Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of a short‐term exposure to tributyl phosphate on morphology, physiology and migratory behaviour of European eels during the transition from freshwater to the marine environment

Abstract – Migrating silver European eels were exposed for 5 days in a laboratory to an environmental level oftributyl phosphate (TBP), tagged with acoustic transmitters and released below the Tange hydropower station, onthe River Gudenaa, Denmark. The subsequent movements of the eels were monitored as they migrated throughRanders Fjord and into the Kattegat Sea using an array of acoustic receivers. In laboratory-based studies, exposureof eels for 5 days to a nominal concentration of 0.5 lg l 1 TBP significantly affected plasma glucose concentrationand reduced plasma levels of sodium and chloride both in freshwater and 3 days after transfer to saltwater.However, there were no mortalities when the eels were transferred to full strength sea water. Exposure to TBP didnot appear to have a significant effect on the subsequent movements of the eels in the river or fjord. The eelsmoved rapidly through the fjord predominantly at night. The results of the study are discussed in relation to theimpact of diffuse pollution on the behaviour and physiology of European eels.
Is the evolutionary theory still useful? A review with examples

La biologia evolutiva esta experimentando un inedito proceso de revision y difusion debido al aniversario del natalicio de Charles Darwin. Como consecuencia, el estudio de la evolucion organica y tambien su ensenanza estan siendo discutidos a varios niveles, por biologos evolutivos, biologos y academicos fuera de la biologia evolutiva, y por el publico en general. En este escenario, una explicacion didactica de como los biologos enfocan su investigacion evolutiva en poblaciones reales podria ser util. Usando ejemplos reales, he intentado presentar como la teoria clasica (definida como el "esquema basico") es util para responder preguntas relevantes en biologia y como un paradigma menos dogmatico (o mas versatil) podria ser necesario al tratar los casos mas extravagantes de interacciones gene, genotipo, fenotipo y ambiente. Especificamente, he usado tres ejemplos in extenso de investigaciones guiadas por prueba de hipotesis: (1) los cambios en la arquitectura genetica inducidos por sexualidad en un insecto partenogenetico ciclico; (2) la puesta a prueba de la definicion energetica de la adecuacion biologica a traves de estudios de seleccion fenotipica; y (3) el estudio de las causas subyacentes al desplazamiento de caracteres en los pinzones de Darwin. En los dos primeros casos se argumenta que el esquema basico es util y suficiente para probar hipotesis evolutivas relevantes. En el tercer caso se argumenta que algo mas es necesario para explicar la variacion genetica observada en las especies de Geospiza que habitan en la isla Daphne mayor (Galapagos). Finalmente, se explican algunos casos "extravagantes" de interaccion entre entidades biologicas, tales como transferencia horizontal de genes, herencia epigenetica, condicionamiento anticipatorio adaptativo, capacitancia evolutiva y construccion del nicho. Esta biologia "postmoderna" ha sido seriamente propuesta y de gran generalidad en la naturaleza, lo cual justificaria una sintesis evolutiva extendida.
Aphid feeding by some polyphagous predators in relation to aphid density in cereal fields.

(1) Samples of aphids and predators were taken from ten spring barley and winter wheat fields between May and September 1972-77. (2) The guts of c. 12 000 predators were dissected and the presence or absence of aphid remains recorded. Sixteen species of Carabidae, three species of Staphylinidae and one species of earwig were shown to have fed on aphids. (3) No overall relationship was found between the amount of feeding and aphid densities in the different years. But, when the species were considered separately, it was found that the proportion containing aphid remains increased with aphid density, though the form of this relationship varied between species. (4) Tachyporus spp. had a limited response to aphid density and Amara plebeja, A. aenea and Notiophilus biguttatus ate aphids only at higher aphid densities. Forficula auricularia, Agonum dorsale and Demetrias atricapillus were the most important, both in terms of the overall percentage containing aphid remains, and the predation index (proportion containing aphid remains during the aphid increase phase multiplied by the mean density of the predator at this time). These three species should be the most valuable in restricting build up of aphids. (5) Successful aphid predation at low aphid density may be partly related to the climbing ability of the predator.
Estimating the contributions of population density and climatic fluctuations to interannual variation in survival of Soay sheep

Summary 1. The relative importance of density-dependent and -independent factors on interannual variation in over-winter survival was investigated in the fluctuating population of Soay sheep on St Kilda, Scotland, over the period 1985–96. 2. Population density had a negative effect on survival in lambs and adult males while adult female survival showed no evidence of density dependence over the observed range of population densities. 3. Climatic fluctuations associated with the winter North Atlantic oscillation index (NAO) also affected survival, which decreased in winters that were relatively warm, wet and windy. The effect was most pronounced in lambs. 4. Survival was modelled using logistic regression analysis with and without year fitted as a random effect. The former incorporated stochastic year to year variation in survival. Results from the two modelling approaches were similar in terms of the regression coefficients estimated. However, the standard errors of the year-dependent covariates, population size and NAO, were underestimated when the random year effect was ignored, leading to incorrect inferences about the relative significance of terms being made. 5. Using both modelling approaches, density dependence was found to have a greater influence on survival than the effect of NAO in lambs and adult males, whereas in adult females NAO was the more important. 6. Once random between-year effects were taken into account, the individually varying terms such as body weight and faecal egg count were the most significant factors explaining differences in survival.
Collective patterns and decision-making

Autocatalytic interactions between the members of an animal group or society, and particularly chemically or visually mediated allelomimesis, can be an important factor in the organisation of their collective activity. Furthermore, the interactions between the individuals and the environment allow different collective patterns and decisions to appear under different conditions, with the same individual behaviour. While most clearly demonstrable in social insects, these principles are fundamental to schools of fishes, flocks of birds, groups of mammals, and many other social aggregates. The analysis of collective behaviour in these terms implies detailed observation of both individual and collective behaviour, combined with mathematical modelling to link the two.
Requirement of Rainbow Trout for Dietary Phosphorus and Its Relationship to the Amount Discharged in Hatchery Effluents

Abstract Fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss with initial mean weights of 9 g (small fish) and 35 g (large fish) were fed diets adequate in all known nutrients except phosphorus (P). In two experiments, triplicate lots of rainbow trout were fed basal diets containing either 0.14 or 0.41% non-phytin P, with or without graded levels of supplemental P. Deficiency of P reduced growth, feed efficiency (weight gained/weight fed), bone ash, and whole-body ash contents. The requirement for non-phytin P by small trout for maximum growth and feed efficiency was not more than 0.41% of diet: The requirement by large trout was between 0.34 and 0.54% of diet. The requirement of non-phytin P for maximum bone ash development was about 0.51% of diet for small trout and more than 0.54% for large trout. Whole-body phosphorus content of small trout suggested a requirement above 0.51% but not more than 0.61% non-phytin phosphorus. Although an effect of size of trout on the requirement was not clearly demonstrated, th.
DOES NATIONAL CULTURE INFLUENCE FIRM’S CSR ENGAGEMENT:

This paper explores the relationship between national culture and CSR. To test the hypotheses, we employ binary logistic regression with a sample of 1,189 firms collected from DJSI and Compustat Global Vantage databases. Findings of this research suggest that all the four cultural dimensions of Hofstede (1980) can predict firm’s CSR commitment, indicating individualism and uncertainty avoidance have positive influence on firm’s CSR commitment, while power distance and masculinity have negative influence on it. Finally, this study compares the findings with Ringov & Zollo, (2007) and Ho, et al., (2011) to draw a conclusion and implications.
Yield, Digestibility, and Chemical Composition of Endophyte Free and Infected Tall Fescue

Utilization of low-endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams) cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has been shown to improve animal performance; however, insufficient information is available on the direct effects of endophyte infection on the productivity and composition of tall fescue herbage. A 2-yr field study was conducted to assess the effects of A. coenophialum infection on the yield, digestibility, and chemical composition of tall fescue. Endophyte-free (EF) and endophyte-infected (El) plots for each of two tall fescue cultivars (Kenhy and Kentucky 31) were established in August 1985 on a Maury silt loam (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Paleudalt) soil. Dry matter yields were determined for three harvests made in 1986 and 1987. Total N, fiber composition, and in vitro rate and extent of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion were determined on samples of first and second harvest forage. Dry matter yields were not affected by infection status and averaged 0.80 and 0.83 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1986 and 1.69 and 1.79 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1987 for EF and El tall fescue, respectively. Endophyte infection status had no effect on the rate or extent of NDF digestion. Rate of NDF digestion averaged 0.056 and 0.055 h⁻¹ for EF and El tall fescue, respectively. Endophytic infection also had no influence on the N concentration or fiber composition of tall fescue. The results of this study suggests that A. coenophialum does not have a significant effect on the digestibility or chemical composition of tall fescue. Contribution of the Dep. of Agron. , Kentucky Agric. Exp. Stn. Article no. 89-3-127.
Effect of carbenicillin and cefotaxime on somatic embryogenesis of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.)

Carbenicillin prevented the development of mature somatic embryos, reduced early stage embryos by >90% and tissue growth by 50%. Cefotaxime had no effect on overall tissue growth, but reduced the development of early and mature embryos by 20% and 66-80%, respectively. Carbenicillin should not be used for transformation of Sitka spruce.
Ninhos de Centris (Heterocentris) terminata Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Centridini) em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica secundária, Salvador, BA

Ninety-five nests of Centris (Heterocentris) terminata Smith were collected in trap-nests, during November/2001 and January/2003, at two fragments (PZGV e CFO-UFBA) of secondary Atlantic Forest, in Salvador, Bahia State (13o01 W e 38o30 S). The highest nest frequencies occurred from December to February (summer), with no nests foundations from August to October (winter - early spring). Two-hundred eight adults emerged from 347 brood cells, being 164 males and 116 females (1: 0.42). During the study period sex ratio was male biased (c2 = 9.342; gl = 10; P < 0.05). C. terminata nested in holes with diameters 6, 8, 10 mm, but 84,2% were constructed in 8 and 10 mm. nests had one to seven cells arranged in a linear series with the cells partitions built with a mixture of sand and resin or oil. Male is significantly smaller than female, which emerges from the first cells constructed. Immature mortality occurred in 14.1% of brood cells (n = 49), of which 13.0% were due fail in development and 1.2% due to parasitism of Coelioxys sp. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) e Tetraonyx sp. (Coleoptera: Meloidae). In the study site, weather, mainly pluviosity, rather than natural enemies influenced seasonal population abundance. The long period of nesting activity, local abundance and usage of trap nests, suggest the potential of C. terminata for management aiming at pollination of native and cultivated plants.
Substitution of Chicken Litter for Feed in Production of Penaeid Shrimp in Honduras

Abstract Two experiments were conducted in Choluteca, Honduras, to ascertain effects on yield and profitability of partial substitution of chicken litter for feed during initial growth of semiintensively cultured penaeid shrimp. In the first experiment, four management strategies based on various combinations of chicken litter (60 kg/hectare per week, total solids) and prepared feed were tested. After 99 d of growth, shrimp yield was not increased significantly by manuring in addition to feeding, and chicken litter was not profitability substituted for feed during the first 4–8 weeks. Mean total yields for the nonsubstitution treatments were 7–41% greater than those for treatments in which chicken litter was partially substituted for feed, and net income for the nonsubstitution treatments was 27–58% greater than that for substitution treatments. Differences were not significant (P > 0.05) because of large yield variation resulting from variable survival. In the second experiment, two combinations of chick.
Pathology of Staphyloccus aureus Mastitis During Lactogenesis: Relationships with Bovine Mammary Structure and Function

Abstract Pathological alterations of mammary parenchymal tissue from 5 dairy cows with Staphylococcus aureus mastitis were studied. Tissue from infected quarters exhibited less synthetic and secretory ability during lactogenesis, as indicated by lower percentages of luminal area, but higher percentages of stromal area compared with control tissue. Ultrastructural analysis of alveolar epithelium demonstrated decreased numbers of organelles associated with milk synthesis and secretion. Mammary secretion from 12 additional cows confirmed the loss of secretory potential in infected quarters as concentrations of α-lactalbumin were lower during the first 14 d of lactation compared with concentrations from controls. Higher concentrations of serum α-lactalbumin from cows with Staphylococcus aureus mastitis suggest leakage of mammary secretion through gaps left by damaged or sloughed alveolar epithelium. Macrophages and lymphocytes were observed frequently in large gaps between basal plasma membrane of secretory cells and the basal lamina which may contribute to epithelial damage. Ability of neutrophils and macrophages to phagocytize staphylococci may have been compromised in the prelactating gland due to the indiscriminate ingestion of accumulated fat and casein.
Using Case Studies to Increase Learning & Interest in Biology

A major objective for undergraduate biology education is the acquisition of scientific creative and critical reasoning skills (National Science Foundation 1989). Biology teaching should not be just the transmission of information from teacher to students. It should emphasize questions, possible explanations, and tests for determining the validity of those explanations (Yager & Tweed 1991). Hands-on, investigative laboratory-based materials, where students design and conduct their own investigations, appear to be useful for this purpose (Lawson 1992; Lumpe & Oliver 1991; Davis & Black 1986; Leonard et al. 1988; Medve & Pugliese 1987). One problem in many biology courses is that, even if this process of developing reasoning skills is used in the laboratory, no comparable process is used in the lecture portion of the course. Another problem is that investigative laboratories require a lot of time, and use of laboratories in biology is limited and has been declining nationally for years at the high school level, with similar trends at the undergraduate level (Fulfilling the Promise: Biology Education in the Nation's Schools 1990). In addition, some courses have no laboratory portion. Thus, there is a need for alternative, or additional, techniques for development of these skills.
Role of crop diversification and integrated nutrient management in resilience of soil fertility under rice-wheat cropping system

A field study conducted for two crop cycles of five cropping systems supplied with six nutrient combinations at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi indicated that the cropping systems having a legume increased organic C content over initial level by 0.02 – 0.05%, available N by 3.5 – 14.1 kg ha − 1, whereas the rice-wheat cropping system resulted in a reduction in organic C and available N over initial level by 0.05% and 1.5 kg ha − 1, respectively after 2 years of study. Rice-potato-mungbean cropping system resulted in a negative balance of available P and rice-clover cropping system had a negative balance of both available P and available K content in soil and thus call for adequate P and K fertilization. Application of P and K helped in building up their content in soil; NPK + FYM showed the highest increase in organic C, available N, available P and available K content in soil. These results suggest the inclusion of a legume in a cropping system for maintaining organic C and available N in soil and adequate P and K fertilization for arresting the depletion of available P and K content in soil. Integrated nutrient management is one of the best methods for resilience of soil fertility under rice-wheat cropping system.
A taxonomic revision of the Sempervivum davisii complex (Crassulaceae)

A revision of four Sempervivum species (S. artvinense, S. brevipetalum, S. davisii and S. furseorum) based on field observation and examination of herbarium specimens (including the type specimens of all names) is presented. Examination of critical diagnostic characters showed that S. artvinense, S. brevipetalum and S. furseorum fall within the variability of S. davisii and should be subsumed as synonyms under this name. Sempervivum furseorum shows minor but consistent morphological and ecological differences as well as a disjunct distribution and is therefore treated as S. davisii ssp. furseorum. Moreover, an amended and expanded description of the species is presented, with notes on distribution, phenology and ecology.
Effects of body size and parasite infection on the locomotory performance of juvenile toads, Bufo bufo

We tested the effects of body size and nematode infection on the stamina and burst performance of juvenile toads, Bufo bufo. Tadpoles were reared in ponds at high (120 individuals/1000 l) and low (60 individuals/1000 l) densities, resulting in a 29.0% difference in mass at metamorphosis. Ten days after metamorphosis, metamorphs were exposed to 0, 10 or 80 infective larvae of the lung nematode, Rhabdias bufonis, resulting in mean a posteriori worm burdens of 0, 3.4 and 7.5 worms per host, respectively
Antioxidative and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Rosemary Extract

Autoxidation of corn and soybean oils was prevented in the presence of 0·1 g/kg rosemary(Rosemarinus officinalis)extract and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). At the end of a 4-d period, the peroxide value in corn oil reached 13·0 and 8·2 in the presence of rosemary extract and BHT, respectively. For soybean oil, the peroxide value was found to be 10·0 and 6·6 in the presence of rosemary extract and BHT, respectively. Rosemary extract and BHT, when added as mixtures of 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 had a synergistic effect on preventing oxidation of soybean oil. Superoxide radicals (O2.−) were generated by phenazine methosulphate-NADH system and rosemary extract was found to scavenge O2. −in a concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidative effect observed is believed to be partly due to this radical scavenger activity.
Diverse genetic subtypes of HIV-1 among female sex workers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Genetic diversity is the hallmark of HIV-1 infection. It differs among geographical regions throughout the world. This study was undertaken to identify the predominant HIV-1 subtypes among infected female sex workers (FSWs) in Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and fifty FSWs from brothels in Ibadan Nigeria were screened for HIV antibody using ELISA. All reactive samples were further tested by the Western Blot Techniques. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were separated from the blood samples of each subject. Fragments of HIV Proviral DNA was amplified and genetic subtypes of HIV-1 was determined by direct sequencing of the env and gag genes of the viral genome followed by phylogenetic analysis . Results: The age of the FSWs ranged from 15 to 55 years old (Mean = 25.8years, SD =3.74). Majority were Nigerians while others (1.6 %) were from neighboring West Africa countries. Four ( 1.6% ) of the FSWs were active for less than one year as sex workers, and the mean length of sex work was 2.80 years ( Range = 1.0 – 15.0 years ). Sixty-four (25.6%) of the 250 CSWs were positive for HIV-1 while 7 (2-8%) had dual infections to HIV-1 / HIV-2. Among the 34 HIV-1 strains characterized by sequencing, 19 (55-9%) were subtype G, 9 (26.5%) CRF02_A/G, 3 (8.8%) CRF06_cpx while 1 (2.9%) each were identified as subtype C, CRF01_A/E and CRF09_cpx respectively. Nineteen (55.9%) of the FSWs with subtype G had been active in the sex work for between one to five years. The youngest of the HIV -1 infected FSWs with sexual activity of less than a year had subtype G strain. There is a significant probability that infection with this subtype occurred with a short incubation period (p< 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed a wide range of HIV- 1 subtypes among FSWs in Nigeria. The situation poses serious challenge for the design of HIV vaccine candidate for use in Nigeria. Keywords : Diverse, HIV, subtypes, Female Sex workers and Vaccine
Avaliação de extrato de algas no progresso temporal da mancha de Mycosphaerella em cultivares de morangueiro

Leaf spot, caused by Mycosphaerella fragariae, is a common foliar disease infectious to a broad variety of strawberry cultivars. In a search for alternative control methods, seaweed extract from Ascophyllum nodosum was applied to strawberry cultivars and evaluated for its effect on Mycosphaerella leaf spot symptoms: growth-curve models were fitted for the progress of disease incidence and severity over time. A 29% seaweed extract was sprayed on soil, on plants or on both at the dose of 2 L ha-1. Disease incidence and severity were measured biweekly on the cultivars Dover, Toyonoka, Albion, Camarosa, Ventana, Campinas, Tudla and Camino Real. We used a completely randomized split plot design with three replicates. Disease incidence and severity were calculated as the area under disease progress curves, and analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of the seaweed extract on the cultivars. The progress of disease incidence and severity over time for each cultivar was adjusted using monomolecular, logistic and Gompertz models. The seaweed extract had no effect or interaction on Mycosphaerella leaf spot control for the tested cultivars. There was a cultivar effect with lower disease intensity in Ventana and Albion, mainly due to reduced inoculum effectiveness delaying the rate of infection. The progress of disease incidence and severity over time was adjusted for all cultivars by logistic and monomolecular models, respectively.