Colony Area Research Articles

New culling technique provides localised reductions in interspecific aggression and density of Noisy Miners (Manorina melanocephala) without recolonisation

ABSTRACT The Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) is a native Australian honeyeater that reduces avian biodiversity at sites it occupies through aggressive defence. Culling to remove miners has had limited success in some areas due to rapid recolonisation. This experiment trialled ‘doughnut culls’ as a new approach to reduce Noisy Miner aggression within a central area of colonies, by removing up to half the miners present within a 50 m radius of an identified central location in 29 different colonies on the New England Tablelands of NSW. Aggression from miners onsite within this central area was quantified before and after culling by presenting 3D printed models of three different bird species with accompanying vocal playback to resident miners at the centre of culled areas. These presentations identified a significant decline in Noisy Miner aggression onsite after doughnut culls, with this reduced rate of aggression (e.g. over 50% reduction in the maximum number of miners within a 20 m radius of models) remaining until the conclusion of the experiment at 28 days post culling, a timeframe commensurate with the duration of many passerine nesting attempts. Social hierarchy changes among remaining Noisy Miners may be the primary cause of this reduced aggression, with sufficient miners remaining onsite to prevent colony collapse and thus any recolonisation. While additional trials during peak Noisy Miner dispersal periods are warranted, this method provides an effective tool for land managers to reduce localised Noisy Miner aggression over the short to medium term when high conservation areas are identified.

Low Testosterone Concentration Improves Colonisation and Viability in the Co-Cultured Goat Spermatogonial Stem Cell With Sertoli Cells.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintain spermatogenesis through self-renewal and differentiation. The proliferation of SSCs in culture systems can provide a valuable source of germ cells. Several studies have investigated new reproductive technologies, including the production of transgenic animals and recombinant proteins secreted from milk in goats. While studies in other species exist, research on goat SSC culture remains limited. We investigated the impact of different testosterone concentrations on the survival and colonisation of cocultured goat SSCs with Sertoli cells. Cells were isolated from immature goats using two-step enzymatic digestion and enriched by differential exclusion method. DMEM/F12 culture medium containing 1% antibiotic and 5% FBS, supplemented with GDNF (20 ng/mL), EGF, bFGF and LIF (10 ng/mL), was used with different testosterone concentrations (0, 60, 120 and 240 μg/mL) and cultured for 10 days. SC subpopulations were confirmed using PGP9.5 immunocytochemistry, and the expression of germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, β1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was evaluated through RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity provided additional SSC presence. The survival rate of SSCs after isolation and the number and area of colonies on Days 4, 7 and 10 were measured using an inverted microscope. The presence of PGP 9.5 antigens and germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, β1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. According to the results, the group with 60 μg/mL testosterone had the highest number and area of colonies. The number of colonies in the 60 μg/mL testosterone group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed compared to other groups (p ≥ 0.05). This study suggests that a low testosterone concentration (60 μg/mL) is optimal for goat SSC colonisation and viability in coculture with Sertoli cells, potentially leading to advancements in goat reproductive technologies.

Predicting 3D and 2D surface area of corals from simple field measurements

The structural architecture of coral reefs is a known predictor of species richness, fish biomass and reef resilience. At a smaller scale, three-dimensional (3D) surface area of corals is a fundamental determinant of physical and biological processes. Quantifying the 3D surface area of corals has applications for a broad range of scientific disciplines, including carbonate production estimates, coral predation studies, and assessments of reef growth. Here, we present morphotaxon-specific conversion metrics to estimate total 3D surface area and projected 2D surface area of individual colonies from simple field measurements of colony maximum diameter. Underwater photogrammetry techniques were used to quantify surface area and estimate conversion metrics. Bayesian models showed strong non-linear (power) relationships between colony maximum diameter and both total 3D surface area and projected 2D surface area for 13 out of 15 morphotaxa. This study presents a highly resolved and efficient method for obtaining critical surface area assessments of corals for various applications, including assessments of biotic surface area, tissue biomass, calcification rates, coral demographic rates, and reef restoration monitoring.

Social, not genetic, programming of development and stress physiology of a colonial seabird.

Phenotypic differences often stem from genetic/maternal differences and/or early-life adaptations to local environmental conditions. In colonial animals, little is known on how variation in the social environment is embedded into individual phenotypes, nor what the consequences are on individual fitness. We conducted an experimental cross-fostering study on king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus), exchanging eggs among 134 pairs breeding in high-density (67 pairs) or low-density (67 pairs) areas of the same breeding colony. We investigated differences in parent and chick phenotypes and survival in relation to the density of their origin and foster environment. Adults breeding in colony areas of high density exhibited decreased resting behaviour and increased aggression and vigilance, increased hypometabolism during incubation fasts, and more moderate corticosterone responses shaped by exposure to chronic stressors (e.g. constant aggression by neighbours). Chick phenotypes were more influenced by the environment in which they were raised than their genetic/maternal origin. Chicks raised in high-density colonial environments showed enhanced weight gain and survival rates regardless of the density of their genetic parents' breeding areas. Our study experimentally shows advantages to breeding in colonial areas of higher breeder densities in king penguins, and highlights the importance of social settings in shaping phenotype expression in colonial seabirds.

Location and caller familiarity influence mobbing behaviour and the likely ecological impact of noisy miners around colony edges

Mobbing is a widespread, vocally coordinated behaviour where species approach and harass a threat. The noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) is a notorious native Australian honeyeater, well‐known for its hyperaggressive mobbing. Numerous studies have identified negative impacts of their mobbing behaviour, highlighting the exclusion of competitors from colony areas and the resulting loss of woodland‐bird biodiversity. Despite this, few studies have investigated mobbing itself, and our understanding of the factors which influence its expression remains limited. Here, we use a field‐based playback experiment to investigate whether mobbing responses vary in relation to colony borders and caller familiarity. Noisy miners were more likely to respond, reacted more quickly and responded more strongly to mobbing calls broadcast inside as opposed to outside the colony. These behavioural differences likely arise from variation in the relative costs and benefits of responding. When noisy miners did mob outside the colony, more individuals joined in response to unfamiliar as opposed to familiar callers. Our results reveal that noisy miner mobbing may not be as indiscriminate as often assumed, with caller familiarity and location influencing this behaviour. We suggest there are benefits to greater consideration of the factors impacting noisy miner mobbing behaviour.Keywords: Avian biodiversity, interspecific aggression, mobbing behaviour, noisy miner, vocal communication

Exploration on the Mildew Conditions of Cladosporium asperulatum CY-H1, a Pathogenic Fungus on Tobacco Leaves

Aims: Mildew poses a significant threat to tobacco industry. This study focuses on a strain of Cladosporium asperulatum isolated from moldy tobacco leaves to investigate its growth under different temperature and humidity conditions, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for local prevention and control strategies against this fungus.&#x0D; Methodology: Potential fungal strains were obtained from moldy tobacco leaves utilizing isolation techniques and individual colonies were cultured on PDA medium subsequently. Microscopic examination and molecular identification were employed to determine the species of the isolated strains. Isolated strain was initially inoculated with varying spore powder concentrations at water activities of 0.99, 0.95, 0.90, 0.87, 0.83, and 0.77, combined with diverse culture temperatures of 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C on PDA. The growth of colony area was daily measured by ImageJ software, and spore powder yield was observed after a 7-day incubation period under these specified culture conditions.&#x0D; Results: (1) colony area of isolated C. asperulatum CY-H1 has a rising trend with increasing culture time at consistent temperatures. Sporulation exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease, yet overall demonstrated an upward trajectory. The maximum value was attained at a water activity of 0.95. Under identical water activity, escalating temperatures initially augmented colony area until reaching a maximum at 25°C. Similarly, spore production displayed an initial increase followed by a decrease, with the highest production occurring at 25°C. (2) Varied concentrations of initial spore suspension influenced colony growth differently. A high concentration (initially 106 spores/mL) exhibited an earlier growth trend compared to medium (105 spores/mL) and low concentrations (104 spores/mL). (3) C. asperulatum CY-H1 did not thrive under the culture conditions of 35°C, irrespective of the initial inoculation concentration and water activity.&#x0D; Conclusion: C. asperulatum assumes a crucial role as a predominant mold in tobacco storage environments. Effective prevention of fungal mildew in stored tobacco leaves is achieved by maintaining temperatures exceeding 35°C and sustaining water activity below 0.77. These findings highlight the significance of environmental conditions in controlling mold growth during tobacco storage.

Analyzing retraction responses of Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta: Naididae) colonies to copper treatments through a digital image analysis approach for developing early biological warning systems.

Biological monitoring and assessments are commonly used for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes are found in various freshwater ecosystems and have been used as indicators of water quality and for the biological assessment of aquatic ecosystems. Among aquatic oligochaetes, the sludge worm Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta, Naididae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used as a biomonitoring indicator of toxicity and organic pollution. In this study, we investigated the response of worm colonies to copper (CuSO4) treatments (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0mg/L) in an observation cage (100mL beaker) for 30min. Using a digital image analysis approach, we measured the changes in the colony image area between pre- and post-copper treatment. After copper treatment, the colony image area tended to decrease, even at low copper concentrations. In addition, the colony areas did not recover to their original levels at high concentrations, although those at low concentrations did. Area decreased proportional to the logarithm of the copper concentration. Finally, our results present the possible use of the retraction responses of Tubifex tubifex colonies to chemical disturbances as early biological warning systems.

Representation of the microstructure of pearlitic steels for DEM simulations of fatigue

The fatigue behavior of pearlitic steels in wheel-rails is correlated to the microstructure. However, existing models do barely take this correlation into account. In this work, we propose a hierarchical meshing to describe the microstructure of pearlitic steels. The mesh includes grain and block/colony boundaries, lamellae orientations, and orientation perpendicular to lamellae. We use the Voronoi Tessellation method to generate elements with the specific area fraction distribution for pearlite colony areas. The colony and block information is obtained from SEM and EBSD measurements of R260 steel to construct the mesh that represents the microstructure. Finally, we obtained the deformed microstructure via simple geometrical shearing. This meshing method is the first step for modeling fatigue crack growth anisotropy due to plastic deformation.

U2-Net and ResNet50-Based Automatic Pipeline for Bacterial Colony Counting.

In this paper, an automatic colony counting system based on an improved image preprocessing algorithm and convolutional neural network (CNN)-assisted automatic counting method was developed. Firstly, we assembled an LED backlighting illumination platform as an image capturing system to obtain photographs of laboratory cultures. Consequently, a dataset was introduced consisting of 390 photos of agar plate cultures, which included 8 microorganisms. Secondly, we implemented a new algorithm for image preprocessing based on light intensity correction, which facilitated clearer differentiation between colony and media areas. Thirdly, a U2-Net was used to predict the probability distribution of the edge of the Petri dish in images to locate region of interest (ROI), and then threshold segmentation was applied to separate it. This U2-Net achieved an F1 score of 99.5% and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0033 on the validation set. Then, another U2-Net was used to separate the colony region within the ROI. This U2-Net achieved an F1 score of 96.5% and an MAE of 0.005 on the validation set. After that, the colony area was segmented into multiple components containing single or adhesive colonies. Finally, the colony components (CC) were innovatively rotated and the image crops were resized as the input (with 14,921 image crops in the training set and 4281 image crops in the validation set) for the ResNet50 network to automatically count the number of colonies. Our method achieved an overall recovery of 97.82% for colony counting and exhibited excellent performance in adhesion classification. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed "light intensity correction-based image preprocessing→U2-Net segmentation for Petri dish edge→U2-Net segmentation for colony region→ResNet50-based counting" scheme represents a new attempt and demonstrates a high degree of automation and accuracy in recognizing and counting single-colony and multi-colony targets.

Evaluation of Drinking Water Contamination in Vehari Region (Pakistan)

Present studies were conducted to evaluate the quality of ground drinking water in Vehari city of Punjab, Pakistan. Water samples were subjected to physicochemical characterization for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), phosphatic compounds, oils and fats. The observed ranges of pH (7.3-7.7), phosphatic compounds (0.001-0.006 mg/L), oils and fats (&lt;1) were found within the WHO limits. The values of electrical conductivity(896-1875μS), total dissolved solids (400-8000 mg/L), and total suspended solid (1200-2800mg/L) were exceeded by WHO limits in Muslim Town, TBZ Colony, Vehari Zoo, D- block, Stadium Road, 9-11 WB, Sharqi Colony, and Danewal areas of Vehari. The investigated groundwater of Tehsil Vehari was found to be unfit for human consumption, and a dire need was felt for removing pollutants from this water before its consumption for drinking purposes in Tehsil Vehari.

Hypertension care cascade in an urban resettlement colony and slum in Delhi, India: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundHypertension care cascade in resource-limited settings is compromised with a majority of patients with hypertension remaining undiagnosed, untreated, non-adherent, and poorly controlled at every stage. However, there is paucity of information on care and management of hypertensive patients in community-based settings of low-income urban neighbourhoods in India.MethodsThis was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in an urban resettlement colony and slum area in the Northeast District of Delhi. The adult population was screened for hypertension using standardized methods, and adherence to medications was assessed using the Morisky Green Levine scale. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to ascertain the sociodemographic predictors of the outcome (presence of hypertension, adherence to antihypertensive medication, blood pressure control). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWe included 8850 adult participants including 5295 females and 3555 males in this study. Nearly 29% of the participants were hypertensive, of which 61.77% were newly diagnosed cases. Furthermore, nearly 81% of the previously diagnosed cases had been initiated on antihypertensive medication, of which 57.54% were adherent to their medications while 36.12% attained controlled blood pressure levels. The odds of having hypertension were significantly higher among males (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.63 to 2.15), age ≥ 60 years (AOR = 9.15, 95% CI: 7.82 to 10.70), high waist circumference (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.70) and Body Mass Index of ≥ 25.00 (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 2.00 to 3.26). Furthermore, on adjusted analysis, patients of hypertension having diabetes (DM) comorbidity had significantly higher odds of being adherent to anti-hypertensive medications (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.51) compared to those without DM comorbidity, while tobacco users had significantly lower odds of being adherent to antihypertensive medication (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.82).ConclusionsHypertension care cascade in urban slum-resettlement colony setting revealed a high burden of undiagnosed hypertension, low rates of medication adherence, and poor blood pressure control. Strengthening community screening and primary care continuum of care is necessary to improve the hypertension care cascade from early diagnosis to effective management with optimal health outcomes to reduce patient complications and increase longevity.

Mesenchymal stem cells in synovial fluid increase in number in response to synovitis and display more tissue-reparative phenotypes in osteoarthritis

BackgroundSynovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) originate in the synovium and contribute to the endogenous repair of damaged intra-articular tissues. Here, we clarified the relationship between their numbers and joint structural changes during osteoarthritis (OA) progression and investigated whether SF-MSCs had phenotypes favorable for tissue repair, even in an OA environment.MethodsPartial medial meniscectomy (pMx) and sham surgery were performed on both knees of rats. SF and knee joints were collected from intact rats and from rats at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. SF was cultured for 1 week to calculate the numbers of colony-forming cells and colony areas. Joint structural changes were evaluated histologically to investigate their correlation with the numbers and areas of colonies. RNA sequencing was performed for SF-MSCs from intact knees and knees 4 weeks after the pMx and sham surgery.ResultsColony-forming cell numbers and colony areas were greater in the pMx group than in the intact and sham groups and peaked at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Synovitis scores showed the strongest correlation with colony numbers (R = 0.583) and areas (R = 0.456). RNA sequencing revealed higher expression of genes related to extracellular matrix binding, TGF-β signaling, and superoxide dismutase activity in SF-MSCs in the pMx group than in the sham group.ConclusionThe number of SF-MSCs was most closely correlated with the severity of synovitis in this rat OA model. Tissue-reparative gene expression patterns were observed in SF-MSCs from OA knees, but not from knees without intra-articular tissue damage.

ASSESSMENT OF NOISE POLLUTION IN UDGIR CITY OF LATUR MAHARASHTRA

Today urbanization is one of the leading problem in the present days.Noise pollution causes health hazard to Human being. In urbanized areas major sources of noise pollution are traffic and construction activities.Noise levels were measured at selected locations in Udgir such as Shivaji chowk, Captain Chowk, Bidar gate, S.T. Colony and Udayagiri College area and the values were compared with standard values.It has been observed that the Noise level except udayagiri college , exceeds the values more than the prescribed guidelines of WHO and ISI. The noise level was observed highest at Shivaji chowk 110db and lowest at udayagiri College 45db. Noise is having adverse impact on the health of human being and environment, noise should be controlled. The conclusion drawn from the study is that the noise should be controlled at the source only by using technology. Key Words: Urbanization, noise, WHO, Technology, ISI

Toward broad-scale mapping and characterization of prairie dog colonies from airborne imagery using deep learning

Monitoring wildlife is fundamental to managing the health of rangelands but challenging due to the extensive and dynamic nature of these ecosystems. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is considered both a keystone species of conservation concern and an agricultural pest. This animal is an example of a wildlife species for which detailed monitoring is both high priority and difficult to accomplish cost-effectively using ground-based methods. In this study, we conducted a robust evaluation of the potential to use deep learning to detect prairie dog burrows from remotely sensed imagery acquired from unoccupied aerial systems (UAS). We processed UAS imagery to create RGB, topographic position index (TPI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) products at varying spatial resolutions (2–30 cm). We then evaluated the minimum set of inputs and image resolution required to train a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for burrow detection and scale this up to identify entire colonies. We validated results at the scale of individual burrows, sub-colony burrow density and range-wide colony area using ground and digitized observations. We found the 2 cm imagery proved computationally impractical for scaling, but performance did not decline between 2 and 5 cm imagery, and models performed well up to 10–15 cm. The top models always included TPI and the combination of RGB + TPI tended to perform best across spatial resolutions. Adding NDVI generally did not improve model performance. At 5 cm resolution, the top models achieved high precision and recall for detecting individual burrows (F-score 0.84–0.87) and burrow density was strongly correlated with validation data (r = 0.94–0.95). In pastures with active colonies, overlap between predicted and ground delineated colonies was high (60–94%). The CNN-based approach could not distinguish between currently active colonies and a colony that had recently become inactive due to a sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) epizootic. However, further analysis showed that CNN-derived burrow density was related to colony age and satellite-derived vegetation conditions in active colonies, and that the plague-affected colony deviated from expected vegetation trends. We conclude that a deep learning algorithm can accurately detect prairie dog burrows from UAS imagery acquired at 5–10 cm resolution, and that scaling from individual burrows to entire colonies is achievable but warrants further research. Combining CNN-derived burrow density maps with satellite-derived vegetation conditions may help identify recent colony abandonment, despite ongoing presence of burrows.

In vitro growth of nine edible ectomycorrhizal fungi under a range of pH conditions

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are considered to play an essential role in the development of forest ecosystems and can protect plant against pathogenic infections. Among other factors, soil pH may affect the successful inoculation of forest seedlings in nurseries. The effect of pH on the growth rate of strains of nine species of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi was evaluated in vitro. In the experiments, Boletus edulis, B. aereus, B. pinophilus, B. fragrans, Amanita rubescens, Xerocomus ferrugineus, Lactarius deliciosus, Lactarius sanguifluus and Suillus luteus were grown in Petri dishes containing modified Melin Norkrans medium and adjusted at seven different pH levels. Colony area was measured at 7-day intervals for 8 weeks. Final fungal biomass and residual pH of the medium at 8th week were also measured. The optimum pH levels and pH tolerance ranges for the tested ECM fungal species are presented and discussed in the text. The results showed that the greatest growth in vitro was produced by A. rubescens and S. luteus at high pH levels (between 6.5-8.5), and by X. ferrugineus at low pH (3.5-6.5). Almost all the strains acidified the medium where they were grown after eight incubation weeks.

Abstract 5840: Normal fibroblasts, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and their senescent counterparts exert varying effects on tumorigenic potential and ABT-263 sensitivity of gastric cancer cells

Abstract It has become increasingly apparent that cancer is not a tumor cell-centric disease. Elements of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including fibroblasts and senescent cells, have been shown to contribute to tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance, and are therefore major contributors to disease progression. However, this has been complicated by accumulating evidence suggesting that the function of fibroblasts is heterogeneous, with normal fibroblasts (NFs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) both promoting or suppressing tumorigenesis and drug sensitivity within different contexts. Moreover, although senescent fibroblasts have been shown to accelerate tumor growth and contribute to therapy resistance, whether phenotypic differences exist between different senescent fibroblasts remains poorly understood. It is clear that additional work must be done to unravel the precise mechanisms by which NFs, CAFs, and their senescent counterparts interact within the tumor microenvironment to modulate tumor cell growth and sensitivity to therapy. Here, we show different NF and CAF lines exert varying effects on AGS gastric cancer cells. We found that when AGS cells are co-cultured with IMR90 lung fibroblasts, they form fewer and smaller colonies (total colony area = 5.14E3 pixels^2) than when cultured alone (total colony area = 2.57E4 pixels^2). On the other hand, colony formation ability is enhanced when AGS cells are co-cultured with GF1 primary gastric fibroblasts (total colony area = 3.56E4 pixels^2), and to a greater extent when cultured with CK4520 (total colony area = 4.59E4 pixels^2) and CK8612 (total colony area = 4.88E4 pixels^2) primary gastric CAFs. We next sought to determine whether these cells modulate AGS sensitivity to ABT-263, a BH3 mimetic that activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by targeting and inhibiting Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. We treated AGS cells with ABT-263 with or without the addition of fibroblast-conditioned medium. We showed that IMR90 cells sensitize AGS cells to ABT-263, with an IC50 shift from 109 nM to 54 nM in AGS cells treated with IMR90-conditioned medium. On the other hand, AGS cells were more resistant to ABT-263 when treated with GF1, CK4520, or CK8612-conditioned medium, with IC50s of 270 nM, 520 nM, and 540 nM, respectively. Ongoing efforts involve expanding these experiments to senescent fibroblasts and conducting cytokine profiles to begin investigating the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. These results contribute to our understanding of tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Citation Format: Francesca R. Di Cristofano, Shengliang Zhang, Kelsey E. Huntington, Wafik S. El-Deiry. Normal fibroblasts, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and their senescent counterparts exert varying effects on tumorigenic potential and ABT-263 sensitivity of gastric cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5840.

Dead Sea level decline pushed a sensitive ecosystem out of equilibrium, causing the relocation of a colonial bird breeding site

ABSTRACT Capsule Dead Sea Sparrows Passer moabiticus transferred their historical breeding colony location, following geo-ecological and hydrological changes, to a new, less arid zone within a nature reserve. Aims To find biotic and abiotic factors affecting the choice of nest sites by Dead Sea Sparrows, in order to locate potential breeding areas and plan in advance for their protection. Methods Mapping old and new nest sites of Dead Sea Sparrows within Einot Tzukim nature reserve, Dead Sea Valley, and using anthropogenic and geo-ecological GIS layers, we created a map of the potential preferred breeding colony area. Results We found the biotic and abiotic factors affecting nest site preference of Dead Sea Sparrows, which included areas far from human activity, areas close to historic springs, and areas affected by a major fire. New areas in the reserve exposed by the retreating Dead Sea were inhabited by the birds, which gradually transferred their breeding centre to a less arid zone within the reserve. Conclusion When managing colonial breeding sites, it is crucial to understand the role of both natural and anthropogenic influences in order to prioritize sites for conservation and management. Producing a preference map, based on such data, can help managers locate potential breeding areas and plan in advance for their protection.

Проект учреждения объединенного типа по положениям Концепции развития УИС до 2030 года

Federation until 2030 on the creation of a united type institution, an attempt was made to develop a model of such a correctional institution. The study addresses the issue of creating the legal and organizational foundations for the functioning of a united institution. To fix any phenomenon at the legal level, first of all, a theoretical model should be created, its scientific justification should be proposed. At the same time, both in the national penitentiary legislation and in the foreign one, there are already elements of the model of the united type institutions proposed by the Concept for the development of the penitentiary system. At the Russian Federation legislative level, a change in the correctional institution type is provided, either by increasing the rights and freedoms scope of the convict, or by reducing it. Statistical data confirm the practical implementation of these institutions, in connection with which there is a need for the sites presence of a colony-settlement and a prison as the design model part of a united type institution. The model of the united type institution could be supplemented by correctional colonies without distinguishing their regimes, but with the allocation of conditions for serving sentences within one correctional colony. Also, in the proposed model, it is necessary to provide for the placement of a pre-trial detention center, which will ensure a consistent corrective working process with persons who have committed a crime. As for the site creation for juvenile convicts, it raises doubts. Since the specificity of the special contingent in the form of juvenile convicts implies a separate content from adult convicts. The most optimal idea seems to be about a single complex of correctional institutions for persons who have committed a crime before they reach the age of eighteen, which is a combination of a pre-trial detention center, educational and correctional colonies on the same territory. The model of a united type institution can be structurally represented as follows: pre-trial detention center; Correctional Facility; a room in a prison regime; the colony area.

Managing conflict between nesting common terns and herring gulls

Context Due to the frequent depredation of eggs and chicks by herring gulls (Larus argentatus), numerous approaches to reduce their impact on tern colonies have been tested by wildlife managers. Previous studies have shown that the use of overhead lines presents a promising method to prevent gull nesting in tern colonies, but little work has evaluated if this approach is suitable for excluding both nesting and non-nesting gulls. Aims The goal of this study was to explore the efficacy of a preventative approach, overhead lines, versus a more widely practiced lethal approach, shooting and trapping. Specifically, we aimed to determine if methods differ in their abilities to deter both gull nesting and presence within treatment areas and identify impacts on common tern (Sterna hirundo) nesting within treatment areas. Methods We applied separate management strategies to two common tern colonies. In one colony, we removed herring gulls via shooting followed by trapping and nest removal, and in the other colony, we erected overhead lines with subsequent trapping at nests established in the treatment area. Key results Gulls appeared to adapt quickly to shooting efforts, limiting efficacy and resulting in no significant change in abundance from pre-treatment levels (P = 0.981). However, gull use of both the colony and surrounding brush declined significantly (P &lt; 0.001) following trapping and nest removal. Meanwhile, the number of gulls in the colony area declined from a pre-treatment average of 56 to only six, following the erection of overhead lines (P &lt; 0.001). Although six gull nests were established within the treatment area (overhead lines), they were not replaced once the parents were trapped and nests destroyed. Conclusions Tern nesting appeared to be unaffected by any of the implemented management activities. Our data suggest that overhead lines may present an alternative to lethal control when seeking to minimise the impacts of gulls on tern colonies. Implications The data presented in this manuscript can be used to guide managers in selecting actions to reduce conflict between gulls and breeding common terns. By using data-informed practices, managers can select the method best suited for their specific needs and priorities.

Potensi Khamir Epifit Indigenus untuk Mengendalikan Colletotrichum capsici, Penyebab Penyakit Antraknosa pada Buah Cabai Merah

Anthracnose is an important disease in red chili caused by Colletotrichum capsici which can reduce productivity by up to 65%. Controlling using indigenous epiphytic yeasts has never been done. The study aimed to determine the ability of indigenous epiphytic yeast isolates to control C. capsici on red chili. The study was carried out at the Phytopathology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas, from August 2019 - April 2020 in vitro and in vivo. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) which consisted of 6 treatments with five different isolates (4 isolates from fruit and one from leaves) and a control. Parameters observed were macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of yeasts, C. capsici colony area, disease incubation period, and anthracnose symptoms. The results showed that the five epiphytic yeast isolates could suppress the growth of C. capsici, inhibit colony expansion between 27.09 – 59.11%, extend the incubation period for one day, and inhibit the expansion of anthracnose symptoms between 52.30 – 62.64%. Epiphytic yeast isolate KB1 derived from fruit has the highest inhibition.