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Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitats are among the most pervasive impacts on species persistence. Mammals may vary in their response to these impacts, both in abundance and in physiological parameters. Herein, we verified how habitat quality influenced the small mammal nutritional status and stress levels among five semi‐deciduous forest remnants in the Brazilian Cerrado. To assess species' physiological responses, we used body condition as an indicator of nutritional status and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio as an indicator of chronic stress in Gracilinanus agilis and Rhipidomys macrurus. We sampled 264 animals belonging to the following species: G. agilis, Didelphis albiventris, Akodon montensis, Oligoryzomys spp., Rattus rattus, R. macrurus, Oecomys cleberi, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and three unidentified rodent species. We found no negative effect of reduced habitat quality on the body condition of G. agilis and R. macrurus, however, the N/L ratios of these species were lower only in high‐quality habitats, demonstrating that this parameter is an accurate indicator of chronic stress. Based on preliminary analysis, we also reported an impoverished fauna, mainly dominated by generalist species, in low‐quality habitats. Thus, we conclude that short‐term reduction in habitat quality leads to increased stress levels, which can in turn lead to future population declines and culminate in biotic homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In burglary cases, the skeleton keys used by burglars often leave tool marks that can not be identified. Hence, forensic trace experts can only provide investigating authorities with useful information by categorizing the lock opening method of pin tumbler lock cylinders and defining the class characteristics of the tool used. It is important to note that as per the standard processes, expensive and more time consuming DNA-tests may not be applied to this evidence type. During the past few years, more and more dimple locks were documented by the police being removed from security doors at burglary scenes and sent to the Hungarian Institute for Forensic Sciences. These dimple locks were made in China with no brand mark, with 6-8 pin tumblers. We noticed previously unknown tool marks on the horizontal keyway, on the face and on the side of the tumblers of most of these dimple locks. We also found fragments of aluminium foil in the bottom of the plugs. Based on this, we came to the conclusion that the burglars work with a new method when opening this type of locks, which required forensic trace experts to introduce a new way of examination. In this study specific data is meant to be presented supporting the observations above. This paper is presenting a new lock opening method and the tool marks left behind. Our purpose was to develop a new method which takes the benefit of a new type of evidence: foil fragments noticed in the cylinder with possible DNA evidence, which was previously unknown by the police. This goes beyond the scope of general investigative findings, allowing a more effective identification of the burglars. We are also going to explicate the results of our DNA tests. Foil fragments having been recorded under sterile conditions brought searchable DNA-profiles in 52 % of the cases. In 55 % of these cases DNA-profiles were matched with suspects' and a series of crimes and groups of criminals were explored. Examining the DNA-profiles that did not match suspects' profiles revealed the presence of victims' DNA in certain cases. The outcomes of our study highlight that collecting victim DNA-samples should be implemented as a default process in cases where a DNA-test is required., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) zygodontomis, a nematode parasite of the small intestine of the rodent Necromys lasiurus, from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, phylogenies were inferred from the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I gene (MT-CO1). Details of the helminth surface, such as the oral aperture, cephalic papillae, papillae in the posterior region of the body and longitudinal cuticular elements represented by spine-like projections and fans are presented, adding new taxonomic details. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the MT-CO1, demonstrated that P. (P.) zygodontomis and Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) jaegerskioldi form a unique evolutionary unit in accordance with the subgenus Paucipectines and corroborated their occurrence in cricetid and didelphid hosts.

"We analyze the income-redistribution effects of international migration in the host and source country in a general equilibrium framework. The well-known result that marginal migration leaves the welfare of nonmigrants unaffected is discussed in more detail with regard to shifts in national income distributions. With endogenous goods' prices the consequences for the income distribution are in general ambiguous--we show possibilities for an estimation of their magnitude. As long as wage disparities determine the direction of migration it increases world efficiency. However, redistributive policies may generate migration towards the low-wage country." (SUMMARY IN ENG), (excerpt)