Life history parameters and diet of Risso's dolphins,Grampus griseus,from southeastern South Africa

The life history of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) remains poorly known and data from strandings can help provide important information. Data from 126 Risso's dolphins stranded or bycaught along the southeastern coastline of South Africa between 1958 and 2017 were analyzed in relation to their sex, age structure, and diet. Mean estimated length at birth was 146.9 cm, while maximum length was 325 cm for males and 313 cm for females; small sample sizes precluded detailed examination of sexual dimorphism. Age estimates for 33 individuals (14 males, 17 females, 2 unknown sex) indicated a maximum age of 13 years (males) and 17 years (females), respectively; the oldest animal was 19 years (unknown sex). Mean length and age at attainment of sexual maturity were estimated at 280 cm and 7.1 years in males and at 282 cm and 7.7 years in females. Stomach contents from 27 individuals showed that diets of immature and mature males and females overlapped and consisted predominantly of cephalopods. Reported strandings decreased between 2000 and 2017, possibly due to a lack of reporting associated with a ban on driving on beaches or related to the collapse of the local “chokka” squid (Loligo reynaudii) fishery in 2014–2015.     

Multivariate palaeoecological analysis of a late quaternary small mammal succession from North Bulgaria

The basic assumption of the analysis is that the stratigraphical change of relative abundance of the small mammal species is a phenomenon due to a certain number of environmental factors. In order to reveal these factors and to make some palaeoclimatic reconstructions the following approaches have been used: 1. Analysis of intrinsic structure of the initial data by using principal component analysis (PCA)—delimitation of recurrent groups of species and ordination of assemblages; 2. Extension backward in time of known ecological preference of taxa, forming a particular recurrent group; 3. Comparison of the results with the analysis of assemblages from “known”; (Holocene) environment. On the basis of ecological appearance of particular recurrent groups it is assumed that the main factors are temperatures and effective moisture. The reconstructed values for these environmental factors obtained on the basis of the Holocene recurrent groups of small mammals shows similarity to the recent climate in the area.     

Where the Wild Things Are Now: Domestication Reconsidered

ABSTRACT

Although the occurrence of cat-caretaking of free-roaming cats is widespread, particularly so in countries with a climate suitable for cats to reproduce year-round, our knowledge of this relationship is still incomplete. People who engage in daily activities of feeding and caring for groups of free-roaming cats (cat caretakers) are known to be devoted to their cats and invest considerable resources in their care, including neutering and veterinary care. These caretakers often encounter difficulties, such as resentment by neighbors and lack of cooperation or financing by the municipal veterinary services. Despite the fundamental understanding of these caretakers' high daily commitment, and sometimes strong bond with the cats, detailed knowledge is still lacking regarding the nature of this bond, the difficulties that ensue from this daily occupation, and the relationship between the two. The purpose of this study was thus to acquire a deeper understanding, by means of an in-depth interview with cat caretakers. The study has identified, for the first time, two distinct emotional approaches that accompany extensive caretaking for free-roaming cats: emotional attachment and emotional detachment. We show how these two different responses affect both social and financial aspects in the caretakers' lives, and report on the ways in which these individuals experience cat caretaking. Our findings provide a first systematic understanding of the relationship between the level of technical caretaking (feeding, medical care, etc.) and the level of emotional involvement, and reveal the ambivalence often inherent in human–animal relations in general and the caretaker–cat bond in particular. The understanding acquired here can be put into practice to reduce the emotional and technical difficulties experienced by cat caretakers, as well as to improve free-roaming cat management efforts and cat welfare. By increasing public and municipal awareness of the possible contribution of cat caretakers to cat management, and of the emotional and technical difficulties they experience, both the caretakers and other community members can benefit.     

Hate groups targeting unauthorized immigrants in the US: discourses,narratives and subjectivation practices on their websites

The narratives and images on websites of US hate groups that oppose undocumented immigrants represent and reproduce discourses that contribute to the subject formation of group members, who feel ethically obliged to counter unauthorized immigration. Left alone by the government, which is seen as unreliable and uncaring of patriotic values, they position themselves as heroic saviours of the nation. We argue that these hate groups’ ‘games of truth’ develop in response to the perception that irregular immigration threatens specific social orders and values, for instance about citizenship, national identity and otherness. This article helps to understand the ways in which anti-immigrant narratives serve the functions of countering these threats and of asserting the group members’ ethical obligation as a form of care of the self. In other words, from a Foucaultian viewpoint, we interpret the problematizations of ‘illegal’ immigration as discursive practices for the subject formation of hate group members.     

Manipulating national identity: the strategic use of rhetoric by supporters and opponents of the ‘Cronulla riots’ in Australia

This research explores the role of opinion-based groups in understanding responses to racist violence such as the 2005 Cronulla riots in Australia. Traditionally, explanations of collective action in social psychology and sociology focus on conflict between broad social categories. We propose that the responses to the riots can be understood not only as inter-group conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims, or an in-group argument amongst non-Muslims, but as a bona fide inter-group conflict between supporters and opponents of the riots. We argue that these groups use rhetoric in attempts to claim dominant status within society by aligning their identities with positively valued social categories such as ethnicities and national identities. The analysis of rhetoric from the groups supporting and opposing the riots demonstrates consistent, albeit contested, attempts to align support for the riot with the Australian national category in conflict with countervailing attempts to align opposition to the riot with the same national category.     

The patients with clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis show different levels of advanced protein oxidation products and total thiol content in plasma and CSF

Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and total thiol (SH) groups levels in plasma and CSF were studied in a cohort of 50 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and 57 relapsing remittent multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients related to 20 control group (CG) patients’ values. The obtained results were compared regarding patients demographic, biochemical, clinical (EDSS) and MRI features (total T2 weighted lesions number and Gd enhancement lesion volume).     

Acidic biphenyl derivatives: Synthesis and biological activity of a new series of potent 5-HT4 receptor antagonists

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important signaling molecule in the central nervous system (CNS) and in non-neuronal tissues and organs. Serotonin mediates a positive chronotropic and inotropic response through 5-HT₄ receptors in the atrium and ventricle of the heart. Recent investigations have revealed increased expression of the 5-HT_4(b) isoform in cardiomyocytes of chronic arrhythmic and failing hearts, and that the use of 5-HT₄ receptor antagonists may be beneficial for treating these conditions. The 5-HT₄ receptor possesses a transmembrane (TM) binding site important for ligand affinity and recognition, as well as a capacity to accommodate bulky ligands. A new series of peripherally-acting 5-HT₄ receptor antagonists were prepared by combining the acidic biphenyl group from the class of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with the SB207266 (piboserod) scaffold. The new compounds were pharmacologically evaluated and carboxylic acid 21 was identified as a potent and promising 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist with moderate affinity for the AT₁ receptor. The permeability of carboxylic acid 21 in a Caco-2 assay was low and the corresponding prodrug esters 23a–f were therefore prepared. The pharmacokinetics of methyl ester 20 and n-butyl ester 23c were evaluated in a rat model, revealing incomplete metabolism to carboxylic acid 21. However, methyl ester 20 is a potent 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist with binding affinities in the low picomolar range. Methyl ester 20 has promising oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics and may target 5-HT₄ receptors in both CNS and peripheral organs.     

The Transport Systems for Selenomethionine/Methionine and Selenocystine/Cystine in Escherichia Coli K-12 Appear to be Cooperative

Dopamine transporters of bovine and rat striata were identified by their specific [³H]cocaine binding and cocaine-sensitive [³H]dopamine ([³H]DA) uptake. Both binding and uptake functions of bovine striatal transporters were potentiated by lectins. Concanavalin A (Con A) increased the velocity but did not change the affinity of the transporter for DA; however, it increased its affinity for cocaine without changing the number of binding sites. This suggests that the DA transporter is a glycoprotein and that Con A action on it produces conformational changes

Inorganic and organic mercury reagents inhibited both [³H]DA uptake and [³H]cocaine binding, though they were all more potent inhibitors of the former, n- Ethylmaleimide inhibited [³H]DA uptake totally but [³H]cocaine binding only partially. Also, n-pyrene maleimide had differential effects on uptake and binding, inhibiting uptake and potentiating binding. [³H]DA uptake was not affected by mercaptoethanol up to 100 mM, whereas [³H]cocaine binding was inhibited by concentrations above 10 mM. On the other hand, both uptake and binding were fairly sensitive to dimercaprol (< 1 mM). The effects of all these sulfhydryl reagents suggest that the DA transporter has one or more thiol group(s) important for both binding and uptake activities. The Ellman reagent and dithiopyridine were effective inhibitors of uptake and binding only at fairly high concentration (>10 mM). Loss of activity after treatment with the dithio reagents may be a result of reduction of a disulfide bond, which may affect the transporter conformation     

酸雨背景下缙云山典型林分凋落物量和营养元素含量及其释放特征

选取缙云山针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林、楠竹林和灌木林作为研究对象,对4种林分的凋落物储量和营养元素释放量等进行观测,并应用室内模拟酸雨实验对4种林分凋落物进行淋溶模拟。结果表明:缙云山各林分现存凋落物厚度为1.4～4.5 cm,具有明显的分层结构;林分未分解U层、半分解S层和分解D层现存凋落物量分别为1.97～8.59、2.84～10.18和3.58～17.43 t·hm-2,林分年凋落物量为2.17～9.86 t·hm-2·a-1,凋落物总储量为14.21～32.42 t·hm-2,凋落物分解常数为0.15～0.31,林下凋落物分解95%时所需时间针阔混交林和楠竹林均在10年以上,凋落物分解速率比较缓慢;林下凋落物层营养元素含量以Ca、N为主,Fe、K、Mg次之;凋落物总的营养元素释放率表现为常绿阔叶林(0.80)>灌木林(0.72)>针阔混交林(0.50)>楠竹林(-0.17);与叶片相比,凋落物中N、K、Mn 3种营养元素含量明显降低;为探明酸雨影响营养元素循环的作用机理,对模拟酸雨的离子含量与凋落物淋滤液盐基离子含量进行了分析,其相关性大小表现为楠竹林(相关系数0.895)>针阔混交林(0.826)>灌木(0.700)>常绿阔叶林(0.699),楠竹林凋落物营养元素的淋滤受酸雨影响最大,常绿阔叶林受其影响最弱;推测在这一过程中以凋落物的吸附作用为主。     

四种护脾养胃类中药水提物抗氧化能力测定

以罗丹明B为显色剂,采用分光光度法测定了护脾养胃类方剂中常见的当归、五味子、黄芩、红枣等四种中药水提物对·OH的清除能力.实验表明:这些中药永提取物对·OH都具有较强的清除作用,呈现明显的量效关系,其中红枣的清除能力最强.据此评价了这四种中药水提取物抗氧化能力大小顺序为:红枣＞当归＞黄芩＞五味子.