Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pasture protein and soluble carbohydrate levels in spring dairy pasture and associations with cow performance

In an observational study of nine commercial dairy herds over two springs (four in 1990 and five in 1991) where cows grazed pasture alone,negativeasscciations werefoundbetween blood(ormilk) urealevelsandmilkfatandmilkproteinproduction,andpositiveassociations of urea levels with pasture protein to soluble carbohydrate (N/Sol.CHO) ratios. Statistical analyses using principal component analysis of two datasets from spring 1990 and spring 1991 indicated that a high proportion of variation (73% in 1990, and 33% in 1991) in the variables measured was explained by the above relationships. Analysis of variance of the PC scores showed that these relationships were between-farm effects and not related to seasonal change with time (p < 0.001). Additional data from 35 dairy herds in September 199 1 also supported the associations found. Reproductive performance in the nine herds (conception rate and submission rate to AB mating) was also associated negatively with urea levels. Variations in the nutrient composition of spring pasture during the spring am presented. The correlation between N/Sol.CHO ratio and milk urea levels was high (r-0.69). Further work is needed to clarify cause and effect relationships.
Interactions between woody plants, elephants and other browsers in the Chobe Riverfront, Botswana

This thesis examines the interaction between woody plants, elephants and other browsers in a semi-arid savanna in northern Botswana, southern Africa. Particularly I studied how woody plants respond to herbivory, how browsers respond to previously browsed trees, and how the browsers share food resources.Browsing pressure by twig biting ungulates showed a unimodal relationship with shoot vigour (first PCA axis scores generated from four shoot variables) of 14 tree species, which may be caused by low quantity and quality of food on trees with low vigour, and too large shoot diameters on the most vigorously growing tree species. Browsing pressure by elephants showed no relation with shoot vigour of plant species. Elephants, giraffe, impala and kudu largely used different food resources in terms of browse species and height levels selected. There was little resource-use overlap (Schoener’s index) between the herbivore species. Elephants (ca. 3000 kg) predominantly browsed other woody species than those browsed by giraffe (ca. 1000 kg), impala (ca. 50 kg) and kudu (ca. 200 kg). Differences in body size could not explain this difference in food choice, as giraffe, impala and kudu browse the same tree species independent of considerable difference in body size. The differences in food selectivity may instead be explained by difference in digestive systems. Elephants are hindgut fermenters whereas the others are foregut fermenters (ruminants). Trees that were strongly affected by elephant browsing had more shoots at low height levels than individuals without elephant impact. Impala and kudu preferred to browse from trees previously browsed by elephant rather than from trees without any elephant impact. This indicates that elephants facilitate the foraging by these two species. Elephants themselves are known to rebrowse previously impacted trees, and were found to recognize and preferentially browse trees that had been subject to simulated browsing three years earlier and since then protected from large herbivores. The study did not find evidence that elephants compete with and deplete food for other browsers. Results in this thesis do not justify manipulation of elephant population and distribution as a means to increase populations of the other animal species investigated in this thesis. Instead it seems that elephants may act to facilitate browsing by other investigated animal species.
The Karyotype of Plestiodon anthracinus (Baird, 1850) (Sauria: Scincidae): A Step Toward Solving an Enigma

Abstract The cosmopolitan lizard genus Eumeces was first revised in 1936 and consisted of 15 species-groups comprising a total of 50 species. Nine species in North America were later recognized as belonging to the genus Plestiodon and all contained the diploid chromosome number of 26. Modern cladistic techniques indicated that Plestiodon anthracinus (Coal Skink) was near the ancestral form for the fasciatus group. We employed the hypotonic citrate method to study chromosomes of 5 Coal Skink specimens from Louisiana and Arkansas and found them to have a diploid number of 24 (12 macrochromosomes, 12 distinctly smaller chromosomes, all biarmed) and a fundamental number of 48. The diploid number of 24 is probably derived by some chromosome rearrangements in the evolution of Plestiodon and of the Plestiodon anthracinus group.
Sexual offender treatment outcomes among psychopathy subtypes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine sexual offender treatment responses as a function of psychopathy subtype. Design/methodology/approach Measures of sexual violence risk, treatment change and outcome variables were coded retrospectively on a sample of 86 high Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) scoring sexual offenders. Psychopathy subtypes were identified through cluster analysis of PCL-R facet scores. Findings Two subtypes were identified labeled classic and aggressive. They were comparable in their level of risk and need and did not differ in rates of treatment completion or change. The aggressive subtype had higher rates of violent and general recidivism and higher frequencies of major mental disorder and cognitive disability. Results of Cox regression survival analysis demonstrated that treatment-related changes in risk were associated with reductions in violent recidivism for the aggressive, but not classic, psychopathy variant. Practical implications Psychopathy is a heterogeneous syndrome. Moreover, psychopathic offenders can demonstrate risk relevant treatment changes. PCL-R facet profiles have important responsivity implications. However, not all psychopathic offenders fare poorly in treatment. Originality/value This is one of very few studies to examine treatment response and links to outcome among psychopathic offenders, particularly as this relates to subtype.
Rôle du gène de floraison VvFT dans la mise en place de la floraison chez la vigne : mise en évidence des mécanismes d'extinction génique chez la vigne et de leurs réponses face aux stress abiotiques

Chez la vigne, les gibberellines activent le debourrement des bourgeons latents et stimulent la formation de vrilles mais contrairement a Arabidopsis, celles-ci semblent inhiber la formation d'inflorescences. Par ailleurs, comme la floraison de la vigne n'est pas sensible a la photoperiode,on peut se demander si l'orthologue du gene FT (VvFT) a tout de meme un role integrateur au niveau des feuilles et s'il active l'expression de l'orthologue du gene LFY (VFL). Dans la premiere partie de ma these, nous avons conduit une analyse moleculaire avec un materiel original : un porte-greffe 41 B transforme avec une construction contenant le gene VvFT sous controle du promoteur 35S et une plante derivee du Pinot Meunier, portant une mutation dans le gene GA-INSENSITIVE (GAl). Notre etude montre que les gibberellines ou/et le gene VvFT activent les genes de floraison comme VFL. mais avec des reponses tres differentes entre la vrille, les bourgeons latents et les inflorescences.Dans la seconde partie de ma these, nous nous sommes interesses au silencing. Nous avons produit des plantes transgeniques de la lignee PN40024 contenant soit le gene codant la GFP, soit une construction tige-boucle GF-FG, soit les deux. Les cals embryogenes transgeniques GFP et GFP+GF-FG sont fluorescents. Par contre, nous avons observe une disparition totale de la fluorescence chez ces PN40024 GFP+GF-FG, des l'apparition des premieres feuilles et chez la plante entiere. L'etude moleculaire a mis en evidence des petits ARNs de 21 nt et 24nt produits a partir de la construction tige-boucle GF-FG. Des petits ARNs secondaires de 21 nt produit a partir de la sequence de la GFP ont ete egalement ete detectes.
AVALIAÇÃO DE BIOMARCADORES INFLAMATÓRIOS MOLECULARES EM PACIENTES COM CÂNCER DE MAMA

The high prevalence of breast cancer is a factor that stimulates the investigation of new biomarkers for the disease. The microparticles (MPs ) are released by many cell types and are associated with the inflammatory response. Recent studies show that the presence of circulating MPs and cytokines/chemokines have a relevant clinical association with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the diferent levels of these inflammatory biomarkers (MPs, cytokines and chemokines) in the serum of women with breast cancer with the control group, and to correlate these data with various prognostic factors and hemogram. Peripheral blood of women with no evidence of disease (n = 20) and breast cancer (n = 38) was collected. Flow cytometry was used for determination of serum levels of cytokines (IL-1 , IL-2 , IL-4 , IL-6, IL-10 , IL-12 , IL -17A , TNF , IFN –gamma), chemokines (CXCL8 , CXCL -9 , CXCL 10 , CCL2, CCL-5) and microparticles from different cells (neutrophils , leukocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, endothelium , platelets, lymphocytes). A hierarchical network was developed to simulate the interaction between the serum immune microenvironment in healthy and disease. Differences between groups were evaluated by MannWhitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. Differences with p < 0.05 were considered significant. There were no significant differences in the levels of microparticles, cytokines and chemokines studied between control and breast cancer groups. Hemogram had no association with the levels of circulating microparticles. In association with the prognostic factors data has shown that lower levels of monocyte-derived microparticles and higher levels of CCL -2 and CXCL10 are associated with advanced disease and metastasis.The networks showed presence of more nodes and stronger edges on the breast cancer group compared with the control group as well as in the advanced disease compared with early disease. In conclusion, our data suggests no differences in the levels of MPs and inflammatory cytokines comparing breast cancer patients and healthy women, but breast cancer seems to have a more localized inflammatory response and induces a modulation of the immune system response. The network findings reinforce the importance of the study of biomarkers in association rather individually.
In vitro regeneration and mass propagation of Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. from the stem explants through callus culture.

A rapid and efficient method of mass propagation has been developed from the stem explants of Hybanthus enneaspermus. The stem explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of IAA, IBA and NAA. Green compact callus was obtained in combination with low concentration of BAP with the auxins. The highest frequency of 98.8% callus culture was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 15 µM NAA in combination with 5 µM BAP. Shoots were regenerated from the callus by administering cytokinins BAP or KIN alone or combination of both. Large numbers of shoots were produced from all the concentrations of both the cytokinins. The highest frequency of 100% shoot regeneration was observed on MS medium supplemented with all the concentrations of BAP and KIN. The number of shoots produced on the basal medium supplemented ranged between 62 and 74 with BAP and 40 and 50 with KIN 30 days after inoculation. When these two cytokinins were combined, shoot regeneration was accelerated and the number of shoots became 78 to 90 per callus. Excised shoots were transferred to rooting medium containing different concentrations of NAA and IBA for root induction. The root initiation was found to be slow and 5-8 roots were initiated on a medium fortified with 12 µM NAA 30 days after transfer. The rooted plantlets were transplanted to the paper cup for hardening and the well established plants were transferred to the field for acclimatization.
Study of cell host factors involved in Hepatitis C virus tropism

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health burden. The development of new therapeutics to treat HCV infection has been hampered by the lack of convenient in vitro and in vivo model systems. The goal of my PhD work was, in a first time, to characterize the factors determining the hepatotropism of HCV. By expressing key factors within a non-hepatic cell line, we reconstituted in fine the full HCV life cycle in those cells. Virus entry into the host cell requires different entry factors which are CD81, occludin (OCLN), claudin-1 (CLDN1) and the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI). The expression of these four factors in this cell line renders it highly permissive to viral entry, but does not allow restoring replication of the virus. The expression of miR-122, a micro-RNA important for HCV infection, into the cell lines expressing the four HCV entry factors restore a strong replication of the HCV RNA but does not allow detecting infectious viral particle production. Further expression of the apolipoprotein E (apoE), which plays a critical role in the assembly and release process, restore the last step of the HCV life cycle in a non-hepatic cell line. In a second part of my PhD, I have used the previously developed strategy to study the species specificity of HCV infection using different mouse hepatoma cell lines. We have been able to render these cell lines permissive to HCV entry and have been able to detect a slight replication. Altogether, my results bring new information on the understanding of key factors important for HCV life cycle in mouse and human cells.
Etude de l'interaction des complexes respiratoires avec les coenzymes membranaires : le cas de la Nitrate réductase chez Escherichia coli

Au cours de ma these, je me suis interessee a l'interaction du complexe Nitrate Reductase A (NarGHI) avec les quinones et les lipides de la membrane chez E. coli. Nous avons identifie que les intermediaires menasmiquinones interagissent avec une liaison hydrogene avec l'histidine 66 du site Qd. Par ailleurs, nous avons mis en evidence par la fixation specifique d'une molecule de cardiolipine est indispensable au fonctionnement du complexe NarGHI en permettant la fixation du quinol. Enfin, nous avons demontre l'existence d'une liaison fonctionnelle entre la voie de biosynthese des hemes et les complexes respiratoires via la proteine HemG, qui couple la reduction des quinones avec l'oxydation du protoporphyrinogene IX. Ces elements prouvent qu'une voie catalytique peut contribuer a la synthese ATP. L'ensemble de ces resultats indique une etroite interconnexion physique et fonctionnelle entre tous les elements qui composent la membrane cytoplasmique d'E. coli
The mapping of linear B-cell epitope regions in desmoglein 1 and 3 proteins : Recognition of immobilized peptides by pemphigus patients’ serum autoantibodies

Desmosomal transmembrane glycoproteins desmoglein 1and desmoglein 3 are targets of life-threatening autoimmune blistering disorders such as Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and Pemphigus foliaceus(PF). In these diseases pemphigus autoantibodies are produced against Dsg1 and Dsg3 proteins. The autoantibodies bind to these transmembrane elements leading to a loss of desmosomal cell-cell adhesion, and clinically, to the presence of blisters and erosions. Identification, characterization and detailed analysis of the binding sites of autoantibodies have an outstanding importance in understanding theimmunopathology of the disease and also in the design of novel diagnostics. Here we describe the localization of the B-cell epitope regions of Dsg1 and Dsg3 proteins extracellular parts recognized by IgG-type serum autoantibodies of patients with PV andPF. In our study overlapping pentadecapeptides were synthesized on hydroxypropylmethacrylate pins based on the results of in silicopredictions. To detect the interaction between theserum autoantibodies and the immobilized synthetic peptides, modified ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) was performed with pin-attached peptides testing the serum samples of ten patients and four healthy donors. We identified five possible epitope regions (aa86-110, aa196-220, aa226-250, aa326-340, and aa486-520) within the Dsg1 protein sequence and four possible epitope regions (aa64-78, aa330-344, aa375-399, aa446-460) within the Dsg3 protein sequence using these methods. Our data showed that serum autoantibodies of patients, previously identified as Dsg1 and Dsg3 positive, are able to recognize continuous linear epitope regions of both Dsg1 and Dsg3 proteins using pin-bound overlapping peptides in modified ELISAs.
Dissolved and particulate phosphorus concentration and export patterns in headwater streams draining Boreal Plain watersheds one year after experimental forest harvest and post-harvest silvicultural activities

This study examined total dissolved (TDP) and particulate phosphorus (PP) concentration and export in nine headwater streams draining Boreal Plain forests in Alberta, Canada, during the growing season and autumn before and in the first year after winter harvest in four of the watersheds. Mechanical and chemical site preparation was also conducted before and during the post-harvest sampling period. During the growing season, TDP and PP concentrations in streams draining harvested watersheds were higher than in the reference streams at storm peaks (P ≤ 0.08) and along the falling limbs of storm flows (P ≤ 0.03). We postulate that forestry activities enhanced TDP leaching from watershed soils after they became saturated. This promoted the growth of periphyton in streams, which subsequently sloughed off during high flows. In autumn, TDP concentrations were higher in streams draining harvested watersheds along the rising limb, at the storm peaks, and along the falling limbs (P ≤ 0.05). However, PP concentratio.
STUDIES ON THE VARIATION OF MICROFLORA DURING THE FERMENTATION OF ANCHOVY, ENGRAULIS JAPONICA

Identification and change of microflora during the fermentation of anchovy Engraulis japonica, under the halophilic circumstance were investigated. The change of salinity and pH in meat and juice which decide the environment for microorganism and decomposition of nitrogenous compound which functions as a nutrient source were also discussed by measuring the content of total-N, amino-N, nonprotein-N, TMA and VBN, The fresh anchovy was mixed with rock salt (20 percent w/w) and stocked for six months. Through the fermentation lag phase of viable cells extended for 20 days that was obviously larger compared with other circumstances, hereafter increased to reach the maximum value of total count per gram at 35 day stock. The stationary phase proceeded for 25 days. 540 strains were isolated and among them 11 genus of bacteria, 3 genus of yeasts, were identified and other 2 yeast strains of unidentified. At the initial stage of fermentation, Pseudomonas, and Helobacterium prevalently grew, at the middle stage, they disappeared rapidly and Pediococcus and yeasts completely dominated, where they are assumed to get directly involved with fermentation of fish, The PH value tended to decrease in the progress of fermentation and at 100 day stock it showed the minimum value of 5.5 to 5.6 in both meat and juice. The highest salinity of meat decreased to 18 percent, while in juice it decreased to 28 percent since 50 days stock. The content of total-N in meat gradually decreased to 2.8 percent, while in juice it increased to 2.3 percent at 100 day stock, However nonprotein-N was 1.8 percent and amino-N was 1.1 Percent. Since 100 days stock, the increasing rate of amino-M is too low it could be judged to entered the final stage of fermentation, In the first 20 days stock, the increase of VBN and TMA can be explained by the growth of putrefactive bacteria such as pseudomonas on the meat before salts penetrate into the fish meat, while reincrement after 100 days stock, is explained by decomposition of free amino acid due to the reactions of bacteria and enzymes.
Effect of linseed and rapeseed or linseed and rapeseed oil on performance, slaughter yield and fatty acid deposition in edible parts of the carcass in broiler chickens

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of linseed and rapeseed or respective oils on performance indices, nutrient digestibility, metabolizable energy of diets, digesta viscosity, and yield and chemical composition of edible and non-edible parts of the carcass of broiler chickens, with particular attention to n-3 PUFA. Two experiments were performed on 134 female broiler chickens, randomly allocated to 3 groups of 22 birds (Experiment 1) or 2 groups of 24 birds (Experiment 2) and 10 birds to a zero group. The chickens were kept in individual cages. Five wheat-based and xylanase-supplemented diets containing about 80 g crude fat per kg were prepared. The source of added fat was in control diet lard (61 g/kg), in experimental diets half of the lard was substituted by: linseed oil (LO) or full-fat linseed (L), rapeseed oil (RO) or full-fat rapeseed (R). Chickens were given the control or experimental diets from days 8 to 42 of life, then they were slaughtered, the carcasses were divided into edible and non-edible parts, and their chemical composition determined. Feeding diet with rapeseed did not significantly affect BWG or FCR, while linseed caused an increase in feed intake and subsequent deterioration in FCR, which in groups C, LO, and L equalled 1.82, 1.73 and 2.0, respectively. The viscosity of jejunal digesta in group L reached 4.5 mPas.s in comparison with about 1.5 in all of the remaining groups. Organic matter retention and AMEN value of diet L was lower than in diets C and LO (P≤0.05), while apparent protein and fat digestibility, organic matter retention, and the AMEN value of diet R was lower than RO (P≤0.01). Protein retention and meat yield was lower in group L than in both of the other groups (P≤0.05). The deposition * Supported in part by the State Committee for Scientific Research, Grant No. 5 P06E 031 15 1 Corresponding author: e-mail s.smulikowska@ifzz.pan. pl 272 FULL FAT SEEDS AND OILS FOR CHICKENS 273 NGUYEN C.V. ET AL. of n-3 PUFA in the carcass was in groups R and RO 2 times greater, in groups L and LO 8 times greater than in the control group. The ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA, which approximated 10 in edible parts of broilers from the control group, decreased to about 4.7 in groups R and RO, and to about 1.3 in groups L and LO. This shift may be considered favourable for consumers of broiler meat, as an increase of n-3 fatty acid intake is connected with health benefits in humans.
Techniques to regulate sex ratio and breeding in Tilapia

Available information on the advantages and limitations of the techniques of hybridization and hoemone treatment for the production of all male tilapias is summarized. The critical minimum dose to ensure 100% sex reversal is determined for Oreochromis mossambicus. The possibility of producing triploid and tetraploid O, mossambicus through heat shock treatment of fertilized eggs is described.