Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food Preference as a Function of Resource Abundance with Multiple Prey Types: An Experimental Analysis of Optimal Foraging Theory

Data were collected on the response of a small population of folivores (Kerodon rupestris: Caviidae) to changes in the absolute abundance of 10 different species of leaves. When absolute abundances were tripled (relative abundances were held constant) the folivore population significantly altered its proportional consumption of food types. In general, preferred foods were consumed in greater relative proportions when abundance was increased and the relative utilization of less preferred foods declined. Otherwise, our results were problematic in relation to the assumptions and predictions of the energy maximization model of optimal foraging theory. First, not all foods of low rank decreased in consumption when we increased the abundance of high-ranked foods. The partial consumption of low-ranked foods (or partial preferences as referred to in the literature) is contrary to the tenets of energy maximization. Second, preferences did not remain consistent from phase to phase. In fact, ranks shifted considerably, especially with respect to high-ranked foods. A number of factors may have been responsible for these contradictions to optimal foraging theory. Folivores may represent an example of the special case of optimal foraging with nutrient constraints (Pulliam 1980). The partial consumption of low-ranked foods would then be expected in this situation. Also, the encounter rate for a given item or type is probably not constant in time or space; the rate of encounter is an ephemeral value, affected by an animal's degree of satiation, and dependent upon its degree of familiarity with the distribution of food items within its foraging area. This suggests that animals are optimal foragers, sensu Charnov, only in the short term. The probability of accepting an item when it is encountered will be either zero or one in the short term, but in the long term (hours, days, seasons, years) it will assume an average value between zero and one. Finally, consumers should evolve search images for types or species, when within-type variability is very small and overlap among types minimal. When within-type variability is large, and distributions of food value overlap a great deal, natural selection should favor consumers that select high value items and do not generalize on a type's average values. We present a scenario which proposes that feeding habits may influence the way a consumer optimizes its foraging behavior. Empirical tests of optimal foraging models based upon energy maximization have upheld theoretical predictions when predators were presented with limited prey choices (e.g., Goss-Custard 1977; Krebs et al. 1977). Tests which have examined more complex situations (Zach and Smith 1980; this paper) suggest that models which include considerations of nutrient constraints (Pulliam 1975) or predator learning (Hughes 1979; Stenseth and Hansson 1979; Pulliam 1980) may, in fact, be more appropriate.
Expression of estrogen receptor (ER)‐α and ‐β immunoreactivity in hippocampal cell cultures with special attention to GABAergic neurons

This study investigated the expression patterns of estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) and ‐β (ERβ) in the cultured hippocampal cells of neonatal rats by combined application of cell culture and immunocytochemistry. The results revealed that the expression difference between ERα and ERβ seemed to be not obvious in the cultured hippocampal cells of neonatal rats. Moreover, immunoreactivity for either ERα or ERβ was observed to be localized in the majority of not only neurons but also astrocytes. The coexpression of both ERα and ERβ in the same individual cell was also demonstrated by the double‐label immunocytochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that immunoreactivity for ERα in the neonatal hippocampal tissues was much higher than in the adult (became rather weak), although there was not such a great difference of immunoreactivity for ERβ. The data also provide direct evidence for the expression of ER subtypes within GABAergic neurons in hippocampal cell cultures and suggest that estrogen's effect on the hippocampus may be mediated at least in part by its ER‐containing GABAergic neurons. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:396–402, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mercury levels in tissues of otters from Ontario, Canada: Variation with age, sex, and location

Concentrations of mercury in hair, brain, and liver tissues of river otter (Lutra canadensis) from several townships in Ontario, Canada, were determined. Levels of Hg in these tissues were highly intercorrelated but differed from tissue to tissue. The highest concentration was in hair, followed by liver and brain. The high correlation between Hg in hair and brain, as well as the ease and precision of Hg determinations on hair, demonstrate that Hg in hair holds considerable promise for monitoring the Hg in otters. Within the sampled otters, Hg varied with respect to age. The Hg concentrations increased over the first two to three years of age, remained stable over the next two to three years of age, and then declined in the remaining age‐groups. Mean age of otters in townships with high‐Hg concentrations was about half the mean age of otters in low‐Hg townships. In areas where mercury levels are high, otters may have reduced survivorship because of Hg‐induced stress on their health.
Seasonal Variation in Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) Essential Oil Composition

Abstract The composition of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) oils produced from the leaves and the flowering tops obtained by simultaneous distillation-extraction were compared. Seasonal changes in wormwood oil were also studied. Analyses of oils produced from plants collected at 3-month intervals, showed similar patterns in composition of both leaves and flowering tops as well as small quantitative differences in the oil composition throughout the year. In comparison with differences found between wormwood chemotypes, seasonal variations did not significatively affect the oil composition, and neither did the presence of flowers.
Structural Similarity and Genetic Homology between Lactobacillus casei Bacteriophages Isolated in Japan and in Finland

Three Lactobacillus casei bacteriophages, LC-Nu, PL-1, and ϕFSW, were compared. Phage LC-Nu, which has not been previously characterized, originated from a local cheese plant in Finland. Phages PL-1 and ϕFSW (isolated in Japan) represent the most thoroughly studied L.casei phages so far. All three phages had similar morphotypes, but still had different patterns of structural proteins, as analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The phages differed also in types of genome organization: LC-Nu and PL-1 had cohesive ends in their DNAs, and the DNA of ϕFSW was circularly permuted. The initiation site and orientation of packaging of ϕFSW DNA were identified. The homologies between the phage genomes were analyzed by Southern hybridization. About one-third of each phage gem me was highly homologous with other phages (homology over 85%), and two-thirds were slightly homologous (homology between 65% and 76%). DNAs from five industrial L. casei strains were also tested for homology with phage LC-Nu DNA. Phage LC-Nu related sequences w.
Performance of Dacryodes edulis (Don. G. Lam H. J.) Seeds and Seedlings in a Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

Abstract Environmental pollution from oil activities in a major oil producing country like Nigeria is inevitable. Studies on the effects of crude oil contamination on forest tree species is vital because of the great deal of crude oil spillage in the coastal regions of Nigeria. This paper evaluates the performance of Dacryodes edulis seeds and seedlings in a crude oil contaminated soil in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Four crude oil concentrations (% by weight) in soil constituted treatments. These were 0.00%, 2.07%, 4.15% and 6.23% by weight per 1.3 kg weight of the soil samples. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was adopted with three replicates. The results showed that oil concentrations of 4.15% and 6.23% adversely affected percent (%) germination (62.33% and 37.67%) and performance of D. edulis seedlings in terms of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, collar girth and dry mass at the 5% probability level. The study shows that crude oil pollution has a highly significant effect on the germination and seedling growth of this locally available multi-purpose forest fruit tree species. This further suggests that D. edulis can serve as bio-indicator of pollution in oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta. The present study has important implications for restoration of degraded areas.
Movements of intracellular particles in undifferentiated amebae of dictyostelium discoideum

We recorded live, undifferentiated amebae of Dictynstelium discoideum by video microscopy and analyzed the behavior of cytoplasmic particles and granules. Cytoplasmic streaming and saltatory movements are the two major types of particle movements that occur in interphase amebae. Saltatory movements predominated in an area around the nucleus-associated body (NAB) and many were radial toward or away from it, the velocity being very similar in both directions. Some saltations were simple forward movements, and others were complex to-and-fro movements with as many as seven turnabouts. For a given leg of movement the velocity was not uniform along the path. Small particles ( 1 μm; X = 1.4 μm/s) particles, but the smallest particles were visible only in the running image and could not be analyzed. Ultrastructurally, saltating particles are digestive vacuoles and vesicles of various sizes, appearances, and contents, which are numerous particularly in the vicinity of the NAB. Several lines of evidence pointed to a role of microtubules (MTs) in saltatory particle movements. Composites of particle tracks corresponded closely to MT arrays visualized by immunofluorescence. No saltations occurred in mitotic amebae that lack cytoplasmic MTs, but the movements resumed toward the end of division, concurreduced with the rebuilding of the complex of cytoplasmic MTs. Nocodazole reduced and eventually slopped saltatory movements over a period of 3 h, when aberrant MT patterns were the rule. Saltations in slime mold amebae may be an eye-catching feature of intracellular transport functioning in endo- and exocytosis in the shuffling of vesicles containing factors involved in ameboid movement, and in the transduction of external signals to the cell center.
High incidence of dioecy in young successional tropical forests

The role of plant sexual systems in community assembly has been little studied. Classical assumptions predict an association between self‐fertilization and colonizing ability, a pattern not systematically supported by observations. Here, using a data set of 626 462 trees sampled throughout 8300 km2 in central Africa and historical information collected 60 years ago on forest successional status, we compare sexual system assemblages between young successional and mature communities. We use two multivariate approaches to assess the variation in community dioecism between successional status, while controlling for covariation between dioecy and six other traits usually considered as good proxies for important functions in forest successional dynamics. We show that dioecious trees are significantly overrepresented in young successional areas, contrary to classical expectations. This robust pattern is unlikely to be driven by soil conditions, by the other associated traits or by species‐specific abundance. Strikingly, dioecy was one of the traits most correlated with young successional areas. These results show that sexual systems play an important role in community assembly. The higher occurrence of dioecy in young successional areas is likely due to a higher relative seed fitness of dioecious species in more stressful conditions or by an evolutionary‐driven association between dioecy and colonization ability, as predicted by theoretical studies. Synthesis. Our study emphasizes an overlooked association between sexual system and community assembly and emphasizes the need to revisit classical assumptions regarding that relationship.
Bacterial community in the intestine of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius during digestion of Macrocystis pyrifera

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to study the bacterial community changes in the intestine of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius during the digestion of Macrocystis pyrifera. The distinct bands in DGGE gels were sequenced, and the results indicated that the bacterial community in the large and small intestine varied at different periods of digestion. Samples from the large intestine included six specific bands belonging to the genus Psychromonas, whereas samples from the small intestine included eight specific bands representing Psychromonas, Shewanella, Saccharophagus degradans, and Nitrosomonas eutropha. The bacterial flora differed at different periods of digestion. The increase in the microbial community species in the large intestine was not obvious compared with that in the small intestinal microbial community. Several microbes involved in degradation of M. pyrifera were found in the intestine of sea urchin.
Combined analysis of length and age-at-length data

Age—length-key and length-frequency analysis are well-known methods for estimating the proportion of fish at each age in a sample and the associated mean length and standard deviation of length at age. In this paper a combined age—length analysis (CALA) is described which fits a statistical model to both the age and length data. Monte Carlo testing of the methods indicates that the CALA method provides more precise estimates of the parameters than conventional age-length-key methods.
Effect of water availability on spore germination of the moss Octoblepharum albidum from Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract Octoblepharum albidum generally produces sporophytes in the wet season and disperses spores in the dry season. Populations of this moss are found on tree bark in the edges of lowland tropical rainforests. When spores are dispersed during the drier months, they may be able to tolerate low water potentials on tree bark during germination. Thus, we investigated the effect of water potential on spore germination and early protonemal growth of the moss O. albidum from populations in a Brazilian lowland Atlantic Forest. We used water potentials of 0 to −1.46 MPa. Spores germinated at all water potentials tested, with ca 98% of germination at 2 −0.9 MPa. Mean time for germination was higher at −1.09 to −1.46 MPa (ca 16 days). Median base potential for germination (50%) of spores was −1.05 MPa, with spores germinating at −1.8 MPa according to the hydrotime model applied. The spores and the early protonemata of O. albidum are tolerant to water potentials lower than that measured in the field. This may help to explain the period of spore germination and the establishment of new plants during the dry season, as well as the wide occurrence of O. albidum in xeric habitats.
Morphological variation among Iranian populations of the Carob Moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract The Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae) is the most important pest of pomegranates in Iran. In order to evaluate the morphological variation of the pest among different geographic populations, the larvae were collected from infested pomegranates at 14 localities in Iran and reared to adult. Using the landmark-based geometric morphometrics method, variation in wing shape and size and allometric relationships were documented. Mantel tests showed a general correlation between geographic and morphological distances. Some morphological distances with the greatest deviation from this correlation were detected using regression fitted line, and the probable causal factors (e.g. reduced gene flow, isolation) on morphological distances are discussed.
Regeneration of indigenous trees in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

This study examines the regeneration of indigenous tree species in the formerly encroached area in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP), south-western Uganda. Before gazetting in 1992, MGNP had basically been agricultural land for well over 50 years. The distribution of exotic vegetation was established using a Geographical Positioning System receiver and indigenous vegetation was sampled by establishment of quadrats along transect lines. Observations indicated that approximately 2% of the old cropland was covered by exotic woodlots. Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and Eucalyptus trees were found to be the most widely distributed and Pinus patula the least distributed species in the park. Species numbers of indigenous trees (n = 26) were high in the old cropland, compared with twelve species observed in exotic woodlots. The natural forest supported the highest (75%) stem density and the lowest (4%) stem density was recorded in exotic woodlots. Seedling class (< 2 cm, d.b.h.) accounted for the majority of juveniles, with the lowest stem density (1350 seedlings ha−1) recorded in exotic woodlots compared with 6609 seedlings ha−1 in the old cropland and 24,625 seedlings ha−1 in the natural forest. The levels of tree diversity and stocking characteristics recorded under the exotic species suggest that a low diverse community of native species may exploit this environment. Resume Cette etude examine la regeneration des especes indigenes d’arbres dans la zone precedemment empietee du Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP), au sud-ouest de l’Ouganda. Avant son enregistrement en 1992, le MGNP avait ete une zone principalement agricole pendant bien plus de 50 ans. On a etabli la distribution de vegetation exotique au moyen d’un systeme GPS (Geographical Positioning System) et on a recolte de la vegetation indigene en creant des quadrats le long de lignes de transects. Les observations ont montre que pres de 2% des anciennes cultures etaient couverts de parcelles de bois exotiques. On a trouve que les Acacia mearnsii et les Eucalyptusetaient les plus largement distribues et que les Pinus patula constituaient l’espece la moins distribuee dans le parc. Le nombre d’especes d’arbres indigenes (n = 26) etait eleve dans les anciennes cultures, compare aux 12 especes observees dans les parcelles de bois exotiques. C’est dans la foret naturelle que l’on trouvait la plus forte densite de repousse (75%) et dans les parcelles de bois exotiques qu’elle etait la plus faible (4%). La classe des jeunes plants (< 2 cm de diametre a 1 m de haut) comptait la majorite des juveniles, et la densite la plus faible de jeunes pousses (1350 jeunes plants/ha) se retrouvait dans les parcelles de bois exotiques, comparee aux 6.609 jeunes plants/ha dans les anciennes terres de culture et aux 24.625 jeunes plants/ha de la foret naturelle. Le taux de diversite des arbres et les caracteristiques de reserve releves parmi les especes exotiques suggerent que seule une faible diversite d’especes natives est a meme d’exploiter cet environnement.
Olfactory nerve response of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou Brevoort) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss Walbaum) to clove oil and MS-222

Two anaesthetics, clove oil and methane sulphonate (MSâ222), were examined for their effects on the olfactory nerve response of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou Brevoort) and rainbow trout (O. mykiss Walbaum). Exposing both species to clove oil for 3âmin at concentrations of 50 and 100âmgâLâ1, or for 10âmin at 50âmgâLâ1, did not significantly reduce their olfactory response. Directly applying clove oil anaesthesia to the olfactory epithelium significantly reduced olfactory response though after 20âmin, olfactory response recovered to 70% and 52% of preâtreatment levels in masu salmon and rainbow trout respectively. Compared with the postâanaesthetic recovery of responses after clove oil (50âmgâLâ1), buffered MSâ222 (100âmgâLâ1) with NaHCO3 (100âmgâLâ1), and unbuffered MSâ222 (100âmgâLâ1) treatment for 3âmin, the response after MSâ222 treatment declined gradually and significantly, but not after clove oil and MSâ222+NaHCO3 treatments. Clove oil appears to be an effective and relatively safe anaesthetic for salmonids with little longâterm impact on their olfactory response, which plays a crucial role in their life history.
Assessment of Probiotic Properties in Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fermented Vegetables

The present study was conducted in order to screen lactic acid bacteria which have the probiotic properties. A total of 82 isolates of lactic acid bacteria was preliminarily screened from fermented vegetables. Most strains exhibited autoaggregation ability, cell surface hydrophobicity and antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens Escherichia coli O157:H7 DMST 12743 and Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 13311. The results revealed that 23 isolates possess some desirable probiotic properties and selected to determine other probiotic properties including antibiotic resistance, coaggregation ability with E. coli O157:H7 DMST 12743 and S. Typhimurium ATCC 13311, heat tolerance at 65 ° C for 60 min and the ability to survive under gastrointestinal tract condition pH 2.0 and 8.0. From probiotic properties determination mentioned above, it was observed that the strain KMUTNB 5-9, KMUTNB 5-36 and KMUTNB 6-21 were found to meet all the criteria and could be considered as potential probiotic. The identification of the strains based on 16S rDNA sequencing analysis indicated that the strain KMUTNB 5-9, KMUTNB 5-36 and KMUTNB 6-21 were identified to be Pediococcus pentosaceus.
Antimicrobial Activity of Three Endemic Verbascum Species

The extracts obtained from three Verbascum L. species (Verbascum olympicum Boiss., Verbascum prusianum Boiss., and Verbascum bombyciferum Boiss.) have been investigated for their antimicrobial activity. Growth inhibition, using the agar disc diffusion assay, was determined against Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Micrococcus luteus La 2971, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Salmonella thyphi ATCC 19430, Klebsiella pneumoniae UC57, Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC 27893, Corynebacterium xerosis CCM 2824, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064, Bacillus megaterium DSM 32, Mycobacterium smegmatis CCM 2067, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 8427, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Rhodotorula rubra, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763. We found that Verbascum L. species showed antimicrobial activity against the Gr(+) bacteria and yeasts, but no activity was seen against the Gr(-) bacteria used in this study.
Roles of Glutathione s-transferease in maize (Zea mays L.) under cold stress

Glutathione S-transferease (GST) activities involved in antioxidant defense and methylglyoxal detoxification were investigated in the seedlings of a Bangladeshi maize variety, BARI hybrid maize-7, to understand the protecting mechanism under cold stress condition. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased, while the activities of catalase (CAT) decreased with the duration of stress. The western blot analysis of the dominant GST revealed that it significantly accumulated during the stress period. The continual increase in H 2 O 2 contents along with reduced redox state and activities suggested their roles in maintaining the glutathione homeostasis. The accumulation of GST with the content of H 2 O 2 suggested its detoxification roles for organic hydroperoxides during chilling stress. Considering all, glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes showed protective role in maize from oxidative damages under Chilling condition. Res. Agric. , Livest. Fish.2(1): 9-15, April 2015