Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATING POPULATION TRENDS WITH A LINEAR MODEL

Abstract We describe a simple and robust method for estimating trends in population size. The method may be used with Breeding Bird Survey data, aerial surveys, point counts, or any other program of repeated surveys at permanent locations. Surveys need not be made at each location during each survey period. The method differs from most existing methods in being design based, rather than model based. The only assumptions are that the nominal sampling plan is followed and that sample size is large enough for use of the t-distribution. Simulations based on two bird data sets from natural populations showed that the point estimate produced by the linear model was essentially unbiased even when counts varied substantially and 25% of the complete data set was missing. The estimating-equation approach, often used to analyze Breeding Bird Survey data, performed similarly on one data set but had substantial bias on the second data set, in which counts were highly variable. The advantages of the linear model are its simplicity, flexibility, and that it is self-weighting. A user-friendly computer program to carry out the calculations is available from the senior author. Estimación de Tendencias Poblacionales con un Modelo Lineal Resumen. Decribimos un método simple y robusto para estimar tendencias en tamaños poblacionales. El método puede utilizarse con datos del Censo de Aves Reproductivas, de censos áereos, de conteos por punto o de cualquier otro programa de censos repetidos en localidades permanentes. Los censos no necesitan hacerse en cada localidad durante cada período de censado. El método difiere de la mayoría de los que existen en que está basado en un diseño y no en un modelo. Las únicas suposiciones son que se sigue el plan de muestreo nominal y que el tamaño de muestreo es suficientemente grande para el uso de la distribución t. Simulaciones basadas en dos grupos de datos de poblaciones naturales de aves mostraron que el estimativo puntual producido por el modelo fue esencialmente no sesgado, incluso cuando los conteos variaban sustancialmente y faltaba el 25% del juego completo de datos. El enfoque de estimación de ecuaciones, usado con frecuencia para analizar datos del Censo de Aves Reproductivas, se comportó de manera similar en un grupo de datos, pero presentó un marcado sesgo en el otro, en el que los conteos eran altamente variables. Las ventajas del modelo lineal son su simplicidad, flexibilidad y que se auto-evalua. Un programa de computador de fácil uso para realizar los cálculos está disponible a través del primer autor.
Efficient in vitro Regeneration of a Medicinal Plant Harsinghar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.)

In vitro propagation of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. has been successfully established from axillary bud explants on MS. Maximum number of multiple shoots was obtained on MS containing BAP (22.2 µM). Half strength of MS (2% sucrose) supplemented with NAA (10.74 µM) provided the maximum frequency of root initiation. The plantlets were successfully hardened.
Influence of Fermented Milk on Clinical State, Fecal Bacterial Counts and Biochemical Characteristics in Patients with Ileal- Pouch- Anal-Anastomosis

Pouchitis is a condition with acute or chronic inflammation in the ileal pouch of colectomized patients. A disturbed microecology in the pouch has been suggested as a possible cause. The present study was an attempt to investigate if a fermented milk product containing live lactobacilli and bifidobacteria might influence on the intestinal microecology of IPAA-patients. Five hundred ml of a fermented milk product containing live lactobacilli (La-5) and bifidobacteriae (Bb-12) (Cultura, TM), was given in its regular form or heat-treated, in a randomized, double blinded fashion, to 16 patients operated on with ileal- pouch- anal-anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). Symptoms recordings, stool cultures and determination of 6 different microflora associated characteristics (MACs);(short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), urobilinogen, mucin degradation, coprostanol, fecal tryptic activity (FTA), and beta-aspartyl glycin) were performed at inclusion, after 1 and 2 weeks. In the group given regular Cultura, daily stool frequency was reduced from median 5.8 to 2.8. It was unchanged in the group given heat-treated Cultura. With regular Cultura the number of lactobacilli increased significantly during intervention, and remained elevated one week thereafter. The number of bifidobacteriae increased significantly during intervention, but was back to baseline one week thereafter. With heat-treated Cultura, no significant change was observed. Significant reduction in stool frequency was observed among the patients given regular Cultura. No change was observed among those given heat-treated Cultura. No major effects on six MACs were observed. Keywords: lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, ileal pouch, fecal tryptic activity, microflora-associated characteristic (MAC), probiotics.
THE GENUS NEOLEPTON MONTEROSATO, 1875 in SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA (BIVALVIA: NEOLEPTONIDAE)

A systematic revision of the genus Neolepton in southern South America has been carried out. Neolepton concentricum, N. cobbi, N. hupei and N. falklandicum are redescribed and figured, and lectotypes for N. concentricum and N. bennetti are designated. Three new species are described, two from the Magellanic Province (N. amatoi new species and N. yagan new species) and one from the Argentine Province (N. bonaerense new species). The presence of N. umbonatum in Magellanic waters is considered doubtful. Some of the reproductive characteristics and peculiarities of the brooding behaviour of N. concentricum are described.
Allozymic Variation and Regional Differentiation in Wild Populations of the Fish Oryzias latipes

Allozymic variation was studied at 21 loci in Japanese wild populations of the freshwater fish Oryzias latipes, collected at 53 localities. By means of the unique alleles at the Adh, Pgm, Idh and Sod loci, the Japanese populations could be divided into two major groups, the 'Northern Population' and the 'Southern Population. ' No clinal distribution was observed at these loci, but the boundary of two regions was very distinct. The Southern Population was further divided into five subpopulations by the unique alleles at Acp, Amy, Aat, Me and Pgd. In this case also, the boundary was clear. The Northern Population was very homogeneous. On the other hand, the Southern Population was variable. These results show that Japanese wild populations of medaka are remarkably differentiated regionally. As little clinal distribution is observed, it is supposed that the differentiation is primarily due to geographical isolation.
A numerical model of tree aerodynamic response to a turbulent airflow

This study presents a predictive dynamic model developed to analyse the mechanical response of trees submitted to a turbulent airflow. This finite-element model integrates a three-dimensional description of tree architecture and is driven by fluctuating drag forces applied on all parts. For validation purposes, instantaneous wind velocities and wind-induced stem displacements of two trees were recorded in a mature Maritime pine stand (Pinus pinaster) at several heights. The tree geometrical and physical characteristics were measured to describe their architecture. No model parameter was adjusted. Tree motions appear to be driven by wind pulses reflecting turbulence intermittency. No evidence is found for resonant behaviour. In the mean wind direction, the simulated oscillations agree well with the measured time series. The underestimation of tree movement in the cross-stream direction outlines the importance of torque behaviour on the predictive accuracy of the model. The mechanical transfer functions of the modelled trees show vibration peak frequencies very similar to the measured ones. At higher frequencies, the simulated damping appears overestimated, with the set of parameters used. The model provides a sound basis to further investigate the influence of tree aerial architecture and turbulence structure on tree stability to wind.
Comparative morphometry of odontocete ears through computerized tomography

Describing the auditory periphery of odontocetes is a key conservation issue to further assess the effect of acoustic pollution. Because all odontocetes produce species-specific frequency ranges, differences in echolocation signals should reflect anatomical differences in the auditory pathways. Here, we studied the ears of 15 odontocete species through 3D reconstructions from computerized tomography scans to extract standard measurements (bullae lengths/volumes and cochlear volume) and investigate the discriminatory weight of each of these variables as well as their relation to the species' hearing specificity. Any of the measurements appeared to be a good indicator of the species and could therefore be used to classify them. All the ear lengths and most volumes were strongly linearly correlated (r >0.9) in all species and the proportion between the tympanic and periotic bones appeared to remain constant. This constant ratio could be an indication of a functional relationship between both structures, and might suggest an active role of the odontocete middle ear during target acoustic detection, providing new information on the odontocete sound reception mechanism. Our results are generally consistent with previous studies, although here the coefficients of correlation between animal lengths and the total volume and lengths of the bullae were lower (0.77< r <0.86), indicating that the length of the animals may not be a primary parameter to take into account when defining ear measurements. These results suggest that the measurements described characterize standard ears which could be used as a morphological basis for further species-specific acoustic comparison.
M›s›r ve Arpaya Dayal› Yumurta Tavuu Rasyonlar›na Farkl› Enzim Katk›lar›n›n Çeflitli Verim Özelliklerine Etkisi*

This study was carried out to investigate to possibility of replacing corn in the diets of laying hens with 50% barley containing different enzymes as an energy source. A total of 300 laying hens (average 22 weeks of age) were used. The study was conducted with five groups as two controls (60% corn, 30% corn + 30% barley) and 3 experimental groups. Each group of 60 hens was further divided into six subgroups. In the present study, enzymes such as betaglucanase (Allzyme BG), xylanase (Allzyme PT) and amylase (Allzyme AB) were separately added at a rate of 0.05% in the order of betaglucanase, betaglucanase + xylanase or betaglucanase + xylanase + amylase to each of the groups fed 50% barley. The study lasted for 135 days. It was concluded that there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of live weight gain, feed consumption, egg yield, feed conversion rate or egg quality (egg weight, shell thickness and Haugh units) during the 135-day trial period.
Distinct Requirements for IL-7 in Development of TCRγδ Cells During Fetal and Adult Life1

TCRγδ-transgenic IL-7−/− mice were generated to determine whether T cells containing productively rearranged TCRγδ genes have additional requirements for IL-7 within the thymus or peripheral lymphoid tissues. Differences in developmental requirements for IL-7 by TCRγδ cells were noted and were linked to derivation from fetal- vs adult-type precursors in the thymus. Although TCRγδ cells are absent from IL-7−/− mice, TCRγδ cells were restored to the thymus and periphery by expression of TCRγδ transgenes. Endogenous TCRγ chains were expressed by IL-7+/− but not IL-7−/− TCRγδ-transgenic mice, providing direct support for findings that IL-7 is necessary for rearrangement and expression of TCRγ genes. The number of TCRγδ thymocytes was 10-fold reduced in TCRγδ-transgenic IL-7−/− embryos; however, adult TCRγδ-transgenic IL-7−/− or IL-7+/− mice had similar numbers of fetal thymus-derived TCRγδ cells in their skin. Thus, fetal TCRγδ cells required IL-7 for TCR rearrangement, but not for proliferation or survival in the periphery. In contrast, the numbers of TCRγδ cells in other tissues of TCRγδ-transgenic IL-7−/− mice were not completely restored. Moreover, coincident with the transition from the first to second wave of T cell precursors maturing in neonatal thymus, thymus cellularity of TCRγδ-transgenic IL-7−/− mice dropped significantly. These data indicated that in addition to TCRVγ gene rearrangement, TCRγδ cells differentiating from late fetal liver or adult bone marrow precursors have additional requirements for IL-7. BrdU incorporation studies indicated that although IL-7 was not required for TCRγδ cell proliferation, it was required to prolong the life span of mature TCRγδ cells.
Recombinant expression and evaluation of a- and b- tubulin from Trypanosoma congolense as vaccine candidates for African trypanosomiasis.

African trypanosomiasis is caused by protozoan parasites known as trypanosomes, which are transmitted by the tsetse fly, affecting both humans and animals. Trypanosoma congolense is one of the main trypanosome species affecting cattle and causes the disease known as nagana. Control of animal African trypanosomiasis currently relies on chemotherapy and vector control methods, neither of which has proven satisfactory. An effective vaccine against trypanosomiasis would be the most cost effective solution to control the disease; however, due to the phenomenon of antigenic variation, intrinsic to the parasite’s outer coat of variable surface glycoprotein, this has not yet been achieved. Recent vaccine efforts have been centred on identification of invariant parasite antigens for use as vaccine candidates. Trypanosome cytoskeleton components have in recent years been shown to be capable of providing a protective immune response against trypanosome infection. These include tubulin proteins, which form the main components of the cytoskeleton, as well as microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) and paraflagellar rod proteins. In the present study αand β-tubulin from T. congolense were recombinantly expressed and their immuno-protective potential in mice assessed. Amplification of both αand β-tubulin ORFs from T. congolense genomic DNA was followed by cloning of the amplicons into the T-vector pTZ57R/T, and thereafter sub-cloning into the bacterial expression vector, pET238a and the yeast expression vector pPICZαA28. Only the α-tubulin amplicon was successfully sub-cloned into pICZAαA28; however, no protein expression was achieved upon transfection of the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, with this construct. Subcloning of both αand β-tubulin inserts into pET28a was successful. Expression of recombinant αand β-tubulin as fusion proteins with a histidine tag, both at a size of 55 kDa, was achieved in Escherichia coli host BL21 (DE3).
Food as a limit on breeding birds: a life-history perspective

Food limitation is an important issue in ecology because it can influence life history traits, population sizes, and community structure (through effects of competition). Work at the level of populations and communities has led to arguments that food limitation and competition are more important in winter than during the breeding season (e.g. 1, 2, 7, 8, 83, 85, 211, 234). In fact, it is commonly argued that food is superabundant during the breeding season (7, 8, 161, 213, 246, 250, 251, 308-311). However, such arguments are based on indirect rather than direct evidence of the effects of food on reproduction and survival (fitness) (149). Direct evidence for food limitation and competition in winter exists when survival is affected, and some experimental evidence suggests such effects (e.g. 75, 113, 122, 132). However, if current or future reproductive success is limited by food, then food limitation will also exist during the breeding season. Reproductive ecologists historically have argued that food limits reproductive success (e.g. 13, 297). Yet, even this school has included recent arguments against food limitation. For instance, Ettinger & King (77) think that perching time of birds commonly reflects loafing time because birds set their clutch and brood sizes based on years and periods of stringent (low food) conditions. However, perching time may not reflect loafing but rather an important time commitment to reproductive success (T. Martin, unpublished ms.) Thus, the status of food limitation in breeding birds is not clear. Here, I review evidence for food limitation in the context of life history theory because it provides a fundamental framework from which to interpret
Service hospitals

cycline resistant strains. Certainly, some of the clinical features that they describe (reddening of the glans penis, pruritus of the foreskin, vaginal itching) are unusual for chlamydial infections, and the speed with which the dentist developed ocular symptoms and signs is surprising. It would also be surprising if the apparently tetracycline resistant strains were confined to three patients in Rome in early 1985. Unfortunately, Dr Midulla and colleagues did not provide information on in vitro antibiotic susceptibility. From the information given, it is hardly plausible that the strains would be tetracycline sensitive in vitro. If, by chance, they were then I submit that the paper is based on a false premise because the dose of the tetracyclines and the duration of treatment were sufficient to have caused clinical improvement. Realistically, however, there are only two possible explanations. Either chlamydias were not isolated at all or they were and proved to be resistant in vitro. If the second explanation is true then the finding is important because it has wide implications for those working in gynaecological, paediatric, and genitourinarymedicine and needsgreateremphasis than the conclusion by the authors that rifampicin should be used for "C trachomatis infections resistant to commonly used antibiotics. " It is to be hoped that they will provide the in vitro data that will resolve this important issue or release the strains so that others may do so.
Marine bacteria associated with marine macroorganisms: the potential antimicrobial resources

In order to explore marine microorganisms with medical potential, marine bacteria were isolated from seawater, sediment, marine invertebrates and seaweeds collected from different coastal areas of the China Sea. The antimicrobial activities of these bacteria were investigated. Ethyl acetate extracts of marine bacterial fermentation were screened for antimicrobial activities using the method of agar diffusion. The results showed that 42 strains of the isolates have antimicrobial activity. The proportion of active bacteria associated with marine invertebrates (20%) and seaweeds (11%) is higher than that isolated from seawater (7%) and sediment (5%). The active marine bacteria were assigned to the genera Alteromonas, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Flavobacterium. The TLC autobiographic overlay assay implied that the antimicrobial metabolites produced by four strains with wide antimicrobial spectrum were different. Due to a competitive role for space and nutrient, the marine bacteria associated with marine macroorganisms (invertebrates and seaweeds) could produce more antibiotic substances. These marine bacteria were expected to be potential resources of natural antibiotic products.
Morphology, anatomy, ecology and palynology of two Centaurea species from Turkey

Centaurea L. sect. Ptosimopappa, a local endemic group in the Mediterranean and South East Anatolia, is represented by only two species, namely C. ptosimopappa Hayek and C. ptosimopappoides Wagenitz in Turkey. Both these species show a very restricted distribution as serpentine habitat indicators and are recorded as vulnerable. Present study was carried out to enlighten the morphological, anatomical and ecological features of these two species in detail. The structure of achene, indumentum and pollen grains were investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The capitulum, involucre and leaf structure of these two species are rather similar, but their achenes and pollen grains differ from each other. In C. ptosimopappa pollen spinules are densely distributed but in C. ptosimopappoides they are sparsely distributed. The achenes are obovate in C. ptosimopappa and rectangular in C. ptosimopappoides. C. ptosimopappa is a scrub species but C. ptosimopappoides is a subscrub species. A negative relation in terms of the proportion of sand to silt content of the soil and positive relation between the percentage of CaCO3 and pH was observed for C. ptosimopappa (p < 0.05). A negative relation in terms of the proportion of sand to silt content of the soil was observed in C. ptosimopappoides (p < 0.01).
Mycorrhizal associations in Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae) from forested and non-forested sites1

Abstract Ailanthus altissima tree seedlings were excavated from each of two habitats: (1) a forest adjacent to a trail and stream and (2) a non-forested steep, barren slope adjacent to a major highway. Each seedling root system was examined for colonization by mycorrhizal structures using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The roots were colonized by one or more endomycorrhizal fungi with Arum-type colonization. Endomycorrhizal colonization of the seedlings from the non-forested site (65.2%) was significantly greater than that of the seedlings from the forested site (37.9%). Colonization by intercellular hyphae and vesicles was significantly greater in the non-forested habitat than the forested habitat. This exotic invasive species may benefit from the rapid colonization of endomycorrhizae in more extreme open environments.
Invasive freshwater molluscs are consumed by native fishes in South America

Summary The diet of seven fish species from the Rio de la Plata was studied to evaluate their behaviour as predators on the invasive bivalves Corbicula fluminea and Limnoperna fortunei. It was concluded that the teleosts Pterodoras granulosus, Pimelodus maculatus, Paraloricaria vetula and Ricola macrops prey upon C. fluminea, whilst Leporinus obtusidens, Rhinodoras dorbignyi and Brochiloricaria chauliodon feed on Lim. fortunei. These fish species had altered their diets to consume large amounts of these molluscs. Three of the fishes recorded here were previously unknown to feed on molluscs. The fishes studied here prey upon molluscs that ingest trace metals with their food items, thus monitoring the situation is suggested as several of these fish species are caught for human consumption.
Propriedades e classificação da madeira aplicadas à seleção de genótipos de Eucalyptus

The objective of this study was to classify and select superior genotypes of eucalypt based on the properties of its wood, utilizing cluster analysis, the Tocher's optimization method aiming to obtain various products. Forty-four genotypes adapted to the environmental conditions of northwestern Minas Gerais were used. Physical, mechanical resistance and chemical wood characteristics were used for the classification of the materials. Cluster analysis classified the genotypes in 11 different groups with high variability or divergence among them. According to the average values of the characteristics presented by the formed groups, it was possible to define new potential clones, which will certainly provide wood of superior quality. The genotypes from groups V, VI and VIII show potential for the production of sawed wood, also facilitating the generation of natural hybrids, which may be used in future programs of genetic improvement of Eucalyptus.