Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Den use, home range and territoriality of the koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) with implications for current forest management strategies

Abstract. The koomal (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) is a declining subspecies (‘near-threatened’), residing largely within the Western Australian jarrah forest, a forest managed for both conservation and for forestry (roughly half is available for logging). Information on the spatial dynamics of koomal is essential to evaluating whether logging prescriptions provide adequate protection for this threatened species. Here we describe the home range and territoriality of koomal, as well as the characteristics and use of their den trees, at multiple sites within the jarrah forest. We also compare the characteristics of den trees used by koomal against logging prescriptions and previous models that estimate availability of den trees. Results suggested that koomal home ranges varied between sites and sexes, with males having the larger home ranges. Koomal also maintained exclusive core territories, probably to protect their den trees from same-sex individuals. Den trees used by koomal had similar characteristics to those outlined in logging prescriptions, but also included two additional characteristics that may improve the retention of trees suitable for koomal: den trees were preferentially of marri (Corymbia calophylla) and wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) species, and had some level of canopy connectivity. Overall, findings from this study should help future evaluations of the effectiveness of logging prescriptions in providing adequate den availability for koomal.
Genera Tylopilus, Suillus and Strobilomyces of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract A total of four species of mushrooms are reported in this paper. These are Tylopilus shaukatii, Suillus bekhsus, S. shardasus and Strobilomyces reticulates. Their edibility, non-edibility, chemical composition as well as distribution, habitat and taxonomic position are clarified. They belong to families Boletaceae and Ganodermataceae.
Reduction of ferrimyoglobin in meat

A diverse body of literature is integrated and discussed in this review of the production of ferrimyoglobin in fresh red meat, and the probable role(s) of muscle mitochondria in the enzymic reductive process is developed. A major purpose of this review is to bring key unanswered questions into focus and, hopefully, to stimulate and perhaps point the way for further research into this inadequately understood area. It is the authors view that as the cutting and packaging of fresh red meat becomes increasingly centralized a thorough understanding of the biochemistry of in situ, heme pigment reduction will, in addition to its own intrinsic scientific interest, prove to be of value in providing a rationale for refining ante‐ and post‐mortem treatment and handling practices aimed at, among other things, optimizing color maintenance of consumer cuts of fresh red meat.
The contribution of the gibberellin-insensitive semi-dwarfing (Rht) genes to genetic variation in wheat seedling growth in response to osmotic stress

SUMMARY The effects of various gibberellin-insensitive semi-dwarfing (Rht) alleles and background genotypes on the growth response of wheat seedlings to simulated low water potential were investigated. Four sets of near-isogenic lines, each consisting of six members (Rht-B1a+Rht-D1a (rht), Rht-B1b, Rht-B1c, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1b+Rht-D1b and Rht-B1c+Rht-D1b), and one set of five members (rht, Rht-B1b, Rht-B1c, Rht-B1d and Rht-D1b) were germinated in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The growth responses were assessed by measuring the lengths of the longest root, coleoptile and longest leaf (shoot) and calculating the root length:shoot length ratio and a tolerance index (TI). Seedling growth was significantly affected by the allelic status at the Rht loci, background genes and the water potential. The PEG treatment had major effects on root and shoot growth. Coleoptile growth was mainly affected by the Rht alleles. There were significant interactions of the Rht allele and variety on the growth response to low water potential. Genotypes with longer roots, coleoptiles and shoots when grown in water, as determined by the Rht allelic status (rht, Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b) and varietal background, had the highest TI and maintained this advantage under stress, while genotypes with smaller seedlings (Rht-B1c and Rht-B1c+Rht-D1b) when grown in water were more strongly affected.
Rapid identification of B biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) based on analysis of internally transcribed spacer 1 sequence

Abstract B biotype is a reasonably important biotype among all known biotypes in the Bemisia tabaci species complex. Local populations of B. tabaci on different host plants were collected from across the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Pakistan and Israel. From each population of B. tabaci, an internally transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal rDNA gene was amplified, cloned and the sequence determined. Sequence homology analyses were performed and the results were similar to those based on morphology and biological characters. Based on analysis of the internally transcribed spacer 1 sequences, a B biotype‐specific primer was designed. The PCR diagnosis results showed that B biotype is identifiable by a specific PCR product by using the forward diagnostic primer paired with a universal reverse primer. This diagnostic primer‐based protocol can be used for preliminary analysis of mixed Bemisia populations containing B biotype, as well as other biotypes.
Variância e média da massa de frutos de abobrinha-italiana em múltiplas colheitas

The variance associated to the production of plants with multiple harvests is not always homogeneous, what compromises the experimental precision. To address this issue, in this work we identified (1) the behavior of the means and variance for fruit mass in zucchini (Curcubita pepo) along harvests, between planting rows within and betweens harvests, and (2) the interference of different crop managements over these parameters. The experiment was carried out in two seasons, winter-spring (I/P) and summer-autumn (V/O), 2004/2005, using cultivar Caserta and two plastic tunnels (T1 and T2), with three 25-plant rows in each tunnel. In T1, drip irrigation was used, combined with mulching over the ridges, and less biocide spraying than in T2. In T2, sprinkler irrigation was used, placed 1,8 m height, without mulching. The Bartlett test was applied to the six planting row variances within each harvest and to the average variance of each row to check the homogeneity between harvests in each crop season. The t test was used to compare the production means in each planting row, in each harvest, in each tunnel, and also between planting rows, for plants with the same position in the tunnel. In the V/O season, variances were homogeneous in two out of the eleven harvests. In season I/P, variances were homogeneous in ten of the thirteen harvests. In both seasons, variance homogeneity was higher in the first half of the cycle. In V/O, variances in T1 were in general smaller than in T2 in the whole cycle. In both seasons there was variance heterogeneity between harvests. In V/O, significant differences were observed in six and three harvests, respectively in T1 and T2, with production means reaching 481.0 and 454.0 g plant-1 T1 and T2, respectively. In I/P, significant differences were observed in the first (T1) and fourth and fifth harvests (T2), with the means for fruit mass reaching 598.2 (T1) and 597.4 g plant-1 (T2).
Species richness in vascular vegetation of the West Head, New South Wales

We present data on vascular plant species richness, at the 0.1 ha scale and below, of sclerophyll vegetation on infertile sandstone, and some neighbouring types, in a non-mediterranean climate area of temperate, east coast Australia The vegetation of sandstone is richer in species than is that of a permanently wet swamp (18/0.1 ha) or of more fertile soils (36, s.d.- 2). On sandstone, woodlands on moderate benched slopes (77, s.d. = 9) are richer in species than are the scrubs found on skeletal (56, s.d.= 7) or impeded drainage (48, s.d.= 8) soils, and this difference appears in the species-area curve from 100 m2 up. Species richness of the sandstone vegetation, like its growth-form mix, is very similar to species richness of South African fynbos and southwestern Australian heath. which supports the idea that the community properties of this sort of vegetation are not determined by climate but are determined by soils. The strong contrast in species richness, noted by Naveh & Whittaker (1979), between the mediterranean-climate vegetation of South Africa and southwestern Australia on the one hand, and California and Israel on the other, need not be attributed to different evolutionary histories of the floras. The present environment, in the form of the soil factor, could well be the main determinant.
Effects of urea and soybean meal supplementation on rates of plasma leucine turnover and protein synthesis in sheep fed concentrate-based diets

The isotope dilution method of [1-13C]leucine (Leu) and open-circuit calorimetry were used to determine the effects of urea and soybean meal (SBM) supplementation on rates of plasma Leu turnover and whole body protein synthesis (WBPS) in sheep fed concentrate-based diets. The experiment was performed in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design. The control diet (Control diet) consisted of timothy hay and ground corn. The urea supplemented diet (Urea diet) was supplemented with 3.1% urea of the Control diet. The SBM diet was similar to nitrogen and ME contents to the Urea diet by replacing 40% ground corn of the Control diet to the SBM. Plasma urea concentration was higher (P<0.05) for the SBM and Urea diets compared with the Control diet, but plasma ammonia concentration remained similar for all diets. Plasma free amino acid concentration also remained unchanged between the diets, except for plasma glycine concentration. Plasma Leu turnover rate and WBPS did not differ between the diets, but they were numerically higher for the SBM diet compared with the Control and Urea diets. These results suggest that in sheep, urea and SBM supplementation influence little on plasma Leu and protein metabolism, when concentrate-based diets are given.
Spleen mass, body condition, and parasite load in male American mink (Neovison vison)

Abstract One demand to which organisms must allocate energy for maintenance, growth, and reproduction is the immune system. Because the immune system is energetically costly, spleen size is expected to be condition-dependent. Parasites also can influence spleen size. Parasites draw resources from their host, with consequences for host body condition. Male American mink (Neovison vison) were examined for parasite prevalence, intensity, and richness to test several predictions: individuals in good condition have large spleens; heavily parasitized individuals have large spleens; and heavily parasitized individuals are in poorer condition than individuals with few parasites. Spleen mass was related positively to both body condition and parasite richness, but spleen mass was not associated with prevalence or intensity of individual parasites. Body condition was related weakly to the intensity of parasitism by the giant kidney worm and sinus worm, but otherwise parasite prevalence, intensity, or richness were not associated with body condition. These results are similar to those found in studies of birds, suggesting that comparable processes occur in mammals.
Further Experiments on the Action of Emetine in Cultures of Entamoeba histolytica

In 1926 two of us published the results of a long series of experiments on the toxic action of the alkaloids of ipecacuanha in cultures of several species of entozoic amoebae. These experiments led us to definite conclusions regarding the differential susceptibility of the various species of amoebae studied, and the relative potency of several alkaloids employed. They also showed clearly that the full specific action of emetine, on susceptible amoebae, is only disclosed if the alkaloid is allowed to act for a sufficient time (two or three days.)
An expert-based classification of high-altitude arctic-alpine vegetation of the class Carici rupestris-Kobresietea Ohba 1974: Achievements and obstacles

The specific species-rich high-altitude vegetation of the class Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardii Ohba 1974 (CK), with the occurrence of many arctic-alpine and endemic species, was chosen for a case study. The analyses were based on a dataset of 37,204 phytosociological relevés from the Slovak Vegetation Database. The traditional classification of the class CK, based on cluster analyses, was reproduced satisfactorily by means of formalised classification, based on the formal definitions created by the Cocktail method together with the frequency-positive fidelity index affiliation. Unequivocal assignment criteria for all eight associations of both alliances [Oxytropido-Elynion Br. -Bl. (1948) 1949 and Festucion versicoloris Krajina 1933] of the class CK were formulated. The formal delimitations followed the traditional ones very well. It was demonstrated that the results of applying the formal definitions created on the basis of a large, geographically stratified dataset capturing the occurrence of all vegetation types in Slovakia were highly similar in comparison with the traditional classification based on the results of cluster analysis. The reliability and the pros and cons of the expert system are also discussed.
Reorganization and cleanness of peridomiciliar area to control sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in South Brazil

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the impact of the reorganization and cleaning of the peridomicily seeking the control of Phlebotominae vectors of Leishmania. Collections of insects were made in domestic animal shelters and in peridomiciliar area located in Jussara farm, Municipality of Jussara, State of Parana, Brazil where cutaneous leishmaniasis has been endemic. The collections were accomplished five nights for month of the 21:00pm for fie hours, in 1996 and 1997. The results were compared the those obtained in the same places in 1992 and 1994. After the collections of 1992 peridomiciliar area was cleaned and organic matter was removed and domestic animals were reallocated. In 1992, 1994 and 1996/97, 10, 7 and 12 Phlebotominae species were observed. Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani was predominant species in whole the collection. The total population of phlebotomine in 1992 was 64,725. After the reorganization measures and cleaning the phlebotomine population decrease in 90%. In 1996/97 the environmental conditions retaked the patterns of the beginning of the work and the population increased for 61.51%. The present work demonstrates that the reorganization and cleaning of the peridomicily can take to a decrease in the Phlebotominae population and like this to decrease the risk of transmission of Leishmania in endemic areas.
Distribution of wood-boring bivalves in the Mamanguape River estuary, Paraíba, Brazil

Wood-boring bivalves of the families Teredinidae and Pholadidae are reported for the first time in Paraíba State, north-east Brazil. During one year, molluscs were collected from mangrove tree logs and from wood panels, along a salinity gradient. Four teredinid (Neoteredo reynei, Teredo bartschi, Nausitora fusticula, Bankia fimbriatula) and one pholad species (Martesia striata) were found.
Characterization Of Biocides Resistant Isolates From Dental Unit Water Line Biofilms By Culture Dependent Approach

The importance of biocides resistant bacterial strains in medicine, industry and the environment has gained significant attention. Microbial contamination of dental unit waterlines is thought to be the result of biofilm formation within the small-bore tubing used for these conduits. Our objectives were to characterize biocides resistant isolates from dental unit water line biofilm (DUWL) using the standard laboratory approaches. Growth curves of isolates established in biocides free and supplemented medium demonstrated less growth in the presence of biocides. O10 | P a g e ptimum pH was 7 whereas; optimum temperature was 37°C. Isolates showed resistance against multiple of heavy metals while fewer antibiotics. Genetic studies were accomplished by performing conjugation and transformation experiments. In two isolates (AWT 21 and PTNPF) transconjugants were observed, while no transformant was recorded in any case. Overall, the findings of this study can be used to profile the metabolic effects of new biocides or biocide combinations upon biocides resistant biofilm isolates from clinical environment.
High conifer diversity in Oligo-Miocene New Zealand

Eight species of Podocarpaceae foliage are recognised from the late Oligocene or early Miocene Newvale site, South Island, New Zealand, and the following five new species are described: two of Dacrydium Lamb. and one each of Dacrycarpus (Endl.) de Laub. , Phyllocladus Rich. ex Mirb. and Halocarpus Quinn. The latter is the first macrofossil record of this New Zealand endemic genus. All these conifers, plus Agathis Salisb. , Microcachrys Hook.f. and Podocarpus Pers. , co-occurred in the local vegetation at Newvale. In conjunction with prior records of macrofossils and pollen, these fossils indicate that the late Paleogene to early Neogene conifer flora of New Zealand was very diverse, with all but one of the extant genera present, together with several regionally or globally extinct genera, and multiple species of many of these genera. This fossil diversity is similar to the Paleogene fossil conifer diversity observed in south-eastern Australia (and particularly Tasmania) and in parts of North America.
Effects of pollen competition on the reproductive performance in cucurbit hybrids (Cucurbitaceae): F1 and backcross generations

We examined the effect of pollen competition on the reproductive performance of Cucurbita F1 and backcross progeny while attempting to control for nongenetic maternal effects and nonrandom seed abortion as possible explanations for the data. We compared the vigor of F1 and backcross progeny produced from large and small pollen loads under field conditions. The results from both field studies indicated that the progeny produced from large pollen loads outperformed the progeny produced from small pollen loads for several measures of vigor. The F1 progeny produced from large pollen loads germinated faster, and produced 12% more staminate flowers and 9% more pistillate flowers than the progeny from the small pollen loads. Similarly, the backcross progeny produced from large pollen loads germinated faster, and produced 8% more pistillate flowers and 20% more fruits than the progeny from the small pollen loads. This study demonstrates a positive correlation between the size of the pollen load and the vigor of t.
Utilização de biossólido no crescimento inicial de mudas de aroeira (Schinus terebynthifolius Raddi)

This work aimed to evaluate sewage sludge as substrate component for aroeira seedling growth. Substrates were composed of soil samples collected at 0.2-0.5 m depth from a Quartzarenic Neosol or from a Red-Yellow Latosol, with sewage sludge produced by the Sewage Treatment Station (Estacao de Tratamento de Esgoto - ETE) located in Serrania, Minas Gerais, in five proportions: 100:0; 80:20; 60:40; 40:60 and 20:80, being all without mineral fertilizers. Thirty days after sowing, thinning was carried out to one plant per pot. Aroeira growth after 60 days was evaluated by shoot and root dry weight, total dry matter, stem diameter, plant height, leaf area, shoot height/stem and diameter shoot/root ratio. Amendments with sewage sludge increased substrate fertility as indicated by P, K, Ca, Mg concentrations, CEC and SB values, organic matter and micronutrient contents, which promoted growth of stem diameter, plant height, shoot and root dry weight, total dry matter, leaf area, and shoot/root ratio in aroeira seedlings . The effect of sewage sludge on aroeira seedlings growth varied according to the different proportions of sewage sludge. Maximum growth was obtained with the proportion 37% of sewage sludge + 63% of Quartzarenic Neosol or Red-Yellow Latosol. Heavy metal concentration in all substrates was below the limits allowed by CETESB.
Solution-focused group therapy for drug users in Japanese prison: nonrandomized study

Objective: Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) has shown treatment effects for a range of clients but not specifically for drug users in Asian populations. We exploratively examined the treatment effects of SFBT on drug use. Methods: Participants were 60 inmates in a Japanese prison who were convicted of a drug-related offense. They were non-randomly assigned to the SFBT group, treatment as usual (TAU) group, or mail feedback (Mail) group. They completed the Stimulant-Relapse Risk Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale before the start and after the end of these programs. Results: The SFBT and TAU groups showed more improvement on the Stimulant-Relapse Risk Scale than the Mail group did. However, the two groups did not show improvement on the depression scale. Conclusions: SFBT is applicable to Asian drug users. The practical application of SFBT in Asian populations is discussed.
Profile of ingested fatty acids and in the duodenal digest of steers fed different diets

It was evaluated in this study the effect of the type of the diet on duodenal flow of long-chain fatty acids in steers. The tested diets were the following: conventional (feedlot diet composed of 60% corn silage and 40% of concentrate); winter forage silage - rye grass (Lolium multiflorum, Lam); or tropical forage silage - association of millet (Pennisetum americanum, Leeke + alexander grass, Brachiaria plantaginea). Six Charolais × Nellore crossbred steers with cannulas in duodenum were used in a 3 × 3 double Latin square. Dry material intake was similar among the groups (mean of 4,037 g/day), but the intake of total fatty acids and saturated fatty acids were higher in the group fed tropical pasture silage. On the other hand, the animals which received the conventional diet consumed higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids. Tropical pasture silage provided higher consumption of vacenic acid (C18:1 t-11) and the winter forage silage offered higher consumption of conjugated linoleic acid. The intake of omega-6 fatty acids was higher in the group fed conventional diet and for omega-3, intake was higher in the group fed tropical pasture diet. The total fatty acid flow in the duodenum was not affected by the diets, but in all treatments it was higher than the consumed one. The animals fed diet with concentrate show the greatest changes on the profile of fatty acids during the ruminal fermentation. Conventional diets provide the highest intake of unsaturated fatty acids and the highest availability of vacenic acid in the small intestine, but they do not increase the supply of intestinal conjugated linoleic acid.