Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive abnormalities in tsetse flies in Zimbabwe

Between November 1988 and July 1995 five technicians carried out ovarian dissections on 16,013 Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood and 123,848 G. pallidipes Austen captured at Rekomitjie Research Station, Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. The ovarian age and uterine content were recorded, as were the lengths (l1, l2 and lu) of the largest and second largest oocyte, and of any uterine inclusion. Major abnormalities and abnormal spermathecal contents were found in <0.1% of all flies dissected. Apparent abortions rates varied significantly between dissectors and occurred at frequencies of 0.8–4.5% in G. m. morsitans and 0.3–2.8% in G. pallidipes. The lowest estimates give the best picture of the field situation. Abortion rates were higher in flies caught on electric nets than in trapped flies where the rate was only 0.15%, indicating that reproductive losses are negligible for most of the year at Rekomitjie. The rates did, however, increase to >2% when mean temperatures exceeded 27 °C and flies were captured in artificial refuges. There was little effect of ovarian age on the abortion rate, but the frequency of empty uteri declined markedly with age – with a suggestion, however, that it might increase again in the oldest flies. A knowledge of the rates of reproductive loss is important for the construction of realistic models of the dynamics of tsetse populations.
Progenies of coffee with resistance to nematodes Meloidogyne paranaensis and Meloidogyne incognita race 2

The aim of this research was to evaluate the resistance to nematodes Meloidogyne paranaensis Carneiro et al., 1996, and M. incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, 1949 race 2 in coffee progenies derivatives by hybridization between Coffea arabica L. and C. canephora Pierre ex Froehn. Two experiments were carried out in greenhouse (Londrina, PR, Brazil), in May 2004, in randomized blocks with three replications and eighteen plants per plot. In a experiment the plants were inoculated with M. paranaensis and the other with M. incognita race 2. Four progenies of cultivar IPR 100 and eleven progenies of cultivar IPR 106 were evaluated. The cultivar Mundo Novo IAC 376-4 was used such as susceptible standard. Five hundred eggs per plant were used for the inoculations, totalizing 9000 eggs per plot of 90 cm 2 . The number of galls and egg masses in the roots were evaluated. Ten progenies of cultivar IPR 106 and four of cultivar IPR 100 presented more resistance to nematodes M. paranaensis and M. incognita race 2 than susceptible standard ‘Mundo Novo IAC 376-4’.
Performance of F1 hybrids of arabica coffee with simultaneous resistance to leaf rust, bacterial blight and leaf miner.

The aim of this study was to select F1 hybrids with high yield, high vegetative vigor and simultaneous resistance to coffee leaf rust, bacterial blight and leaf miner. The experiments were set up in three different Parana State municipalities: Londrina, at the experimental station of the Instituto Agronomico do Parana (IAPAR); Congonhinhas and Itaguaje. Yield and plant growth traits were assessed, as well as resistance to coffee leaf rust, bacterial blight and leaf miner in 13 F1 hybrids and four commercial cultivars type pure lines used as control. Relative yield in relation to the mean value of the best line was estimated for all the hybrids. In all locations, hybrids 7, 11 and 12 had average yield significantly higher than the controls. Hybrids 6 and 9 were simultaneous resistant to leaf rust, bacterial blight and leaf miner. Hybrid 12 was resistant to leaf rust and bacterial blight. The hybrids 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 have potential to become coffee cultivars.
Natural mortality of the cockle Cerastoderma edule (L.) from the Ria of Arousa (NW Spain) intertidal zone

espanolEl berberecho Cerastoderma edule (L.) se asienta preferentemente, en areas estuaricas intermareales, enterrado bajo los primeros centimetros del sedimento. En este ambiente la densidad de sus poblaciones se ve afectada no solo por diferentes interacciones biologicas, sino tambien por los fenomenos meteorologicos, sobre todo durante la bajamar. A lo largo de siete anos se estudio la dinamica de poblaciones del berberecho y su pesqueria en dos bancos intermareales de la ria de Arousa (NW de Espana). En este periodo se ha analizado la relacion entre la mortalidad de juveniles y la densidad total de la poblacion, la precipitacion y la temperatura atmosferica. El modelo de regresion multiple que incluye las cuatro variables estudiadas explica satisfactoriamente las mortalidades observadas entre los periodos comparados. Este modelo permite estimar la mortalidad natural a partir de variables relativamente faciles de obtener, y constituye una herramienta de calculo util para reajustar las estimaciones del tamano de los stocks en funcion de las condiciones meteorologicas registradas. EnglishThe cockle Cerastoderma edule (L.) settles preferably in intertidal estuarine zones, buried under the uppermost centimetres of the sediment. Owing to this specific environment, the density of its populations is affected not only by biotic interactions, but also by meteorological phenomena, especially during low tide. A study was conducted over the course of seven years on the population dynamics and fishery of the cockle in two intertidal beds of the Ria of Arousa (NW Spain). The relationship between mortality and the population total density, precipitation and atmospheric temperature was analyzed during this period. The multiple regression model that includes the four variables under study provides a satisfactory explanation for the mortalities observed during the periods being compared. This model allows us to estimate the natural mortality by using variables that are relatively easy to obtain. It also proved to be a useful computational tool for readjusting the estimations of stock sizes in light of the meteorological conditions recorded.
Supported lipid bilayer as a biomimetic platform for neuronal cell culture

1 Zusammenfassung.3 Chapter 1: Fundamentals.5 1.1 The cell membrane.5 1.1.1 Cells and membranes.5 1.1.2 The structure of the cell membrane.5 1.1.3 Functions of the cell membrane.10 1.1.4 Membrane potential.11 1.1. 5 Surface charge of the cell membrane.13 1.1. 6 Electrical double layer.13 1.2 Physics of the lipid bilayer.15 1.2. 1 Hydrophobic interactions.15 1.2. 2 Lipid polymorphism.15 1.2. 3 Lipid movements in the bilayer.17 1.3 Artificial lipid membrane systems.19 1.3. 1 Lipid vesicles.19 1.3. 2 Langmuir monolayers.20 1.3. 3 Suspended lipid bilayers.21 1.3. 4 Supported lipid bilayers (SLB). 22 1.4 Cell adhesion and signalling.24 1.4. 1 Membrane receptors.24 1.4. 2 Signalling via adhesion molecules.25 1.4. 3 Eph-ephrin signaling.26 Chapter 2: Motivation and goals.29 2.1Interfaces in nature and technology.29 2.2Why SLB? 30
Northern Abalone: Using an Invertebrate to Focus Marine Conservation Ideas and Values

Marine invertebrate species have usually been overlooked in favor of high-profile vertebrate species for facilitating dialogue towards area conservation. The northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) is proposed as a focal ("flagship") species whose protection and recovery could concentrate public concern for abalone and its associated kelp forest ecosystems in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia. I explain how issues of culture, commerce, and conservation unite to create a strong role for northern abalone in preparations for creating a large marine conservation area within Haida Gwaii. Culture is relevant, as local indigenous people (the Haida) are currently denied access to constitutionally established subsistence fishing rights for northern abalone. Commerce is involved as ongoing kelp forest-associated fisheries co-occur with northern abalone. Finally, this is a challenging precedent in Canadian marine conservation, as restoring two "listed" species- at risk (northern abalone and their predator, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris)) is potentially mutually exclusive. As part of the forthcoming public consultations towards establishing a marine conservation area, the opportunity provided by northern abalone to focus ideas and values should be seized.
Response of summer stressed growing rabbits to some dietary growth promoters.

An experiment was carried out to investigate the response to some growth promoters as safe alternatives to antibiotics on some performance aspects of rabbits subjected to environmental stress of summer season (29–33°C) and 48–63% relative humidity. Seventy, 6 weeks old-NZW rabbits were equally sexed and allotted to evaluate one of the following seven feed additives: 1: no supplement, 2: 0.5% acetic acid, 3: 0.5% lactic acid, 4: 0.5% a herb mixture of equal parts of sage+oregano+sweet basal, 5: 1.0% of the previous herb mixture, 6: 1.0 g GOS (glucooligosaccharides; a prebiotic)/ kg diet, and 7: 1.0 g Bio-Mos (mannan-oligosaccharides; a prebiotic)/ kg diet. The growth trial lasted up to the 13 week of age. Results reveal that total weight gain (p<0.01), and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) were improved, while a significant decreasing effect (p<0.05) in both plasma total lipids and cholesterol with supplements under studied was detected. 0.5% acetic acid, or 1.0% herb mixture decreased (p<0.01) the abdominal fat content of the carcass. Histological study indicated that villi height and crypt depth, both (p<0.01) were increased with studied additives. pH of blood, cecum and ileum, besides, cecal content of volatile fatty acids, all were not affected by supplements. Conclusively, it is advisable to fortify rabbit diets reared under elevated ambient temperatures with one of the suggested additives, especially, with the prebiotics GOS, Bio-Mos or the herb mixture at 0.5% supplementation level to improve growth and health of rabbits grown under high ambient temperature conditions.
Postmortem changes in myofibrillar proteins of goat skeletal muscles

Postmortem changes at 5C in myofibrillar proteins of longissimus dorsi (LD), biceps femoris (BF), semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles and myofibrillar structure of LD muscle of goat were investigated. Muscle samples were immediately collected after killing, and from carcasses stored at 5C for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 20 days. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of myofibrils indicated the appearance of a 30 kDa component, depending on the type of the muscles. A new 55 kDa component appeared in BF and SM muscles during postmortem. Titin I and nebulin also disappeared during storage. The disappearance of titin 1 and nebulin and the appearance of a 30 kDa component were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The Transmission Electron Microscopy studies showed that after 3 days postmortem, Z-disks stayed unaltered. After 6 days postmortem, a little ultrastructural alteration was observed, and at 12 days postmortem a considerable degradation of Z-disk ultrastructure was shown. The Z-disk degradation, which results in the fragmentation of myofibrils and the appearance of 30 kDa components, is the major change observed in goat skeletal muscles during postmortem.
Lizards of Brazilian Amazonia (Reptilia:Squamata)

Eighty-nine species of lizards, six of which polytypic (forming a total of 97 taxa), are presently known from Brazilian Amazonia. This number includes six species and one subspecies described as new to science in this paper: Stenocercus fimbriatus, Lepidoblepharis hoogmoedi, Leposoma osvaldoi, L. snethlageae, Tretioscincus oriximinensis, Tupinambis longilineus, and Anolis nitens tandai. Stenocercus dumerilii is resurrected from the synonymy of S. tricristatus. Bachia cophias is considered a junior synonym of B. flavescens. B. peruana is a new record from Brazil. Anolis nitens has priority over A. chrysolepis. The Amazonian Tupinambis is shown to be T. teguixin (of which T. nigropunctatus is a junior synonym). The name T. merianae should be used for T. teguixin sensu Boulenger (1885b). Mabuya ficta is a junior synonym of M. bistriata, while the name M. nigropunctata should be used for M. bistriata sensu Vanzolini & Williams (1980). Of all species extensive descriptions and ecological data, if available, are presented. A zoogeographical analysis based on the combined distribution maps of the various species shows a main division in Amazonia of a western and an eastern fauna. A southwestern group is also recognised and, although defined by a smaller number of species, a Guianan group. The lizard fauna from Rondonia shows multiple affinities. The distribution of lizards in enclaves of open formations in Amazonia does not support the idea of continuous areas of savannas throughout Amazonia in relatively recent times.
Respuestas de la tuna (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) MILL.) al NaCl

Para estudiar la influencia del NaCl en la fisiologia de Opuntia ficus-indica, la planta se cultivo hidroponicamente en concentraciones de NaCl de 0, 50, 100 y 150mol·m-3. Se determino el crecimiento (volumen y tasa relativa de crecimiento), contenido relativo de agua (CRA), contenido de proteinas, prolina e iones (Na+, K+ y Cl-) en cladodios basales, apicales y raices. Aun cuando las plantas sobrevivieron en todos los tratamientos, la salinidad afecto el crecimiento y el CRA, sobre todo a 150mol·m-3 de NaCl. El contenido de proteinas no vario en el clorenquima de cladodios basales, disminuyo en raices, y aumento en el hidroparenquima de cladodios basales y clorenquima de cladodios apicales. Tanto en el clorenquima e hidroparenquima de ambos tipos de cladodios como en raices, el contenido de prolina se incremento, sobre todo a la mayor concentracion de NaCl. El aumento de la salinidad tambien indujo acumulacion de Na+ y K+ en cladodios basales, aumento de Na+ y disminucion de K+ en raices y acumulacion de Cl- en ambos tipos de cladodios y raices. El aumento en el contenido de proteinas, prolina y K+ alivio los efectos negativos de la salinidad, permitiendo una adecuada economia de agua, sobre todo para proteger el tejido fotosintetizador.
Brassinolide Application Improves the Drought Tolerance in Maize Through Modulation of Enzymatic Antioxidants and Leaf Gas Exchange

Brassinolides (BRs) are naturally occurring substances, which modulate plant growth and development events and have been known to improve the crop tolerance to abiotic stresses. In this study, possible role of exogenously applied brassinolide (BR) in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought in maize was evaluated in a rain-protected wire-house. Maize was subjected to drought at the start of tasseling for 6 days by withholding water application followed by foliar spray of BR (0.1 mg l−1) to assess the changes in growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll contents, protein, relative leaf water contents (RLWC), proline, malonialdehyde (MDA) and enzymatic antioxidants. Drought substantially reduced the maize growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and plant biomass. Moreover, substantial decrease in gas exchange attributes (net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi) and intercellular CO2 (Ci) was also recorded. However, exogenous application of BR remarkably improved the gas exchange attributes, plant height, leaf area, cobs per plant, seedling dry weight both under drought and well-watered conditions. BR-induced promotion in growth and physiological and metabolic activities were mediated through increased protein synthesis enabling maintenance of tissue water potential and activities of antioxidant enzymes lowering the lipid peroxidation under drought.
Potential of warm-season annual forages and Brassica crops for grazing: A Canadian Review

Extension of the grazing season beyond the normal perennial grazing season has been identified as a potential mechanism to reduce the cost of production on Canadian cow-calf operations. This review will provide an overview of the potential use of warm-season and Brassica crops including corn (Zea mays), Golden German foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.), kale (Brassica oleracea L.), forage rape (B. napus ssp. biennis L.) and turnip (B. rapa L.). These crops have a high yield potential, but the cost for grazing these crops has not been adequately compared with the cost of grazing oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and fall rye (Secale cereale L.). There are very few actual animal grazing trials evaluating the economics of using these crops in grazing systems in Canada, and this requires further research.Key words: Corn, millet, sorgum, sudan grass, fodder crops, brassicas
Bathyal polychaete assemblages in the region of the Subtropical Front, Chatham Rise, New Zealand

Abstract Polychaetes were collected from eight sites across the Chatham Rise (New Zealand) in the region of the Subtropical Front from water depths of c. 2300 m to 350 m. A total of 169 putative species representing 36 families was identified. Spionidae, Paraonidae, Cirratulidae, Syllidae, and Orbiniidae accounted for 50% of all polychaete individuals. Multivariate analysis revealed that three sites at c. 350–453 m water depth on muddy sand (6–7% clay) shared similar faunal and environmental characteristics. Numerical dominants included Lumbrineris sp. , P seudeurythoe minuta, Dipolydora cf. socialis, Aglaophamus verrilli, Prionospio lehlersi, Syllinae sp. , Monticellina sp. , and Cossura sp. Replicates from a single site at c. 750 m depth on the southern flank of the Rise produced a distinct assemblage dominated by Paradoneis, Naineris, Notomastus, Harmothoinae, Prionospio lehlersi, Levinsenia, Aricidea, Kebuita, Paraonella, and ? Leiochrus species. Replicates from greater depths north and south of the Rise presented a greater range of assemblage characteristics and environmental parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, median grain size, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and total organic matter content. Twenty‐eight taxa were found exclusively below 750 m depths including species of Ampharetinae, Chloeia, Pseudeurythoe, Capitellidae, and Cirratulidae. There was a significant difference in faunal composition between northern and southern flanks of the Rise within depth classes and also between sites at the same depth classes. Faunal density and species diversity appeared highest from the crest to 750 m depth on the southern side. Low species diversity at the deepest sites may be confounded by reduced density.
Sound recording of bird vocalisations in forests. I. Relationships between bird vocalisations and point interval counts of bird numbers – a case study in statistical modeling

Morning vocal activity data for birds were collected using automatic sound recorders at 165 sites in fragmented forests at Tumut in south-eastern Australia. A model was developed to describe the statistical properties of the vocal activity data and study the relationship between the number of 'elements' (or notes) broadcast by birds and the number of birds recorded by human observers. We discuss the practical issues of finding a model where variance heterogeneity and skewness is a feature of the data, while the context of the problem required that multiplicative relationships be preserved. A satisfactory fit to our vocal activity data was obtained by using a Gamma distribution. For most groups of birds, the observed relationships between vocal activity and the number of birds recorded by human point counts were weak but statistically significant. Our analysis suggests that these data provide limited useful information about vocal activity per bird. Automatic sound-recording data may be informative for drawing inferences about temporal patterns in vocal activity but do not seem useful as a method for estimating the abundance of birds. A significant relationship was identified between the number of species vocalising, as measured by sound recorders, and the number of species observed by point count method. However, the relationship was far from isometric and there were many more species detected by the sound recorders than by human observers. Results from analyses of vocal activity data gathered at Tumut were confirmed by additional data obtained in a subsequent, small calibration study in the Namadgi National Park in the Australian Capital Territory.
Optimal protein replacement of fish meal by mackerel condensate in diet for giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The optimal protein replacement of fish meal (FM) by mackerel condensate (MC) was investigated in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (0.90 ± 0.01 g initial weight) over a 12-week trial. The experimental diets replaced the FM partially in a baseline FM-based diet (0MC), by substituting MC for 10% (10MC), 20% (20MC), 30% (30MC), 40% (40MC), 50% (50MC) and 60% (60MC) of the FM, and a commercial diet (CD) was included for comparison. The prawn fed with 40MC had superior growth performance and feed utilization. Significant increases in amylase and cellulase-specific activities indicated improved carbohydrate utilization in this dietary group (P < 0.05). The proteolytic activity was maintained through the key gastrointestinal enzymes (pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin). A slight improvement in carcass compositions was also observed in the prawns fed 40MC, and the total haemocyte count was significantly increased by this diet, without negative effects on the hepatopancreatic histology. These findings indicate that a 40% protein replacement of FM by MC is optimal for giant freshwater prawn, and similar use of it in the aquafeed of other species appears worth further studies.
CHAPTER 1:Synthesis of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Ruminants and Humans

Biomedical studies have provided evidence that one or more isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may have beneficial effects in the prevention of human chronic disease. Ruminant meat and milk are the principle source of CLA in the human diet. These foods contain numerous positional and geometric isomers of CLA with cis-9,trans-11 as the major isomer. The majority of CLA isomers in meat and milk originate from the isomerization of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 in the rumen, reactions that proceed via different mechanisms catalysed by bacterial enzymes. Diet is the principal determinant of the amount and distribution of CLA isomers formed in the rumen. However, trans-7, cis-9 18:2 and cis-9, trans-11 18:2 are also formed in ruminant tissues and the mammary glands via the action of stearoyl CoA desaturase on trans-7 18:1 and trans-11 18:1, respectively. Virtually all trans-7, cis-9 18:2 and the majority of cis-9, trans-11 18:2 CLA in ruminant lipids and milk fat are synthesized endogenously. Diet is also the major factor determining the synthesis of CLA precursors in the rumen. Even though diet is the major source of CLA in humans, cis-9,trans-11 CLA is also synthesized endogenously with some evidence that CLA isomers may also be formed via the activity of microbial populations in the hindgut. The present chapter provides a comprehensive evaluation of the most recent evidence on the biochemical, microbial, nutritional and physiological factors influencing the biosynthesis of CLA isomers in ruminants and humans.
Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Postbloom Fruit Drop of Citrus in Florida

Temporal progress of postbloom fruit drop of citrus in Florida was studied in four experimental plots of 25-81 3- to 4-yr-old trees of Valencia sweet orange in Gainesville and Lake Alfred and of Pineapple sweet orange and Ruby Red grapefruit in Hastings. Blossoms of central focal trees in each plot were inoculated with the slow-growing orange strain of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Incidence of trees and of open blossoms with postbloom fruit drop was monitored over time. Directionality of spread from a point source was measured in four contiguous quadrants of each plot. Disease gradients were estimated on four transects radiating from a central focal tree. Disease increased in intensity and spread in space following rain events in all four plots [. ]