "crowd" (5%), and "subjects" (49%). We outlined strategies to engage with each of these four groups and for each of our six case-studies. Across case studies, communication with stakeholders was the most common engagement strategy proposed (27%; 19 of 70 strategies), followed by active involvement of stakeholders in INNS research and management (23%). Our results highlight the importance of considering power imbalances, as those stakeholders more likely to benefit from INNS were assessed to have more influence over INNS management relative to local and indigenous communities. Our work illustrates how to identify stakeholders in a rigorous and rapid manner, which should be complemented with the involvement of the stakeholders themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method that exploits the opportunities site imagery offers in construction monitoring practices. While their power and that of derived point cloud data is acknowledged for progress monitoring purposes, (raw) imagery is often overlooked when assessing locational construction quality. This paper's framework addresses this shortcoming and harnesses the images' significant potential towards metric quality control of freshly built structural elements. Recorded images are assessed against virtually created BIM counterpart pictures. The discrepancies between both are exploited to determine construction element deviations. The proposed framework is able to output qualitative results with average differences between actual and determined element deviations ranging to approximately 5 mm with a standard deviation of 5 mm. The results unveil the method's large potential to aid in augmenting construction quality and controlling failure costs, while simultaneously allowing regular updates and conversions of the as-design BIM model into an as-built one. [Display omitted] • The proposed framework uses 2D images to evaluate building element locations. • A partial Structure-from-Motion pipeline provides the link between imagery and BIM. • BIM reprojections onto virtual image planes simulate the desired building scene. • Deviation estimations rely on similarity analyses between captured and BIM imagery. • The initial method performs well on simple site layouts and shows large potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The brachial plexus of animals is an ongoing topic of research interest among the scientific community. Research in this area allows scientists to select model animals for laboratory studies. In this way, the research contributes to the improvement of techniques for performing various procedures, not only on animals but also on humans. The most important information about the brachial plexus is the number of roots that form the plexus, from which roots the individual nerves arise, their course, and the extent of innervation of the individual nerves. In this paper, we have analysed the brachial plexus of five species of animals that commonly live in forests. In the study, we show similarities to the domestic dog but also present the individual anatomical features of the brachial plexus. Our results increase knowledge of the nervous system anatomy of wild animals and provide important information for veterinarians dealing with wild and exotic animal species. Like most structures, the brachial plexus is subject to species variation. Analysing this structure over a wide spectrum of species, we can obtain a complex view of the changes–in a given group of animals. The aim of this study was to describe the brachial plexus anatomy of species from two families of Caniformia. We analysed the brachial plexus structure of five species from two families of Caniformia: Canidae and Mustelidae. The cadavers were obtained from breeders and hunters. All were fixed by being kept in a 10% formaldehyde solution for two weeks. This study allows us to present the similarities as well as the differences between species and families. Our study reveals different trends in the course of the individual nerves and innervations of the thoracic limb. A species-specific feature is the extent of the brachial plexus, as each species has a specific number of ventral branches of the spinal nerves in the brachial plexus. However, a characteristic of the family Mustelidae is the course of the median nerve through the epicondylar foramen. Within the Canidae, two species are characterised by a very long branch for the coracobrachialis muscle. The general conclusion is that the brachial plexus of species belonging to the Caniformia is subject to variation within families and species, as well as individual variation while maintaining a general schematic for the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian carnivores (Carnivora) are crucial components of landscapes, because of both their top‐down effects on lower trophic level species and their sensitivity to bottom‐up processes, such as limited food resources (e.g. due to climate instability). To understand their functional role in Iberian ecosystems more clearly, and to define effective plans for their management and conservation, it is crucial to sum up the available regional knowledge that can inform decision‐making processes.We review bio‐ecological research on wild Iberian carnivores over 30 years (1990–2020) and identify key knowledge gaps and priority avenues for future research. Based on a systematic review of the scientific literature, we aimed to: 1) summarise current knowledge; 2) assess species and ecoregion representativeness; 3) identify key research topics addressed and those lacking investment and 4) suggest key future research priorities.We examined 920 peer‐reviewed articles involving wild Iberian mammalian carnivores, focusing on different bio‐ecological issues. We found considerable heterogeneity in the topics and species investigated, as well as in the study areas (ecoregions) explored, with a mismatch between the research priorities identified by researchers and the knowledge gaps.We suggest that future research should prioritise: 1) rear‐edge populations that are at the southwestern limits of the species' Eurasian range, thus being particularly sensitive to the increasing fragmentation and aridity of Iberian ecosystems, and that were less studied (e.g. brown bear Ursus arctos, stoat Mustela erminea, European mink Mustela lutreola and pine marten Martes martes); 2) less‐studied topics, such as morphometry and body condition, ecophysiology, and reproductive biology, all of which provide essential information for species' management and conservation and 3) specific ecoregions for which studies on species' adaptations to environmental and anthropic contexts are lacking (e.g. northern ecoregions of Iberia, Iberian conifer forests and Northwest Iberian montane forests). Our review provides the necessary background to support future research on carnivore populations in Iberia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American mink (Neovison vison) is an invasive species in the sylvatic environment of Poland. Mink are exposed to different parasite infections as their preys serve as intermediate and/or paratenic hosts. The study aimed to discriminate the pattern of intestinal parasite infections in mink inhabiting Biebrza (BNP) and Narew (NNP) national parks. Gastrointestinal tract examinations revealed Coccidia, Echinostomatidae, Taenidae, and Capillariidae parasites. There was no significant difference in the parasite burden of mink, but patterns of infections varied between both localizations. Coccidia were found in 3.8% of BNP vs. 6.7% of NNP mink. Fluke prevalence was significantly higher in NNP 27.5% compared to 7.7% in BNP mink. Tapeworms were only found in 3.4% of NNP mink. Significantly more Aonchotheca eggs were found in BNP 34.6% vs. 11.4% in NNP mink. The intensity of coccidiosis and aonchothecosis was low in both parks. Fluke intensity varied between low to moderate (ranging from 1 to 16) in BNP and low to massive (ranging from 1 to 117) in NNP mink. Coinfections of various parasite species were noted in both areas. Morphological and DNA analysis revealed that flukes belonged to Isthiomorpha melis and tapeworms to Versteria mustelae. It was the first isolation of V. mustelae in mink of those localizations. In conclusion, our study showed that mink indwelling Biebrza and Narew national parks are moderately infested with parasites. Results suggest that mink play an important role as a reservoir for parasites endangering endemic mustelids, becoming also a potential risk factor in case of accidental transmissions to farm mink. That is why, more strict biosecurity measures are required to protect farm mink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American mink Neogale vison is an invasive alien species in Europe that threatens endemic biodiversity and can transmit zoonotic diseases, including the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. The last attempt to map the geographic range of this species in Europe, at continental scale, dates back to 2007.We aimed to update the distribution map of the feral American mink and assess its temporal trends. The information we collected was critically analysed with the aim of improving future monitoring protocols and data collection.We gathered and standardised data from 34 databases, covering 32 countries. Through 3 five‐year periods from 2007 to 2021, changes in range size, hunting bags and capture statistics were analysed. We also reviewed the current situation of mink farming in the different European countries and recorded population control schemes.The American mink is now widespread in the Baltic States, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain and the UK. The species is reported to be absent in some areas (e.g. parts of the UK, Iceland and Norway). Data are deficient for several countries, mainly in south‐eastern Europe. These findings indicate that, during the last 15 years, the species has continued to spread across the continent, increasing its potential extent of occurrence in most countries. Our effort to collect and harmonise data across international borders highlighted information gaps and heterogeneity in data quality.Updated distribution data on the species provided here will aid risk assessment and risk management policies. These actions require a coordinated effort for population monitoring at continental level. Monitoring effort and data collection should be intensified in south‐eastern Europe to improve data on the current distribution of this invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many endemic viruses circulate in populations without hosts showing visible signs of disease, while still having the potential to alter host survival or reproduction. Aleutian Mink Disease Virus (AMDV) circulates in many American mink (Neogale vison) populations in its native and introduced ranges. In this study, we analysed how AMDV infection in female American mink affects the reproduction of a feral population. Females infected with AMDV delivered significantly smaller litters (5.8 pups) than uninfected females (6.3 pups), meaning their litter size was reduced by 8%. Larger females and yearling females had larger litters than smaller and older females. There were no significant differences in whole litter survival between infected and uninfected females; however, offspring survival until September or October within litters of infected females was 14% lower than that within those of uninfected females. This negative link between infection and reproductive output means that Aleutian disease could seriously affect the wild mink population. This study increases our understanding of the threats posed by the spread of viruses to wildlife from farm animals or humans, highlighting that viruses circulating in wildlife, even in the absence of clinical manifestation, can be important drivers of population dynamics in wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The presentation of results of an ophthalmic plaque displacement as a brachytherapy treatment method of large diffuse uveal melanomas. Material and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of treatment results of 9 patients with large diffuse uveal melanomas using ophthalmic plaque displacement. Patients were treated with this method in our center between 2012 and 2021 (last follow-up visit in 2023). To achieve appropriate radiation dose distribution for large tumors with a base greater than 18 mm, brachytherapy (106Ru in 7 patients and 125I in 2 patients) with applicator displacement was used as primary treatment. Median follow-up was 2.9 years, and for patients with positive primary treatment results, it was 1.7 months. Median time to local relapse was 2.3 years. Results: In 5 patients, a positive result of local treatment was obtained, out of whom, one patient underwent enucleation due to complications. In the next 4 cases, local recurrence developed. In all tumors, the use of applicator displacement method caused that planning target volume (PTV) was effectively covered with treatment isodose. Conclusions: Brachytherapy with ocular applicator displacement allows for the treatment of tumors with base measurements larger than 18 mm. The application of this method may be considered as an alternative for eye enucleation in particular cases of large diffuse tumors, such as a neoplasm of the eye with vison, or when a patient does not consent to enucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis Agricultura Alimentaria Piscaria et Zootechnica is the property of West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Availability of a contiguous chromosome-level genome assembly is the foundational step to develop genome-based studies in American mink (Neogale vison). The main objective of this study was to provide a high quality chromosome-level genome assembly for American mink. An initial draft of the genome assembly was generated using 2,884,047 PacBio long reads. Integration of Hi-C data into the initial draft led to an assembly with 183 scaffolds and scaffold N50 of 220 Mb. This gap-free genome assembly of American mink (ASM_NN_V1) had a length of 2.68 Gb in which about 98.6% of the whole genome was covered by 15 chromosomes. In total, 25,377 genes were predicted across the American mink genome using the NCBI Eukaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline. In addition, gene orthology, demographic history, synteny blocks, and phylogenetic relationships were studied in connection with the genomes of other related Carnivora. Furthermore, population-based statistics of 100 sequenced mink were presented using the newly assembled genome. Remarkable improvements were observed in genome contiguity, the number of scaffolds, and annotation compared to the first draft of mink genome assembly (NNQGG.v01). This high-quality genome assembly will support the development of efficient breeding strategies as well as conservation programs for American mink. A chromosome-level genome assembly of the American mink (Neogale vison) provides a valuable genetic resource to guide mink breeding strategies and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Biodiversity is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Minks and brown rats are reservoir hosts for many endoparasites including those of the genus Trichinella, a group of parasite nematodes with a worldwide distribution. However, little is known about the prevalence of Trichinella sp. infection in the American mink (Neovison vison) and rats (Rattus norvegicus) in China. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prevalence of Trichinella sp. infection in farmed minks in Weihai city, Shandong province, China and infer the possible route for Trichinella transmission to farmed American minks. In total, 289 muscle samples from minks and 102 carcasses of rats were collected from Weihai City. The appearance of Trichinella sp. was examined using the pooled artificial HCl‐pepsin digestion method. The results showed that muscle larvae were detected in 20 of 289 minks (6.92%) and 2 of 102 synanthropic rats (1.96%). The larval density of Trichinella sp. in mink samples ranged from 0.025 to 0.815 larvae per gram (lpg), while the average larval burden in rats was 0.17 lpg. The isolates derived from minks and rats were identified at the species level using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which revealed that the size of the two PCR products matched that of T. spiralis at 173 bp. Furthermore, sequence analysis showed 100% identity of the 5S rDNA inter‐gene spacer regions of the two isolates to that of T. spiralis. This study presents a novel report of T. spiralis‐mediated infection in minks and synanthropic rats in China. We highlight the vulnerability of farmed minks to Trichinella infection through exposure to synanthropic rats, which may raise a public health concern of potential zoonotic risks for domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present review, we summarised the information on helminths of 14 species of wild carnivorans (a total of 260 individuals examined) from Ukraine based on an investigation of collection materials. Additionally, helminths of the domestic dog, Canis familiaris L. (n = 73) and domestic cat, Felis catus L. (n = 11) were reviewed. Helminth species and main helminth taxa (Cestoda, Trematoda, and Nematoda) were classified according to their occurrence (prevalence of infection). Helminth fauna composition and structure in host families Canidae, Felidae, and Mustelidae and in separate host species were analysed. Sixty helminth species were found in wild carnivorans in Ukraine, including 18 species of cestodes, 11 species of trematodes, and 31 species of nematodes. In wild Canidae, 45 helminth species were recorded. Nematodes were a predominating group of helminths in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes L., cestodes predominated in the wolf, Canis lupus L., and trematodes occurred more often in the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray. Mustelidae (40 specimens of 8 species) harboured 25 helminth species; nematodes predominated by their occurrence and number of species. In the American mink, Neovizon vison Brisson, however, trematodes appeared to be the predominating group of helminths. The wolf, the red fox, and the domestic dog showed maximum similarity in the helminth fauna composition. A rather high similarity was observed between the helminth faunae of the raccoon dog and the American mink (IS = 0.42), both hosts being introduced species in the fauna of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) causes major health problems in the mink industry worldwide. The disease caused by AMDV has no cure or effective vaccine, and long-term viral eradication programs have failed in many countries. Some AMDV infected mink are genetically capable of tolerating the infection and living healthy and productive lives. Genetic selection for tolerance is, thus, a practical strategy to combat this virus. Accurate identification of tolerant animals is the fundamental issue in selection programs. The concentrations of some blood analytes, which are widely used as indicators of the presence and severity of diseases in humans and animals, are known to increase the accuracy of identifying tolerant mink. The objective of this study was to evaluate the merits of 14 serum analytes as biomarkers of tolerance to AMDV infection. Blood samples from 493 AMDV inoculated mink collected between 120 and 1211 days post-inoculation were analyzed. Total serum protein and globulin were found to be the most useful biomarkers of tolerance, whereas the relationships of other serum analytes to tolerance were weak or negligible. Black American mink (Neovison vison), which had been selected for tolerance to Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) for more than 20 years (TG100) or were from herds that have been free of AMDV (TG0), along with their progeny and crosses with 50% and 75% tolerance ancestry, were inoculated with a local isolate of AMDV. Blood samples were collected from 493 mink between 120 and 1211 days post-inoculation, and concentrations of 14 serum analytes were measured. Distributions of all analytes significantly deviated from normality, and data were analyzed after Box–Cox power transformation. Significant differences were observed among tolerant groups in the concentrations of globulin (GLO), total protein (TP), alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen, and calcium. Concentrations of GLO and TP linearly and significantly decreased with an increasing percentage of tolerance ancestry. Eleven analytes had the smallest values in the tolerant groups (TG100 or TG75), and eight analytes had the greatest values in the non-selected groups (TG0 or TG50). Antibody titer had the greatest correlation coefficients with GLO (0.62), TP (0.53), and creatinine (0.36). It was concluded that selection for tolerance decreased the concentrations of most serum analytes, and TP and GLO were the most accurate biomarkers of tolerance to AMDV infection. Males had significantly greater values than females for phosphorus and total bilirubin concentrations, but females had significantly greater amylase, cholesterol, and BUN concentrations than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Selecting American mink (Neovison vison) for tolerance to Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) has gained popularity in recent years, but data on the outcomes of this activity are scant. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term changes in viremia, seroconversion and survival in infected mink. Mink were inoculated intranasally with a local isolate of Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) over 4 years (n = 1742). The animals had been selected for tolerance to AMDV for more than 20 years (TG100) or were from herds free of AMDV (TG0). The progenies of TG100 and TG0, and their crosses with 25, 50 and 75% tolerance ancestry were also used. Blood samples were collected from each mink up to 14 times until 1211 days post-inoculation (dpi) and were tested for viremia by PCR and for anti-AMDV antibodies by counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). Viremia and CIEP status were not considered when selecting replacements. Low-performing animals were pelted and the presence of antibodies in their blood and antibody titer were measured by CIEP, and viremia and viral DNA in seven organs (n = 936) were tested by PCR. Results: The peak incidences of viremia (66.7%) and seropositivity (93.5%) were at 35 dpi. The incidence of viremia decreased over time while the incidence of seroconversion increased. The least-squares means of the incidence of PCR positive of lymph node (0.743) and spleen (0.656) were significantly greater than those of bone marrow, liver, kidneys, lungs and small intestine (0.194 to 0.342). Differences in tolerant ancestry were significant for every trait measured. Incidences of viremia over time, terminal viremia, seropositivity over time, AMDV DNA in organs and antibody titer were highest in the susceptible groups (TG0 or TG25) and lowest in the tolerant groups (TG100 or TG75). Conclusion: Previous history of selection for tolerance resulted in mink with reduced viral replication and antibody titer. Viremia had a negative effect and antibody production had a positive effect on survival and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Experimental Biology (1563-0218) is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: Aleutian disease (AD) is a major infectious disease found in mink farms, and it causes financial losses to the mink industry. Controlling AD often requires a counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) method, which is relatively expensive for mink farmers. Therefore, predicting AD infected mink without using CIEP records will be important for controlling AD in mink farms. In the current study, we applied nine machine learning algorithms to classify AD-infected mink. We indicated that the random forest could be used to classify AD-infected mink (accuracy of 0.962) accurately. This result could be used for implementing machine learning in controlling AD in the mink farms. American mink (Neogale vison) is one of the major sources of fur for the fur industries worldwide, whereas Aleutian disease (AD) is causing severe financial losses to the mink industry. A counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) method is commonly employed in a test-and-remove strategy and has been considered a gold standard for AD tests. Although machine learning is widely used in livestock species, little has been implemented in the mink industry. Therefore, predicting AD without using CIEP records will be important for controlling AD in mink farms. This research presented the assessments of the CIEP classification using machine learning algorithms. The Aleutian disease was tested on 1157 individuals using CIEP in an AD-positive mink farm (Nova Scotia, Canada). The comprehensive data collection of 33 different features was used for the classification of AD-infected mink. The specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and F1 measure of nine machine learning algorithms were evaluated for the classification of AD-infected mink. The nine models were artificial neural networks, decision tree, extreme gradient boosting, gradient boosting method, K-nearest neighbors, linear discriminant analysis, support vector machines, naive bayes, and random forest. Among the 33 tested features, the Aleutian mink disease virus capsid protein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found to be the most important feature for classifying AD-infected mink. Overall, random forest was the best-performing algorithm for the current dataset with a mean sensitivity of 0.938 ± 0.003, specificity of 0.986 ± 0.005, accuracy of 0.962 ± 0.002, and F1 value of 0.961 ± 0.088, and across tenfold of the cross-validation. Our work demonstrated that it is possible to use the random forest algorithm to classify AD-infected mink accurately. It is recommended that further model tests in other farms need to be performed and the genomic information needs to be used to optimize the model for implementing machine learning methods for AD detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In nature, every animal lives in its suitable environment to support life and reproduction. Due to survival pressure, the ancient ancestors of land animals changed from living in water to living on land through a long time of evolution. But as more and more animals live on land, the pressure to survive increases, and some animals continue to evolve and re-enter the water. Species evolved from water to land, fins became limbs, and re-entering organisms evolved webbing, all in an effort to better adapt to their environment. The American mink's life is extremely dependent on the water environment, but its external changes are less pronounced than those of other water-dependent animals. Since the limited external changes are not sufficient to indicate that the American mink is a semi-aquatic mammal, we can explore the evidence of aquatic adaptation at the molecular level. Through comparative genomic analysis, we obtained that American mink has certain adaptive evolution to aquatic environment in olfactory, coagulation, immunity and other aspects. The results of this study have important reference significance for exploring biological evolution and species conservation. Although the American mink is extremely dependent on water and has evolved a range of aquatic characteristics, its structural adaptation to water is still less obvious than that of other typical semi-aquatic mammals, such as otters. Therefore, many scholars consider it not to be a semi-aquatic mammal. In order to make the point that minks are semi-aquatic mammals more convincing, we provide evidence at the micro (genome)-level. In particular, we used the genomes of the American mink and 13 mammalian species to reconstruct their evolutionary history, identified genes that affect aquatic adaptation, and examined the evolution of aquatic adaptation. By analyzing unique gene families, the expansion and contraction of gene families, and positive selection genes, we found that the American mink genome has evolved specifically for aquatic adaptation. In particular, we found that the main adaptive characteristics of the American mink include the external structural characteristics of bone and hair development, as well as the internal physiological characteristics of immunity, olfaction, coagulation, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. We also observed that the genomic characteristics of the American mink are similar to those of other aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals. This not only provides solid genomic evidence for the idea that minks are semi-aquatic mammals, but also leads to a clearer understanding of semi-aquatic species. At the same time, this study also provides a reference for the protection and utilization of the American mink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A statistical analysis of the secondary (at birth) sex ratio in the farming population of the American mink (Neovison vison Schr.) of the standard dark brown breed was carried out. The study was done on the materials of the Pushkin breeding farm in Moscow oblast according to the pedigree books. A total of 1550 litters of 999 mink females were analyzed. The total sample size for 5 years was 10 372 kits. On the basis of the results of the analysis in the expected population, the birth rate of males is estimated to be 0.492 ± 0.0067 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.473 ≤ P(A) ≤ 0.511. Unlike other main species of farming fur-bearing animals, namely, arctic foxes, foxes, and sables, in the American mink, the secondary sex ratio is characterized by inconstancy and heterogeneity with a variable predominance of females or males in the offspring, depending on paratypic factors (mother's age and litter size). At the same time, as mothers age, the deviation of the sex ratio shifts toward the predominance of males in the offspring and, with an increase in the size of the litter, toward an increase in the number of females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, can infect a wide range of mammals. Since its spread in humans, secondary host jumps of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to multiple domestic and wild populations of mammals have been documented. Understanding the extent of adaptation to these animal hosts is critical for assessing the threat that the spillback of animal-adapted SARS-CoV-2 into humans poses. We compare the genomic landscapes of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal species to that in humans, profiling the mutational biases indicative of potentially different selective pressures in animals. We focus on viral genomes isolated from mink (Neovison vison) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for which multiple independent outbreaks driven by onward animal-to-animal transmission have been reported. We identify five candidate mutations for animal-specific adaptation in mink (NSP9_G37E, Spike_F486L, Spike_N501T, Spike_Y453F, ORF3a_L219V), and one in deer (NSP3a_L1035F), though they appear to confer a minimal advantage for human-to-human transmission. No considerable changes to the mutation rate or evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted from circulation in mink and deer thus far. Our findings suggest that minimal adaptation was required for onward transmission in mink and deer following human-to-animal spillover, highlighting the 'generalist' nature of SARS-CoV-2 as a mammalian pathogen. Here, Tan et al. find that the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink and deer required minimal adaptation, has only caused moderate changes to the evolutionary trajectory of the virus, and has not led to viral mutations that greatly improve human transmission thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Semiaquatic mammal roadkill, specifically the European beaver, Eurasian otter, American mink and muskrat was analyzed in Lithuania in the period 2002–2021. From almost 40,000 recorded roadkill cases for all species, these species were registered 60, 22, 26 and 3 times, respectively, thus being rare events. Registered beaver roadkill numbers correlated with an increased registration effort and traffic intensity, while otter roadkill correlated with a registration effort only, and mink roadkill correlated with an increased population (estimated through its proxy and the number of hunted individuals per year). The roadkill was not always in close proximity to waterbodies, with 38–54% of roadkill of these species occurring over 200 m from the nearest water source. With the American mink and muskrat being invasive species in the EU and the Eurasian otter protected in many countries, it could be considered valuable to enhance the registrations of their roadkill (using targeted efforts by drivers, hunters or other citizen scientists) in order to obtain the extrapolated amount of roadkill and to use this knowledge in species management. We previously showed that registration efforts and traffic intensity explain 90% of variation in mammal roadkill numbers, 70% of variation in the numbers of recorded species and 40% of diversity variation. Here we analyze semiaquatic mammal roadkill in Lithuania in 2002–2021, relating these to the monitoring effort. From 39,936 analyzed roadkill, the European beaver (Castor fiber) was registered 60 times, American mink (Neovison vison) 26 times, otter (Lutra lutra) 22 times and muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) 3 times. The average roadkill indexes were 0.000065, 0.00076, 0.00061 and 0.00010 ind./km/day, and the extrapolated annual roadkill for the country was 44–357, 36–456, 49–464 and 89–144 individuals, respectively. Beaver roadkill numbers correlated with the registration effort and traffic intensity, otter roadkill with registration effort only and mink with hunting bag (number of hunted individuals per year). Roadkill was not always related to proximity to water, with 38–54% of roadkill occurring over 200 m from the nearest water source. With American mink and muskrat being invasive species in the EU and otter protected in many countries, it is valuable to enhance the registrations of their roadkill (using targeted efforts by drivers, hunters or other citizen scientists) to obtain the extrapolated amount of roadkill and to use this knowledge in species management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In carnivores, juvenile object play is hypothesized to improve the development of adult predation ability. We tested this hypothesis in a model carnivore, the American mink (Neovison vison). Play was induced via the provision of diverse "enrichment" objects to 32 litters from 4 to 15 weeks of age on a rotating schedule; control mink (32 litters) were instead provided with one static object. Behavioral observations confirmed that enriched juveniles engaged in more object play than control juveniles (p <.01). Tenacity, strength, and chasing motivations were assessed in 52 mink at 27–29 weeks of age using five "simulated prey" tests. These tests showed internal consistency, with measures from the same test being weakly to very strongly correlated (r or ρ: |.33–.95|). Across tests assessing similar skills, some measures of tenacity and strength were also moderately correlated. Treatment had little effect, however, other than on maximum force during vertical pulling, in which control mink unexpectedly scored higher (1.01 ± 0.06 kg vs. 0.84 ± 0.06 kg, p =.0458). Although we did not find evidence to support the hypothesis that object play leads to improved predatory skills, the tests developed have the potential to be used in humane, prey‐free future investigations of predation abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predator–prey interactions are one of the main ecological factors influencing the structure of fish communities. The impact of wading and diving semi‐aquatic predators on riverine fish populations is poorly known. We studied the effect of feral American mink predation on brown trout juveniles during winter in two experiments conducted in semi‐natural streams (length 26 m, width 1.5 m).In the first experiment, we compared the vulnerability of age‐1+ hatchery (length 142 ± 16 mm, average ± SD) and wild (112 ± 8 mm) brown trout of similar genetic origin in sympatry and allopatry. In the second experiment we used age‐0+ brown trout (79 ± 5 mm), increased habitat heterogeneity by addition of fine wood, and compared those to treatments without fine wood addition.Hatchery fish were more vulnerable to mink predation than their wild counterpart, and the predation rate increased with increasing body size among the hatchery trout. Predation by mink on wild trout was higher in sympatric than in allopatric treatments suggesting that stocking of hatchery fish may increase predation on wild conspecifics. Increased habitat heterogeneity resulted in reduced predation rate.The results show that a large size of hatchery fish in small streams was a negative trait, which was opposite to the mainstream observations of salmonid stockings made directly of feeding areas in lakes and oceans. Adding habitat heterogeneity was found important for habitat enhancements in streams with mammalian predators.We highlight the importance of taking all the habitats during the life cycle of migratory fish into account in management decisions and carefully considering whether using hatchery fish to support wild populations in streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenically introduced invasive species represent a major threat to global biodiversity by causing population declines and extinctions of native species. The negative impacts of introduced predators are well documented, yet a fundamental knowledge gap exists regarding the efficiency of potential mitigation methods to restore the ecosystem. Other understudied aspects concern prey behavioural antipredator responses and the historical context of native predator–prey interactions, which may moderate invasion impacts on native prey. Invasion impacts of American mink (Neovison vison) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) into the Baltic Sea archipelago are poorly understood, and the efficiency of removal efforts as a means to alleviate depredation pressure on native prey is debated. Here, we examine the effectiveness of invasive predator removal on ground-nesting female common eider (Somateria mollissima) mortality, breeding success and breeding propensity over a 9-year period, while controlling for predation risk imposed by the main native predator, the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Our results clearly show that intensified removal of American minks and raccoon dogs decreased the number of female eiders killed during nesting, while improving both nesting success and breeding propensity. Such obvious positive effects of invasive predator removal are particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of a soaring eagle population, indicating that the impacts of invasives may become accentuated when native predators differ taxonomically and by hunting mode. This study shows that invasive alien predator removal is an effective conservation measure clearly aiding native fauna even under severe native predation pressure. Such cost-effective conservation actions call for governmental deployment across large areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effects of fear and its consequences, concluding with the works of Jordanian novelist Ahmed Mansour Al-Zoubi. It also explores the consequences of this fear in terms of the values, beliefs, behaviors, actions, and visions described by Al-Zoubi about the individual and society, as well as the overlapping of their relationships in the society that he creates in his work, and drops them into the imagined worlds, through the novel Sommon, Bokmon, Umyon(Deaf..Dumb..Blind) 1990, which represented the issue of fear in its construction, and proceeded from it in the formation of its worlds, and the formation of its internal structures, it is based on the idea of fear that generates alienation in the individual and the group, the consequences of panic and alienation in this novel, and the inciting structures that it presents for revolution and rebellion against fear and alienation. The researchers relied on the literary approach in order to analyze and discuss the ideas presented in this novel. The study also provides an introduction to fear and how it has been invested in literature, in addition to studying the "tool" of fear in AzZu'be's as a method of vison, shaping, implementing, interpreting and revolutionizing, as well the interpretation of its potentials, results, implications, symbols, referrals, and objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of animals for a defensive reaction toward humans underlies the domestication of species and leads to genome destabilization, as well as restructuring of the nervous and hormonal systems that regulate many physiological functions, including digestion. The aim was to study the activity of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase and proteases) in the pancreas, duodenum and jejunum of the American mink (Neovison vison) of two behavioral types, aggressive and tame. Our findings suggest that pleiotropic effects of behavioral genes are also involved in the regulation of digestive enzyme activity in the American mink. Despite the same diet, aggressive vs. tame animals were characterized by a higher activity of proteases and lipase, whereas in tame minks, the amylolytic profile of digestive enzyme activity was predominant. Discriminant analysis confirmed the differences between aggressive and tame minks, but not between the two groups of aggressive animals, in terms of the parameters studied. The revealed differences in the profile of the activity of digestive enzymes can be associated with mutations in the enzyme genes, as well as mediated action of hormones involved in stress reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formulating effective management plans for addressing the impacts of invasive non-native species (INNS) requires the definition of clear priorities and tangible targets, and the recognition of the plurality of societal values assigned to these species. These tasks require a multi-disciplinary approach and the involvement of stakeholders. Here, we describe procedures to integrate multiple sources of information to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for the management of INNS. We follow five good-practice criteria: justified, evidence-informed, actionable, quantifiable, and flexible. We used expert knowledge methods to compile 17 lists of ecological, social, and economic impacts of lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) and American mink (Neovison vison) in Chile and Argentina, the privet (Ligustrum lucidum) in Argentina, the yellow-jacket wasp (Vespula germanica) in Chile, and grasses (Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa decumbens) in Brazil. INNS plants caused a greater number of impacts than INNS animals, although more socio-economic impacts were listed for INNS animals than for plants. These impacts were ranked according to their magnitude and level of confidence on the information used for the ranking to prioritise impacts and assign them one of four high-level actions—do nothing, monitor, research, and immediate active management. We showed that it is possible to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for a variety of INNS and with variable levels of available information. This is vital in a world where the problems caused by INNS continue to increase, and there is a parallel growth in the implementation of management plans to deal with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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