Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing Colllinearity in Modeling the Effect of Age in the Prediction of Egg Components of Laying Hens Using Stepwise and Ridge Regression Analysis

The relationships between egg measurements [egg weight (EGWT), egg width (EGWD), egg shape index (EGSI), egg volume (EGV) and egg density (EGD)], and egg components [eggshell (SWT), yolk (YWT) and albumen (AWT)] were investigated in laying hens with 32, 45, and 59 weeks of age with an objective of managing multicollinearity (MC), using stepwise regression (SR) and ridge regression (RR) analyses. There were significant correlations among egg traits that led to MC problems in all eggs. Hen age influenced egg characteristics and the magnitude of the correlations among egg characteristics. Eggs produced at older age had significantly (p<0.01) higher EGWT, EGWD, EGV, YWT and AWT than those produced at younger age. The SR model alleviated MC problem in eggs produced at 32 weeks, with condition index greater than 30, and one predictor, EGWT had a model fit predicted egg components with R2 ranged from 60 to 99%. The SR model of eggs produced at 45 and 59 weeks indicated MC problem with variance inflation factors (VIF) values greater than 10, and 4 predictors; EGWT, EGWD, EGV and EGD had a model fit that significantly predicted egg components with R2 % ranged from 76 to 99 %. The RR analysis provided lower VIF values than 10 and eliminated the MC problem for eggs produced at any age group. It is concluded that the RR analysis provided an ideal solution for managing the MC problem and successfully predicting egg components of laying hens from egg measurements.
Salmonid life-history evolution as a constraint on marine stock enhancement

Salmonid stocks have been depleted quantitatively and qualitatively, and much of their freshwater habitat has been destroyed. Extensive enhancement programs through hatchery rearing have not restored these stocks, largely because their evolutionary heritage and the discrete stock structure that it has engendered are poorly understood. Salmonids show a wide range of life-styles and high phenotypic plasticity. The simplest are those of pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, of which some populations spawn in brackish tidal waters and never use fresh water, and the most complex those of steelhead trout O. mykiss, which exhibits more than 30 life-history types, from anadromous to landlocked. Between these two extremes, life-styles range from those with some elements emancipated from the sea through some that complete their life cycles wholly within fresh water. Successful enhancement of salmonid stocks requires an understanding of the nature of this flexibility and of the controls over maturation that determine the life-cycle pattern that individuals will adopt. Hence, understanding fish life histories depends on understanding the control of fish reproduction. Maintaining this developmental diversity in rehabilitation of depleted populations depends on breeding programs designed to maintain genetic continuity, creation of the appropriate range of environmental opportunities during early rearing, and conservation of a sufficiently diverse freshwater habitat.
Structure and biochemistry of endosperm breakdown in Asparagus officinalis seedlings

In germinating Asparagus officinalis seeds, outer endosperm cells are characterized by very thick cell walls crossed by thin pits. Storage products are localized both in the cell walls (glucomannan) and inside the cells (triglycerides containing mainly linoleic acid in lipid bodies and protein in vacuoles). The zone of endosperm breakdown is a narrow area adjacent to the surface of the enlarging cotyledon
Determinación de dimorfismo y talla de maduez sexual mediante la ecuación alométrica en una población de Cancer plebejus Peopping, 1836 (Decapoda, Brachyura) del sur de Chile

Une etude de la croissance allometrique de Cancer plebejus Poeppig a ete faite dans une population provenant des cotes de Concepcion, Chili (36°41'S). Onze variables morphometriques ont ete etudiees et il a ete possible de reconnaitre, chez les mâles ainsi que chez les femelles, les mues de puberte (maturite sexuelle), et chez les femelles la mue de prepuberte. Chez les femelles la mue de prepuberte coincide avec une variation du taux de croissance du gonopore, ce qui se produit chez les individus ayant entre 41 et 48 mm de largeur de carapace; la mue de puberte a lieu chez les individus ayant une largeur de 63 a 70 mm et il est possible de la deceler par les changements survenus dans les dimensions des chelipedes, de l'abdomen et du merus du 5 e pereiopode
Detection of spoilage bacteria in beer by polymerase chain reaction.

Cultivation methods for the detection of bacteria in beer, although simple and sensitive, are time-consuming and lack specificity. In this study, the sensitivity of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay consisting of an easy sample treatment and specific primers for Lactobacillus lindneri, L. brevis, Megasphaera cerevisiae, and Pectinatus spp. was improved by pre-enrichment. A pre-enrichment broth supporting the growth of lactobacilli and anaerobic beer spoilers better than currently used media was formulated. For determination of the pre-enrichment times needed for PCR detection of these contaminants, artificially contaminated beer samples were mixed with the pre-enrichment broth and incubated anaerobically at 30°C. Low levels of lactobacilli (≤10 CFU/100 ml) were detected after 1–3 days, Pectinatus spp. after 2–4 days, and M. cerevisiae after 2–3 days of pre-enrichment, depending on the strain and the alcohol content of the beer. After the pre-enrichment, the PCR analysis took <8 hr. The time saving c.
Stable isotopes reveal a potential kleptoparasitic relationship between an ophiuroid (Ophiocnemis marmorata) and the semaeostome jellyfish, Aurelia aurita

A diverse suite of fish and invertebrates form commensal and parasitic relationships with scyphozoan jellyfish. Associations between ophiuroids and medusae, however, are rare. We investigated the relationship between the common semaeostome jellyfish Aurelia aurita and the ophiuroid Ophiocnemis marmorata at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. We assessed the prevalence of the association; described the relationship between medusa size and the number of ophiuroids they hosted; and used stable isotope analysis to determine whether O. marmorata were feeding on medusae hosts or planktonic prey. Seventy-nine per cent of the 92 medusae sampled hosted between 1 and 14 ophiuroids that ranged in size from 1 to 6 mm disc diameter. The number of ophiuroids hosted was positively correlated with medusa size and all medusae >135 mm bell diameter hosted at least one ophiuroid. Stable Isotope Analysis in R modelling of &dgr;13 C and &dgr;15 N of the ophiuroids and their potential food sources indicated that ophiuroids derived their nutrition predominantly from mesozooplankton and seston and not from medusae. Ophiuroids were never observed filter feeding, so we suggest that the ophiuroids may be kleptoparasites that steal planktonic food from their host. These results highlight the important role of medusae in supporting pelagic biodiversity.
Seasonal and spatial variability of surface chlorophyll inside mesoscale eddies in the South China Sea

Mesoscale eddies can influence biogeochemical cycles through both vertical nutrient or plankton flux and horizontal advection of nutrient or plankton in eddy periphery. In this study, we analyzed the seasonal and spatial variability of near-sea-surface chlorophyll-a concentrations and their corresponding modulation mechanisms by collocating satellite observations of eddies tracked during 1998–2007 in the South China Sea. We found that in winter, cyclonic eddies show significantly high chlorophyll-a in the eddy core relative to the periphery, suggesting regulation by an eddy-pumping mechanism. While in summer, chlorophyll-a values in the core of cyclonic eddies are comparable with those in the periphery, and dipole features of chlorophyll-a around cyclonic eddies are conspicuous, which is largely induced by horizontal eddy advection. For anticyclonic eddies, however, low chlorophyll-a in eddy cores compared with the periphery are consistently present over most of the year. The impact of eddy advection on chlorophyll-a distribution in anticyclonic eddies is not clear from the composite images in different seasons. Variability of chlorophyll-a to the west of the Luzon Strait and northwest of the Luzon Island demonstrate that phytoplankton biomass in these two regions is mainly controlled by an eddy-pumping mechanism. In the regions off the Vietnam coast, chlorophyll-a distributions are generally associated with horizontal eddy advection. This research highlights different mesoscale mechanisms affecting biological structures in the upper ocean, which can potentially disturb ocean biogeochemical cycling processes in the South China Sea.
Demographic structure and genetic variability throughout the distribution of Platte thistle (Cirsium canescens Asteraceae)

Understanding spatial variation in the demographic and genetic structure of populations is central to explaining causes of species range limits and to species conservation. The Abundant Centre Hypothesis (ACH) predicts that as one moves away from the centre of a species’ biogeographical range, populations become less frequent and more isolated, as well as exhibiting decreasing within‐population density. This increased isolation may lead to reduced genetic variability in peripheral populations by limiting gene flow. In this study, we asked whether the frequency, within‐population density and genetic diversity of Cirsium canescens (Platte thistle) populations decreased from the range centre to the edge, as predicted by the ACH.
Molecular insights into a putative potyvirus RNA encapsidation pathway and potyvirus particles as enzyme nano-carriers

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Molecular insights into a putative potyvirus RNA encapsidation pathway and potyvirus particles as enzyme nano-carriers Jane Besong
Confirmation of nest building in a population of the gladiator frog Hypsiboas crepitans (Anura, Hylidae) from the island of Tobago (West Indies)

Gladiator frogs (those in the Hypsiboas faber and H. semilineatus species groups; Faivovich et al., 2005) are named for the frequent fighting observed between males during the breeding season. Males are typically very territorial, have specialized agonistic vocalizations, and possess a well-developed pre-pollical spine capable of inflicting serious wounds. These highly aggressive behaviors are usually focused around nest sites, which are specifically constructed by males along the edges of ponds or streams. Males call from the constructed nest sites and eggs are laid therein. There are twelve described species in these two species groups and all but H. albomarginata have been reported to construct nests (although many species will also use natural depressions or re-use the nests made by other males; Hobel, 2008).
Diel Mediated Populus balsamifera Transcriptome Components Test the Impacts of Artificial Nighttime Lighting

Artificial nighttime lighting (ANL) is known to adversely affect animals, but little is known what the consequences are to plants. Two genotypes of Populus balsamifera, a common urban tree, were used to investigate how ANL impacts plants. While the two genotypes varied in their physiological sensitivity to ANL, poorer levels of net leaf carbon assimilation compared to control samples suggested that ANL perturbed the perception of time of day for these plants. Gene set analysis on a subset of PopGenExpress microarray samples identified time of day specific processes in P. balsamifera, and a set of candidate ANL-sensitive genes were identified from these. Transcript measurements from the two genotypes revealed that ANL affects plants at the molecular level, for the diel cycling of the putative ANL-sensitive genes was perturbed. Together, these results suggest that ANL affects plants at the physiological and molecular level by perturbing their perception of time of day.
Flora and vegetation of Qara Oasis, Egypt

The vegetation of Qara Oasis can be distinguished into 3 main ecosystems: outskirting desert, waste lands, and farmlands. The outskirting desert habitat includes 4 belts (zones) with different width, the waste lands comprise vast areas that formerly were cultivated but now are salinized or desertified, and the farmlands, mainly represented by date-palm groves and small limited areas of crop fields. 32 species are recorded constituting the flora of the area; most of which are cosmopolitan, palaeotropical and pantropical taxa (.)
Activity, dispersion, and population densities of Hamilton's frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni) on Maud and Stephens Islands, Nez Zealands

Leiopelma hamiltoni is a rare species known to occur on only two islands: Maud Island, where it is restricted to a 15 ha forest remnant, and Stephens Island, where it is confined to a 600 m2 rock-tumble. No difference in size, or mass, appears to occur between individuals of the two populations. Minimum adult snout-vent length (SVL) is 35 ? 1 mm (adult size range: 35- 47 mm SVL). The frogs are terrestrial and nocturnal, and their activity, as measured by the number caught/night, is best accounted for by environmental factors relating to moisture: rainfall during or preceding searches and high relative humidity. However, within the generally cool and humid Maud Island forest, the activity of adult frogs was also positively correlated with atmospheric temperature. Lack of diurnal retreat sites appears to limit the distribution of the species on Stephens Island. On both islands, but especially on Stephens, frogs spend the day mainly under rocks. At night, most frogs were found at rocky sites. On Maud Island, frog capture sites were positively correlated with rock substrate, their dispersion paralleling that of the rocky ground cover. In two study plots, the density of adult frogs was calculated to be higher in the plot containing the most extensive rocky ground cover (131 versus 29 frogs/100 m2). On Stephens Island, the dispersion of frog capture sites was highly clumped, concentrations of captures being made on Muehlenbeckia vines covering rocky areas with southerly aspect. There the population density of adult frogs was calculated to be 58/100 m2. Frogs limit their activity on the surface to small areas which may overlap with those of other individuals. The median distances between successive captures of individuals were 0.8 m on Stephens and 0.9 m on Maud Island. At Maud Island, juvenile frogs showed stronger site tenacity than adults. It is suggested that 0.5-1.0 ha of rocky habitat, preferably under forest, should suffice to sustain a population of L. hamiltoni and that, consequently, the Stephens Island habitat is too small to support long-term a viable population. As a conservation measure, a previously formulated proposal to create further rock habitat (or habitat providing retreat sites) in the vicinity of the Stephens Island habitat is supported.
Asiopsectra gen. n., a second genus of the family Brachypsectridae (Coleoptera, Elateroidea) from the Palaearctic Region

A new genus of the family Brachypsectridae with two new species, Asiopsectra luculenta gen. et sp. n. (type species) from the Middle East (Iran) and A. mirifica sp. n. from Middle Asia (Tajikistan) are described. The genus Asiopsectra gen. n. , in contrast to the genus Brachypsectra, is characterized by the 12-segmented bilamellate antennae, the very large and subcontiguous antennal fossae, the strongly raised supra-antennal keels, the very narrow mandibles, the presence of small “window” punctures on the elytra, the lack of keels along the posterior pronotal angles, and only a small patch of excretory hairs at the posterior edge of abdominal ventrite 5. A revised diagnosis for the family Brachypsectridae is given.
Determination of Proximate Composition and Sensory Attributes of Scallop (Flexopecten glaber) Gonads

In this study, edible properties of gonads belonging to Flexopecten glaber, a particular Mediterranean species, were determined. The scallops used in the assay were purchased from Canakkale fish market, which were collected in Lapseki Bay in Canakkale. Sampling was done in February and April. The study was conducted in order to determinate proximate composition and sensory attributes of scallop gonads. Meat yield averages of scallop gonads were higher in April than in February (P≤0.05). Minerals that cause health risks such as Al, Pb, Cd were also determined and found below the legal limits in scallop gonads. Furthermore, results of microbiological analyses showed that values of microorganisms that cause health risks were also below the legal limits in scallop gonads. According to the sensory appreciation test in cooked gonads, fried gonads had the highest score. Eventually, it can be suggested that scallop gonads are appropriate food sources in terms of nutritional values and sensory attributes. This study will lead both sector employees and consumers about edible properties of Flexopecten glaber’s gonads and this will also increase the contribution of fishery products in sector and economy.
Enhancing the functional properties of soymilk residues (okara) by solid-state fermentation with Actinomucor elegans

ABSTRACT In this study, the food-grade fungal strain DCY-1 was isolated from Chinese traditional fermented soymilk residues (okara) and identified as Actinomucor elegans. The novel strain was used in the solid-state fermentation (SSF) of okara to improve their functional properties. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analyses showed that okara proteins were degraded into peptides during fermentation. SSF okara showed high antioxidant activities, which included reducing power, ferrous ion-chelating activity, and scavenging effect of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. Compared with the control, the antioxidant activities mentioned above increased by 4.29, 2.32, 3.45, 1.55, and 1.63-fold, respectively. SSF okara also showed a significantly higher ACE-inhibitory activity (61.17% ± 0.94%) at the end of fermentation. Therefore, SSF can be employed as a valuable process to obtain bioactive ingredients from okara, which would encourage their utilization in the formulation of value-added functional foods.
Impact of Per1 and Per2 clock genes on the reproductive outcome and physiological functions in female mice

The life-span and the life style of each organism is the product of the evolution that facilitates the organism and the species to survive successfully. One of the obvious adaptive features of all living organisms is the ability to change their behaviour on a daily (24 hour) basis in response to the daily rotation of the earth on its axis. One of such adaptations in mammals is the acquisition of a regulating mechanism, a circadian pacemaker, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The core mechanism of the clock is based on two interlocking transcriptional/translational feedback loops involving different sets of clock genes including Per1 and Per2. Both these clock genes play a major role as light responsive elements promoting phase shifts and thus permitting adjustments of physiological and behavioural rhythms to the external environment. Successful reproduction also requires precise temporal coordination among various endocrine and behavioural events. Recent studies on mice with mutations in the Clock gene have demonstrated that this mutation disrupts estrus cyclicity and interferes with successful pregnancy. In present study I focused on the reproductive success with respect to the functionality of the endogenous clock, particularly Per1 and Per2 clock genes. Therefore I investigated the onset of sexual maturity, changes in the estrus cycles and reproductive outcome in young adult and middle-aged Per1-deficient and Per2-deficient female mice. I demonstrated that Per1 and Per2 clock genes have a delayed (Per1) or advanced (Per2) impact on the onset of puberty under constant light conditions. Besides, under LD conditions (12 light : 12 dark) both genes accelerate the sexual maturity. This fact may explain the advanced ageing in the Per mutant females resulting in lower fertility and fecundity. Furthermore I demonstrated that Per2 clock genes have apparently a stimulatory impact on the timing of corticosteroid secretion. In this context, young adult Per2 mutant females showed neither a daily rhythm in corticosteroid secretion nor variability in the locomotor activity during estrus cycle.
Non-genetic factors affecting hunting ability in Italian Maremma scent hound

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of four non-genetic factors (sex, coat colour, competition judges, type of trial) on the five hunting traits (search, approach, tracking of prey, standstill barking and physical skills) used to estimate the aptitude for wild boar hunt in Italian Maremma Scent Hound. A total of 1147 dogs (734 males, 399 females, and 14 not sexed dogs) were evaluated in competitions held in North-Central Italy, from 2010 to 2011. Dogs were tested as individuals, pairs and packs. Coat colour had no effect on the five tested traits. A significant difference (p < 0.01) between males and females was observed only for search. Type of trial had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on all the five hunting traits. Judges factor was significant (p < 0.01) for physical skills and barking remaining firm in place. A significant positive phenotypic correlation was observed among tracking of prey, approach and physical skills (p < 0.01). Approach and physical skills were positively correlated with approach (p < 0.05) and tracking of prey (p < 0.01). Search was negatively correlated with all the other four, whereas standstill barking showed no correlation with any traits. These data are the basis to improve our knowledge about the values of variability in considered hunting traits and they provide genetic criteria to the breeders to achieve more stringent selective choices.
Selected Indicators Of The Root Quality Of Fifteen Cultivars Of Red Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.)

Abstract Evaluation of the quality of 15 cultivars of red beet has been made during four successive vegetative seasons. The study involved cultivars ‘Astar F1’, ‘Boro F1’, ‘Ceryl’, ‘Chrobry’, ‘Czerwona Kula’, ‘Egipski’, ‘Karmazyn’, ‘Nabab F1’, ‘Nochowski’, ‘Opolski’, ‘Pablo F1’, ‘Patryk’, ‘Regulski Cylinder’, ‘Okrągły Regulski’ and ‘Rywal’. The mass, diameter of roots, antioxidant activity, the content of dry mass, soluble sugars, betanin and vulgaxanthin in roots were evaluated. The study indicated ‘Chrobry’ as the cultivar of the most favorable quality features. It was characterized by high antioxidant activity, high content of dry mass, soluble sugars and betalain pigments. Among cultivars of cylindrical shaped roots, content of soluble sugars and antiradical activity was the highest in ‘Regulski Cylinder’ roots.