Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Fiber Diets with Reduced Crude Protein for Commercial Layers

This study aimed at evaluating diets containing different fiber sources and two crude protein levels on the performance, egg quality, and nitrogen metabolism of commercial layers. In total, 392 48-wk-old Isa Brown layers were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 3x2+1 (control) factorial arrangement, resulting in seven treatments with seven replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of three fiber feedstuffs (cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, and rice hulls) and two dietary crude protein levels (12% and 16%). Cottonseed hulls associated with the high crude protein level (16%) resulted in the worst feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs. Diets with 16% crude protein resulted in the highest feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass values, and improved feed conversion ratio (kg eggs/kg feed). The dietary inclusion of soybean hulls determined low yolk pigmentation, and of rice hulls, low egg specific gravity. The 16% crude protein diet with rice hulls promoted the best feed conversion ratio. Hens fed the reference diet presented higher egg mass and better feed conversion ratio per kg eggs and per dozen eggs. Hens fed the diets with low crude protein level (12%) had reduced nitrogen excretion, but presented worse egg production.
An anatomical investigation of calcicolous endolithic lichens from the Trieste karst (NE Italy)

ABSTRACT The anatomy of five endolithic lichens (Acrocordia conoidea, Petractis clausa, Rinodina immersa, Verrucaria baldensis, and V. marmorea) from the Trieste Karst (north-eastern Italy) was thoroughly investigated. Samples already used in previous ecophysiological studies were examined by histological and mineralogical techniques, and by SEM. Biomineralisation products were searched for by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray microdiffractometry, and Fourier Transformed Infrared spectrophotometry. The results confirm that the photobiont layer is located approximately at the same depth in the substratum, although the species occur in habitats with strongly different light regimes; the thallus development is relatively constant within populations of a single species, but differs considerably among species. Several peculiarities of each species were revealed, such as the presence of large clews of hyphae in the inner layer of P. clausa, forming large voids in the substratum, or the development of morphologically .
Selection for height growth and Pilodyn pin penetration in lodgepole pine: effects on growth traits, wood properties, and their relationships

The effects of selection using indices of height growth and wood density based on Pilodyn pin penetration (PIN) and the relationships among growth traits and wood properties were investigated in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.). Four subpopulations were constructed by selecting 10 open-pollinated families in each of four categories: (i) fast height growth and high wood density, (ii) slow height growth and high density, (iii) fast height growth and low density, and (iv) slow height growth and low density. Eleven-year growth, PIN, and wood-density traits generated from X-ray densitometry were analyzed. We found that selection of subpopulations using indices of height and PIN resulted in significant differences among subpopulations in most growth and wood-density parameters. However, PIN underestimated the wood density of families with large diameter. Disk density was found to be moderately negatively correlated with diameter growth, weakly negatively correlated with ste.
Structure and Catalytic Behavior of Alumina Supported Bimetallic Au-Rh Nanoparticles in the Reduction of NO by CO

Alumina-supported bimetallic AuRh catalysts, as well as monometallic reference catalysts, were examined with regard to their structural and catalytic properties in the reduction of NO by CO. Depending on the molar ratio of Au:Rh, the nanoparticles prepared by borohydride co-reduction of corresponding metal salt solutions had a size of 3.5–6.7 nm. The particles consisted of well-dispersed noble metal atoms with some enrichment of Rh in their surface region. NO conversion of AuRh/Al2O3 shifted to lower temperatures with increasing Rh content, reaching highest activity and highest N2 selectivity for the monometallic Rh/Al2O3 catalyst. This behavior is attributed to the enhanced adsorption of CO on the bimetallic catalyst resulting in unfavorable cationic Rh clusters Rh+-(CO)2. Doping with ceria of AuRh/Al2O3 and Rh/Al2O3 catalysts increased the surface population of metallic Rh sites, which are considered most active for the reduction of NO by CO and enhancement of the formation of intermediate isocyanate (-NCO) surface species and their reaction with NO to form N2 and CO2.
Light and Transmission Electron Microscopy of Two Spermatogenic Pathways and Unimorphic Spermatozoa in Venustaconcha ellipsiformis (Conrad, 1836) (Bivalvia: Unionoida)

ABSTRACT This study followed the typical and atypical pathways of spermatogenesis in Venustaconcha ellipsiformis (Conrad, 1836) (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae), during an entire year and documents the developmental stages of both using light and transmission electron microscopy. The spermatozoa produced by both pathways were essentially morphologically identical and contained a single acrosomal vesicle. Production of spermatozoa in the two pathways overlapped from May to October, and vitellogenic eggs were present over this same time period. Atypical spermatogenesis also occurred from November through April. The typical pathway involved the mitotic and meiotic divisions that include spermatogonial cells, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and mature spermatozoa. In contrast, atypical spermatozoa appeared to be produced in a pathway that included spermatozoa morulae and spermatids produced from spermatogonial cells located in Sertoli cells. Large amorphous inclusions (Al) observed in Sertoli cells, and apparently acting as secondary lysosomes in digesting morulae, are described for the first time. The morphology of the Al was variable, with the Al sometimes containing structures that were organelle-like in appearance and some of the Al appeared to merge together. Phagocytes associated with both the typical and atypical pathways, but distinct from Sertoli cells, were observed clearing the acini of cellular debris. Immunoelectron microscopy detected the presence of both female-transmitted (F) and male-transmitted (M) mitochondria in the spermatozoa present in July (when fertilization takes place). We propose that the necessity of producing spermatozoa with F and M mt genome-bearing mitochondria, to maintain dioecy and 50 : 50 sex ratios in freshwater bivalve populations, accounts for the > 200 million year maintenance of two spermatogenic pathways in the Unionoida.
Positive relationship between regional distribution and local abundance in stream insects: a consequence of niche breadth or niche position?

A positive relationship between regional distribution and local abundance of species is almost ubiquitous macroecological pattern, yet the mechanisms behind this pattern remain poorly understood. I tested for the relationship between regional distribution and local abundance of stream insect species in a boreal drainage system, with a specific aim to examine if this relationship follows the mechanistic basis of either the niche-based (niche breadth and niche position) or metapopulation models. There was a positive relationship between regional distribution and local abundance of stream insects, and there also were significant relationships between distribution/abundance and niche breadth or niche position. These results thus suggest that widely distributed species tend to be, on average, locally more abundant, have wider niches and lower marginality of niche position with regard to environmental factors than species that have more restricted distributions. However, although significant, there was much unexplained variability around these relationships, suggesting that other mechanisms (e.g. metapopulation dynamics) besides differences in species' niches are likely to affect the distribution and abundance of stream insects, at least within a drainage system. The results thus showed that 1) although niche position was more consistently related to the positive distribution-abundance relationship, ecologists should not abandon niche breadth as a potential mechanism behind this relationship, and 2) that several mechanisms are likely to act in concert in determining the relationship between distribution and abundance of species.
Landed and discarded catches from commercial prawn trammel net fishery

Summary This study presents estimates of numbers and biomass of discarded and landed catches from the commercial prawn trammel net fishery in Izmir Bay. A total of 43 finfish and 29 invertebrate species were identified in catches sampled between May and October 2003, with 26 species landed by fishers and 46 species discarded. Melicertus kerathurus, Mullus barbatus and Solea solea dominated the landed catches. Average ratio of landed to discarded fish by number and weight was estimated as 1 : 2.32 and 1 : 0.77, respectively, demonstrating relatively low by-catch ratios compared to other shrimp by-catch studies. This study shows that trammel nets have a much lower discard ratio than the shrimp trawls in other parts of the world. The benefits of shifting toward passive trammel nets in coastal areas are discussed.
Labor Mobility and Capital Misallocation in the Mutual Fund Industry

This paper studies how fund managers' mobility across mutual fund firms affects the efficiency in the allocation of capital across managers. To overcome the endogeneity of fund managers' mobility, I exploit exogenous shocks to managers' ability to change employer via state-level legislation changes increasing the enforceability of non-compete agreements. I find that these policy changes lead to a reduction by half of the propensity of fund managers to switch mutual fund firms along with an increase in capital misallocation across managers by roughly 30% as well as a decline in value added of managers by more than $110 million at the state level. These results suggest that the labor market for mutual fund managers is an important channel through which the mismatch between capital and skill is reduced.
Morphological Analyses of the Mecardonia acuminata (Plantaginaceae) Species Complex in the Southeastern USA

Abstract The Mecardonia acuminata complex is a classic example of a widespread endemic species in the southeastern US. Morphological variations in the complex resulted in the classification of at least three varieties or subspecies for the species by previous botanists. However, the distributions and diagnostic features of two of the subspecies, peninsularis and microphylla, are unclear due to shared morphological features and widespread distribution of the subspecies acuminata. The present study involved examination and biostatistical analyses of 3 vegetative and 5 reproductive characters that were known to serve as diagnostic features of 1 or more taxa of the species. Results of the study indicate that subspecies peninsularis can be distinguished by its ascending peduncle angle of suspension, diffuse basal branching habit (dendriform at base) of the shoot and small leaves, especially in the southern ranges of the complex. Subspecies microphylla can be distinguished based on its short (<20 mm) fruit peduncles and divaricate peduncle angle of suspension. Subspecies acuminata comprises individuals with divaricate peduncle angle of suspension and long fruit peduncles (>20 mm). Subspecies acuminata was also observed to comprise many individuals that were intermediates of 2 or 3 subspecies. Discriminant function analyses on longitude, latitude, and biogeography as well as Wilks' lambda estimates suggest moderate to low clinal variation and a much broader historical range distribution of subspecies peninuslaris. The morphological variations in the species complex may be due to secondary contact with ongoing integration into subspecies acuminata.
G-protein-coupled Receptor Kinase Specificity for β-Arrestin Recruitment to the β2-Adrenergic Receptor Revealed by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer*

The small family of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) regulate cell signaling by phosphorylating heptahelical receptors, thereby promoting receptor interaction with β-arrestins. This switches a receptor from G-protein activation to G-protein desensitization, receptor internalization, and β-arrestin-dependent signal activation. However, the specificity of GRKs for recruiting β-arrestins to specific receptors has not been elucidated. Here we use the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR), the archetypal nonvisual heptahelical receptor, as a model to test functional GRK specificity. We monitor endogenous GRK activity with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay in live cells by measuring kinetics of the interaction between the β2AR and β-arrestins. We show that β2AR phosphorylation is required for high affinity β-arrestin binding, and we use small interfering RNA silencing to show that HEK-293 and U2-OS cells use different subsets of their expressed GRKs to promote β-arrestin recruitment, with significant GRK redundancy evident in both cell types. Surprisingly, the GRK specificity for β-arrestin recruitment does not correlate with that for bulk receptor phosphorylation, indicating that β-arrestin recruitment is specific for a subset of receptor phosphorylations on specific sites. Moreover, multiple members of the GRK family are able to phosphorylate the β2AR and induce β-arrestin recruitment, with their relative contributions largely determined by their relative expression levels. Because GRK isoforms vary in their regulation, this partially redundant system ensures β-arrestin recruitment while providing the opportunity for tissue-specific regulation of the rate of β-arrestin recruitment.
Prenatal Entrainment of Rat Testicular Malate Dehydrogenase Activity Circadian Rhythm

In mammals the photoperiodic synchronization of circadian system starts before birth. During fetal and neonatal period mothers relay the photoperiodic information to their litter. The maternal pineal melatonin 24 h cycle acts as a synchronizing signal. We have studied the effect of pineal maternal sympathetic denervation and administration of melatonin to mothers denervated during gestation on the prenatal synchronization of testicular malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity circadian rhythm of the offspring 25 days after birth. When mothers were denervated at the 7th, 10th or 11th day of gestation, pups showed disruption of testicular MDH activity circadian rhythms. In contrast, no disruptive effect was observed when the mothers were denervated on the 12th or 14th day of gestation. When denervated mothers (7th day of gestation) were treated with a daily dose of melatonin from the 11th to the 14th day of gestation, pups showed a MDH activity circadian rhythm. The hormone failed to impose a daily phase when ad.
Population differentiation in the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, in eastern North America

Isolates of Cryphonectria parasitica were sampled from American chestnut trees in 13 locations in eastern North America to study genetic differentiation and gene flow among subpopulations of this pathogen. Using data from six unlinked restriction fragment length polymorphism loci, we found significant differences in allele frequencies at all loci among the 13 subpopulations. Thirty-one percent of the total gene diversity was attributed to differences among subpopulations (G ST = 0.31). Genetic differentiation was examined for two subsets of data: one from between two subpopulations in Michigan, which were outside the natural range of the host, and the other from among nine subpopulations from ecologically similar sites (disturbed sites resulting from clearcutting and burning were eliminated). There were significant differences in allele frequencies at two loci between the two Michigan subpopulations, even though these sites were only 16 km apart. Differentiation was high between these subpopulations because two loci were fixed or nearly fixed for different alleles (G ST = 0.81). There was also differentiation among the nine subpopulations from ecologically similar sites (G ST = 0.20); significant differences in allele frequencies were found at five of the six loci. We attribute this level of differentiation to restricted gene flow among subpopulations. We did not, however, estimate gene flow quantitatively from these data because populations did not appear to be at equilibrium. There was no correlation between the estimated average number of migrants per generation between each pair of nine subpopulations and geographic distance. This correlation would be expected to be negative if populations were at equilibrium and gene flow was restricted to short distances (isolation by distance). The lack of correlation was interpreted as non-equilibrium conditions; therefore, gene flow would be overestimated
THE ALIMENTARY CANAL OF SCOLYTUS MULTISTRIATUS (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE): A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract A study of the anatomy and histology of the alimentary canal of Scolytus multistriatus Marsham suggests that the midgut diverticula are centres for the regeneration of the midgut cells and that the structure of the midgut epithelium and the proventriculus facilitate the rapid uptake of nutrients from food.
Distribution and seasonal occurrence of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on the Island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands.

A distinct distribution pattern for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, was determined from trap and fruit infestation data. C. capitata was found at upper elevations as expected. However, it was also found breeding in low-elevation localities along the coast and in major valleys of western Kauai. Traps in areas that receive little rainfall consistently caught higher numbers of C. capitata than those in areas that receive abundant rainfall. Hosts were generally abundant in ecotone areas between dry and wet habitats. The most important hosts were coffee, Coffea arabica L. , strawberry guava, Psidium cattleianum Sabine, and peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. There was evidence that C. capitata moved from these areas into certain dry areas. Generally, populations of C. capitata were absent from large areas of native forests except where the alien strawberry guava had invaded. Our study differed from previous studies by its heavy reliance on plastic fruit fly traps for delineating distributional limits of C. capitata over large and remote areas. Once flies were detected in an area, host fruit collection data were used to establish whether flies were breeding in an area.
An Analysis of a Vegetation--Microenvironmental Complex on Prairie Slopes in Saskatchewan

Variations in Vegetational Composition with Aspect and Position Gradients . 427 Phytosociological Ordiiiation of Stands . 427 Effect of Aspect, Positioil, and Vegetative Cover on the Environment Aspect 429 Position 432 Vegetative cover . 434 Vegetationi-Microeinvironnu-ient Correlations Relation between physiographic and phytosociological gradients . 434 Correlations between microenvironiniental factors and the phytosociological ordination . 435 Behavior of individual species . 436
Sorghum Root Morphogenesis and Growth. II. Manifestation of Heterosis 1

Three grain hybrids and their parents were compared until 40 days after emergence. Heterosis (advantage of the hybrid over the better parent) was significant in all hybrids for length of the seminal root, growth rate of adventitious roots and root volume. Heterosis for root volume was probably a result of increased number and improved growth of lateral root branches. Consistent heterosis was not apparent for number of adventitious roots per plant, nor for seminal or adventitious root dry matter.
Market Participation And Financial Viablity Analysis of Small Holder Pineapple Producers in Aleta Chucko Woreda Southern Ethiopia: Multinomial Log it and Net Present Value Analysis

In support of stimulating growth, economic development, food security and alleviating poverty, the analysis of the Factors affecting small holder pineapple producer’s market participation plays an important role in an ongoing or future pineapple market development plan. So as to contribute an appropriate policy design to improve pineapple marketing in the study area in particular and in Ethiopia in general, Thus this specific study was aimed to: analyze socio economic characteristics of pineapple producers; investigate financial viability of pineapple for producers; identify factors influencing the choice of pineapple marketing outlet in the study area; and analyze constraints of pineapple production and marketing. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to draw183 sample respondents. Semistructured questionnaires were used to collect data from small-scale pineapple farmers. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, net present value and internal rate of return approach and Multinomial Logit model. SPSS version20 and STATA version13 computer programs were used to process the data. The survey result showed that the Net Present Values (NPV) were positive indicating that the production of pineapple in Aleta Chucko Woreda was financially viable. This was further confirmed by the estimated Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The estimated IRR indicated that pineapple enterprise was by far higher than the cost of capital and hence financially viable. The sensitivity analysis performed on the Net Present Values for Aleta chucko Woreda revealed revenue to be the most sensitive and cost of chemical is least sensitive variable. The multinomial logit model analysis further showed that age, sex, education, access to contract market, market experience and pineapple yield volume were significantly influenced the choice of pineapple marketing outlets. Since the production of pineapple fruit was financially viable, there is the need for the intensification and expansion of the pineapple subsector suitability. The government and other policy makers should increase the marketing information and ability of pineapple farmers through avenues like mass media, extension service, and other means of capacity building.
Supplementation of a low protein diet in an attempt to optimize egg mass output

Pullets were brought into production on a low-protein corn, soybean meal diet to which various nutrients including essential amino acids, choline, corn oil and feathermeal were supplemented. Production commenced between 18 and 20 wk of age and up to at least 60% production, hens fed the low protein diets (10% CP) produced at least as many eggs and as great an egg mass as these given a 17% protein corn, soybean meal control diet. Pullets fed the corn, soybean meal test diets, peaked at around 80% as compared to slightly over 90% for the control. Egg production immediately fell for birds fed the test diets to around 70% for most of the test treatments. Body weight remained constant or fell after peak production for birds fed the test diets as compared to a normal increase for birds on the control diet. Egg size increased for the test diets at a rate which was comparable to that of the control birds. In a second experiment, with older hens, supplementation of the 10% protein test diet with methionine, lysine.