Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The comparative ultrastructure of spermatozoa from Bothrimonus sturionis Duv. 1842 (Pseudophyllidea), Pseudanthobothrium hanseni Baer, 1956 (Tetraphyllidea), and Monoecocestus americanus Stiles, 1895 (Cyclophyllidea)

The mature spermatozoa from Bothrimonus sturionis (Pseudophyllidea), Pseudanthobothrium hanseni (Tetraphyllidea), and Monoecocestus americanus (Cyclophyllidea) were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Transverse sections of the sperm of B. sturionis indicate that the number of sperm axonemes varies from one to eight, with approximately one-third of the sperm containing two axonemes. Likewise, the number of peripheral microtubules lying just within the external plasma membrane varies from 12 to 20. The nucleus is electron lucent and fibrous in appearance. The spermatozoa of B. sturionis show great variation in the material examined and the majority of them are believed to be aberrant. The spermatozoon of P. hanseni contains a single axoneme with the nucleus wrapped in a crescent around it in the anterior region of the sperm. The posterior portion of the spermatozoon is characterized by a helical flange which projects from the main body of the sperm. The spermatozoon of M. americanus is elongat.
Estimating lion population variables: prey and disease effects in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Context. Lion (Panthera leo Linnaeus, 1758) populations experience a range of ecological and human influences that affect their demography. Few lion populations have reliable estimates of population size, trends in these, or demographic profiles. Threats such as those imposed by diseases are thus hard to evaluate and respond to. Aims. To calibrate call-up stations and define survey effort required to achieve estimates with known precision, and extract age structures and estimate survival rates, to estimate lion numbers, sex and age structure and survival rates, and then to evaluate the effect of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) on estimates of lion density and survival. Methods.By using call-up stations, we developed a statistically robust approach to estimate selected population variables and evaluated the perceived threat of bTB in landscapes of varying prey biomass in the Kruger National Park. Key results. The size of the lion population was stable, although long intervals between present and historical estimates limit this conclusion. Density and survival rates associated positively with prey biomass, and a positive association was detected between the survival rate and bTB prevalence, with survival being higher in areas that had high prevalence of bTB. Male survival was lower than female survival, disregarding the effects of prey biomass or bTB prevalence. Body condition of lions was high, with scores lower at low to medium prey density. Conclusions. The effect of an exotic disease on the Kruger lion population may be negligible at present. Intra-specific competition in areas where lions live at high densities affects survival rate. However, droughts could disrupt the hierarchical influences of prey biomass and bTB prevalence on lion densities and survival. Implications. To evaluate the effect of an exotic disease on lion demography, population surveys should include age- and sex-structure assessments, complemented with focal studies of fecundity. This reflects the importance of understanding host–disease dynamics to inform management options.
The Seasonal Distribution of Recoveries and Causes of Blackbird Mortality

An analysis of ringing recoveries for Blackbirds since 1909 has shown a change in their seasonal distribution, fewer birds being found dead in winter. Proportionally more birds are now killed by traffic and cats in the breeding season. June-July is a critical period for juvenile Blackbirds, particularly if these months are relatively dry.
Effects of Nutrients and Hydroperiod on Typha, Cladium, and Eleocharis: Implications for Everglades Restoration

The recent expansion of Typha domingensis (Typha) into areas of the Ev- erglades previously dominated by Cladium jamaicense (Cladium) communities has led to competing hypotheses about the importance of nutrient concentration vs. hydroperiod in controlling the distribution of these species. In this study, experimental mixtures of Typha domingensis, Cladium jamaicense, and Eleocharis interstincta (Eleocharis), a member of the Cladium community, were subjected to two levels of nutrient concentration and three contrasting hydroperiods to determine how these variables might affect Typha's ability to displace the Cladium community. Mixtures of the three species were established in outdoor tanks containing soil from the northern Everglades region where the experiment was con- ducted. Nutrient treatments consisted of nutrient additions to adjust ambient water con- centrations to either 50 ,ug/L phosphorus (P) or 100 pug/L P plus nitrogen (N). The three hydroperiods were achieved by maintaining water depths within ranges observed in the northern Everglades. Maximum water depths of 15, 30, and 60 cm were established through- out the wet season (May-November) followed by lowering to 5 cm during the dry season. Over a 2-yr period, biomass was monitored nondestructively and aboveground material was harvested at the end of the experiment. Analysis of the biomass changes over time showed that differences between the species developed by the end of the first growing season. Typha and Eleocharis had initial growth rates substantially higher than those observed for Cladium. Typha's growth in mixtures responded positively to both elevated nutrients (by as much as 45%) as well as to increased water depth (by as much as 60%), while Cladium and Eleocharis did not increase in response to these variables. Tissue P concentrations were found to be higher for Typha and Eleocharis than for Cladium under nearly all conditions. Net accu- mulation of P in Typha shoots was 2-3 times greater than in the other species. The en- hancement of Typha by elevated nutrients and increased flooding is associated with a syndrome of life history characteristics that includes rapid growth rates, high tissue con- centrations of P, tall leaves, and a greater response to contrasting environmental conditions. Cladium, in contrast, showed a slow growth rate, low tissue concentrations of P, a greater capacity to resist invasion by Typha in shallow waters, and less of a growth response to contrasting environmental conditions, traits that would seem to be well suited to the nutrient- poor, hydrologically unstable conditions natural to the Everglades. Results from this study suggest that attempts to limit the spread of Typha should consider hydrologic restoration as well as reduction in surface water nutrients.
Assessment of Management Scenarios to Reduce Loggerhead Turtle Interactions with Shrimp Trawlers in Georgia

Abstract Recovery of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta populations depends on many factors, including reducing anthropogenic mortality of adult turtles. Shrimp trawls are considered a major source of mortality for adult loggerhead turtles despite the mandatory use of turtle excluder devices. We modeled scenarios for reducing the likelihood of interaction between nesting adult loggerhead turtles and shrimp trawlers operating off the coast of Georgia during the nesting season (May–August). We used satellite telemetry and aerial surveys to describe the distribution patterns of nesting adult female turtles (2004–2005; n = 22) and shrimp trawls (1999–2005), respectively, across waters adjacent to the Georgia shoreline. Adult female turtles and shrimp trawlers both occupied state waters extensively during the nesting season. Turtles tended to have long, narrow home ranges that were located parallel to shore and that overlapped with the shrimp trawl distribution, which showed a slight grouping around deep channels. We modeled the efficacy of fleet reductions and spatial closures (accounting for fleet redistribution) in reducing shrimp trawler activity around loggerhead turtles. A comparison of spatial closures indicated that a large closure of state waters (∼200 km2) east of Sapelo and Blackbeard islands would reducemean trawler activity levels in turtle home ranges.We also found that fleet reductions of 50% or more reduced potential interactions between turtles and trawlers. Although spatial closures produced a net total reduction in turtle-trawler interactions, fleet reductions yielded a reduction in such interactions across the study area. We recommend that to reduce loggerhead turtle-trawler interactions, state agencies should consider a limited-entry system or some other means to limit the number of vessels operating within state waters.
Telomere length change in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Telomeres, the repetitive sequences found at the end of chromosomes, are observed to shorten with age in birds and mammals, but to date no investigation on changes of telomere length has been made in long-lived marine fish during ageing. We have measured the telomere length of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) ranging in age from 12 to 94 months. No overall decrease of telomere length could be detected, but a broad range of intraspecies variation was observed. Telomere length change does not appear to be useful for estimating age in this species, but may prove a useful tool for examining individual fitness and response to stress.
A Synthetic Approach to the Glycan Chain of High Mannose Type N-Glycoprotein

Abstract The syntheses of α-D-glucopyranose-(1→3)-D-mannopyranose, methyl α-D-glucopyranose-(1→3)-α-D-mannopyranoside and methyl α-D-glucopyranose-(1→3)-α-D-mannopyranose-(1→2)-α-D-mannopyranoside are reported. High stereoselectivity was observed during the coupling of glucose and mannose residues by the use of glucosyl trichloroacetimidate as donor.
Resource levels, reproduction and resistance to haematozoan infections

Compromise of immune function during reproduction may form a link between parental effort and the cost of reproduction, but the role of environmental variation in structuring intra–individual life–history trade–offs has been poorly investigated. We manipulated the need for parental effort in Eurasian kestrels, Falco tinnunculus, by food–supplementing broods for three nestling periods, during which the natural main food supply (voles) varied, and found that parental parasitaemia was inversely related to yearly vole densities. The level of parasitaemia in females was, however, reduced by food supplements. No effect on males was expected, as earlier work has shown that only females responded to the supplements by changing their behaviour. We show directly that the likelihood of female parasitaemia was diminished by spending less time in flight–hunting, which was related to reproduction during a good vole year, to our supplementary feeding, and to being mated to a male with high parental effort. Our results represent a novel direct benefit for females in resource – providing species, linked to female, as well as offspring, well–being, and they provide insight into why the appearance of reproductive costs may be linked to gender or environmental conditions.
Macrofungi of Hatila Valley National Park (Artvin, Turkey)

The taxonomic study of 382 samples collected from Hatila Valley National Park (Artvin, Turkey) revealed 126 taxa of macromycetes, belonging to 34 families and 60 genera. Two of them, Arrhenia acerosa (Fr.) Kuhn. (Tricholomataceae) and Entoloma politum (Pers.: Fr.) Donk. (Entolomataceae), are new records for Turkey.
SUCCESSIONAL REPLACEMENT OF OLD-GROWTH WHITE OAK BY MIXED MESOPHYTIC HARDWOODS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Presettlement forests in southwestern Pennsylvania were dominated by Quercusalba L. A relatively undisturbed remnant of this forest type on a mesic site was surveyed to investigate the successional status of Q. alba in the region. This old-growth stand is now dominated by Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh. , Acerrubrum L. , and Liriodendrontulipifera L. , representing 62% of the importance value total. Oaks (Q. alba, Q. rubra L., and Q. velutina Lam.) totalled only 18% of the importance value total. The overstory mainly comprised L. tulipifera, F. grandifolia, Q. alba, and Nyssasylvatica Marsh. Acerrubrum and Prunusserotina Ehrh. were the most abundant seedlings, and few saplings of any species were present. The oldest and largest trees were oak, with two Q. alba >300 years. Over 90% of all trees were <120 years old, including many F. grandifolia, L. tulipifera, A. rubrum, and A. saccharum Marsh. , but few oaks. Logging of several trees in the 1930–1940s apparently accelerated the speed of obtaining dominance for these m.
Sex steroid profiles in female and male stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) during final maturation induced by hormonal treatment

Summary Serum cortisol, testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), oestradiol-17b, progesterone, 17,20b, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen3-one (20bS) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas) held at the fish farm during final maturation induced using pituitary preparation (PP) in females and lutenizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LH-RH-A) in males. Testosterone had surged by 5 h after the first injection of PP (5% of total dose), tended to increase after the second injection of PP (95% of total dose) and then the sharp decrease in females was followed by ovulation. Serum 20bS levels in females increased dramatically after the second injection of PP and decreased sharply after ovulation. Following hormonal treatment, 11KT levels decreased slightly in females, but increased significantly in males 24 h after LH-RH-A injection. Mean 11KT concentrations were significantly higher in males than in females. The results suggest that in sturgeon 11-KT is the dominant androgen and 20bS the maturation inducing steroid.
EFFECT OF SALINOMYCIN ON NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AND RETENTION BY GROWING PIGS FED CORN.SOYBEAN MEAL DIETS WITH OR WITHOUT OAT HULLS OR WHEAT BRAN

Four balance trials were conducted to determine the effect of the antibiotic salinomycin (SM) on nitrogen (N) and energy utilization and fiber component digestibility by swine fed low- or high-fiber diets. Treatments were corn-soybean meal control (C), 10% oat hull (OH) and 20% wheat bran (WB) diets, each with or without SM (82 mg kg−1). In trial 1A, 12 female pigs (34.6 kg) were fed the C or WB diets with or without SM for a 9-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d feces and urine collection period. In trial IB, the same pigs (50.5 kg) were fed the C or OH diets with previous fiber and SM levels reversed. Trial 2 was conducted in a similar fashion with the order of the fiber sources fed reversed (OH in trial 2A, 32.3 kg; WB in trial 2B, 44.7 kg). SM increased apparent N digestibility and N absorption (P < 0.01) in the WB trials, but also increased (P < 0.05) urine N and thus SM did not affect N retention. Although apparent N absorption was decreased (P < 0.06) by SM in the OH trials, this largely reflecte.
Development of flower buds in thin-layer cultures of floral stalk tissue from tobacco: Role of hormones in different stages

The in vitro development of flower buds was studied on tissue explants of epidermis and subepidermal cortex from the flower stalks of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun. The number of flower buds formed depended mainly on cytokinin concentration. Auxin acted as a modifier in a complex way. In early development, NAA at 1 μM decreased the number of buds initiated and delayed bud emergence. At a later stage, auxin promoted bud outgrowth at the same concentration. Optimal results were obtained when explants were first incubated at low auxin concentration for 3–5 days and subsequently transferred to an elevated auxin level. Physiological processes that lead to flower bud initiation start very soon after the onset of incubation. This was inferred from experiments whereby explants were first cultured at an inductive cytokinin concentration and then transferred to a non-inductive hormone level.
Clinical Evaluation of Luteal Function

The thermogenic effect of progesterone is the first recordable phenomenon attributable to the function of the corpus luteum (CL) to have been recognized in the course of normal cycles. 1 Later, the cyclic changes in the histology of the endometrium were described 2 and correlated with the secretion of ste roids. 3 The isolation of the progestationally active steroids and the identification of the structure of progesterone and its synthesis followed as the role of the CL itself was described in new detail. 4-7 Geor-geanna Seegar Jones, in her report "Some Newer Aspects of the Management of Infertility" in 1949, formalized the long-held concept 2,8,9 that the func tion of the CL might not be an all-or-none affair and that deficient function of the CL, termed "luteal phase defect" (LPD), might explain involuntary in fertility. 10 Although her characterization of endome trial histology was broad, she associated unexplained infertility with "interval secretory type" endome trium seen on premenstrual biopsies. Shortly after this report, a systematic description of the evolution of normal histologic events in the endometrium of the ovulatory cycle was published from the exhaus tive studies of Noyes, Hertig, and Rock. 11 This pro vided a means for quantitation of the progestational effect of the CL on the endometrium over time, and was now applied to assessing luteal adequacy; spe cific guidelines for making the diagnosis of LPD were published. 12-15 Careful review of the literature of that era finds the basis for the establishment of these criteria to be elusive. 16 Despite the appearance of other measures of luteal function 17-19 and a variety of challenges to the validity of the dated histology criteria, 12,20-22 the originally defined rules for estab lishing the diagnosis of LPD remain in wide clinical use today and endometrial histology is an almost universally recognized means of characterizing the function
EXPERIMENTAL EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITYON BREEDING BALD EAGLES

To assess the consequences of increased recreational activity in wilderness areas, we studied the effects of human activity on breeding behavior of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in interior Alaska. Activity budgets of breeding eagles changed considerably when humans were camped for 24 h at a distance of 100 m from nests (treatment) compared to when they were camped 500 m from nests (control) (P = 0.0036). With humans near nests, adult eagles decreased the time they preened (percentage change from control to treatment = −53%), slept (−56%), maintained nests (−50%), and fed themselves and their nestlings (−30%) and increased the time they brooded nestlings (+14%). Further, overall activity (total number of behaviors performed by adults at nests per day) decreased by 27% with humans near nests, as did the amount of prey adults consumed (−26%) and fed to nestlings (−29%). In contrast, nest attendance did not change with humans near nests (percentage change = 0.3%, P = 0.9); however, the time adults w.
Effectiveness of the bacterial gene codA encoding cytosine deaminase as a negative selectable marker in Agrobacterium‐mediated plant transformation

The usefulness of the E. coli codA gene encoding cytosine deaminase as a conditional toxic gene was explored during various stages of plant development and in different Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols. To this end, several independent tobacco lines transgenic for codA were isolated and these were tested for their sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) at different developmental stages. On media supplemented with 5-FC, seedling proliferation was inhibited. Leaves failed completely to regenerate sprouts on 5-FC-containing medium. However, 40% of the shoots regenerated on non-selective medium still formed roots on rooting medium with 5-FC. In all these assays, control plants were unaffected by up to 1 mg ml-1 5-FC. Transformation of a codA and nptII-harbouring T-DNA to tobacco leaf discs did not result in any regenerant using a combined 5-FC and kanamycin selection, indicating that codA does not behave as a cell-autonomous marker here. Nevertheless, transformation of the same T-DNA to tobacco protoplasts resulted in some enrichment of codA- nptII+ calluses using the proper combination of 5-FC and kanamycin for selection. Mixing of codA-containing and codA-lacking tobacco protoplasts revealed that the codA gene may behave as a cell autonomous marker under certain, appropriately chosen conditions, which seems to be in paradox with the total absence of escapes in tissue explant transformation. In all these experiments, 250 microgram ml-1 5-FC was found to be the most optimal for selection. Our results suggest that codA can be successfully used as a negative selectable marker in Agrobacterium-mediated gene targeting protocols of tobacco whereby selection at the shoot regeneration level is the most effective.
Sustained release of insulin from insoluble inhaled particles

Conventional slow‐acting insulin preparations for subcutaneous injection, e.g., suspensions of the complex with protamine and/or zinc, were reformulated as dry powders for inhalation and the insoluble aerosol tested for providing sustained insulin plasma levels. Large porous particles made of lactose, albumin, and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and incorporating insulin, protamine, and/or zinc chloride were prepared using spray‐drying. Integrity of insulin after spray‐drying and insulin insolubilization in spray‐dried particles was verified in vitro. The pharmacokinetic profile of the formulation delivered by inhalation and subcutaneous injection was assessed in vivo in the rat. The formulation process of insulin as dry powders did not alter insulin integrity and did not impede, in most cases, insulin insolubilization by protamine and/or zinc. Large porous insulin particles presented 7 μm mass mean geometric particle diameters, 0.1 g/cm3 bulk powder tap densities and theoretical aerodynamic diameters suitable for deep lung deposition (in the range of 2.2–2.5 μm). The dry powders exhibited 40% respirable fractions in the Andersen cascade impactor and 58–75% in the Aero‐Breather™. Insoluble inhaled insulin provided sustained insulin plasma levels for half a day, similar to injected insulin, and exhibited a bioavailability of 80.5% relative to subcutaneous injection of the same formulation. Drug Dev. Res. 48:178–185, 1999. ©1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Costs associated with leg autotomy in the harvestmen Leiobunum nigripes and Leiobunum vittatum (Arachnida: Opiliones)

The benefits of autotomy of appendages are usually obvious but the costs are often less apparent. This study reports the effects of leg autotomy on mobility, foraging ability, and sensory perception in two species of harvestmen, Leiobunum nigripes and Leiobunum vittatum (Opiliones: Sclerosomatidae). The running speed of both species was recorded in a test track. Individuals of both species with only 5 legs were significantly slower than those with 6 or more legs. The mobility and foraging abilities of L. nigripes were tested by recording the time it took for them to find and eat chilled flies (Drosophila virilis). Those harvestmen with only 5 legs spent significantly less time moving and foraging than did those with more legs and took significantly longer to find food than did those with 7 or 8 legs. These results indicate that significant reductions of mobility and foraging ability occur only after the loss of 3 or more legs. Also, flies were eaten significantly sooner after contact with either of the fi.